Month: May 2021

According to a post on Twitter from the Official Cheyenne Frontier Days Blake Shelton’s 2021 show is sold out.

Hey Blockheads.The wait is over! It’s time to head to Boston baby! The boys are back Live! in person! For their first concert since the pandemic began in December of 2019.

The New Kids on the Block Fenway Park tickets general on sale launch starts today May 21st at 8 am MST, 10 am EST. While it was nice to stay connected with Joey McIntyre, Jonathan and Jordan Knight, Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood virtually with virtual cruises, old Fenway Park concert and over Facebook live with the guys from their homes during the pandemic you can see them now in person this Fall, August 6 on stage. Yes, the boys in the band are back!

The New Kids On the Block recently announced on their official social media accounts that their 2021 Fenway Park show this fall in Boston is definitely taking place. New tickets are on sale. Also all of the 2020 Fenway Park show tickets from the cancelled show due to the Covid-19 pandemic will still be honored. Go to their official website for more information Http://www.nkotb.com

Here is the official ticket link http://nkotboston.ontouraccess.com/

Do not buy fake tickets from other websites, or social media accounts that try to scam fans.

It’s time to get reading starting tomorrow at the Laramie County Library for the Summer Reading Challenge, where people of all ages can read for prizes.

May 20, 2021

Believe the imPAWsible! With Laramie County Library System’s Summer Reading Challenge

Laramie County Library System invites the community to read for prizes and Believe the imPAWsible with its annual Summer Reading Challenge! This year’s challenge allows you to log reading, track progress, collect tickets, and earn badges all from your computer or phone using Beanstack, a mobile app and website that makes summer reading more engaging! Registration for the pet-themed challenge begins Friday, May 21 athttps://lclsonline.org/summer-reading-challenge-2021/. The challenge is free and does not require a library card for participation. Children, teens, and adults are all welcome to register and participate.

Participants are challenged to read 1,200 minutes by August 16 to earn their completion prize pack, which includes a free book for children and teens thanks to a generous donation from RE/MAX Capitol Properties and a library pint glass for adults. Completion prize packs can be picked up in-person at the library’s prize tent or using curbside pick-up beginning July 1. For every 100 minutes a participant reads, they will also collect 10 raffle tickets to enter into drawings for fun prizes such as LEGO® sets, laptops, local gift cards, and more.

Participants who reach their goal before August 16 are encouraged to continue their summer reading by participating in Read for a Cause. For every additional 100 minutes read and logged in Beanstack, Frontier Veterinary Clinic will make a donation to Cheyenne Animal Shelter in honor of our pet-themed challenge. 

The library is also offering fun in-person and virtual events to accompany the Summer Reading Challenge. With free book clubs, take-home crafts, outdoor activities and more, there is no end to summer fun at the library. Find a full list of events at https://lclsonline.org/calendar/.

Summer reading is a critical component in maintaining academic skills, and helps fight the summer slide where students lose some of their reading and learning gains from the previous school year. Laramie County Library System hopes that the 2021 Summer Reading Challenge:Believe the imPAWsible! will inspire children and adults alike to read every day throughout the summer, and find adventure, opportunity, and growth in the pages of their favorite book (or in the words of their favorite audiobook-they count too!).

Contact
307-634-3561 or LaramieCountyLibrary.org for more information on the Summer Reading Challenge

Q: Tell me about your new song Country Choir

Carter:Country Choir really is about my life. It’s about being ok to be country, live in the country and do country things. It’s about having a foundation and never forgetting God. It’s about working hard. 

Q: Why did you want to be a country artist?

Carter: Honestly I think it was something in me since I was a little girl growing up listening to all types of music especially Country, Gospel  and soul. It’s like having a dream but never telling anyone about it and then one day something happens and you know that’s your destiny.

Q: What is your music background?

Carter: I grew up in a choir as a little girl. I come from a family of singers so it’s always been a part of me. I also have taken voice and music lessons.

Q: Who are your musical influences?

Carter: Natalie Cole, Loretta Lynn, Dolly, Aretha, Patsy Cline, The Neville Brothers, The Temptations and countless others 

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Carter: Touring 

Q: Is it difficult to break into the country music business as a female?

Carter: “I would say it’s been difficult but I also grew up learning that anything worth having is worth working for. Work has never scared me, I just really want a fair shot.”

Q: What do you like the most about singing?

Carter: “I love singing because it makes me feel free and like nothing else matters in the world. Singing is a way for me to give to myself while giving to others.”

Q: Have you dealt with any barriers or difficulties as a singer because you are Black?

Carter: “Oh yes, I have dealt with barriers because people want me to sound like others or they think that this isn’t me and it’s a fad. This is all me and I can only sound like myself. I want to just be Authentically Me!”

Q: There aren’t that many Black country singers why do you think that is?

Carter: I think there should be more 🙂  I see more and more Black Country artist releasing songs , but we have a long way to go. I think it’s because of lack of opportunities and perceptions. 

Q: Are you a songwriter or do you sing other songwriter’s songs?

Carter: “I am a singer/songwriter and trying to get better at both.”

Q: What do you hope to accomplish with your career this year?

Carter: “I hope to have many more performances, bring awareness to me and my brand and to touch the lives of many people.”

Q: How did you deal with the shutdown last year due to the pandemic? How did that affect your career?

Carter: The Pandemic affected us all. Some would say for the better but I can’t agree because I lost several loved ones due to Covid, also there weren’t opportunities to perform and I was working nonstop another job. 

Q: Will you be playing any tour dates this year in person, or doing any online shows?

Carter: I am in the process of working on booking some online gigs and also some venues around the states. Also btw I’m available if anyone would like to book me 💛

Q: Who is your dream musician /musical collaboration?

Carter: I would love to do something with Dolly, Darrius Rucker, Shania Twain or Chris Stapleton to name a few. 🙏🏽

Q: Where can people buy your album??

Carter: My music is on all the platforms, CD Baby, Apple, Spotify, Amazon, you name it, it’s available 😊

Q: What advice can you give to other people who are pursuing a career in music?

Carter: Follow Your Dreams! Go After your hearts desires! Never give up no matter what it looks like or how long it takes.

Q: Add whatever you would like here …

Carter: Just thank you for this opportunity! 💗

Poet John Roedel has been entertaining people with poetry for three and a half years on Facebook and in his books of poetry, “Hey God, Hey John: What Happens When God Writes Back,” “Any Given Sunday,” and “Untied.” He gave a candid interview about how he got started with poetry and what’s coming next with his work.

How long have I been writing poetry?  I’m the last person you would ever have expected to become involved with writing poetry.  It just started happening while I was writing my “Hey God. Hey John.” conversations.  Over time, I began writing the responses from “God” in a lyrical/poetic format.  It wasn’t something I planned on.  Then after a while, I just started experimenting with standalone poetry.  It’s been about 3 and a half years.

Why do you like to write poetry?  I’m not sure that I like writing poetry all of the time but I do it anyway. To be honest, there are some days when there is nothing more I want to do then sit down are write a poem and then there are days when I dread it. The trick is to write on the days when the words come easy and to write on the days when they don’t.  I suppose, I am more compelled to write a poem instead of actually enjoying the process.  I get a thread in my heart that I have to pull to see where it goes.   I get a phrase or an emotion in my head that I have to get out onto paper or it all starts to drive me a bit mad.   I am honestly stunned that I am still at this.  I thought it was a phase I was going through – but to my surpise writing poetry has become a pillar in my life. Show Quoted Content

Why do you like to write poetry?  I’m not sure that I like writing poetry all of the time but I do it anyway. To be honest, there are some days when there is nothing more I want to do then sit down are write a poem and then there are days when I dread it. The trick is to write on the days when the words come easy and to write on the days when they don’t.  I suppose, I am more compelled to write a poem instead of actually enjoying the process.  I get a thread in my heart that I have to pull to see where it goes.   I get a phrase or an emotion in my head that I have to get out onto paper or it all starts to drive me a bit mad.   I am honestly stunned that I am still at this.  I thought it was a phase I was going through – but to my surpise writing poetry has become a pillar in my life.  

Where did you learn how to do it?  I spend a lot time reading poetry from all genres and time periods.  And I listen to tons of spoken word poets on YouTube and Spotify.  I have always been intrigued by lyrical writing.  When I was a younger (and this is going to make me sound ancient) I loved it when my favorite music artists would include the lyrics in their newest albulm.  I would study their choice in words and marvel at how a couple perfectly placed adjectives could bring a song to life.I guess, that the best teacher for writing poetry has been just doing it.  I have written almost 2000 poems in the last four years.  I’m constantly working on something on my phone, laptop, or coffee house napkin.  The more I write the more connected I have become to my voice.   For me, the thousands of hours I’ve spent writing has taught me the most.  

How did Hey God Hey John get started?  In 2015 I was in the midst of a pretty serious faith and personal crisis, so, I did what any normal adult would do – I started having imaginary conversations with God on Facebook.  At first these conversations began as a way of poking fun at where I was in my life but it quickly transformed into something more meaningful.  I started tackling subjects like doubt, my mental health and how to maintain a hopeful heart in these cold times.  Over time a lot of people stated following my conversations and now I’m have a reader list of nearly 20 k readers who show up to see what “God” and I are talking about.  Last year, I turned the first couple years of my talks with “God” into a book called: “Hey God. Hey John. : What Happens When God Talks Back.  I have been blown away by all the support and kind reviews it has gotten! 

What formats is your book available in? “Hey God. Hey John.” is  available in both softcover and ebook through Amazon. The softcover version can be ordered through just about any bookstore.  
Show Quoted Content

Where did you learn how to do it?  I spend a lot time reading poetry from all genres and time periods.  And I listen to tons of spoken word poets on YouTube and Spotify.  I have always been intrigued by lyrical writing.  When I was a younger (and this is going to make me sound ancient) I loved it when my favorite music artists would include the lyrics in their newest albulm.  I would study their choice in words and marvel at how a couple perfectly placed adjectives could bring a song to life.I guess, that the best teacher for writing poetry has been just doing it.  I have written almost 2000 poems in the last four years.  I’m constantly working on something on my phone, laptop, or coffee house napkin.  The more I write the more connected I have become to my voice.   For me, the thousands of hours I’ve spent writing has taught me the most.  

How did Hey God Hey John get started?  In 2015 I was in the midst of a pretty serious faith and personal crisis, so, I did what any normal adult would do – I started having imaginary conversations with God on Facebook.  At first these conversations began as a way of poking fun at where I was in my life but it quickly transformed into something more meaningful.  I started tackling subjects like doubt, my mental health and how to maintain a hopeful heart in these cold times.  Over time a lot of people stated following my conversations and now I’m have a reader list of nearly 20 k readers who show up to see what “God” and I are talking about.  Last year, I turned the first couple years of my talks with “God” into a book called: “Hey God. Hey John. : What Happens When God Talks Back.  I have been blown away by all the support and kind reviews it has gotten! 

What formats is your book available in? “Hey God. Hey John.” is  available in both softcover and ebook through Amazon. The softcover version can be ordered through just about any bookstore.  

What’s the nicest compliment you’ve ever received?  Over the years I have gotten some really kind feedback from people.  It is more than I deserve.  I’ve had my work read at funerals and weddings, which is always so  humbling.  I’ve had a few people send me pictures of tattoos they have received with my words featured in them.  However,  there is one comment that stands out to me.  There is a person who wrote me from their hospice bed a couple months ago.  This person said that the nurses come into their room a couple of times a day to read my poetry to them.  They said they wanted my words to be some of the last they would ever read.  It wrecked me.  I don’t have an ego when it comes to any of this.  I’m not doing this for fame or (obviously) money.  I write to help sort out the tangled knots in my heart in the hopes that at least one other person will connect with what I am often so clumsily trying to say.  To have someone want to spend their last days with things that I wrote is something beyond anything I would have ever imagined.  

Why do you post your poems on Facebook?  I don’t know. I really don’t.  In the beginning I thought it was a midlife crisis but it has turned into something else. I recognize how narcissistic it looks for me to continual besiege my poor folks on social media with my writing – but I think it keeps me accountable.  It ensures that I edit my poems.  It ensures that I give each piece some thought for them to make sense.  I am constantly surprised that I haven’t been kicked off of Facebook yet.  I post new poems about 5-8 times a week.  Maybe someday I will feel self-conscious enough to stop but right now I’m like Richard Dryfuss’s character in “Close Encounters Of The Third Kind” who becomes obsessed with these mysterious lights in the sky and becomes obsessed with chasing them down.  For me, the mysterious lights are the words floating around my normally empty head that I can’t stop writing.     

What do you write your poems about?  Anything.  From poems about my experiences with depression to current to oboxious birds waking me up before dawn to relationships.  A lot of time I don’t know what the poem is about until it’s over.  I will say that a great deal of my poetry centers around the courage it takes to remain hopeful.   My newest work has been pretty etheral and spiritual – but that could change at any given moment. 

What do you like about having people read your work?  Again, I’m not certain that I like people reading it.  It always makes me feel a bit uncomfortable and vulnerable. Putting my exposed heart out there for the world to read drives my anxiety more than it does my self-esteem.  I just know that my writing journey involves putting it out there as much as I can.  Why?  Because maybe something I am writing will help somebody out there that I wouldn’t normally ever meet.  Maybe I will put an emotion into words that somebody else didn’t know that they were also feeling.  I look at my goal as a writer to tell my reader:  I understand what you are going through.   

Why do you write?  To connect with the jumble of thoughts in my head.  To tell my story.  To maybe help somebody who is reading my work.  And…frankly because I’m not really good at anything else.  Show Quoted Content

Why do you post your poems on Facebook?  I don’t know. I really don’t.  In the beginning I thought it was a midlife crisis but it has turned into something else. I recognize how narcissistic it looks for me to continual besiege my poor folks on social media with my writing – but I think it keeps me accountable.  It ensures that I edit my poems.  It ensures that I give each piece some thought for them to make sense.  I am constantly surprised that I haven’t been kicked off of Facebook yet.  I post new poems about 5-8 times a week.  Maybe someday I will feel self-conscious enough to stop but right now I’m like Richard Dryfuss’s character in “Close Encounters Of The Third Kind” who becomes obsessed with these mysterious lights in the sky and becomes obsessed with chasing them down.  For me, the mysterious lights are the words floating around my normally empty head that I can’t stop writing.     

What do you write your poems about?  Anything.  From poems about my experiences with depression to current to oboxious birds waking me up before dawn to relationships.  A lot of time I don’t know what the poem is about until it’s over.  I will say that a great deal of my poetry centers around the courage it takes to remain hopeful.   My newest work has been pretty etheral and spiritual – but that could change at any given moment. 

What do you like about having people read your work?  Again, I’m not certain that I like people reading it.  It always makes me feel a bit uncomfortable and vulnerable. Putting my exposed heart out there for the world to read drives my anxiety more than it does my self-esteem.  I just know that my writing journey involves putting it out there as much as I can.  Why?  Because maybe something I am writing will help somebody out there that I wouldn’t normally ever meet.  Maybe I will put an emotion into words that somebody else didn’t know that they were also feeling.  I look at my goal as a writer to tell my reader:  I understand what you are going through.   

Why do you write?  To connect with the jumble of thoughts in my head.  To tell my story.  To maybe help somebody who is reading my work.  And…frankly because I’m not really good at anything else.  
What poets do I look up to?  Quite a few – however, I am very new to the poetry scene.  I love Maya Angelou, Mary Oliver, Buddy Wakefield and Phil Kaye.  I am also very much in love with the work of Rumi and the arabic prose of Hafiz. 

Does Ozymandian have any shows coming up?  Not currently – but I’ll keep you updated!