GTMO pics

me and the band

Happy Holidays

Dear Friends,
Just wanted to say hi and wish you all a very Happy Holiday Season. It has been quite a busy time here in my life. I am happy to say that I am now married. We had a gorgeous wedding in the Dominican Republic a month ago, surrounded by our closest friends and family. The good news has been rolling in lately, Josh Kear (my new husband) has just had his 5th week at number one - he wrote Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" so we have been celebrating that as well. I also won the Country Single of the Year at the LA Music Awards with the duet of "Crazy" with Willie. When it rains, it pours- life is good.

We just returned from a trip to Cuba as well, where we performed for the troops down at GTMO. It was my third time making the trip, and it was a really great experience, with a wonderful group of people. We went sailing (see pic below of me and my bandmate and mandolin player- Scott Simontacchi, and my manager- Jeanette Jolley). We played right on the coast and aside from the mosquitoes, it couldn't have gotten much better.

I love the Holiday Season because we seem to take the time (we allow ourselves the time) to focus on family and what matters. I wish all of you a wonderful Holiday Season, full of love and peace and joy and everything you've wanted, hoped, wished for, etc- may it manifest itself this Season. Thank you for your support, your letters, emails, stories, etc. as well. I love hearing from you and am so grateful for your enthusiasm and love. It's been a great year and I know that next year will be even better!

With lots of love,
Carly