“Natalie is simply the best.” -rf114340@wolverine.cameron.edu
Don’t feel too bad for Nat, though...she definitely got to see and do some really cool stuff. “We do get to experience many of the cultures as well. Some of that is going to and from venues, but they try to take us on little trips or activities here and there when we get a chance. I mean, it’s incredible...it’s everything I ever wanted. I get to travel the world with my best friends and play music while we are doing it. Who could ask for more? I’ve been lifted onto an aircraft carrier in an open helicopter, shot a .50 caliber rifle, and bounced from place to place being thanked over and over by a bunch of folks who should be asking me to thank them.”
Once she explains it, one can see how there is an interesting sort of paradox that must be a little bit awkward to get adjusted to. “So, we are there, brought in and paid for as a means of saying thanks by playing for the troops. We are there because of what they do for us...it’s the only way I know how to say thank you. You don’t feel like normal words can say thank you enough for the sacrifices they are making for all of us, but when they say thank you to ME for being there, well that’s when my head just starts to explode, because I don’t know how to handle that. At the same time, it is what is so beautiful about those shows. We are there to say thank you for their service (in addition to the gigs), and they say thank you over and over because
“Natalie Stovall's concert was THE most amazing concert I've ever been to in my 20 years of going to concerts (including many big name bands/singers). She is musically gifted with the violin, her voice is absolutely amazing, and she travels around the world to many military bases and forward-deployed remote places to entertain the troops which is fabulous!! Love her.” -natalie.tussey@usafricom.mil “Bringing her back a second time, in the works of possibly bringing her again next year, listen to her CDs everyday.” -jamiej@eureka.edu “That's ME!” -natalie@nataliestovall.com
“Natalie and her band rocked our campus two years ago and we can't wait to have her back for our Spring Fling this April!” -mabaker@mgc.edu
The military has been the hot ticket recently, with many characters flocking to the government teet, and not always offering services or shows that are appropriate for the military, or with the best intentions. Natalie seems to be a little different however, not only coming from Tennessee which has a strong military tradition in itself, but being from a military family as well. Her passion and conviction for those in the Armed Services has made her success with military shows doubly rewarding. “First, it’s really hard to complain about these tours in any way. We had one lineup that had six shows in 14 days. I was like ‘What? Really? We do 16 shows in 14 days sometimes!’ It seemed like nothing. Of course flying from continent to continent instead of driving state to state takes an entirely different toll on your body.
“Despite that, for me doing the military shows is more than worth it, on many levels. First, my father is a retired Army Colonel so I grew up in that culture with that family experience. Playing for the military is 100% absolutely the best audiences that we have ever seen. There is this…(sighs, searching for words)...unbelievable cycle of gratitude that has honestly been the most baffling thing to deal with.”
“Natalie gave us a performance to remember FOREVER!” -nagan@corning-cc.edu
Photo by Ryan Faucett
we bring a piece of home to them there and I’m sure it’s ridiculously sappy to anyone who might see it from the outside, but I have grown to love it.”
While obviously the trips around the world for the military have been a unique highlight for Natalie this year, she doesn’t want anyone to mistake the fact that her wheelhouse is still the campus market. “About 80% of our shows are still for college audiences,” she says. “They’re our bread and butter, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. The campus market is what we have to thank for where we are today. Without the hundreds upon hundreds of shows we’ve played for campus activities and student programming boards across the country, I don’t know where we’d be. Certainly we would have never had the opportunity to play the military shows we discussed and if anyone deserves our thanks and recognition for this win it’s all of our friends across the country in the campus market.”
32, CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MAGAzINE®, APRIL 2012
For information on bringing Natalie to your next mainstream concert event, contact Degy 732.818.9600 or ari@degy.com ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR RUNNER-UP: MICHAEL KENT
Michael Kent is a comedian, magician and self-proclaimed smart@$$. His sarcastic, irreverent humor and baffling original magic have made him one of the most popular comedy magicians in the college market. Michael’s audiences learn what it’s like when a stand-up comedian performs (and occasionally pokes fun at) the art of magic.
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BEST FEMALE ENTERTAINER RUNNER-UP: JENN GRINELS Award-winning singer-songwriter Jenn Grinels has awed audiences with her heartfelt tunes, powerful pipes and witty stage banter. Grinels’ distinctive mix of delicate prettiness and soulful grittiness has been heard on television networks like MTV and live at over 50 universities in the last year alone. The pitch-perfect performer has also collected countless accolades, including the honor of 2010 College Female Solo Artist of the Year.
DEGY ENTERTAINMENT • 732-818-9600
www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com