HARLOWE

While the tart but sweet lime wedges from my club soda perform cartwheels inside my mouth, I imagine taking a paintbrush to color today in sunny yellow smiles. Like Van Gogh's Sunflowers. He painted them to express a visual for gratitude and that's precisely what I'm feeling. Enjoying a bath, I happily soak in both. Yesterday was such a wholesome day.

The Heartland Foundation Do Good Gala was back and in Nashville for the first time in its existence. The organization as a whole believes in lifting lives through the power of music. Yearly awards are given to the most deserving artists during a liveshow. While in the same week a gala is being held to shine the spotlight on the grant recipients from the Foundation. It goes without saying they have strong ties within the industry of country music. Ultimately, that's how I received a call.

Like the Golden Globes have their famous children as Ambassadors, the Heartland Foundation asked me to be their social media reporter for the Do Good Gala. Who doesn't lend a hand when your help is asked for charity? I agreed to take the job on the spot. Deciding to push my luck, I scored a place in the musical lineup for one of our own artists. Inspired by Carrie Underwood and CeCe Winans who once graciously sang Great Is Thy Faithfulness during the ACM Awards, I suggested Noli Robinson could sing Amazing Grace during the Do Good Gala.

Noli is a singer-songwriter that my father signed to Nickel Recording & Publishing after she completed a teaching stint at the Berklee Campus in Valencia and a marvelous holiday in Paris. Or so she says. To introduce her from our label, she had cut the hymn. To this day, it holds significance to her. Telling the Foundation that story, wrapped my suggestion in a bow.

Additionally, I knew partaking in the event as a host would give me the chance to present myself and let people know that I had more capabilities than being a 'Famous Daughter.' Speaking to artists like Mickey Guyton, Maren Morris, Trisha Yearwood, Carly Pearce and Keith Urban showed off my wit and integrity. Especially the chat I had with Trisha was a blast. She teased me about the fact that she released four albums before I was even born. When we said our goodbyes, she confessed to me she was a fan of Music City's Triptych. And that, during the band's heyday, she had a crush on my dad, Harrison.

Take that, Garth!

The funny conversation with Trisha spurred me on to speak with Deacon Blye. Besides the fact that he's the reigning popular Prince of Country and the winner of this year's Heartland Award for Song of the Year with Definite Scar, the guy is signed to the record label my parents' former bandmate had created. That made me curious to ask for his take on it when he's confronted with me, their daughter.

When I found Deacon in the backstage area of the theater, he was three royal sheets in the wind. Egged on by his friend, which made the scene more pathetic.

"How professional at a charity gala," I muttered. In my head, I went through a risk assessment to establish if I dared to interview a drunk Deacon. Opting out, because it could've reflected poorly on me, I turned around to leave as quietly as I came. Almost making it out of there, Deacon abruptly called me out.

"If it isn't Nashville's Sweetheart, click your heels three times and go home."

The dismissal in his voice was evident. He wasn't the only one who dismissed me straight away. Being born to renowned musician parents with former and recent successes, fans and haters seemed to think I'm being waited on hand and foot. That I'm a moocher. To them, it was, and still is, impossible to consider that I actually developed an inquisitive brain and a dynamic personality. I was used to these assumptions. For some reason though, I decided to stand up for myself this time. I circled back to square off against Mr. Popular.

"You have your entire life to be a jerk. Why not take today off, Tin Man? Afraid you're going to rust when you show sincerity?" That comeback gave the duo pause. Deacon cowardly slumped. It gave me the opportunity to face his friend over his shoulder. Now that I could see him up close, I recognized Quentin Hix, his manager.

For a second, I was floored.

Is this how the two of them conducted business?

Quickly coming to the conclusion that if I didn't want to be judged on assumptions, I shouldn't judge them on mine either, I came up with the next best thing; "I wanted to ask for some quotes to support the Heartland Foundation, but I see you've found a better use of your time. Goodnight, gentlemen!"

Off I went.

A small smile dances around my lips, reliving the memory of that exchange. "I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer. Nobody, no nobody, is gonna rain on my parade." I sing to myself. Stretching out in the tub, my skin gets enveloped by sunshine like a powdered gold light. I feel fragrant, warm and a smidge tropical.

All clean and clad in fluffy towels, my phone signals I've received a message.

Morning Bunny,
Sorry we couldn't have breakfast together. We were already needed at the record label. Phones and all other electronics that can make a sound, are ringing off the hook. We can't thank you enough for the wonderful job you did last night. Thank you! Can you come by? The Foundation has another question.
- xoxo Mom & Dad

I'll be honest, I was a bit disappointed that I found the house empty when I came downstairs early. But this text makes me feel giddy. It fills me with pride that I can help push Nickel Recording & Publishing forward alongside my parents. I have worth and I'm worthy. In the middle of my affirmations, my phone signals again.

Lowie,
No lingering in front of the mirror! Come on over, I ordered brunch. Hurry! I'm guessing there might be a fancy assignment nearby.
- Mimi x

"You know me well."

Mimi is Maya, my best friend. I met her when she walked into the label with her CV and contagious laughter. My mother, Louise Nichols, is a hard one to impress. Maya Mayfield cracked her armor in one go. Her experience spoke for itself so there really wasn't a worry she'd fit in with us. She blazed through her trial period and since then, she's the Manager of our in-house recording studio. That's a rarity in this modern time, so my mother wanted it well taken care of. Freeing herself up to run the publishing side of our family business. And last but not least, she trains me in all her ways.

Louise Nichols would never admit to this, but I'm convinced she was equally as spellbound by Maya's runway-ready ombre auburn hair and the way she carried herself. She rubbed off on me in the last few years. Meaning, that if someone at the label needs help with their fashion sense or image, Mama directs that job to us. That must be what Mimi's text means.

Well, I was wrong about that. After being welcomed by another big, genuine hug from Noli, who sang my praises because of the possibility I created for her. I found my parents, Maya and two Executives from the Heartland Foundation in one of our conference rooms.

Oh boy! Did Blye...? No, he wouldn't. Would he?

Shielding myself behind the door so they can't see me through the glass yet, I hold the handle and take an unsteady breath. Pushing it down, I instantly greet everyone inside. "Good morning, what a surprise to have esteemed guests!"

"Please call us Lyndsay and Lisa, Harlowe. Hopefully we will bear good news."

"To what do we owe the pleasure of having this brunch together?" My father asks. Scanning the room, I can sense that my mom, Maya and myself are all sitting on pins and needles.

"Since we're in quite a time crunch, I'll get straight to the point. Harlowe, we're very happy with how you conducted yourself yesterday and the content you created for us during the Do Good Gala. The online engagement on our socials tripled." Lisa explains, taking over for her colleague. "So, we're wondering if you're up for a repeat performance. Will you make a special for us that we can broadcast on TV and online?"

Everybody looks at me in anticipated silence. "Yes, of course, I'll do it. Thank you!" Cheers go all around the table. I stand up to shake both their hands, "The vote of confidence means a lot."

Beaming like a lighthouse, I take the seat next to my father again. Squeezing his knee to calm him, but mostly myself. I need to unload my buzzing energy somewhere. Luckily, Maya has gotten me a glass of orange juice and a small plate of food in the meantime. Minimizing the possibility that I'll faint from disbelief and excitement.

Once I make eye contact with Lyndsay, she continues giving us or me, I guess, more information. "As you know, Carly Pearce hosted the Heartland Awards. We'd like a special where the both of you visit this year's grant recipients and some of the people they've helped. The special will conclude with a musical finale at the Ryman. We'll contact Heartland Award nominees and winners to see if we can book them."

"I met Carly briefly at the Gala last night. I'd be delighted to work together and make the special with her. If she's on board, count me in." The two women nod enthusiastically. Lisa puts my mind at ease with what she adds next.

"Don't worry, I've arranged for you to have a second Hayley Paige dress when we'll film the special's finale at the Ryman Auditorium. It'll be ready and shiny when you are. If this dress is as much of a hit as yesterday's, you'll look fabulous. A little birdie told me you may call her sometime soon, because we aren't the only ones with a proposition for you."

My mother and Maya fail to hide an excited high pitched squeal. My father holds his breath. It makes me giggle. That's because Hayley Paige is a bridal designer, so it's anyone's guess what she'd want. I just adore her dresses even without a wedding in the near future. With Lisa in agreement, we asked her to design a dress for me. Not in my wildest dreams thinking, I'd get to wear another one after my job as social media reporter for the Heartland Do Good Gala.

"Please notify me about the future developments or any plans concerning the special." I try to wrap this up gently. I want to celebrate this moment with my family without the Executives around. I don't want to risk that they could still bring up the encounter I had with the men from True Tone.

"We're pleased you're willing to join our ranks once more, Harlowe. Your nearest and dearest are invited to see you step into the light that illuminates the hallowed ground," Lyndsay extends an invite.

"Oh believe me, we'll be there. Watching from the best pew in the house. We wouldn't miss her first hosting gig there for anything." My mom winks for dramatic effect.

When the door finally clicks shut, I shout: "I'M GOING TO THE RYMAN IN A HAYLEY PAIGE DRESS! AHHH!"

"I'm lucky it's still without a groom." My father sing-songs. It has us all in hysterics. It must be all the heightened nerves and high expectations that are bestowed on me.

I want to make the Heartland Foundation proud. Prove to them and every other soul that'll watch the upcoming special that Harlowe Jasmine Nichols is here to stay.

Be wary, Prince Deacon, this Dorothy Gale is coming for you...