My Star-Studded Weekend in Nashville, TN

This past weekend was CRAZY! I feel like I traveled across the seas and back in one whole weekend. I flew to St. Louis to handle some business. Then I drove 5 hours to Nashville, Tennessee where I had the opportunity to visit family and go to the Stellar Awards!!! And I drove 8 1/2 hours back home to Detroit.

For those of you who don't know what that is, it's like the American Music Awards...for Gospel Artists. When I found out that my cousin (whom is a world-renown gospel artist) who lives there in TN had a ticket for me to go, I was sooo excited because I've always wanted to go.

I didn't have time to really look for anything to wear and get all prepared like I wanted to because it was kinda last minute, and I had to work odd hours. My 2 best friends stepped up to the plate and helped me out tremendously. They picked out my dress, I went and tried it on, loved it, had to get it altered. They went and picked it up for me. Then, while I was at the hair shop getting my hair done they went out to find me jewelry to match my dress, came to the hair salon and dropped it all off to me so I could leave early the next morning to catch my flight. THAT'S LOVE! They did a wonderful job and what's so great about it is they didn't have to do it. Big ups to them for loving me that much. ;-)

So, to make a long story short...I had a great time. I really did. I enjoyed every minute of it, from the bloopers, to the jokes told by the shows hosts, all the performances were wonderful, the gowns and tuxes, our great seats, and staying at my cousins awesome house!!! I told my sister I could definitely get used to that kind of living. My faith and motivation has been increased to continue towards my goals. ;)

We were sitting so close that the camera guys were pointing the cameras directly in our faces. I pray that I did not look unseemly. LOL My cousin said she saw us on the screen while backstage with the rest of the artists, so I would be very surprised if my sister and I didn't get camera time. We were sitting a few rows shy of Yolanda Adams, Richard Smallwood, Smokie Norful, and even Mary Mary. Oh, and Ben Tankard & his guest were sitting in our seats when we got there...we had the usher ask him to move in his assigned seat. (Sorry Ben!) LOL

Someone asked me who was my favorite performer of the evening. Honestly, I couldn't even answer. They were all so very good and I'm not just saying that because I was so geeked to be there. Seriously, everyone put their absolute best foot forward, from the Old Heads to the new artists. Crystal Aiken tore it up! Tramaine Hawkins tore it up...as always! Marvin Sapp sang his butt off, and Donald Lawrence's group at the very end were phenomenal! You have to see it for yourself. A lot of the action doesn't even get airtime because they have to edit a lot out. So I'm just glad I was there and able to get the whole dose. It was well worth the trip.

The Stellar Awards are scheduled to air on Sunday, February 28th on the Gospel Music Channel. Be sure to tune-in and see if you can spot me. :-)

L8r:
~faithful