November 2012 - Update

Thanksgiving and other stuff-ing... :-)

Are you ready for some Turkey???  Yeah, me too!  I love Thanksgiving!  It's my favorite holiday... no stress from buying presents, just food, family and football!  LOVE IT!!

I'm feeling particularly blessed this Thanksgiving.  I know that I have SO much to be thankful for.  Has anything extraordinary happened in my life lately?  Well, no.. not really.  But as I'm getting a little (ahem) older... I think I'm starting to see the extraordinary in the ordinary, and I'm loving it.  :-)  

You know, there ARE some pretty extraordinary people in my life....and I'm honored to call many of them my friends.  And BOY, did my friends come through for me last night!!  Most of you know that I've gotten involved with a very special organization called "Beautiful Feet Global Outreach", which my friend Melissa Irwin started a couple of years ago.  It's an Orphan Care Ministry which is doing great things for orphans overseas AND here in the states.  We had our first "official" fundraiser at Sambuca here in Nashville last night and I have to say a HUGE THANK YOU to my singer/songwriter friends who so willingly offered their time and talents to help make the event at huge success!   Brice Long, Jon Vezner, Lee Thomas Miller, Britt Savage, Daisy Mallory, and my "Janglers" sister and brother, Kim Parent and Jim Kimball.... you guys ROCK!!    Also, a big THANK YOU to Wes Little, who helped us get a PA together at the last minute.  He heard we needed help and immediately took action.... you gotta LOVE friends like that!  

Also....I'm SO grateful to my awesome husband, Mike Waldron... who not only helped me in SO many ways last night, but also produced a beautiful track for the new BFGO theme song, "Legacy of Love" that I co-wrote with Kim Parent and Melissa Irwin.  I just added "Legacy of Love" to my music player on my official website .. (www.marciaramirez.com) Take a minute to go over and listen to it when you can!!  -- That's Melissa singing the beautiful vocal on this track.  No, she's not a professional singer, but I don't think there is a voice more perfect for this song than hers.  She has a simple, yet heartfelt delivery.. and I know it's because she means every single word that she's singing.  I hope you'll take a listen to our song, and also go to www.beautifulfeetgo.org and check out the work that this organization is doing!  

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving... surrounded by loved ones. If you are traveling, travel safely!  ...and I hope you all find a way to feel blessed in whatever circumstance you find yourself in this year.   Just remember... if you find yourself feeling like your family is about to get on your last nerve while you argue over who's going to cut the turkey, just realize there's somebody out there who would give anything to have a family to argue with.  This year, find the "bless in the mess"..... and the extraordinary in the ordinary!!

Much love... M

"Love Does"....

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

There it is.  The Golden Rule - also know as the ethic of reciprocity.  We've all heard it over and over in our lives.  It's a timeless example of how to treat others.

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."  -- Matthew 7:12

Why is that so simple, yet not easy to do?  

As a concept, the Golden Rule has a history that long predates the term "Golden Rule", or "Golden law", as it was called from the 1670s.^[1][6] As a concept of "the ethic of reciprocity," it has its roots in a wide range of world cultures, and is a standard way that different cultures use to resolve conflicts.^[1][5]

When one statement, or one rule of thought transcends through different cultures and religions, it always stands out to me.  We all don't agree on everything, but I think you'll find it hard to find many people who don't think that treating others the way you would like to be treated is a good rule of thumb to live by.   

As Bob Goff says in "Love Does"....:  Love God.  Love People.  Do Stuff.  

"..because love is never stationary.  In the end, love doesn't just keep thinking about it or keep planning for it.  Simply put: Love Does."  - B. Goff

If you are looking for an opportunity to show some "love" to some orphans who desperately need some love thrown their way, please consider coming out to Sambuca tomorrow night (Tues. Nov. 13th) to our "Beautiful Feet Global Outreach" fundraiser.   We will have food, drinks, a silent auction, and music by some awesome singers and songwriters!  We've got Brice Long, Lee Miller, Jon Vezner, Britt Savage and Daisy Mallory... PLUS, my old band "The Janglers"(me, Kim Parent & Jim Kimball) have reunited for this special event too!  AAAAND... you'll get to hear the PREMIERE of our BFGO theme song, "Legacy of Love" written by myself, Melissa Irwin and Kim Parent!!  We SO hope you will come be a part of this special night!!  

Tickets are $37.50 each -- You can purchase tickets here: http://www.eventbee.com/v/bfgoorg/event?eid=948749335

This is gonna be COOL!!!!!! Please join us!!

From our founder, Melissa:

So, we are having a party! And I need to let you in on a little secret ... we need you to show up. I'm not even going to pretend that this is no big deal... it's a huge deal. It is huge for our organization, for the children in orphanages that we serve and it is also a big deal for the families who have reached out to us for adoption grants. The night promises to be a great time! In addition to fabulous music (including a song I've co-written!) we will have a silent auction to include Disney Passes, Dollywood Tix, amazing artwork, autographed items, $500 gift certificate to a spa, and much more! You'll get to enjoy some amazing appetizers and a complimentary beverage while you enjoy the entertainment provided by some of Nashville's incredible "hit" songwriters.  We are going to also offer an opportunity for you to purchase Jasper jewelry just in time for Christmas. BFGO is going to use the funds that we raise on the evening of 11/13 for two primary needs.  We are going to make 3 adoption grants and we are going to provide more immediate support to the Zimbabwe orphanages.  The Sambuca Sky Loft can accommodate 200 people. We are praying for all 200 tickets to be sold.  Help us spread the word so our night can be a great success.  Everything you do for BFGO makes an immediate and significant impact. Please purchase your tickets HERE. SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM UPDATE: Our Sponsorship Program is running a little bit behind schedule. We had hoped to launch on October 1st, but it looks like October 17th is our new date.  I will be sending out another Newsletter this month with more information about that.. please forgive the 2 emails in one month. We have no desire to be junk in your inbox or wasted time... your patience this month is deeply appreciated.

Michelle's Angels...

Just a reminder that I'm playing at a benefit for "The Michelle's Angels Foundation" at The Listening Room in Nashville, TN this Friday night, July 17th. Show starts at 6pm. For more information, please go to: www.michellesangels.com

Please come out and hear some great singer/songwriters, as well as support a great cause!!

This weekend..... and Monday night too.

Just a reminder that I'm playing The Listening Room Sat. night Jan. 31st at 7pm with two very talented singer/songwriters, Rachel Williams and Rick Huckaby. There is no cover charge, free parking, and great food too! I played there last night for the first time and I was very impressed!! The sound is GREAT there.... a dream for songwriters, because you can actually hear the lyrics! Yay! If you can't make it out tomorrow night, please go to another show there sometime. You'll love that venue!


Also, next Monday night, Feb. 2nd at The Wildhorse Saloon is a VERY special show!!!!

The Gift of Music
Presented by the Dustin Wells Foundation
Dolly Parton & Friends

Doors open at 5pm and the show starts at 7pm

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster here: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1B00423071EE3453

Or you can call The Wildhorse for more information as well!!

Dustin Wells is my son Derek's first cousin, who was tragically taken from us at the young age of 21 in a car accident in 2005. This foundation was created in honor of him and all the money raised will go to the W.O. Smith/Nashville Community Music School. This is the 2nd Annual Event and last year they raised $50,000! Dustin was a wonderful young drummer and he would be thrilled to know that his love of music is the inspiration to help so many other young people discover their musicals gifts!!

There will be many other performers besides Dolly: Ronnie Dunn, Kellie Pickler, Jennifer Hanson, and many, many other special guests!!

I hope to see you at one or both of the shows!!