What's Been Happening?

Down That Road in Top 30 for 10 weeks!
"Mistin celebrates a huge success with her debut video clip 'Down That Road' charting on the Country Music Channels (CMC) Top 30 countdown for 10 weeks". Thank you so much to everyone who requested the clip and helped it climb up the charts. It couldn't have happened without you. It's not the end though. 'Down That Road' will still play at medium rotation for about a year so keep the requests coming!

Polo Anyone?
Braidwood didn't catch a wink of sleep on the 12th of May. That was because the Braidwood Polo Club were partying it up at their clubhouse. The music came courtesy of myself and guitarist Peter Murphy. Surprisingly the Braidwood polo players were one of the rowdiest crowds I've sang to in a while. I think everyone came dressed in his or her best and ready to have a good time. That makes a huge difference in the success of a night. I thought I would put in this little story to amuse anyone who's ever been to Braidwood. ?

NASHVILLE!!
I don't know where to start…how about the beginning: I have been wanting to go to Nashville for a long time. I think my family drove through the town once many, many moons ago when we lived in America.
I was watching the Country Music Association (CMA) festival on TV last year (formerly know as Fan Fair) thinking, geez I would love to be there! Just a few weeks prior to this years festival Allan Tomkins, who made my Tomkins 'Star Guitar' invited me to be a special guest at a series of Tomkins Showcases he was running in Nashville during the festival. I finally had a legitimate reason to go to the home of country music for one of their largest festivals of the year.

The next few weeks consisted of madly packing and planning for the trip. I wasn't sure what to expect so of course I packed anything and everything I could think of, which resulted in a quick ditching of unnecessary items and repacking at the airport due to my overweigh bag. Who would have guessed? Ha-ha.

My trip started with a quick visit to Arizona to see my family. I was able to spend time in Tucson, Phoenix, New River, I even made my way over to Texas for a few days. It had been two years since I last saw everyone so it was fun reunion. No sooner than I arrived I was on my way to Nashville, Tennessee!

The airport in Nashville is a mini museum. There are glass cases housing some awesome looking guitars complete with pictures and stories to read up on the musicians who played them.

The Tomkins Showcases were booked at the Sheraton Hotel for seven days. Our last show would be at the 'Fiddle and Steel' (The bar where Rascall Flatts were discovered!). The star lineup ? included Travis Collins, Brianna Lee, Rob Wilson, Travis List, Allan Tomkins on bass, Pete on drums and of course Mistin. Beccy Cole and her mum made several surprise visits whilst taking a break from their tour group. We did a four-hour show every night before heading out on the town to see what other shows we could catch.

During the day I got to see all the sights that I'd heard so much about. No trip to Nashville would be complete without a visit to the Grande Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame!

Broadway Street is the main strip, similar to the strip in Las Vegas, where all the tourists go. I have never seen so many bands in my entire life! Actually, I think I saw more bands play in one night in Nashville than I have in my life. The street is like any small town here in Australia, just add neon signs at every door and make half the shops bars. Each with a full size band playing inside and lots of people wearing cowboy boots walking the streets. It was very surreal to be walking past places like 'Tooties' and 'The Cadillac Ranch' which I have seen on TV and heard so much about.

During the four main nights of the festival there is a huge concert where all the big stars perform. Travis Collins and I headed over for one after our show at the Tomkins Showcase. I was embarrassed to say that I had never been to a concert in a stadium. I had seen Troy Cassar Daley and Sara Storer in concert at the Todd Tavern in Alice Springs! Thousands of people were walking over the footbridge towards the stadium. You could hear the music miles away. Sugarland, Carrie Underwood and Little Big Town were on that night. The crowd was going crazy. These people REALLY love their country music. The Mexican wave was going round and round the stadium. At the end of the show there was a big fireworks show. I'll never forget it!

Unfortunately my time in Nashville flew by and I was packing my once again bulging suitcase and heading to the airport. My trip home took over 24 hours. Oh my. During my entire trip I flew on a total of 10 planes! I will definitely pack lighter next time…always have wheels on your carry on luggage! It's no fun carrying those things around airports.

Chief Minister's charity gala:
Almost as soon as I got off the plane in Sydney I was doing my sound check with guitarist Peter Murphy for our performance at the Chief Ministers Annual charity concert. We were the supporting act for FABBA, formerly and previously known as ABBA ? and the Beatnix. The Canberra theatre had a full of 800 people on the night.

What's Coming Up?

The World's Greatest Impressionator:
What's an impressionator? Well…you really have to meet one to fully understand. I will be supporting the world's greatest impressionator 'Kevin A Legend' for his two performances in Canberra. Details are still being confirmed but the shows will run on the 14th and 15th of July. Keep an eye on my website for the final details.

4th of July:
The American Embassy based out of Canberra are hosting a big BBQ bash to celebrate the 4th of July; Americas Independence Day. I will be performing both the Australian and American anthems during the official ceremony. The Americans are putting on a big show to include Elvis impersonators, fireworks and BBQ ribs and sauce shipped all the way from America especially for this event. It's an honor to be part of such an event.

Hope to see you soon!