Something in the Water

Sky Stays This Blue

The show in Columbus was so much fun and the crowd loved the surprise visit from Cole. I headed back to the bus for our drive to Pittsburgh. I looked over the calendar for the next eight show days.

Pittsburgh 1: Thomas Rhett
Pittsburgh 2: Maddie & Tae
Philadelphia: Keith Urban
Newark: N/a
Syracuse: N/a
Rochester: Luke Bryan
Hamilton: High Valley
Toronto: Lindsay Ell

I closed my notebook and winded down for the night. The drive was going to be a short one to Pittsburgh but I was looking forward to getting into a hotel room for a real shower and take down some radio visits.

"Jenna we are so excited you're here," Rae, the radio host said smiling, "how's it going?" We chatted before jumping into the radio interview. "You took some time between this album and your last one, how did you spend that time off?"

"I spent one hundred percent of that time with the family. Between school, sports and life, it was busy. I had this huge writers block so I diverted my attention. We adopted a dog. She's so cute."

"That's awesome. How was it getting back into the groove of writing and recording? You wrote all but four songs on this album. Do you have a process?"

"Getting back into the groove was like boot camp. After I released Everywhere as a single, things began to flow again. The process itself is choppy, like when I have a few minutes to myself or when the kids are at school. I felt a real surge once I wrote Unfixable. It was like opening up a dam and I couldn't stop it."

"We are loving the first single and I listened through your whole album, that song you mentioned... Wow. Where did that come from?

"Thank you. Unfixable is a double edge sword. It came from what I would say was an angry place. My mom and I had a very bumpy relationship. After an argument, in the heat of the moment I wrote that song." I talked about it a little more before heading off to the next radio station and then to tonight's venue to meet with Thomas Rhett for sound check.

"Did you have a preferred song?" He asked as we stood back stage to get wired up.

"I was thinking Craving You. I'm no Maren but I think I could do it."

"Perfect."

The shows moved from Pittsburgh to Philly and in the blink of an eye, I was closing out this leg in Toronto. "Hey y'all! I am so excited to be playing here at Ricoh. I wanted to try something new for this tour and if you've been following on social media, you know I've had the opportunity to bring out some influential and special performers." The audience roared as I continued, "This next guest, she took me under her wing way back when and I am so lucky to call her a mentor and a friend. Can we give a warm welcome to Miss Lindsay Ell!" The audience lost their minds as she came out reeling with her guitar. We sang my personal favourite Waitin' On You. The concert closed out with a really great after party.

"Cheers y'all!" I raised my glass, "Thank you Lindsay for being here, my team for being so on it, Dustin and your team, Runaway June - all of you have killed this first leg." We had a great time before heading to the airport with my team to fly back to Nashville.

"This break is going to be much needed, and well deserved." Kevin said and I had to agree. We had a few days off before flying back to Toronto for the next leg. I looked over my note book and went through the email Norah sent me of the friends who confirmed for the next stretch.

London: Eric Ethridge
Detroit: N/A
Grand Rapids: Frankie Ballard
St Louis: N/A
Kansas City: Brothers Osborne
Tulsa: Brett Eldredge
Oklahoma: Chris Young
Dallas: Kane Brown
Austin: Danielle Bradbery
Houston: Miranda Lambert
Lafayette: n/a
Jackson: Canaan Smith
Memphis: Hunter

"Impressive friends list," Kyle whispered over my shoulder, "this was a great idea."

"Thanks, I'm really happy with it." I smiled and closed my book. I closed my eyes for the remainder of the flight and was welcomed home just after midnight.

"I'm so glad you're home," Hunter whispered, "everyone is talking about your tour. We can talk about everything tomorrow. We have a child in our bed." I smiled as Hunter laced his fingers in mine and guided me up to our room. We fell asleep with Beckett between us.

"Hey mommy," I heard a groggy little voice, "you're here."

"I am." I kissed him, "I'll be here for a few days before I do another few weeks." I hugged him, and he snuggled up to me. "We can snuggle but we have to get ready for school." He groaned and I heard Sutton come in.

"You're back!" She jumped on the bed, "We missed you. How long are you here?"

"Four days hunny," I sat up, "let's get ready for school and y'all can chat me up over breakfast." They agreed and I met Easton in his room. "You look taller." I laughed, "How are you buddy?"

"I'm good," he hugged me, smiling, "I'm happy you're here."

"I am happy to be here, let's get ready for breakfast." We went downstairs to find Hunter making French toast. The kids talked all about school, their visits with their grandparents and so on. I offered to get the kids to school so Hunter could get to work sooner. "Before you go," I pulled a CD out of my purse, "I bought your album at a Target in Syracuse, can you sign it. I'm sort of your biggest fan." I handed him a sharpie and he laughed, humouring me with a cute note inside.

To my number one fan. I love you, Hunter