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!