What's Cooke'n Blog

Happy New Year

Best wishes for a safe yet celebratory welcome of the new year.  2008 was a tough year for a lot of people but my hope and prayer is that the hard times make all of us take stock of the things that are most important  -- family, friends, faith -- and pour our hearts, souls, and energy into the things that matter most in the year to come.  I'm starting my new year in Los Angeles with my grandmother, mom, Braden, and some cousins and betting that none of us will be awake at midnight! :)  Sounds perfect to me!

God bless...

Jen

Merry Christmas

Just wanted to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas..... 

We wrapped up the Christmas tour at the Ryman last night and it was truly a special ending to a great tour.  Amy and Vince have never sounded better and the home crowd gave them an incredibly warm welcome (not always the case in Nashville).  Some specific highlights included Corrina coming on stage both nights to recite the Christmas passage from Luke during "I Need A Silent Night," Sarah and her dear friend, Brooks, surprising Amy with an early Christmas gift -- performing "Baby It's Cold Outside," Vince leaving very few dry eyes in the crowd with his new song, "Bread and Water," and Amy delivering a stirring version of "Breath of Heaven" both nights.

I'm rushing off to a Christmas Eve service but didn't want to let the days without wishing all of you a very blessed holiday.  I hope tonight and tomorrow, regardless of your faith or lack there of, allows you the time to take stock of your blessings -- big and small -- and to celebrate rich connections with family and friends.  For all of you -- and especially those of you who might be struggling this season --breathe deep and remember that you are loved by the very God who sent his son to be born homeless on earth yet destined for eternal significance beyond measure. 

Blessings...

Jen

Albany, NY - Brrrrrr.....

We spent the day in Albany, NY, where it is cold and drizzling ice. The weather report says that a pretty big ice storm is hitting tonight from here to Boston, which is one of the things you risk when you try to tour the Northeast during December.
Amy and I had the rare chance to do a little Christmas shopping on the road today -- a quiet mid-week mall experience was something neither of us working girls were used to and we were thrilled to be able to put a dent in our shopping list. A funny moment was when a mother and daughter were in the shoe department talking about running late for the Amy concert only to look up and see Amy shopping - they laughed and said "well we must not be running too late if you are still shopping!" We all shared a nice laugh.
So now the show is going on and lots of brave people chanced the wicked weather and showed up. My hope and prayer for all of us is that tonight's music provides a peaceful and spiritual way to remember what the hustle and bustle of this season is all about -- a simple birth in a simple manger....simple yet profound.

Be blessed...

let the show begin....

Baltimore, MD - Lyric Opera House

The show is about to start. The set looks great! Looking forward to a great night of music!

Music....sweet music....

I flew to Baltimore today to meet up with Amy and the Christmas tour gang.  This is the first time in over a year that I've boarded a flight without Braden in tow.  As much as I missed his sweet company and his wide-eyed fascination with all things airplanes and pilots, the solo flight allowed me the time to blow the dust off my Ipod and listen to music for 2 glorious and uninterrupted hours.  And while listening to song selections from a very random sampling of artists (Gavin Rossdale, Alanis Morissette, Amos Lee, Bebo Norman, Barbra Streisand, Charles Brown, Carrie Underwood, David Gray, Emerson Hart, Everlast, Aaron Shust, Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, The Killers, Wilco, Madonna, Marc Broussard, Mercy Me, Mindy Smith...etc. etc), I was reminded of the POWER of music to move a soul, bring an eye to tears, rekindle a buried memory as if it were brand new, and to give every emotion a unique soundtrack.  As a busy single, working mom, I don't make enough time to listen to music in spite of the fact that I work in the music business.  I am such a fan of a well crafted song and today reminded me that I need to make more time to enjoy what I have loved since I was a little girl and got my first record player and Donny Osmond album.  I know those of you who care enough to show up and read this blog were brought here by your love of Amy's music and my hope for all of us is that we continue to let music wash over our souls and put a kick in our steps no matter how old or busy we may be.

By the way, I feel sorry for the guy who sat next to me on the plane as I think there were a few times I pulled a "Julia Roberts" in "Pretty Woman" and actually sang out loud while lost in song with headphones on....    :)

Jen

CBS Morning Show -- Tomorrow December 9

Make sure to tune in and watch Amy and Vince perform "Baby, It's Christmas" tomorrow morning on the CBS Morning Show.  The show airs from 7am - 9am.  Amy and Vince are scheduled to appear in the last half hour but these shows don't always run on time so you might want you tune in early to make sure you don't miss it!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Christmas tour...

For those of you hoping for up-to-date blogs and pictures from the start of the Christmas tour -- I wanted you to know that I am not going to be out on the tour til next week.  I promise to blog about the show and post pictures as soon as I can.  In the meantime, we got good reports on the first show and the crowd seemed to enjoy the show, although it ran shorter than any of us had anticipated.  Amy and Vince are trying to rehearse a few more songs for the upcoming shows.  Amy and I spoke at length today and she was in great spirits and excited to be celebrating this season with great musicians and her sweet husband on stage with her.  Jenny Gill is also singing background vocals, which is fun for all of them.

Hope to see some of you on the road in the days/weeks to come...

Be blessed and be safe....

Jen

It's beginning to look a lot like...

CHRISTMAS....

The Christmas tour starts tomorrow night!  I know Amy and Vince are excited about doing a more intimate show this year and creating an environment that feels more like their living room than in years past.  There is nothing like Christmas music to help create the holiday spirit and remind all of us to stop and celebrate this magical season.

Tickets are still available in most markets so if the show is coming to a city near you, I hope you can attend.  It would be a great way for family and friends to spend time together.

Amy's Christmas Collection is selling well and "I Need A Silent Night" is getting airplay on several Christian and mainstream stations.  It was featured in the Target circular last week, radio and tv spots are running in many markets, and Amy's Christmas music was featured in the NBC Skating special that aired last week.  Next Tuesday morning, Dec. 10,  Amy and Vince will be singing on The CBS Early show and then Amy will be doing more press the rest of the day (Fox & Friends, Oprah radio, ABC radio network, etc.).  Also - not sure if all of you are aware of it, but Oprah plugged the new Christmas Collection record on her show last week.

Today is my first day back in the office after an extended Thanksgiving break with family so I am going to get back to work but I will write more later....after I dig out from

Ho Ho Ho...

Jen