Always Listen To Your Dad

It was the summer of 1997. I had just quit my first band. I felt I needed to go in a different direction. My biggest love was singing and, suddenly, my weekends were now free and there was no interest from other bands in the area of having me sing with them.

I was heartbroken.

I went to my parent’s house to visit and told them what had happened. I just started crying uncontrollably asking “What am I going to do? I love it so much.”

My father was visibly shaken. He had 1 son but he also had 8 daughters and hated to see any of them cry. He took my face in his hands and lifted my eyes to his. I will never forget that moment. When I looked in his eyes there were tears. He held my head and said “You know what? You have what I didn’t. You’ve got ‘IT’. You have a chance to make it. Don’t you worry. You’ll be okay. You are too good not to sing.” Back when he was in his early 20s, his voice had a close resemblance to that of Josh Groban thanks to training from the priests of his church he received. He missed his chance due to circumstances beyond his control.

Looking into his eyes that day I was determined to not let him down. I wasn’t going to let myself down. When Dad told me something, I always believed him. I wasn’t about to stop then.

Fast forward 21 years.

My father, 82, and my mother, 75, are now housebound. The only time they leave the house in the winter is to go to doctor’s appointments. In the spring, summer, and fall they venture out to their mailbox, their front yard to watch the parade pass by, the fenced-in backyard or are driven to a family gathering by one of us children. We all take turns running errands, cleaning house, cooking meals and just plain old visiting. We all love to visit and talk with them. We bring their grandchildren by to see them. Mom especially loves to see how big they are getting.

I had run an errand to the Christmas Tree Shop in Augusta and the Village Market in Fairfield the day before and stopped in to visit and deliver their purchases while my son was at Boy Scouts and my step-daughter was at basketball practice. They reimbursed me for the items I had bought them and we started talking.

My mother always asks “What’s new?” So I told them about the antics we had at work at the Maine Veterans’ Home that day, my meeting with the Stake President of my church and our plans for Christmas Day. I had them laughing when I told them about our cat who repeatedly clears a room due to its flatulence.  I mentioned that we had the weekend off from playing in the band because it was Christmas weekend and my dad startled.

“That reminds me,“ he piped up, “I had a dream about you last night.” I was so surprised. Dad never mentioned things like this.
“Me? What was I doing?” I started to laugh.

“Remember when you were at the Waterville Opera House and Ma and I were in our seats on the aisle and you sang that song to us?” I did. It was one of the best moments of my life. “The one where you got the standing ovation? Man,” he said “that was incredible. It was so good. You need to do that again. I dreamt about that last night.”

I was fighting back tears. My mind flashed back to that summer day 21 years ago and I had to hold it together. I didn’t want my dad to think he was making me cry even if they were tears of joy.

I cleared my throat and managed to make an announcement to them. “Thanks, Dad. As a matter of fact, I have big news. I have started a Miranda Lambert Tribute band and our first gig is in 3 months! I will be up on stage again just like that. The crazy thing is that I just booked a second one with a wonderful lady that says it’s going to be great. I haven’t even performed the first one yet! I am really hoping they go well because I’d like to branch out and take the show all over New England.”  Their eyes lit up.

“Wow! All over New England, you say?” said Dad. 

“That sounds cool,” added Mom.

I explained how I would wear a wig and have a costume change or two and how my younger sister, Jenny, would be singing back up. Practices were starting right after Christmas. I have a great group of musicians behind me including lead player Bruce Burpee, bass player Ed Nevins, rhythm player Larry Tilton and drummer Kyle Melcher. My husband, Chad, would be running the sound for us.

“Well,” Dad said “that sounds good. Good, good, good.”

“I’m glad you like it, Dad. I’ll make a video for you and you’ll be able to see it.”

“Good, good, good.” He nodded his head and smiled.

I have been singing in bands since I was 17 years old. Six years ago, thanks to the encouragement of my husband, I started my own band, Sharon Hood & Dixon Road. We have since opened for Luke Bryan, Keith Urban and, yes, Miranda Lambert. Now I’ve started this new venture paying tribute to a woman I admire so much.

Dad was right.

I was okay.
And I’m still singing.

Why Miranda Lambert Inspries Me

In 2003, I was competing in Florida to advance to the television show, Nashville Star. The reality show featured the top twelve contestants from around the United States vying for the opportunity of a country music recording contract.


I almost made it. I was in the finals in Tampa, Florida, and, had I won, I would have had a spot in Nashville to audition for the top 12. I nearly had the chance to know Miranda Lambert before the world would get to know her.


I watched every episode that first season. I voted for Miranda Lambert each week. I was devastated when she didn't win. Even though she didn't take home the big prize, I KNEW she was going to do something. Something big. You know when they say that a person has "it"? I KNEW she had "it".


Standing in the crowd in Portland, Maine in 2007, I was just one of thousands watching the person I knew was going to be the next big artist in country music. I couldn't wait for her to come out to the stage. After the Randy Rogers Band had performed I could barely contain my excitement knowing Miranda was next.


She didn't disappoint me. I'll always remember the one moment she was playing her pink guitar. She finished the song and immediately threw it across the stage into the waiting arms of a roadie. As I watched that guitar sail from one side to another I thought to myself "I want to be her."


She was everything I was trying to be: talented, a rebel, beautiful, a show-woman. She was amazing. She commanded the stage and the audience went crazy...including me. I lost my voice I screamed so loud.


I have every album. I know every song. I sing six of her songs in my band. Each time we do, the crowd asks for more. I have seen every performance on the ACMs, the CMAs and the Grammys. I bought the US Magazine that had her wedding pictures in it.


I'm not obsessed. I'm just a huge fan.


I have been performing in bands for 25 years. Those years included shows in bars and restaurants before the smoking ban was in place. Weddings, funerals and birthday parties, sometimes for free. Radio, television and newspaper interviews informing the public of my dreams and where I was playing. Attending concerts and hoping for a chance to meet the performer. Singing on stage with country band, Alabama, when I held up a sign asking to sing with them.


In the last few years I have been trying to open for acts here in the state of Maine but have been unsuccessful. I have paid plenty of dues but nothing has panned out and I was getting pretty discouraged.


Then, two years ago I put my hat in the ring to open for a concert stadium at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion at Meadowbrook. When I got the email I thought "This is the break I have been waiting for!" They told me we would be opening for the reigning ACM and CMA Entertainer of the Year, Luke Bryan. The BIGGEST opportunity I had ever had. We played the Ultimate Tailgate Stage and were part of Meadowbrook history. That weekend, the concerts featuring Luke Bryan, Randy Houser and Dustin Lynch set the record for the largest attendance at the Pavilion in its 20 year history.


Last year, we got the call asking us to open on the Magic Hat Stage for Florida Georgia Line but I had to decline due to playing a wedding that had already made their deposit. I could NEVER disappoint a bride and groom. I had just said no to a bigger stage and, potentially, even bigger concert. Thankfully, we were then offered the Keith Urban show in July. It was electric! We were even able to bring one of our biggest fans along who had never been to a concert in life. To be 10 feet from Keith Urban and his guitar was simply amazing.
In June of this year, a dream I have had for the past 10 years is finally coming true.


I saw that Miranda was coming and I emailed my contact at Meadowbrook immediately and told them how much of a fan I was of her and that we didn't have that weekend booked. I said how much it would mean to me to open for the woman that, for me, changed country music in my eyes.


She inspired me to write my own music, to share my music with others, put myself out there. She inspired me to be a better artist.


And they said yes.


I literally cried.


I get to see her in concert again. I get to be on the Magic Hat Stage singing my heart out in hopes she'll be in her bus listening to what we do. I get to watch and learn from the woman I have come to admire.


I've worked so hard to be where I am today. 100 shows a year for the past 3 years keeps me not only busy but away from my family. I'm lucky to have a family that loves and understands that music is my passion. I'm fortunate enough to have 4 band members that work their magic at each and every show that I can also call my friends. I am blessed to have fans that come to our shows, follow us from place to place and buy our music, our tshirts and support us.


Miranda has inspired me to write music and record my songs in hopes that someday she might be one of the artists that records one. At my age, it's unlikely I'll ever make the big time singing but I still have the hopes of hearing one of my songs on the radio. She's inspired me to take chances. She has inspired me to put my heart in my songs and wear it on my sleeve.


And that's exactly what I'm doing.


If you'd like to take a listen to my songs you can find them on Reverbnation or at our Facebook page.

What A Little Girl Told Me Last Night...And What I Said Back

I am very lucky. Every weekend I get to go and do something I absolutely love: SING! And to be compensated for that is awesome! Heck, most of the time I will sing for food.

I have been in bands since I was 17. Each one has been a unique experience. I've learned what to and not to do. What to say and what not to say. But the most important thing I've learned is how to treat people. You really find out who your friends are when things happen.

And kids are the most important people you can talk to. They are brutally honest. They will tell you what they DO like and, without a filter, what they DON'T like. And I take what they say into consideration. Everyone has an opinion.

But what one little girl told me last night really hit home.

When Sharon Hood & Dixon Road finished our gig at Lake Pemaquid Campground, a young lady named Jackie came up to me and said "You have an amazing voice. I wish I could do what you do but I get stagefright. I could never do that...I look up to you."

Oh, be still my heart.

I am but a medium-sized fish in a big pond. The band has a wonderful following for which I am truly thankful for. Each gig brings exciting new people into our lives.

And this exciting new little person was a beautiful soul.

It shows that I have a very important job to do. With all the media that kids are watching (tv, YouTube, the internet in general), they are exposed to so much. Most children at that certain age (10-12) have never been to an actual concert so when they see me it's the first concert they've ever been to. (They are REALLY wanting Taylor Swift but they get me instead!) And I have a responsibility to give them a great performance.

It is also my responsibility to be a role model. There are some stars out there who do things on stage that I would NEVER let MY children see (I think you know who I'm talking about). And I wouldn't be caught dead doing ANYTHING they do. Now is the time when kids soak up every picture, every song, every action of their favorite artists. It's that kind of time we live in.

So when this young, beautiful girl with big bright eyes says something like that to me, it's my responsibility to talk with her. To, hopefully, tell her the right things.

And this is what I told her:

I told her thank you very much and that I was glad she enjoyed the show. I also told her that she CAN do what I do. You see, every gig I have I'm a little nervous before the show starts. If I wasn't a little nervous, I wouldn't be human. Everyone wants to give a great performance. Who likes to mess up? After I get up on stage and that first song is over, I feel much better and the show goes on as usual.

I told her that if she likes to sing, STICK WITH IT! If it is something you love, why give it up? Why let something stop you? She could be the next winner of American Idol or The Voice! All it takes is practice. And lots of it. I've been singing since I could walk. Practice may not make perfect but it sure as heck makes you better.

I told her that next year, because her family are seasonal campers and hope to be back next year, that we would have her on stage with us. Her eyes got really big at that point! There are songs we do that she already knows. Why not? Someone let me take the stage for the first time. It's my turn to do that for someone else.

In 7th grade, I was told by my teacher that I was ugly and couldn't sing so why try out for the school musical? That hurt me so much. But it didn't stop me. I kept at it and joined chorus in high school. I was discovered to be a natural harmonizer which I love doing. I was cultivated by people who saw something in me and helped me get better. I surrounded myself with people like me who love music and everything about it.

I may never get to the level of Taylor, Carrie or Miranda but I CAN do what I love. I still have the same dream...it's just coming true in a different way. There is still time for my original dream to come true. All I can do is keep working towards it, surround myself with people with the same dream and be happy. Now, I am writing my own music and bringing it to life with 4 great friends and a husband and family that support my dream. Maybe my voice will never be heard across the country but maybe, just maybe, my songs will.

To Jackie at Lake Pemaquid Campground...NEVER give up on your dreams! NEVER let anyone say you're not good enough! NEVER let other people tear you down just to lift themselves back up. NEVER let yourself forget that YOU are an original. NEVER try to be someone you're not. YOU deserve to be happy. YOU have the right to dream any dream you like and strive to make it come true.

And I hope it does. I truly hope it does.

Sharon Buck & Dixon Road Record Album

Has it really happened? Is my dream of almost 20 years really coming true?

 

You bet it is!

The last few years of my life I have been writing songs. Not knowing if they were good enough. Not knowing if they even made sense. Wondering at all if anyone would want to give them a listen. After recording 'Good Ol' Country Boys' a few years ago and the response from the fans, I was inspired to do more. Now, with the encouragement from my wonderful husband-to-be, my songs are being given life.

 

Dixon Road is more than just a country band that does cover songs. The men of Dixon Road, Ed Nevins, Eddie Boudreau, Bruce Burpee and Craig Stutzman, have become my best friends that see potential in me, our band, the songs and where our band can go. They tell me when something doesn't sound right, they tell me when it's rockin' and they tell me they are happy.

 

Last night in the studio with Brad Truman of B & R Studios, we laid down the vocal tracks, including background vocals, for 2 out of 5 songs. So, it's not done YET...I have to go back next Thursday and finish laying down the vocals for the other 3. Things are coming together and we are hoping to have it ready for our concert with B98.5's Waterfront Wednesday on June 25th.

 

Here are some of the pics from last night.

 

Thank you all so much for believing in us.

 

You've been anxiously waiting for the album and it is becoming a reality. All thanks to you because, without you, we wouldn't be anywhere! You, who come out to all our shows, buy our tshirts and bumper stickers, tell new places about us and get us booked without our even knowing.... YOU are the amazing part of us.

 

This is for you an anyone who has ever wanted a dream to come true.