2012 Spring Newsletter

2012 SPRING NEWSLETTER

I've decided to repost my email campaigns on my blog- So even if you don't like getting emails, you can get the information here. If you'd like to subscribe to my mailing list, there's a sign-up box on my website: www.gracepettis.com

Tour Highlights

1. Music City Roots Every Wednesday at 7pm, Music City Roots broadcasts live from Nashville with some of the best music around. My dad and I are excited about being on the show- Wednesday, May 2nd! We're in good company: Joining us are Ben Sollee, Pieta Brown, Grant Farm, and Erin McDermott. Visit Music City Roots' website at 8pm ET on May 2nd to see and hear the show live. Here's the link:

http://musiccityroots.com/live-stream

2. Trio Shows! I'm playing just a few shows with Billy Crockett and Dirje Smith this May. It's one of my favorite things I get to do- And I only get to do it a couple times a year. This time we're playing at two of our favorite venues: Uncle Calvin's in Dallas and at Dosey Doe in Houston. We'd love to see you there!

3. Kerrville Folk Festival! Ever since I was a little girl, I've wanted to play at Kerrville Folk Festival. I went to the Festival for the first time when I was a freshman in college, and it felt like a homecoming. I started entering the songwriting contest every year, hoping for an excuse to get back there and of course, a chance to actually play at Kerrville. Last year, I was picked as one of the winners, along with Megan Burtt, AJ Roach, Cassie Peterson, Mai Bloomfield, David Moss. You may know that my dad, Pierce Pettis, was picked as a winner too years ago. What I found out last summer was that my dad won in 1987, the year I was born. That makes us the first father and daughter to win, which is pretty cool. My dad and I are playing together at Kerrville on the first Saturday of the festival, May 26th! Promises to be a big moment in my life. My dad's also playing on the 27th, with the New Agrarians- Kate Campbell and Tom Kimmell. I'm also excited to be reunited for an in-the-round set with my New Folk buddies on Thursday, May 31st. Hope some of you will be at Kerrville this year. I. Can't. Wait.

Album Update

1. Introducing: The band! I've filled in the names of the main players on the new album. There are still some surprises- a few players to come. But this is the main band- Rick Richards on drums, Chris Maresh on bass, Daran DeShazo on guitar, and Kevin Lovejoy on keys. I'm SO EXCITED about what they did for the album, which is evident in the journal I am keeping about all this:

http://gpsophomorealbum.blogspot.com/

2. Management: Some of you may know that I was in talks with a new manager and negotiating a contract. Until recently, I was very sure that this person was the right manager to quarterback the release of the new album. Unfortunately, I've decided that working with this person is not what's best for this project or for me. Although I decided not to take things further, this person and I are still on good terms. The process was not a negative one for me, but it's definitely been a learning experience. It just goes to show- This journey has been unpredictable. Just when I think I know how things are going to unfold, circumstances change and I have to change direction accordingly. But, rolling with the punches and moving forward-

3. What's Next?: I've got two tentative timelines- A production timeline and a promotion timeline. Because of all the unknowns and variables that come with being where we are in the process, I'm keeping the actual dates on my timeline to myself for right now. But here's a look ahead at what's next:

Next steps- Production: So far, we've recorded virtually all of the main band tracks (rhythm guitar, lead guitar, vox, drums, bass, keys). So, we're making great progress. What's next on the production end of things are a few final recording sessions with several more players in April. I will, of course, keep a journal and share that part of the process with you. Once we've got those tracks recorded, and we've decided more or less which takes to keep, I'll share the names of the last few players. I hate to hold out on you with the names of the players involved, but I promise to tell you everything I can, as soon as I can. I will fill in every blank when the pieces fall into place.

After recording, we will be mixing and mastering. Some mixing is already happening. After that comes manufacturing. That's when the artwork, photography, and final masters come together to make the physical product. Deciding on an artistic direction will happen when we decide to be independent or alternatively, to sign with a label. And of course, label involvment would affect our release date. Knowing for sure that this is an independent release would mean being able to announce a release date soon. We're working hard to answer these questions. We will keep you posted.

Next steps- Promotion: Although in the last few months, I have been intensely pursuing a management contract, I have also been working hard to put together an independent course of action for releasing this album. Cris (my husband and agent- www.redcranepromotions.com) and I are not without options for an independent release. We're strategizing and researching everything from radio promotion to publicity to merch and I'm confident that whether or not we have label involvement or management in place, we'll be able to give this album the promotion it deserves. After all, thanks to you guys, we have a budget this time. We're in a very good place. Of course, we are still open to the idea of label involvement but we're working hard, taking this one day at a time, and making sure we have a solid independent plan.

We do have a third team member to announce: Kevin Nordlie is our new Media Relations guy! He's taking a lot of the weight off our shoulders by helping us promote the tours, contacting media outlets on my behalf (newspapers, radio, tv, blogs, etc.) This helps bring more people to the shows. Cris and I are so excited to have Kevin's help. He's already been an invaluable resource to us.

4. Why the secrecy? This is one question I've been getting a lot lately. I know my method of making this album is a little odd. I've been keeping a lot of details to myself- the title of the album, for one, and the names of the songs- until I'm really sure of them. It's hard not to give you every detail that I've got, as soon as I get it- about the recording process, creative decisions like the title of the album, and where we are with things like management and labels. But I've got my reasons:

1. I like the artistic license that the discretion gives me- I like that I have the ability to change my mind when it comes to creative decisions. For one thing, we can't keep everything that gets recorded- Billy's job now is to pick and choose, to whittle the tracks down to just the essential parts. That creative process works best when Billy and I both feel like we have freedom and permission. It's a little harder when there are expectations as to what musical choices we make. I've already been grateful for the ability to change my mind: I've gone through several titles already for this album. I may change my mind again, after we bring in the last few players. Billy and I have also changed our minds several times, about which songs will make the cut and about the musical approach we're taking. This album sounds like me, but it's different from the last one. I'm taking some bold new creative steps.

Billy and I weren't sure of what these songs needed when we first dived into recording. Rather than just capturing a sound that's already been created, Billy and I are actually in the middle of creating something new- Even we don't know exactly where it wants to go. But we know we're on to something great. I can't even believe how good it already sounds. But I want to make sure I get this album right before I share it with you.

2. Practically, being really sure before I tell you guys stuff means that I can avoid embarrassing retractions. It means that I can let this whole experience unfold the way it unfolds. Am I making plans? Yes. I am making a LOT of plans. But, as I've learned, circumstances change and I've got to be able to change accordingly. It's good to be able to know that when Plan A doesn't work out, I can go with Plan B and not feel like I'm having to take back any promises to you guys.

That said, when this thing is over, I promise to fill in every blank. I'm an open book. Once this chapter is written, that is.

Thank you, a million times over, for being a part of this, for caring about it, for bringing it to life, for seeing it through. I am so grateful for the support that surrounds me. I feel so affirmed by you guys- And that affirmation gives me the confidence and energy I need to give my best to this project.

I know we're making something special.

THANK YOU and much love,

grace


Thanks to Rodney Bursiel for use of his beautiful photography.