Howdy Y’all!  I’m feeling very Texas-y today.  We’ve already had a 95 degree day here in Austin, and it’s only May 12th.  So, instead of hating it, I’m trying to embrace it… we’ll see how long that lasts…

The good news is, I’m going up to New England for a tour with my friend, Chelsea Amber, in late July – early August, so I’ll get a nice, needed break from the heat!  Here are the dates we have so far  –

*Sunday, July 22, 10:30am.  Richmond Vineyard Church, Richmond, VA.  

*Sunday, July 22, 8pm.  Commercial Taphouse & Grill, Richmond, VA. 

*Monday, July 23, 8:30pm.  Buzz Bakery, Alexandria, VA.

*Wednesday, July 25, 7pm.  Hub City Vineyard Church, Hagerstown, MD.

*Sunday, July 29, 6:30pm.  Vineyard Church of Hopkinton, Hopkinton, MA.

We’ll be adding more dates in the next few weeks, so keep checking back!

In other news, I’m still reeling from a fantastic show last week!  I opened a show for Jars of Clay in San Marcos, TX at Texas Music Theatre.  Everything about the night was fantastic — the venue, the people (new friends and old), and sharing the stage with Jars of Clay, Leagues, and Matthew Perryman Jones.  What made it especially great was performing my song “Undone” with Dan Haseltine (of Jars of Clay.)  He came in and sang on the album version (which can be purchased HERE), so doing it live for the first time was amazing!  We’ll have a video soon, but for now, here are some pictures from the night –

Lastly — I’ve just put some music up on Noisetrade.com.  You can get an acoustic preview (3 songs) of my album Traveler for free HERE!  I’d love for you to share the wealth and tell your friends!

Love you all!

-lainey : )

Texas, that is.  Paris, Texas y’all.

Yep.  I saw the Eiffel Tower, Texas style, this weekend.  What a good time it was, too!  And as an added bonus, my mom made the drive with me (a rare and special occurrence!).  We drove from the Hill Country up to north east Texas in the pouring rain.  Wet, rainy day combined with taking the back roads way to Paris left us in the car for WAY too long, but we eventually made it, after lots of good music and good conversation.  We spent Sunday morning with the people of First Baptist Church — really sweet people in a really sweet town!  THEN, we went to lunch at a really sweet joint — the Skinny Grille.  If you’re in Paris, go there.  Don’t think about it, just do it.  SO good.

I’m back home in Austin now, gearing up for some exciting things in April.  I’m headed to Nashville in a few weeks to do some writing with the great Paul Colman — always a creative and productive time!  Then I’m taking off to Colorado on a small tour with a couple of other local artists!  Check HERE for all the dates!  Also, I’m pumped for a show at the end of April — I’ll be opening for Jars of Clay in San Marcos.  It’ll be a fun time for sure!  Details are on the poster below, and you can find tickets HERE!  One more thing – if you don’t have my song Undone (feat. Dan Haseltine of Jars of Clay) go get it today.

Happy almost spring to you!

blessings  -lainey

Well, it’s finally here!!! I’m so excited to share with you the “Traveler” video! Thanks so much to Jonathan Guy and Zsofi Pictures for their beautiful work! I hope you enjoy and share!

Download “Traveler”, off Lainey’s album here:
itunes.apple.com/us/album/traveler/id435208520

Music video by Zsofi Pictures – USA / International
Executive Producer: Deborah Ramamoorthy
Directed by: Jonathan Guy
Cinematography by: Jonathan Guy and Trevor Gray
http://www.zsofipictures.com/

Hi Friends!

I’m excited to be announcing some upcoming tour dates really soon!  I’ll be on the road with another Austin artist, Chad Chaney in mid-April!  We’re heading up and over to the great state of Colorado, and hope to see you on the way!  Stay tuned for official dates!

If you’re interested in booking a date, contact timr@reachoutagency.com!

blessings, lainey

what a great year 2011 has been.  thank you all for being a part of making this year really special!  here’s to 2012!  happy new year : )

Hi Friends –

Remember a few months ago I wrote a short bit about filming a music video for “Traveler”?  I’m so excited to say it will be releasing very soon!  Stay tuned : )

Hi Friends!

Christmas is drawing near!  Hope you are all enjoying this holiday season!  Here is a little something I wanted to share — it’s from a book called The Valley of Vision – a collection of Puritan prayers.

Valley of Vision- The Gift of Gifts

O Source of all Good,

yep, it’s that time of year again!

Happy day to you all!  Thank Him today : )

Hey Friends!  Here’s the next song story!

LITTLE TOWN

I grew up in a small town in the heart of the Texas hill country.  And by small, I mean population: 3,500.  Llano, Texas.  I’m amazed if you’ve heard of it – especially if you’re not from Texas.  Unless, of course, you’re a barbeque connoisseur, and have tasted the goodness of Llano’s own Cooper’s Barbeque.  Or if you’re a deer hunter, you might have visited my little town, known by many as the Deer Capitol of Texas. But, if you’re neither of those things, you’ve probably never heard of Llano.

Although it’s small, this town really is a gem.  I’m so thankful to have spent so many years growing up with small town life.  Everyone knows each other.  Everyone is friendly.  You can’t go anywhere without seeing someone you know.  A quaint little place, really.  At the local pizza joint, they’ve memorized the favorite pizza of many of their customers.  They know if you drink your tea sweetened or unsweetened (a southern thing!)  Football season marks the beginning of THE social season… and during this time, Sonic becomes the coolest post-football game hangout.  If you have a birthday, it’s often announced on the town marquee on the courthouse square.  I could go on, but I think I’ve made it clear that Llano holds a sweet little spot in my heart.  And though that is true, after 18 years in my little town, I was ready to experience a new place.

Almost three years ago, I moved to Austin, Texas, and although it’s not the biggest city by any means, it was plenty big for this small town girl.  This transition was such a great time in my life — extremely challenging, but so great.  I left all the things I had known for all my life, and arrived in a completely new atmosphere.  I was uncomfortable, uneasy, and lonely for the majority of my first few months away from home.  Nothing was familiar, and my family and friends were no longer by my side to hug me through this transition!  I began to realize that the time had come to really make my life my own.  It was time for me to be who I was meant to be.  It wasn’t easy, but then the best things in life never are, right?  I had to be proactive in every area of my life.  I had to choose to go to church, choose to go to class, choose to enter potentially awkward situations in order to meet new people… and let me tell you, there were plenty of those situations!  God was incredibly faithful.  He became my friends and my family.  He became so real to me, and I really began enjoying him in a way I hadn’t before.  It has turned into such a sweet time in my life!

I love being in the city.  I believe it has “rounded me out,” and made me better.  It has also grown in me a greater appreciation for the little town I’ve always called home. It’s nice to close my eyes and remember watching a sunset by the river, or the times spent riding around town with windows down in a car full of friends.  Such good memories.  And the beauty is that these memories are my roots.  I love looking out and seeing the city lights of downtown Austin, but there is nothing like seeing a sky full of stars on the darkest night in Llano.  It’s why going home is such a treat.  Every time all those familiar things just wrap me up like a nice winter blanket and I know I’m home.