Hottest News! 1 Year in Nashville 1/10/13 Blog to fans

1/10/13

1 year ago today, I moved to Nashville. It was mid Fall of 2011 when I made the decision that had been swimming around in my head since my 1st trip here, back in 2008. I liked it then but truly fell in love my 2nd trip during part of my 2009 Rocktober Tour. While people suggested it would be good for me to move here then, I knew two things: A) I wasn’t ready (musically & artistically) and B) I loved my bubble and comfort zone of the town I was born and raised in. The thought of living anywhere else (and leaving everything I’ve ever known including my family who I’m extremely close with), scared me. I came back to Nashville again in 2010 and twice in 2011 each time to play shows but my last trip was 6 weeks when I had planned on recording an album and reaching my goal of 30 shows in that time. I ended up playing 35, recorded 7 songs, did a few radio interviews and had THE TIME OF MY LIFE. It was on a drive back from a show in Alabama to Nash when I remember talking to my mom and telling her, “This was it. I’m moving here. I’m going to fly home, leave my car here and move in January. Too many good things keep happening each time I’m in town and there are too many signs and arrows FLASHING NON STOP, right in my face, to ignore them. I had driven across the country, playing in every state along the way, until I reached Nashville, and planned on doing the same on the way back, had I not decided to move. I flew home, got rid of my condo, broke up with my boyfriend and said goodbye to family and friends. ***ABSOLUTELY, BY FAR, THE BEST DECISION I HAVE EVER MADE IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.*** I have never been happier. It forced me to grow up, to get out there in a town that’s so cut throat and show anyone and everyone that I was not only ready to be a part of the upcoming circle of talent but I BELONGED in it. I knew, with every possible certainty that I was meant for something more and Nashville was it. There’s s only one thing in my entire life that I’ve ever been certain about before making the decision to move and it was the decision to start this career. As in, stop teaching hip-hop and quit dance almost entirely, to pursue it. December of 2004 is when I made the call to a producer friend of mine in LA and said, “I know you know me as Alyssa the dancer/choreographer, but would you mind recording me? People think I can sing and I’m starting to believe them, after hearing it all year (referring to my karaoke days) so I’d like to put something professional out and see what happens.” Out of no where I started writing songs left and right, next thing I knew my 2nd album came out 3 months later, then I taught myself guitar 3 months after that, accompanying myself at shows I was booking myself, then another album, more songs, more recording, TV/Radio performances, drums, tours, it was like a snowball affect that kept building and building and building until finally I felt like I reached a ceiling in San Diego that I couldn’t pass, a limitation that I knew I’d never break through if I didn’t get out. It was more than evident to me that in order to continue growing and on this path to success, I HAD to move. There was NEVER a 2nd thought about it. I followed my gut instinct and that is why I’m so proud and excited to share this monster post with you on such a special day. I not only encourage you but PUSH YOU to follow your dreams and MAKE THEM A REALITY. Never in a million years did I EVER see myself singing professionally and making a living playing music BUT I AM. People, I never sang in my LIFE before 2004. Never wrote a song. Never played an instrument. I wasn’t born doing this, like many may assume or actually were. No. It was 10 years ago this month when I started songwriting. 9 years ago this month when I started recording/playing shows. 8 years ago when I picked up a guitar. 5 years ago when I started tinkering on drums. I’M TELLING YOU, I AM NO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE, I MADE IT HAPPEN FOR MYSELF. So my wish for you is that you do the same for YOURSELF. There are so many limitations we put on ourselves to where we start believing we CAN’T instead of WE CAN. I am blessed, I am grateful, I am LUCKY, I am in disbelief sometimes that I am living a dream but I am LIVING PROOF that you too, can make your dreams come true. So with this new year we all have before us, seize your life, take control no matter what age, race, gender you are and GO FOR IT. I love you and I am here for ANY ONE OF YOU. For it is YOU ALL who keep fueling the fire under my ass to continue on this journey. Happy 1 year to myself here in Nashville and thank you for being a part of this special day with me, by reading all of this!!!!