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The Stories Behind the Songs
Shakin Things Up
I can't tell you how many times in the last ten years I have
almost given up on this crazy dream. The morning before I wrote "Shakin Things Up", I was on
the verge of quitting and moving back to Texas to get a "real" job. Suddenly,
from out of nowhere, came this declaration of determination in a song that literally
changed the course of my life. Three months later "Shakin things Up" got me my
first publishing deal and soon after was recorded as a title track by Lorrie
Morgan. To this day, I lean on these words to remind me who I am.
He Reminds Me Of Texas
Late one afternoon, Marchetti and I were sitting on our front porch on McKennie
Avenue trying to come up with a new song when a larger than life character came
swaggering over spitting out ya'lls and tall tales. Within five minutes we were
friends forever and I was transported back in time to the beautifully wild landscape
of my youth. Before his boots hit the pavement going back across the street,
I said to Mark "God, He reminds me of Texas!" The minute the words came out of
my mouth we knew we were on to something and by the end of the day we had captured
my thoughts in a song. I always say that one of the best things about living
in Nashville was that I was always missing Texas and writing about it. Thanks
Billy.
Over The Borderline
Although I had the longing and desire to make an imprint as an artist, I was
still lacking in the courage and confidence to follow through. I found my greatest
source of inspiration to keep going as I learned more about my family's rich
legacy, starting with my great- grandfather Manuel Anaya Urbina. With nothing
more than a vision of hope he crossed "over the borderline" from Mexico into
Texas in 1901 in search of a better life. As I began to understand and realize
the sacrifices he made yeas ago, I was filled with a great passion and conviction
to tell his story and carve out my soul in song.
La Reyna De Los Angeles
My feisty, spicy and sometimes even mean little abuelita Virginia Urbina Jones
called me up one day out of the blue to abruptly announce that she was dying.
I immediately caught the first plane to San Antonio and had the most profound
and beautiful experience of my life. Although we had fought on and off for years,
her passing brought everything into perspective, and me to her side. Those last
few days we shared nothing but love for each other amidst laughter and tears.
I had the great honor of mid-wifing her from this world to the next and holding
her hand as she drew her last breath. The day before she passed I wrote the first
verse of this song for her and sang it to her at her bedside. She laughed because
we both knew she was and is "La Reyna De Los Angeles."
Down To Mexico
As a child I fondly remember my grandparents' eyes glazing over as they told
stories of Mexico. It was as if they found a long lost freedom in reliving their
memories of days gone by. Soon after my grandmother died I spent three months
rediscovering my Mexican roots and finding that same freedom in the simpler things
in life south of the border.
Train Of Thought
Traveling by bus into the interior of Mexico I stared out the window across the
landscape and wept as this song came through me. I realized as I wrote the words
that no matter "where I go or what I do" the spirits of those I love have been
and will always be with me.
Old Friend
While in Luckenbach performing at a benefit, I ran into an old friend from Fredricksburg,
who had been one of the first people to recognize my talent years ago. I had
shared my first penned song with him at the age of 15 and he had asked me to
sing in his band. Our history was rich and deep and as we sat at an old picnic
table catching up on each others lives he shared that both his parents had recently
passed. For the next few hours, it was as if all the years apart had faded away.
That night this song started pouring out of me and I raced to Fredericksburg
the next morning to write it with my "Old Friend" Duane Weinheimer.
AYAYAY·
Late one night as I was sitting on my front porch my next door neighbor Mary
Werth came floating over to talk about the passionate crush she had on a co-worker.
As the details unfolded she yelled out "Ay ay ay ay· I can't get her out
of my mind" and we were off and running. Conveniently living in the apartment
upstairs and always up for a good tune Marchetti joined us to write this lusty
sentiment.
Left of Center
I remember many days in Nashvegas when folks would say, "Stephanie your writing
is just a little too left of center." This of course used to piss me off. So
one night Marchetti and I shot back with this quirky little love song. We had
a hoot telling this kooky story about two characters who find happy ever after
just off the beaten path.
I am Home
A few years back, my then boyfriend and I were having some heavy talks about
marriage. Having come from divorced parents I was incredibly afraid of commitment.
That night all my insecurities surfaced as he declared his readiness to take
the next step. I went to bed that night asking God to lead my heart to an answer.
I woke up around two a.m. to write "I am Home" in one hour. This song embodies
my love and commitment to my husband who is to this day my greatest answered
prayer.
God Loves It When we Dance
One night, Marchetti and I got into a deep discussion about politics and religion.
Marchetti cut through the tension by saying, "You know what Billy Joe Shaver
says: God Loves It When We Dance!" We laughed till all hours of the morning carving
out this one. . As far back as I can remember I was two-steppin' across sawdust
floors. To me, dancing is just another way of celebrating life.
Adios Mi Amigo
After four years of being a staff writer I felt led to ask out of my deal with
Sony/ATV Tree to pursue my dream as a recording artist. I was and am grateful
to the Nashville community for giving me an education and respect for storytelling
and it was with this in mind that I wrote this one for my mentor, publisher and
great songwriting talent Jim Mc Bride. Little did I know that only a few months
later my abuelita would pass and I would discover a deeper meaning in the spirit
of this song. Honoring her memory and those who have come before, I recorded "Adios
Mi Amigo" with my friends El Mariachi Azteca and finally realized my childhood
dream.
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