Program and Ticket For The National Prayer Breakfast
Well friends, it’s been an interesting and busy week to say the least. I haven’t seemed to catch up on sleep yet, and the coming week doesn’t seem so promising either! Oh well, “I’m young right? Who needs sleep?” – Unfortunately, my sore throat doesn’t agree so much!
Anyways, it seems like only a few days ago that I was writing about my trip with the band to Washington, D.C. This past week I returned to D.C. to perform with Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski at the National Prayer Breakfast. I flew last Monday into Nashville for a rehearsal before flying with everyone to D.C. Thank goodness that I did, or I probably wouldn’t have made it out of Boston for a few days because of the big snow storm. Luckily for me – school was cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday (which means I don’t have a load of work to make up – YAY!)
Alison and me at the closing dinner.
Ok! On with my story – The actual breakfast was an early morning event in which we played two hymns – I Know Who Holds Tomorrow and Abide With Me. The event takes place every year at the Washington Hilton and is hosted by all of Congress and attended by the President. This year was the 59th annual. There were about 3,500 people packed in the ballroom and reportedly representatives from over 150 different countries. Though I don’t tend to be extremely political, I was so thrilled to be part of an event all about something that does mean so much to me – Prayer. It was also a pleasure to get to meet, Randall Wallace, writer of some excellent movies such as, Brave Heart, We Were Soldiers, Pearl Harbor. He gave an amazing keynote speech at the breakfast. We also played 4 songs at the closing dinner later that night which was very fun as well! I was able to meet author, William P. Young, who wrote The Shack, who also gave a very touching speech about his faith. It’s of course always such a joy to get to sing with two of my favorite singers ever – Dan and Alison. I’m always reminded just how much I LOVE to sing harmony in a situation like that. We did two accapella songs at the closing dinner – so fun!
Dan during soundcheck.
I think if you do a search on youtube there are a couple videos from the performance that morning that were on C-SPAN. 
After flying back to Nashville I had to make a quick run over to the office to meet the guys for our band rehearsal. We were supposed to rehearse with our new banjo player, but unfortunately got a call from him that morning letting me know that he had decided to accept a job with a different band. Not exactly good news, and it’s unfortunate for us as it felt good to finally hire someone and we were all pumped to rehearse. BUT, I truly do believe that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord! And as I fail to do so often, I believe we should praise Him even in times when things don’t go our way. I know He knows what’s best for this band and will see things through as he sees best. The guys and I certainly wish Jessie the best! We ended up rehearsing both Friday and Saturday. I really love the new material. It’s so fun and refreshing to play these new tunes, and I really hope you guys will like them! I’m really excited to get out and play a bunch in March in support of the new record. With the release date being moved back to the earlier date, it really forced our booking agency to get on the ball and start booking, booking, booking. I’m really happy with the progress they have made the last few weeks and it will be GREAT to be out on the road with a brand new album! Our wonderful and faithful friend, Ron Block will be going out with us on the March Tour – what a shame! 
haha
Daybreak
Ok – so enough serious talk – let’s get REALLY serious. I did something dumb today. Ran out of gas on I-40. There’s really no excuse for something like this other than my lack of responsibility. I’ve mostly been in Boston for the past year and a half, and my car stays in Nashville so that when I fly in to work/ect. I have a car! Well, at the end of last summer my fuel gauge stopped working and always says I’m on empty. My gaslight is ALWAYS on. So, I took my car to Nissan where I have it serviced and they quoted fixing it for like $400. I decided at the time since I was hardly driving it that I would just wait to have it fixed. Not long ago, I got an extended warranty in the mail from Nissan saying that this was a problem with many of the year models like mine and that I could get it fixed for free! (Sweet, huh?) Except, I’ve not been home long enough to get it done! SO, I always have to remember to fill up. Before driving to Alison’s for rehearsal I put $30 worth in the tank, which normally does me just fine for a short trip into Nashville. I guess $30 just doesn’t get you as far as it used to these days. Anyways, I was driving to Cookeville, TN to meet my mom for lunch before I flew out today. Luckily my brother and two of his friends had drove down to Nashville for the weekend to go to SPBGMA and were following me and able to rescue me! I had given my brother a birthday card right before we started driving and it had $20 dollars in it. Thankfully so, because he used that $20 bucks to buy me a gas jug! Hahaha Anyways – boring story.
My own little personal version of TripleA!
My own little personal version of TripleA!
Ok folks, that’s all for now. I’m currently soaring through the air on a big Southwest plane headed back to Boston! Yes, that’s correct. I booked a flight during the Super Bowl. I know.. I’m so not cool!!
As always, thanks for reading!
Sierra
Tags: Alison Krauss, Prayer Breakfast, President Obama, Washington D.C.
Hi,hello! This is Tomio from Japan. I’m looking forward to listening to your new record. I already booked one in Japanese Amazon yesterday. In fact, I used to work for Nissan. However I used to design suspensions. I don’t know anything about electrical modules, but your paid fare seems a little high, I think.
My twitter ID is @tann2009. I’m happy if you follow me. I sometimes twitter in English.
Hi Sierra, and you do write so it’s fun to read. Sorry about Jesse; and somehow it does feel it will turn out for the best. Another style of player, maybe, for the band’s range and sound; and maybe bringing other instruments like the dobro back to available. It will be interesting to see.
Sierra, I just discovered a band that I think you would like to listen to – they have some of what your friend Kevin McClung has, and a lot of life in other ways too – for example in very interesting harmonies.
This is Downtown Ramblers, and I think the best way to hear them is via iTunes now that it has long previews, on their 2009 debut album – right now they’re recording another.
If you are in a big hurry, try Been So Many Places, When the Sun Goes Down, and and then Somewhere In Between. This kind of turns the album around; I like to read books backwards sometimes too
I bet you might find a few things there, even another lively way a banjo might sound.
By the way, I agree with Corey very much that the Prayer Breakfast was a fine thing to do, and certainly with your friends.
All the best,
Clive
Hey Sierra,
Just saw the video which is fantastic, and you already have a fan in Japan. Terra and I are very proud of you, the video looks great, you sound wonderful, and we wish you successes and much wisdom.
May God Bless You,
Dr. King
Just read an article about you in the Cookeville paper. Glad to hear that you are doing well,the new video is great. I live in Jamestown and it’s been fun to watch you become the artist and young lady that you are. As a father of 2 teenage girls, I’m sure that your parents are very proud of you as we here in Fentress Co. are. I bet Boston was a big culture shock!LOL Seems that you have handled it very well. God bless you and wish you all the best.
Sierra, I was at the closing dinner of the National Prayer Breakfast and was in awe of your performance. You sounded so great with Alison that I thought you must be related. I wish I had a recording of all the songs you sang. Although I wasn’t at the Breakfast itself, I watched the CSPAN video. Abide with Me was unbelievable! I wish that I could have that on my iPod most of all!
I am a writer (recently published my first eBook (Sharp Sticks: Essays of Embarrassment and Reflections on Redemption). I write articles and devotional pieces and also share personal testimonies on my blog. If you’d feel comfortable sharing yours, I’d love to feature it on my blog and obviously introduce my readers to your music.
Blessings on you! Kristie
Caught your sounds for the first time on the Bob Edwards show—I was in awe – loved it and only caught a few minutes before I had to go into the office. So excited for you and your future. We will definately try to catch you on tour in New England this summer. Stay true to you. Best, B.A.
Sierra:
Mike Y in northern VA. here- I saw you perform for the first time ever at the Birchmere earlier this month- mighty fine!! Missed you at IMT/Rockville- can you post something about that experience? I’m telling all my friends here in Northern VA./DC about you- we’ll be looking for you in June & this Dec. in Reston VA.!
Mike Y (another new lifetime fan!)
p.s.- please promise you will always come back & perform in Northern VA/Birchmere at least 1x a year -forever & ever
Sierra, I just discovered your music tonight while searching Alison Krauss on YouTube. Instantly fell in love (grew up in western NC and have a 14yo son who plays violin). And just figured out that I missed seeing you two nights ago in Roanoke, VA, where we live. That is just plain wrong.
I have breezed through your site/blog, and am thrilled to see your faith in our Lord shining through your writing. Hold fast to Him, and may He bless you, keep you, and make His face shine upon you (Numbers 6).
Sierra,
I am a student at southern illinois university carbondale. My friends and I are big fans of your pickin. If you are ever coming through southern illinois there is a large bluegrass fan base and we would really enjoy hearing you play.
If you’re still looking for a banjo player, I happen to play banjo too!
I’d fix your car for you
I’d play the banjo for you too! I quickly scanned through what you read and thought to myself “For being so good at music, she seems a lot smarter than that” but then read that it was the cars fault, so in my eyes your still perfect 
Hi Sierra Just saw your latest vidieo and have to say I see another Allison in the making. Up to this point she has been my favorite but I’m thinking this will change soon. With today’s so called country music it’s good to have some fresh bluegrass to enjoy, Keep up the good work and music, and have a good life.Love your blogs
Sierra: Where have I been?? I was wandering mandolin sites because I am just starting to teach myself to play, and I landed on your site. Great mandolin playing, great selection of songs and wonderful voice and presentation. So glad I was able to hear some of the tunes … there are now two discs on the way to my house!
Gland to see you are coming to Portland, OR in January. I will keep returning to your site until I get more information so that I will be able to enjoy hearing you in person as well as some other great River City Bluegrass. Do bring your rain coat! All you hear about northwestern, pacific coast, Portland weather is true!
Looking forward to your albums and seeing you “live.”
Gayle Case
Hi, It is my pleasure to 0bserve your abilities in music. I love Italian classical Music. You have education now in the classics from school. I would like to buy a cd of your classical playing since You have the skill to accomplish this. My heart awaits this!!! May God bless you.
Your day definitely was a busy one but who’s to complain? With your talent, you deserve to be out there playing for your fans. Being in the mandolin picks business, we take pride in getting to know about musicians like you, having passion and love for your music and craft.
Link below is to C-Span, ‘Abide with Me’ from the prayer breakfast.
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/clip/3864411
Link below is to C-Span clip of ‘I Know who holds Tomorrow’, from the prayer breakfast.
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/clip/3864413