Sunday, November 23, 2008

Big Days for Maddie!

This was a big weekend a our house! Friday morning Maddie's class had their Thanksgiving program at school. Too cute! Here are some pictures...




On Saturday we decided to tackle putting up Christmas. The kids had so much fun...I love watching their excitement during the holidays! I took a short break t watch ACU play in the 2nd round of the NCAA II playoffs. It was a CRAZY game! The final score was ACU 93- WT A&M 63 setting a record for the most points scored in an NCAA playoff. Such a fun game to watch-even online!
Then...after bed time last night, Maddie came running downstairs to show me that she FINALLY lost her first tooth! It was cause for much celebration! You can see the delight in her face (and Ella's) below!



These are the moments we'll always remember. I could not ask for more!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

GO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Today is the NCAA Division II football playoff game. I am enjoying watching it live here...http://tinyurl.com/6hzho9

ACU is DOMINATING!!! GO CATS!!!! ACU is ranked #2 in the nation. It's been a while since they've made it this far. I am listening to my buddy, Grant Boone announce the game. In the 3rd quarter the score is 72-47. It's so FUN listening to Grant and watching our CATS do so well. I am really, REALLY wishing I was there at the game!!

Friday, November 21, 2008

Gary Musick Productions

People often ask me, "What exactly do you guys do at the Gary Musick Company?" You've read a lot of posts from me about our cruise ship side of things...we produce, cast and direct shows for Celebrity and Norwegian Cruise Lines. It's a lot of hard work and extremely rewarding. But I'd like to share a little bit more about our company...

One of the main things we specialize in at the Gary Musick Company is producing corporate events. We handle everything from stage sets, lighting and sound... to entertainment, program content and overall event planning. We are a "one-stop shop"!

We have worked with major corporate clients doing very large sets and entertainment by major artists or original production shows. However, we also work on much smaller scales doing business sets for companies in local hotels.

We have over $1,000,000 worth of props and scenic inventory in our warehouses. If your business or corporation is planning a meeting or convention, call us for pricing on over-all production of your event or even just rental pieces or custom work!

Pictured below are just a few examples of some of the business sets we have produced and constructed...both large and small.




Our "Music City" pieces create a wonderful vibe for corporate award shows.



Spandex covered panels with a little back lighting are a simple way to create a nice set for a smaller business meeting or banquet.





Pictured above is the set we produced for the nationally televised Dove Awards.



Our scenic staff constructed this great store front for a convention for O'Charley's employees.



These spandex "transformits" are a simple way to give your business meeting that extra punch.



Pictured above is a convention in Las Vegas produced by Bert Hensley.


The set pictured above is the Chicago skyline.

Often, one of the best ways to create a theme is to have an entry way that draws interest.



The 3 pictures above are from a recent convention at a local hotel produced scenically by me. IEBA (International Entertainment Buyers Association) has a large event in Nashville each year. Though the ballroom isn't that large, we were able to create a very different feel for their artist showcase and banquet. Check out their website at... http://www.ieba.org/

We are afforded the wonderful opportunity to meet some incredible people along the way. The great part about what we do is...we not only get to help them create an event they can be proud of, but we develop friendships and learn a lot from our clients too! For more information on recent events at the Gary Musick Company, check out the "hot news" section on our website by clicking this link http://www.garymusick.com/

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Gary Musick Productions Auditions and "Life School Musical"

For the past two days we've been going strong with auditions here in Nashville. We've had people from Kansas, Texas, Chicago, Washington DC, Virginia and more. We auditioned around 200 singers and dancers.

Here are some pictures from yesterday...


ouch





Sunday night we went to a children's musical at our church... "Life School Musical" Of course, I love the name! One of my friends at Fellowship, Rob Howard, wrote this musical with a couple of other people. It was great fun and our kids had a great time!




Here are some clips from the performance...



Have a great week, blog friends!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Norwegian Cruise Line's MAJESTY Cast

The cast of the Majesty has been rehearsing and working hard over the last few weeks in preparation for their six month contract on board. They leave this weekend and will board the ship on Saturday in Charleston, SC. This cast is packed full of excellent performers. It has been a pleasure to watch them rehearse.

Half of them are returning performers who have worked with us on other ships. Two of my favorite dancers are in this cast. It's been so great seeing them again! This cast is going to blow audiences away!


Kelly Evans, one of our choreographers, does a little cleaning before the run.

Ildar Umyarov, one of our awesome Russian dancers, and I pose in front of the "Wall of Fame".

The cast gave 100% today as they performed both shows for the staff.
The cast pictured L-R: Francesca Savory, Ildar Umyarov, Matt Atwood, Beth cowling, Sarah Hanlon, Matthew Castano Scott Bundren, and Kiera Sangster





"Trouble" from The Music Man



"Master of the House" from Les Miserable



"There is Nothing Like a Dame" from South Pacific


"Big Spender"



"You Can't Stop the Beat" from Hairspray


"Avenue Q"


"One Short Day" from Wicked


We are very proud of our performers. They do such a great job and are a big part of the reason that "Cruise Critic" named Norwegian Cruise Line the "Best in Entertainment". Life on a ship isn't as glamorous as one might imagine. It is a lot of hard work. Many of our performers have worked professionally all over the world and are brilliant! They are top notch and represent us well. Thanks, guys!

After this cast leaves we have a little break between cast rehearsals. It's during this time that we work hard to cast the next round of performers going out to all the ships next Spring. I am already sending out contracts for performers who will be in the next NCL Spirit cast. It's hard to believe that it's that time. Although they won't be here until February, we must start now.

We also have an audition tour each year that its NYC several times, Los Angeles, and London. This weekend is our big Music City audition here in Nashville. We're looking forward to seeing who comes. In January I will go with the team to London. Typically, we'll see up to 400 performers there in auditions. It's crazy!

Good luck to all who are coming this weekend!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Soup's On!

I have some random bits and pieces to share today. Sheryl has been at it again. I turn around and hear that little Bewitched noise and things just happen. I so lucked out. Seriously.

Sunday afternoon she made some flower arrangements for Murray and Jamie Sanderson's welcome to Nashville party. Is there such a thing as an Edward Scissor-hands of flowers?? Sheryl would be it. She went outside and collected a few things, chopped a pumpkin in half and... voila!






I love how Sheryl expresses her creativity in service to others. It is a real spiritual gift she's been given. She truly loves to do it when she knows that it will bless someone else.

She has also started her Soup Kitchen back up for winter. It's called "Soup's On!" and she introduces a new flavor each week. Last week was Tomato Basil. This week's special is French Onion. They are divine!

If you're in the Nashville area and want to order some...it's $5.00 a quart (which is too low if you ask me, but no one asked me!!) and is clearly a BARGAIN. Drop her an email at zoegirlsheryl@gmail.com to order your soup!

The guys in our scenic shop have been hard at work. We have lots of very cool, sleek, contemporary sets but we lacked a "screen surround" to accompany them. Pictured below is one of the screen surrounds. Great job, guys!!



Other parts of this set and theme include contemporary and very modern white couches and chairs, chrome and white tables, LED benches (these are plexiglass on the bottom and then covered with cushions on top so that the benches glow...similar to this screen surround) and LED tables and bar surrounds. They're all very cool.

We're getting ready to do the William Morris Agency's Christmas party next month...it's a very "60's mod" kind of Christmas. I'll have some great pics to share after the event.

Meanwhile, at home, we're having a blast! Lots of play time. Sam and I watched Star Wars for the very first time together two weekends ago...SO FUN! (My mom had saved my original and now vintage--UGH Star Wars pillow case which he LOVES!)Now he's endlessly wanting to play light saber wars with me. I love every single minute of it. We're all looking forward to the holidays and seeing family.

That's all for now. Hope all you bloggers are having a really great day!

Monday, November 10, 2008

They Did

This weekend I travelled to Dallas for my cousin's wedding. Jeremy and Heather were married at Prestonwood Baptist on Saturday in their wedding chapel. (Prestonwood is enormous...20,000 attend each Sunday. But the wedding chapel was just the right size!) Jeremy, Josh, and Mary were more like siblings to me growing up than cousins. We have walked many roads together. We've laughed our guts out and cried our eyes out. They are family and I love them dearly. Heather is lovely and a welcomed addition to our family!

(L-R) BST, Jeremy, and Josh Morse

Mary, Josh, BST, and Jeremy

Mary and Brandon

Beth and me

Mary and my mom


Jeremy with the bridesmaids

Josh's kids...Caitlyn, Jackson and Madison


Heather and her dad


Jeremy and Heather


Presenting....Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Morse!

My sweet family


Jeremy and Heather



For the first time on this trip I could FINALLY begin to tell Madison and Caitlyn apart


Jeremy and Heather on their way to the sunny Caribbean!

My mom and I had a great time. We got to soak in family and also eat at Papasitos...perfection! Jeremy took me to his studio and played me some of the projects he's been working on. He is a very talented engineer and arranger as well as an amazing percussionist! It was fun to see him in his element.
I wish Jeremy and Heather all the blessings of God in their walk together. May He bless your lives and ministries. We love you!!