Today I celebrate five years being married to the love of my life, Brian Little.  I can’t help but spend some time reflecting on the past years and life as not only a wife but a member of our band, Vedera.  I can remember returning from college in Nashville like it was yesterday and being invited to a show where Brian’s band at the time Hearts to Waste was playing.  In this humble Kansas City club, a staple of many of my summer nights where I would see bands from Elliot to Further Seems Forever grace the stage, I saw Brian soundchecking.  In reference to his love for classic rock, the song was Black Dog by Led Zeppelin.  I felt every sense of the teenage butterflies as he rocked that guitar in his semi-skinny jeans and jean jacket with asics shoes.  He always wore asics back then.  At that time I was pursuing a solo acoustic stint playing in coffee shops in Nashville and then back home in Kansas City. I showed Brian and our now bassist Jason the e.p. with hands nervous, lightly speckled with sweat.  I was among artists I truly admired and felt for the first time like I could pursue something that had been in my heart and soul since my Dad gave me my first acoustic guitar.  

It was shortly after that Brian and I started playing music together.  Now I would be lying if I said playing with the one you love doesn’t have it’s ups and downs.  When we agree on something, it is like magic, nothing could possibly get me down.  When we disagree, well it’s the opposite feeling.  We’ve grown to find a way to somewhat politely say, “man, that idea sucks.”

When it was time to form a band we would take in the studio we hired Drew Little (Brian’s brother) and Jason Douglas (lifelong friend) to play drums and bass.  This was 2004.  Looking at the past years and where we came from as a band I am proud of the fact that we have remained family first.  We rejoice and cry together.  We have been through wrecks, theft, rejection, label signings, label disinterest and have remained friends and family first.  If there is one thing I can say at the end of this ride, (which I hope never ends) it will be that we cared about each other.  Fame and fortune were never the main goal.  Creating music we love and loving each other were always our main priority.

This morning as Brian and I woke up and had a celebratory Anniversary brunch we are excited about our marriage but also thinking of the next step for our band.  What lies ahead is not just putting an album on the shelf but putting our heart there as well.  I am excited to share the future of our artistic endeavors with the man I love.  

Thank you fans for all your support and devotion.  You are a part of our family.

Cheers!

xoxo Kristen

Goodnight. This head must be put to bed.

One of my favorite perks of touring (besides playing shows of course!) is the scenery when we’re traveling.  Here is a shot of Brian at a beach we found by chance as we were cruising down the 101 in California.