http://shannieband.com/blog.html ShAnnie: Photo Blog & Posters Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Tue, 15 May 2012 16:05:01 -0700 http://shannieband.com/blog.html/momalisa http://shannieband.com/blog.html/momalisa Tue, 15 May 2012 16:05:01 -0700 ShAnnie Band!!! - ShAnnie - Photo Blog & Posters http://shannieband.com/blog.html/a_texas_style_grammys
All of that and twinkling lights strewn from ceiling to windows to walls, lighting the building like a luminary. The new Texas Music Barn was so beautifully radiant. A real Texas style Grammys!

So, the event went on and performers ignited the stage. It was enormous! Awards were handed out and so were heartfelt speeches. There was a lot of hugging, kissing and some crying too.

Then there we were, on the edge of our seats, waiting for those four big words”¦ and then the two that would put our minds at ease. We have to admit that it was bigger than we expected.

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR”¦ JOHN INMON”¦ for SHANNIE’S”¦ THE STATION”¦

If nothing else happened for the rest of the night, we were completely elated! John received the award for Producer of the year, for our album, The Station! That was the biggest “good feeling” I think we’ve ever had.

John Inmon was unable to attend the show due to the fact that he was performing with David Amram; of course, we understand :) Whew!

So, we opted to accept the award for John. (Here’s where things go a little goofy, since I am a little goofy:-)

We walked up the painted piano keys, and I swear I could just hear my out of tune notes, while Shan played Mozart’s Concerto”¦ lovely, Shan!

Co-founder of the Texas Music Awards, Miss Jinelle Boyd handed us the award, and as we stepped up to the podium”¦ all I could say was”¦ as I smiled in total awe of the moment... “It’s so sparkly!”

Shan looked at me, sort of dumbfounded and eased me aside, and started to speak.

As I regained consciousness, I was able to join in the congratulations to John Inmon and the acceptance speech”¦

“Working with John on our project was a true privilege. He’s an incredible musician with great passion for his art”¦Thank you so much to John and for John Inmon!”

We had no idea that the second that we sat down, we would be returning to the stage for the award for Vocal Duo of the Year! Still, with no words prepared, I apologized for my silliness and said, “But the award IS so sparkly!” Everyone laughed, and we thanked them all again! Shan added that “we are all winners!”

Musicians, artists, friends... it is very humbling to accept the award for Vocal Duo... but we don't accept it alone. We believe so much that this is a synchronized effort. So, we gratefully and totally accept the award on all our behalves, and share it with all our musician friends. May we all continue to sing and travel the road in Harmony with one another.

Thanks Texas and beyond!]]> http://shannieband.com/blog.html/a_texas_style_grammys Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:17:07 -0700 ShAnnie Band!!! - ShAnnie - Photo Blog & Posters http://shannieband.com/blog.html/sparkle_and_shine
Today, I feel like lying under the Christmas tree and looking up at the lights. As I lay there, I spot a light that’s flickering, but it’s not supposed to. These aren’t the twinkling kind. This light is flickering, because it has been brought out year after year for over ten good years, to perform on this stage of a tree. And what a performance it gave. It would shine and gleam, lending it’s brightness to all the other ornamental embellishments. I applaud you, my little pulsating light as you finally fade to black”¦ burned in my memory.

As I lay there, I think of a conversation I had with a friend recently about someone I know, whom I was worried about, and she said, “She once was a glittering ocean with a bright sparkle, but now she feels she’s lost her shine.” I thought to myself, how can you lose what you’ve created for yourself? I just don’t think it’s possible. Is it that she’s not aware of how special she is, or that she’s not told by her loved ones? Is it that she’s not where she truly wants to be, even though we all have choices? Perhaps she’s not doing what she loves. It’s just so sad to hear this about anyone, much less her. I think there’s a sparkle in all of us, and it’s up to us to find it.

I am an advocate of self worth, I mean really, who isn’t? And I don’t think you can lose it, but perhaps you can lose sight of it or forget your worth. Maybe you just need to do some rearranging. Feng Shui your life! Some things stay, and some must go.

Ahh, this all brings me to another friend. Sadly, we lost another dear friend to cancer yesterday. Kenny McClain was a young and incredibly sweet man. It was a very quick moving cancer too, and with only a few rounds of Chemo in his body, he passed sometime in the morning. We pray for him and all of his family and friends. He’ll be deeply missed, and will forever shine in our hearts and memories.

Eventually, we’ll all fade to black, like my little pulsating light, and we’ll shine like Kenny in the memories and hearts of the loved ones we leave behind. But, while we’re here, while we’re active and able, we should take deep breaths; polish away anything that may be hindering our bright lights from glimmering. Stand tall and proud, so stunning and vivid that it starts to become infectious, passing on from person to person.

I challenge you to release your sparkle, or as fellow songwriter Kevin Higgins would say”¦ “Find Your Shine!”]]> http://shannieband.com/blog.html/sparkle_and_shine Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:35:28 -0800 ShAnnie Band!!! - ShAnnie - Photo Blog & Posters http://shannieband.com/blog.html/the_artist
I finally approached the artist and said, “I’m Annie, and your paintings are”¦filling me up inside.” I know, I know, that’s the best I could come up with. But it was what I was feeling. Total fulfillment!

He smiled and of course thanked me for the “kind words”, even though I couldn’t find the ones I really wanted. Then he continued with the most flattering compliments. One of which, women love to hear and can never hear enough; “You’re one of the most beautiful women I have ever painted””¦ ok, so maybe I haven’t actually heard that before but I can dream. I could feel the shades of cadmium red glaze over my face. Someone must have turned up the heat.

Then the artist said something I have heard before and I am superfluously, and with a surplus of extra proud. He told me that he met Shan about two minutes earlier. He said, and with the most admiration a man can give, “I just met your partner Shan, I probably don’t have to tell you this but, he’s a really kind and gentle heart; a special person. I could really feel this about him when I met him.”

Now I have to tell all of you that I have heard this a million times about Shan, and it never gets old. But it got me to thinking about relationships, and although we are one of the lucky couples; there are some out there that feel like they are prisoners in their relationships. So, I send out my prayers that one day, everyone will have someone gentle and kind to share love with. Remember that you deserve it. I suppose relationships are somewhat of an art too, how you act and react to a person, how you love inside, in order to give love and share it with others.

I am sure that Mark, the artist, has a very lovely wife”¦ for I could tell he was a tender soul as well.

Thank you Mark”¦ thank you for your words, your heart and your talent.

Oh, there’s just one more thing”¦ Shan is probably reading this, rolling his eyes and feeling very awkward about me sharing this bit of insight; he’s quite modest”¦ but that’s what you get when I am the WEBMASTER of our site and the BLOGGER!

So, deal with it SHAN... sweetie!]]> http://shannieband.com/blog.html/the_artist Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:48:44 -0800 ShAnnie Band!!! - ShAnnie - Photo Blog & Posters http://shannieband.com/blog.html/giving_thanks
I’m thankful that the lines around my eyes are starting to show just a little more, because it means that I’ve been laughing a lot more”¦ and I’m cool with that.

Of course, this goes without saying, but I love to say it, I am very thankful for my Parents and how they brought me and my siblings up. Good job, if I do say so myself ;-) Ha!

I’m thankful for my Sister DeAnn, her husband Michael and their two children, Caya and Leo. I didn’t have kids of my own, so I’m lucky to be privileged to play the role of Auntie Annie, and nothing’s better than that!

I’m thankful for my Brother Jimmy and his wife Laura, and their continued success. Two brilliant and in love people; may they one day decide to adopt Shan and I!

I’m thankful for Grandma Rosalie, and for every visit that we get to make to see her and for every day that she’s able to enjoy “dippin’ eggs.”

I’m so very thankful for Shan and for all our family and friends”¦

I’m even thankful for people that we don’t see eye to eye with; because it means that we all have the freedom to think for ourselves, and that’s a truly wonderful thing.

I’m thankful for our music and for all of you and the support that you’ve given us through the years. You’ve all made it possible for us to travel and take our music to places we thought were only in our dreams, and we’ve only just begun.

We have so many new songs and lots of new ideas for the coming year and we hope you’ll all stay with us and be a part of the experience.

A Big “THANK YOU” to each of you!



May your holidays be wonderful, your bellies be abundantly full

And may your hearts be overjoyed with family and friends!

Peace, Love & Music!

Annie and Shan]]> http://shannieband.com/blog.html/giving_thanks Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:08:45 -0800 ShAnnie Band!!! - ShAnnie - Photo Blog & Posters http://shannieband.com/blog.html/love_story
As the sun rose over the coast of Port Aransas, I was thinking”¦ if the day is any reflection of this sunrise; today will be amazing.

I gazed at the quiet ocean; as the waves rolled like silk gently to the shore”¦ peacefully serene.

Everything was perfect, then suddenly something caught the corner of my eye; an old man being escorted by what seemed to be his son and daughter-in-law. They were leading him as he followed slowly with his walker guiding every step. It was rather sweet, and yet I felt overcome with sadness. I couldn’t understand why I was so sad. I leaned on the rail of the second story balcony; still wondering how we got so lucky to stay in such a place with the most picturesque view”¦ what a mystery; but truthfully, it was a gift from a dear friend. (Thank you Kathy)

Ok, so, I leaned in to consume more of this lovely family. Then I understood my sadness, it was the rolling walker, I wondered, how will he take it on the beach? Of course, he didn’t.

They ushered him to the edge of the walkway, and left him there to sit, as they continued on their journey, probably just as he and his maiden did back in the day. Back when he and his lady were young and could walk hand in hand up and down the shore, only to stop for the occasional broken shell that his lady just knew would make the perfect addition to one of her homemade creations.

I imagined her asking, “Harvey, won’t this look lovely on that lamp shade in the bathroom?” He would smile adoringly, and reply “Absolutely Mabel, absolutely.” Then he’d take the shell, rinse it in the ocean for her, and place it carefully in his pocket. I let out a heavy, yet hopeful romantic sigh, “ahhhh”¦.” What a charming couple they must have been.

I sat and watched him the entire time that his children traipsed the seashore. I wanted to walk down and join him for some conversation, but I convinced myself otherwise”¦

What if this is where he comes to talk to her? What if this is the only place he finds peace? I can’t disturb him, can I? I had better not.

Instead I gave kudos to his kids for giving him a place to meditate”¦ to be himself.

Then I opted to stay and just watch over him, as if he were my Grandfather, or my Father, my Uncle, or my Brother, or even my Husband”¦

I started feeling at peace again. I was happy because I felt that at some time in this gentleman’s life he shared the beach with someone, and it was beautiful.

He was reminiscing, enjoying the breeze, gazing at the quiet ocean; as the waves rolled like silk gently to the shore”¦

peacefully serene.]]> http://shannieband.com/blog.html/love_story Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:16:47 -0700 ShAnnie Band!!! - ShAnnie - Photo Blog & Posters http://shannieband.com/blog.html/ode_to_shan I had this imaginary fence always guarding my view.

Perceptions of what I wanted and what was truly real,
Were all revealed and clear by how you made me feel.

At first, people thought, “Their love is just a thing,
They’re years apart, it can’t work out, another hopeless fling”

It’s funny but; we never meant to prove anyone wrong.
It’s just that when you love someone, it feels just like a song.

So, here we are on a journey, traveling through our days,
Writing and rewriting our own fairytale plays.

So Shan, I wouldn’t change a thing; come on, I don’t tell lies,
It’s like the first day that we met, each day I melt within your eyes”¦

Happy Birthday... Sweet Shan!]]> http://shannieband.com/blog.html/ode_to_shan Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:17:02 -0700 ShAnnie Band!!! - ShAnnie - Photo Blog & Posters http://shannieband.com/blog.html/the_story_but_whose_stalkings_were_at_the_outhouse
I have to say, my heart was not up for a trip to a place where “Hank William’s pain songs” are sung, and I absolutely love Hank. But at that moment, I just didn’t care if “Willie, Waylon” or any of “the boys” were anywhere near me. I just wasn’t in the mood, but somehow my friend coerced me into going.

So, there I sat, like a child with arms folded, in the back seat as she and her boyfriend joyfully held hands in the front seat. How wonderful for her.

We arrived, and there wasn’t much to this place called Luckenbach.

From where we parked all I noticed at the time was an elaborate dancehall, the greatest hat shop, the outhouse, and a couple other buildings and then of course the general store/bar, which is where this story actually begins”¦


As soon as we entered the bar, my heart filled with music. I swear I could see musical notes floating through the air like tiny little atoms. When one song ended, clapping and laughter followed and a new song began. It was so comfortable in that cozy dusty den.

The bartender made his way over to us and asked, “What can I getcha?” My friend decided to keep it simple and ordered three Dos Equis. To this day, I believe that was the best Dos Equis I have ever had.

I noticed an available bench behind us as we walked in and motioned to my friends for us to sit. We sat and listened to several songs, and decided to stay for another beer. But before I could have another, I thought I had better use the facilities. The drive over, was a long one and I was interested in seeing what the outhouse looked like.

I excused myself for a few minutes, but upon my return I was completely surprised, when as I walked into the bar, all eyes were on me.

Naturally, my eyes darted around the room, to make sure that I wasn’t mistaken. I even looked behind me to see if I was being followed, but sure enough, I was alone. These people were indeed staring at me.


Mike Haley, the bartender, commanded the entire room and announced with one full breath, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special guest in the house tonight that can sing and we would like to invite her to sing “Crazy”, if she would”, and then he quickly turned to me.

My heartbeats per minute were growing quite rapidly.

Realizing that my friend had barricaded the door, I took a deep breath, swallowed a healthy lump of pride, looked at what was then my friend through the corner of my eyes with disgust, and while shaking my head and closing my eyes, said with a shy and meager squeak, “I guess.”

At one moment I thought I was free from the duty of singing, “thank god”, I said under my breath.

It seems nobody knew how to play the song.

Until, there he stood, a charming man that I had been noticing in the corner of the room all night. He had been playing at the picker’s table with the rest of the musicians. I had noticed him for different reasons, one, because he was handsome, reminiscent of Mr. Robert DeNiro, and two, because he was only playing songs that he had written; never a cover. Just songs beautifully cultivated from his heart.

But right now, he was pissing me off...

So, there he stood and explained, “Hi, my name is Shan. I play by ear so maybe I can try to play the song for you.”

I smiled and reluctantly agreed, but not because of him, just wishing I could somehow get out of this singing thing. Alas, we did it”¦and!

Everything would probably have been okay, if it weren’t for the drunken biker lady.

No offence but, it just wasn’t in the key of B-E-E-R.

I guess everyone in the bar liked it, including the musicians, because they invited me into the circle that night. I sat by Shan, who played everything for me. Somehow, I got over my fear that night.


After conveniently meeting me at the outhouse later, Shan asked if perhaps we could see each other again in the future.

Or was it I that stalked him at the outhouse? Hmmm? That’s the part of the story that gets a little cloudy.

Who stalked who?
It doesn’t really matter. The point is that, that night was magic at Luckenbach.

And the rest is, as they say”¦ History.

God Bless Luckenbach!

God Bless all the friends and music we’ve made at Luckenbach too!]]> http://shannieband.com/blog.html/the_story_but_whose_stalkings_were_at_the_outhouse Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:17:20 -0700 ShAnnie Band!!! - ShAnnie - Photo Blog & Posters http://shannieband.com/blog.html/my_shiny_van
So here it was, my big break, my chance, destiny was calling my name again. I thought, why the heck not? After all, I did the “True Grit” thing with corset, hoop skirt and stockings; if I could do that, then I could certainly do this “Utopia” thing.
The letter had detailed directions and instructions of what to wear that read, “Dress in your Sunday best or jeans and a nice shirt for the filming, but nothing in white. Bring several changes with you.” How exciting! I ran to my closet and started trying on my entire starlet wardrobe. My 15 minutes of fame, shouldn’t be wasted on shabby threads. I was hauling things out of my closet that I hadn’t seen in months, pairing everything together, until finally I came up with a few choice selections to secure my spot on the silver screen.
The day had finally come! It was time for me to shine; and speaking of shine. On a side note, Shan’s pet peeve is a dirty van, so he had just washed ours for me. He’s sweet like that.
I packed up the freshly sparkling van with my pressed garments and headed for Utopia.
Since I arrived early, I visited with some of the others that were also chosen as “extras” for the film. After a long wait, and a lot of wondering if we were even going to do the shoot, at last, they called for us. We were to get in our vehicles and caravan to this quaint little church down the street from the holding room. Some people chose to ride together, but I drove alone in my newly washed van.
Several minutes later, we arrived one by one. A nice young man was pointing every which way, much like a composer directing each one of us to a parking place. Eager and ready to become overnight sensations, we all hopped out of our vehicles and walked toward the sweet little church.
The film crew made their first scene request for us all to pile into the building. Tickled with the silly thoughts in my head, I started toying with the idea of getting into character. I wondered what my “part” would be”¦
Suddenly, the director’s assistant spoke, “When I give my cue, you will all walk out slowly, leaving church services, Duvall’s truck will be driving by and we want you to wave and holler, saying “hi” as he passes.” Seems simple enough, no problem. Let’s do this thing!
“Wait!” the assistant shouted again, as he received a call over his ear piece, “There’s a girl who drove the blue Chrysler van parked outside, where is she?”
Oh my gosh, it’s me! Here it is, my moment, the moment I was telling you about.
“Here, right here, I’m right here. Annie, m-my name is Annie!” I proclaimed, trying not to sound too excited, although I think I was unsuccessful.
As he started to speak, I was either too wound up or he was speaking in slow motion, because it took for-ever to get the words out of his mouth.
Finally, and quite clearly, the words were uttered, “Can we have your keys? We would like to move your van into the scene.” Huh? Like a lifeless zombie, I pulled the keys from the pocket of my cute pair of slacks and dropped them into his outstretched hand. Jingling them in front of me, with a big toothy smile he said “Thanks.”
Not only did my beautifully shined van get chosen for the film, but I didn’t even get to move it”¦
Thanks Shan, thanks for doing such a great job on the upkeep of our vehicles. Terrific!
Ahhh, oh well.
In the big scheme of things, I still loved the opportunity. I got to meet Lucas Black, briefly, and I did wave at Robert Duval, although you probably can’t even see me in the scene. I’m pretty sure the camera was already panned away from me and onto my gorgeous van at that point.
Still, I wouldn’t change a thing. It was fun and I’d do it all again. And I’m ready to see the movie, and my van’s debut.
By the way, if opportunity knocks, I say go for it!

Live like there’s no tomorrow”¦ even if it is your van that’s chosen to be the superstar.

“Seven Days in Utopia” is now playing in theaters near you, so I thought I’d share my own little personal tale in Utopia.]]> http://shannieband.com/blog.html/my_shiny_van Tue, 06 Sep 2011 08:27:43 -0700 ShAnnie Band!!! - ShAnnie - Photo Blog & Posters http://shannieband.com/blog.html/i_saw_elvis
I think I saw you last night in a sushi diner up the road. You were sitting alone, sipping your Sake. It’s funny; I never pegged you for a Sake drinker. I don’t know why really”¦ you were a black belt in Karate”¦

Hmmm?

Does it really matter? The point is, there you were after all these years, and you looked good. Much like you did when you were young and you had all the girls swooning over you. You, with your raven black hair shimmering in the light like blue waves and your perfectly curled lip. Strangely though, I felt numb; completely paralyzed. I just sat there with my chin in my hand staring at you, unable to walk over and ask where you’d been all these years. I wanted to know why you had been hiding, although I have to admit, with your degree of eminence, I might want to hide from time to time too.
I wanted to know if you had any rhinestone jumpsuits with you, and if maybe you’d like to unload one. I wanted to call my Mom and have you say “Hello” to her. She’d like that.
I wanted to play you my newest song. I wanted to tell you how much I really liked your singing and your passion and how it inspires me. There were a lot of things I wanted to say.

The waiter interrupted my brief slump in mobility to ask if I’d like anything else to drink. I was just about to order my own Sake and ask the waiter to deliver another one to you. But I squeezed my eyes closed tightly and reopened them only to find you were gone. Then I slowly rolled my eyes up to the waiter, who; with pursed lips and very wide eyes, asked hesitantly, “Are you”¦ ok?” To which I replied and with complete confidence, “I saw Elvis”.

Of course, silence followed.

Then the waiter just nodded and said “I’ll bring some coffee”.
I got my coffee; strong, and toasted to your life.

Here’s to you ELVIS!

January 8, 1935 to August 16, 1977]]> http://shannieband.com/blog.html/i_saw_elvis Tue, 16 Aug 2011 08:35:05 -0700 ShAnnie Band!!! - ShAnnie - Photo Blog & Posters