Let Me Introduce You...

Ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce you to...

Stetson Walker!

If you have not heard the voice on this amazing young man, prepare to be wowed! He's not even 25 yet, and he has a classic country voice that rivals the greats! It's no wonder, either, ...born with a name like Stetson Walker, with his music pedigree, and intelligence that has you hearing him referencing fractals, and divergent thinking in casual conversation, one can't help but be impressed with him. As if that's not enough, I can NOT say enough how humble he is, and what a TRUE gentleman! 

When I got a call from Larry Telford, of the band Point Blank, and he started talking about this new young talent he and David Dickinson were producing, I trusted his judgement. These men have been in the business for years, and have extensive experience in the music industry.

I had been photographing Larry, and the guys of Point Blank fame, for several years, and Larry was calling me to see if I would be available to shoot Stetson's debut album. It was early April, the blue bonnets were out in Texas, and he was asking if I wanted to go shoot a country singer in Austin for a day. ...gee, ...let me thin-OK!

 I had not heard the album, I had not heard him sing, and I had not seen any pictures of Stetson when Nick and I arrived in Austin at Iron Wolf Studios for the first leg of the day's shoot. We were so pleasantly surprised, when David offered to play Stetson's soon-to-be hit single "Say Hello To Goodbye". That was the moment we knew this guy has it!

 That shoot was a year ago, and Nick and I have been working with Stetson's team ever since. I recently visited with Stetson for the purpose of this blog, and I'll share his comments on the new album, kicking off his career, and what it's like being "different".

With 24 other students graduating H.S. with him, Stetson was the only one to not go to college. 

"I was one of those who knew what I wanted to do from birth." Using music to help him pass Physics, he was learning science to help him repair his guitar amps. He was a student who needed to see the relevance in his own world to learn something. 

Stetson has been spending lots of time on the road, doing radio interviews, and performing live, and it can be dangerous... I asked him if he's ever felt unsafe on these travels, and he replied as any 9th generation Texan would...

"I have pretty extensive small arms training, worked with law enforcement, I know how to defend myself." 

I asked him if his pedigree (a very impressive history can be found on his website) helped him get to this point in his career, and if he felt networking is an important part of the process. He explained that rather than just "networking", it's very important to him to develop a working relationship of equal respect, trust, and friendship. I knew, as soon as he said this, why he, Larry, and David worked so well together, and again I knew we were excited to be part of this team. ...and I must say, those boots Larry has on are rockin'!

Stetson's most enjoyable part of the process was when he made the decision to "step up to the plate".

March 3, nearly a year since Nick & I embarked on this journey with the guys, we are celebrating a successful debut album, and all those who helped to make it happen. We gathered in Austin, at Baker Street Pub, and Stetson played and sang some songs, signed stuff, and made a cold, rainy day warm and joyful!

His album, "Let Me Introduce You" is available on all digital music sites, as well as the option of getting the hard copy, cd through his website, www.stetsonwalker.com. Stetson's album has already been "Album of the Month" in the UK, and has had great success on the Texas radio charts. ...so what makes it such a great collection of country songs?

It has LOVE. When your producers include joyful couples like David and Becca, how can your music not have love?!

It has energy! The single "That's Where the Party Starts" has you caving to the urge to join in the chorus and sing with your hands up high!

It has the simple, clean classic sounds of old country, heart-breaks, loneliness, and new love discovered once again.

This album will have you wanting to get your boots and your dancehall partner, and spend the night where the party is!

But to me, what REALLY makes this album is the last song, a turn from the rest of the album. It takes me back to the true classic country records that always ended with a little something more humble, ...more spiritual, if you will. Stetson's rendition if the gospel song "I Was There" stops me in my tracks. It reminds me that the world is so much more than any one of us, and it moves me.

Needless to say, Nick and I are having fun, taking pictures, making new friends, and living our dream of sharing the joy that is in us all, by supporting the amazing work that is Stetson Walker.

You can follow Stetson on Instagram, Twitter, and his Facebook fan-page, and you can follow me on Instagram and Twitter @Rainbowsnfrogsphotogrpahy for more on Stetson! If you are already a fan, please let us know in the comments here what pulled you in, and what you love about the album!

Howdy Scotland!!!!

Scotland. Of all the places to vacation, why would anyone choose SCOTLAND?! I mean really, what's there... nothing but big mountains, so many lakes, old buildings, and people who talk without filters.

Wait, I forgot to use adjectives. big BEAUTIFUL mountains, so many AMAZING lakes...

I also forgot some nouns... Castles, Islands, Forests, Modern Cities, Great Performing Arts, and my favorite: People who love the earth, and are not afraid to use strong "adjectives" to say so.

I am Texan. My husband has Texas roots so far back they seem to have grown through the earth and surfaced in Scotland. He HATES traveling, but he found himself drawn to Scotland after watching several shows and films made there. We love the Monty Python series, and Outlander of course.

He once asked me "Is it really that beautiful there?" "Let's go find out!" We have made our first of many trips there, falling in love with the place immediately.

Texas and Scotland are a lot alike. Both fiercely independent states of a larger country that "absorbed" them, both fighting for that lost independence. Both have cultures that respect nature, where ranching and farming are essential to the economic growth, & grand landscapes that take the traveler from mountain to coast stopping in amazing modern cities on the way.

We stayed in a small village pub with rooms to rent, a large all-inclusive hotel, and an inner city apartment. We loved them all, but our son loved the small pub house best. He said it was like staying at the Prancing Pony in Lord of the Rings! I loved my Highlander Coffee!

Our stay took us from Loch Ard to Edinburgh. We rented a car and loved the freedom of the drive! We visited three castles, explored the forests, shopped in the city, and relaxed in pubs. One of my favorite things is where old meets new.

My husband found his football number!

 

And blue doors. They have blue doors. I knew I'd love this place!

SO, where to next? The Highlands? The east coast full of castles, or the west coast and all those beautiful islands? So much to choose from!!! My husband actually suggested we get a summer home there! 

You're HOW old??? Rock On!!!

     It seems time is getting away from me faster and faster every day. SO much has happened in the blink of an eye. Since my last blog post I have buried a dear friend & co-worker, Angela Kinman, I have watched as two amazing former students find success in the entertainment business: Lindsey Morgan as Raven in The 100 on the CW, & Desmin Borges as Edgar in You're The Worst on FX, I watched my nephew get married, I took my theatre students to England, I took my son to Australia, and my husband took me to Vegas when I turned 50!!!!

    So where do I begin my meditation? What part of this incredible roller coaster of a journey do I focus on first? I am numb. My body is tired all the time, but my mind still wants so much.

    Since this is a photography blog, and I'm on my new computer which does not have the photos of most of these memories, I think I'll simply start with what I do have close at hand...

POINT BLANK

    I had the honor of photographing TWO Point Blank concerts, one in Houston, then in Austin. These guys still got it, after 40 years of rocking' the world! Among their hits are Mean To Your Queenie & Nicole. Those of you who were growing up in the 70's will remember that pretty much any baby girl born to the name Nicole has these guys to thank! People are shocked when they find out I'm 50, but seriously, the real amazement goes to Rusty Burns and the guys, who can pull out the late night rock-n-roll like they are still in their 20's! John's voice fills the absence of those members of the band who are no longer on Earth as if they are still singing along side him. Larry's keyboard-lovin' fingers bring down the house, Mouse plays the guitar like he's Rusty's twin, and with Kirk on bass & Greg on drums they are an amazing team, creating the foundation of the music and keeping the dance floor packed! Getting to shoot their shows was such a privilege, and I have been invited to continue doing so any time, any where... We are hoping for a summer in Europe in 2015, so if you hear they have a show in your area, be sure to see it! These guys are a blast from the past & age is irrelevant!

Thanks for reading my blog! Leave a comment and be sure to return for the next one (who knows when that will be).