Hey everybody,
Wow, I can't believe the big day is here already. We reported for the show on February 20th, and since then, a family has been born. To be honest, I didn't come here to make friends, I came here for a record deal... but every one of these contestants (and crew) has come to mean something very special to me. It's been an emotional, and physically draining couple of weeks, and now the machine is set to start working. Tomorrow night, we will be on the incredible stage at the Acuff theater singing for our lives. We can't reveal details to the public about the show specifics, so I apologize now that you won't be getting another blog until the show premieres. But let me just say, things work a little differently this year, and tomorrow night is going to be a big night for everyone.

A few of the highlights... wait, there have been so many!

We all attended our first red-carpet event as a cast and met many cool faces, such as Vince Gill, Richard Marx, and the incomparable Tanya Tucker. John Rich (Big & Rich) joined the cast after the event for a fun evening of Karaoke and comaraderie, ending in a party at John's house complete with a NS4 jam session. (star power fact: John's got a custom blackjack table pimp'd out with Muzik Mafia design, and even MM chips!!!)

We got to hang out at the Plowboy Mansion, former home of Barbara Mandrell, and hang out with Wynonna, before heading to a very special cafe' for dinner. Cowboy Troy joined us later in the evening. This was our first meeting with both of our hosts, and it was truly special. I'd like to say that I was totally "together" when I met Wy... but truth be told, I sobbed like a baby. I know that the entire cast loves her and considers her a mentor, but I'd venture to guess that as far as musical influences go, I'm probably the one chick that has been most GREATLY influenced by the divine miss Wy. So while everyone else was just as excited to meet her, I was having my own little emotional crisis. I mean, when you stand in the same room as your hero, your mentor, an icon, a legend, and a wonderful woman at that, things just become a little REAL... or should I say, SURREAL. She gave me the world's most genuinely loving hug I think I've ever gotten, and then I excused myself to the restroom to attempt a makeup touch up! Sometimes, when you meet heros, you're faced with their flaws, and have to resign to loving the "public" person and not the private... well, with WY, this is most certainly not the case. She is a SUPERSTAR, and is one for a reason. I can't say enough about her, and I will look to her for advice and guidance for the rest of my life and career.

Before I go into the rest of that night, I want to tell ya'll what she said in rehearsals today. I almost passed out. She told me that she sees a lot of herself in me. Then she gave me some really wonderful words of wisdom on how to let the world get to know who I am both personally, and musically. To hear her say that was unbelievable.

ANYWAY, i'll try to move on...

Wy's husband Roach was with us all evening, and he is such a great man. What a great support he is! I should be so lucky as to find a man that is such a ROCK of support and love.

Cowboy Troy joined us later in the evening, directly from a flight in from Texas. We had a little songwriter round, with Wy and the gang listening intently to everyone's writer side of things. It was amazing. Magical. And our "payment" for singing was a custom made walking stick, aka Muzik Mafia Approved Bad Ass Stix. Marc Oswald, a producer for the show, is the owner of Plowboy Mansion, and he was our host for the evening. A man who lives on the property takes cedar from the property and crafts it into walking sticks. Each is one of a kind, and made with love. We each got a walking stick for our performance. Wy and Troy (and Roach, with a little pleading) signed mine... and I hope to have all of our guest hosts sign it for me as well on my journey throughout the show.

I need to go to sleep and get some rest for the big evening. I am going to give it my all, and I think it will pay off. I will have 75 people there (that I KNOW of... or atleast those I gave tix to!) in support of me. My family in California will be concentrating on more important things, as my special needs nephew goes in for evaluation for a very invasive, dangerous, expensive, complicated surgery tomorrow. His name is Shayne and he could use your prayers, if you feel so inclined. I know they love and support me, and I'm happy to have them where they are needed. My chosen family of friends will be out in full force and i'm happy to have them at the Acuff with me tomorrow night!

THANK YOU ALL for your love, support, encouragement, and sweet notes you all have been sending. I will give it my all, as I always do.
God Bless you all, and I'll see ya next week...
Don't forget to watch March 14th 10pm EST-PST/9pm Central on USA Network and VOTE VOTE VOTE via phone AND internet.

All my best,
Jewels