We are excited to be playing a new venue this week.  After a week of vacation in the hot Carribean sun, the Pea Pickin’ Hearts are back to play 3 shows from 6 to 9pm at the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort this week:  December 27th, and January 2nd & 3rd.  As of this post, we don’t have any snow on the mountain or enough cold air to get the snow machines working.  So get your karma all warmed up and come on out to the Ober Gatlinburg lounge tonight and help us sing…

“Let it Snow. Let it Snow. Let it Snow.”

The shot below of Pea Pickin’ Hearts was taken by Hillary at the Hard Rock Gatlinburg, reminds me just a touch… of Priscilla and Elvis. Maybe it is the sepia tone, my freshly coal-tinted locks… or maybe it is just the pictures of Elvis looming over Jon’s left shoulder.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars to see the Pea Pickin’ Hearts in the Wedding Chapel at the Hard Rock Gatlinburg on Wednesday, November 30th at 7pm for the Hard Rock Whispers series.

We’ll sing a few songs and tell a few stories
about the songs we sing (and maybe make them up)
The entertainment is FREE &
a full Hard Rock menu and bar will be available.

See you there!

Songwriting is an interesting dynamic for the Pea Pickin’ Hearts.  I don’t play an instrument, nor can I read music.  So typically, I write the lyrics, and Jon writes the music.  About half the time, a melody comes along with the lyrics.  I sing them into Jon’s BlackBerry, and when he has the time, he tackles the music writing.  Then we get together and make alterations finish product. 

Songwriting is a testy process for us, sometimes. 

But in the end, we are always pleased and proud when we finish a winner.  As some of you will remember, we recently participated in the Preview Event for the upcoming Festival. 

The kickoff of the
Smoky Mountains
Songwriters Festival will be
in August of 2012. 

However, leading up to the Festival, there are lots of associated activities and events.  One such event is the Out of the Mouth of Babes Lyrics Contest.

Please remember that the details are still being tweaked, but here are the basics:  In the next few weeks, local songwriters will be visiting classrooms in three local schools to talk about songwriting.  The students will then be invited to write lyrics that, if they are selected, will be set to music and performed by a local songwriter at a Concert Event in mid-November.

Supporting and encouraging creativity
is always a good thing.

I am flattered to be involved and can’t wait to see the event details unfold.  If you are interested in being a songwriter that sets music to a child’s lyrics, become a fan of the Smoky Mountain Songwriters Festival on facebook for upcoming details, or email Cyndy Reeves.

Stay Tuned.

The Pea Pickin’ Hearts had a great time at the Preview Event for the Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival at Ober Gatlinburg on Thursday, August 25th. 

Here a just a couple of the great pics of us that were posted. 

Thanks for sharing them with us!

Great Picture of the Pea Pickin' Hearts posted by Soundtheory Corp!

We can’t wait for the Festival to begin Fall of 2012!

The Pea Pickin’ Hearts were very flattered to have been invited to participate and are contemplating entering a song into the Del Rio Song Contest.  How ’bout you?

Del Rio, TN is a historic Southern Appalachian community spread along the French Broad River and into the surrounding mountains, ruled by native woodlands, long ridges and deep, winding hollows.

The old homesteads in Del Rio may be vanishing, but the traditional ways of life remain. The virtuous, the sinful, the independent and all the shades of humankind share a sense of belonging in this special location.

ELIGIBILITY:  Open to ALL songwriters and musicians. Send your songs that express in some way the meaning that a place can have to its people.

JUDGING:  Songs judged for quality, originality & relevance.

AWARDS:  Ten finalists to be chosen for performance at Del Rio Days on Sunday, October 23, 2011.  $500 awarded to the Judges’ Choice and  $500 awarded to the Audience Favorite.

DEADLINE:  October 1, 2011

NOTIFICATION:  October 7, 2011 (on or around)

ENTRY FEE:  Each entry must also include a non-refundable check or M.O. for $10 payable to DRCA;  additional entries by the same writer must include an additional $5 per song, plus entry form and lyric sheet

For entry form and contest rules, visit www.DelRioSongContest.com!

The Pea Pickin’ Hearts are proud to have been invited to be one of four local Smoky Mountain songwriters or duos to be showcased at the Preview Event on Thursday, August 25th, 2011 at Ober Gatlinburg for the Smoky Mountain Songwriters Festival coming to Gatlinburg in August of 2012:

“We have tentatively set August 21 – August 25, 2012 as the dates for the First Annual Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival.  BMI, ASCAP, SESAC and The Nashville Songwriters Association immediately got on board this year to guide us and help make The Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival Preview a great event.    

“Singer/Songwriters all have fans and comrades who want to be where they are performing.  Music lovers everywhere love great performances, especially when they get the opportunity to meet the artists and hear the stories behind their hit songs. 

“There is actually a song writer’s festival following that goes from festival to festival all across this country; thus opening up a brand new market for [sic] Gatlinburg. 

“We will be having a series of planning sessions for the August 2012 Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival within the next six weeks… We welcome your thoughts and suggestions and are looking forward to your support and help to put on the First Annual Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival in August of 2012.”  – Cyndy Montgomery Reeves, George Hawkins, Betsy Cate

If you are a local, regional or national artist, restaurant or bar owner, please click on one of the organizers’ names above to email someone your interest in being involved as a showcased artist, venue or sponsor.

PREVIEW EVENT:

5-6pm Get Acquainted featuring Local Songwriters: Martha Christian, Heather Maples, New Rain and the Pea Pickin’ Hearts.

6-8pm VIP Concert featuring Nationally Known Songwriters: Chris Wallin, Marty Dodson, Clay Mills and Bobby Tomberlin.

Seating is limited to the first 200 who RSVP to (865)436-7613 or betsngburg@aol.com. See you there!

See you at Ober Gatlinburg Thursday at 5pm!

NEVER READY
…for our CLOSEUPS

There aren’t alot of published candid pics of the Pea Pickin’ Hearts.  My vanity makes me a bit relieved that all the pics that I couldn’t Photoshop aren’t running rampant across the internet, ha.  You can’t blame a girl for disguising double chins and digitally helping the girdle do its job.  And don’t think that Jon is immune either.  He isn’t a fan of the alien-esque look his forehead takes on when shot at the wrong angle, ha, or how white is beard looks with too much flash.

However, this shot of Pea Pickin’ Hearts, taken by Hillary at the Hard Rock Gatlinburg, reminds me just a touch… of Priscilla and Elvis.  Maybe it is the sepia tone or my freshly coal-tinted locks… or maybe it is the pictures of Elvis looming over Jon’s shoulder. Regardless, we are both fans of this pic, double chin and all. continues below

Don’t forget to mark your calendars to see the Pea Pickin’ Hearts
in this same location, the Whiskey River Room,
at the Hard Rock Gatlinburg on

November 30th at 8pm
for the Hard Rock Whispers series. 

We’ll sing a few songs and tell a few stories
about the songs we sing (and maybe make them up)
The entertainment is FREE &
a full Hard Rock menu and bar will be available.

See you there!

It has been a whirlwind Summer for the Pea Pickin’ Hearts.  We’ve had more fun that we can explain as a part of the Smoky Mountain Tunes ‘N’ Tales program including making new friends Steve and Susie (known on the streets as Earl ‘n’ Pearl).  We were privileged to play The Inn at Christmas Place every Wednesday in July and lots of private shows for parties and celebrations all over town.

The Summer is winding down, and it has been an adventure.  I auditioned for The Voice, and although I didn’t get a call back… Jon and I had a great weekend in Nashville.  We just have three Tunes ‘N’ Tales gigs left, but we are looking forward to great gigs this Fall and Winter.  We are booking new dates every week from private parties to the Hard Rock, so make sure you check back often.

Work has just begun on the new CD.  Yes, we did promise to have it finished by now, but life has been a little hectic.  Be patient… it will be worth it.

Stay tuned and don’t forget to share us
with your friends on Facebook!

It seems that Rachel Gibson of the Pea Pickin’ Hearts will be auditioning for The Voice on Friday, July 29th in Nashville, TN. 

Jon and I felt like we each stood a better chance auditioning individually after watching the duo showcases on last year’s season of The Voice.  Jon has opted not to audition… so I’m going on alone.  Jon will be there (because he’s always there to hold my hand), but I’ll be on my own for the audition.  It is only Round 1.  There aren’t any guarantees or celebrity judges.  We are simply taking a little road trip to Nashville. 

I could get a call back.  I could get nothing.  We’ll see…

Keep your fingers
crossed, folks!

As many of you know, the Pea Pickin’ Hearts, accepted an offer from the City of Gatlinburg to participate in the Smoky Mountain Tunes ‘n’ Tales program (hat to the left is part of Rachel’s costume) as contracted musicians.  For those of you unfamiliar with the program, here’s a description from www.Gatlinburg.com:

“Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales is a summer-long street performance event featuring costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans portraying time periods as far back as 1800. 

Admittedly, we were a little concerned about the exhaustion factor involved in walking and singing for a solid 5 hours for several days of the week in VERY HOT weather.  However, we are in LOVE.  We have enjoyed meeting folks on the street, having our picture taken with children, and experiencing the true appreciate and surprise of Gatlinburg visitors when they realize the City of Gatlinburg pays to put all of the peformers on the street just to say, “Thank you!” 

See you on the streets of downtown Gatlinburg!