I spent about ten hours in the studio yesterday, and I can't tell you how excited i was to hear my songs come to life.  I woke up at 5:50 AM central time and couldn't sleep, so i got up, showered, and headed to the cracker barrell for some breakfast.  There is nothing like simple good things to get the morning started off right.

I did go to walmart to attempt to get a video camera so that i could chronicle this process for you, but so far i haven't found the right one.  i'm going back this morning to see if it is in stock.  :)

The first day on this trip back in the studio was to lay down piano, organ, and pads.  I had the honor of having Phil Naish work on these parts for me.  Phil, my producer Mark Hornsby, and I sat in a room together with a keyboard, a large apple computer, and several other large things with blinking lights (yeah... ???) and did a marathon session on ten songs that will be on my third album.  We started with "The Wolves" and layered some beautiful piano and eerie strings on the track.  Some odd ten hours later, we ambled out of that room and headed home.

But oh! yes... at lunch... oh dear lord... ok, so we're sitting eating tacos at this "ok" mexican restaurant, when a party of 6 rolls in with a brightly colored birthday cake.   It was a sharktopus with lady gaga on top.  Who makes a sharktopus cake with lady gaga riding on top?  well... i'm going to take that as a good sign.

Of course,  I brought my lucky charm, a small porcelain cheshire cat that my grandma king gave me when i was ten.  She left us several years ago, but i keep her near me during important occasions.  She has always given me strength.

Today and tomorrow I will be laying down vocal tracks with Mark.  Who by the way, is incredible.  I am so priveleged to be working with him.  A year ago, I came down to Java Jive studio with Sunny Taylor to join her on her musical journey, and here I am on my own.  It's thrilling.

And now there are angry children screaming outside of my motel room, a yipping dog, and noises i don't want to hear through the wall next door.  It's time to leave and way past time to get some coffee.  :)

Due to album in process, you won’t see me out performing as much.  Next gig is September 30, so come on out for a special concert for a Fall Art Festival in North Webster.  See my calendar link for more info.

I’m working on my third album down with an amazing producer, Mark Hornsby, of Nashville.  Went down in August to lay down guitar tracks, and will be doing vocals and piano next.  If you’re interested in having me perform, please contact me asap, so I can get it on my calendar.  With my day job, album, and holidays upcoming, it’s going to be a busy stretch here.  I might have to stock up on redbull.

Really excited about this next album—some songs you may have heard me perform live, and some that you may not have heard at all (unless you listened to my solo performance on NPR in August). 

Thanks for all of your support, and hope to see you all out soon.

Megan

I will be going down with Sunny Taylor in February to Nashville which I am very stoked to be a part of. You can get more info on Sunny at www.myspace.com/sunnytaylor. I am fully committed to getting my picture taken with midget Elvis again. I hope he’s still on Broadway.

I have had two carpal tunnel surgeries in the past 4 months, and am just now getting back to the guitar again. I’m very excited to get back out there, so be expecting it.

M

Leonard Cohen Birthday Tribute Concert- Fort Wayne Reader Write Up

My song "Set Yourself Apart Son" is on this CD, and you can order it through this link:  http://www.music4alzheimers.org/  

I watched my great grandfather suffer through this disease, and am thrilled that there are those out there that care enough to continue to support the ongoing research supporting a cure.

All the best,

Megan

let's just say that gasoline should be used for engines and not big piles of wood... it tends to explode sometimes when you use it that way.  Take it from me and my raw nasty leg.

So this gal will be resting and elevating through the weekend, and very disappointed about the spikes gig.  one of my favorite places to play. but we will get the full band going and ready for the next gig.

cheers- meg

I didn’t know this was Roy when I first saw him.  I thought it was my friend, Wayne- the resemblance was striking.  So I kept staring at him and Teressa thinking, “How does Teressa know Wayne- small world!?”  Well when I took my set break, and talked to them I realized quickly that it wasn’t Wayne-ha!  Teressa introduced me to Roy, and I chuckled, because I had already heard several “Roy Stories.”  Many of which involved detailed descriptions of what his hair used to look like (think 70’s huge afro).  So, I already felt like I knew him, and that was how Roy made you feel.  He had a contagious joyful spirit, a longing for connection, and he liked to laugh.

It was just last week that Roy went into the hospital for something thought to be minor, and only a few days later that he left his body and loved ones behind.  Like I said, Roy, I only met you a couple times, but you will be missed, and you will be remembered.  Best wishes wherever you are, and I hope that you have found peace.  Teressa, Christopher, Amanda, Teryn, and the rest of you Johnsons… my thoughts and prayers are with you—  Love, Megan 

If anyone has a funny story to tell about Roy, please leave it in the comments section.

The history of wasted trips.

Memories separated like

Torn skin.

Lover graduated

to Enemy

I hesitated... then

threw myself into a wishing well

Of my sin, it was deep

I failed to tell

Which was up

Or down

True or false

Which was gift

Which was lost

Playing double dutch in the neighbor’s drive

Been so long since I felt alive

Like this.

Will you push me while I swing?

Will you listen when I sing?

I mean it

You gotta GET this thing.

Cuz it grips me when I sleep

Keeps me awake for weeks

Makes me beg for sweet release

Slavery to all beautiful things

My wasted American dream.

A nightmare with no steam

Just an empty longing

Plaguing me

With no return address

No number, no place to go

Just a gnawing on my bones

Like my mother’s tired feet and

Bee stings

echo in my blood

looking for a misplaced receipt.

I am alone in this cosmos

My body aches for a touch

But has only felt the ache of men who don’t love

That much.

So if you kiss me,

Kiss me fiercely.

Kiss me like today will be the last,

With passion, with your lifesong

Kiss me, kiss me fast.

Don’t hesitate, don’t look away

Or I will fade just like a dream.

The train will go on without you

Leaving behind only

steam.

Being a child of the 80’s, I grew up with unicorns, dark crystals, wizards, and other strange creatures that frequented heavy metal t-shirts and Lisa Frank folders.  So to whoever created Charlie, thank you.  Thank you for making me laugh like I haven’t in years!!!

Was it a friend, or a stranger

Have you kept in touch all these years

Exchanged some letters, walked a few acres

In your child-version-you’s shoes

Remembering the look of your tiny hand

And how cool your belly button was

And how you grew, oh how you grew

Along the framework of a bathroom door

The Old Testament of your youth…

When I prayed inside, begging for the world not to end.

Then  I rotted inside, to television propaganda

And  I recoiled through pain, and learned to be numb

So that now I barely flinch when I hear the sound of a gun