Sail away with Callahan Divide

     Probably, about time to dust this blog off. It has been quite some time in my life since my last post. I relocated to Texas for a job, have letters behind my name...I am now a Physical Therapist Assistant. However, no matter how many hats I wear, I will always be a writer and a music lover. It is funny lookin' at the latest title of Callahan Divide's EP: Come about. In the nautical sense of the word it means change directions. In essence from the last time I left you with a post I was deep in the seas of hope, faith, and reality. Now a lot of my life revolves around sailing along the lyrical melodies and uptempo beats of this emerging Texas band.
    The members: Colton, Garrett, Justin and Travis come together in perfect harmony. Writing songs that rival the storytellings' of any great author. With lyrics that pay homage to growing up in the Lonestar state to the usual heart break, nights that you'll never forget, and hope for what is to come down the great road of life. If you ever come to Texas make a stop in Callahan County. Nestled in the middle is Abilene, where the band hails from. It is easy to see that the county not only led rise to their name but is a place where lots of magical musical happenings occur.
    Take in an Acoustic show or go full band and get the true: Callahan Divide experience. I've hung out with the band a few times and on my last round, Colton said something that I couldn't let go of, "One day when we play Billy Bob's, I'll remember this night playing a little club in San Angelo so close to the Motel 6." I smiled and referred to, "A night no one at Billy Bob's will know about but a night that will forever keep them humble."
    I got the idea to write this post because one older lady at the bar  that night in San Angelo came up to Travis and asked if they would be playing any George Strait or Garth brooks songs. It took everythin' I had not to take matters into my own hands but Travis handled her with Kindness. I am a fan of George and Garth but the beauty of discovering artist such as these 4 is the true talent that is songwriting. I have tried it a time or two and without any skills with a guitar or singing for that matter I found it difficult and unsuccessful. They have a way of finding lines that stick with you. That make you think. They have a way of painting pictures that if you listen close enough is vivid enough to imagine. Such as their song Pirate: A homeless man is lookin' for an escape for his true reality and wishes he could  be sailing across the seas and become a pirate. Or to the real life reality of realizing what you had in front of you was good enough in their song Gone.  The best part is that their music is 100 percent authentically them, no fabrication. They may throw a cover in now and then but every line they play gives listeners the unique Callahan Divide sound.
        Established 5 years ago: 2 albums, an EP, and a new album in the works I do not see an end to this  musical journey quite yet. I actually see a breakthrough and continued success to come for these guys. They are the singers for the lost souls, the gypsies and the dreamers. For the rock n roll rebels and for those in love with the fact that Texas Music doesn't give a fuck about rules.
   I dare you to dive deeply into this band. I dare you to break out of societies comfort zone and fall deeply in love with walking outside the radio waves to find a band that has soul, 4 incredible instrumentalist, songs from the heart and minds and that is leavin' their mark in the Texas red dirt.

So, Don't be shy, hop aboard, and let's all set sail with Callahan Divide.

 

Looking for Alaska by John Green...A book review with a twist

If I haven't expressed it enough I am a uber nerd. I've battled a love and hate relationship with reading well because when your younger its so cool and then it becomes not so cool. However, no in my life I wish I had more time to read.
I stumbled across a quote a little over a year ago, it caught my attention perhaps because the signatures in my works is rain .. In my first two, it signified a danger, and eminence of doubt and despair and at the time writing those rain had lost its beauty to me. Whereas, now a days rain usually signifies the rebirth or resurgence of something. This quote comes from John Greens book looking for Alaska which I devoured in a mere five hours, it goes "If people were rain, I was the drizzle and she was the hurricane."

What a blissfully wonderful phrase. I personally find the connection due to my friends relating me to sometimes acting such as a hurricane. In moments of the book, I felt like Alaska and some parts I felt like Pudge(aka Miles). I related to Alaska in a sense of her feelings regarding her actions to a tragic event. Also, I have been trying to create a Life Library of books to read and like Alaska I think I've saved every paper I have ever written.

However, I feel like Miles a lot. I had few friends growing up. I don't really know how to classify where I fell in regards to high school cliques. Like him I had a small circle of close friends, one being a girl named Linsey. Unlike Miles I didn't have a physical attraction to Linsey but I loved her as if she was my sister. As the book goes on, Miles realizes that after his life tragic event that things will continue to fall apart and that memories will eventually do the same.

I remember feeling the exact emotions shear days after Linsey passed away and they mirror almost perfectly to the way Miles felt after losing Alaska. I remember the fear of forgetting how she laughed, the kind of shampoo or perfume she used, I feared always having to do things alone.

While Miles went to Culver Creek to find his Great Perhaps, I feel like Miles found a greater appreciation to life. That while both Love and Friendship is often the most grazed by currency of life, Miles realized that there was hope in having friends and although he was never sure if Alaska loved him back, he could rest assured that their friendship was "to be continued."

As a writer I find it vital to dive into others stories. I commended John Green for the excellent work of fiction he produced and love how in the back he mentions creating characters similar to people he knows because I do that also.

I recommend everyone read this novel. It is probably more gauged to teenage kids but its lessons that you can recall and remind yourself of.  Like Miles, I suppose I let part of my life slip after Linsey died because I was looking for the answer, for a sign that she was still here. Although, similar to Miles, I can take great pride in knowing that just like Alaska forgives him for his transgressions, Linsey forgives me of mine.

What would I say to her?

A picture flashed on my computer screen. A very small girl about three years old. That small girl was me. Eyes brightened with a zeal for life and a heart still vibrant as ever. If I could have warned that little girl about the struggles she would endure, how would it be that I could tell her such things without breaking her eager spirit.
      How would I explain to her that gettin' glasses seemed like the end of the world but really opened up her world beyond belief. It gave her the ability to see details, words, and pictures. What would I tell her when her favorite cat boots got ran over by the neighbors pick up. Would I tell her about an even bigger loss that would occur later in her life or would I simply remind her to continue to love God's creatures equally.
     What about telling her to stay strong during what seemed like a mini-vacation to live with her grandma. Would I have told her about how her Mom always cared but circumstances dictated her life at that moment. Would I detour to tell her that forgiving him would be the hardest thing, but forgiving him of all his wrongdoing is what would ultimately set her free from his reign.
   Would I know how to spoil her teen years. Would I have been able to paint such vivid pictures of Spain in her mind. At that point, she wouldn't have even known other places existed. Would I be able to prepare her for the beginning struggle with her weight? Could I have protected her from self redicule. I couldn't and still wouldn't even if I could.

The things I could confidently tell her is that even in lives darkest moments, never forget to have hope. Hope that tomorrow will be better, hope that life will continue on, hope that love and support will never be far from her. To BE COURAGEOUS! To not let the small lamb inside be triumphed by overabundant lions, and to sometimes be the leader of the pride. To let her voice soar, to scream when she needs to, to laugh without tryin' to control it, to speak out against injustice and to speak up about passion and love. I would tell her to stand tall, to shine, to be an adventurer, a dreamer, and a passionate lover of life. I would tell her that no matter what gets thrown at her, that she will survive, because when she looks in a mirror into my eyes she will still there! 

You are my fairy tale

I am sure that phrase doesn't suit you anymore. Somedays, your more like a nightmare. The blissfulness once shared is now the pitfall of my lonely heart. Why must we encourage fairy tales? Why do we let magic and mystery rule such a simple act such as love.

Maybe because LOVE can be defined so many different ways, it not only emotionally elicits feelings of grandeur but physically makes our bodies feel better. It takes away insecurities and heightens our sense of awareness.

I write romance novels. I love the way my characters can torture each other down to the depths of their souls but in the end in a miraculous fate they find out that they are better together than as single units. Right now Cade Crawley is waitin' for the stubborn Emery Dixon to realize that the outside world should not be were she draws validation of oneself but rather she should look within to find all her grand qualities. For Cade, Emery has become like a lighthouse, a refuge in a sea of chaos and despair. However, for Miss Dixon, love doesn't come so easily. Where did Love go wrong for her? Why must she make Cade fight to make it alright again?

You are my Cade Crawley, you've softly suggested that I give up lookin' for acceptance from the unknown world and find that from within. Yet, we haven't spoken in sometime and I do not feel like a phone call could properly thank you. A year ago, I believed you could be the one to rescue me, to save me from my own demise. I believed that you were sent to me, to remind me that laughter and smiles are perhaps the least accounted currency in ones lives and yet they bring the greatest joy. How is it that as perfect strangers we talked more than as friends? Maybe like most girls, I read only the lines I wanted to see, and left the unknown ones blurred.

If you ever come across this I want you to know that you reminded me what it was like to live. You reminded me that I still have a purpose and that purpose may be unclear to me but in due time it will unfold. You have a great adventure in front of you as well and I'm sorry that I wasn't meant to come along to help you when you've fallen. In my heart you'll always be my fairy tale but in my mind you might be the most tragic of missed opportunities.

"Just Call Me Sugar"- How to swoon millions of girls with one simple word by Dr.Garrett Morgan

     Garrett Morgan is not a love doctor but he easily could be. Garrett Morgan is a rising singer/songwriter out of Northern California. Originally from the lonestar state just outside of the San Antonio city limit sign. Garrett  has a unique way of classifying his music by simply calling his sound a "Texa-fornia" fusion. While I am not sure which state influences him more I can vouch like many other Garrett Morgan fans that we really do not mind as long as he keeps cranking out hits.
    One such hit  is his single "Sugar". Morgan says this track is a classy way of telling a woman she is sexy and brings forth the beauty of such an intimate moment between two lovers. This track happens to be one of my favorites of Morgan's for his inherit raspy voice...which I found out was a vocal trick he performs because he doesn't really like his voice. I say stick with it. It is perfect to me.
     Morgan mentioned in an interview with him that he doesn't see music as a "career" but rather a passion. From an early age he dreamed of making it "big" and he says the journey makes him fall in love more and more with creating and performing great music. Morgan doesn't want to be classified in a box. He says "great music is purely great." Him and his band have a rule...to produce the best no matter what. Whether one track sound a little pop or a little more traditional country they are cranking out hits they believe in, much like a chef pours their heart and soul into their food. Although, if one is curious who Garrett views his musical style most common with he says that his band is basically the love child of Dierks Bentley and John Mayer.
     As a singer and a songwriter it is important to balance both talents. Morgan says he keeps a notebook of one liners or phrases that he likes to either use when he is writing alone or co-writing. He also finds solace and inspiration for his songs by reading poetry. He believes some of the best songs have popped to him by way of melody and then soared into a great track. If he could collaborate with anyone he would choose many different artist one being Taylor Swift. He thinks that people do not give her enough create for her ability. On his album there is a track called "Standing on a Bridge"which he wrote with John Mayer in mind and would love to do something with the guitar slinging Brad Paisley as well.
          When tryin' to figure out which artist he likes to do covers of he told me in a nice way that its a secret since on his upcoming album he is actually doing a cover by his favorite female singer and he assured me it wasn't a Taylor Swift track. So, I suppose the mystery is as good as unsolved to all of us until the new album comes out.
       With the buzz of artist and athlete's flocking to social media outlets Morgan cannot praise the wildfire that has occurred in his life due to joining twitter. He says he has fans all over the world and that  it's a great way of meeting amazing people that you may not get to see everyday or otherwise connect with. I say this is true, Garrett followed me on Twitter and my chain reaction was to follow him back. After I did so I realized his amazing talent and we ended up connecting so well he allowed me to write this blog.
     Besides music he loves to travel. He frequents Mexico quite a bit on his travels. He loves sports and especially loves to golf. He is a reader which warms my writer heart. Plus, he loves meeting new people. If you ever had a doubt that Garrett was a great guy he once gave a friend a Kidney and wants to be open and honest with his fans about how much photoshop is done on his pictures, he explained that "I'm 5 ft 2, 140 lbs, heavily balding and out of shape." Never believe some of the stuff Morgan says however he is a huge jokester and loves to play pranks from time to time. If Garrett is in control of the TV then he is most likely feeding his addiction to the show Psych. He believes detective Juliet O'Hara is the die-cut of a perfect woman.
   While Garrett Morgan has the ability to swoon woman with one simple word he can also be enjoyed by men. Garrett Morgan loves his Whiskey likes he loves his woman. If you are wanting to connect with Garrett you can follow him on twitter @gmorganmusic. You can sample his tracks on Spotify. I dare you to dive into the lyrics of a Garrett Morgan song and I promise at least you ladies will be dying for him to call you sugar.
           

Be Daring, Be Bold, Be You

  I was reminded days ago that my battle plan to life had worn out and served it purpose. I could no longer read the coordinates and was dwelling on missed missions. The past few days I have tried to redefine the perfect missions, the perfect comrades, and the plan that will win the war.

What I've discovered in the battle field of life is to: be daring, be bold, but always be YOU. I know you all are sayin' that is fundamental. We all know to be ourselves, to take risk, and to dare cross another path or chase another dream. Believe me, I knew that fact as well. However, when the stresses, the demons, and life drags you down you can lose your grip or rather your sense of urgency in winning the war.

When I was brought onto this Earth...I couldn't have fathomed the paths and trials I would have to face. As those became exposed to me I slowly equipped myself with the essential toolbox. I mean at the time I thought the lessons were pretty essential. However, like we as individuals are always evolving...so is our essential toolbox.

Of course, not all the contents are changed and sometimes we are lucky enough to inherit a bigger tool box to store more of these infinite wisdom's in. Though each individuals tool box is composed of different tools...this simple phrase can find its way inscribed if not on the tool box itself but in your heart.

I challenge you to adapt or review your battle plan. As a part of my newly drafted plan I am going to genuinely smile more and worry less. I am going to love wholeheartedly and give without the intent of receiving anything in return. So, are you ready to Be Daring, Be Bold, but most importantly Be YOU?

The Journey to cowboyhood

 When we're little we all aspire to be something. Some of us want to be famous while others hope just to find the secret to happiness. For some men , however, they journey on from being a man to becoming a cowboy. Devon Dutton a bull rider from Clarksville, Arkansas is on this journey. Being a bull rider to him isn't just a way of showing off his strength or his inner craziness, it is his life.
  Dutton always wanted to ride bulls, but like many young men his mother wasn't quite fond on the idea. Devon told me that at 16 he finally went to a buck out pin and mounted a bull for the very first time. While most teens are test driving pick ups or cars, Dutton was test drivin' a beast, one with horns and hooves. Although, being naturally talented Devon stayed on for the first eight seconds. It went all downhill from there and it's when Dutton notched his name permanently on any entry form he could get his hand on.
   Being a bull rider  is tough. Not only is there a physical toll which makes this 21 year old feel much older and constantly sends the line from the Garth brooks song "Much to young to feel this damn old" through his head but there is an emotional toll. Dutton mentions that bull riders must find their own way to escape the fear of it. He gave me the example about being the next guy out of the chute, and the rider out before you gets knocked out. "You have to block it out of your head, if you don't you will fall off. You have to find your brand of cockiness/confidence."
   One thing that Dutton does best is never shy away from a battle. He hold a card to many rodeo organizations and plans on getting his PRCA permit. He has had a delay at getting his permit to the elite Pro Rodeo association due to injury. However, his fighter mentality makes him want to always compete against the best and beat them. If he could face one bovine opponent of his dreams it would be the late great Little Yellow Jacket.
  Besides, being crazy enough to ride bulls, Dutton loves to be outdoors and if not riding bulls he prefers to be on the water, hunting or watching his beloved Arkansas Razorbacks or cursing the backroads to clear his head. If he hadn't found a career in bull riding he would probably be a hunting guide and dreams of one day opening a hunting ranch on the side ( I think that is really Kick Butt).
  Devon says his biggest fan is his mama although he always hates when she has nervous breakdowns watching him ride. He wants to redefine the bull riding community by stripping away the "player" mentality from people minds and showing them that even good ol' boys find enjoyment in the bucking chute. Besides his family, Jesus is number one in his life.
  Dutton would say he is his own worst critic and that people often tell him he is to pretty to be a bull rider. Ladies, if you look at him his adorable, breathe taking smile will definitely rope you in. He is living his dreams and hopes to etch his name into the record books. He will not call himself a cowboy for he feels like those are big boots to fill and he just isn't there yet.
   If you want to catch Devon Dutton live you can find him riding from the plains of Oklahoma to the deep south of Mississippi. Devon is a bull rider to watch for and you better bet that his name will be put on many buckles and many rodeo programs. If you want to know more about this handsome gentleman than follow him on twitter (@DevonDutton).
   The Cowgirl Dreamers (@21RockinCowgirl and @MissRowdyRodeo) are excited to be members of Team Dutton and cannot wait to watch Devon mature and win some of the biggest rodeos known to the rodeo community. Best of Luck on the Rodeo Trail Mr. Dutton and we hope to come support you live soon and recruit more and more fans for the team. We promise to make your mama a Team Dutton Shirt.

God Bless and leavin' the rodeo arena