10th April 2019
This week’s episode of On Hold with Siara features another one of my favorite country radio program directors, M. Fletch Brown. He’s with WXFL in Florence, Alabama. It’s always a fun time when we get to visit. As much fun as we have, he also gives some wonderful advice to the artists I work with, and especially to my listeners on his episode!
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27th March 2019
I have been so excited introduce this project with you. I have always loved listening to podcasts and I have always had the idea of hosting my own. Country Radio Seminar (CRS) felt like the perfect place to start, at least I thought. Over the years and several conversations and radio tours later, some of these program directors I communicate with weekly, have really turned in to some wonderful friends. Almost every time I call program directors, I am put on hold, so I thought hosting a podcast called “On Hold with Siara” would be something different and fun for them at CRS this year. I was able to interview four of my favorite program directors. After these first four episodes, On Hold will feature artists, musicians and others working behind the scenes in the music industry.
This podcast has also taught me so much about myself. I am so comfortable jumping head first into anything new and just running with it. Eventually, I always figure it out. This hasn’t exactly happened with the podcast. There have been some hurdles (using the correct equipment, using the correct programs, etc.) and although this has been a very humbling process so far, it is teaching me that asking for help is never anything to be embarrassed or ashamed of. I am so exited to keep this going and progressing along the way (episode 5 will sound great)!!
On Hold really could not have happened without some people I am incredibly fortunate to have in my life. First and foremost, I want to thank Ryan Swinehart. When you hear how great the audio sounds (and how much better it will progress) it’s ALL because of him. He’s also an incredible saxophone player, audio engineer and he’s been really patient through this whole process. When you get my jingle stuck in your head, that is all Samuel Lee’s fault. He’s one of my best friends and also a ridiculously talented musician. Check out his Spotify and thank me later. When you see my graphic that makes you actually want to listen to my podcast, you can blame Wonder Woman herself, Amie Jakoboski Appel. A huge thank you goes out to my first interviewees who took breaks from their insane CRS schedules; Ryan McCall, Fletch Brown, JD Justice and Dennis Banka! Without these people, On Hold would have just remained an idea. They all helped bring my vision to life. Never be afraid to ask for help, because it is so worth it.
I hope you put everything else On Hold and tune in!
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2nd January 2019
Recently, I have heard most people talk about their worst parts of 2018. Sure, I had plenty of bad or off days, but when I reflect on the past year, there was so much more good and that’s what I’m choosing to focus on. I am going in to 2019 as the same me, but with real goals. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in New Year’s resolutions, but this year feels different and I could not be more excited or more ready. Today’s post is also inspired by one of my favorite artists of 2018, Jillian Jacqueline.
I met Jillian on a whim at one of her shows with Kip Moore near the end of this year, which ended up being a highlight for me. She is just as wonderful, sincere and undeniably stylish as you would expect. Even though there was a long meet and greet line, when it was my turn to meet her, she was so friendly and it made me appreciate her and her music even more. She also told me I was stylish (which was outrageous, coming from her) and that my boyfriend and I are super cute (super true). One of my favorite songs of Jillian’s, is “Hate Me” and I’m choosing that as my mantra for 2019. Below are a few goals I have going into what I assume to be a year to remember:
27th November 2015
My favorite story from my childhood is the same as my mother’s least beloved. I only remember this story because it is one my mom still constantly reiterates. When I was in Kindergarten, my mom and I were walking downtown in Warsaw and she said I was holding her hand and looked up at her with the utmost sincerity as I told her I was never living in my hometown when I “grew up”. Though it took a few years (20 to be exact), I accomplished what I always said I would and moved to Nashville, TN nearly a month ago.
Anything new is always frightening but part of that rush is what makes it even more exciting. I knew moving to a new city and starting a new career path would be rewarding, but I’m also not naïve to the fact that its going to be lot of hard work at times will be straining. Even though I have been waiting for the big day to move since I was 6-years-old, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified of such a drastic lifestyle change.
14th October 2014
Today was really one of the longest days of my life, and it also happened to be my birthday, my 25th birthday. I have been told this is suppose to be a milestone year, and I must admit, 25 does sound WAY older than 24 so I have been dreading this day for some time now, because I have also been told that at this point in life, we’re suppose to have everything figured out. Luckily for me, I have accepted that I will live by my own rules and not let others dictate my success, or how long it takes me. Typically, birthdays feel like a totally normal day for me, but today felt different. Maybe it was because 25 is a milestone, or maybe it was because I am in a completely different place in life than I had always pictured. I know life happens and it usually doesn’t play exactly how we want it to, but I am nowhere near where I always thought I should be at this point.
I remember being 18-years-old and talking about future plans with my best friends in high school. I would finish college, find someone to settle down with, be working at my dream job and have two children by the age of 25. I have never been more ecstatic to be completely wrong about something.
2nd September 2014
This past Labor Day weekend, along with spending some quality family time, we celebrated my cousin, Presley’s thirteenth birthday. Thirteen really is a big year, because you’re officially a teenager, so along with that, came the first boy and girl party. At this party, I learned many things that made me feel too incredibly old, but overall the party was a success.
We really wanted to make her thirteenth party memorable, I mean honestly I don’t remember mine, it was probably held at the skating rink…regardless, times have changed and I guess that’s not the ideal setting for a party anymore. We made a scavenger hunt for all her friends attending, and I decided to use a hashtag for them to use when posting photos so we could go back and look through all of them and because, I mean I know that is still trendy. However, I learned that posting more than 5 photos to Instagram daily is “overkill” and borderline, “embarrassing” so that idea went out the window…fast. Ouch.
13th July 2014
This past weekend, and for the first time in a decent amount of time, most of my closest friends came together. Instead of celebrating the typical birthday party, or having a a girls’ night that is long overdue, we all came together for a different type of celebrating. Although there was a good amount of beer pong and my partner and I still remain undefeated (not trying to brag, but we do rule) we celebrated our friends buying their first home and starting this next phase of their life.
It is too incredibly easy to feel the need to rush into something, especially when you see your friends doing it. It is also too easy to feel pressured or feel like you’re behind in life when you aren’t at the same phase as some people. This can really take a toll not only on you, but also your closest relationships. Of course, I am jealous of the beautiful home my friends just bought and they are both starting their careers with jobs they truly enjoy, but the moment you get too caught up in yourself, is when you start forgetting the entire point.
5th July 2014
I always look forward to the Fourth of July and watching the fireworks. There is something about the colorful bursts that I still find breathtaking, even though after all these years, they all look pretty much the same. The past two years, I had to receive videos of fireworks from my loved ones, but this year it was finally a little different. For the first time in two years, I was able to spend the Fourth of July with my family and friends. I always had to work on the holiday (who does that?) so I was very happy for the change this year.
We celebrated as we always had previously, by spending the entire day on the lake. We went out on the boat, went tubing (reallllly feeling that today) and then ate our hearts out (also reallly feeling that today.) After spending the whole day on Chapman Lake, we went back home, grabbed an ice cream cone, and then parked at my dad’s car lot an hour in advance to guarantee good seats for the fireworks. This may sound pretty routine, because it really is, and I am all for change, but this is exactly what I missed when I couldn’t be home with my family for the Fourth of July.
1st July 2014
This blog post is dedicated to the birthday girl herself, Skylar. As of today, Skylar and I have shared a friendship for 23 years. She is my cousin, but we grew up together, so she has always felt more like a sister. I never believed my mother at the time, but family really is all you have, and I am so happy to have Skylar as my best friend.
Like sisters, we have shared everything; stories, secrets and most importantly, clothes. Whenever I could not find a certain piece from my closet, I always know where to look next…hers. And it was always there.
22nd June 2014
This has been one busy wedding season. From standing with one of my oldest and dearest friends on her special day, to attending ceremonies for friends from college, weddings are such a special event, that requires special attire, of course. Dressing for a wedding and for a special occasion in general can be pretty tricky, but here are a few of favorite trends and some hints for future occasions!