When I was eight, my family moved briefly from my hometown to a suburb of Dallas when Dad Harris graduated from law school. It was a difficult move for me. I moved in the middle of the year, immediately was given an unpleasant nickname, and it took me a WHILE to make friends. Music was my LIFELINE. I clung to the records I loved with all my might. I learned how to play every song I loved on the guitar by ear. The songs were my friends. Jo Dee Messina’s ‘I’m Alright’ came into my life around this time. Even at eight years old, with zero understanding of why, “Silver Thunderbird” that made me cry every time I heard it. But the one that lifted my spirits after a tough day at school was the title track. I’d sing my little heart out along with the track. When it got to the second verse, I’d imagine that I had a life where I was singing for my rent and singing for my supper. I’ve never wanted to be famous. I don’t think I’d be very good at it. But ever since I got hooked on Emmylou at 5, it’s been my dream to make music my living — AND THAT DREAM HAS COME TRUE. In between soundcheck in Rotterdam yesterday, I stood on the stage in the empty theater before the sold out crowd filed in. I grabbed that lonely, bullied, misunderstood eight year old girl by the hand, put her on a stage half way across the world from her small hometown, and asked her to sing. This is what came out. “I’m Alright” written by @philvassar recorded by @jodeemessina #90scountry #countrysong #musicmaker