Japan has been a great experience for me, and vastly different than either Korea or Vietnam. Surprisingly, fewer people speak English here than in either of those countries, so it has been a bit more isolating as my Japanese is limited to a few phrases (and most of those things I've learned so I can communicate onstage) but at the same time, it's made my efforts to connect with people, when successful, all the more meaningful. This month, I've been learning new Christmas songs. Christmas here is huge - not for the same reasons as in America, certainly - but it's a big celebration, and seen as "date night" for couples here. New Year's Eve, conversely to in the US, is a stay-at-home night. The holiday decorations, bells, carols, fake snow, etc. outside my hotel room in Canal City are over the top! I've posted photos of my adventures on my personal Facebook page, and soon will post many of them to my Hilary Scott music Facebook page as well - if you haven't joined me on there, please do, so I can share blogs and photos with you that way as well.

I head home on January 9th, and have to admit I'm ready to see everyone back home again. But I've made some important contacts here in PR, sold CDs, had some fantastic cultural experiences, had a fabulous ten day visit from my fiance, and may return here again in the future for more performances.

In the New Year I look forward to a trip to Italy to record the album with Euro Ferrari, my prize for winning the international section of Festival Degli Autori, and a short tour in France. Due to visa restrictions, the tour will not be as long or involved as hoped, but will be a stepping stone for more extensive tours in Europe in the future. I also am excited to continue touring with New County Line and performing with The Hilary Scott Band whenever possible in the Midwest.

So here's a toast to all of you - may your new year be blessed with joy! See you all soon at shows, I hope!

Hilary Scott and The New County Line are currently booking shows for January before Hilary departs for Europe, and will appear at The Record Bar in Kansas City on Wednesday, January 19th. More bookings and details to follow on www.hilaryscott.com.

After performing in France, Hilary will depart for Rome, and spend one week recording the album she was awarded for winning the international section of Sanremo Festival Degli Autori with producer Euro Ferrari. Ferrari has also been 'shopping' Hilary and her music to publicity companies and managers in Italy, and a choice of representation for Hilary will likely be chosen shortly after the album is recorded.

While in Japan, Hilary met, through a friend, a Japanese woman who worked in PR for major record labels in Japan and still has connections in that community. She is distributing Hilary's press materials to several Japanese major labels and publicity channels, and the hope is to bring Hilary and her music back through Japan for performances in a wider array of venues.

Hilary will continue touring with New County Line, her new St. Louis-based band, this spring, and looks forward to peformances in the Midwest with the Hilary Scott Band. AJ Gennaro, booking and publicity for Hilary Scott and The New County Line, can be contacted at: ajgennaro@belltownrecords.com

She has a brand new posting you won't want to miss!