The Skertich Sisters

So if you know my dad you know his all-time favorite band in the entire universe is The Avett Brothers. Scott and Seth Avett, just soothing your soul with the sounds of sweet harmonies  and the vibration of guitar and banjo strings. Believe me, he could go on forever, and if you haven't had the pleasure take a listen here (the third dude in that video is Bob, not a blood brother but close enough).

Scott is the oldest Avett, and my inspiration as well. In fact, last week Dad came down into the basement to find this:

Dude nearly started weeping when he saw me... notice the resemblance of the above to the below...

So then I started thinking, you know, a solo career would be great and all but what could be more satisfying than becoming a famous finger picking duo with my gal Mae.

So we got a gee-tar and a ukelele and hit the road for our first of hopefully many gigs.

I mean, if these guys can do it...

So can we. Might even let Dad backstage (I said "might" dad... might).

And if that fails, well, looks like Mae is headed for a gig in Vegas on the late night stage taming rattlers (yes, that thing is real).

My First Official Concerto

So this was it, my big day. I'd been practicing for weeks and my lessons had been going swimmingly, and the day had finally come for my first official piano concert.

I got all decked out and headed out to my school for an evening performance. I was so excited my mom was able to muster up the energy to make it to the show, and a pre-concert hug from her was a big boost for me.

Eli and Isaiah and Uncle Brian came a long way to watch me play. And Aunt Tasha watched Pax so that Mom could come. Nana and Papa also came to my show but Nana was so busy taking pictures we never got one with her actually in the photo... ugh.

After Hooper took his turn, it was my moment, and I seized it. Remember that Whitney Houston song, "One Moment in Time" - yah, well, Whitney (God rest her soul), she knew what she was singing about.

And then my teacher, Miss Victoria, joined me on stage for a duet.

And the crowd went wild.

Some post-show hugs from my favorite folks and it was on to a pizza party on my deck (Nadia was there and she played right after I did, so we were piano concerto buddies).

 And the lady who made me the pianist I am today.