Bad Romance

Our most popular performance to date: my cover of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" earning me comments like:

• ((( ♥ ))) THIS!! Girl I had goosebumps! You, my darling, rocked the shit out of that song! :)
• Sell me the MP3 NOW!!!!
• Damn, Gretchen...you have some chops on ya, girl! I just love ya to pieces! So So So proud of you! xo
• This is wicked Gretchen, love it. Also love the douchebag in the back talking through the entire performance...hope you don't know that guy :P

All to which I replied:

• Gretchen Elizabeth Thank you guys so much!! :) next time we do this song out we are going to have to put a disclaimer on it: no lap dances, please. the girl at that table you can see was ALL OVER another one... very embarrassing for her - hilarious to everyone else. Point being - I guess everyone likes a little bad romance ;)

Hope you Enjoy!

friends.

So many things have been happening since we've been playing music out live. I've met some great people and seen some awesome bands/performers/venues. I wouldn't trade it for anything. The relationships you make today - impact every day that you have after that. So I'm going to take this time to share some of my new friends with you!

The Aeon Flow -
Members: Shane Varnadore - Vocals
Bert Cole - Guitar, Vocals, Bass, and Drum Programming
Genre: Eclectic Rock
Hometown: Lawrenceville, GA

You can hear some of their music & even download their new EP on their website @ http://theaeonflow.com/

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The Collections -
Members: Ben Ertley - Vocals, Guitar
Thomas Johnston - Guitar, Vocals
Genre: Pop/Acoustic/Folk Rock
Hometown: Atlanta, GA

You can hear some of their music and become a fan @ http://www.reverbnation.com/thecollections

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Paul Douglas -
Members: Paul Douglas
Genre: Acoustic
Hometown: Bufurd, GA

Check him out on his website @ http://www.pauldouglasmusic.com/

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I want to again thank everyone for their support and encouragement, and especially want to encourage and support these guys too as they do what they love & entertain. :)

Can't wait to see what more is to come!!

xoxo,
GE

woah.

Ever wonder where time went? Today I was updating the calendars in the office I work in, and I have no idea where the beginning of the year went... at least I'm not the only one though. Even my boss, Jenn, asked me where the time went. Which started a whole conversation in the office. :)

Sometimes when you sit, wait, and wish things would move faster or at least pick up the pace a little bit - you really don't know what you're asking for. Seriously. When I was whining even a little saying that I felt like my shoes were stuck in gum - I had no idea how quickly it would all happen.

After band auditions we found two people: Chris Smith, an amazing guitarist with massive skills & the passion for music that mirrors my own. and Jason White, a drummer with mad rhythm and creativity. Chris & I have been getting together for rehearsals and have started playing open mic nights together - see bottom of post for some vids - and having a great time getting to know one another and playing music. Jason is finally back in town and ready to hit the streets with us too. We couldn't be more excited! As I was saying - since my boring days of whining - I have been extremely busy planning, practicing, and performing!

I guess where I was going with this was make sure you're fully prepared for what you ask of someone or something. Right now - I wouldn't be here without my wonderful parents first of all. [Literally. :P] My manager Jenn and all her efforts along with my parents & Heather in setting up auditions, holding them, rehearsals and their incredible support as they show up night after night for open mics & whatever else we have planned. Basically, Thank you for everything. & Of course the fans - for without you, this would not be possible.

xoxo,
Gretchen Elizabeth

Auditions

Dave & Buster's Open Mic

My open mic performance of "Dotted Line" @ Dave & Busters in Duluth, GA!

Independence Day

Happy 4th of July!

Dear Blog world, I am sorry for my delay in writing, again. It's just really hard to write when you honestly have nothing to write about. I haven't been excited about anything enough to share with you, but hopefully that is going to change soon! Starting mid-July I am going to be playing open mic nights for some exposure & hopefully get some more band member prospects! Once we set some dates, I'll be posting them on my facebook & myspace (links @ bottom of post) so that everyone will know where I'm at and maybe can catch a show if they're in the area! We are working on the set list, but most songs will be originals & maybe some covers, depending on how much time I'm given. That's my update for now! Until next time...

xoxo,
Gretchen

www.facebook.com/gretchenelizabethmusic
www.myspace.com/gretchenelizabethmusic

Oops, I did it again...

Oops... I pulled a Britney & did it again! I'm so sorry to have neglected the blog world for so long. I guess I'm still getting used to actually having one. :)

Ohh, here's something to tell your friends, we've been posting it everywhere trying to get musicians for my band, but are still needing quite a bit.. thanks for the help:
"We are now accepting applications for band members for upcoming
Gretchen Elizabeth projects. Please keep in mind this is a professional
recording and touring project. We are still in need of Guitarist, Bassist,
Keys, and Background Vocals. All submissions should include the
following: Biography (including contact information), Headshot, and
Audio or Video Demo. Demo must include one song of your choice
(original songs are preferred).

All applicants must be at least 18 years old, absolutely no exceptions.
Applicants must be able and willing to travel.
Possible relocation required.
Any and All drug use is strictly prohibited in any setting associated with
Gretchen Elizabeth, If this is a problem do not apply.

Once final selections are made you will be required to submit to a background check and drug test. Submissions that don’t include valid contact information including phone and email will be automatically rejected."



Yeah, I promise that once things get started this will be so much more intesting... :)
I'll have more things to write about!
For now, we are trying to find the rest of the band & I'm writing all the time. The tracks for the EP keep changing as I keep worrying about the tracklist trying to make it perfect for my debut. But eventually you'll hear all the music anyway...

If you want to hear a cover, let me know & I'll try to make it happen. I have a good list at the moment, just haven't had time to work on it.

Updates to come.

Have a good morning!

xoxo,
Gretchen Elizabeth

GLEE!

I auditioned for GLEE!

http://www.myspace.com/gleeauditions?link=530152163

I just looked and so far i'm up to 346 stars! :D My fans are the very BEST!

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In other news, still looking for band members...

xoxo,
Gretchen Elizabeth

Ideas?

Besides being a fairly busy week between work and music, I haven't been able to come up with anything that I really felt like writing.

Still finishing up arrangements for the songs going on the EP & then heading to the studio to record. Will let you know when those dates are, of course.

Will be in the Atlanta studio today finishing up arrangements on a few more songs. :)

Until next time (& I promise it won't be too long),

xoxo,
Gretchen

Video Blog & Paramore Cover

Writing.

It's truly amazing what you can do with your emotions. I choose to channel them into lyrics. Tonight I was writing and the next thing I knew, I was crying. Not from being back in the emotion when I was feeling what I was, but for the fact that I translated it extremely well into written form. I'm extremely proud of myself for finally getting out what I needed to say. Not for me, but for the person I wrote the song for. I can't wait to come up with the melody. Believe me, it will haunt you. It haunts my thoughts & i'm still wiping the tears off my cheek.


xoxo,
gretchen

Welcome to March.

Well, it's official. Welcome to March, the start of a new month. I don't know what is going on, but it seems as though time is going by so fast these days. I'm so thankful that things are not dragging behind, and that I feel like I'm getting something accomplished everyday, or every few days. :)
We are definitely hoping to be done with arrangements by the end of this week & hopefully back in the studio this month sometime to finish recording the EP. Either way - it's progress... whether we just get the arrangements finished, or we do actually make it to the studio.

I am counting the days until my parents move to Atlanta! I believe it's at 107 today. My dad is retiring from the Air Force & they've decided to move here to help support me in my endeavor of making my dreams come true. Definitely something that wouldn't have been possible without their help, love, encouragement & support. I for one can't wait to have them all here for different reasons, not just because they're family & they mean everything to me, but because my mom is one of my best friends, and & cherish the relationships I have with each member of my family. I can't wait to spend time with my little brother more often too.

Right now I'm working on a behind the scenes video of Jenn, Belle, Myself, and my mom on the computer working on arrangements. It's quite entertaining because we are super silly. It's also going to have a short part from me personally talking to you & I'll also be singing in some parts. I don't know when I'll be done with it - but hopefully I'll have it posted by this weekend.

I've got some work to do for my manager, Jenn, so I'm going to go for now.

l8r, g8r.

xoxo,
Gretchen

Finally.

I never knew that word could hold so much meaning. Sorry I haven't been around lately - I will start making this a daily thing (hopefully), but I've been updating my website (www.gretchenelizabethmusic) & surrounding sites with all new photos & information. So basically, I've spend endless time on the computer for the past week. I never want to see another HTML, CSS, or XML code - at least for the time being. The good news: EVERYTHING IS DONE! FINALLY!

I'd love to know what everyone things about the now theme throughout everything, & especially the website in general. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please email the webmaster. We love the feedback & if it helps you, we're totally okay with that!

Finally can also be apart of getting things done. I've been working with Belle and will continue working until we're done putting together the arrangements for the final songs on the EP before we can go back to Orlando to finish recording. It's been so much fun, because we can all be goofy - but we still get work done. & I love how you think your song is going to end up one way, and then it hits you, "That's it!" & it turns around completely in a new direction.

Ahhh, the life of a musician. I'm so in love with it. I can't wait to continue on my journey & touch the lives of people around me & beyond.

Until we meet again,

Finally,
Gretchen

Playing catch-up

Sorry guys, I accidentally deleted my other blog!! So here are the two posts I managed to get up, & here we go again.

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Welcome to the lovely inner workings of my complicated head! I have no idea what to write as my very first post - so I'm thinking that I'll tell you a little about myself and then go from there. For starters here are a few simple questions to break the ice! :)

Name: Gretchen Elizabeth

Nicknames: G, Gretch, Jelly Bean
Birthdate: July 5th
Eye Color: Green
Height: 5'9"
Favorite Color: Red
Favorite Animal: White Tiger
Favorite Flower: Tulips & Orchids

Now that we got that out of the way, I'll let you know what I'm doing here: I wanted a place to express my own thoughts & views on life and the complicated ups & downs of pursuing my dream career in music. As I continue to push myself forward in the right direction, I'm learning that things are becoming harder & that nothing is ever simple. If you really want anything, you have to fight for it. & Trust me, I'm fighting! My wonderful parents and two brothers are so supportive, loving, and understanding, and I thank God everyday for them. Jennifer, my manager, is a dream come true. To the rest of my family, friends, and fans that I have already gained I love you all very much for all of the encouragement and support over the years. So that's about it for now, I'm fighting for what I want and I will not give up. Consider my dukes up! ;) I'm breaking out & nothing can stop me!

Until next time...

xoxo,
gretchen

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It's nearly 2am, and I'm not tired at all. I'm really loving the fact that one day - all of this insomnia will pay off. Of course, when I have to be awake at 2am, I'm probably not going to want to be. But enough with the late night sleep deprived hysterics, on to better things!

In the past few days, there have been some updates in my lovely music career: For starters, I'm working on re-designing my website! Working on ideas & it shall be up by the end of next weekend (hopefully). We have also officially titled the EP! I can't tell you what it is yet because it's a secret... but as soon as I can, of course - you'll be one of the first to know. :) We are also talking about looking for band members. Announcements will be posted as soon as the website is back up.

I honestly can't think of anything else right now, I know - boring. I'm sorry I can't be more helpful with your boredom. I'm just the girl who's awake at nearly 2am, who can't think of anything better to do but randomly talk about my life & hopeful career. Maybe I'll be more helpful & answer a few more questions about me...

Are you a morning or night person?

I think we've covered that one, but just in case you didn't catch it the first time: I'm definitely a night owl.

What do you usually think about right before falling asleep?
I pray & think about what I need to do the next day.

Have any bad habits?
I don't know if these count as bad habits, but I chew on my guitar pics & I fidget with my hair (a lot) when I'm stressed or bored.

List 5 goals on your life's to-do list:
1. Play to at least 5 sold out crowds
2. Bungee Jumping
Not in that order, & I'm still contemplating the rest of the list & the importance :)

Name 1 thing you miss about being a kid:
The innocence. The overwhelming feeling that everything is so simple & your parents are the epitome of everything you want in life.

Name 1 thing you love about being an adult:
Making a name for myself. Taking my old thoughts and values and making them my own & new, showing my parents what kind of woman they have raised & being my own person. It's truly exciting finding out who I really am.

What's your favorite thing to do on a Saturday night?
One of two things; Either getting dressed up & going out with the girls or staying in for a pajama night & watching dvds :)

What's your favorite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon?
When the weather is nice on any day, I love to sit outside & write.

Name 1 thing not many people know about you:
I can actually live without my blackberry. :P

xoxo,
gretchen