Lana, Bill and Gloria and Buddy Green 9-00

It's me again! :) Bear with me, there's a lot here!! If you remember in my last newsletter I mentioned that something good might happen, and I asked for your prayers. Well, God opened up some awesome doors while on my vacation. I was able to set up a meeting with Bill Gaither before I left. Since his schedule changed, I was to then meet with the studio manager, Lana Ranahan. 

First let me share something. Anita, Will and I arrived at Gaither Family Resources, a little cafe where they sell coffee, desserts and Gaither products, in Anderson, IN. We were able to get a tour of the Gaither studios, which is right next door in a separate building, while we waited. We were able to see were some famous Christian artists record their CDs, and where the Gaithers tapes many of their videos, plus innumerable awards they have gotten over the years. It was neat! We then went back to to the cafe. As we walked around we spotted Gloria Gaither chatting with some customers. She came over to us and talked as if we were old friends. I was able to give her a copy of the demo I had made. The three of us then settled down at one of the tables while I waited for my interview. Gloria came over soon after that, again, and started chatting. She was very gracious and we were very touched by her genuine spirit.

Well, 1pm arrived and it was time. I found Lana and the interview began. She actually remembered me. See, I had met her at Mark Lowry's Broadway concert  back in February. She said, "You know, I'm sitting her thinking you look so familiar. Were you the one who, as I was standing near the steps, came over to me and you were supposed to meet Bill but he had left already?" When I said yes, she said, "I remember you then."

I told her what my purpose was, gave her my demo, recommendation letters, and some new poetry. We were able to talk about a lot of things, and I was given tons of advice, insights, and contacts. She told me she didn't know of any openings right now, but she would ask around, and pass out my resume, because there may be an opening she didn't know about. She gave me a few numbers to call, two for people who could put my poems to music, one for the National Quartet Convention where they hold a singing competition, and another for two seminars that I have been wanting to go to.

I told her many things about myself, that I'm not looking to be famous or wealthy, but I enjoy this so much and to be able to work with people that have had such an influence on my writing and singing would be a blessing. I said I want to learn from these people, get experience, and just be able to do something I enjoy so much. She said I had a good attitude and a good grasp on things. I told her about my job at the daycare, being there almost five years, how much I love working with children, but yet I am looking for a change. She was honest and said it is very hard to break into the business. She added, "You have to have the talent, the look, which you do, you're very cute and you have a great smile." :) She told me how she got started, and how it makes it easier to know someone in the industry. I didn't think of it, but I should have said, "Well, I do know God, and He knows everyone. If it's His will, it's going to happen." She did say she would pass along my resume, and my demo and see what happens. She was very, very gracious and made me feel very comfortable, and that I'm grateful for. She gave me great advice, and I still have a good feeling about everything.

I usually walk away from a concert feeling very down (after passing out my poetry and meeting them), as if nothing will happen yet, but this is the first time I walked away with a good feeling. See, as I said goodbye to her, Bill Gaither walked in!!!!! I literally almost started crying. I gave him a big hug and he asked how I was doing. He looked at Lana and said (don't quote me word for word, but something like this), "I see you've met this sweet gal. She writes a lot of poetry. She's e-mailed Mark a few times (I still don't know how he knows that. I guess they talk about me! hee hee), I've met her at a few concerts. She's a sweet gal." Lana pointed at me and said, "Look at her. She's got a great smile too!" My smile was a mile wide. Then Bill said, "So, do you do anything else besides writing? Do you sing?" I said, "Yes, I brought my demo." "You have a demo? Great! How old are you? Have you gone to college?" I said, "I'll be 23 in October, and no, but I have done some things on my own at home." "Well, I'll tell you what I tell everyone. Just keep doing what you're doing and don't give up. So, are you here with your mother?" "No, I'm here visiting some friends." "Well, great. Now, are you from New York City?" I said, "No, Long Island." Lana pipes in, "Yeah, you can tell from her accent where she's from." LOL. :) He also said something very nice about Lana and what a great person she is. Then Bill said, "Well, it was great to see you again." And said goodbye. I couldn't believe it. God is good...ALL the time!!! SOOOO, needless to say, I came out of the meeting feeling very positive. Lana was great and God opened other doors by being able to meet Bill and Gloria again.

I went back to the cafe to meet Will and Anita and as we walked out, Bill was there again! He looked at me and said, "Are they with you?" Meaning, Anita and Will, as I told him I had come with friends. I said yes and he came over to shake their hands. He introduced himself to Anita...as if she didn't know. hee hee. Then again, he didn't know that!

Well, when I came home last night I checked my snail mail and guess what I got?? I letter from Buddy Greene!!! For those of you who don't know, he is the harmonica player for the Gaithers, and he also put Mark's song, "Mary, Did You Know?" to music! He's VERY talented. I had given him my music back in June of 99 and he just sent me a note now. :) It's a hand written note and very long too! He thanked me for giving him the letter and songs, and apologized for not writing sooner (like the man had time!). I can't imagine how busy these people must be. He said, and I quote, "I glanced at it, recognized it was worth looking at, then set it aside for a later time when I could really read your lyrics. Well, here I am, a year later, having never found that time (for your songs or anybody else's for that matter. I'll hold onto these lyrics for a while longer, but it seems unlikely that I'll ever find the time to do anything with them; there's already a full dozen or so submitted lyrics (ahead of yours) waiting for my attention. And since I've written about 2 songs in as many years, well, you get my gist. Sorry to take so long in getting back to you. Hopefully you'll find someone who can follow through, because it looks like you have some good stuff. Anyway, keep writing and God bless you as you pursue your goals. Sincerely, Buddy."

ISN'T THAT GREAT???? I also got a note from a family friend that I haven't heard from in ages and how my poetry has been a blessing!!!! God is SO good!!! That letter from Buddy was SO encouraging and seems to have come at the perfect timing, the only way God works!! All this, plus all the encouragement I've gotten from friends, and non-believers about my demo! God is amazing!

Keep praying and thank you again for your prayers last week. Each and every one of you has been so encouraging in my journey to pursue my writing, and I can't thank you enough for it. It has kept me going at times when I didn't want to. I will let you know if anything positive comes of this soon. Thank you again for letting me share so much. I know this letter was long, but I had to tell you everything. I'm sure I"m even leaving things out!! God bless you all. I love you!

Elisa