After finding out the amazing news that I was going to Nashville to be recorded as part of a new TV show, the preparations soon swung into action. I didnt have long to get ready!

My trip was to include 

• record the series theme tune at the legendary ocean way studies
• co-writing with an experienced songwriter at Sony Music Publishing
• meeting a music publisher to gain first hand advice on getting my songs heard by the right people
• getting a new hat

I was told to have three solid outfits ready for filming - queue a frenzy of trying things on and looking for outfits that could work together. I got business cards printed to hand out when necessary and of course I had to learn the song that would be singing. I got my friend Guy Surtees to help me record a draft version so we could find the right key and then practice so I was ready when it came to recording day. Then there's the usual things when you go on a trip, booking Willow ( the family dog) into kennels, getting currency, booking train tickets to the airport - all the while trying to hold it together with all the excitement.

At last the day to depart came. It was such a thrill to see the Nashville sign at the date at Heathrow airport.  I knew I had arrived at Music City when I found myself chatting to none other than Beth Neilson Chapman - both of us waiting for our guitars to come to baggage claim (they'd got stuck on a conveyor belt!)

I was greeted by the film crew in arrivals, so there's a film of me somewhere, trying to wheel a trolley, balancing my luggage with my guitar on top up an uphill corridor, trying not to get overwhelmed at the experience! How do you act naturally when you know you being filmed and trying really hard not to look at the camera? I was going to have to get used to this!

Outside we were greetd with the most beautiful sunrise and then onto the hotel. I was asked if I wanted to just relax after my flight or join other guests who were on a songwriting retreat for an evening of music at the legendary Brown's bar. Of course I opted for the latter, I wasn't going to miss out on anything even though by then my body was telling me it was around midnight!

At so I was finally there, in Nashville, already meeting stars, experiencing fabulous live music and excited for my adventure to begin.