Expect the Unexpected

Isn't it funny how spontaneity just leads you into the craziest situations ....

I know...some of you can't relate. After a lifetime of "look before you leap" and "try not to lead the lemmings off the cliff" and better yet -- "it sounds great, Gretch, but what about something a little more practical" admonitions from the more cautious, practical people in my life -- I have to say, that at 45, this one trait will probably will never change about me.

And I'm really not sure I want it to.

Has it brought me grief -- undoubtedly. Has it tangled my life in knots from time to time - admittedly. Has it reaped sound financial plans, a diverse portfolio for my family ... arguably not -- at least not yet.

But you need to hear how this next incredible connection came to pass. I have never been one to believe in coincidences. If you know me well, you'll recognize this mantra. I cannot believe our lives are thrown to the winds of chance, meandering through our days. I believe there is an ordered process -- a tapestry that weaves throughout our lives. Granted, turn the tapestry over and there are some "ugly" tangled, mother-load pieces under there.... but there is a plan to why we make the connections in life that we do. And it's up to us to do something with the gifts we have been given.

I produced a program for about a year and a half called Singer Spotlight on the River that identified great singing talent in the Chicago and surrounding suburban area. One of the singers I had the pleasure to meet was Zaneta Adams. She came to the Clearwater Theater in Dundee, IL and sang her heart out in front of an enthusiastic audience, of family, friends, and fellow singers. We lost touch after that time - I don't even think we emailed each other over the next five years.

When I began looking for singers to participate in Midwest Artist Network's first production in March of 2009, MWAS Solo/Vocal Competition, I went back to my notes from Singer Spotlight and contacted a few of the singers we had featured. Amazingly, I was back in touch with Zaneta again. Since we had seen each other last I had moved to Wisconsin, remarried, and started this new entity. She shared that she was pregnant with twins, and had relocated to Michigan, but was still searching for a path for her musical journey. I could relate, having raised twins for almost six years as a single mom. She submitted for Solo/Vocal, paid her Contestant Fee -- but complications in her finals months of pregnancy kept her from competing.

It wasn't until several months ago, that I picked up the phone to prove a point to my husband, that I re-entered Zaneta's life.

And frankly -- until about 1 hour ago -- I was absolutely clueless.

I called Zaneta to ask her what had happened with her music in the year since we'd spoken with her. I didn't ask about her life. I didn't ask about her kids. I was on a mission to prove a point that passionate singers are looking for "the next step" and will gather around a concept that is well built that joins them together.

In about two minutes, I explained why I was calling, about the debate my husband and I were in the middle of, and asked if she saw any value to spending $25 to become a part of Midwest Artist Network where we could collectively raise awareness to the musical work we were all doing; we had the"Rising Tide Raises All Ships" discussion. She said -- "Absolutely! Even from as far away as Michigan, if there were a way I could connect with what you guys are doing there, even locally -- it would be worth it for me."

Two days later -- we realized that Alayna was following in her mother's footsteps when I viewed Alayna's spontaneous Youtube video posted on Zaneta's Facebook, and the Adams family was on their way to Millie's in Delavan to compete in Midwest Artist Junior Competition. Alayna made the finals with her amazing posse of dancers, all the while Zaneta's husband was juggling care for the baby twins while his daughter, Alayna competed -- and the family hauled themselves all the way back from Michigan again -- to win a place on the MWAS Junior Sampler CD. What Fun! That's where some of you got to meet this incredible family; you saw their commitment to Alayna, their flexibility. They came all this way from Michigan, wondering if they were even gonna get a chair for their $10 ticket. I was so busy producing the event -- I just smiled and did what I do.

Recovering from the craziness of this weekend, I got comfortable in my living room chair and received a call from Zaneta. I had promised to help her prepare for this opportunity to sing the National Anthem in Nashville, opening an event affiliated with Amy Grant and Vince Gill. We talked a bit, and she asked if I would listen to her version of the National Anthem -- and give her feedback. Catching her enthusiasm, I realized that there were many who would love the chance to see this experience through Zaneta's eyes. So we began posting updates of the last few days' activities on Facebook so members of the Network and new found friends could follow this unique opportunity for one of our own to "touch greatness."

Little did I know -- she already had.

I really didn't understand why Zaneta had been given this opportunity. I just figured it was luck. That happens sometimes. You walk in to a situation...meet the right person...say the right thing. Sometimes it's not you at all -- there was a door and you walked through it. We live in a "1000th customer gets freebie" mentality that we've been trained to accept with our lottery mindset.

But I couldn't have been farther from the truth.

So here's how the story should have been told. Mia copa.

• Zaneta Adams: Hi everyone. What an exciting night! As I wait to upload my photos with Amy Grant, I can tell you that we had an exciting conversation! She is interested in hearing one of my songs (after being told about it from one of her friends). I am excited for that! I can't wait to share my love of music tomorrow with them. Did I mention Larry Gatlin will be there too! I am actual listed on the program as a special guest along with all the greats! So cool! I am off with some board members to hear a special concert from their good friend Vince Gill. What an amazing day! Monday, 8:46pm

• Gretch Hladish: Got a chance to spend a few moments today vocal coaching Zaneta Adams, a fellow Midwest Artist Network Member and mother to Alayna Adams, one of our recent MWAS Sampler Winners from Michigan. Zaneta is on her way to Nashville to sing the National Anthem for Amy Grant & Vince Gill's Operation Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers eligible military veterans and their family members an undergraduate degree tuition-free or a graduate degree at a greatly reduced tuition rate. Zaneta's been asked to write a song for the Sister Branch of this organization in Colorado. She'll share a dressing room Tuesday night with Amy Grant and Gretchen Wilson, sharing the ticket with Charlie Daniels, Amy Grant, Kix Brooks, Gretchen Wilson and Larry Gatlin among others. Send warm thoughts her way. If anyone has contacts in Nashville - we need someone to video a "behind the scenes" segment for a MWAS Real Time Episode and capture her National Anthem. Any connections? Any takers? Monday, 9:01pm

• Zaneta Adams: I came, I sang, I conquered! God is so good. I sang well and was asked to sing the last number with all the big name artists! How exciting and Amy Grant not only stood off stage to personally cheer me on and encourage me, she then gave me a shout on stage! Awesome! Pics are scarce as of yet because I was being zipped around for interviews and photo ops and the artists were not all together all the time.” 11 hours ago, Tuesday, 11:02pm

• Zaneta Adams: Challenge America hosted and brought me to this event together with Challenge Aspen; the song we will produce will represent both organizations. Many doors opened this evening. I am already signed up to sing two songs in Dallas in April for a sold-out Christian Military Convention in Dallas, TX (10,000 attendees) featuring Oliver North. Retired Major General of the Army, Bob Dees told me that everyone's encouraged him to get a headline act to sing the National Anthem and perform. He said simply, "I want a soldier." Doesn't that just say it all. I was touched when Bob’s wife spoke to me following the concert and shared that she had noticed me earlier that day at the conference. She didn’t know me by name, but expressed that she could see Jesus all over me. What a compliment!!! I thank God for allowing His light to shine through. That comment came right before she and her husband informed me that they were in need of someone to sing the National Anthem and another song at this upcoming event. They informed we that they could have gotten a big name headliner but they wanted a soldier who had a heart for God. How amazing that they could see all that from the National Anthem? I have been asked to fly to both Phoenix and Tulsa to sing for the opening of the WBNA games and Larry Gatlin put a plug into any Record Producers in the audience..LOL! I am so excited! I've been asked by both Larry Gatlin and Amy Grant to email them our song. I am scheduled to sing in Aspen in August and Vince Gill offered to "back me up on guitar". I told them about my relationship with Midwest Artist Network and how after April 15th they can hopefully see me featured on Midwest Artist Real Time. We will bring use my connections here to bring us all to a higher level and everyone I gave cards to were interested in following Midwest Artist Network. I am excited and blessed for the future. Have a great day/night and I thank you for everything! U have truly been a blessing. I will have pics sent to me and Amy said she can do an interview when we meet next, hopefully in a few months. Have a blessed evening! Wednesday, 12:25 AM

• Zaneta Adams: In 2005, I was called back up to go to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. This happened right after I sang for Singer Spotlight with you, Gretch. While preparing to deploy in Fort Jackson, SC, I fell from a truck (it was a 10-12 ft fall) and severely injured my back. I was then still sent to Fort Stewart, GA to prepare to deploy but found it difficult to walk, stand, sit, or do anything. Because of that injury, my life was spared in Iraq when men from my section were hit by a road side bomb and killed. I spent 11 months and 23 days away from my husband, my 2 year old twins and 5 year old daughter, Alayna. I have endured two back surgeries and have severe nerve damage. I was told I would have trouble walking and may be in a wheelchair for a very long time. I stand here today to say that nothing is impossible when you serve an awesome God like I do. My singing was put on hold because of depression and self doubt in my abilities. I am blessed and humbled by what God is doing through my ministry in music today. I want to say to each of you in the MWAN that no matter how advanced you become or "arrived" you think you are, never forget that you can ask for help and guidance. I sought advice from my husband’s perspective, my mother’s perspective, my good friend, Gretch Hladish’s perspective, and my old choir director from high school. Collectively, they each offered different perspectives on my rendition and I took pieces from each, and incorporated their advice into one heck of a performance! I speak from my perspective to say that I felt that it was the best rendition I had ever done and that was made possible by the collective help that I received. That is what Midwest Artist Network is all about...connections. I am excited for the future and I hope to be working with Gretch soon on my song for Challenge Aspen and Challenge America. It would be a great gift to them for allowing me to be apart of such a great organization, as well as great way to give back to my fellow wounded comrades in arms. If you want to know more about each program and how you can help, check out challengeamerica.org and challengeaspen.com. Thanks!!! Zaneta, Wednesday, 8:02am
• Zaneta Adams - Saturday, March 27,11:02am: Thankyou for all the words of encouragement and your kind thoughts. I know that I have been spared for a purpose. I have stepped into that purpose through the start of an organization (WINC) with another female wounded warrior which caters to womens emotional and physical needs. I am humbled and blessed to be a part of MWAN and to share my life and passion with you all. If you ever doubt your life's purpose, go serve someone who has less, or can do les. Blessings abound! I look forward to singing and growing with this organization. Thanks, Gretch & Mark, for thinking of me a year ago and igniting the spark in my music that had seemingly died. I will be in touch!