Stephanie Smith’s Blog

Here you have it: The first episode from the road. Now you don’t have to wonder what it’s like out there. We are just going to capture it all on film and send it your way! Keep checking Hearitfirst.com and Godtube.com for more backstage and behind the scenes information!

Actually, you should just come out to a show and check it out for yourself!

WHAT IT’S LIKE TV - EPISODE 1

Hello people in the world,

It’s still a little crazy out here on Winter Jam, but I still love it. I had a hard day yesterday, no particular reason- I think it was just an opposed day. But the sun is shining here in Tampa, and its a little warmer…. I think it’s going to be a good one.

I have a funny story for all you TobyMac fans from sound check the other day. I was checking my vocal mic and I busted into an old dcTalk rap from 1992 called “Talk It Out.” The band joined in and we had a nice little beat going. Toby was in the arena listening to my sound check and talking to a few people. His son was with him too. In the middle of my “rap” Truett turns to his daddy and says “Dad, is she just making that up as she goes?!” Toby had to explain to his son that it was one of his own raps from “back in the day.” I thought it was hilarious! And I was pretty proud of myself for remembering all those lyrics… I mean, its not like I listen to it anymore….

S

I am home for a few days! The first run of WinterJam is over… in some ways I was so glad for the break so I could catch up on sleep and not be rolling around in a van trying to rest. But on the other hand, I was just starting to feel like we hit a groove. The first few days were long and stressful, and I had my first breakdown on the 3rd day! Is anyone surprised?! But I got some sleep and was refreshed for the 4th show in Charlotte, NC, and I have to say, I think it was our best show out of the 4.

While we were in downtown Charlotte, Nathan, Kadar, Francesca Battistelli and I walked a few blocks to a Starbucks. As we were walking, a protest passed us and I happened to catch some of it on video. It was a group of people protesting on behalf of Palestine against Israel. As we continued, we found the meeting place of the two disputing groups yelling at each other from across a city block. Check out the video, it was an interesting thing to stumble upon.

We leave again tomorrow night for the next run of 4 shows… Come on out and check out the show!  Here we come Augusta!

S

One show down…. 30-some more to go! We had our first Winterjam at the Roanoke Civic Center last night. Fun Fact: My guitar player, Albert called his parents and told them where we were playing and his dad said “Your mother and I saw Elvis perform there in 1977 a month before he died, I believe it was one of his last shows!” We stood where Elvis stood. And it was our first show of the tour.

Anyway, considering everything, it went well… despite the confusing start to things. It wasn’t clear when we were supposed to go or what our cue was so when Toby’s video intro for me came on (which it 15 sec long), I literally ran to my mic! In the haste of it, I forgot to turn my wireless pack on, so I am pretty sure I sang some funky notes at first! We found our groove though and it went well from there. But I will feel better when it feels a little more routine. I lit my mic stand on fire, and it was amazing…. I can tell you that now because I won’t be doing it any more. I got reprimanded for not having a fire permit from the fire marshal and was told they could shut the whole show down because of that….. oops. Thankfully they didn’t and PureNRG, Francesca Battestelli, NewSong, Hawk Nelson, Brandon Heath and TobyMac came out and rocked the stage. It never gets old for me. I love this. I love to play music, so even if the lights are up and people have no idea who I am, I still enjoy myself singing my heart out. I get excited about rehearsals people. I am thankful for this opportunity.

I have to confess, as exciting as the day was for me, I had my moments of feeling overwhelmed. I feel inadequate. I feel like there is so much I don’t know or can’t do. And I feel this pressure to make this all happen and be worth it. Building an online “experience” for my fans overwhelms me because I don’t like to go online! Technology stresses me out. And I allowed part of the joy of this first night to be robbed from me because I was worrying about money. Am I going to go in the hole trying to make my dream happen? Is it possible to make a living doing this? I had hundreds of people tell me I had the most amazing voice they had ever heard, or that they were new “super fans” of mine, but most of them didn’t pick up a CD, just a free sticker.

Friends, it’s a battle for me, but I am still willing to risk it all and trust my Jesus. I don’t think its any coincidence that I am singing a love song to Him during the offering at WinterJam… I follow speaker Tony Nolan who challenges 8-10 thousand people to give freely and believe the Lord will replenish over and beyond what they have given. He testifies that EVERYTIME he and his wife give, the Lord gives them more in return. He is speaking financially, but that doesn’t exclude the Lord’s other blessings. If my God is who He says He is, He is Good. He is trustworthy. And I will follow Him.

Today He says: “Go to Chattanooga, TN and sing your heart out for ME” So I’m on my way….

Blessings,

S

Hello everybody!

Tonight I had chocolate with my friend’s because it is Brock Gill’s birthday. It was a good celebration to a long day! I spoke and sang at the Warner Brothers sales conference, then drove the van over to the WinterJam loading spot. The merch bins Emily packed up weighed about 150 lbs each, and my manager Glenda and I unloaded them in the rain… BOO! Thankfully the production manager was there and we had a hand, and I’m not complaining- I am so thankful they are hauling those things around so we can have a little more space to spread out in the van, since I am the only artist not on a bus ;)Tomorrow Emily and I will leave here, swing by Gotee (my record label), swing by starbucks and say goodbye to our roommate that is working early and head to Kadar’s (my drummer) house for one last rehearsal. Once we polish the show, we will drive to Roanoke, VA and spend the night there with some friends. I am of course excited, but I’m also a little unsure as to what to expect. I have had so much help getting prepared for this tour, so many people investing in me and praying for me, and now its do or die time. It’s either going to all be worth it, or I’m going to fall flat on my face under the watchful eye of my childhood idol. No pressure Ok, maybe I’m being dramatic- It is exciting, and a perfect season to rely entirely on my God to provide and take control.
Packing on the other hand… oh brother. I have no idea what to take! This whole “planning ahead” is hard for me. I like to throw a whole bunch of stuff in a bag and decide along the way. I “feel out” my outfits depending on what kind of a mood I’m in- somedays I want to wear a tutu, and other days it’s a good old tshirt and jeans. I guess you’ll just have to come out to a show and see what I decided on that particular night!
Here we go everyone!
S

We just did a show in Springfeild IL. It rocked my socks off. I am so excited for Winterjam! Here is a video blog from backstage….