What's in a Name?

When I decided to take my photography seriously, I had to come up with a name for myself.  'Schultz Photography' was boring. 'Kelly E Schultz Photography' and 'Photography by Kelly E Schultz' were too long.  I didn't want anything cute like 'Photos by Kelly' or 'Kelly Shoots' so I was stumped. Until I remembered a song and a children's book.

As a child, like many other little girls, I dreamed of being a ballerina.  I had the pink tights, the black leotards and the very uncomfortable pointe shoes, and dreamed of dancing the pas de deux with Baryshnikov in The Nutcracker.  Back then, ballerinas weren't 'cool' and in my small town there weren't too many role models. Imagine my delight when a wonderful book called Maggie Adams, Dancer appeared in the library.

This book thrilled me because not only was it about a ballerina who had the same dreams I did, but she also had the same last name as me!  The story is about hard work, dedication and determination that Maggie needed to fulfill her dream to become a professional dancer.  In the end, as she exits a theatre after a stellar performance, and finds a group of younger dancers surrounding her asking for her autograph.  She recognizes herself at that age and proudly signs 'Maggie Adams, Dancer'.

Well, my dreams of dancing with Baryshnikov didn't work out, probably because when I'm on pointe I'm over 6'2" tall and Baryshnikov retired!  But the story of Maggie Adams stayed with me, especially her autograph.

But what about the song?  Music has always played an important role in my life and I have a large catalog of songs that have profound meaning to me.  One such song is from an unlikely source: a transvestite from another planet.

When I was in college I had my first introduction to The Rocky Horror Picture Show.  The movie was a staple during my years at the 'Berg but one song always had a little more meaning to me.  It was towards the end of the movie when Dr Frank-N-Furter is in the middle of the pool singing 'Don't Dream It - Be It'.

So what has Maggie Adams and Dr Frank-N-Furter taught me?  That you become what you say you are.  I didn't want to be an amateur photographer, or a hobby-photographer but a PHOTOGRAPHER.  And I didn't want to just dream about taking photographs and being a photographer, I had to BE a photographer. How I present myself to the world is how the world sees me.  I'm many things, to be sure, but first and foremost, I am Kelly E Schultz, photographer.

Casey Donahew at Marathon Music Works

Last night, Texas' favorite son Casey Donahew performed for a very enthusiastic crowd at Nashville's Marathon Music works.  Chuck interviewed the soft spoken musician so make sure to come back for his article.  For now, enjoy some photos from last night.

Casey Donahew

Casey Donahew

Casey Donahew

We're back!

Thirteen months is a long time between entries.  But those months were filled with two moves, lots of adventures and a resolve to share our adventures.  Nashville Notebook is back and here to stay!

Owen, Janson and Others Bring the Thunder

Owen, Janson and Others Bring the Thunder 

by Tracy Nightingale

No shortage of eye candy for the ladies is how one might describe the list of only male headlining performers who played July 18-21 at Country Thunder in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin this concert season. Noted as one of the strongest festival line-ups this year, this 4 day long country music extravaganza had been sold out for months prior to anyone taking the stage. The first one to do that, and a definite highlight, was Chris Janson, who’s single “Better I Don’t” might have been good advice for at least a few of the 40,000 party goers who filled the grounds each day. Although it should be said that the security team who had to deal with those who were disruptive, did so in a swift and professional manner. Justin Moore and Dierks Bentley followed on opening night and both had strong, energetic sets that set the tone for the rest of the weekend.

Other than the women of Little Big Town, who never disappoint, newcomers Morgan Frazier, “Yellow Brick Road” and Sarah Darling, “Little Umbrellas” rounded out the only other female artists on the bill, though both had early sets. Keith Urban and Brad Paisley were tops on nights 2 and 3 respectively and both undoubtedly brought the best of their world tour, arena shows with them. The fourth and final headliner was Jake Owen, who may be less experienced as a headliner than the other three but you would never have known it. All eyes were on him and at one point, his wife and baby girl whom he proudly brought on stage.  Hunter Hayes, Chris Young, Joe Nichols, Phil Vassar, Lee Brice, Dustin Lynch, Parmalee and Brett Eldredge are just more of the reasons that this years line-up was so strong. Heading into their 22nd year, Country Thunder, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin 2014 tickets are currently on sale and going fast.

On The Road With Chris Janson

On The Road With Chris Janson

By

Tracy Nightingale & Chuck Schultz

We had a chance this summer to catch up with one of the hottest singers in Country Music, Chris Janson. Here are some highlights.

Magazine of Country Music: You’re finally getting some airplay on radio with “Better I Don’t.”

Chris Janson: It’s a blessing, the song really is a great thing ‘cuz I wrote it with my life.

MCM: What is the update on your album.

CJ: Just finished recording all the songs, we need to choose what we want on it. I’ll just decide on a random whim probably what’s on it (laughs).

MCM: With all the road travel do you still get to do any co-writes?

CJ: Yeah I’ve actually had a chance to write with some of my buddies and actually did some songs with the Lo-Cash Cowboys and I wrote on “Make it Look Good,””Bumpin’ Tailgates,” and “Bouncing in The Back of My Truck.” They’re great guys, love working with them and it really has been a blessing to be able to share the success of “Truck Yeah” with those guys as well.

MCM: Yeti? On the Guitar, is that a cooler?

CJ: Oh man great question finally someone asks me about it. It’s a great travel cooler, I was too darn broke to buy one and one of the reps was at a show and said put a sticker on your guitar and we’ll work something out. Well of course I did and they are amazing, I use it for hunting and love their gear.

MCM: Justin Moore’s upcoming album Off The Beaten Path is a song you wrote. How does it feel to have your song not only cut but the title track on someone’s album?

CJ: Well the long and the short of it is I’m one of the dudes biggest fans out there, have been for years. Love what he does and it’s always an honor to get anybody to sing your music for one whether it be yours or something you wrote for somebody else. The fact that he recorded one of my songs is huge. I thought ok great, if it doesn’t even make the record, fine at least he’s heard it. Long story short is he’s made it the title track to his new record. It’s awesome, I’m thankful for it and it’s another stepping stone.

MCM: You’re first Opry show was in February, how many times does it make to date?

CJ:  11 times and every time it is the greatest event musically in my life, you just can’t duplicate the feeling, I’ve blessed everytime I take the stage.

MCM: What’s the major inspiration when you write?

CJ: My family. And just stories of the past, funny stories mostly, alot of humor; and then three just fans man. Being on the road and learning things everyday and seein new things, it just comes from everyday life. It all generally starts out with things in my family. “Holding Her,”ya know it’s about my wife and kids. They’re all just original songs.”

This guy is the real deal, a true soul and amazing talent. Check out more at chrisjanson.com

Photo Credit; Kelly E Schultz, Tracy Nightingale

Darius Rucker With Blankets And A Bottle Of Wine Is "Alright"

*contributed by Chicago Journalist- Tracy Nightingale*

When trying to describe Darius Rucker on stage, the only thing that comes to mind is a quote from a recent romantic comedy. “The perfect combination of sexy and cute” sums him up best as he’s got a few moves and a mega watt smile that can be felt in the back of the house. Touted as the oldest outdoor music venue in the U.S., Ravinia Festival located a bit north of Chicago, was recent host to the singer along with a sold out crowd of nearly 20,000 fans; more than 15,000 of them on a lawn with no line of sight to the stage. It’s a lawn of mature trees and sculptures where folks bring in food, wine, candles and friends for a late afternoon of fancy picnicking and an evening of some of the best music in town. The small-ish pavilion held the remainder of fans where, while Rucker was performing, looked and felt a bit more like a rock concert.

Jana Kramer launched the evening with her unique blend of pop princess looks and hints of classic country sound. She made apologies for the summer shower that began just before singing her latest single “I Hope it Rains”, but no one seemed to mind; most of them sang and danced right along.  As the venue filled in, it was apparent how many people made sure they were there to hear all the familiar tunes Rodney Atkins was about to feature. His band proved to be of equal talent and the mix of the two had a great energy throughout his set.

Countless artists undoubtedly love what they do when they’re performing but no one, in my experience, is more believable than Rucker. His happiness is infectious and there’s a likability there where somehow you inherently know that if you bumped into him on the street, he’s the same guy that sings the songs you blast in the shower. And, of course, sing along with. The whole band visually emulates his joyful feeling so it has to say something about working with a guy like that. Song after song, he never lost an ounce of attention even with a fan base spanning at least of couple of decades. Those in their 40’s reveled in the songs from his Hootie & the Blowfish days while the twenty somethings often asked “Who’s Hootie?”. Well, he’s a talented entertainer with a ton of hits who’s still going strong in a genre that seemingly welcomed him with open arms. Oh, and, he’s the perfect combination of sexy and cute.

My Taylor Swift Take

Having been able to view the meteoric rise of Taylor Swift from an interesting vantage point, I feel the need to finally put into words something I've been wanting to say for a couple of years now. When you are on an insane ascent and you gain incredible popularity, society, music critics, music 'fans' and others  immediately look to see what is wrong. "Oh she's not country," "she writes music I can't relate to,""she can't sing." Now I'm not here to take away anyone's right to be an idiot or their opinion but let's get one thing clear, if you're mighty 'indie band' or Bob Dylan, The Beatles or say Radiohead or whatever the flavor of the day is, wouldn't you get a little sideways if someone continually ran you into the wall?

I could write about this for a few pages but I'll just leave it with this...

"Taylor Swift looks built to last, and I hope that we'll be hearing from her for a long, long time. But talent is a fickle suitor, times change, and most of all, you never know. If you're denying yourself the pleasure of listening to the world's greatest pop star because you think she's for little kids, or because you don't like who you think she's dating, or, most of all, you think you'll catch up with her when she matures, I urge you to stop sitting on your hands and get with the program. It's 2013; it's her day. This is the golden age of something good and right and real. It won't last forever." Tris McCall, Newark Star-Ledger.