Scott and I and Dave and Mel traveled this last weekend to Fort Smith, Arkansas to visit Chad and Bobbye and see where it all began. We left Thursday morning for the 6 hour drive. Scott and I played Wordscapes and hit the unhealthy snacks at each stop. You gotta do that on a road trip, right?
We arrived at Bobby’s apartment to unpack. Oh my goodness. The apartment is so Bobbye. Cozy, warm, and decorated to the hilt. Every nook and cranny had a personal saying or memorable photo. There were pillows and throws and lamps everywhere, pink and glittery. Bobbye and Chad gave up the apartment and stayed at Chad’s parents’ so the four of us could stay together. Bobbye is the most amazing hostess, making sure our every need was taken care of. There were coffee and muffins, waters, pop…. We felt so loved.
We went immediately to the shop, Ethos Custom Brands. This is the leather shop where boots and guitar straps and all the amazing accessories are designed, created and shipped out. But it is also filled with music. When we arrived and for the next several hours, there was the most beautiful soft voice singing Billie Eilish songs coming from the back. As I rounded the corner, I was amazed to find it was Chad’s 9 year old daughter singing karaoke! Such a beautiful voice. Chad’s older daughter also treated us to a tune. Both were impressive.
We toured the shop, Chad’s office, Cody’s, Bobby’s work space. We saw the comfy break room filled with every imaginable snack (mostly unhealthy kid food:), the yet unused spaces.
We spent our time in two other very special places. One of the biggest purposes of our trip was to give Scott and I first time experience singing in the studio. So Dave and Chad recorded their parts on the two newest songs and then Scott and I dove in. It was both easier and harder than I thought it would be. I am out of my element, singing the fifth above. Dave had patiently pored into us to teach us the parts. Then we took turns putting on the headphones and stepping up to the mic. Scott killed it. I struggled some and cussed a lot but got my feet under me and did it. At one point, Chad said I sounded like Linda Ronstadt.
The studio itself, by the way, is such a cool, comfortable place, dark, with super comfortable couches. I took naps in there, one with a cuddly cat on my chest. I also spent a lot of time playing with their rescue pup, Gibson.
The last day, we put on our fancy rock duds and took professional photos in the studio in the back. It was the perfect setting, a rock wall, a wood wall, and a garage door with just the right lighting. We did lots of posing and changing poses and changing the lighting, our clothes, our hair. Then we looked at the products and Cody started the editing process. We look like a badass old band reunited. We are purposely leaving some of the wrinkles. I can’t wait for you to see it.
So the weekend was about collaboration, teamwork, bonding. We spent quite a bit of time listening to some of the old music they wrote that has never been produced. We dreamed and planned. One of the most exciting take aways, for me, is a new name for my private practice (yet to be announced–stay tuned).
Saturday night we were invited to Chad’s parents’ house for dinner. This is the house that Chad grew up in, that he and Dave have spent hours and hours in. Chad’s Dad gave us a tour of his woodshop. His Mama cooked us a southern cooked meal that blew our minds, black eyed peas and beans, squash, stewed cabbage, roast, corn, veggie trays, pickle trays, cornbread, and the most amazing peanut butter pie. So tasty and prepared with such love.
After dinner we did a live show, a collaboration of Ethos Custom Brands (they do facebook live regularly and have a faithful following), Without Walls Real Talk and Midwest Meets Manhattan. The theme was music so we did some singing and interacting with the live audiences. I love singing with those guys!
Professionally, the weekend was a huge success. Its so encouraging to see all of the visions and dreams starting to come together. Pray for us, as when great things start to happen and you fall into His plan, along comes the testing.
dianegclark 