x

Sabrina Murdaugh / Blog

Time Marches On

Here we are in the 8th month of the year! Can you believe it? If you're like me, you're wondering where all the days went. I've been working trying my best to grow, learn, expand my boundaries and enjoy life. Somehow, I blinked and we're on the downward side of 2017.

Truthfully, I don't feel all that accomplished. This makes me wonder a couple of things. Did I do the important things? Was there anything I didn't do out of fear that it wouldn't work out? The important things are different for everyone. We all have goals/objectives in mind and know that we have to take the steps to make them happen. But at the end of the day, we shouldn't just only do things to check them off a list. It's important to do things that feed your soul, stimulate your mind and grow your character. In turn, you will be a better artist/creator/person.

Fear is tough to conquer; but mostly because we give it more power than we should. I struggle with this constantly but believe that the majority of my fears are unfounded. If fear is holding you back (I'm talking to myself too); then realize that whether you take a chance or not time will keep marching on! Five years from now you can say, "I tried that and it worked out great"! or "I tried that and it didn't go so well; but now I know what to do"! Regardless, it'll still be five years later. The difference will be whether or not you're still stuck wondering what if or if you've made progress. I'm learning every day to choose progress!

Well, it's "time" for me to get back to the music! I look forward to sharing with you via websites and social media and especially live and in person! See you along the road!

Sabrina

The Struggle and the Song

So, I'm going to risk something here and tell you that I've been struggling. Living in such a crazy world, our lives can seem like one battle after another. The constant barrage of bad news and disappointments can weigh you down. In the midst of this, I've found myself not as engaged as I should be in life, in love or in music. Yes, I've been doing the necessary day to day but living and existing are two distinct things.

In the midst of this somehow there remains a light, a flame flickering and I'm grateful. It's my faith I believe and it's also a song. A song that is mine alone to sing but at the same time gives birth to those songs I am to share. At times, it's been difficult to hear it as the cares of this life bombard my senses; but it's still there!

So today, once again, I'm making a conscious choice to quiet my soul and listen for the song because I want to live and not just exist! I encourage you to listen to your song and soon you'll be thriving again too!

"I hear the music of life"!

Happy New Year

Well, we've made it to 2017!

Where will we go? What will we do? I'm excited to see what this year unfolds. I know I've made plans and have dreams and I'm sure you do too. Let's work hard and keep the faith and make this year the best one yet!

One of my goals is to get back out on the road performing music! I'll be working hard to book shows all over the U.S. Hopefully, I'll see you along the road!

Sabrina

New Adventures

For the past 6 weeks, I've been on an amazing adventure in the land Down Under. While I've enjoyed myself, this was not really a vacation. I've been going at full throttle for a while and really needed to step back and evaluate some things. It's been an awesome time of reflection and I've gained some new perspective on life and my music. In addition to reflecting, I've written some new songs. Some are cathartic but others will definitely make it into my set list and maybe a new album.

In a couple of weeks, I'll be returning to the familiar but with a new perspective that I believe will help me to take the next steps I've been needing to take for a while.I'm excited about what the future holds and look forward to seeing you in the audience and along the road!

Take care and keep rocking my friends!

Sabrina

Lightning 100 Acoustic Stage

A few weeks ago, I came across an opportunity asking me to tweet a performance video for a chance to win a prize. I was familiar with the company promoting the contest and I figured it would only take about 5 minutes so I did it. Imagine my surprise when I found out that I had been selected as one of four finalist and then the WINNER!! Can you say excited? What an awesome opportunity. In addition to the prize which was great for an indie like myself; but I was also given the opportunity to perform at one of Nashville's beloved events on the Lightning 100 Radio Station Acoustic Stage. I'm totally psyched and can't wait to "sing my heart out!". In retrospect, I laugh at myself because I almost didn't enter. You know the drill "I'm not good enough" or "there's no way I'll win; too much competition". I almost fell victim to that way of thinking! It has made me consider what other opportunities I may have missed because of self doubt. Truthfully, even if I hadn't won, it would have still been worth it to have my performance evaluated by some folks in the industry or at the very least new potential fans. I guess the take-away is that we should not shortchange ourselves from good. Fear must be acknowledged; but never allowed to rule our lives. Go out and take chances!

February Album Writing Month

Every year for the past seven years, I've taken the challenge of writing 14 songs in 28 days. It's a bit out of character with my writing discipline during the rest of the year; but I'll admit I'm hooked.

I love the excitement that comes in January as I try to anticipate what inspiration will pop into my head. Then the amazement, in February as songs start to pore out of me. Finally when it's over, there's a sense of accomplishment and wonder that I made it!

Today is February 3rd and I've already got a couple brewing and I'm pretty confident I'll finish at least two tonight and stay on track. But if I don't, I can look forward to some late nights at the end of the month as I push myself to dig deeper and find new words, progressions and rhythms in my quest for 2014.

I hope you have something in your life that pushes and challenges you to find within yourself that little something extra. Music does that for me every day of the year; but especially during February Album Writing Month!

Stay tune as some new songs are sure to come your way!

Brrrrrrrrr

The new year has started off with a blast of cold air. We're not particularly prepared for this here in the south so we throw on lots of clothes, shut down schools and complain: LOUDLY! The funny thing is we have absolutely NO control over the cold air. We can stay inside (not productive) or we can make the best of it.

I'll admit that I've just wanted to stay inside with the thermostat cranked and my body tucked under some blankets. That however is counterproductive to my plans for 2014.

At the end of 2013, I looked back and saw a good year with lots of room for improvement. Improvements require work and there's only so much work you can accomplish hiding away in bed. You've got to get out from under everything and get moving. Make decisions, take chances, explore, create, i.e.: DO!

Don't let the cold winds of procrastination and self doubt, prevent you from reaching your goals this year. Put on layers of self-confidence, true supporters and a good work ethic and make it so (I had to say that: I'm a Trekkie).

Let's make this season of our lives a great one....ready....set....go!

Breakfast Lessons

Well, I just returned from a 10 day tour up in the Northeast. We were in NY, NH, MA, PA & MD. It was great fun, making music, friends and fans. Still, my favorite memory from the entire trip was a breakfast date with my five year old nephew. I'd promised him the night before that we'd go to breakfast; but had to wake him up to stay on schedule because "Tia" , as he calls me, should not have told him and gotten too him excited to go to bed. We get in the car armed with my GPS and I ask where he wanted to go. Like most kids his age, he said Mickey D's so off we went.

He didn't know it; but I was enraptured by his trust, and enjoyment of the moment. Unlike me, he was not thinking about, where he had to be next. The only thing he knew was that Tia was letting him ride in her car and taking him to breakfast. He took my hand as we walked in and his face lit up when I told him he could have whatever he wanted (it was too early for happy meals). We sat at a table and talked. I listened as he told me about getting ready for kindergarten and going fishing with his dad. We saw a garbage truck pass by on the street and he explained to me that they picked up the trash and took it to a dumpster. Of course, I knew this; but still it sounded fresh and new coming from him. We laughed and made funny faces over our hotcakes and sausage.

Our breakfast was over too soon and all too soon I had to say goodbye; but those few precious moments were amazing! His innocence and inquisitive nature, made me stop my hectic pace and just enjoy!

Maybe I'm biased but I think I have the most amazing niece and nephew in the world. Every time I have a chance to spend some time with them, I'm proud of the people they are becoming and overwhelmed with enormity of their innocence in this complicated world. I learn from them about trust, love and simple enjoyment. May we all take a step back from the crazy pace and see the world through the eyes of a child.

It Never Gets Old

What a weekend! Over the past two days, I performed with a young blues player, as a featured artist for Tin Pan South (Nashville's premier songwriters festival) and as part of the Nashville Unleashed roster at Natchez Hills Vineyard. You'd think I'd be exhausted and yes the body feels the late nights and early risings; but my soul is still exuberant from the stage magic.

Every show exceeded my expectations and even the new songs were well received. I do this for a living knowing fully well that I may never be rich in any monetary fashion; but the wealth that I have cannot be explained. Being blessed with the opportunity to share music that makes people, laugh, cry or reminisce is a great deposit into my soul's bank.

I awoke this morning with a smile on my face and a new song in my ear. It's not an easy life; but I wouldn't trade it for the world!

What the What?

If you know anything about me at all, you know I don't curse but I'll admit there are things and circumstances that sometimes leave me scratching my head.

For instance, how in the world did we get to the middle of January. It was only yesterday that we were doing our last minute Christmas shopping and decking the halls. Somehow the new year slipped in and is sliding at an amazing rate. Most of us have already forgotten our resolutions and have settled back into the hum-drum existence that we call normal.

I question that because,hum-drum is not what makes me happy! Maybe it's my artistic side but I crave excitement, heart pounding, blood racing excitement. Now don't get too worried, I know we have to do the little boring things as a part of our "maintenance". I'm all for that but the bigger picture should be something that feeds your soul. It doesn't matter if you read to 1st graders, brush the hair of the elderly at a nursing home or join the peace corps; just don't settle for hum-drum!

I'm determined in 2013 to push myself beyond fear and discomfort. I know everything won't be some great success or discovery; but everything will help feed and mold this artistic soul!

So find your passion and walk it out!