THE DREAM: Making an A L B U M

This week I am In the Studio with the oh so wonderful Justin Huey of Steel Train and Seahorses, with his lovely lady Emily Moore Emily who also tours with the INCREDIBLE band FUN.

I started recording music when I was 14 with good ol' Chris Kincaid... But I've been quite the lucky girl and have always been guided through the process by a very talented circle of friends. With this being my first solo full-length album, I am learning a lot about the WHOLE PROCESS... So as I go through this week, I want to blog how it's all going. ( Maybe even it'll help some of you interested in doing your first album!)

Step 1: Was learn an instrument (obvi). As a singer, and a songwriter, it was hard to keep track of all of my songs- So over the last year year and a half... I picked up by good old Laguna Acoustic,and learned my fair share of chords. And we were off...

Step 2: Get better...

Step 3: ...Get better

Step 4: ...Get better, no really, keep practicing everyday. And Keep writing songs. You can almost tell which songs were written when in my guitar-learning process based on how simple or difficult they are.

Step 5: Start Playing! I couldn't be scared, So starting one year ago, I started playing guitar for people...family, friends, strangers! I played at local venues often. Rugby Cafe ( with the one and only Bill T Wilde) on Tuesdays and Bloombars on Sundays- I got feedback on what songs and styles were working. And trust me, people are honest. Even if there words aren't...they're applause is...

Step 6: Pick a solid set and start marketing yourself. Everyone is multi-faceted, find the you that matches your music and is honest to who you are... I was advised to go the self-promotion indie path...so internet world here I come. I HAVE LOVED GETTING TO KNOW PEOPLE from all of the world who follow my music... It is the most wonderful gift.

TWITTER: http://twitter.com/hopefuleigh
YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/LilMisshopefuleigh
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=44608889650&ref=mf

[So I skipped a lot of steps in finding the right producer, sound engineer, etc. because Like I said, somehow, the man upstairs and blessed me with a wonderful circle of talented friends. So I came home to Carolina, where my passion for love started. ]

The JukeBox Hero (JBH whoop whoop! and yes, a website still exists) was one of my first favorite local bands, I was young, the lyrics were catchy, and the boys- were oh so dreamy. I had my mommy and daddy drive me to all of their shows... Justin Huey was the lead singer, and years later... check us out. Still friends, and still laughing at our roots in the Charlotte "Music Scene" .(SIDE NOTE: R.I.P. Tremont MusicHall shutting down) Justin is producing the album, and playing guitar... and let me tell you, my songs sound so much-more-better when he plays them. Rock out J. NBD.

Also, When I was 16, I sang on the album for TEN MISSING DAYS with Will Gilreath. The drummer was Tim Cossor (Now of the band Harvard: http://www.myspace.com/harvard) and now, he is back to play drums on my album, and I am such a lucky girl for this.

You'll here about more of my awesome friends as their day in the studio comes...


So now we are off... And I can't wait to share what has taken years of preperation and networking to make... My First Full-length all original fabulous C.D. and I hope you are just as excited as me.