Amy Hughes: Blog

So it makes me sad, and happy at the same time. You know the feeling...
I know a break right now is what I SHOULD be doing, hell I'm almost 7 months pregnant. (it's quite hilarious looking by the way) It got to the point when doing a simple hour set on stage made me so exhausted and dehydrated I needed the full next day to recover. MAN! So yeah, I'm sad because I'll miss the boys for the next couple months. And I'll miss playing the songs and jamming. But this has been such a great opportunity for new songs to come popping into my head, like they usually do when things slow down. I've already got three of them rolling around right now. We'll be back, no fear, we'll just be absent for a few months. In fact, behind the scenes we'll be recording the next album just so we can come back with a bang... how's that for perfect timing???
SO- baby Hughes is officially Jackson Fisher Hughes now. Jackson is from the Johnny Cash song... Fisher was my husband's idea- named for the Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher. YES- I'm serious. :D And that was his tame idea. If it were up to him our kid would be named Vince Young Hughes. You think I'm kidding....
Even though I can still sing, (Jackson actually enjoys music quite a bit!!) I think this break from playing live shows is just what the doctor ordered. And in a few months I'll be back with baby in tow, cranking out the sound again.
Quick short story before I go.... at one of our last shows, the opening band (ROSENWALL< LOVE THOSE GUYS) was warming up. Me and Jason were chilling eating our Taco Bell getting ready for our sound check. Justin (Rosenwall's drummer) was doing his check on all his drums, and got to the point where he kicks the bass drum...over and over and over. Well, apparently Jackson liked it...because he decided to kick the shit out of my stomach, in succession- right on beat, three times in a row along with Justin!! Needless to say I looked at Jason and freaked...it was hilarious. So whether my husband wants to admit it or not... our little Hughes is gonna be a MUSIC MAN!!

Ok- see y'all soon, y'all don't forget about little old me (ok not so little right now)...

~ah

Well, it's been a long long time, I know! I've got tons of news to share.
First off I want to make sure to give you guys an update on the new upcoming cd! We're starting recording with Stormy Cooper here on the 26th and 27th of February, so I can't wait until that ball gets rolling. For those of you that have come to a show lately, you know how amped up the music has become- and that's just how the cd will be. Some of the new stuff will be on there- yes, of course you're favorites will be there. Crazy, Over You, Empty... all there. Also, we're thinking of putting Bobby McGee on there. What do y'all think??? I'm pretty psyched about it, especially since that's our most requested cover song at our shows.
Another thing...we were recently on Fox 26 News, back in January. It was so much fun! Of course we had to wake up at the crack of dawn and get to the station... I had a little incident trying to u-turn with a trailer on my truck- it was horrible. It took me 20 minutes. But then again, I never said I knew how to back up a trailer either! Joey had to come and finish the job for me, thank goodness HE knew what he was doing! Other than that the morning went smooth, and Rueben was totally cool. We're hoping to get back in there as soon as the new cd is out, so be looking for that! We'll keep you updated.
Oh! Also, we got new t-shirts, and new stickers, AND we got a new online storefront! It's under construction right now, but keep checking back, that's gonna be up soon so you guys can get you some D7 merch!!!
Well, that's pretty much it. I'll make sure to write again soon, so I can keep you guys all in the loop!

~ah

Hey y'all. I'm really tired. But of course that's to be expected traveling to Ft. Worth, then home, then to College Station all in one weekend!!! It was incredible. Listen to all the stuff that happened: amazing!
So Thursday, we drive out to Ft. Worth so that we can play the Cystic Fibrosis Benefit at River Ranch there at the Stockyards. Next thing I know I'm introducing myself to Walt Wilkins (eek!), Bonnie Bishop, Matt Powell (HOLY CRAP WADE BOWEN'S OLD GUITAR PLAYER!), Jason Allen and the guys of the South First Band- who are the most amazing, incredible people I've ever met. So Bonnie and Matt played right next to me on the stage, and Matt jammed out to my songs, and sang back up. He was so slick. Pictures of that should be up soon on the site. ;o) Then at the end of it all, we chilled and ate Hooters and drank way too much with Jeff, Warren, Paul, and Stephen of the South First. The guys got me to mess with Stephen all night and call him Stephenie, hope he didn't get too offended. (hehee) You know I'm a sucker for teasing.
The next morning I went to 95.9 The Ranch with the guys and watched them do an interview and sing their new release "Like the Movies." It was truly great. Oh and Beeritos is the coolest thing I've ever seen by the way. (Beer and Burritos at 8 in the morning!! egad!!) No, I didn't drink the beer. Only ate the burritos. (cause as you all know all I have to do is read the label on the back of the beer to get drunk hehe)
After it was all said and done, we walked around the Stockyards, got some peanut butter fudge, a bad ayss belt buckle and found out that my cracked boots are unsalvageable. boo. I'm gonna have to spend some cash to get new ones. (that sucks)
Saturday, we were off to College Station to Fitz's for our first show out there. We were with Scooter Brown, who is an amazing singer and songwriter by the way... and I have to say, I love that friggin' town. College Station was good to us, and rest assured we're going back soon.
Besides the drive home at 4am and all the drama with peoples cars getting towed and other such stupidity, it really ended up to be a great weekend. Lots of eye opening situations, and wonderful new friends. And on top of it all we got a new manager!! His name's Ben, he's so cool and watch out girls, he's super cute... So much happened that I have about a million new songs in my head now for the experience!
Man, in a nutshell, this was a hell of a weekend. For all the good, the bad, the ugly- the miles were worth it, and I can't wait to do it again!
There's so many more details that I can't even fit on here, I'll tell you guys all about it at the Gary's show...
See you at the show~

~ah

Hello again everyone!!!

So here's the scoop. November 16th is our show at Gary's, you've read about that in my other blog. You know, the one where we have to go out and make a statement?? The one where everyone needs to be at so that I can play there again!?!? Ok~ so here's the deal. We're selling tickets for that show. $4 tickets, so supercheap. AND... the tickets have my damn name on them ( YOU CAN"T GET BETTER THAN THAT PEOPLE!! ) so cool. Anyway, it's more expensive at the door that night so if I were you I'd buy 'em from me. Or from Jason, or Kevin, or Tim. Either way, whatever. It's cheaper from us than from Gary. haha.
So if you want one... or a few hundred.... give me a call, or if I'm not gonna see you before then and you still really really want some, have no fear!! I've got them available on SHOWCLIX Website for $4 still. If you get them off that website, your tickets will be waiting at the door of Gary's with your name on them, you just tell George your name and walk right on in.

BAD ASS!!

I'D BETTER SEE YOU THERE PEOPLE-NOV 16th AT GARY'S SPOT BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!!!

haha
~ah

Holy crap, man, I'm so excited. I just can't believe the luck. So here I am worried to pieces that going back to school would make my music stop and to my sheer happiness, I've gotten a few kick ass shows instead!!
November 1st I'm headlining... yes you read that right people... HEADLINING with Bonnie Bishop, Adam Hood, and Trent Summar at River Run in Fort Worth, TX for the Cystic Fibrosis Benefit!!! HOLY CRAP!! They want me on stage, song swapping with these greats in TX music. If I don't die from nervousness, I'm gonna have to sing my ass off next to Bonnie Bishop, that girl is incredible. For those of you that don't know, this foundation is EXTREMELY close to my heart. I was born with Cystic Fibrosis, which is a genetic lung disease that also affects the pancreas. It's pretty cool that they wanted me to come out so that I can show all the kiddos and adults out there that you CAN live with CF and fulfill your dreams at the same time. I have to work a bit harder than most people at keeping up my health, but hell- it's worth it in the long run to get to play on the stage and sing my songs. It's even better when I see people singing right along!! So, for me- for the CF Foundation- if you can, please make it out to this show in Fort Worth. It is a HUGE deal to me and an ENORMOUS honor to be able to be a part of it.
Right after that it's our very first show out in College Station. *whoop!!* Ahh, I love that town. Born there, raised on Aggie pride, man I've got maroon running through these little veins of mine. This show is one I've wanted for a long, long time. I absolutely can not wait.
Next on the agenda is another show at my ALL TIME FAVORITE BAR GARY'S SPOT!!!! I was worried there for a while that Gary wasn't going to have TX Country bands out there anymore. But he's giving it one last shot. So what does that mean????? YOU GUYS NEED TO BE THERE, THAT"S WHAT THAT MEANS. If not to make sure that Gary let's us come back (it truly is my favorite place after all), then certainly to see the girls dance on the bar in their teeny tiny excuses for a mini skirt and watch Gary blow fire out of his mouth!! And those Jaegerbombs.... come on, people. How can you resist?
After recovering from the craziness that is Gary's Spot, we'll be out at Tumbleweed TX in Spring for our very own HEADLINING SHOW!! *Right here is where I would insert an explicit word to show my complete excitement* Camel Cigs is putting on a great ladies night party for all the hot women whose honeys will be out hunting that weekend. Ladies get in free, and it should be one HELL of a show.
So there it is. The line up of killer shows, the ones I am just so PSYCHED to be doing, the ones I sincerely hope you'll make it out to.
On top of that good news, we'll be starting recording of our new album very very soon. The single should be out by January. (AREN'T YOU SO THRILLED????) This one is going to be so much better than 45 South. I mean, 45 South WAS my first album, and it's very close to my heart. But I have so much new material, tons of brand new songs that reflect more of what the band does live. 45 South was pretty chill, the new one is gonna be rocked up, just like we do it live. Volume knob turned to 10... tons of fast, foot stomping, shocker songs. And yeah, yeah, you know I can't do a cd without a few heartbreaking slow dance songs. (they'll be on there too).
Man, I didn't realize I was gonna write a dang novel on here, I better stop typing.
Thanks for listening, and we'll see you at the shows coming up...

~ah

Hey everyone~ How's it going? Well, as I sit down to write in the journal today, I kind of have that feeling like maybe I should be writing a song instead. That introspective, what the hell am I doing? feeling... you know that one? This is the time of year when that always happens actually, you'd think I'd begin to expect it somewhat. School is about to begin again, and my music time will be cut in half. Happens every year, and I can't say that I've yet to find the balance of the work schedule and the dream schedule. The summer spent reeling on hours worth of shows and cd sales, Bleu Edmondson autographs and late night weekends seems to now be a thing of the past. If only the lazy days and adrenaline boosted nights could last forever. The fingers on my left hand are continuously sore and so hard that if I tap them on a desk it sounds like fingernails. My voice has reached that comfortable raspy level that always just hovers at the point where it might go away. And my body is so used to being ready for 10pm that I can't seem to get myself back on a 6am schedule. So this is where I come to a crossroads. This is where I always feel like I've suffered some kind of loss, like I've got a good friend that we all know we won't be seeing as often and it's okay, but it still hurts. The moment when I seem to finally find that window of opportunity, only to realize that I can't fit through it.
So as the fall season crashes into my life and the shows are decreased from 2-3 a week down to only about 1 a week, I can only hope that everyone that has supported us through the summer, everyone who has bought a cd or loves our songs will keep spreading the word about D7 so that people don't forget about us.
I've always been told that a dream isn't worth it unless it is the hardest work you'll ever do to achieve it. I still believe that is true. The only problem is that when I find myself taking two giant steps forward only to take a few more back, I have to keep reminding myself that yes, it is true. All I need to remember is devotion, dedication, tirelessness, and optimism. And maybe I can look back at this blog when I'm feeling out of touch with music and take my own advice, huh?
I'm pretty sure there's a song in this blog somewhere. I've just got to find it. Who knows. Maybe I'll go sit down tonight and write all this out with a melody. In the mean time, I can only ask that everyone continue to come party with us at our shows, and continue to request our songs on Radio Free Texas. You guys are the best advertising a little bitty Texas girl could ask for.
Thanks for letting me rant about time, or lack thereof. And I hope to see you out at one of our shows real soon...

peace, love, and strippers (hehe)
~ah

Hey y'all~
To say that June and July have been busy is an understatement! Not that I'm complaining though, I love it.
The Roger and Bleu show was incredible. I met so many people, Bleu Edmondson included, and like the crazed fan I am, had him sign my name badge and everything. I'm such a nerd...
Have to admit though, I was a little disappointed I couldn't sing 'Resurrection' because I just knew that he would, and sure enough, I was right. And he did it so good, I couldn't help but smile.
We got an interview with KSTAR Country, for a documentary film on Texas/Red Dirt Music, the likes of which WADE BOWEN (*small shriek of delight*), CCR, and Stoney Larue all did interviews for too. Man, to be in the company of those guys is just mind boggling.
So that day was a success, to put it lightly, and I look forward to more shows like that one. It was such a blast.
Besides all the music, I got to actually go to the beach for a week, no cell phone, no tv, no nothing. It wasn't horrible with no communication, in fact it was heaven. I got sunburned to a crisp, (I am still peeling from that), got a brand new hemp anklet, a henna tattoo, and a cute new Roxy bag. I am living it up now. Only problem with that is... I didn't want to come home.

Well, hope to see you guys out at a show soon, if there isn't one in your area yet, TELL ME!! and I'll make sure to get out there.

Peace, love, and Texas Country~

~ah

That's right everyone! Tickets to the 2nd Annual Texas Red Dirt Breakout with ROGER CREAGER, BLEU EDMONDSON, SCOOTER BROWN BAND, CODY JOHNSON BAND, and AMY HUGHES AND THE DIRTY SEVEN are now ON SALE!!Click on the TicketWeb logo to buy your tickets now!





ABOUT THE SHOW:
When: SundayJuly 8, 2007
Gates Open: NOON
Where: Montgomery County Lone Star Expo9055 Airport Rd. [FM 1484] Conroe, Texas 773033
http://www.thelonestar.org/




Entertainment:
Roger Creager
Bleu Edmondson Band
Scooter Brown Band
Cody Johnson Band
Amy Hughes & the Dirty Seven


The Texas Red Dirt Breakout is an annual concert that not only highlights upcoming Texas Country artists but also reaches out to our military heroes. Texas Red Dirt Breakout first started out as a concert to showcase the music of a family friend and active Marine. Quickly, two friends came together with an idea to donate money from the concert to former and active U.S. Military and family. Several local artists showed up to play and support last year’s concert along with military families and supporters. This year we hope to have the same impact and draw in a larger crowd as well as sponsorship. Proceeds of this year’s concert will be donated to Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund / Fisher House.“The Fisher House™ program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.Because members of the military and their families are stationed worldwide and must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, Fisher House™ Foundation donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times - during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury.”THANKS TO GUITAR CENTER (NORTH HOUSTON) AND MANAGER DREW GODBY FOR DONATING THE ACOUSTIC GUITAR THAT WILL BE SIGNED AND RAFFLED OFF JULY 8TH.Guitar Center North Houston16745 N. FreewayHouston, Texas 77090Phone: 281-537-9100Fax: 281-587-9190Manager: Drew GodbyStore Hours:M-F: 11-9 | Sat: 10-7 | Sun: 12-6

The summer is finally around the corner. That means outdoor shows, festivals, flip flops, cold beer...
This is my favorite part of the year. The Texas sun is the hottest around, and that's the way I like it. 90 degrees and dripping with humidity, that's a perfect day outside if you ask me.
So needless to say I'm going to be filling my weekends with those outdoor shows and I hope everyone comes out to see them. Whether it's an acoustic jam or the full band out there rockin', I want to see you there hanging out.
In the meantime, I've been pretty busy working on new songs, practicing my guitar and taking up the new adventure of background vocals.
The new songs sound different than the first album. I can listen back and see how I've grown as a songwriter, and even how my voice has developed as well. I'm not so shy that I don't throw in a few of those new songs at my shows either, so you'll hear them sooner rather than later.
And can you believe it? I am taking guitar lessons for the first time in my life. I've NEVER done that. I usually play by ear, but turns out taking lessons is opening up possibilities on the guitar I never dreamed of. Hopefully it will reflect in my songwriting too. Who knows, pretty soon you may see me wailing out a sick solo at some show. Now that would be hilarious.
In another new endeavor, I've begun to team up with Stormy Cooper, Roger Creager's bass player, and offer my voice to his amazing projects as a background vocalist. I completed work for Chris Thompson's latest cd just a few weeks ago, and now we're working on a new project from Jody Respondek where I'll even get to join him for a duet. I'm pretty excited about the opportunity and the exposure, hell I'll take it when I can get it.
That's about all the news I have right now, I'll make sure to stop by as I make some more.

~ah

Hey guys, how do you like the new band site? I thought we needed a fresh layout just for the Dirty Seven, those boys don't get near as much love as they deserve. Hang tight while we get all the old files transferred over and all the new files uploaded. Pictures will be up soon and the whole website will come together asap.
We've got a ton of shows coming up, so make sure you check out the calendar and see which ones you can make it out to. I'll be checking back in and blogging away as much as I can....

~ah