TB: I found out from a singer-songwriter friend, who found out about it from a local songwriting newsletter he was subscribed to.
I love writing songs, so I didn’t need much of a push to enter. I knew I could write a song about Las Cruces and put myself in the running for the prize, so I thought why not try?
TB: I hadn’t spent much time in Las Cruces before writing the song. Most of my time in New Mexico has been spent in Albuquerque. I was definitely inspired by the city’s connection with the surrounding nature, like the mountains, the birds, the agriculture.
TB: I got to spend more time in Las Cruces after winning the contest. I met some very friendly people that clearly love their city, enjoyed the views of the Organ Mountains and the Pecan trees, and ate some great food! Las Cruces is a beautiful, friendly place with a nice pace of life.
TB: I wrote the song relatively quickly and didn’t change much after the first draft. I began by composing the melody and writing the lyrics for the first verse. I sent it to some friends, who suggested it needed a chorus. Then I wrote the chorus and the rest of the verses from there. Some songs are hard to write and take a while, but this one came out fast.
TB: I’ve been writing songs and performing mostly for friends for about ten years now. Music is an important part of my life. A lot of my community in Albuquerque revolves around making and listening to music. I play music every day. It helps me process emotions and connect with people.
TB: The perfect day would be getting a coffee from Picacho and then breakfast next door at Mi Ranchito, then going on a hike in the Organ mountains and ending the day with a big meal of red chile enchiladas and playing music with friends.
TB: So many inspirations! For this song, I was definitely inspired by Bob Dylan, but there are countless others.
TB: I felt great! It was a surprise. I was having a beer with a friend when I found out, so he was the first person I told.
TB: It involved some emailing, spending five hours in a recording studio here in Albuquerque with a couple friends, and then driving down to Las Cruces for the night to record the live video. It was super cool to play the song with some of my friends in the studio. They added a lot of energy and feeling to the song.
TB: It felt wonderful. I loved seeing the imagery in my lyrics animated in a video. It’s been great to share with family and friends. The response to the video has been very positive. I like the lambs.
TB: That experience was very unique and affirming. I was treated like a professional musician, which is new to me and felt really cool. I appreciated the chance to hear from folks who connected with the song. They provided tasty food too!
TB:
Going down to Las Cruces and connecting with the folks at Visit Las Cruces and NMCO was notable. I’m happy I was able to bond with people through writing a song about their city. This will inspire me to keep on writing and sharing my music.
Thank you for this opportunity!
Kahlo is our gentle, friendly, office pup! He loves his belly rubbed, sniffing absolutely everything, and hasn’t found a treat he wouldn’t eat! Be sure to say hi, he loves the attention!
Anna Kat is the driving force behind NMCO’s web development endeavors. With a sharp intellect, unwavering efficiency, and a keen eye for goals, she is the go-to expert for crafting everything from sleek landing pages to nationally acclaimed e-commerce sites. Anna Kat not only serves as your trusted web developer guide but also, if you look closely, you’ll notice she’s always impeccably color-coordinated with NMCO’s brand – a true testament to her attention to detail and commitment to the company’s image.
Meet Aaron, NMCO’s “Silent Assassin.” Despite his quiet demeanor, Aaron is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to videography, editing, color grading, drone operation, lighting, and crafting unforgettable cinematic experiences. His remarkable talent and expertise shine brightly, leaving an indelible mark on every project he touches.
Dana’s journey with NMCO has been nothing short of impressive, starting as a design intern and progressing to become a designer who now plays a pivotal role in assisting with art direction. Her dedication keeps our graphics department on track and ensures our processes are efficient and business-ready. Dana’s knack for creating identity systems has resulted in some of our most recognized work. And, if you’re fortunate enough to listen in, she’s consistently voted the best playlist in the studio.
When you have a wealth of creative content, you need someone like Lucky with 18 years of business experience to guide you on where to put it. He’s our media placement guru, with the expertise and know-how to maximize your impact. Whether it’s digital banner ads or broadcast TV, Lucky can take any budget and transform it into impressions and conversions. He’s dedicated to finding solutions for your unique challenges, making him an invaluable asset to our team.
Tina, as a co-founder of NMCO, has been on a relentless mission to redefine creative services in the southwest. Building a creative studio from the ground up was a formidable challenge, but her vision and determination have transformed NMCO into a beacon of professionalism and innovation, known for its people-centric approach and out-of-the-box thinking. While she’s taken on nearly every role in the studio, Tina’s next ambition is nothing short of global. She’s poised to take on the world with her creative endeavors.