Hitting the big time
Written by hootenannie on June 6th, 2008You know that moment in “The Sound of Music” when Maria is twirling on the streets, swinging her guitar case around her, and singing about having confidence in sunshine and in rain and in springtime? But then she catches a glimpse of the Von Trapp mansion, and her jaw drops, and all of a sudden she is speechless?
Subtract Maria. Insert Annie. Subtract Von Trapp. Insert COUNTRY MUSIC STAR.
Last night, through a series of events too complicated to relay, I was invited to a party at a celebrity’s house. What level of celebrity are we talking here? Well, a notch below a Kenny Chesney. A notch above a Dierks Bentley, or a Joe Nichols, or a Blake Shelton. A firmly established, very successful singer/songwriter who has written major hit songs for both men and women, as well as himself. A man I’ve seen on CMT and at the Opry. An artist who, if I said his name, any country music listener would know.
I was determined to play it cool. As Us Magazine reminds us with their oft-incriminating photo spreads, stars are just like us, right? Nobody wants to talk to the star-struck girl. I was going to walk in and be all, oh what, fame? money? #1 hits? Yeah, whatever. Who wants to play pool?
Let’s be honest. I was not that girl.
I spent the evening sneaking around with my camera, covertly snapping pictures of things that needed to be documented. While various musicians and radio personalities were in the kitchen taking shots and name-dropping and grabbing each other’s asses (literally), I was on the back veranda with Katie and Erin having a dance party under the stars, singing “Sweet Caroline” at the top of our lungs, and informing the others which one of us had just taken a poo in a country singer’s bathroom.
I AM NOT TELLING YOU WHO.
I was hanging around the grand piano until I finally got up the nerve to sit down and play along (read: tinker along) with Tom Petty blasting out of the speakers – at which point, the charismatic host came over and engaged in a short but peppy conversation about the music business. It took all that I had to refrain from breaking out into one of his songs mid-sentence, but I succeeded. Annie – 1. Humiliation – 0. Way to go, self.
This morning I am at work, after 4-hours of sleep and maybe one too many shots of whiskey. But after last night, does my life feel just a little bit more complete? Perhaps.
In closing, I’m sorry. I know that you are dying to know who I am talking about. I will tell you this: it was not Tim McGraw. Because trust me, if it had been, I would have no qualms about saying INTERNET, I TOOK A POO IN FAITH HILL’S TOILET.
6
AM
This is amazing. And well documented. Under six months in Nashville and you’ve been to the CMA’s and played piano at a country star’s house. Me? I’ve been in Boston four years and the coolest thing I’ve done is have drinks on someone’s back bay roof-deck. I am in awe :)
6
AM
SERIOUSLY?!? You’re not going to tell us who you’re talking about? Go ahead and name-drop! It’s okay! Your Internet friends will love you for it!
Celeb-less in Minneapolis (sigh)-
Beth
6
AM
why so hesitant to tell us who??
this I do not understand…
6
AM
You GO GIRL, I am so glad you played the piano!! p.s. one time I “relieved myself” at an NBA player’s house, and my bro did the deuce at Picasso’s (as in dead crazy painter) pad in Spain. I think there should be like a blog dedicated to all the famous houses people have gone to the bathroom in, that would be funny.
Maybe in your spare time?
6
PM
man o man!!!! your life is so …. random. i thought mine was random. surely, you take the cake. ;)
6
PM
I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW!
Where is my email?
6
PM
you are so adorable. i love this story!!!
6
PM
WAY TO DROP A DEUCE!!!! I am laughing right now – heard the short version from Jeremy but yours, with the whole fraulein maria thing was the BEST!!!!
:)
7
AM
Perhaps I should clarify: I am not saying which one of us “dropped a deuce” (sick). It might have been me. It might have been someone else.
In any case, I will say this: his toilet has never been so graced.
7
AM
if we guess the right answer will you tell us?!
brad paisley.
7
PM
is it rude to say that, YAY, the “hot smelly breath of Satan” has led you to the house, nay, the “throne” of a CMA distinguished? I love TN! :)
~Diana
8
AM
Yes, very accurately documented considering the copious amounts of whiskey consumed. I can’t wait to fill you in on all the shenanigans that transpired after you left. Memory nuggets that will keep blasting into my mind until i die. OMG. has life ever been so good???
and the blue velvet chairs. AMAZING.