Check out this awesome video of Emily Brooke performing “Say Something” on the piano!
Jan 022014
Dec 312013
photo by Mike Carroll
Check out our interview with Cecilia Lauren from Cecilia Lauren & The Ocoee River Band!
- What is the #1 item on your bucket list? It’s so hard to categorize my bucket list there is a lot I want to do in my lifetime. One of my #1 items is to take my family on an all expenses paid cruise to Alaska & see the Humpback Whales in their natural habitat. And of course to make a living performing and/or writing music!
- What is something you are passionate about outside of music? I am a huge lover of animals & the environment!
- What artists do you look up to/are inspired by? I am very inspired by Shania Twain. I grew up listening to her in the car on the way to school every morning. She has overcome a lot in her life and still managed to follow her dream. I also love Reba McEntire’s music and personality she seems so warm-hearted & friendly. I love Miranda Lambert’s fiery side in her songs as well. I’m also a Temptations fan, songs like “My Girl” & “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” are great for inspiration. There are so many artists to be inspired by the list would be endless.
- If you cold only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be? My brain just went blank, lol. There are just to many to choose from…… One CD I always find myself going back to is Shania Twains “Up”.
- If you knew you could pick your final meal, what would it be? Lobster tails with fresh veggies & lots of butter. (Humanely caught & not boiled) 🙂 I fight with myself on this one, but it’s my favorite meal.
- What is the last music (album or single) that you have purchased? Was it a CD or MP3? Terri Clark’s CD “Classic” purchased at her show @ Renegades. I especially like the “Golden Ring” duet with Dierks Bentley.
- What has been your biggest “WOW” moment in your musical career? I’m not sure if I’ve had it yet, but I felt amazing after singing at the 2013 Key Largo Seafood Fest, we had an amazing crowd and a huge standing ovation at the end of the show. I always love the feeling you get after singing the Star Spangled Banner as well. A more intimate “wow” moment for me was when I sang for the VA hospital in 2008 there was not a dry eye in the room, you could feel the power of the words and the enjoyment on their faces.
- If you could pitch one song of yours to a major record label executive, what would it be? “Paycheck to Paycheck” is a great song and is relevant to the economy today, and so many people can relate to it. I would love to pitch all my songs b/c each one means something different to me. It’s like writing a part of myself on paper and bringing it to life.
- What is the best advice you’ve ever been given? My mom bought me a little stone that says “Sing like no one is listening.” So that’s what I do. 🙂
- What else would you like our readers to know about you?
- I love my family and friends, I couldn’t ask for a more supportive group of people.
- I love my band members, we have been together for 5 years. They are a great bunch of musicians and friends. I have learned a lot from them.
- I love to read all kinds of books (romance, syfy, vampires, werewolves, mystery, etc…)
- I was a veterinary technician for almost 10 years, love helping animals.
- I’m a huge pitbull lover, always have been.
- I’m a big spay & neuter advocate.
- I hate when people litter, and I like to recycle.
- I’m against wearing fur or faux fur.
- I started a “save the whale club” with my friends when I was about 8 years old.
- I’m actually very shy, especially when it comes to public speaking.
- I’m currently in school getting my bachelors in supervison & managment and would like to work for the ASPCA one day.
- I love all genres of music, but country is close to my heart.
- I do dream of going to Nashville & making my dreams come true. Would love to make them come true in Florida though:) I was born & raised here, & these are my roots.
- I want to learn to speak fluent spanish since half of me is cuban 🙂
- My first singing activity that I can remember is me singing to disney sing along videos all the time!
- Well that’s a little about me 🙂 Thank for being a fan of country music!
Dec 262013
- What is the #1 item on your Bucket List? #1 thing on my bucket list is to play at the Grand Ole Opry. I think that would be the most amazing thing ever.
- What is something that you are passionate about outside of music? I like arts and crafts type projects. I like to make photo albums, and memory boxes, or doodle and decorate my text books.
- What artists do you look up to/are inspired by? One of my first real idols was SFCM member Amber Leigh. I can still remember thinking how cool she was when she was on stage. To me, at 8 years old, she was larger than life. All of my other violin teachers were passionate about classical music, and could not understand my passion for fiddle, and country music. Amber Leigh made music fun.
- If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be? Only Good Things! Of course! I worked really hard on my debut album! I am so happy with how good all the musicians were in the studio. When I perform on stage, I usually perform alone. I enjoy performing, but in the studio, recording the music, with a room full of the best musicians ever…. That was just amazing. When I listen, I really focus on all of the instrumentals.
- If you knew you could pick your final meal, what would it be? Nacho’s, with refried beans and cheese. The way my Daddy makes them. But if it was my final meal, I would just order deserts.
- What is the last music (album or single) that you have purchased? Was it a CD or mp3? MP3, on iTunes of “We Were Us”, by Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert. I have to confess I do not buy a lot of albums, but I buy a lot of singles. I get a lot of iTunes gift cards as gifts, so it makes it easy to buy a song when you like it.
- What has been your biggest “Wow” moment in your musical career? The biggest “wow” moments for me is meeting famous people. I met Charlie Daniels, and he signed my Fiddle!!! I meet a lot of the best performers at the fairs and festivals. I put most of the pictures on my web site, so check it out. The last one was at the grand opening of the Indian Motorcycle of Pompano. The MC was an actor named Brett Wagner, but I didn’t know who he was. He introduced me really nice, and we talked a lot over the two day event. He liked my music, and we joked during the slow times. I went home that night and turned on the TV show “Kickin it” and there he was, playing the bad guy on a TV show I watch. WOW. I didn’t even get his autograph.
- If you could pitch one song of yours to a major record label executive, what would it be? My latest song, Over You, is my best, in my opinion. But I seem to think my newest song is best every time I write a new one. Since I do not have a recording, I would pitch my song “Keep Tryin”. It is one of my all time favorites, and has a good message. And lets face it, I am young, and new to music. I have to Keep Tryin!
- What is the best advice you’ve ever been given? Caroline Kole is a 16 year old singer from Tampa area. She signed with Sony at 14, and now she tours with Reba. I met her after she performed, on her 14th birthday. At the time, I was a fiddle player, and just starting to sing, and write music. Caroline told me to Sing anywhere, and Sing everywhere because you don’t know who is there listening. That is the same advice I give kids at my shows that ask me how to get on stage. It was great advice! I perform a lot, and most of my gigs are because someone in the audience sees me, and asks me to perform at their events.
- What else would you like our readers to know about you? I would like to tell everyone Thank YOU for the support. I have almost 2500 people on Facebook that took the time to hit the “like” button on my fan page. When I put up new pictures, or new songs, I get some wonderful comments. People I do not know, and they like my pictures, or my music. It feels really good. For everybody else, I would tell everyone to take the time to hit the “like” button when you like the artist, and like the music! Like it, buy it, and let the artist know! There are some amazing musicians in South Florida, and there is live music every night of the week!
Dec 102013
Erica Morgan is a talented singer-songwriter in Coral Springs, FL. Check out her answers as we put her under the microscope!
- What is the #1 item on your Bucket List? Release an album on a major label so I can share my stories & life experiences with the world.
- What is something that you are passionate about outside of music I’ve always loved music, but my main hobby/passion was actually figure skating. I started in the 2nd grade and my goal was to one day be able to skate in the Olympics. I went to the same skating school as Olympic gold medalist, Sarah Hughes. I was a natural at it and never thought I’d ever give it up. However, I got older and realized I didn’t want to do anything but music.
- What artists do you look up to/are inspired by? Eric Church & Shania Twain. I grew up on Shania music and with Eric, he’s like the god of country music to me. I have such a strong connection with his music & lyrics that will always bring me back to special moments of my life.
- If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be? Chief by Eric Church
- If you knew you could pick your final meal, what would it be? Pollo Rosa Maria from Carrabba’s. I love Italian food and can pretty much live off carbs haha
- What is the last music (album or single) that you have purchased? Was it a CD or mp3? Danielle Bradbery’s debut album! I rushed to Target to buy it. It’s absolutely flawless!
- What has been your biggest “Wow” moment in your musical career? I have so many, but one that really was “wow” to me was going to Jay Demarcus’ house from Rascal Flatts to record a single with his team. The music of Rascal Flatts music has gotten me through so many storms in my life and I remember being a wide-eyed high school in my living room watching them on TV to being in their home and their studio. It was incredible. Also because I had worked so long and hard to get there.
- If you could pitch one song of yours to a major record label executive, what would it be? “Home Is Where The Heart Is” would be my number 1 choice. I haven’t released it yet, but it’s one of the most emotional and beautiful songs I have ever written. It’s about my very small and close hometown, parents, and growing up. The lyrics are extremely metaphorical and different. My heart belongs to that song (pun intended) 🙂
- What is the best advice you’ve ever been given? I remember sitting down for my first co write with a successful songwriter in Nashville by the name of Dan Demay. He had me play one of my songs. I was so nervous and was expecting to be critiqued over everything since that’s what I was so used to. However he said to me, “if I knew exactly what I was doing, I would have more number 1 hits. So keep on doing what you’re doing. I wouldn’t change anything.” I realized that no matter what anyone says about my music, like in life, not everyone is always going to agree. Everyone is so different and likes different things. Just because one person doesn’t agree with a lyric or melody, doesn’t mean it’s bad. Just means my style is different. And what’s not good for one may be good for someone else. Just like choosing an ice cream flavor!
- What else would you like our readers to know about you? I’ve been taking a long break from recording to focus on writing, performing, and just figuring out who I want to be as an artist. I started doing country music over 6 years ago and will be graduating college very soon. My life experiences have made my songwriting so much stronger and my songs are no longer, “he walked by me in the hallway”. I’ve been taking a break because I’ve rushed into recording so many songs just to record them. I thought I knew who I wanted to be as an artist, but I didn’t. However, now I finally do and I’m so glad I’ve been able to focus on just school and my writing for the last year and a half. I’m really proud of these new songs and can’t wait to get back in the studio sometime next year!
Dec 102013
This banner says it all! Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Train, Sheryl Crow, Billy Currington, Delta Rae, Cole Swindell, Frankie Ballard, Brothers Osborne, Chase Rice, Blackjack Billy, and more will be at the 2014 Tortuga Music Festival in Ft. Lauderdale!