Postcards From Texas and Beyond

It ain't every day your favorite artist flies you, your mom, and some of your best friends out to a show in Austin, TX, the live music capitol, for a private album release event. Because I had to keep it a secret for 6 weeks, here are allll the details.

Six weeks prior to this concealed, private event, Miranda Lambert's team emailed me along with about 12-15 other fans for a private event in Austin, Texas. We collectively did not believe it was real and some of us even thought it was a raffle selection. After fans confirmed its legitimacy with her band, her manager, and everyone in between- we found out we had actually gotten hand picked by Miranda and her team for this event. 

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge ML fan. I have grown up following her and going to various shows- the fan in me has grown since I first heard Gunpowder & Lead at 6 to going to my first show when I was 11 to meeting her for the first time when I was 14. Nearly half of my life has been spent going to her concerts and 17 shows later, the excitement still feels like it did in 2014. 

The suspense of not knowing who would be at the event- both among the fans and the team- was building up as we got closer and closer to August 23, 2024. Upon receiving the email, we were granted a plus one. To no surprise, it was my mama. She has been to just about every ML show with me, whether a birthday trip, a road trip, or a surprise ticket- we had gone together since our first show on August 23, 2014... meaning this show was exactly 10 years to the day of our first. From the back row of the lawn to the front row of a 200 person honky tonk... Miranda caters to everyone in the crowd. Her discography has stood the test of time. Her crowd feels the passion in the lyrics, just as we did 10 years ago and her audience did 20 years ago at her first label showcase. This honky tonk show was no different than that- authentic. 

​We were all surprised with a special happy hour prior to the show where we got to talk with Miranda, and we got to experience the joy of her team and family as Miranda returned to her roots to honor her home state, new album, and newly established label- Big Loud Texas, in collaboration with Republic Records and Big Loud. My expectation of the concert portion was that it would be a few acoustic songs with maybe one other band member, yet it was so much more. Her full band packed the tiny stage, in addition to two extremely special honky tonk heroes- Jack Ingram and Jon Randall, who were a huge part in The Marfa Tapes record along with many other songs we know and love.

Not only was the fangirl in me so struck with pure happiness, but the aspiring industry official was as well. The mutual respect between Miranda and her team, along with the fans, represents what I want to do for the rest of my life and what I have known I've wanted since I was young. Talking with her manager leaves me speechless each time because of their rapport and drive to stay true to themselves. Marion has gone out of her way for fans just as Miranda has. She remembers me as the girl in 2019 who met Miranda because she saw a few fans and invited them backstage at MuttMarch to meet them, which is still so special to me.

​This event was the perfect depiction of honoring Miranda's desire to remain true to her roots. It also tested my ability to tryyy and remain collected in a room full of industry officials as soon as my favorite artist of walked in. It was a good balance of professional and fangirl, if I may say so myself. 

Returning to the timeline of the event, none of us had said a word to each other about it as it was intended to remain confidential. When Miranda posted about the event the morning of, reading the comments equated to opening gifts on Christmas Day. My friend Cambry was there. My friend Allie was there. Some friends I had met at shows years ago were there. A fan from the UK was even flown out, and we instantly clicked when serendipitously meeting in the lobby the next morning. I easily could have spent hours at the coffee shop chatting with her the next day. Bonding with others over this event was one of the most beautiful components of it. While I had known a few fans, there were a few I had never interacted with and now I have new states I intend to visit. It was the perfect blend of meeting new people while growing the bonds with long lost friends I have met all over the country at these shows. 

Team ML putting us all in one hotel was hilarious to me..I'm sure the staff enjoyed us for the weekend as we were all meeting for the first time. We all grew closer over our love of music and this one musician whose art has been a cornerstone in our lives. We went around the city with a handful of new friends after the show and it was an adventure the full weekend, beyond just the blissful memory of the show. Some of us got to share stories in our pajamas in the lobby and relate over what music can mean in someone's life. Songs ranging from The "House That Built Me" to "Automatic" to "Pretty Bitchin'" have all gotten us back on our feet when needed. 

During the pre-show happy hour, we got to hangout with other fans and her team while we waited for her to come out. Miranda always makes it so easy to talk to- she listened to our stories, she hugged us tight and thanked us for being such longterm fans. Some fans can be scared to meet their favorite artist due to their perception of them changing- that has never been the case with ML. She genuinely is an artist who is even sweeter to meet than imagined. My personal highlight, aside from finally seeing my mom meet her after selflessly bringing me to all of the shows, was showing Miranda my tattoo. 

If you do not know, my forearm tattoo reads "it's only worth the time you put in", which is a lyric from her song "Automatic". I have not publicly shared the story of the lyric but I have shared the story of getting it written out and how that was a once in a lifetime encounter as well. That article is from 2019 if you want to go back and read it! (Miranda has read it!) 

This lyric represents my upbringing and my parent's strongest value, which my brother and I were raised on. It represents my grandparents and is one of my most fond yet last moment with my grandpa before he unexpectedly passed away. My grandparents were the highlight of my brother and I's childhood. Their character and value are instilled in us and this lyric will always bring me back to my kitchen table talks with them. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about Yiayia and Paupou. There is so much more to this story, mainly due to the fact that it continues to grow, but this is its main origin. 

After meeting Miranda in 2019 and telling her the story of my grandpa, I got it tattooed in 2021. This tattoo kept me going through my bodybuilding prep, studying for exams, through deciding to turn down music business opportunities because of people not aligning with my values, through hard times I did not anticipate getting past, one of which actually had an anniversary the week following this show- Aug. 28. This date also happened to be the anniversary of the first time Miranda played the Stubb's stage. Synchronicity and God's timing! There have been times where I insist on wearing long sleeves because I do not feel as though I live up to the lyric's intent, but then I remember I have to continuously work to fulfill it- hence its meaning. 

Nothing is handed. Everything has to be earned in order for there to be true value. 

As if there were not enough full circle moments through this, Miranda ended up posting my tattoo the day after the anniversary of my hard memory. My photo was the last one on the post and the last line of the caption correlated perfectly in a way that was as if the narrative was completely shifting from what this day once meant to me. Although probably a coincidence, it is also a God moment.

The cocktail hour had concluded and we made our way downstairs. Miranda's setlist was so beautifully crafted. The first half being new releases off the album mixed in with some recent singles, flowing into The Marfa Tapes surprise, and finishing with some fan favorites and #1 singles. Starting the show with "Bitch on The Sauce" was not on my bingo card but it really set the tone for the night- a wide array of emotions. It is hard to be in Miranda's presence and not laugh- whether it's her jokes between songs or her debut of "Armadillo"- which is a story of an Armadillo from Amarillo with a doobie, a coldie, and a koozie... 

Due to the show's relaxed nature, Miranda got to interact with fans from the stage, crack jokes, and even tell stories both of the songs and of life... in addition to a tequila shot with a new friend! During The Marfa Tapes, a new friend asked me to get the trio to sign her vinyl. I simply held the sharpie in my hand and noticed Jon nod, then Miranda wink, and suddenly the vinyl was on stage. Miranda reached over and got them to sign it then I passed it back. Miranda then shared how much it means to them to have had that record embraced as much as it was. If you have not yet listened, it is a record that is not of this generation and is one of its kind, having a song for everyone mixed in. 

The journey through the setlist built up anticipation for her record, Postcards from Texas (9/13), with songs ranging from a free spirit falling in love, literally setting a man's belongings on fire, to a well-anticipated, heartfelt solo-write that has been sitting in her back pocket since 2015, which is guaranteed to make "Tin Man" and "Carousel" seem like a walk in the park regarding emotions.

This show captivated what it is to be at a Miranda Lambert show and it was quintessential of her career, as well as a recapitulation of who she is at her core. Austin's charm was woven into the charm of the night, even as we were leaving when a stranger asked to take our polaroid... thanks polaroid.atx on Instagram for the rad memory...the kind ya gotta shake.  

Joy was floating throughout the room as laughter and new friends all came together. The synchronicities only added to the experience. While viewing the show, it was hard to not picture Scotty Wray on stage with her. His presence was evident and his influence carries through this record. He was there in spirit and man, would he have been proud to see this show. 

Postcards from Atlantic City

The story did not end in Texas...let's travel to New Jersey! Prior to finding out about the Aug 23 show, my friend in New York told me she was going to the New Jersey show on the 31st and, without hesitation, my ticket was instantly purchased. 

While still riding the high from Texas, this weekend beat all expectations as well. The aforementioned friend is one of my first close RanFan friends. We had actually met at a show in Connecticut almost 8 years to the day of meeting up. After the 2016 show, we connected on Instagram and have consistently stayed in touch. She brought her mama and, of course, I brought mine so it was a girls weekend!

The show took place that Saturday and we decided to start our day with coffee and a walk on the boardwalk. A casual stroll turned into 5 miles as we got caught up in talking and casually running into Miranda. 

This encounter set the tone for yet another great weekend. On our walk, I jokingly said "I will manifest we run into Miranda"... as soon as we look up from saying that, the manifestation became reality. 

A full disclaimer- we wanted the encounter to be low-key and respectful by giving her an out if she did not want to be interrupted, and we ended up having a great conversation with her. Her and her husband, Brendan, recognized me as "the girl with the adorable tattoo in Austin". As previously mentioned about Miranda posting my tattoo, I told her about the synchronicity of posting it on an a difficult anniversary and how the narrative was shifted through these memories making up for that one. 

You know what was even better? She was wearing a shirt that said Shelly, which is an Adam Hood merch shirt. Shelley is my 14 year old Aussie rescue I adopted last year who is my absolute best friend and soulmate in dog form. So... another synchronicity.

My friend got to have a conversation with Miranda as well before we took our picture. There were so many aligning moments in this conversation that even Miranda pointed it out. Getting to experience something like this is already a blessing, but even more so when you get to experience it with a great friend. It felt full circle for us to meet her together 8 years after initially meeting.

Moving onto the night of the show- there were people from the TX show as well as other big fans so it felt like another reunion. Adam Hood opened and it sure does feel cozy whenever an opener stands on stage solo accompanied by their guitar. The magnitude of his performance caught the attention of everyone. Gradually through his set, the cheers became louder and louder. His style of country is one that is timeless, effortless, and bound to draw the attention of the industry. 

Miranda's set was just as fiery as always. It was stunning to hear the songs with full production this weekend that I had heard more acoustic the weekend prior. The duality of these events shed new light on all of the songs performed- such as the collaboration between Adam and Miranda when they surprised the crowd with a "Silver Wings" by Merle Haggard cover...my friend and I could not pick our jaws up off the floor. The vocals were astonishing and elegant, as always. 

Throughout the show, of course we had the time of our lives. We danced and sang throughout the set and then it was time for "Automatic". I do not recall ever smiling so big during that song as that night. Throughout the years, the song that once made me cry every time has turned into the song that makes me smile the hardest. As the song was coming to a close, I notice Miranda glancing around the crowd. It was surely either delusion or wishful thinking until the final line when she spotted us and pointed across the general admission section with such intention that I got texts after the show of people noticing that moment. 

I had searched high and wide for a video, both to commemorate it and to see if it was delusion or reality. I found MusicPane, a local concert update account on Instagram, had live-streamed it and captured it. Make sure to give them a follow for some local updates! I am so thankful someone captured it. 

Through multiple great weekends back to back, it proved that experiences like these are puzzle pieces to the manager I will be, the music journalist I am, and the fan I have always, and will always, be. I am so eager to step into a music industry position after what I have seen and been a part of in August. It will be all gas and no brakes once I have my diploma next summer. I hope to give future fans the same feeling as these events have given so many of us. 

Next stop: Music for Mutts in Nashville on October 5th... favorite artist, favorite venue, favorite city. 

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