I was born May 31, 1980, the youngest of three children, in Harrison, Arkansas. I began doing pageants at age 3, and started the talent portion of them by age 4. At age 6, during a talent show, Mr. Warren Stokes was watching and asked if I'd like to join his country music show in Eureka Springs, AR. I began working there three nights a week, while attending public school in Harrison. 

I worked there for 3 years before joining the Blackwood Brothers Quartet in Branson, Missouri. After working there a while, I was invited to join a new group called the Young Branson Stars, performing six days a week. Shortly before performing there, I wrote my first song, entitled "Hold Me" at age 12 while listening to a music box in my Grandmother's basement. I later performed it with the Young Branson Stars. After working with the group for three years, I decided to focus on my last three years of high school and continue my music career afterwards.

I wouldn't trade those years for anything. I was a captain of the cheerleading squad, an editor of the high school newspaper, participated in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as an All-Star cheerleader, and was elected Homecoming Queen. I also had a little time to focus more on my songwriting, and discovered that I enjoyed that as much as I did singing.

At age 16, I started an Internet business called "Thoughts Expressed," where I custom wrote songs for individuals using their thoughts and feelings. That was the beginning of my love for internet businesses. :-)

After graduating high school in 1998, I received an academic scholarship to the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas. I attended for one year, and was elected into Alpha Sigma Alpha. But all I could think about was how much I wanted to write songs. 

In 1999, I moved 8 hours from home to Nashville, TN to further my songwriting career. I lived there for 8 months, and met so many people that have become influential in my career. I was elected into ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) and later joined NSAI (Nashville Songwriters' Association International).

In March of 2000, I moved back to Harrison and decided to take a break from music. I wanted to try out the "normal life" and got a job working on the web for FedEx Freight in Harrison, AR. However, after working 40 hour weeks and realizing that I was far from the life I wanted to have, I made a decision to get back into music.

On May 13, 2002, I began performing again full time at a country music show called the Ozark Mountain Hoe Down in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. I've been blessed with a job that I absolutely love and look forward to everyday. The show is fantastic and I couldn't ask for better people. I'm working with outstanding musicians, as well as some excellent songwriters. I also met the man I always hoped I'd meet, along with the additional blessing of his daughter who was 6 at the time we met. It's awesome to get to work together every day with someone you love so much, and also have your family on stage, too! Come see us! Visit www.hoedown.net for ticket and show schedule information.

Since then, I've realized that growing up means growing "into" your life...not adjusting it to what everyone else thinks it should be. I also realized that God creates my paths...not me! I realized I love music, children, working hard, playing hard...and that I like my life even if it's different than the normal life. :-) I've added more businesses when others thought I was too busy, and adopted a child when everyone else thought I was crazy...and my life is just perfect! I do my best to answer what God asks of me, and I feel very blessed every day to live this life He has given me!

Fun Facts

Height:
4'11"

Hair:
Blonde....ok...Striped :-)

Eyes:
Blue

Birthday:
May 31, 1980

Sign:
Gemini
(Libra Rising, Capricorn Moon!)

Siblings:
Two brothers: Jamey is 8 years older than me, and Scott is 10 years older than me.

Favorite Music:
Brian McKnight, Liittle Big Town, Joss Stone, Karla Bonoff, Keith Urban, Chris Rice, Brandon Heath, Avalon, Rascal Flatts, David Wilcox, Michael McDonald...too many to name! Music matches my mood for the day.

Favorite Color:
Blue (and Pink, and Green, and Purple)

Favorite Place to Go:
Fort Walton Beach, FL

Children:
Rannie (1995), Kaylie (2001), Nash (2009)

Pets:
Dora (our outside kitty)
Emmylou (our Maltipoo...and the only animal I'm not allergic to! ha ha)

Hobbies:
Being with my family and friends, Singing, Songwriting, Web Designing, Swimming, Water Skiing, Tennis, Basketball, Golf (ok...this is a new one for me!), and just hanging out with a few good friends.

Favorite Foods:
Mexican Food!
Dad's Stir Fry and Italian food
Mom's Tater Soup and Thanksgiving Dressing
Chocolate Pie!!
(There's not a lot I DON'T like to eat!)

Favorite Season:
Summer

Favorite Holiday:
Christmas

More Fun Facts:
* My Dad and my oldest brother, Scott, are both pilots.
* My other brother, Jamey, is also a singer/songwriter.
* My mom is my best friend and pretty much gave up her life to encourage and support mine. THANK YOU is never enough!
* My dad is the greatest man on this earth...you've never met a more generous and kind guy. (I think he had this planned so no man could ever measure up! HA HA.)
* My grandma (my dad's mother) was a tightrope walker in the circus when she was young.
* My "Pa" and "Granny" (my mother's parents) are big bluegrass fans! Pa had 9 brothers and sisters and most of them play a bluegrass instrument!
* My Dad's brothers and sisters all play music and sing. My Uncle Kenny plays an EXCELLENT Dobro!
* I've been fortunate in my life to have many friends...but I have one friend that has been there for me since kindergarten. Not everyone can say they have a "lifetime friend", but I can! She is also a Gemini and her birthday is one week after mine. Love ya, Bonni!
* There is one person that I have met in the past few years that has made me feel the kind of love that I had only felt for my children until the past few years. This person is also my best friend, makes me laugh and cry, turns my world upside down and sideways, and keeps me hoping it will never stop! LOVE YOU!