July 2, 2008, Nashville, Tennessee, 6:40 p.m., D.S.T.~

Nashville Fourth of July BLAST! Festival~

Dear Journal~

Ronee' Le-Anne Reaux writing here. (Can't be anyone else BUT me! LOL)  Hope this finds y'all well and happy; I'm doing GREAT!!

I will be performing in about fifteen minutes; will be on the stage for a half hour, singing/playing my Cajun-spiced country music.  I will also be yodeling and doing some rock, maybe even a rap song.  Get the crowd pumped for the main attraction for this evening, Big and Rich.

I've seen 'em several times, never performed for them though.  They might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I think they're wonderful:  they are very diverse, exciting entertainers who know how to work a crowd, get them pumped, groovin'.  And they are both very nice people, too! :)

My brother is performing after me.  He will be on stage for about the same time.  He may be a little uncomfortable, though:  got the world's worst sunburn!  He is so red he won't need a spotlight to find him on the stage! LOL He is positively glowing!! LOLOLOLOL

The funny thing is, Johnny used sunscreen, several times;  it didn't work.  He looks like a boiled crawfish!! LOL  I'm just waitin' for one of those Cajun cooks to come and snatch him, put him into the crawfish pot!! LOLOLOL

Tomorrow night is the first night for fireworks.  Tonight is the lull period before all the excitement takes hold.  Before the fireworks Loretta Lynn will be performing, as will Carrie Underwood, who won the fourth season of "American Idol".  Opening for Carrie will be Kellie Pickler, who didn't win, but she's still very good; reminds me of a younger Faith Hill in her stylings.

Friday, July 4, the day after tomorrow, is THE big day.  A mammoth parade with a military flyover (B-52 bomber as well as a B1-B, also a bomber, and F-4's, F-16's, and F-18's, all jets, as well as some Chinook, which is a double-bladed helicopter, will the featured aircraft in the flyover).  The parade is expected to last a good several hours, what with all the floats, participants, and marching bands. 

A lot of my family will be in the parade.  If not on the Christ Community Assembly of God float, they'll be in the band, or they'll be riding their decorated bikes along the parade route.  I will be on the CCAofG float, waving, throwing small flags to the people lined up along the parade route.  It's going to be a lot of fun!!

Following the parade will be continuous musical entertainment ranging from Cajun to rap to gospel to country to big band, contests and food galore, midway rides for the kids, military tributes to our fallen heroes as well as veterans (all wars), speeches, and patriotic singing.  It will be a very busy, busy day; yet we are all in a holiday mood, and there's nothing better than celebrating our freedom as Americans!

After all, it IS America's birthday!  So on that note, let me wish America a VERY happy birthday!!

Well, I have a few minutes; gotta' grab my accordion and vamanos to the backstage pit, wait for my cue to go on.  Then I'm gonna' get this place rockin'!!  WHEE!  On that note, have a great and safe Fourth of July, and may God bless y'all mightily!!  AAIIEEE!!

~Love, your Cajun gal-pal, Ronee' Le-Anne. :D

Laissez les bon temps rouler!!!!!