"This Is What It's All About!"

Muse Watson said it best when he welcomed the audience to the Princess, "This is what it's all about folks; youth bringing their talents to the Princess stage."

Both young artist did "bring it" to the stage last night!  Both are unique loads of charisma and talent, with great promise for the future.  The audience encouraged the performers as if they were their own children.  The Princess stage is a stepping stone our local youth should and can use to launch rewarding careers.

Opening for EmiSunshine was Oakdale talent Emery Francis.  The 17-year-old sits at the piano with the conviction and confidence of a "pro" and delivers her favorite songs with a great vocal range.  She likes the bluesy songs and brought them alive with her own arrangements.  I especially liked the Etta James classic "At Last", and her signature song by the Eric Burton and the Animals "House of the Rising Sun".  Her voice improves every time I hear her sing; from her low notes to her high notes; she is a "rising star"!

Chris Mason's six-year-old daughter, Addie, introduced the star performer, Emi Hamilton, or as she is known nationally "EmiSunshine"!  

It was a fitting introduction since the "kids" had been playing with each other backstage before the performance.  Emi's dressing room was filled with local children long before the doors were opened.  They seemed to have a great time.

At first the children were giggling out in the hall, but soon Emi stuck her head out to see what was going on.  From that moment on they were all great friends, and were soon playing games in the Green Room.  Right before Emi's introduction, and concerned that the kids might be keeping Emi from getting mentally and emotionally ready to take the stage, someone asked the children to give her some space.  Immediately Emi said, "No, they're fine," and the giggling continued.

 

 

We forget that EmiSunshine is just a kid herself; a 10-year-old growing up fast in the entertainment business.  Having friends around, with the freedom to giggle, is just what she needs. 

 

On stage Emi puts aside her shy offstage demeanor and becomes a "performer", and perform she did!  She obviously enjoys the stage where she laughs with her family and pokes jokes at her dad.  But most of all, she loves playing and singing her heart out!  It's a change that is amazing to watch, and even envy!

Both young ladies displayed a love of performing; of the stage, and music.  I noticed Emery shivering just before taking the stage, not realizing it was just a chill, and told her to just go out there and have fun.  She said such sincerity, "Oh, I'm just cold.  I love it out there.  I really do!"  

I was impressed by her love for and dedication to what she is determined to make of her future.  We should all take that lesson to heart, and if you can find that something early in life the more blessed you will be by it.

Best of luck girls, and come back soon!

Friday Night, November 7th, At The Princess In Harriman

Get your tickets now for the EmiSunshine show at

www.emisunshine.brownpapertickets.com, or at Rocky Top General Store, or at The Harriman Jewelry Exchange. For more information call 865-882-8867. 

Bring the whole family!

Emery Francis To Join EmiSunshine November 7th!

Television and YouTube phenom EmiSunshine, who has already performed on the Ryman stage, will be joined by local sensation Emery Francis on the Princess stage November 7th.

I was reminded of this booking while listening to the Phil Williams show yesterday.  His guest was 17-year-old Emery and her mother.  Phil was blown away with Emery's "House of the Rising Sun" performance!  Emery told Phil that she was uncertain whether or not she would continue to pursue music as a singer, writer, or teacher.  Whatever she decides, she will continue to entertain us in the interim.

Emi will be new to the Princess stage, but this will be Emery's third time performing there.  She first appeared in, and won, the Princess Foundation's First Annual Multi-County Talent Show; performing "House of the Rising Sun", and again opening for 2Steel Girls in June of this year!

These young talents are sure to entertain on November 7th!  

Get your tickets now at www.emisunshine.brownpapertickets.com, or at Rocky Top General Store, or at The Harriman Jewelry Exchange.  For more information call 865-882-8867.

EmiSunshine Is Coming To The Princess!

Coming to the Princess Theatre by popular demand:

Even before Emi could talk, she was cooing along to harmonies with her grandmothers.  By the time she was 5 she'd written her first song.  By the age of 6 she had performed live at countless churches and festivals around east Tennessee, and at age 7 she recorded her first 2 albums, simultaneously, Strong As The Tall Pine and Wide River To Cross in her family studio with the help of her daddy and grandpa Bill.

Drawing inspiration from artists such as Dolly Parton and Sister Thorpe and her distant cousin Kevin Abernathy, Emi strives to write and perform her own songs while also covering some of her favorite artists.

Emi is also a talented musician currently learning guitar as well as taking lessons for ukelele. Her band consists of her daddy on bass guitar and her older brother John on mandolin.

Order tickets today at www.emisunshine.brownpapertickets.com, or call 865-882-8867!