Stage Manager...Candy?

Load-in today for our Hardscuffle show was interesting.

Things took forever to put back together because what we were doing was permanent.

We had to put the snake up in the rafters.

We had to suspend the truss' in the air.

We had to put EVERYTHING back and it was hard.

People left after they couldn't find anything to do.

People were reeallly making me frustrated.

So when Blasing needed people to help put tubs in storage, I volunteered.

He told me afterwards to go with Amanda to go get snacks for the show so that I would be away from the building for awhile.

When I got back, I helped get things together and clean for the show.

I wasn't able to eat dinner or change into black clothes.

So Candice had a bright blue shirt on while she was onstage. haha.

The show went pretty great, I think.

No big mistakes.

Mike was ill the whole time and had to go to the hospital in the middle of Tavis' set. I hope he is alright.

Afterwards some of us went to Waffle House and had a good time.

I'm sad tour is over but I'm also happy because I need space away from everyone.

But tour was an amazing experience in many ways.

40 people together for a week will ALWAYS be an experience. :)

"Jesus will come back and have to sit down and wait for Candice to finish her waffles!"

The Week Called Tour

The CMC Live Tour this past week went splendid.

We were in Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Each day consisted of getting to the venue, load -in, set up, lunch, setting up more, wire and line check, sound check for CMC, sound check for local band if there was one, dinner, get ready for show, SHOW, tear down, load truck, to hotel to sleep.

It was thrilling and exhausting at the same time.

My artists and executives worked hard and played hard and rocked out every night.

Each night was exhilarating.

As Stage Manager I did get fed up with my authority not being taken seriously. People weren't listening to me and my opinion was not wanted or needed.

Things having to do with the stage were not asked of me, but directly to Jason or AJ. :(

Anyways...

I felt my title as Stage Manager was not true.

Tour was fun, stressful, hard work, annoying, but memorable.

Great Pictures on Facebook probably from my fellow classmates.

Now on to the rest of the semester...

Except we have one more show here at school, tonight.

Let's end this right! :)

*too many quotes to name*

Slam That Chapter and Move to the Next

Today was a relaxing day.

We had a tour meeting at noon. We talked about how our Lipscomb show went and details about the rest of the tour.

After the meeting, some of the techs packed up things that we forgot that need to go with us on tour.

Then Amanda and I updated the truck inventory list so that everything is on it and it's easier for me to check things off.

Then I reprinted stage plots for myself and Joel and I rewrote my notes on my stage plots.

Then I packed for tour, did some "spring cleaning," and called my parents.

After that Tavis, Rose and I went to get dinner and we hung out.

I have decided not to bring my computer on tour. It's too much hassle.

Tomorrow we head to Illinois. Yay.

This tour will be quite an experience, mostly amazing. :D

I'm ready, are you? ;)

"I don't have enough money to give you for that!"

A Caged Dog

Today was very long.

We got to Lipscomb and set up the stage which took forever, since we had never done it before.

Then we had line check, sound check and the show.

During the show I have to stay in the green room and do my job instead of going around checking stuff and making sure everything is going well. It was so difficult to stay in one place the WHOLE time.

But Marcus says it's my job. Oh well.

I thought the show went really well for the first time on the road.

After the show, we packed up which also took forever.

We will eventually get the swing of things.

But my feet hurt and my back hurts and I'm HUNGRY! :)

Tomorrow we have a tour meeting and time to pack.

Then Wednesday is Greenville College.

"Great job Candice."

Are you ready?!

Today we striked the stage and EVERYTHING for tour. We packed everything into the truck.

It took all day.

There were a few times people got short with me but I don't care.

Our first strike group did a great job at tearing everything down. They were on top of getting things done and it made today easier.

Tomorrow our tour starts. We go to Lipscomb University for our first show. We have an all day load-in, thank goodness. It will give us the time to get used to unloading and setting up.

Then we have a breather day on Tuesday and then off to Greenville on Wednesday.

I'm still trying to decide if I'll bring my computer.

It might just be easier not to...and less stressful.

This semester has flown by but at the same time has been really slow.

This tour is going to be really tiring and difficult, but I'm ready for it.

It shall be an experience.

Thanks for all your support during this semester. I've needed it. :)

And here we go...

"Oh Marcus, I've missed you!"

Nothing to do with Tour or Nashville...

NOT EVERYTHING IS ABOUT YOU!

DON'T BE SO VAIN.

and now I'm done with my rant.

Show

I do not appreciate people undermining my authority as Stage Manager.

Show was okay.

Lots of mistakes that Marcus woulda caught but he wasn't there so I fixed them. I was Marcus and Candice.

Had a meltdown in front of Tyler. Whoops.

Yeah.

Other than that, we are ready for this tour. I am ready for this tour.

In other news:

Your smiles are made out of lies. OR they aren't and you hate me.

Goodnight.

"Don't touch me."

Crying and Laughing within Ten Minutes, WHAT?!

Today was...WHOOO! I'm still trying to settle down.

We had "sound check/tour rehearsal" today which I thought went great.

My stage hands for both shows are amazing. Shout out to Zach, Amanda, Dan and Mike. :)

I was on top of things today and felt like I am really a part of this school and production.

Evan and Amanda told me that I was doing a great job, with a smile on my face.

It felt good to get complimented and praised since WARREN NEVER TELLS ME.

Things are stressful but I'm dealing with it.

I felt the rehearsal went really well.

At the end of rehearsal, though, I had a breakdown because of others things going on (Worst week ever).

Marcus was there when I needed him. He...he...made a remark that was just...real. Too real to repeat and I thank him for it.

THEN something made me really angry and Joe noticed and made a joke and got me cracking up so much I fell on the floor. Weird Candice.

I'm seriously going insane this week.

Then everyone left for the day and Marcus and I talked about school and how the semester was going...and how I was doing. I enjoyed talking to him one on one and finding out what he thought of the semester.

Marcus is a great guy and God made him our prof so that I wouldn't want to shoot people.

When it comes to being in the zone and stressed, we are the same. So he told me some things I can do when I want to punch someone.

He also told me that I was doing a great job as Stage Manager. That I should continue to stick up for myself and ignore people who tell me to "calm down."

I CONCUR MARCUS.

My demeanor as SMC is different than my usual personality, but it works :)

Tonight is our last show/rehearsal before tour. *SCREAMS*

Wish me good luck.

"One butt is B, the other butt is A."

Itch-bay Stage Manager Candice

Today we had our Hammer Time for both shows.

I was in the zone BIG time. I took my job serious and got things done.

Jason Blasing gave me three stage hands for the shows.

Two to help move things and one to help Joel with patch work.

We went through both shows pretty well, I thought.

At the end Warren tested our fastness between Meredith & Audrey's set and Ashley & Kylie's set because there is a major set change.

We will have to work on set transitions tomorrow.

I was stressed today and took my anger out on door frames and other things.

But I felt in control.

I don't care what people might think of my insanity; I don't care. I'm doing my job.

Tonight we have the Scratch Track showcase. It should be a good show.

*Candice punches couch*

What Time is It?

My early morning was insane.

I went to bed in the student lounge, woke up not knowing what time it was, and then went down to the studio to sleep until my session.

Woke up at eight and recorded Tyler playing the guitar for AnnaMarie's song and then had class.

Then our tech class was on saudering. Boooring to Candice but I probably should know what I'm doing.

Then I slept for two hours and had the rest of the day off until my meeting with Jason at 9pm.

We updated the stage plots which went really well.

Gee...WE can do it and not fidget...yet the Execs cannot and it's their job. Interesting.

Now sleep because we have Hammer Time for both shows again tomorrow.

Then showcase tomorrow night.

"I'm glad to hear I'm not just the rice in your burrito."

Authority

Today was a busy, stressful day.

We had two Hammer Times for the two shows.

I got there early to set up. blaaah. I'm so tired.

It started late because we didn't have the ear packs (in-ear monitors) ready. It always seems to me that we are NEVER ready for anything.

We know when SOUND check is, but we don't prepare enough time for LINE check. rawr.

Then I took a shower and got ready for Community Dinner.

Ashley called me and we talked for awhile. I miss her so much.

Community Dinner was good.

Afterwards AnnaMarie dressed me up for the showcase of Zach and the Coyotes at a venue in Nashville.

She did an amazing job and I kept getting compliments from the girls. And I got a whistle or two from some guys.

The girls thought I looked like a super model. Best Comment Ever.

The show was great. Zach and the guys did an awesome job and I felt so confident with the way I looked.

Did I mention I wore high heels?! Haha.

It was a nice break from CMC.

Tomorrow the work continues toward the goal of Tour.

It will be stressful but I'm looking forward to Tour.

Road Trip.

Late night this morning.

I really miss you, sleep.

"Gosh, now we have to look better than Candice!"

Uh Oh

The last few days have been filled with recording, going to the Hard Rock to see alum perform and a showcase for Logan Henry.

This week coming up is going to be filled with getting ready for tour and recording sessions including one late night.

BUSY!

I may or may not blog this week OR on tour. We will see.

Tonight I am in charge of video for the showcase.

Then hopefully sleep.

This dark weather is making me down.

"I'm getting sick of this."

Burning Out

The show went really well last night so I am looking forward to Tour.

I believe I did my Stage Manager responsibilities well.

Today I got to sleep in and then we had a meeting about the show and what is going on this next week.

Tour starts next Sunday. wowsers.

Then I had my recording session with AnnaMarie which was good.

And tonight I have a late night with Dan.

Days are going by fast as well as slow and before we know it the tour will be here and gone.

:P

"I'm an idiot, sorry, let's try that again."

CANDICE!

The days have become so filled with stress and work that I don't have the energy to explain...

Class.
Production Meeting- people were rude.
Line Check- happening during meeting
Lunch
Sound Check- chaos and stress

Performance tonight, then I can relax.

My back hurts.

"You don't take crap, that's why I wanted you to be my Stage Manager."

...zzZZZZooooooooommmmMMMMMMMMMM...

The last few days have been busy.

We've had class, meetings, recording sessions, rehearsals, and Liza Day perform.

Today we are getting ready for our tour lineup performance. We will treat it like another CMC Live.

Sorry I've been so busy...but I've been up late and I'm tired.

I'll report soon.

~Candice

Oh Joyous Day!

Today was long and it is not over until 4 am tomorrow morning.

We had a listen to all our masters. Dan's sounded terrible. There was too much low end and it just didn't sound the way it did in studio. I felt like crap when they were commenting on it.

AnnaMarie's was interesting. The profs didn't like the groove and it was hard to watch her sink into her chair.

:(

After that we went down to the studio with Warren. He was going to pick one of the masters to remix...............Dan asked him to remix his.

Which was fine, because I know it was poor quality. But still, it burned a little.

*sigh*

Warren fixed it, made it sound brighter...and better. I learned a few things from watching him do it.

But...it was in front of everyone. Self-esteem challenge.

Then we had a lunch break and then Hammer Time for the "audition" for Tour.

I did monitors, which went alright. There were a few times the artists couldn't hear themselves and I didn't know.

After that, we had free time, so I took the drums back downstairs to the tracking room and then practiced my guitar with the help of Luke, one of the artists.

Joe Casey helped too haha with my B chord. :)

Anyways, then we had community dinner and community meeting.

I'm back at the apartment taking a breather until my 1-4 am with Dan tonight.

Oh and the Tour got changed to more of a headliner show. Many people are happy or disappointed. :(

So yeah, I'm exhausted and not ready to record. But I'll be ready at one.

Prayers that I get sleep this week? Thank you.

"You're doing a good job"

Sleeping in Random Places

Today was looooong but almost over.

I got up for my recording session at 8am.

Jason left enough things to edit and mix for me. We edited for two hours.

Then I took a three hour nap on the couch in the student lounge. It was nice!

Then I had Dan's recording session from 1-4pm. It was long but we basically got everything done.

...We will have to see what happens when the profs listen to it on Monday.

I am exhausted and sore from not sleeping.

But I plan to be lazy tomorrow to make up for my busy week and my busy week that is coming up.

"Is that Candice sleeping on the couch?"

Exhausted and Smelled Bad

Last night was AMAZING.

The show went wonderful. I was stressing and shaking while it was going on but I thought it went well.

Marcus was the angel sent from above, and he sat with me the whole show. Thanks Marcus.

I only missed a few things and it wasn't too noticeable.

Then we had the bonfire which was fun. After everyone left, Maxine and I danced our hearts out to Britney Spears.

I then had late night recording with Dan. It went well, I thought.

I was reaalllyy tired but we got everything we wanted done.

Then I took a 3 hr nap and got up for AnnaMarie's recording.

I WAS DEAD. SO DEAD. I felt sick and weak but I aided Jason with the recording.

I'm glad he took initiative because I was in no state to be the lead engineer. That ran until class this morning.

Then we had a 20 minute showcase by Mike Mardsen, an alum from Semester 7. I really liked his music and lyrics.

Then we had game tape....

.......
.......
and I was complimented more than insulted!!!!!!

Warren thought I did a really good job. He kept saying it without addressing me.

I sorta think he thought Marcus was more hands on than he really was...

After game tape we did lottery for late night slots and both my artists got slots... so yayyyy more exhaustion.

Then Warren had the techs do some chores.

Then I TRIED to take a nap before AnnaMarie's recording session, but it didn't happen.

AnnaMarie's recording session went well. I was more hands on with this session because Jason was busy with tour details.

I thought I stood my ground :)

Whooooo.

I'm gonna wait to go to bed until later because it will continue to make my sleeping schedule wack if I take a nap now.

So I'm going to hang with some of the guys at the CMC and THEN got to bed.

Did I mention I have to be in the recording studio for AnnaMarie tomorrow morning at 8 am? Yes.

And it will only get busier.

:P

"YOU GO GIRL!"

SMC!

Today went really well. I had fun and learned a lot.

We first had critical listening with Tom. We listened to Jimi Hendrix and Anne and Nancy.

Then we had line check which went well, I thought. It didn't take too long and we were able to eat lunch.

Sound check started shaky, as it always does, but I was on top of my game.

Marcus sat with me and helped me understand the console. It was SO nice of him and helped me relax a lot. :)

He explained things to a tee and I asked questions and he answered. I LOVED IT!

Then we had a meeting about tour.

...I will probably be the Stage Manager! I'm excited to be in charge of things. More of an exec job, which is what I've wanted. I'm looking forward to the challenge.

Tour should be fun! We may be doing TWO Ohio dates! :) YAAAY!

Tonight we have the show. HOPEFULLY nothing will go badly.

Afterwards we have a bonfire after party.

I then have Dan's late night recording until 4.

Then up at 8 for AnnaMarie's recording.

...I will be sleeping at the CMC this evening/ tomorrow morning. :P

I'm enjoying this semester more now that I am focusing on having fun and relaxing. I'm being goofy.

I will fill you in with how show went tomorrow.

"You assumed it was the young and inexperienced one..." ;)

Going crazy!

Today was a day. I tried not to be too stressed.

Warren went over mixing basics with all of us in the morning and then our tech track continued to talk about it.

Lunch and Production meeting. The meeting went really well, which made me happy.

Then we had Hammer Time and I had my first crack of FOH console.

After Hammer Time we discussed the Tour Itinerary. We will be going to Ohio the 27th! :) Malone.

I'm excited.

After that Joe and I went over FOH console and I read up on the manual.

Then I had Dan's rehearsal.

Tomorrow will be insane and stressful but I will get through it...hopefully.

:P

Rawr.

Goodnight. I'm tired.

"HEY C-MONEY!"

My eyes won't stay open

The retreat went really well. Gatlinburg is exactly how I remember it. We hung around the cabin and hung around the strip.  It was EXCELLENT to stare into space and take naps.

It was awesome to hang with my classmates away from working with them. I got to know a lot of them better. :)

Hammer Time was cancelled for today and was moved to tomorrow.

..so when we got back I took a shower and SLEPT. It felt great. I LOVE being cold and sleeping.

Then our apartment had a community dinner together. It was nice to hang out as a group.

Then Kylie, Karissa, Whitney, Meredith, and I sat and talked for an hour or so.

Next I had rehearsal with Dan. It went pretty well under the circumstances that they had not practiced since Saturday.

I have a feeling tomorrow will be stressful but I hope to not stress out.

The retreat taught me that when I'm NOT stressed, I'm more fun to be around and more myself. I WANT THAT.

Wish me good luck!

"I forgot how much I miss Boy Meets World."