A while back, a small group of folks interested in sharing the spoken word decided to meet and actually do it. That group has evolved into the very popular Paducah Writers Group and now packs Etcetera Coffeehouse every Friday night. Members perform throughout the week at various other venues. The gorgeously talented Stacie Hatton, 35, is among those who take to the mic. And she's helping with this Friday's Paducah Poetry Jam and this Saturday's Spoken Secrets event. And did we mention she's gorgeous?Stacie Hatton, you are cute, cute, cute, no doubt about it! Actually, you're gor-geous! Are you from around here?
I’ve lived in Paducah 19 years. I went to high school at Massac County in Metropolis and college at WKCTC. I graduated WKCTC with honors and was a Student Ambassador.
Rock on, Stacie! And now you work at Jackson Purchase Energy Corporation? You all are iList Paducah sponsors!
Yes, I’m the executive assistant to Kelly Nuckols — he's the president and CEO. He’s just the best. I have a very respectful and loyal relationship with him.
What do you love most about your job?
I enjoy getting tasks completed with the feeling of accomplishment.
What’s the most challenging part?Getting up at 5 a.m. Ugh.
What's up with that?
Actually, I usually don't get out of bed until 5:15 but I have to be at work at 7.
If you could switch jobs with Kelly for one day, what all would you do?
Well…since I would be the boss, I’d have a carnival atmosphere for one day for our members and employees. How much fun would that be? You could be in the drive thru paying your electric bill and a clown would be by your car making you a balloon dog or handing you cotton candy. When you come in to talk to customer service, you could have your face painted and get a bag of popcorn.
Wow — that would definitely add a little spark to the day!
I think sometimes we take life so seriously that we forget to smile and just be happy to be alive. I think we’d smile all day that day. I mean, how could you not?
Well, Stacie, how could anyone not smile with you around! How did you get interested in spoken word?
Like for a lot of people, Def Poetry Jam opened my eyes. It had really brought the art out there. I didn’t realize that something similar was happening in Paducah until I started seeing the Paducah Writers Group listings on iList Paducah. So I decided to check it out and was hooked.
Now I go every Friday at 8 p.m. to Etcetera Coffeehouse for the Paducah Writers Group showcase of poets and songwriters. We really have a very talented bunch of artists in this area.
That hottie Gabe Camacho was key in getting the group started, wasn't he?
Yes, definitely. He's done so much to inspire us all to express ourselves through the spoken word. He's great.
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| Shawn, Stacie, Ali, Gabe and JSkrilla — among Paducah's spoken word artists. |
Yes. This is my first year to be involved, but it's the second year for this show. We put out a call for entries, and we're still going through them! We'll have at least 20 or so performers.
The event is free and open to everyone — 7 p.m., Friday, July 25, at the Market House Theatre. We hope everyone will come.
And the PostSecret Spoken Secrets event the next night?
Yes, poets from the Paducah Writers Group, Guerrilla Poetry and BlackInk have collaborated with the Yeiser Art Center to perform spoken word at the PostSecret exhibit. PostSecret is a nationally recognized exhibit, and we are honored to have this opportunity. So that's 8 p.m., Saturday, July 26, at the Yeiser.
PWG has selected a few poets who have taken postcards from Frank Warren’s collection, and they've written their interpretations of the poems. We'll share the poems at the Spoken Secrets reception.
Sounds like two great nights of spoken word! When did you start writing poetry?
About 10 years ago, but I was not as active as I am now. The other artists really inspire me. A lot of my writing is about love and romance since I’m a hopeless romantic and proud of it.
Can you share one of your pieces with us?
Sure. This was written about a guy I dated for seven years who ended up lying and cheating on me. What a jerk!
miss u NOT
I miss the person I thought you were
But then I don’t know what was real and what was a lie
So I must assume it was all a lie
Then I don’t miss you at all.
I miss the person I thought you were
But then I don’t know what was real and what was a lie
So I must assume it was all a lie
Then I don’t miss you at all.
Wow, do you think he's ever heard you read it?
No. We aren't involved in the same activities.
So you perform just about every Friday at Etcetera. Do you get nervous?
The first time I read — man was I nervous. My son sat in the audience and said I did great, but that he could tell in my voice that I was not myself. But you get over it. The atmosphere is filled with such an accepting and inviting audience that you enjoy sharing your work, your emotions and your heart.
I am grateful to have found this creative outlet and to be a part of this group. I have an avenue in which I can express myself and have met some wonderful people and formed true friendships.
That's so awesome, Stacie. And you're a mom! Tell us more about your son!His name is Logan. He's 13 and owns my heart. Logan is totally amazing and gifted! He, too, is involved in the art community and studies under the talented Char Downs at the Pinecone Gallery. She is wonderful!
Logan is in the Gifted & Talented art program at Lone Oak Middle School, a goalie for a local roller hockey team and has played the bass. In March, he had one of his pieces hung at Etcetera Coffeehouse. I was so proud.
Excellent! Sounds like you two are good friends.
We have so many different interests, but we do everything together. We love, love, love music and concerts. Recently we took up running and bicycling. I love hiking, but I have to twist his arm to do it. So I’ll round up some friends for a nature hike. It’s so peaceful and really lets you focus on what’s important in life.
How’s your love life?
There currently is no “love” life, as that is a small but strong word. I’ve been on a date here and there, but nothing serious. I am independent and have a busy schedule and will need someone who understands that.
Are you looking for a particular type of guy?
It’s so hard to describe what exactly I’m looking for. I think it's an “I’ll know it when I meet him and get to know him as a person” type of thing. I know people say love at first sight, but let’s be real. What they really mean is lust at first sight.
Nooooo, Stacie! OK, you're right.
There definitely has to be a physical attraction, and my types are varied in that area. Let’s face it…long after the looks have faded who wants to be stuck with someone who’s not that great of a person.
Amen, sister!I love to laugh so I need someone with a great sense of humor. Honesty is a must. As a Gemini, I need spontaneity and an outgoing personality. They must enjoy their own life or they won’t be able to enjoy mine. And it would be nice if they could cook because I’m not that great in that department.
That definitely sounds like the perfect guy! I'm especially diggin' on that cooking requirement!
It will happen when it happens. My family and friends are very important to me, and I have the best ever. They are extremely supportive and give me unconditional love and I just want to thank them.
So speaking of the Spoken Secrets event at the Yeiser — you're on the Yeiser board, yes?Yes, and I’m very passionate about giving back to others, our community and the environment. Along with the Paducah Writers Group and the Yeiser Art Center, I'm a member of GPS Recycle Now, the McCracken County Library and a few other groups. I see that there are so many organizations that need support from the community — especially the arts.
Absolutely!
I’m not one to stand by hoping that someone else will take the responsibility of supporting our community. Even if you cannot provide monetary support, you can always volunteer.
I have always been one who loves to be involved in the community, to do my part, and maybe give someone else the encouragement to find that they, too, can contribute to make their community a better place.
Stacie Hatton, you are babe-a-licious! Any fella who can capture your attention is one lucky guy. And your poetry is beautiful. Poet on, MzSexyStacie!
