Kristen's Journal

My first time seeing snow this year! I'm actually pretty happy about it.

2012-01-14T11:06:00.000-08:00

As we turn another page...

2011-12-21T09:26:00.001-08:00

I made another end-of-the-year, holiday card this year - and if you haven't seen it yet, please visit: http://youtu.be/FY7qHTpN8OA

I know it's super trendy to talk about resolutions, but the timing is so appropriate! A new year, a fresh start, it just sounds so appealing! This isn't a resolution blog, per se, but it does include some things that I've learned in 2011.

This year some of my lessons learned have been HARD. I've learned that sometimes when people disagree with you – they might be really rude, that sometimes when people don't want to admit that they're wrong – they might lie, and when you make a change, even when it's for all of the right reasons – someone is going to be upset.

I've also learned some beautiful lessons this year. I've learned that when you think things are getting too rough – someone will show up at that moment and lighten the load (chances are they've always been there – it just wasn't as obvious before), that death is always sad – but a friend's legacy will inspire you to be a better person, and when you ask for support when pursuing a worthy cause, even in a down economy – friends and family will always give what they can.

In my lessons this year – I have to say that the beautiful definitely outweigh the hard.

With that said, I always feel like things can get better. I mean, if I'm not trying to be better every year, aren't I kind of missing the point? So, feel free to hold me on this, I'm making a few resolutions, and I'd even like to challenge you to join me in them:

First…and this is the hardest one…when I disagree with someone whether it be a political, religious, equality, etc. issue, I will try to be calm and respectful. It is important to be passionate about what you believe, and it's also important to realize that everyone else is just as passionate about his or her beliefs. And I'd ask that people keep this in mind on Facebook…where it seems people are much more brazen with their comments than they ever are in person.

Second, even when it would be easier or more comfortable for me to lie – honesty is the right answer. There are ways to be honest and kind, so finding that balance is going to be a goal of mine for 2012.

And last, I need to be more flexible and embrace change – because there's no way to stop it!

Above all of these of course, is the general idea to be good. Be better. To keep evolving into a more understanding, more compassionate person. And maybe on days when I'm 'less evolved' I should just stick with my dog.

Have a great holiday vacation – whichever holiday you call yours, and I'll see you in the new year!

Best,
Kristen

With Mark & Melissa, today's hosts!

2011-12-05T08:26:00.001-08:00

All set!

2011-12-05T06:51:00.000-08:00

The stage for tonight's performance!!

2011-12-01T15:45:00.000-08:00

Packing up my CD orders...so exciting!! Want the new Christmas CD? You can order at: www.kristengraves.com!

2011-11-10T07:09:00.001-08:00

They're here!!!

2011-11-09T07:56:00.000-08:00

King George the First of Green Bay

2011-11-07T09:01:00.001-08:00

My new friend, Peter Hochstedtler, playing at The Skinny Pancake!

2011-10-20T18:17:00.000-07:00

I'm playing at The Harvest Festival in New Milford after my friend, Don Lowe!

2011-10-09T13:13:00.001-07:00

This is where I live.

2011-10-03T19:12:00.001-07:00

Yep. I played this piano today.

2011-09-25T11:20:00.001-07:00

Summahhhhh

2011-09-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

Here's my summer video!

The video pretty much sums up the last few months, but there are a few stats that I couldn't fit in there...

Miles Traveled: 6,794

Oil Changes: 2

Shows Played: 45

Days on the Road: 43

Cities Visited: 34

Photos Taken: 331

Earthquakes: 1

Furthermore, here are some things I learned on the road this year - and just crazy stuff that happened…

- Do NOT let Chip sleep peacefully in the car all the way to a new town. He will NOT fall asleep that night.

- Sharing shows with friends is ALWAYS the right answer.

- Farmers Markets just might save the world.

- Places with crazy names like: Barking Spider, Dancing Rabbit, Purple Fiddle, Smoke Daddy, Laughing Goat…always check them out!

- When you're in a heat wave and really tired - get a hotel room with AC. Totally worth it.

- I still sleep really well when I'm sleeping in my old room at my parents' house. I feel really safe there.

- Chip LOVES to swim. And will do it until you stop him. Or until he dies.

- 'Back to Piano' does not sound good on the guitar.

- House concerts are my new favorite venue.

- Wyoming is really beautiful.

- I got offered pot a lot of times this tour. Must be the hair.

- Cowboy boots are awesome.

- When someone invites you to a flea market called "The Dog & Gun" definitely go. Bring your dog. Or your gun.

- When you have a chance to attend a moon ritual with a bunch of hippies…do it.

- Nashville actually appreciates non-country musicians!!

- Small towns are sometimes the best towns to play in. Hello, Thomas, WV!

- Even if you haven't seen someone for 10 years, if you're in town, call them. It will be fun.

- Earthquakes really freak people out. So do hurricanes. Go figure.

- My brother and brother-in-law are really nice to me. And really like my dog.

- If you see your friend getting arrested in front of the white house, take a picture and send it to him. It's only fair.

- When you're in Asbury Park and someone asks you who your favorite musician is, say 'Bruce'.

- Sleeping in your own bed is sometimes exactly what you need.

And now, on to the HUGE list of thank you's. This tour would be impossible to do all on my own. I stay with friends, or friends of friends, play with other musicians, and harass venues until they'll give me an answer about a date. To all of these people (in semi-alphabetical order), the booking agents, couch hosts, musical guests, and show attendees, I am soooo grateful and cannot thank you enough!

Thanks to Bryan, David, Susan, Gaby and Chip for keeping me company along the way.

Thanks to the Bookers & Venues: Alan & The Havana Exchange Market, Alex & Kavarna, Ben, Jen & the Stockwell/Dotson House Concert Series, Bob & Music Row on Mason Show (Harmony Cafe), Christina & Mill Mountain Coffee (Daleville), Christine Frechard Gallery, Chuck & Heine Bros (Longest Ave), Deanna & Harmony Cafe, Debi & The Commodore, Dechen & The Laughing Goat, Doc & The Bunganut Pig, Elizabeth & The Brink Lounge, Genna & The Barking Spider, Greg, Tracy & The West Shore Farmers Market, Jan, Bob & The Cup O Joy, Janet, Doug, Donna & The Oakmont Market, Jeff & Broadway Farmers Market, Jennifer & Downtown Roanoke Market, Jesse & West End Farmers Market, John & The Purple Fiddle, Keith & Triumph Brewery, Kent & Calvary Lutheran Church, Kris, Roy & The Corner Store, Kyle, Gail & Tuesday Together, Lakota Community Center in La Plant, Leslie & Asbury Park Carousel Market, Linda & Ritual Cafe, Luke & The Java House, Lynne & The Hartung Park Farmers Market, Madeline, Jon & The Raven Lounge, Mark & The Camel, Matt & The Crimson Frog, Matt, Mel & Benders, Melissa & Rochambo Coffee, Michael & Chicago Acoustic Underground, Mo & MoKaBe's, Rachel, Nathan & Dancing Rabbit, Sara @ Road Work & Googie's Lounge, Smoke Daddy, The Hinsa/Leasure Home, Tiffani & The Pittsburgh Public Market, and Winsome & Coal Creek Coffee.

Thanks to all of my lovely hosts: Aunt LaDonna & Uncle Jim, Chris & Amanda, Emma's fab roommates, Holly & Josh, Joan & The Wolters, Joy, Kyle & Gail, Lindsey & Jon, Mark & Karen, Mom & Dad, Nicole, Rob, Ryan & Kerry, Shannon, Bruce, Liam & Rose, The Purple Fiddle, Timothy, Ty, and Uncle Sonny & Aunt Ardie.

Thanks to all of my amazing co-musicians: 37 Years, Alanna Fugate, Anna Laube, Benjamin Olson, Celia, Doug & Telisha Williams, Heather Kropf & Keith Hershberger, Heatherlyn, Jazzformation, Jessica Dawn, John Statz, Joy Ike, Heather Kropf, Brooke Annibale, Justin St. Thomas, Kevin Skolnik, Kyle Knapp, Lorie Anna, Matt Davies, Rob Lumbard, Sam Yield, Susan Lori, The Hillbilly Gypsies, Tom Evanchuck & Vicki Lynn.

And thanks to all of my animal friends - who are now Chip's friends. He would have been so bored without: Bear, Girl & Rufus, Buddy & Haley, Buffy, Cindy Lou & Daisy Mae, Dug, Emmy, Gus & Andy, Frannie, Leo, Moishe, Molly, Riley & Earl, Sammy and Tess.

As I continue to say - I cannot thank all of you enough for everything that you do to help me live this crazy dream! I love it and I love you! I will keep singing and writing the best songs that I can. That's the only way I have to thank you, and I hope that you feel honored.

Lots of love,

Kristen

Chip and I walked six miles today. And now he won't move.

2011-08-30T13:29:00.001-07:00

Chip with his new friend, Leo!

2011-08-24T19:26:00.001-07:00

Chip's enjoying the doggie water fountain!

2011-08-23T10:45:00.000-07:00

In Alexandria- it's such a beautiful day!!

2011-08-23T10:24:00.001-07:00

Check out this photo from a few days ago - my friend Lindsey Swetlik from HIGH SCHOOL took this one while I was visiting and singing in Louisville, KY!

2011-08-21T20:47:00.001-07:00

photo 1

Ah, Cracker Barrel.

2011-08-21T13:28:00.000-07:00

Yay, Corolla!

2011-08-21T13:17:00.001-07:00

Ha.

2011-08-21T13:16:00.002-07:00

Virginia cows.

2011-08-21T13:16:00.001-07:00

Blackwater Falls in WV.

2011-08-20T13:58:00.000-07:00

We gave Chip a mud puddle for his birthday!

2011-08-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

Chip is out for his birthday walk! Doesn't he look like a 1 year old??

2011-08-20T07:24:00.000-07:00

The Hillbilly Gypsies!!

2011-08-19T18:04:00.000-07:00

Chip likes our room at The Purple Fiddle in Thomas, WV!

2011-08-19T14:40:00.000-07:00

My friend, Alanna Fugate (google her!) is starting off the night!

2011-08-18T16:04:00.001-07:00

At the distillery!

2011-08-18T12:01:00.000-07:00

Only in Nashville...

2011-08-18T09:22:00.001-07:00

The Opryland speed limit.

2011-08-18T08:59:00.001-07:00

If folk/hippie/pop doesn't work out, maybe I'll take the country route!!

2011-08-18T08:50:00.001-07:00

I'm so country...at The Grand Ole Opry!

2011-08-18T08:34:00.001-07:00

Me & Chip at the park!!

2011-08-17T15:50:00.001-07:00

The Parthanon in Nashville's Centennial Park!

2011-08-17T15:45:00.001-07:00

Hippie cowgirl!!

2011-08-17T14:27:00.000-07:00

Look at my huge boot! I think it will fit in the Corolla...

2011-08-17T14:16:00.001-07:00

At the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville!

2011-08-17T13:23:00.001-07:00

Our space pod that took us to the top of the arch!!

2011-08-15T16:27:00.000-07:00

The shadow of the arch on the Missouri.

2011-08-15T16:03:00.000-07:00

The view from the Gateway Arch!!

2011-08-15T16:02:00.000-07:00

Chip and his eco friend, Frannie running after a swim.

2011-08-13T15:39:00.000-07:00

I'm staying with my new friend Joan here in Rutledge, and this is her backyard!

2011-08-13T15:38:00.000-07:00

A house built into the ground.

2011-08-13T15:37:00.000-07:00

Mosaic in an earthen wall.

2011-08-13T15:36:00.000-07:00

One of the homes at the eco-village.

2011-08-13T15:35:00.002-07:00

My finds at the Rutledge Flea Market...entitled 'The Dog & Gun'. Seriously.

2011-08-13T15:35:00.001-07:00

Ummm...hello, cowgirl.

2011-08-13T15:25:00.000-07:00

I'm at the Rutledge flea market...it's a market on steroids!!

2011-08-13T07:52:00.000-07:00

Look at what we found in Iowa City. Gotta love a college town!

2011-08-12T15:26:00.001-07:00

Yay for my clean and soon-to-be-dry clothes!

2011-08-12T12:55:00.001-07:00

Whoa. Am I in Oaxaca or in Iowa City?!

2011-08-12T11:37:00.001-07:00

Headed to Iowa City today. Chip is going to miss his new girlfriend, Molly!

2011-08-12T09:07:00.000-07:00

Check out my Grinnell, IA consignment shop find!!

2011-08-11T11:15:00.001-07:00

I'm playing here tonight!! Ritual Cafe, Des Moines, IA at 7 pm! With the fabulous Rob Lumbard!

2011-08-10T12:44:00.001-07:00

Nice, Iowa!

2011-08-10T10:36:00.001-07:00

Yay, Boulder!!

2011-08-07T20:16:00.001-07:00

At the hotel breakfast...what's wrong with this picture??

2011-08-07T08:58:00.001-07:00

Playing in Laramie, WY, with John Statz. And how crazy...we both grew up in Wisconsin?! Small world.

2011-08-06T20:31:00.001-07:00

Wide open Wyoming.

2011-08-06T12:52:00.000-07:00

Sturgis. Whoa.

2011-08-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

Chip is a real farm dog!!

2011-08-05T11:53:00.000-07:00

SD sunset.

2011-08-04T17:20:00.000-07:00

Signing Lizzy's Singing For Hope t-shirt!!!

2011-07-29T22:23:00.001-07:00

Me singing at the Cup O Joy- I LOVE playing here!!

2011-07-29T22:21:00.001-07:00

The stage is all set at The Cup O Joy in Green Bay, we start at 7:30!!!!

2011-07-29T16:11:00.001-07:00

Here I am at the Farmers' Market on Broadway yesterday - it was a great afternoon!

2011-07-28T20:45:00.001-07:00

Green Bay-20110727-00013

Matt Davies and I are playing tonight in Milwaukee!

2011-07-19T17:25:00.000-07:00

Ummm...yummmm. And the BBQ sauce- seriously insane!

2011-07-18T19:32:00.000-07:00

Uh oh. Look who's ruined by his first hotel experience!!

2011-07-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

I'm at The Barking Spider and it's awesome!! Plus, Chip is allowed. :)

2011-07-17T14:48:00.001-07:00

Check out our beautiful venue in Pittsburgh!! Christine Frachard Gallery with Joy, Heather and Brooke!!

2011-07-16T16:07:00.001-07:00

It's tour time! And my posters are up all around Cleveland! Thanks, Stamy!

2011-07-12T08:31:00.001-07:00

Cleveland-20110709-00229

Check out my new t-shirts!!

2011-07-11T19:12:00.001-07:00

In Oaxaca: We're at the town graduation ceremony! Simply Smiles covered the expenses for the town-wide event.

2011-07-08T15:20:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: Ana Cristina is passing to middle school!

2011-07-08T15:19:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: this room holds over 30 students! So we're adding on!

2011-07-08T15:13:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: on our way to check out the site of the new school!

2011-07-08T15:11:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: we left our mark!

2011-07-08T13:03:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: check out the finished school bathroom!!

2011-07-08T13:02:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: checking out how they look on camera!

2011-07-08T08:17:00.001-07:00

In Oaxaca: Miguel got a plate of eggs and vitamin enriched rice & lentils!

2011-07-08T08:11:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: lots of kids getting a big breakfast today!

2011-07-08T07:56:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: our finished product...salsa de huevo!

2011-07-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: Sandy, Avery and Micki breaking more and more eggs!

2011-07-08T07:11:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: look at our pretty menu!

2011-07-08T06:53:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: Sam and Cam making a lot of eggs!

2011-07-08T06:28:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: Juliana is mixing a LOT of tomato sauce!

2011-07-08T06:08:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: and that's not even all of the eggs!

2011-07-08T05:50:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: no rest for the weary! We're chopping a LOT of onions for tomorrow's community breakfast!

2011-07-07T19:53:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: we're watching a movie about the ocean!

2011-07-07T19:14:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: it's movie night in the jungle!

2011-07-07T18:35:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: it's road trip day! First Church of Fairfield is heading to the jungle.

2011-07-06T06:08:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: everyone hopped in the Dona Rosa kiln!

2011-07-05T15:50:00.001-07:00

In Oaxaca: we're out in our town checking out the local shops including Dona Rosa!

2011-07-05T13:48:00.001-07:00

In Oaxaca: look who's eating birthday cake! Juan turned 28 yesterday!

2011-07-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: finishing up the bathroom walls!

2011-07-05T08:47:00.001-07:00

In Oaxaca: making mortar for our walls!

2011-07-05T07:31:00.001-07:00

In Oaxaca: we're leveling out the property so we have less mud.

2011-07-05T07:28:00.000-07:00

In Oaxaca: the group on our tour of the dump.

2011-07-04T17:11:00.001-07:00