Stacy Beam

Helping Kids at the Horse Show

// May 5th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

I just got back from the UPHA Chapter 14 Spring Premier Horse Show in Massachusetts, and it was a blast.  Amazing parties every night, tons of horses, time with my good buddies, officials, Mark Farrar, Bill Whitley and Stacey Wright, and to top it off, they raised a lot of money for breast cancer in a huge Pink Ribbon, Ride For the Cure class.

Show manager, Kent Moeller sets the bar way high for all the shows to follow.  This is only my second year there, but I already feel like an old friend.

So, I thought this would be the perfect place to try something new.  This year, everywhere I play, I am telling people about Holt International.  They are a Christian Aid Organization that offers care and support to endangered and needy children all over the world.

Basically, if you choose to do so, you can support a particular child for thirty dollars a month.  If you do, you will receive updates on that child’s progress, photos, and information about how they are being helped.

I really believe in what they do.  They’ve been doing it for over fifty years; and over eighty percent of every dollar you give goes toward helping a child receive food, shelter, medical attention, and attentive care.

You can talk to me at a show, email me from the contact page, or you can find out more about them here.

I am adding new shows all the time, and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Making Money With Music

// March 1st, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

I had a very cool opportunity to speak to some exceptional music students last Friday in Alabama at Cullman Middle School. My former college band director, Robert Bean’s wife, Linda teaches music at Cullman Middle School and invited me to share with her students.

Basically, I played and sang a bit for the kids, shared some highlights of my career as a musician, and talked to them about what has and hasn’t worked for me in my efforts to make money in the competitive field of music.

I found the kids, for the most part, to be extremely attentive and receptive to everything I had to say.

I began with basic skills: things I believe you must do in order to work as a musician.

First, you must be efficient at your instrument… not necessarily great. By efficient I mean, play/sing in tune, in time, with musicality and dynamic range.

Then, you must get the gig/job. We talked about the many different jobs available in music.

The final must: a good reputation. Basically, don’t be a flake, look like you fit the part, and be friendly.

Those are the MUSTS… then we moved on to what I called keys to big success: Building great relationships, identifying your passion, getting real, and basically becoming a well rounded person.

I really enjoyed this and feel like the students went away with some solid information about making their dreams happen. If you are interested in having me come to your school, church, or other organization, please contact me.

I am far from the most successful, or highest paid among performers, but I am excited every time I get to share my music with an audience, and I am honored to get to do it often. This truly is a gift to me; and I hope to encourage as many others as I can to share the amazing and divine gift of music.

2010: Off to a cold but action packed start.

// February 24th, 2010 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

What’s new with me for 2010? Well, several new horse shows, church events, new art, continuing blog, new items at our online home accents shop, and a brand new partner in Holt International.

One of the new horse shows I added to my calendar this year is the Bonnie Blue National Horse Show May 6–9 at the Virginia Horse Center, in Lexington, VA. I know this will be a great time.

I’m also playing B3 organ often with the Christ Church Choir and Worship Band, directed by my good buddy, Christopher Phillips. It is an honor and a challenge to play with singers and musicians of their high caliber. You can see the Sunday Jan. 31 worship service that I was a part of here. In addition to that, I’ll be leading worship at First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, AL on Sunday, April 11.

Many of you may have known me as a portrait painter of horses, which I continue to enjoy; but I’ve recently discovered a love for painting pooches too.

This is Molly

Start Somewhere, my blog, continues to evolve. Lately, “Fanny Friday” has been a popular addition to it. I am posting a new video of myself playing and singing a Fanny Crosby hymn from the Celebration Hymnal every Friday until I am through all of them.

“Awaken” is the home accents/furniture online shop where my wife, Amanda and I share treasures that we have painted, updated, or otherwise revived for sale.

Finally, I am totally excited to be partnering with Holt International. They help children all over the world receive the care and compassion they need to thrive.

Whew! It seems like a lot when you write it all down, right!? If you want to book me, or if you are interested in knowing more about any of the things I am doing, please contact me through the contact page!

New Horse Show CD will have Riders SWINGIN’ IN THE SADDLE

// October 7th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized

Nashville based horse show organist, Stacy Beam, releases new CD and a free horse show themed downloadable ring tone featuring his music and horse show announcer, Mark Farrar.  The CD, Swingin’ in the Saddle, will be available for purchase at stacybeam.com, and World Champion Horse Equipment in Shelbyville, Tennessee.

“This is a compilation of fifteen of my favorite ‘swing tunes,’ some I’ve grown up hearing at horse shows, and some that I think will become new classics for the horse show ring.”

Stacy Beam currently plays almost twenty horse shows a year from San Antonio, Texas to West Springfield, Massachusetts, a total of forty-five dates, for more than ten different breeds.  This is his first year to play for the prestigious, hundred year-old American Royal Saddle Horse Show in Kansas City, Missouri. The five-day, season closing show for the American Saddlebreds in November.

In addition to that, he has performed at some of the top piano and cabaret rooms in New York City, as well as the famous Bluebird Café as a singer-songwriter.  His range of talent has even allowed him to perform in shows at Dolly Parton’s Dollywood, and as the pianist for the gospel trio, No Other Name, but through all his musical pursuits, there has been one constant.  He has remained true to his love for horses and horse show music.

For booking information and to read Stacy’s blog, visit stacybeam.com.  Follow him on Twitter at @swbeam.

The Celebration Welcomes Stacy Beam Back for Year 3

// January 15th, 2009 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

NEW CD WILL HAVE YOU SWINGIN’ IN THE SADDLE

The Racking Horse Celebration welcomes Stacy Beam back for his third full year of rocking center ring with his unique organ music. And this year he’s bringing a new CD along with him.  A long time friend of the racking horse industry, Beam also brings a rich history and a family association that goes all the way back to the beginning of our industry.

“My Grandparents, “Coach” Harold and Nita Ann Bentley and Mamma and Daddy, Gary and Olethia Beam attended the very first Racking Horse Celebration back in 1970.  Dad rode “Star of Mack K” and won the Speed Racking class, so when I came along in 1974 and he was busy winning World Championship titles on Bentley’s Ace, I was really going to the Celebration since before I remember.  My sister-in-law, Sherrie Latham Beam won the very first class, lead line, at that first Celebration, and my brother, Steve has trained, shown and judged Racking horses professionally for years.

John McDonald was the first horse show organist I ever heard, and I remember buck dancing in the isle to his inimitable rendition of “The Orange Blossom Special,” Stacy recalls. “I’ve also taken many a turn in the saddle at the Celebration, and I wouldn’t take anything for those wonderful memories. It is an honor to play a part in a horseshow that I have enjoyed for so long.”

“People have been asking when I’ll have a new CD ready for a while now,” Beam says.  Well, it is ready, and I am excited to have “Swingin’ In The Saddle” available for sale at the Celebration.”  It is a compilation of fifteen of my favorite “swing tunes,” some I’ve grown up hearing at horse shows, and some that I think will become new classics for the horse show ring.”

“We also did something completely new this year.  My buddy, horse show announcer, Mark Farrar, and I got together and created some really cool and funny horse show themed ring tones that you’ll be able to download online at stacybeam.com.”

“The new CD draws influence from those smooth and soulful jazz rhythms that Mr. McDonald was known for as well as the bouncy groove that Larry Bright made famous among horse folks.”

“I like to think about the people who came to the horse show for the first time when I am playing at a show.  I want them to be just as entertained as someone who knows exactly what is going on and has been attending for years.”

Stacy Beam currently plays almost twenty horse shows a year from San Antonio, Texas to West Springfield, Massachusetts, a total of forty-five dates, for more than ten different breeds.  This is his first year to play for the prestigious, hundred year-old American Royal Saddle Horse Show in Kansas City, Missouri. The five-day, season closing show for the American Saddlebreds in November.