Getting to Know: Lizzie Sider

 Posted by at 2:47 pm on February 2, 2014
Feb 022014
 

Here’s our interview with Lizzie Sider!

Lizzie Sider

1. What is the #1 item on your Bucket List?  Someday I’d love to go zip lining in Costa Rica.
2. What is something that you are passionate about outside of music?  I love dancing.  My favorite styles are lyrical, modern, and contemporary.  My dance teacher always quotes, “Dance is a key that can unlock the soul.”
3. What artists do you look up to/are inspired by?  Ever since I was very young, I’ve been listening to, along with my parents, artists like Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Patsy Cline, George Strait, The Monkees, Foreigner… the list goes on and on. Others who inspire me are Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift, Hilary Duff, Carrie Underwood and Eva Cassidy.
4. If you could listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be? One of my favorite albums ever is the soundtrack from Dirty Dancing.  Dirty Dancing is one of my favorite movies, if not my absolute favorite!
5. If you knew you could pick your final meal, what would it be?  My mom and dad make the BEST lamb chops!  It’s a team effort; mom marinates and seasons, dad grills.  With those, we have noodles and a green vegetable.  That would definitely be my final meal!
6. What is the last music (album or single) that you have purchased? Was it a CD or mp3?  The last single I purchased was an mp3 from iTunes, and it was “Let it Go” by Demi Lovato.  I think Demi kills it on vocals, and Frozen has become one of my favorite movies!
7. What has been your biggest “Wow” moment in your musical career?  In March of 2013, I filmed my first ever real music video for my song, “I Love You That Much.” We shot it at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles.  I remember everything about that day: getting hair and makeup done on set, meeting and visiting with the other actors and the crew in between shooting, the cameras, funny moments, shooting locations, the onlookers, and mostly how surreal it all felt.
8. If you could pitch one song of yours to a major record label executive, what would it be?  I have a song called “Souvenirs,” which I co-wrote with country artist Jamie O’Neal.  It is a beautiful piano ballad that gives me chills every time I play and sing it, and I’m always told that it has that same effect on other people.  It’s a song about remembering a summer love and it totally encompasses me as an artist.
9. What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?  My parents have been telling me since I was very little to never stop believing in myself and to follow my dreams.  They tell me that they’re proud of me for just being me, and to never lose sight of who I am as a person.  They’re my best friends!
10. What else would you like our readers to know about you?  Some things I like to do in my spare time: Spend time with my parents, play with my dogs, dance, play tennis, knit (my grandma taught me years ago), read, play piano and guitar, practice the fiddle (I’m learning!), go on Pinterest, “sock surf” in my hallway, write songs, listen to music (including vinyl albums), cook, bike ride, and hang out with my friends!

SFCM Featured Artist Video Round Up – 1/31/14

 Posted by at 8:56 pm on January 31, 2014
Jan 312014
 

Here are some videos recently posted to YouTube by our Featured Artists…check ’em out!

Brittney Lawrence

Here’s Brittney Lawrence‘s inside look into her band practice!

33 Years

Here’s 33 Years performing their cover of Miranda Lambert’s “Baggage Claim”

 

Here’s 33 Years performing their original “A Case of Whiskey” – a song that’s up for 2013 SFCM Awards “Favorite Song by a Local Artist” category!

 

Here’s 33 Years performing “I”ll Fly Away”

 

Here’s 33 Years performing “Running Down a Dream”

Lizzie Sider

Here’s video of Lizzie Sider performing the National Anthem at a recent Nashville Predators NHL game!  The video is not set up to be shared, but you can view it by clicking this link!

Getting to Know: Ashley Briggs

 Posted by at 9:40 pm on January 29, 2014
Jan 292014
 

Here’s our interview with Ashley Briggs!

Ashley Briggs

1. What is the #1 item on your Bucket List?  The #1 thing on my bucket list is to play at the Grand Ole Opry or Madison Square Garden!  Maybe even sell out a show there 🙂

2. What is something that you are passionate about outside of music? Outside of my music, I love to play tennis with my friends and family!  I try to play as often as I can, depending on my busy music schedule!

3. What artists do you look up to/are inspired by?  I look up to lots of artists, the main ones being Carrie Underwood and Martina McBride.  I love the example they set, especially for girls and how grounded they are when it comes to their personal lives.

4. If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?  Crash My Party by Luke Bryan, hands down!

5. If you knew you could pick your final meal, what would it be?  A Laspadas sub! YUM!

6. What is the last music (album or single) that you purchased? Was it a CD or mp3? Midnight Memories by One Direction…(yes, I am a devoted fangirl 🙂 and it was the mp3 version, I couldn’t wait to go to the store!

7. What has been your biggest “Wow” moment in your musical career?  Definitely hearing my song ‘Fly’ playing on the Hallmark Channel, or my song ‘Shades’ play in the Justice Stores right after ‘Begin Again’ by Taylor Swift!  It was awesome!

8. If you could pitch one song of yours to a major record label executive, what would it be?  I would pitch my song ‘Island Cowboy’ just because it’s such a fun song and everyone seems to love it!

9. What is the best advice you’ve ever been given? “Sing to the Lord and everything else will fall into place.”

10. What else would you like our readers to know about you?  I am a big fan of being outdoors, hanging with friends, playing tennis, going to the beach, kayaking, and riding bikes!  I love seeing new movies, and don’t think the night is complete without a stop at the ice cream store!  I am also working very hard to further my music career and am very thankful to all my family, friends and fans who support me!  Thank you!

Jan 272014
 

lizi

15-year old SFCM Featured Artist Lizzie Sider is continuing her tour of elementary and middle schools by conducting her Bully Prevention Assembly at over 100 schools during January, February and March of 2014, throughout the entire State of Florida.  The tour continues after a successful weekend in Nashville, where sheperformed the national anthem at the Nashville Predators game before taking the stage at the historic Bluebird Café!

“Bullying doesn’t just happen in October during Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, it happens all year,” says Lizzie Sider.  “As someone who understands what it is like to be bullied, I am on a mission to help anyone who doesn’t think anyone will listen.”

lizzie 2

Lizzie signs autographs at Bayview Elementary School in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

During the 30 to 40-minute assembly, Sider will encourage kids to help prevent bullying as she recounts her own personal journey as a young student being teased and ridiculed in elementary school, what it felt like, and how she tried to deal with it.  In addition, Lizzie discusses the importance of everyone standing up to stop bullying.  She will also perform her original song “Butterfly,” which Sider co-wrote about her experience and how she overcame the teasing.  Her goal is to help kids as a positive role model, having risen above her own ridicule, to pursue a career in music.

 As a spokesperson for PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, which was launched by PACER in 2006, Sider has already visited over 80 schools in California before starting her school tour in Florida.

Check out her Florida schedule below!

Lizzie’s Upcoming Assembly Tour Dates

1/27 Seawind Elementary (2 assemblies) – Hobe Sound, FL

1/27 Pinewood Elementary – Stuart, FL

1/27 Hidden Oaks Middle – Palm City, FL

1/28 Pivot Charter School – Tamarac, FL

1/28 Rise Academy – Lauderhill, FL

1/29 Citrus Grove Elementary – Stuart, FL

1/29 Verde Elementary School – Boca Raton, FL

1/30 Imagine Charter – Plantation, FL

1/30 Florida Intercultural – Davie, FL

1/30 Florida Intercultural Academy of Hollywood – Hollywood, FL

2/3 South Daytona (2 Assemblies) – Deland, FL

2/3 Manatee Cove Elementary – Orange City, FL

2/4 Citrus Grove Elementary – Deland, FL

2/4 Blue Lake Elementary – Lake Helen, FL

2/5 Volusia Pines – Lake Helen, FL

2/5 Woodward Elementary – Deland, FL

2/5 Umatilla Elementary – Umatilla, FL

2/6 George Marks Elementary (2 assemblies) – Deland, FL

2/6 Southwestern Middle – Deland, FL

2/11 Lake Okeechobee Girls Academy – Okeechobee, FL 

2/11 Country Oaks Elementary School- La Belle, FL

2/12 Pinecrest Elementary School – Immokalee, FL

2/12 Highland Elementary School -Immokalee, FL

2/12 LaBelle Middle School – LaBelle, FL

2/13 Miami Childrens Museum Charter School – Miami, FL

2/13 Plantation Key School – Tavernier, FL

2/13 Key Largo School – Key Largo, FL

2/14 Stanley Switlik Elementary – Marathon, FL

2/14 Sugarloaf School Sugar Loaf — Key, FL

2/14 Horace O’Bryant School – Key West, FL

2/18 Dixon School of the Arts – Pensacola, FL

2/18 Liza Jackson Preparatory – Ft. Walton, FL

2/19 Franklin County School – Eastpoint, FL

2/19 Apalachicola Bay Charter School – Apalachicola, FL

2/19 Altha Public School – Altha, FL

2/20 Emma Love Hardee Elementary – Nassau, FL

2/20 Yulee Middle School – Yulee, FL

2/20 Callahan Middle School – Callahan, FL

2/20 Nassau City Homeless – Nassau, FL

2/21 Shadowlawn Elementary School – Green Cove Springs, FL

2/21 Lakeside Junior High – Jacksonville, FL

2/21 Mandarin Middle School – Jacksonville, FL

2/25 Parkway Magnet Middle School – Lauderhill, FL

2/25 Deerfield Park Elementary School – Deerfield Beach, FL

2/25 North Broward Preparatory – Coconut Creek, FL

2/26 Tavares Elementary – Tavares, FL

2/27 Sorrento Elementary – Sorrento, FL

2/27 Seminole Springs Elementary – Eustis, FL

2/27 Windy Hill Middle School (2 assemblies) – Clermont, FL

2/28 Challenger 7 Elementary – Port St. John, FL

2/28 Enterprise Elementary – Cocoa, FL

2/28 Discovery Intermediate – Kissimmee, FL

3/3 Kingsway Elementary School – Port Charlotte, FL

3/3 Port Charlotte County School to be scheduled

3/3 Vineland Elementary – Rotonda, FL

3/4 Myakka River Elementary School – Port Charlotte, FL

3/4 Port Charlotte County School to be scheduled

3/4 Peace River Elementary School – Port Charlotte, FL

3/5 Liberty Elementary School – Port Charlotte, FL

3/5 Neil Armstrong Elementary – Port Charlotte, FL

3/5 Deep Creek Elementary School – Punta Gorda, FL

3/6 Meadows Park Elementary – Port Charlotte, FL

3/6 Port Charlotte Middle School – Port Charlotte, FL

3/11 Wesley Chapel Elementary School – Wesley Chapel, FL

3/11 Cypress Elementary – New Port Richey, FL

3/11 Woodland Elementary – Zephyrillis, FL

3/12 Fuguitt Elementary – Largo, FL

3/12 Eisenhower Elementary — Clearwater, FL

3/12 Melrose Elementary – St. Petersburg, FL

3/13 Laurel Oak Elementary – Naples, FL

3/13 Naples Park Elementary – Naples, FL

3/13 Palmetto Elementary – Naples, FL

3/14 Tommie Barfield Elementary – Marco Island, FL

3/14 Gulf Coast Academy Charter South – Naples, FL 

3/18 Hobe Sound Elementary (2 assemblies) – Hobe Sound, FL

3/18 Pine Crest – Boca Raton, FL

3/24 Wildwood Middle School – Wildwood, FL

3/24 Lake Panasoffkee Elementary – Lake Panasoffkee, FL

3/25 Webster Elementary School — Webster, FL

3/25 South Sumter Middle School — Webster, FL

3/26 Forest City Elementary School – Altamonte Springs, FL

3/27 Roundlake Elementary School – Mt. Dora, FL

3/27 Bushnell Elementary – Bushnell, FL

3/28 Pine Crest School – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

 

For complete Assembly Tour details, please visit www.LizzieSider.com