A day or two in the life of Stephanie Smith

Posted by Stephanie | Filed under Uncategorized

Oh hello!

I just got home from Louisville, KY. Let me tell you about my last 3 days…. Friday morning I woke up at 4:35am and was at work at 5am. I worked until 9am, ran home and showered before my 10:30am appointment. I had ten minutes to grab a breakfast sandwich from Starbucks before my 12:15pm meeting, so I scarfed it down on the way. After that meeting, I an hour to run an errand to prepare for my crazy saturday and get up to Word/Warner Bros. in Nashville to speak to the freshman class of Trevecca. I got a little tied up there and hit some 4pm traffic on my way over to band rehearsal at my drummers house, but made it in time. We rehearsed the set for our Sat show with TobyMac and even threw in a new song! After rehearsal, I had a dinner planned with a friend, but it fell threw and turned into a phone call instead. I was actually thankful, because I had to work at 5am the next morning and still had a lot to do at home to get ready for. I was in bed by 10pm because I knew the next day would be a doozy…. it was.

4:35am, alarm goes off and I’m at work by 5am. (I was originally supposed to work 7-11am, but needed to get off so I could do this show. I called 6 different stores and 5 different employees, NO one would cover my shift, so my boss let me switch with someone so I could get off by 9:30am). I fly out of work at 9:35am, change clothes like a tornado, and hit the road. I traveled at a pretty constant 80 MPH, made one record fast pit stop at a rest area, and made it to Louisville in just under 3 hours. I park my car backstage and hear my band (who drove up ahead of me) sound checking one of my songs on stage. I walk up to Heath (the monitor guy) and he hands me my mic as though it were a handshake. I grab it, walk onstage and finish the song with my band half way through. We finish our soundcheck, and I realize I haven’t eaten anything all day… I grab a quick bite to eat and then…… we rode roller coasters! Someone from six flags escorted us to the front of any line we wanted! I even rode the SkyCoaster- where you free fall on a wire from 350 ft in the air… amazing. Anyway, we played the show in the heat of the day, I was sweating like a lady shouldn’t, but we got through and Louisville, you were AWESOME! Thanks for making such a crazy day so worth it. 

Anyway, my mom came to the show and we stayed behind in Louisville when Toby and my band went home. We had wedding plans to attend to… my MOM is getting married! I don’t want to hear any rumors that I am people, my MOM is ;) Yay… This will be an adventure. So today we registered her at Target and looked for wedding shoes all over town. I just got home from Louisville and I am pooped. I don’t have to work tomorrow! I am going to write some music… 

Just thought I’d share a day or two in the life of Stephanie Smith. 

Hope you enjoyed

S

Read more | Comments (0) | June 21st, 2009

The Doves/Tangle.com

Posted by Stephanie | Filed under Music

Hello All!
It’s me again. Hey, remember the Dove Awards that were a month ago? I was the backstage corespondent for Tangle.com and I got to interview all kinds of cool people throughout the course of the evening, and it’s finally posted! Check out the footage here to see all the good stuff ;) I grabbed some old friends and interviewed them, and made some new ones too! Try to guess who I knew and who I didn’t know ;)
Also!!!! Who wants some Stephanie Smith Garb?! My webstore is up and running! So if I didn’t have your size tshirt at the show, if you ran out of money, or your mom’s money, or if you didn’t even make it to a show and want to sport at “SMITH” T, now you can. I have a question as well. I am thinking about selling some handmade Stephanie Smith accessories (headbands, feather clips, tutu’s ;) etc…), would you be into that? Just curious.
Anyway, I have a chocolate tasting to get to!
Peace!
S

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Read more | Comments (5) | May 29th, 2009

Creation East!

Posted by Stephanie | Filed under Music

Hello Everyone!
It has been a whirlwind the past few weeks. I apologize for slacking off on my posts! I have some exciting news however… a life long goal/dream of mine is going to come true on June 26th when I perform on Main Stage of Creation Festival in Mt Union, PA. I went to Creation for the first time in 1998 when I was 14 and I saw dcTalk for the first time, live in concert. I remember staking my claim to the front row, center spot around late morning or lunchtime and refusing to budge until show time around 9 o’clock in the evening. It was so important to me, one of my youth leaders promised to help me fight for my spot all day in the blistering hot sun. Yes, I was that kid.
The show was amazing of course, but I also fell in love with music festivals that weekend. I returned year after year and soaked up the dusty, hot, sweaty days cooking on little stoves, sleeping in tents, meeting new friends and hearing great speakers and musicians challenge me in my walk. It was always a high. Once I even slept for 21 hours straight after I got home.
Well folks… Its my turn! And you’re all invited ;) come see my band and I rock the summer heat on June 26th! I remember watching people on that huge stage thinking “Someday, I want to perform there.” God is so gracious to allow a little girls dream to come true. Its been hard work, and I still can get so discouraged sometimes, but I never want to take for granted that God is allowing this. He is so good, and I am so grateful. I hope you will get to come check out a show this summer!
If not- watch out for some exciting things in the fall.
Peace,
Stephanie
www.creationfest.com/

Also, check out http://stephaniesmith.fanbridge.com/ so I can stay in touch with you better, let you know updates and even share new music with you first!

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Read more | Comments (2) | May 26th, 2009

Texas

Posted by Stephanie | Filed under Uncategorized

Well, I take back my Twitter from yesterday, right now I wish that I wasn’t flying alone, I’m stuck in an airport and I’m lonely.
I worked at Starbucks yesterday, got off at 3pm and ran to the airport to fly into Houston, then rented a car and drove 2 hours to College Station, TX. I finally laid my head to rest around 12am and woke up early to meet up with the rest of the team for the Secret Keeper Girl event this morning.
The event went well despite some minor setup and sound challenges. You Texas girls and mamas are sweet.
Now, I just returned the rental car in Houston to find out my flight is delayed an hour. So I sit. I forgot headphones and I couldn’t find a plug so I’m sitting by a trashcan charging my phone in the food court of the airport. It’s awkward when people walk over to me and throw their food away next to my head.
I was going to stay in Texas because I am meeting up with the Teen Mania/ATF people on Tuesday in Tyler, TX, but I couldn’t get off from Starbucks so Im flying back to work Sunday afternoon and Monday morning then flying back to Texas on Monday afternoon. I’m wrestling with a bad attitude. Maybe it’s the trashcan. I think I’m going to go get some Pappasito’s!
S

Read more | Comments (4) | May 2nd, 2009

Finding Refuge

Posted by Stephanie | Filed under Uncategorized

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls… It’s been one of those weeks. You know when God is doing something in your life and it feels like your chest is in one giant knot and you have to remind yourself just to breathe? Yeah, that kind of week. I’m not sure how to summerize it beyond that He is bringing me back to center. Here is a quote from the book I am reading called “Experiencing God through Prayer” that my sweet friend Nirva gave me:

“God’s design for our lives must take FIRST place. This should strip us of all our own actions so that His plan may be substituted in their place.”

Ouch! Do you realize just how painful being stripped of our actions and agendas can be?! I’m realizing that I have not been very surrendered to the Lords design. I have so many of my own agendas.
I so desire to live a spirit filled life, but that means I must entirely give up control of my life. Col 3:3 says “For I died and my life is now hidden with Christ.” I can literally feel the death, and it’s painful. I’m lonely and would love to run to a person right now, but my sweet Jesus is just calling me to himself, and no one else can fix my heart. He is enough. Col 2:10 “I have fullness in Christ.”
Be encouraged.
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
My hope comes from Him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
He is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your hearts to Him,
For God is our refuge.”
Psalm 62:5-8

Blessings,
Stephanie

Read more | Comments (3) | May 2nd, 2009

Day 3 of GMA

Posted by Stephanie | Filed under Uncategorized

Well here I am again- pooped! I started a little later today with interviews- around 9am- finished up and went to get my hair done. Let me tell you folks… risk taking is great, but maybe not right before 15 camera interviews and an award show. I decided I wanted to go platinum blonde, well I’ve always wanted to, but I decided to actually do it… but this is quite a process. Long story short, I had golden/orange low-lights in my hair for a day and a half! She fixed it today, and I am very very very blonde… I have to get used to it. Enough of that… 

Something cool happened in on of my interviews today. Often, its very draining to talk and talk, be bubbly and answer many of the same questions over and over, so I took some time today to pray with my best friend and assistant, Emily. We grabbed a corner in the Hilton lobby and Emily prayed over me for strength, energy and instead of feeling drained after sharing, I would feel empowered as I shared about what the Lord has done and is doing in my life. A few interviews later, I was talking with 2 lovely ladies from WakeUp Media and I felt so energized. It was such a delightful interview and one of the ladies reached out and touched my leg and told me she sensed the Lord in my authenticity. She said it was encouraging to her… Can anyone say “Answered Prayer?” I myself was encouraged. 

I bumped into Kevin Max again today, and so I sent a twitter (follow Stephanaynay) out into the universe asking Michael Tait to please be my friend, he was my missing link to the dcTalk trio coming full circle in my life. I spent some time waiting in the Gotee Suite in between interviews about an after I sent that twitter, and all the sudden the door busts in, and who pops his head in?! Michael Tait! I almost dropped my coffee! 

Ah yes… dreams really do come true folks! Well, I have a showcase I have to get ready for now… and I am going to take a cat nap so I can actually sing!

Keep fighting the good fight peeps!

S

Read more | Comments (4) | April 21st, 2009

Day 2 of GMA!

Posted by Stephanie | Filed under Music

Hello everybody! It’s me again blogging about the 2009 GMA’s. Today was Monday and this is my first moment to breathe since my lunch break! I started at 830am in the Gotee suite and haven’t really had an opportunity to stop since! It was a day full of interviews and an evening full of dinners and show cases. 

I saw many friends and familiar faces throughout the halls and lobbies of both the Renaissance and Hilton as artists and their “people” made their way to and from interviews. I saw my good friends from Group 1 Crew and EleventySeven during a mid-afternoon coffee break at Starbucks. I answered many of the same questions, and several new ones on current events like the economy or new state of our country. 
My label mates, B.Reith and Ayeshia Woods were in and out of the Gotee Suite all day so I got to catch up with them and see them perform as well tonight. After I spent the first part of my evening at the Compassion International Artist Appreciation Dinner, I made my way over to the ERACE showcase. Not only did I sit next to the infamous Kevin Max (formerly of dcTalk) I watched some of the greatest talent I’ve ever witnessed. TobyMac, Jonny Lang, Tommy Simms, Phil Keaggy, Amy Grant, and SO many more came out and performed to support “Eliminating Racism And Creating Equality.” I was so blown away, it was like a musical high. I’m still buzzing from it! Outstanding. 
It was a little hike back to Franklin where I live and I am trying to lay everything out for tomorrow so I can sleep in as late as possible! I’ve got another day full of interviews, people watching and showcases tomorrow! 
I am gathering some video footage and I will have it ready for you asap so keep checking back!
Peace!
Stephanie 

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Read more | Comments (2) | April 21st, 2009

Oh Boy! GMA Week

Posted by Stephanie | Filed under Music

What’s happening folks?! I’m checking in after the first day of the 2009 GMA’s. This is my fourth year observing the festivities but only my second participating. I was actually surprised at the tameness of the Rennisance Hotel (which is usualy a zoo!) today. I’m hoping it’s just because it was the first day.
I did run into my girl Francesca Battistelli as she was gearing up for a soundcheck for the BMI songwriters showcase tonight that Matthew West and Natalie Grant are hosting. I also ran into by buddy Wally from  WayFM’s Total Axxess as he was chatting it up with some friends in the lobby.
I’m looking forward to the week; you never quite know what to expect or who you’re going to run into, but I am going to try my best to document it day by day for you! I’ve got a showcase on Tuesday night with about 20 other fabulous artists and this is my first year going to and participating in the Dove Awards (I’m presenting at the preshow). I’ll let you know all about the behind the scene experience! So keep checking back all week! Lots more to come!

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Read more | Comments (4) | April 21st, 2009

Show on FRIDAY!

Posted by Stephanie | Filed under Uncategorized

Everyone is invited to come check out an awesome night of chick rawk ‘n’ roll! This friday at Oasis Church in Nashville, TN Ayiesha Woods, Krystal Meyers and yours truly will be playing a benefit show at 7pm! Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door, but you can email rockthepulse@gmail.com to reserve $10 tickets and pay at the door. 

Come on out and have a party with us…. All the cool kids are doin’ it ;)

See ya there!

S

Read more | Comments (5) | March 29th, 2009

Disney World

Posted by Stephanie | Filed under Friends

Once upon a time, my friends were planning for my 25th birthday. It was still a few weeks away, but much thought had been put into it already. One Sunday afternoon (today), we were eating chocolate in Brock and Auny’s living room, with a fire in the fireplace and Brock said “The only thing that could make this day better would be a surprise…” then I got a twitter from GypsyEm saying “I have a surprise” followed by a twitter from Auny, saying “I have a surprise” followed by a twitter from BrockGill saying “Surprise surprise surprise. It’s a good day” (At this point, I’m thinking…. hmmm, “If Lindsey twitters, the surprise is for me, cause I don’t know about any surprise”) And last but not least, I got a twitter from Lindsey_fire saying “Surprise!”
Auny enters the room with a gift bag and hands it to me. I did notice it had some Disney characters on it, but we have thrown a Disney princess party before, so I didn’t want to assume anything…. the bag was empty. Emily and Lindsey asked me “Stephanie, have you ever been to Disney before?” (They already knew the answer… big fat no!) and they exclaimed “We are going to DISNEY WORLD for your birthday!”
YAAAAYYYYYYY!!!
I have the best friends in the whole world- they are taking me to DISNEY for my birthday!!!!! Emily already asked my work if I could have off, and booked hotels and organized everything… yay. Yay. Annnnd Yay!
Wooo Hooooo
I’ll take pictures for ya
S

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Read more | Comments (4) | March 29th, 2009

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