So it's New Year's Eve, and while most people are out with their friends partying, I'm sitting on the couch at home getting ready to write a blog about my dream Jason Aldean set-list. Yes, it's true. I have absolutely no life. But I was bored and I thought this would be fun to do, so here we go...
Aldean's "My Kinda Party" tour is kicking off three weeks from TONIGHT. 21 days from now. But who's counting?! I honestly have no idea what to expect from Jason and the guys on this tour (other than pure awesomeness, of course). I expect this tour to be bigger and better than anything they have ever done before, and I am SO excited to see what they come up with!
Though nobody quite knows what the set-list on this tour will be yet, I thought it would be fun to make my DREAM set-list! Ya know... all the songs I WISH he would sing, in the order I wish he would sing them in, in the way that I wish he would sing them in (I know, I know... I'm so demanding!). So here we go! Feel free to comment with what YOUR dream set-list from Aldean (or your favorite artist) would be! I'd love to hear it. I think we can have some serious fun with this one! :)
(P.S. I based this set-list off of a 2 hour concert, so there will be about 20 songs here.)
1. My Kinda Party (This IS the "My Kinda Party" Tour, and I think this song would be AWESOME as an opener! I'm gonna miss Crazy Town, though. I wouldn't be upset if he kept that one as the opening song!)
2. Tattoos on This Town (I think this song would keep the momentum up, plus I think it would make sense to start off the show with a few songs off the newest album. After hearing him sing this one live on the Wide Open tour, I can't imagine him NOT singing it now. I love this song so much!)
3. Crazy Town (Just because this song is so fucking awesome...)
4. The Truth (People call me crazy all the time because this is actually my least favorite Jason song, but it was such a successful song for him that it needs to be in the set. I think this could be the perfect time to slow things down, and this would be the perfect song to slow things down with!)
5. Do You Wish it Was Me (Ok, ok... it will probably never happen, but this is my DREAM set-list, and ooooohhhh... what I would give to have this song back in the set! I've only heard him sing it live once and it NEEDS to be back!)
6. Dirt Road Anthem (Taking things back to a mid-tempo! And who doesn't love this song?! It just makes me all happy inside. Ha!)
7. Fly Over States (As much as I love Amarillo Sky, I don't see Jason singing BOTH Amarillo Sky and Fly Over States. I'm ready for something different, and Fly Over States is one of my favorite songs on the new album. I think it'd be great live, so I say bring it on!)
8. You're the Love I Wanna Be In (Simply because I miss this one, too...)
9. Relentless (I see this song being taken out of the set eventually, but I'll hate to see it go. I'll never understand why it wasn't a more popular single. It's still one of my absolute favorite Jason songs!)
10. Johnny Cash (Mmmmm. That is all.)
11. Laugh Until We Cried (I don't understand why this song didn't do better on the charts, either. Love it!)
12. Back In This Cigarette (Kurt told me a couple years ago that this would never get added into the set because it's really challenging to play live, but DAMN IT I WANT IT IN HERE!! Ok... feels good to get that off my chest.)
13. No (Umm... this song should have never been removed from the set in the first place. No excuses. Haha)
14. This I Gotta See (If I had a dime for every time someone asked me, "Does he sing 'This I Gotta See?!' in a really excited tone, I'd have a lot of money. Like, we're talking at least 3 dollars. Haha! I freaking love this song, and I think it'd be great in a live show!)
15. Big Green Tractor (My favorite song. My twitter name. And simply because, if he didn't sing it, he'd probably get killed.)
16. I'm Just a Man (No joke, this was my favorite live song of his... then he took it out and crushed my heart into a million pieces. Bringing it back would make me a happy girl!)
17. Hicktown (Quite frankly, I think this song is absolutely perfect as the closing song right before the encore. Good choice, Bossman!)
Encore: (My encore is gonna be three songs, just because I like it better that way...)
18. Days Like These (My second favorite song on the new album. It freaking rocks. People love it. And I wanna see Jason do the air guitar. Mmmkay bye.)
19. Lose Yourself by Eminem (Yes... I went there. I know this will never happen either, but just imagining it makes me all giddy!!)
20. She's Country (This song changed Jason's career! I think it'd be the absolute PERFECT closer for his high energy shows!)
Ok, looking back over my set-list, I realize how ridiculous it looks. I know it'll never happen, but like I said, it's my DREAM set-list. Just something that I would love to see happen someday. (And for the record, "Church Pew or Bar Stool" is my favorite song on the new record and I reallllllly wanna hear it live, but I couldn't figure out where to put it. Lol!)
After making this, I realized how hard creating a set-list must really be. Jason now has four albums. That's a lot of material to choose from! He has to make sure he gets all of his hits in there, plus the songs that weren't singles that he thinks the audience will want to hear and that he thinks will take his live show to a whole different level. In addition, choosing the order of songs is extremely challenging. My order makes no sense at all! After about five songs, I gave up on trying to pick an order that made sense. It's difficult to pick and choose which songs should go where, so that the live show maintains an even balance of up-tempos and ballads. You're relying on the order and make-up of your set-list to make sure that your live show is the best that it can possibly be. I give Jason and his crew mad props for taking the time to sit down and map out the set-list that they come up with, as they always appear to work so well!
With that being said, I hope you enjoyed my super awesome set-list! Maybe (never) Jason will read this and try to make me a happy girl by playing my dream set-list someday. Hey, it could(n't) happen...
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
New Artist Alert: High Valley
Where are my Love and Theft fans at?! Well, listen up! You guys are going to love this next group that I'm going to talk about...
By now you should know that I come to find out about new artists in very strange ways. I came across High Valley via a Facebook ad that I saw on the side of my Facebook profile. You know the kind I'm talking about: the ones that typically annoy you, you have no idea why they are there and you wish they would go away. Yet, at the same time, you tend to be really creeped out by the fact that those ads seem to ALWAYS appeal to your interests. Facebook is a brilliant thing, I'm telling you. Anyways, I saw their adorable little faces pop up in the ad on my profile, and for whatever reason, I clicked on it (you're welcome, whomever, for generating you some revenue...). The link brought me to their Facebook page where I looked around for a while and tried to learn more about them (ok, seriously... my blogs make me sound like THE creepiest person ever! Ha!). I liked what I saw, so I headed over to their website to take a listen to their music.
High Valley is a group of three brothers from Canada, Brad, Bryan and Curtis Rempel. Nowhere does it list them as a Christian group, but I guess you could say that I got that impression a bit when I first listened to some of their songs. One thing's for certain: their music is country to the core. Unlike a lot of the "pop country" that is out on the radio today, these guys are taking country music back to its roots, and I like that a lot about them. Their music sounds very organic, and their incredible harmonies take it to the next level. One of the things that I enjoy most about their music is that it's very positive and uplifting. It's a challenge to find a song on their album that talks about anything negative or heartbreaking. While there are still songs that make you cry, they are happy tears. Their songs are very spiritual and easy to relate to.
As I got to learn more about this incredible group of guys, I learned that they are not new at all, actually. They have opened shows for Keith Urban and Brad Paisley, and their first album, "Broken Borders" was named Album of the Year at the GMA Canada Covenant Awards. But while they may be super popular in Canada, they are still new to me, and many other country music fans in the United States. Hopefully their popularity in the states will continue to rise as the months pass.
High Valley is working on a new album. Their current album can be purchased on iTunes, or in their online store here
Their current album includes songs written by the lovely Whitney Duncan, as well as hit songwriters Neil Thrasher and Ashley Gorley.
I really enjoy listening to these guys and I see BIG things in store for them in their futures! You can check them out here:
http://highvalleymusic.com
By now you should know that I come to find out about new artists in very strange ways. I came across High Valley via a Facebook ad that I saw on the side of my Facebook profile. You know the kind I'm talking about: the ones that typically annoy you, you have no idea why they are there and you wish they would go away. Yet, at the same time, you tend to be really creeped out by the fact that those ads seem to ALWAYS appeal to your interests. Facebook is a brilliant thing, I'm telling you. Anyways, I saw their adorable little faces pop up in the ad on my profile, and for whatever reason, I clicked on it (you're welcome, whomever, for generating you some revenue...). The link brought me to their Facebook page where I looked around for a while and tried to learn more about them (ok, seriously... my blogs make me sound like THE creepiest person ever! Ha!). I liked what I saw, so I headed over to their website to take a listen to their music.
High Valley is a group of three brothers from Canada, Brad, Bryan and Curtis Rempel. Nowhere does it list them as a Christian group, but I guess you could say that I got that impression a bit when I first listened to some of their songs. One thing's for certain: their music is country to the core. Unlike a lot of the "pop country" that is out on the radio today, these guys are taking country music back to its roots, and I like that a lot about them. Their music sounds very organic, and their incredible harmonies take it to the next level. One of the things that I enjoy most about their music is that it's very positive and uplifting. It's a challenge to find a song on their album that talks about anything negative or heartbreaking. While there are still songs that make you cry, they are happy tears. Their songs are very spiritual and easy to relate to.
As I got to learn more about this incredible group of guys, I learned that they are not new at all, actually. They have opened shows for Keith Urban and Brad Paisley, and their first album, "Broken Borders" was named Album of the Year at the GMA Canada Covenant Awards. But while they may be super popular in Canada, they are still new to me, and many other country music fans in the United States. Hopefully their popularity in the states will continue to rise as the months pass.
High Valley is working on a new album. Their current album can be purchased on iTunes, or in their online store here
Their current album includes songs written by the lovely Whitney Duncan, as well as hit songwriters Neil Thrasher and Ashley Gorley.
I really enjoy listening to these guys and I see BIG things in store for them in their futures! You can check them out here:
http://highvalleymusic.com
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
New Artist Alert: Ryan Weber
Ryan freaking Weber!!! One of my favorite people to ever grace Twitter with his or her presence. Haha!
I've known about Ryan for a while now. I actually heard about him back in 2008 from my friend, Sara, who runs his Kentucky street team. I listened to some of his music briefly back then and enjoyed it, but I haven't really gotten into it and fallen in love with it until recently, when I started following him on Twitter (isn't social networking GREAT!?).
Ryan is one of the most talented unsigned artists that I have heard in a long time. His songs remind me of songs that I could very easily hear on country radio today. His songs are catchy, relatable, and have powerful lyrics, backed up by his extremely powerful vocals. And I mean that. This boy can SANG!
I have currently been listening to his song "Someday" constantly. It is one of the most powerful songs I have heard in a while. In a world where a lot of country artists constantly throw songs together because they think they'll be funny, "sound country" or will do well on radio, this song is refreshing. It has an impact on its listeners. It makes those who listen stop and think. The first time I heard it, it gave me goosebumps, and it continues to do that every time I listen. This song proves what a talented musician Ryan is: songwriter AND vocalist.
If great vocals and amazing songwriting isn't enough to make you want to check out Ryan, maybe his good looks and awesome personality will catch your attention. When I say that ryan (@ryanwebermusic) is one of my favorite people to follow on Twitter, I mean that. He is freaking hilarious! He always has something funny to say, and he always speaks his mind.
I think Ryan is a wonderful person. Great personality, great vocalics, great musicianship, great smile, great everything. I truly believe we'll be seeing lots more from Ryan in the near future.
You can check Ryan out at:
www.ryanwebermusic.com
www.facebook.com/ryweber
www.myspace.com/ryanweberfans
www.youtube.com/user/rywebcamtv
www.ilike.com/artist/ryan+weber
You can buy his EP "From the Hilltop" at:
http://ryanweber.bigcartel.com
I've known about Ryan for a while now. I actually heard about him back in 2008 from my friend, Sara, who runs his Kentucky street team. I listened to some of his music briefly back then and enjoyed it, but I haven't really gotten into it and fallen in love with it until recently, when I started following him on Twitter (isn't social networking GREAT!?).
Ryan is one of the most talented unsigned artists that I have heard in a long time. His songs remind me of songs that I could very easily hear on country radio today. His songs are catchy, relatable, and have powerful lyrics, backed up by his extremely powerful vocals. And I mean that. This boy can SANG!
I have currently been listening to his song "Someday" constantly. It is one of the most powerful songs I have heard in a while. In a world where a lot of country artists constantly throw songs together because they think they'll be funny, "sound country" or will do well on radio, this song is refreshing. It has an impact on its listeners. It makes those who listen stop and think. The first time I heard it, it gave me goosebumps, and it continues to do that every time I listen. This song proves what a talented musician Ryan is: songwriter AND vocalist.
If great vocals and amazing songwriting isn't enough to make you want to check out Ryan, maybe his good looks and awesome personality will catch your attention. When I say that ryan (@ryanwebermusic) is one of my favorite people to follow on Twitter, I mean that. He is freaking hilarious! He always has something funny to say, and he always speaks his mind.
I think Ryan is a wonderful person. Great personality, great vocalics, great musicianship, great smile, great everything. I truly believe we'll be seeing lots more from Ryan in the near future.
You can check Ryan out at:
www.ryanwebermusic.com
www.facebook.com/ryweber
www.myspace.com/ryanweberfans
www.youtube.com/user/rywebcamtv
www.ilike.com/artist/ryan+weber
You can buy his EP "From the Hilltop" at:
http://ryanweber.bigcartel.com
New Artist Alert: Jason Tucker
I first got to know Jason Tucker back in 2008 when he was playing keys and singing background vocals for Eric Durrance on the CMT Tour with Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum. I thought he was incredibly talented and could be a solo artist in his own right, and it turns out that he is trying to take that path right now.
Tucker isn't really "country" per say, but he's really talented and that's all that matters. Most of his music has a rock vibe to it... something that I could easily hear on a Top 40 radio station, or see a video for on VH1 (he's easy on the eyes, too, so that helps!). His voice kind of reminds me of David Cook (American Idol winner), but it's still unique in its own way.
In fact, I think Tucker is an extremely talented round-about musician, so it surprises me that he hasn't had more success in the music industry. Not only does he have a mature, polished, amazing voice, but he is a great piano/keyboard player and, possibly best of all, he is a great songwriter. Looking at Tucker, I wouldn't expect lyrics that deep and profound to come from him, but he has an amazing ability to put words into songs, and more times than not, they are songs that his audience can really relate to and connect with.
Tucker has an EP out on iTunes and there isn't a bad song on it. He's had quite the struggle in the music industry over the past couple of years, but I sincerely hope that he keeps on pushing and following his dreams. I think there is a lot of promise in his future, no matter if he decides to be a singer, a songwriter, a keyboard player, or ALL of it! He's talented enough to do anything that he sets his mind to.
You can check Jason Tucker out at:
http://www.reverbnation.com/tuckermusic
www.facebook.com/tuckermusic
http://tuckermusic.net
www.myspace.com/jtuckermusic
You can also buy his Best In Me EP on iTunes here:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/best-in-me-ep/id381079390
I can't say enough great things about Jason. Check out his music and I think you'll have the same great things to say about him as I do! :)
Tucker isn't really "country" per say, but he's really talented and that's all that matters. Most of his music has a rock vibe to it... something that I could easily hear on a Top 40 radio station, or see a video for on VH1 (he's easy on the eyes, too, so that helps!). His voice kind of reminds me of David Cook (American Idol winner), but it's still unique in its own way.
In fact, I think Tucker is an extremely talented round-about musician, so it surprises me that he hasn't had more success in the music industry. Not only does he have a mature, polished, amazing voice, but he is a great piano/keyboard player and, possibly best of all, he is a great songwriter. Looking at Tucker, I wouldn't expect lyrics that deep and profound to come from him, but he has an amazing ability to put words into songs, and more times than not, they are songs that his audience can really relate to and connect with.
Tucker has an EP out on iTunes and there isn't a bad song on it. He's had quite the struggle in the music industry over the past couple of years, but I sincerely hope that he keeps on pushing and following his dreams. I think there is a lot of promise in his future, no matter if he decides to be a singer, a songwriter, a keyboard player, or ALL of it! He's talented enough to do anything that he sets his mind to.
You can check Jason Tucker out at:
http://www.reverbnation.com/tuckermusic
www.facebook.com/tuckermusic
http://tuckermusic.net
www.myspace.com/jtuckermusic
You can also buy his Best In Me EP on iTunes here:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/best-in-me-ep/id381079390
I can't say enough great things about Jason. Check out his music and I think you'll have the same great things to say about him as I do! :)
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
New Artist Alert: Jessica Ridley
I've done a few of these new artist blogs now and all of them have been written about male country artists, mainly because there was never a female singer who stopped me in my tracks. However, Jessica Ridley changed all of that for me. Jessica is a country singer born and raised in Canada with a pure voice and rockin' attitude. Besides being absolutely beautiful, her songs are catchy, showcase her talent perfectly, and they sound completely different from what is currently out at radio right now.
Jessica will be releasing her 13-track debut album sometime next year. She currently has a song out at radio entitled "Flaming Red." It's a rocking little number that makes you tap your foot and want to sing along.
I like Jessica a lot because she's different from a lot of the female country singers out there right now. She lists Shania Twain as one of her influences, and I can see a little bit of Shania in her. She appears fearless, not afraid to speak her mind, always up for some fun, and a sassy performer. In fact, Jessica says that performing live is her favorite thing to do.
A lot of the songs that I have heard of Jessica's have a rock aspect to them. Her songs keep you entertained and always wanting more. She has co-written four of the songs on her debut album.
If you are interested in hearing a female country singer who has some sass and some strong vocals, I highly suggest you check out Jessica Ridley. You can get to know her and her music at the following links:
www.jessicaridley.com
www.myspace.com/jessicaridleymusic
www.twitter.com/jessicaridley
www.ilike.com/artist/jessica+ridley
Jessica will be releasing her 13-track debut album sometime next year. She currently has a song out at radio entitled "Flaming Red." It's a rocking little number that makes you tap your foot and want to sing along.
I like Jessica a lot because she's different from a lot of the female country singers out there right now. She lists Shania Twain as one of her influences, and I can see a little bit of Shania in her. She appears fearless, not afraid to speak her mind, always up for some fun, and a sassy performer. In fact, Jessica says that performing live is her favorite thing to do.
A lot of the songs that I have heard of Jessica's have a rock aspect to them. Her songs keep you entertained and always wanting more. She has co-written four of the songs on her debut album.
If you are interested in hearing a female country singer who has some sass and some strong vocals, I highly suggest you check out Jessica Ridley. You can get to know her and her music at the following links:
www.jessicaridley.com
www.myspace.com/jessicaridleymusic
www.twitter.com/jessicaridley
www.ilike.com/artist/jessica+ridley
My 2010 in Review: Music Edition
2010 is almost over. Was this not the quickest year EVER?! I feel like it was just January a few weeks ago. Anyways, what another great year this has been for me! I love my life and all the people that are in it, and I count my blessings every day.
One way in which this year was so great (though there were many!) is the many concerts that I went to and the memories from them that will last me a lifetime. I went to more concerts this year than I ever have before in a single year. In fact, I saw Jason Aldean 20 times just this year! There is something seriously wrong with me! Ha! But needless to say, I have had so much fun and I wouldn't trade any of the amazing experiences that I have had for anything.
I decided to write a blog about my 2010 in review, but with a musical twist to it; for example, the best concerts I went to, my favorite country albums, some of my favorite songs of the year, etc. This will probably be a long blog, so if you stick with me the whole time, major props to you!
Top 5 Concerts/Concert experiences of 2010
5. Jason Aldean in York, PA, and Wilkes Barre, PA (September 18th and 19th)
These shows will always be two of my favorites. Not only was Jason totally in his prime, but I got to spend it with some of my absolute favorite people: Annie, Holly, Dayna and Lori! I have never laughed so hard in one weekend more than I did this weekend. I have some of the best memories from these shows...memories that I will cherish for a lifetime.
4. 2010 CMA Music Awards
I already wrote a blog about this, so I won't go into much detail. This was one of the coolest experiences I have ever gotten to have. I'll probably never get to go to another CMA Awards show because the tickets are so expensive, so I'm really glad that I have gotten to experience it at least once. Getting to see how everything works at award shows, the production, etc. is beyond amazing! If you ever get the chance to check out an awards show... DO IT!
3. 2010 CMA Music Festival
My favorite time of year is CMA Music Festival time!! I love everything about this week (well, everything except for the freakishly hot temperatures). Getting to see so many of our favorite stars in the same place is the best thing ever, not to mention we got to meet so many great artists! I never have more fun than when I am at CMA Fest, and getting to spend it with my momma and my best friend makes it ten times more enjoyable! The people are great, the talent is amazing, and the memories are CRAZY!! I can't WAIT for next year!!
2. Justin Moore at the Dusty Armadillo...TWICE!!
Ok, so this is actually two concerts, but still! I got to see Justin Moore (have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE that man?!) TWICE this year at my absolute favorite place to see concerts. It's small and intimate and a great time is always had there. Justin played there back in March, and again just a few weeks ago. Both times he played for almost 3 HOURS!! He puts on one of the best live shows I have ever seen, and he always makes it a point to acknowledge me (Blushing!!). I heart him so much!
1. Jason Aldean in Boston!
Wow, wow, wow!! This is the only Jason show I have ever been to where I sat in the balcony (can you believe it?!), but it's still one of the best times I have ever had. I have always wanted to go to Boston, so finally getting to see the city with one of my favorite people, Dayna, was SO AWESOME!!! I love everything about the city and the people there. We even got a personal backstage tour of the House of Blues, AND we got to meet Jason that night (and the look on his face when he saw us was PRICELESS! "There's just no telling where you guys are gonna show up, is there?" Haha!). Dayna and I are already planning on hitting up another Boston show next year. We love you, Boston!!!
Top 5 Albums of 2010
5. Keith Urban: "Get Closer"
I love Keith. To this day, even after seeing and hearing SO many country artists, I still think Keith Urban is the most talented human being on the face of this planet. This album proves that. His songwriting is off the charts and his guitar playing blows you away. I seriously think the man is incapable of making a bad record. My favorite song on the album is "Long Hot Summer." Pretty sure I listen to it at least 10 times a day. Please check this album out if you haven't already. It has already been certified GOLD, just a few weeks after its release. Yeah... it's THAT good!
4. Darius Rucker: Charleston, SC, 1966
Just like Keith, I think Darius is incapable of making a bad song/record. I LOVE me some Darius! The man can SANG, and I think his songwriting is exceptional on this album. The thing that I love the most about Darius is that his songs are easy to relate to and he sings from the heart. He always has that one song on his albums that really make you stop and think about life. He is inspirational and such a talented man.
3. Gary Allan: "Get Off on the Pain"
I have always loved Gary Allan, but I think this is his best album yet. Several of the songs on this album moved me to tears. It's one of those CDs that you can listen to non-stop and still not get sick of it (trust me, I would know. It's pretty much the only CD that played in my mom's car for about 8 months!). Gary's songs are honest and real, not to mention he has a voice that could melt anybody's face off. He has a lot of passion for music and this album demonstrates that perfectly. In addition, Gary never really has been much of a songwriter on his previous albums, but he wrote several on this CD and each one is so beautifully written. I think Gary is one of the most underrated artists in country music, and his albums never receive much hype when they are released. He deserves all the hype in the world, however, because his CD is phenomenal from start to finish!
2. Josh Thompson: "Way Out Here"
I'll admit, when it comes to Josh, I wasn't instantly a fan. I kept hearing "Beer on the Table" on the radio, and I thought it was just an alright song... nothing about it blew me away or made me stop in my tracks. However, for whatever reason, I decided to pick up a copy of his album at my local Walmart when it was released in February... and boy, am I glad that I did! Since the first time I popped it in my CD player, "Way Out Here" was become one of my favorite albums of ALL TIME!! As each new song played, I kept saying, "MAN! I LOVE THIS SONG!!" Every song on the album is absolutely killer. I think they ALL could do extremely well on radio! Josh wrote or co-wrote almost every song on the album, and I definitely think songwriting is what he is best at! I have yet to see Josh live (though I will be in February!), but his CD will hold me over just fine until I finally get to. I play it all the time and I'm still not sick of it. PLEASE, if you haven't already, go out and purchase Josh's album. It is one of the best you will ever hear... promise!
1. Jason Aldean: "My Kinda Party"
Ok, you guys should have known that Jason would be number one here. This is Jason's best album to date, in my opinion. EVERY song is great... and there are FIFTEEN of them on this record! That's something you don't get on a CD very often these days, but Jason definitely gave his fans their moneys worth! In addition to every song being great, Jason's vocals have never sounded so great! I literally get chills down my arms when I listen to him sing on this album. His voice is so pure and it makes you want to listen. I don't know how Jason is ever going to top this album, but I can't wait to see him try! He blows me away every time he releases something new. This CD is selling like hotcakes, but if you haven't gotten it yet, please stop reading my blog right now and GO GET IT!!!
Other Notable 2010 Albums:
It's hard to narrow it down to just five, so here are some other albums that came out this year that I think are great:
1. Little Big Town: The Reason Why
2. Rascal Flatts: Nothing Like This
3. Brantley Gilbert: Halfway to Heaven
4. Sugarland: Incredible Machine
5. Easton Corbin: Easton Corbin
6. Lee Brice: Love Like Crazy
7. Matt Kennon: Matt Kennon
8. Jessica Harp: A Woman Needs
Favorite New Artists of 2010:
There were a lot of breakthrough stars that came out on the scene this year, and I loved a lot of them!
Randy Montana:
This man could seriously sing me the phonebook and I would think it was the most amazing thing to ever be sung. His voice is so soothing and hypnotizing. I love everything about Randy! Not only does he write some amazing songs (I have yet to hear a song from him that I DON'T like), but he is one of the sweetest people ever. I don't hear Randy much on the radio, but GAC played his video for "Ain't Much Left of Lovin' You" quite a bit. I'm hoping that Randy has more success throughout the years, and with talent like that, I have a hard time not seeing him go far. Randy's new single "1,000 Faces" is out at radio now! Go request! Here's video of Randy singing my favorite song of his, titled "Last Horse:"
Frankie Ballard:
Holla if you love Frankie! (HOLLAAAAA!) haha! Frankie has actually been around for quite a few years, but this year was the first year that I really took the time to listen to him. I'm kicking myself for that, because he is SO talented. I truly think he has one of the most unique voices in country music today, and it gives me goosebumps every time I hear him sing. Frankie released his first single "Tell Me You Get Lonely" earlier this year. You can buy his single and his EP on iTunes or at www.frankieballard.com. I highly suggest you buy his EP! All of the songs are absolutely wonderful. I can't wait until his CD hits stores! This man has quite the career ahead of him and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for him. Above is a video of Frankie singing "Sober Me Up," a song that will hopefully be on the new record. It's probably my favorite song of his! Ahhhh-mazing!! Take a listen for yourself!
Chris Janson:
I. Love. Chris. Janson! You don't hear much about Chris, but I've been mesmerized by his talent ever since I heard him for the first time on GAC. His first single, 'Til a Woman Comes Along, was played quite a bit on GAC and CMT, but I've never heard it on radio, which is a shame. It's one of my most played songs on iTunes. I think everything about Chris is unique: his voice, his image, his instrumentation... everything. I absolutely love it! Chris is supposed to be releasing a CD within the next couple of months. I can't wait to hear it, as everything that I have heard from him so far has been phenomenal! Please check this talented crooner out! www.chrisjanson.com! Below is a video of him singing his song Tennessee Queen. I hope you all love this guy as much as I do! <3
I think now's a good time to stop my 2010 year-in-review music blog. I hope you all enjoyed it. I can't wait to see what is in store for the music industry in 2011. I see many big things for many of the artists that I mentioned in this blog, and I am so excited!
One way in which this year was so great (though there were many!) is the many concerts that I went to and the memories from them that will last me a lifetime. I went to more concerts this year than I ever have before in a single year. In fact, I saw Jason Aldean 20 times just this year! There is something seriously wrong with me! Ha! But needless to say, I have had so much fun and I wouldn't trade any of the amazing experiences that I have had for anything.
I decided to write a blog about my 2010 in review, but with a musical twist to it; for example, the best concerts I went to, my favorite country albums, some of my favorite songs of the year, etc. This will probably be a long blog, so if you stick with me the whole time, major props to you!
Top 5 Concerts/Concert experiences of 2010
5. Jason Aldean in York, PA, and Wilkes Barre, PA (September 18th and 19th)
These shows will always be two of my favorites. Not only was Jason totally in his prime, but I got to spend it with some of my absolute favorite people: Annie, Holly, Dayna and Lori! I have never laughed so hard in one weekend more than I did this weekend. I have some of the best memories from these shows...memories that I will cherish for a lifetime.
4. 2010 CMA Music Awards
I already wrote a blog about this, so I won't go into much detail. This was one of the coolest experiences I have ever gotten to have. I'll probably never get to go to another CMA Awards show because the tickets are so expensive, so I'm really glad that I have gotten to experience it at least once. Getting to see how everything works at award shows, the production, etc. is beyond amazing! If you ever get the chance to check out an awards show... DO IT!
3. 2010 CMA Music Festival
My favorite time of year is CMA Music Festival time!! I love everything about this week (well, everything except for the freakishly hot temperatures). Getting to see so many of our favorite stars in the same place is the best thing ever, not to mention we got to meet so many great artists! I never have more fun than when I am at CMA Fest, and getting to spend it with my momma and my best friend makes it ten times more enjoyable! The people are great, the talent is amazing, and the memories are CRAZY!! I can't WAIT for next year!!
2. Justin Moore at the Dusty Armadillo...TWICE!!
Ok, so this is actually two concerts, but still! I got to see Justin Moore (have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE that man?!) TWICE this year at my absolute favorite place to see concerts. It's small and intimate and a great time is always had there. Justin played there back in March, and again just a few weeks ago. Both times he played for almost 3 HOURS!! He puts on one of the best live shows I have ever seen, and he always makes it a point to acknowledge me (Blushing!!). I heart him so much!
1. Jason Aldean in Boston!
Wow, wow, wow!! This is the only Jason show I have ever been to where I sat in the balcony (can you believe it?!), but it's still one of the best times I have ever had. I have always wanted to go to Boston, so finally getting to see the city with one of my favorite people, Dayna, was SO AWESOME!!! I love everything about the city and the people there. We even got a personal backstage tour of the House of Blues, AND we got to meet Jason that night (and the look on his face when he saw us was PRICELESS! "There's just no telling where you guys are gonna show up, is there?" Haha!). Dayna and I are already planning on hitting up another Boston show next year. We love you, Boston!!!
Top 5 Albums of 2010
5. Keith Urban: "Get Closer"
I love Keith. To this day, even after seeing and hearing SO many country artists, I still think Keith Urban is the most talented human being on the face of this planet. This album proves that. His songwriting is off the charts and his guitar playing blows you away. I seriously think the man is incapable of making a bad record. My favorite song on the album is "Long Hot Summer." Pretty sure I listen to it at least 10 times a day. Please check this album out if you haven't already. It has already been certified GOLD, just a few weeks after its release. Yeah... it's THAT good!
4. Darius Rucker: Charleston, SC, 1966
Just like Keith, I think Darius is incapable of making a bad song/record. I LOVE me some Darius! The man can SANG, and I think his songwriting is exceptional on this album. The thing that I love the most about Darius is that his songs are easy to relate to and he sings from the heart. He always has that one song on his albums that really make you stop and think about life. He is inspirational and such a talented man.
3. Gary Allan: "Get Off on the Pain"
I have always loved Gary Allan, but I think this is his best album yet. Several of the songs on this album moved me to tears. It's one of those CDs that you can listen to non-stop and still not get sick of it (trust me, I would know. It's pretty much the only CD that played in my mom's car for about 8 months!). Gary's songs are honest and real, not to mention he has a voice that could melt anybody's face off. He has a lot of passion for music and this album demonstrates that perfectly. In addition, Gary never really has been much of a songwriter on his previous albums, but he wrote several on this CD and each one is so beautifully written. I think Gary is one of the most underrated artists in country music, and his albums never receive much hype when they are released. He deserves all the hype in the world, however, because his CD is phenomenal from start to finish!
2. Josh Thompson: "Way Out Here"
I'll admit, when it comes to Josh, I wasn't instantly a fan. I kept hearing "Beer on the Table" on the radio, and I thought it was just an alright song... nothing about it blew me away or made me stop in my tracks. However, for whatever reason, I decided to pick up a copy of his album at my local Walmart when it was released in February... and boy, am I glad that I did! Since the first time I popped it in my CD player, "Way Out Here" was become one of my favorite albums of ALL TIME!! As each new song played, I kept saying, "MAN! I LOVE THIS SONG!!" Every song on the album is absolutely killer. I think they ALL could do extremely well on radio! Josh wrote or co-wrote almost every song on the album, and I definitely think songwriting is what he is best at! I have yet to see Josh live (though I will be in February!), but his CD will hold me over just fine until I finally get to. I play it all the time and I'm still not sick of it. PLEASE, if you haven't already, go out and purchase Josh's album. It is one of the best you will ever hear... promise!
1. Jason Aldean: "My Kinda Party"
Ok, you guys should have known that Jason would be number one here. This is Jason's best album to date, in my opinion. EVERY song is great... and there are FIFTEEN of them on this record! That's something you don't get on a CD very often these days, but Jason definitely gave his fans their moneys worth! In addition to every song being great, Jason's vocals have never sounded so great! I literally get chills down my arms when I listen to him sing on this album. His voice is so pure and it makes you want to listen. I don't know how Jason is ever going to top this album, but I can't wait to see him try! He blows me away every time he releases something new. This CD is selling like hotcakes, but if you haven't gotten it yet, please stop reading my blog right now and GO GET IT!!!
Other Notable 2010 Albums:
It's hard to narrow it down to just five, so here are some other albums that came out this year that I think are great:
1. Little Big Town: The Reason Why
2. Rascal Flatts: Nothing Like This
3. Brantley Gilbert: Halfway to Heaven
4. Sugarland: Incredible Machine
5. Easton Corbin: Easton Corbin
6. Lee Brice: Love Like Crazy
7. Matt Kennon: Matt Kennon
8. Jessica Harp: A Woman Needs
Favorite New Artists of 2010:
There were a lot of breakthrough stars that came out on the scene this year, and I loved a lot of them!
Randy Montana:
This man could seriously sing me the phonebook and I would think it was the most amazing thing to ever be sung. His voice is so soothing and hypnotizing. I love everything about Randy! Not only does he write some amazing songs (I have yet to hear a song from him that I DON'T like), but he is one of the sweetest people ever. I don't hear Randy much on the radio, but GAC played his video for "Ain't Much Left of Lovin' You" quite a bit. I'm hoping that Randy has more success throughout the years, and with talent like that, I have a hard time not seeing him go far. Randy's new single "1,000 Faces" is out at radio now! Go request! Here's video of Randy singing my favorite song of his, titled "Last Horse:"
Frankie Ballard:
Holla if you love Frankie! (HOLLAAAAA!) haha! Frankie has actually been around for quite a few years, but this year was the first year that I really took the time to listen to him. I'm kicking myself for that, because he is SO talented. I truly think he has one of the most unique voices in country music today, and it gives me goosebumps every time I hear him sing. Frankie released his first single "Tell Me You Get Lonely" earlier this year. You can buy his single and his EP on iTunes or at www.frankieballard.com. I highly suggest you buy his EP! All of the songs are absolutely wonderful. I can't wait until his CD hits stores! This man has quite the career ahead of him and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for him. Above is a video of Frankie singing "Sober Me Up," a song that will hopefully be on the new record. It's probably my favorite song of his! Ahhhh-mazing!! Take a listen for yourself!
Chris Janson:
I. Love. Chris. Janson! You don't hear much about Chris, but I've been mesmerized by his talent ever since I heard him for the first time on GAC. His first single, 'Til a Woman Comes Along, was played quite a bit on GAC and CMT, but I've never heard it on radio, which is a shame. It's one of my most played songs on iTunes. I think everything about Chris is unique: his voice, his image, his instrumentation... everything. I absolutely love it! Chris is supposed to be releasing a CD within the next couple of months. I can't wait to hear it, as everything that I have heard from him so far has been phenomenal! Please check this talented crooner out! www.chrisjanson.com! Below is a video of him singing his song Tennessee Queen. I hope you all love this guy as much as I do! <3
I think now's a good time to stop my 2010 year-in-review music blog. I hope you all enjoyed it. I can't wait to see what is in store for the music industry in 2011. I see many big things for many of the artists that I mentioned in this blog, and I am so excited!
Friday, December 10, 2010
New Artist Alert: Dustin Lynch
A few weeks ago, I received a friend request on Facebook from a man by the name of Dustin Lynch. I had no idea who he was, but I clicked on his page as I normally do when I receive friend requests from people that I'm unfamiliar with. His picture was of him in a cowboy hat, holding a guitar, and totally rocking out in an almost Justin-Moore-like pose. As I scrolled down, I noticed who our mutual friends were: Kory Caudill, Joshua Cross and Roger Coleman II (all in Justin Moore's band), Emily West (love that girl!), and Lee Francis (he plays bass for my friend Angela Engelman). Judging by all of that, I figured this fella HAD to be pretty badass, so I accepted him.
Once we were "friends," I headed back over to his page to learn more about him (my blog posts make me sound totally stalker-ish haha!). Turns out he's a country music singer, newly signed to Valory Music Company. Now, I'm sure some of you know how near and dear to my heart Valory Music is. They are home to one of my favorite people on the planet, Mr. Justin Moore (I guess that would explain the mutual friends and such), and one of my favorite record labels on the planet! I was actually surprised that I had never heard of him before, but I decided to take a listen to some of his music... and boy, am I glad that I did!
Besides Dustin's radiating smile (seriously, it's beautiful!), he is a man bursting with talent in many different aspects of the music industry. He has a very pure voice; one that makes you just want to close your eyes, relax, and listen. He is easy on the ears, with an almost soulful aspect to his voice. He makes it appear effortless and keeps listeners coming back for more. In addition, what a beautiful songwriter Dustin is! I have only heard three songs from him so far (the three that are on his Myspace), but each one left me in awe of his talents as a songwriter. My personal favorite song is "Moment Before a Lifetime." This song is very relatable to all audiences. It brought tears to my eyes and sent chills up my arms. I have been replaying it ever since I heard it for the first time.
I don't know much about Dustin yet, but I hope to get to know more about him in the near future. He is super talented and seems like somebody who can really make their mark in the music industry. From what I can gather, Dustin is in the studio now recording his album. I'm not sure when it comes out, but hopefully soon!
You can find Dustin on Facebook and twitter (@dustinlynch), and you can listen to some of his songs on his myspace account at the link provided above. I hope you enjoy this shining star!
Once we were "friends," I headed back over to his page to learn more about him (my blog posts make me sound totally stalker-ish haha!). Turns out he's a country music singer, newly signed to Valory Music Company. Now, I'm sure some of you know how near and dear to my heart Valory Music is. They are home to one of my favorite people on the planet, Mr. Justin Moore (I guess that would explain the mutual friends and such), and one of my favorite record labels on the planet! I was actually surprised that I had never heard of him before, but I decided to take a listen to some of his music... and boy, am I glad that I did!
Besides Dustin's radiating smile (seriously, it's beautiful!), he is a man bursting with talent in many different aspects of the music industry. He has a very pure voice; one that makes you just want to close your eyes, relax, and listen. He is easy on the ears, with an almost soulful aspect to his voice. He makes it appear effortless and keeps listeners coming back for more. In addition, what a beautiful songwriter Dustin is! I have only heard three songs from him so far (the three that are on his Myspace), but each one left me in awe of his talents as a songwriter. My personal favorite song is "Moment Before a Lifetime." This song is very relatable to all audiences. It brought tears to my eyes and sent chills up my arms. I have been replaying it ever since I heard it for the first time.
I don't know much about Dustin yet, but I hope to get to know more about him in the near future. He is super talented and seems like somebody who can really make their mark in the music industry. From what I can gather, Dustin is in the studio now recording his album. I'm not sure when it comes out, but hopefully soon!
You can find Dustin on Facebook and twitter (@dustinlynch), and you can listen to some of his songs on his myspace account at the link provided above. I hope you enjoy this shining star!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Justin Moore at the Dusty Armadillo!
One word: Incredible.
Most of the people who know me know that I have a slightly unhealthy obsession with country singer Justin Moore. Like, he's all I talk about, his CD is constantly playing in my CD player, the smallest things will remind me of him and his music, etc. Point blank, I just LOVE the man! Not only do I find him incredibly sexy (and I mean INCREDIBLY sexy haha), but he is also one of the most talented men on this planet. I listen to country music ALL the time, and I can honestly say, from the bottom of my heart, that Justin has the BEST male voice in country music. It's true. I don't think any of his singles have showcased that talent quite yet, but once "Outlaws Like Me," a new song written by Justin (and also my favorite song EVER, by any artist), hits radio, people will finally start to realize what a force he is in this industry. The song is absolutely incredible, and his vocals on it just completely take it to the next level. And finally, Justin is one of the most down-to-earth, humble, nicest singers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He always puts his fans first, and I love that so much about him.
So anyways, I headed to the Dusty Armadillo in Rootstown, OH, last night for my 15th Justin Moore show. This is Justin's second time playing this bar, and both times have been my favorite shows he has ever done. The bar is really small (and AWESOME!), so it's very up close and personal. I'm hoping he'll play here at least one more time before he gets TOO popular, because I just love it so much.
I ended up going by myself to this show because mother nature kept my partner-in-crime in Indiana. Sad. I've never gone to a concert by myself before, but I wasn't about to miss Justin when he was so close to home! And I am SO glad that I went! It was one of the best times I have ever had, and I even met tons of great new people.
Justin played for 2 1/2 hours and it was non-stop music, laughs, and several moments where he took the time to thank the audience for giving him and his band a job that he loves to get up and do every night. As I said before, he truly appreciates all of his fans and he never fails to let them know that. Justin played every song off of his debut album, plus 5 songs that will be on the new album (including what he believes will be the first single, "My Kinda Woman," which is hilarious and brilliant!), and a handful of great covers, such as Hank Jr., Lynard Skynard, and even Josh Thompson! The crowd was singing along to every song, even the newer ones that I thought I'd be the only one who knew them. Lol! I've honestly never heard "Small Town USA" sound SO good and SO loud. The audience was singing every word at the top of their lungs. It was awesome! My first Justin show was in late 2008, before anybody really knew who he was, so it's great to see just how far he has come since then! I truly believe that he is going to go far in this industry!
Another great aspect of Justin's live show is that he has one of the most talented bands in the world backing him up. I spend just as much time watching his band as I do watching Justin, because they all are so incredibly gifted at what they do. Roger Coleman II plays lead guitar and background vocals, and he shreds that instrument like nobody I have ever seen before. I love watching him play because you can tell how much passion he has for playing. Kory Caudill plays keys and he's great, too! I've always believed that he could be a solo artist, as he not only plays his instrument incredibly well, but he also has a beautiful voice. Sean is on drums, and I can honestly say that he is my favorite drummer! Just like Roger, the amount of passion that he has for playing just radiates from him. I'm normally not into drums too much (I love guitarists! :P), but he made me wanna pay attention to him and his instrument. David is on the bass guitar. He tears that thing up, and Justin claims that he is "the sweetest person in the world." Steelers fan or not (HAHA!), he is wonderful at what he does. And finally, Joshua Cross is on the lead guitar, and... WOW!! I could watch him play all day, I think. I don't know how he moves his fingers that fast, but he has me in awe every time I see him play. Overall, Justin's band is insanely talented and I love watching them all play together. They have a bond with each other that you don't see very often.
Justin signed autographs for about 10 minutes after the showing, again showing how much he loves and appreciates his fans. I honestly can't say enough good things about Justin. He's a total sweetheart, RIDICULOUSLY talented, and he puts on one of the best live shows that I have ever seen. If you haven't gotten the chance to see Justin play live yet, you really need to! You'll definitely get your moneys worth, and then some. Also, Justin's new album titled Outlaws Like Me will be out early next year! I, personally, can't wait to get my hands on a copy... or 5!
Most of the people who know me know that I have a slightly unhealthy obsession with country singer Justin Moore. Like, he's all I talk about, his CD is constantly playing in my CD player, the smallest things will remind me of him and his music, etc. Point blank, I just LOVE the man! Not only do I find him incredibly sexy (and I mean INCREDIBLY sexy haha), but he is also one of the most talented men on this planet. I listen to country music ALL the time, and I can honestly say, from the bottom of my heart, that Justin has the BEST male voice in country music. It's true. I don't think any of his singles have showcased that talent quite yet, but once "Outlaws Like Me," a new song written by Justin (and also my favorite song EVER, by any artist), hits radio, people will finally start to realize what a force he is in this industry. The song is absolutely incredible, and his vocals on it just completely take it to the next level. And finally, Justin is one of the most down-to-earth, humble, nicest singers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He always puts his fans first, and I love that so much about him.
So anyways, I headed to the Dusty Armadillo in Rootstown, OH, last night for my 15th Justin Moore show. This is Justin's second time playing this bar, and both times have been my favorite shows he has ever done. The bar is really small (and AWESOME!), so it's very up close and personal. I'm hoping he'll play here at least one more time before he gets TOO popular, because I just love it so much.
I ended up going by myself to this show because mother nature kept my partner-in-crime in Indiana. Sad. I've never gone to a concert by myself before, but I wasn't about to miss Justin when he was so close to home! And I am SO glad that I went! It was one of the best times I have ever had, and I even met tons of great new people.
Justin played for 2 1/2 hours and it was non-stop music, laughs, and several moments where he took the time to thank the audience for giving him and his band a job that he loves to get up and do every night. As I said before, he truly appreciates all of his fans and he never fails to let them know that. Justin played every song off of his debut album, plus 5 songs that will be on the new album (including what he believes will be the first single, "My Kinda Woman," which is hilarious and brilliant!), and a handful of great covers, such as Hank Jr., Lynard Skynard, and even Josh Thompson! The crowd was singing along to every song, even the newer ones that I thought I'd be the only one who knew them. Lol! I've honestly never heard "Small Town USA" sound SO good and SO loud. The audience was singing every word at the top of their lungs. It was awesome! My first Justin show was in late 2008, before anybody really knew who he was, so it's great to see just how far he has come since then! I truly believe that he is going to go far in this industry!
Another great aspect of Justin's live show is that he has one of the most talented bands in the world backing him up. I spend just as much time watching his band as I do watching Justin, because they all are so incredibly gifted at what they do. Roger Coleman II plays lead guitar and background vocals, and he shreds that instrument like nobody I have ever seen before. I love watching him play because you can tell how much passion he has for playing. Kory Caudill plays keys and he's great, too! I've always believed that he could be a solo artist, as he not only plays his instrument incredibly well, but he also has a beautiful voice. Sean is on drums, and I can honestly say that he is my favorite drummer! Just like Roger, the amount of passion that he has for playing just radiates from him. I'm normally not into drums too much (I love guitarists! :P), but he made me wanna pay attention to him and his instrument. David is on the bass guitar. He tears that thing up, and Justin claims that he is "the sweetest person in the world." Steelers fan or not (HAHA!), he is wonderful at what he does. And finally, Joshua Cross is on the lead guitar, and... WOW!! I could watch him play all day, I think. I don't know how he moves his fingers that fast, but he has me in awe every time I see him play. Overall, Justin's band is insanely talented and I love watching them all play together. They have a bond with each other that you don't see very often.
Justin signed autographs for about 10 minutes after the showing, again showing how much he loves and appreciates his fans. I honestly can't say enough good things about Justin. He's a total sweetheart, RIDICULOUSLY talented, and he puts on one of the best live shows that I have ever seen. If you haven't gotten the chance to see Justin play live yet, you really need to! You'll definitely get your moneys worth, and then some. Also, Justin's new album titled Outlaws Like Me will be out early next year! I, personally, can't wait to get my hands on a copy... or 5!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
I'm so glad, my love, that I have you to miss...
Well, it's official... Brian Bandas has left Love and Theft. Or, WILL be leaving, after their New Years Eve show. Love and Theft has been one of my favorite bands for the past 2 years, bringing such a new, unique taste to the music industry. I loved that they always sang about REAL stuff... stuff that mattered the most to them... and they constantly gave back to their fans. It's difficult to find a group of guys more appreciative of their fans than the boys of Love and Theft.
I've always had a soft spot for Brian. And by that I simply mean, he was my favorite. He has a heart of gold, can always make others laugh, and his hair is amazing. Recognize. Anyways, when I heard the news about Brian leaving, I was upset. I have to admit that after the band lost their record deal due to Lyric Street closing, I was concerned that the band may fall apart, especially after months and months of no news on a new record label. I was HOPING they'd pull through as a group, but it looks like that won't be the case.
I guess Brian is leaving to pursue his own life goals, and I think that's great. I hope he never gives up music, however, as he is such a talented musician, writer, and vocalist. I wish him all the best on this journey of life.
I also want to send my best wishes to Stephen and Eric, the other two members of Love and Theft. They are both SO talented and I truly believe that they will do wonderful things as a duo! One thing's for certain... country music fans are in for a treat!
I've always had a soft spot for Brian. And by that I simply mean, he was my favorite. He has a heart of gold, can always make others laugh, and his hair is amazing. Recognize. Anyways, when I heard the news about Brian leaving, I was upset. I have to admit that after the band lost their record deal due to Lyric Street closing, I was concerned that the band may fall apart, especially after months and months of no news on a new record label. I was HOPING they'd pull through as a group, but it looks like that won't be the case.
I guess Brian is leaving to pursue his own life goals, and I think that's great. I hope he never gives up music, however, as he is such a talented musician, writer, and vocalist. I wish him all the best on this journey of life.
I also want to send my best wishes to Stephen and Eric, the other two members of Love and Theft. They are both SO talented and I truly believe that they will do wonderful things as a duo! One thing's for certain... country music fans are in for a treat!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
New Artist Alert: Adam Craig Band
There's nothing I love more than stumbling upon a new artist that I absolutely love. I LIVE for new music. I spend hours every week just researching new artists, studying their music, etc. That probably makes it sound like I have no life, but I seriously LOVE doing it.
One artist that I have been listening to quite frequently in the past couple of weeks is a band by the name of Adam Craig Band. You may be familiar with them. They used to go by the name of TelluRide, until a lawsuit arose regarding their name. They then changed their name to the Adam Craig Band (Adam is the lead singer). You may also know Adam, as he co-wrote the third track on Jason Aldean's latest CD, "Church Pew or Bar Stool". It just so happens to be my favorite song on Jason's new album.
I guess that's kinda how I discovered these guys. I'm obsessed with songwriters (not in a creepy way, but I mean that I absolutely love and respect them, because I have no idea how they do it). Whenever I buy a CD, the first thing I do is open the CD pamphlet and see who wrote each song. Songwriters don't get much credit these days, and I think that's sad. They're what keeps music alive, I think.
Anyways, when I saw who wrote "Church Pew or Bar Stool", I immediately went and looked up the songwriters on the internet (of course I already knew who Josh Thompson was... he's one of my favorite new artists on the rise!). At first listen of the Adam Craig Band's music, I was hooked. Their music is filled with great songwriting (there's that s word again), catchy beats, and Adam has an absolutely beautiful voice. Mix their out-of-this-world harmonies into the mix, and WOO WEEE! We've got a talented group of guys on our hands here!
They are currently working on their new album (You can buy their album Four Square Miles, which is under the name TelluRide, on iTunes!). Their new single, "Nothing Wrong", is out at radio now! Make sure you go take a listen to these talented guys. I have a feeling they are going to be a major force in the music industry sooner rather than later. You can find them at www.adamcraigband.com
You can also follow them on twitter at @adamcraigband
If you decide to check these guys out (and you should!) be sure to check out their songs "I Fell for Memphis" and "Waitin' on Me." They're two of my favorites!
I'm hoping to catch Adam Craig Band live at show soon! If you get to see them live, please let me know what you think!
Enjoy the new, rockin' music!!
One artist that I have been listening to quite frequently in the past couple of weeks is a band by the name of Adam Craig Band. You may be familiar with them. They used to go by the name of TelluRide, until a lawsuit arose regarding their name. They then changed their name to the Adam Craig Band (Adam is the lead singer). You may also know Adam, as he co-wrote the third track on Jason Aldean's latest CD, "Church Pew or Bar Stool". It just so happens to be my favorite song on Jason's new album.
I guess that's kinda how I discovered these guys. I'm obsessed with songwriters (not in a creepy way, but I mean that I absolutely love and respect them, because I have no idea how they do it). Whenever I buy a CD, the first thing I do is open the CD pamphlet and see who wrote each song. Songwriters don't get much credit these days, and I think that's sad. They're what keeps music alive, I think.
Anyways, when I saw who wrote "Church Pew or Bar Stool", I immediately went and looked up the songwriters on the internet (of course I already knew who Josh Thompson was... he's one of my favorite new artists on the rise!). At first listen of the Adam Craig Band's music, I was hooked. Their music is filled with great songwriting (there's that s word again), catchy beats, and Adam has an absolutely beautiful voice. Mix their out-of-this-world harmonies into the mix, and WOO WEEE! We've got a talented group of guys on our hands here!
They are currently working on their new album (You can buy their album Four Square Miles, which is under the name TelluRide, on iTunes!). Their new single, "Nothing Wrong", is out at radio now! Make sure you go take a listen to these talented guys. I have a feeling they are going to be a major force in the music industry sooner rather than later. You can find them at www.adamcraigband.com
You can also follow them on twitter at @adamcraigband
If you decide to check these guys out (and you should!) be sure to check out their songs "I Fell for Memphis" and "Waitin' on Me." They're two of my favorites!
I'm hoping to catch Adam Craig Band live at show soon! If you get to see them live, please let me know what you think!
Enjoy the new, rockin' music!!
Columbus, Birmingham, Duluth... OH MY!
Just last weekend, my Canadian buddy, Dayna, and I headed to Alabama and Georgia for the final 3 shows on Jason Aldean's Wide Open Tour. I was the official blogger for the Gwinnett Center in Duluth, GA, where Jason's final show of the year was held. Here's my blog from that:
Crazy. Insane. Dedicated.
Those are some of the words that were being thrown out at me and my partner in crime, Dayna, for driving all the way from Canada and Ohio for her 30th and my 47th Jason Aldean show. We may be all of those things, but one thing is for certain: Aldean’s show keeps getting better and better each and every time I see him, and he’s the ONLY artist I would travel that far for.
We started our day by heading over to the venue, the lovely Gwinnett Center, at around 12 in the afternoon, where the waiting began. We had pit seats, which was completely general admission, so we wanted to make sure that we got a good spot. During our 6 ½ hour wait in line, we met some new friends and met up with a few awesome girls we have already had the pleasure of meeting at previous shows. Including Dayna and myself, there were girls from Canada, Ohio, Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, Kentucky and New Mexico all there to see Jason! Oddly enough, we didn’t meet anybody from Georgia! Ha!
The Gwinnett Center staff was extremely helpful the entire night by telling us where to go to stand in line, how to get to the pit, and how the paperless ticketing worked. I have been to many venues to see Jason, and this was one of the most helpful staff I have ever encountered!
Once inside, the final show of Jason’s “Wide Open Tour” began! Thompson Square kicked things off with a five-song set, including their current top-40 single, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?” I felt as though they did an excellent job getting the crowd ready for Luke and Jason, even throwing in the name of one of Jason’s songs into their song, “One of Those Days.”
Next up was Luke Bryan! He is quite the performer! Not only does he have an amazing voice and great songs, but he keeps the audience entertained throughout his entire set. He loves to crack jokes, and his booty shaking keeps the ladies’ attention easily. On this particular night, Luke even threw in a brand new song that will be on his new album, out in a couple of months. It was a song by the name of “You Don’t Know Jack” and it brought the audience to tears. The acoustic element of it really added some additional emphasis as well. He ended his set with his first single, “All My Friends Say,” which had a little bit of Metallica thrown in there as well. The whole audience was head banging and really enjoying themselves.
Finally, it was time for the main act! Jason entered the stage behind a white curtain, which showed only his shadow when the lights hit it. The crowd immediately erupted into screams when the curtain dropped and his Top 5 single, “Crazy Town” began rocking the entire venue. From there on out, it was non-stop energy and excitement. Jason played a 17-song set, including hits such as “Amarillo Sky,” “Hicktown,” and a crowd favorite, “She’s Country.” Luke even joined Jason on stage to sing Jason’s current single, “My Kinda Party,” and Jason’s favorite Luke song, “We Rode in Trucks.” Also in the setlist were two songs off the new album called “Tattoos on This Town” and “Dirt Road Anthem.” The crowd responded incredibly well to the both of them.
As I have said earlier, I have seen Jason numerous times and his energy level at this particular show was off of the radar! He gave the crowd their money’s worth and then some. I think this show just proved what an excellent entertainer Jason is.
I am so sad to see the Wide Open tour come to an end, but there was no place I would have rather seen it wrap up than in Jason’s home state of Georgia! I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us fans on his 2011 “My Kinda Party Tour!”
Saturday, November 27, 2010
2010 CMA Awards
Ok, I'll start with my first concert review... though this wasn't really a concert, per say. But it was definitely one of the coolest things I have ever done!
Back in August, my best friend, Annie, won two tickets to the CMA Awards from the CMA, and she asked me if I wanted to come. Um... duh! Do I even need to THINK about an answer to that question?! I've always wanted to attend an awards show but I've never been able to, mainly because they are always on weekdays AND the tickets are so expensive. However, I got the time off of work and my ticket was FREE, so nothing was keeping me behind this time around.
Our plane left bright and early on Tuesday morning, November 9th. It was my first time flying, and though it wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it was going to be, I found it to be quite the pain in the ass. With my complaining aside, we landed in Nashville safely around 11:00, where we were greeted by a woman holding a sign saying, "CMA Awards Winners"...just like you see on TV! We were kinda a big deal... ;)
We were taken by bus to our hotel, the Courtyard Vanderbilt. Beautiful hotel and awesome neighborhood! Plus there was a Wendy's right across the street (that may not seem like anything exciting to most, but Wendy's is our best friend)! After checking in real quick, we headed downtown.
Downtown Nashville is one of my absolute favorite places to be. Ever. I just love everything about it, and today was even greater because there were tons of stars downtown doing radio interviews, rehearsals for the awards, etc. We got to see/meet many of our favorite stars, including the boys of Love and Theft, and Jason Aldean! It was a fun day, but a tiring one, so we ended up heading back to the hotel early and crashing... but not before we took a ride with one of the craziest taxi drivers I have ever met (Oh, and by the way, I flagged down my first ever taxi! I'm cool like that...).
Ok, let's skip to the good stuff... the AWARDS! Annie and I thought our seats were going to suck, but they were freaking INCREDIBLE! When we walked inside the beautiful Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville and saw where we would be sitting, we were all smiles! Lower level, in the section right by the stage. We could see everything great, and we even got a kick out of watching the prompter! It's the stuff you never get to see on TV, so we were excited. We were like two kids in a candy store... and I LOVE candy.
Mmm... skittles.
Wait. What was I saying? Oh yeah... the awards. I'm sure you know what happened by now, as the awards were almost a month ago, but I'll do a recap of my favorite things. I thought Rascal Flatts did a wonderful job. I heard that some people thought they sounded pitchy, but from where we were sitting, they rocked the house! Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson's duet was absolutely beautiful. It's one of the best songs on the album (and that's saying a lot, since that whole album is the SHIZZ!!), and they performed it beautifully. Lady Antebellum did a wonderful job as well. I think that they sound kinda pitchy at most award shows, but they really did well, and "Hello World" is one of my favorite songs out on country radio right now. It's such a well-written song that speaks to me.
Seeing the CMA Awards in person was definitely one of the highlights of my whole year. Getting to see how everything works (the stuff they don't show on TV) was fascinating! I hope I get to go to another award show someday, but if I never do, I'll have some amazing memories from this one that will last me a lifetime.
I'm baaaack!
I've always loved blogging, and I'm not quite sure why I ever stopped; however, I'm back and better than ever! Hope you didn't miss me too much. I like to blog more for myself, but if other people can relate to what I'm saying and enjoy reading it, then I think that's great, too! This blog will be focused on music and nothing but music (ok, well, maybe I'll throw in a little something, something every now and then). I'll post reviews from concerts I go to, new artists I think you should check out, my favorite songs at the moment, album reviews, etc. Hopefully you'll like what you read, and if you ever have any suggestions for me on what you'd like to hear more about, let me know!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)