AMP is proud to announce our Co -- alignment with the Ragamuffin music Hall. We will be Co- hosting a first Sunday inspirational open mike night as well as educational, and invitational events to be announced. Here is a blog From Ashley Harris, one of the owners. Thanks ASH!!!!!
AMP is proud to announce we are Co - aligning with the Ragamuffin music hall for a first Sunday of the month inspirational songwriters open mike night from 7 pm to 10 pm beginning the first Sunday in April. Get there early to get a spot on the show!
Ragamuffin Music
585 Atlanta Street, Roswell, GA 30075
Ragamuffin Music
585 Atlanta Street, Roswell, GA 30075
Miracles Do Happen !
You see, in order for a miracle to be recognized, you have to first reach rock bottom; whatever that is for you, and let me just say, I was there. It was April of 2011 and I had just signed divorce papers with my husband of 18 years. I had no recent work experience, was a mother of three and had no idea how I was going to provide. Sure, I’d cut 4 records and had taught music lessons from my home for 15 years, but that just wasn’t going to be enough to bring home the bacon. I started preparing my resume and was looking at working a 9-5 job in some kind of administrative position, which for me felt like the kiss of death. But, I was desperate and willing to take a job as a front desk receptionist, the same job I had last when I was only 20, if I had to. Then the miracle showed up. I received an email from the previous owner of Ragamuffin Music Hall informing me that she wanted to sell the business and felt that God had told her I was the person she should offer it to. I was ASTOUNDED. A business up and running for 5 years was dropped in my lap! One month after signing divorce papers I was a business owner. Now, how could that be anything but a miracle? You see, it’s always darkest just before the dawn. It’s a cliché I know, but it’s true!
On Mother’s Day weekend, May 14, 2011 Ragamuffin Music Hall held its Grand Re-Opening. It was truly one of the most exciting and fulfilling days of my life. I was in awe of God’s goodness, humbled at the manifestation of his deep love and concern for me and my well- being along with my children, honored that God would place such an opportunity in my hands. Tears of gratitude were all I could offer in thanks, stunned at the goodness of God’s love.
Now, let’s back up a year and a half prior to the day I signed divorce papers. I was busily working away in Nashville on my 4th project and very excited to release my first Country CD. I had a management team, co-writers, and studio time scheduled with A-list players in Nashville... players who have recorded on projects for artists like Martina McBride, Faith Hill and Amy Grant. I was on top of the world in my career, but inside I was dying. I knew my marriage was over. I was going through the motions holding on for dear life, not knowing how it all was going to play out. I moved forward the best I could with the release of my album knowing the hard work that went into it; two years of songwriting and pre-production, gigs, website development, shopping producers, networking. I could see the tornado ahead and didn’t know how to avoid it. Still, we made arrangements to release my first single and my husband and I went back to marriage counseling, even though we had already had 10 plus years of therapy. Needless to say we were both in a great deal of pain with no end in sight. But we had become very good at hiding that pain when we needed to: at church, for the kids and at family reunions and social events. After all, we had made a promise to God and believed that our personal happiness was not to take precedence over that.
Doors continued to open for my music. I released an international single and it was doing well. An Atlanta based Clear Channel Country Radio station 94.9 The Bull had been playing my songs on their local show and had chosen me to headline their Christmas benefit concert in Dec of 2009. A music video was shot free of charge for me from a Nikon rep. I was meeting with radio promoters looking to start a national radio tour and then the inevitable happened. The marriage began crumbling at an exponential rate. I believe it is best to take the high road and let God fight your battles. My ex-husband and I were not to be. We struggled and struggled in total agony for years cycling in and out of fighting and trying to forgive. Thoughts of suicide were closing in. After tremendous soul searching I knew that even God, whom I had made a promise to would not want any of his children to suffer the way we were. Each day was a literal walk through hell from Nov 2009 up until April 2010 when I finally filed for divorce. I felt as though my entire life was going down in flames personally, spiritually and professionally. Being the one to file was a particularly difficult burden. I felt as though friends and family church members blamed me for “giving up”. And it got worse, much, much worse. But God was in the middle of it with me, through it all, every step, good or bad. Right or wrong. God was in the middle of my pain. He never left my side, even when I thought He had. I know that now.
Remember, that we can’t recognize a miracle until things get so bad, so broken, so burned out that we see no other solution than to throw up our hands in surrender and throw ourselves at the mercy of God. The lines of a popular Christian song by Chris Tomlin comes to mind: “We raise a white flag; we surrender all to You, all for You”. That’s when the miracles come. Yes, that was plural… MIRACLES. When we surrender and trust God, miracles come, because God is Good. God not only had plans to help me re-build my professional life, he also had plans to bless my personal and spiritual life by sending me true love. In September of 2011 I married Greg Gronholm. We met at Ragamuffin Music Hall.
So, needless to say I’ve been a little busy over the past two years, recovering from a divorce, learning a new business and getting re-married. Life is full of new challenges and beautiful moments. The term “blended families” has taken on new meaning for me and turning a profit with a new business was harder than I thought it would be. I had expected to walk into a thriving business but instead found it needed to be re-built from the ground up. Over the past year I have focused my energy my family and running Ragamuffin while still performing as much as I could with my new husband Greg. It’s been an exciting and challenging year. I am happy to report that in Feb of 2012 Ragamuffin Music Hall finally turned a profit! Hallelujah! Additionally, all my three children adore their new step father and I feel loved on a level I didn’t believe was possible. God is Good!
I love the scripture, “Trust God. Doubt Not. Fear Not.” Easier said then done, but do it anyway! You won’t be disappointed! One step at a time; that is how we re-build our lives. You may feel like you’re climbing up a coliseum but keep going! Don’t stop! You want to reach the top where you can breathe in the fresh air and see the beautiful skyline. If I’ve learned one thing in life, it’s that nothing comes easily. No one is an overnight success. No one gets the gold without paying a price. So, what’s next? I know the music will come in its due time. I know that I am where I should be. I know that I am doing exactly what is right for me in this moment. One day at a time. My goal is simply to focus each day on being grateful, trying my best to do God’s Will and to live in His favor. I think I’ll let God take care of the rest.
Ashley Harris
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