Nite Family Story: April 2008

It's Official

This past Tuesday was a day we have been waiting 10 years for... Jon signed a publishing deal! All because ZMG's song plugger was the guest judge for a songwriting contest in Spring Hill, TN and heard Jon's co-writer perform Get Lost. Jon's relationship with ZMG (the publishing co) has been in motion ever since. He signed the same day he was booked at the famous Bluebird Cafe. So needless to say, it was a great day!

Jon, Stacy Donahue, Jon's great friend, Layne Wrye, and Thom Shepard (Redneck Yacht Club and Saving Private Malone). The Bluebird Cafe is a historic spot that many huge writers and artists frequent as a laid back performance venue. It is an honor to be asked to perform there and this was Jon's 4th time. It was a sold out show a week in advance, the night was fantastic!

My new hobby!

Here are samples of my new hobby. I've always had the love for photography, but never (knew how to use) had the equipment. It just took the gift of an amazing camera and a "how to" book and a monster was born. Apparently, this didn't just come from nowhere, my Dad has the same eye for ordinary objects and interesting perspectives. Of course I don't know if anyone else thinks that something is there, and this is not something I'm pursuing... I just think it's fun!

We have a friend that calls his photography "business" hobby Sunday Afternoon Ideas. I recently clued into the name because you will also find me on Sunday afternoons in cemeteries, downtown, or in the park with a camera around my neck. Yes.. I know I'm a geek!

Latest Big Shows

Below is a slideshow of Jon's latest major shows.

This year Jon was invited to perform for a Tin Pan South show with country recording artist, Rissi Palmer, Sarah Majors (Tricia Yearwood's "Standing Out In A Crowd") and Deanna Walker. "Tin Pan South is an annual songwriter's festival; America’s largest, dedicated to songs and songwriters. Each year, in late March/early April, several hundred songwriters perform approximately 100 shows over the course of the week. For five days and nights the festival encompasses Nashville venues, elevating songwriters and the contribution they make to the city and to the world of music. Over the past 14 years, the festival has featured writers such as Shawn Colvin, Art Garfunkel, Rodney Crowell, Townes VanZandt, Garth Brooks, Jimmy Webb, Dierks Bentley, Gordon Lightfoot, Donna Summer, Melissa Manchester, Loretta Lynn, America, Carole King, Butch Walker, Lisa Loeb and Kenny Loggins – just to name a handful."
It is a serious honor to be able to perform for this festival.

Stacy Donahue, Jon's previous singing partner, won the Locals Only contest on digitalrodeo.com! She was awarded a performance at the Sommet Center Arena for the WKDF Birthday Bash. Stacy invited Jon and the producer of the song to accompany her and provide background vocals. It was an amazing night of music. She sounded phenomenal, and the guys harmonies were amazing, I cried like a baby seeing them on stage in front of thousands of people as they cheered through the whole song! It was magic! They opened for our friends, Trailer Choir (see 300+ Big Vinny do the worm!), Bucky Covington, Lee Brice, Restless Heart (it was their 25 Anniversary!) Randy Owens, and Tricia Yearwood. Now, we hear amazing vocals everyday, but I have never in my life experienced such as Tricia's. I was hypnotized, I could do nothing but marvel at her sound, I wonder if she has any idea how unbelievably amazing she is?!
Ashley loved it! I asked Stacy to take her back stage and she not only got to meet all of the artists (except Tricia), but she got to take a "private tour" of the underground tunnels. She saw the tour buses, and got a sneak peak of Kenny Chesney's touring stage. She has had a pretty cool week, in different places, Stacy has introduced her to Three Doors Down, Trailer Choir, Bucky Convington, Lee Brice, and Restless Heart. It's good that she gets used to being around all of the "big dogs" because that is what her life is going to consist of. ; )

Poker Nite

POKER NITE
After the Listening Room show, we had friends over for a game of poker. Lots of laughs, lots of stories, and Saturday Nite Live quotes. So many in fact, I felt it was only appropriate to put in the Best of Will Ferrell from SNL. It didn't distract from the game however, their $10 was invested and the game was on! Newcomers to the game won the table over until the smooth operator that flew under the radar took everyone out in the end. Good game! Hope to do it again soon everyone!

Listening Room

Listening Room Show

Broadcast Live on nixacountry.com

Thanks to all who tuned in, it was a great show!

Jenny Gill, Jon Nite, and Nick Sturms

About Jon

Age- 27
Occupation: Songwriter/Artist
Favorite Movie: Transformers A) because I'm a guy who was a boy who spent a good portion of my childhood bashing toy transformer robots into one another B) Because I'm a guy who likes big loud action movies on a big loud TV. C) finally because.... aren't we all just a little bit "more than meets the eyes."
Favorite Song: I'm always looking for a favorite song. I find one, then one week of repeat on the radio, and it becomes ...not so favorite. I end up trying to write the elusive favorite which sometimes works... right up until the minute I finish the next song!
Favorite Memories of 2007: Watching Ashley get to be a kid for just a little bit longer, doing gymnastics, playing at the pool all summer, helping her cousin at the beach play in the sand. Watching Krystal pull up with a big smile and those tacky Sunglasses in the convertible she always wanted. Listening through the door as Ashley cleaned her room and sang and sang and sang while she worked. Think little Whitney Houston. Hearing the first handful of songs that somebody else cut which I wrote. Hearing my song play to a full house at the famous Wild Horse Saloon.
What I've learned this year: We can't measure our success by looking at someone else and wishing for just a few steps in their shoes. We are not made by what we make. Who we are is not always what we do. I hope I've learned to be patient and a better father and husband.

About Ashley

Age-10
Occupation- 5th grader , gymnast , artist , choir member
What I Want To be When I Grow Up: A CHEF!
Favorite Song: Misery Business- Paramore
Favorite Movie: High School Musical II !
Favorite Memories from 2007: Walking 28 miles down the beautiful Natchez Trace Parkway in just 2 days with my 4th grade class. Cooking with Mommy . Traveling to nine places in six months . Being able to spend soooo much time with the family. Spending time in Florida with a big family for the first time. Getting buried in sand and Papa formed me and Josiah into an alligator. Hearing my favorite (local) band, Paramore, played on the radio and MTV. Meeting my best friend Marina at my new school.
What I've Learned This Year: Get silly & have fun!!! Life's WAAAAY too short. If ya wanna do somethin' ...DO IT !!! Also NEVER try a front handspring on the ground unless you've been trained. I'm Swermanishee (Swiss, German, Jewish,& Cherokee )!!! You can do anything you put your mind to. Cook lots of Paula Deen's recipes!! Love life !
What I Want To Accomplish This Year: I want to bake a perfect pie. Cook more exotic recipes. Get all A's on my report card. Be able to spend the same amount of time with Mom and Dad. Get my homework done faster and have more time to work on gymnastics and play outside. Become a better person. Earn money to go shopping.

About Krystal

Age- 25 (3rd Anniversary)
Occupation: Domestic Manager, former Manager of Ethan Allen Inc.
What I Want To Be When I Grow Up: A “famous” interior designer with my own TV show
Favorite Song: Seasons, Nichole Nordeman
Favorite Movie: Princess Bride
Favorite Memories of 2007: Walking away from a dream job for the sake of preservation of sanity and family. Spending the last 5 months being a full time mother to Ashley, watching her play, grow and become an amazing talented person. Remodeling the house... by ourselves (though, that is probably what brought me to the edge of insanity). Meeting our nephews, Caleb “Parker”, and Lincoln. The trips we have taken to spend time as a family and to see family. Fun travels with family. Discovering I'm part Jewish (long, but cool story). Watching and hearing the public and the industry's reaction to my husband's music. Spending our 10th Anniversary in paradise with family.
What I've Learned This Year: It has been a challenging and rewarding year to cherish, of all that has happened, I've learned that family and friends are the most important “things” we have.
What I Want To Accomplish This Year: Make sure Ashley doesn't grow right out from under me without realizing it. Help Jon's music career take off. Grow our family. Don't take life too seriously, life is too short... buy a convertible!