poetry

Angel Baby

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For years this poem was lost. Untitled and written for my best friend who suffered a miscarriage halfway through her pregnancy. There’s a picture of us that was taken about a week before it happened. I have my hand on her belly. Her belly really popped and I was feeling the baby kick. I had not yet had a child myself and could not imagine the despair she was facing. I just knew I wanted to try to help ease some of her pain. I’m not sure if I did. Writing was always my go to. I wrote poems for every occasion, holiday, and birthday. I hadn’t much touched on subjects so heartbreaking as this. I finally found this poem, written on the back of a flyer for 3-year-old bible verses. We taught Sunday school together. I found it in a container with some other collections of things. Old concert tickets, and other mementos. I’m still not sure how it ended up in there. I keep all of my poetry together. This poem was definitely written in a time where I kept notebooks for poems. I’m not sure what possessed me to write it on the back of this flyer, or why it wasn’t stored with my other poems. But now, over a decade has passed and my beautiful best friend had a rainbow baby. Although the pain of losing a child never truly goes away, maybe for a moment, it was kind just to know that someone wished they could take that pain away and do anything to make it hurt less. This is for Kelly, the most amazing mother and friend.

Angel Baby
There are so many things that you don’t understand
It’s hard to imagine they can be a part of God’s plan.
You try to accept what you cannot comprehend
You pray to God to fix what you cannot mend.
You try to be strong, put on a brave face
You wish and hope for your thoughts to erase.
For so long you wanted, for so long you’ve dreamed
It was becoming a reality, or so it seemed.
You have loved enough, you have led a good life
Been a caring mother, and a wonderful wife.
So many blessings have come and yet one was taken
As hard as you try, your universe has been shaken.
You have faith that the blessing will come once more
But you no longer know what God has in store.
You are not alone; you have friends by your side
Someone has lifted up a prayer for every time you’ve cried.
You’re not made of stone; you don’t always have to be strong
When the pieces have crumbled, someone will come along.
God hears your prayers; He knows what you need
He’s with you always, comforting while you grieve.
He’ll give you strength when you feel you have none
Lift your spirits when you’re weary and can’t run.
For it is written, ask and you shall receive
In times of trials, it can be hard to believe.
Your faith, courage, and strength will see you through
And when that’s not enough, know I’m always here for you.

~ Jennifer R. W. Vargas

September, 2010

Music

GRAMMY® CONSIDERATION FOR JENNIFER NETTLES & LINDSAY ELL!

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BOTH CONTRIBUTED SONGS FOR PBS SHOW AMERICAN ANTHEMS

GRAMMY® WINNING JENNIFER NETTLES CONTRIBUTED TRACK “LIFE IS SWEET”; CMA AND ACM-NOMINATED SINGER-SONGWRITER LINDSAY ELL CONTRIBUTED TRACK “LET THE WORDS COME OUT”


Jennifer Nettles and Lindsay Ell are thrilled to be considered for the “Best Song Written for Visual Media” category for their musical contributions to the PBS series, American Anthems. The six-episode music-driven documentary series features the original song “Life Is Sweet” written by GRAMMY® winning Jennifer Nettles and award-winning songwriter Bill Sherman. CMA and ACM-nominated singer-songwriter Lindsay Ell contributed the original track “Let The Words Come Out” which she wrote with GRAMMY® award winning singer-songwriter, producer, and one half of the country music duo Sugarland, Kristian Bush. Please support Jennifer and Lindsay for their songs “Life Is Sweet” and “Let The Words Come Out” when considering your vote for “Best Song Written for Visual Media.”



Each episode of American Anthems follows a different featured country star as they meet a local hero and learn about the transformative experience that inspired their commitment to making a positive change in their community. Then, working with a celebrated songwriter — including Sugarland’s Kristian Bush, and Bill Sherman — the country star secretly turns the hero’s story of kindness, hard work and perseverance into an epic original song. At the end of the episode, the hero is surprised with a once-in-a-lifetime performance of the powerful anthem by the artist while surrounded by family and friends.

Jennifer Nettles & Bill Sherman “Life Is Sweet” – The episode that features the Jennifer Nettles and Bill Sherman song “Life Is Sweet” is centered around Seth Grumet who was diagnosed with cancer. Surrounded by an impenetrable network of family and friends who helped at every step of his journey, it was during this experience that Seth learned just how rare it is to have a community of support. As a result he started an organization called STOMP The Monster™ to provide the kind of support system he relied on so heavily to those who were not as fortunate to have the same. After spending an emotional day with Seth, GRAMMY® winner Jennifer Nettles drew out the incredible acts of kindness and hope from his story to write a song in Seth’s honor with award-winning composer Bill Sherman. Performing the soaring anthem about Seth’s life in front of his family and friends, Jennifer left a surprised audience without a dry eye in the house. Listen to “Life Is Sweet” on Spotify HERE. Watch the Jennifer Nettles episode of American Anthems HERE.

Lindsay Ell & Kristian Bush “Let the Words Come Out” – The episode that features the Lindsay Ell and Kristian Bush song “Let the Words Come Out” is centered around Greta McClain, a former police detective in the sexual assault division who survived a horrible sexual assault of her own. While dealing with the self-imposed shame, Greta began talking with other survivors on social media and decided to start Silent No Longer, an organization that provides support for survivors of sexual abuse. Country star Lindsay Ell, also a survivor of sexual assault, instantly bonds with Greta as they engage in a day of creative therapy. After learning about Greta’s service to her community, Lindsay and her close friend, singer/songwriter Kristian Bush of Sugarland, craft an electric country rock anthem for Greta to use as the fight song in her mission of caring. Listen to “Let The Words Come Out” on Spotify HERE. Watch the Lindsay Ell episode of American Anthems HERE.

poetry

My Best Friend

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My Best Friend

The morning is greeted by the sun’s first kiss
and I am embraced by the light that exists.
The noon says goodbye and welcomes the night
Not always together, but still close in sight.
The night devours the day, holds on to the dark
It tries to hang on, but there’s a journey to embark.
The summer’s joy has left, faded away
but in my heart, you forever stay.
The leaves of Autumn fall like rain from the sky
In hardship I can always find you nearby.
The Winter’s cold gets harder to sustain
and every day I know that you will remain.
Death has fled and life is welcomed by Spring
Through sorrow I know happiness you bring.
A seed is planted, with water it grows
Starts out small, but the love always shows.
Through nature we see the patterns all around
and in nature my best friend I have found.
The changes can be vast but you stay as you are
and if ever apart, it won’t seem so very far.
When you look up we see the same candle in the air
The cool breeze of dusk we will still share.
Distance could not keep such friends apart
and all the love for you grows deeper in my heart.
Nature has shown me the strengths of a friend
Whom I will have the rest of my life with to spend.

~ Jennifer R. W. Vargas

September 2, 2005

Age 18. Written in 2005 while at college. Seeds are meant to highlight the beginning of a friendship. For reference the candle in the air is referencing the sun. I tend to write in the form of nature to tie together the message I want to convey by relating it to the things around. There’s a dual meaning between nature and friendship.

Uncategorized

“CMA FEST” BRINGS SUMMER’S HOTTEST HITMAKERS CENTERSTAGE WEDNESDAY, AUG. 3 AT 8/7c ON ABC 

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The Music Event of Summer Unveils Set List of 30 Performances  
From Today’s Top Music Stars 

“CMA Fest” is Hosted by Dierks Bentley and Elle King 

Watch a Sneak Peek of “CMA Fest” HERE 

NASHVILLE— With just one week before “CMA Fest” airs on screens across America, the Country Music Association reveals the set list of top hits that will be performed during the Music Event of Summer
Wednesday, Aug. 3 at 8/7c on ABC and available next day on Hulu. The primetime network special features Dierks Bentley and Elle King as first-time hosts. Catch a sneak peek of “CMA Fest” HERE. 

The television special was filmed during the 49th CMA Fest in June at Nissan Stadium in Nashville and features 30 performances of well-known hits performed by the most recognized names in music – all in one night. Viewers can expect performances of the below songs on Aug. 3: 

Jason Aldean – “She’s Country” and “Trouble With A Heartbreak” 
Kelsea Ballerini – “HEARTFIRST” and “half of my hometown” 
Dierks Bentley – “Drunk On A Plane”  
Brothers Osborne – “Skeletons” 
Kane Brown – “Like I Love Country Music” and “One Mississippi”  
Luke Bryan - “Kick The Dust Up” 
Luke Combs – “Beer Never Broke My Heart” and “The Kind Of Love We Make” 
Billy Ray Cyrus and Dierks Bentley – “Achy Breaky Heart” 
Russell Dickerson – “Love You Like I Used To” 
Wynonna Judd with Carly Pearce - “Why Not Me” 
Elle King – “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” 
Elle King with Ashley McBryde – “Ex’s & Oh’s”  
Lady A – “Summer State Of Mind” 
Lady A featuring BRELAND – “Need You Now” 
Dustin Lynch featuring MacKenzie Porter - “Thinking ‘Bout You” 
Parker McCollum – “To Be Loved By You” 
Old Dominion - “No Hard Feelings” 
Thomas Rhett – “Slow Down Summer” and medley of “Get Me Some Of That,” “It Goes Like This” and “Vacation” 
Darius Rucker - “Wagon Wheel” 
Cole Swindell - “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” 
Cole Swindell with Lainey Wilson – “Never Say Never” 
Carrie Underwood – “Ghost Story” and “Good Girl” 
Zac Brown Band – “Out In The Middle” 
Zac Brown Band with Darius Rucker - “Chicken Fried”  

“CMA Fest” is executive produced by Robert Deaton.  

About CMA Fest  
The Ultimate Country Music Fan Experience™ began in 1972 as Fan Fair®, which drew 5,000 fans to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium. Now heading into its 50th year, the legendary festival has become the city’s signature Country Music event that hosts tens of thousands of fans from all 50 states and 39 international countries. CMA Fest is a one-of-a-kind festival with artists donating their time to perform so ticket proceeds can directly benefit high-quality music programs across the country through the CMA Foundation. 2022 marks the 19th consecutive year CMA has produced a summer music program to be broadcast as a network television special.  

About ABC Entertainment   
ABC Entertainment’s compelling programming includes “Grey’s Anatomy,” the longest-running medical drama in primetime television; ratings juggernaut “The Bachelor” franchise; riveting dramas “Big Sky,” “The Good Doctor,” “A Million Little Things,” “The Rookie” and “Station 19”; trailblazing comedies “Abbott Elementary,” “The Conners,” “The Goldbergs,” “Home Economics” and “The Wonder Years”; popular game shows, including “The $100,000 Pyramid,” “Celebrity Family Feud,” “The Chase,” “Press Your Luck” and “To Tell the Truth”; star-making sensation “American Idol”; “Judge Steve Harvey,” the network’s strongest unscripted series debut in a year; reality phenomenon “Shark Tank”; family favorites “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “Holey Moley”; “General Hospital,” which has aired for more than 55 years on the network; and late-night talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”; as well as the critically acclaimed, Emmy® Award-winning “Live in Front of a Studio Audience” specials. The network also boasts some of television’s most prestigious awards shows, including “The Oscars®,” “The CMA Awards” and the “American Music Awards.”  

ABC programming can also be viewed on Hulu. 

Interviews

Interview: Belles Performs at 1st CMA Fest, New Music Coming!

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CMA Fest was finally back after a three year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic. It was an especially exciting time as it marked the first time Belles was able to perform during the 4 day music festival in Nashville, TN. Hailing from Nebraska, Belles has spent three years on the road with Jojo Siwa.

As a new solo artist, Belles told Variety Beat about the transition from a duo (formerly with her mom, her brother also plays drums for her!). Writing constantly, it felt only natural to become more of a solo focus. With her family’s full support, she is starting to show the world what she can do. Her mother and brother still perform with her at shows as part of her band.

Belles loves spending time off with an adorable pup and even takes time to knit in her spare time. She told us about a time where there was a collision with a camel, some amazing songwriters she’s been working with, her latest single “He Gave Me a Ring,” and that she has new music coming out in just a few weeks!

Check out our interview below and her latest single! Stay tuned for new music from Belles, coming soon!

WATCH- BELLES INTERVIEW AT CMA FEST 2022

Watch- OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR “HE GAVE ME A RING”

Connect with Belles

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