Life is a Highway

Reading and writing are two of my favorite things in the world. (This probably comes as no surprise, Tobi has posted several pictures of my with my nose in a book!) But as much as I read, and as many stories and essays as I've written, I have never achieved my great writer-ly dream, to be Published. Until now...

Granted, this is a publication put out by the college I attended. Granted, this will most likely not earn me notice in the New York Times. Those things didn't keep my hands from shaking when I opened my copy of the magazine this morning and saw a thumbnail of my photo and a listing of my article on page 32.

So here you go, my freshman entry into the writing realm:

http://www.berklee.edu/bt/193/coda.html

(For extra credit, see if you can figure out who I'm writing about!)

Big grins,
-Sarah

Opening Act

Part of the fun of playing shows is getting a chance to listen to
other performers when we are lucky enough to share a stage with
another artist or band. So imagine how thrilling it was when we found
out that our very own guitarist, Jake Taylor, was slated to be our
opening act this past Friday at Shakerz, in Monroe GA!

We all cheered Jake on while he sang a selection of Garth Brooks,
Keith Urban, and Jake Taylor originals, and then we joined him on
stage for an evening of serious rocking.

So now, Mr. Superstar, the question is... can we have your autograph?
-Sarah

Jake and I rocking out

Jake during his opening set

Tobi and Jake getting serious for a minute

Jake revealing his secret desire to be a drummer

It's Mardi Gras Time again.......

I did my best to desribe the Mardi Gras Balls last year so I just thought it best to show pictures this year. This is the Order of the Incas crowd...
The Master of the Ball....In full outfit
Okay so we got dressed a little ourselves.....

Wow...I'm not sure but I think our guitar player is wearing a headdress. That's what I call supporting Mardi Gras.........Alright he had no choice. He was playing and I stuck it on his head. And now we have the perfect blackmail picture......
And to end our show we jumped onstage with one of our favorite bands....Super Funk Fantasy. Thanks for having us this year...We love it. Tobi

Theatre Dublin...

Last year we had a blast at this theatre. All the way down to sticking the police chiefs hair straight up on his head. So this year I had several ideas of what could be done to the police chief. I wanted to shave his head but he informed me quickly that he could arrange for me to stay in town.....via jail cell.
I really tried to behave but it is hard....this crowd is a lot of fun. I did notice the extra security in the house...So after running through the aisles and dancing on the seats and having everyone sing......IT finally happened.
The police chief got me back for last year by having me handcuffed and taken offstage. For those of you who have seen our show before you might be surprised to hear that this is the first time I have been in handcuffs......hhhmm.......okay it's the first time I have been arrested. All in all I love to play to this crowd. They are the perfect audience...And the arrest was a great joke on me. I can't wait until we come back. It is always one of my favorite shows.....Tobi

Gary Michaels..The Big Dog 96.9

Cowboy's......What a fun place to play but you have to ask yourself what could be better than playing on stage in Dothan, Alabama? How about being on the radio a couple hours...with the crazy yet still sexy Gary Michaels. We were in the studio for drivetime and I have never laughed more. It was nice to hear what listeners thought of our music and even better just to sit around and talk. Gary, thanks to you and The Big Dog for playing our songs and having us in the studio.
You can bet we will see you the next time we are in town....And I loved your cd...Funny... Thanks for everything. Tobi

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

I really can't explain how much fun it is to play music. But when you get to play music with your friends there is nothing better. So when the new year rang in and I looked around the stage at the band, I knew this was gonna be a great year. So Happy New Year to everybody and this is going to be our year.
Rachel and Tobi

Brenda and Tobi
Mandy and Tobi
Lisa and Tobi

Sarah and Tobi
Jake and Tobi

I took all the pictures so I'm in every one of them. Mustang Sally-- You guys rock and I love you......Let's make 2008 ours.......Tobi

Coal Miner's Christmas

We love playing Christmas parties because everyone is very merry. These folks knew how to have a good time and we just had one right along with them. We shared the night with Rick K and the Allnighters but the best part of the night was when Rick K and his band joined the stage with us and we sang Christmas songs.
With the horn section and two drummers we were all having fun......
Thanks for having us....and I hope you had a Merry Christmas. Tobi

Birthday Party on Wheels!!!!!

Happy Birthday to Rachel. Being on the road so much we have to celebrate a lot of holidays and birthdays on the road But being away from home doesn't stop the party. We decorated the bus with streamers and balloons and birthday cake. We sang happy birthday and Rachel opened her presents...all while the wheels on the bus went round and round.
I did mention we had cake but in case you didn't believe me here is a wonderful photo of Brenda........
I have mentioned the folks we get to meet on the road but I have to thank Mike and Rooster for all they do for this group. From the backstage spa treatments to the custom birthday cake, you guys rock and the cake was awesome. Also I would like to thank Brenda's Mom for the Dora the Explorer party favors. Happy birthday Rachel....We love ya. Tobi

Thomasville, Georgia

We go to a lot of small towns as we travel 250 days a year which means we eat in a lot of different restaurants. In Thomasville, Georgia there is a diamond among all those small town buildings. This place had great food. The owner fed us more than we could eat which for those of you who know us, you can only imagine how much that had to be.

If you are ever in this town go to Fish Bonz Courtyard Cafe. You will not be disappointed. I can't wait until we can go back. Tobi

Harlow Dobros

This past summer at Put-in-Bay we were lucky enough to meet Frank Harlow and his wife. After talking and meeting with them, Frank told us his dad makes Harlow Dobros. Well for those of you who didn't know, the dobro is my favorite instrument. Later in the summer Frank showed up in Put-in-Bay and gave us a custom dobro that his father made. I was blown away. In talking about our recording we were doing back in Nashville he told us about a friend of his that plays dobro. Well let me just say this is one of the premiere dobro players in town. I guess I should tell you who I'm talking about.....Ferrell Stowe. Frank said Ferrell would play on our record if we wanted him to and we jumped at the oppurtunity. What a difference a dobro can make....It sounded great. I want to say thanks to Frank and Ferrell for the support and help with Mustang Sally. And for those of you who are interested in hearing what I'm talking about..... Go to.... http://www.ferrellstowe.com/ And also you will be able to hear it on our song C'mon DJ which will be available soon..... Thanks...... Tobi

Frank Harlow, Me (Tobi), Ferrell Stowe, Lisa

Hot Dog and Marshall

In our job we meet a lot of people and we are so lucky to make friends on the road. Everytime we go to Wayneo's Silver Bullet, Wayne normally cooks for us, but this time we really got a bonus. Marshall and Hot Dog have been with Wayne pretty much for as long as they can remember and these guys are AWESOME>>>>>>> They are always there to help out or get whatever we might need and this time they were sweet enough to take us out to a Hibachi Restaurant and we had a blast. They cooked right there at the table and these two guys treated us to a great dinner.
Thanks guys.....I can't wait until we get back in the area. Don't ever change....You two are great. Tobi

Stepping Stones

We get to play some great events throughout our career but this has to be one of the most gratifying. This was a party for folks who have donated time and money to the Stepping Stones Foundation. This is a non-profit charity that helps children.
Stepping Stones ETC was founded in 1990 by Bonnie Brown and Saralyn Fountain: two teachers who realized that early intervention gave children with special needs the fundamentals to achieve academically and to socialize with family and friends. They took their retirement savings and founded this school and thanks to them and all the good folks that support this, this charity is very successful. We thank you for letting us be a part of your evening.
As we were leaving the show a semi truck was driving that had this ad on the side. Wow....I guess we did finally get our name in lights. Thanks so much and we hope to see you again soon.....Keep doing what you're doing. It's a great cause. Tobi

Happy Halloween...Our biggest fan!!!!!!!

You probably don't recognize this young lady but she was the guitar player in an earlier blog. I had been corresponding with her mom and she told me that for halloween her daughter wanted to be me. I couldn't believe it so her mother took a picture of her and sent it to me. I don't think there is anything better than this. I was flattered and I have to admit her mom did a great job right down to the microphone. Jade, I couldn't have a bigger compliment. Thanks and I hope you had a great halloween. You made mine one I won't soon forget. You're Awesome.......Tobi