A Few of My Favorite Country Christmas Songs

As it is only a few days until Christmas, I have been getting into the holiday spirit by listening to some of my favorite Christmas songs. This year flew by really quickly, and I was having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit, but the office is now abuzz with Christmas excitement and early deadlines. As I was typing the large stack letters to Santa for the paper’s Christmas edition, I would pop in some Christmas music to get me in the right spirit to type up the precious letters from the first graders in all of the area schools. It is always fun to see what the young children want for Christmas and how they spell things.

Part of the fun, and what makes the project so sweet, is I type the letters up as is, misspelled words, incorrect grammar and all. Parents always look forward to seeing their little ones letters in the paper each year. Many request toys for themselves, friends and siblings, as well as gifts for their parents. And nearly every single letter ended with the child saying he or she would leave milk and cookies for Santa.

Anyway, back to the Christmas music. I thought I would share a list of my favorite country Christmas songs and perhaps a little about why they are my favorite. With so many versions of the same Christmas songs out there, it is hard to pick a favorite, so I generally tend to go for the more original songs, rather than the recorded-for-the-umpteenth-time standards.

Here it goes:

Hard Candy Christmas - Dolly Parton - This classic is my all-time favorite. Although the song is a bit depressing, it isn’t Christmas for me until I hear it on the radio for the first time after Thanksgiving each year. That’s when I know its almost Christmas.

Louisiana Christmas Day - Aaron Neville: Being a Louisiana girl from Cajun country, this one by New Orleans native Aaron Neville is a fun, sing along favorite. I love blasting this one in the car around Christmas time. This one definitely puts me in the holiday spirit.

Christmas in Dixie - Alabama: A definite classic in my book. I always love hearing this one. Again, it isn’t Christmas until I’ve heard this one on the radio.

It Wasn’t His Child - Trisha Yearwood: This song, written by Skip Ewing, is perhaps one of my all-time holiday favorites. I love the story of the song, and Trisha sings it so beautifully with such genuine emotion, as only she can.

All I Want for Christmas is You - Vince Vance and the Valiants: This one is a definite favorite and one I look forward to hearing every year. The band is only known for this one song, and the female singer gives a powerhouse vocal performance.

Take a Walk Through Bethlehem - Trisha Yearwood: This modern tale about slowing down to remember the real reason for the season is another favorite of mine from Trisha’s Christmas cd, The Sweetest Gift.

Santa Claus is Back in Town - Trisha Yearwood: Trisha enlisted the help of her road band to record this Elvis Presley classic. She and the band let it rip blues style, and she growls like never before in this funky number.

There’s a New Kid in Town - Trisha Yearwood: Written by Keith Whitley, Don Cook and Curly Putnam, this song speaks about the birth of Jesus and tells the story of the three wise men in a more modern way.

The Christmas Song - Trisha Yearwood: I know there are way too many versions of this song out there, and none compare to Nat King Cole’s classic take, but in my opinion, Trisha’a rendition of this Christmas classic is right up there with the best of them.

Ave Maria - Wynonna: While not necessarily a Christmas song, I included this one because Wy gives a goosebump rasing rendition of this spiritual song. Who would have thought that the Divine Miss Wy could sound so beautiful singing in Latin?

Mary Did You Know - Wynonna and Kenny Rogers or Kathy Mattea - Both versions stand out, as Wynonna and Kathy each give such powerful and convincing readings of the same song. I can’t pick a favorite out of the two, although I do tend to gravitate more to the Wy/Kenny version.

The Christmas Guest - Reba McEntire: I love the story behind this spoken word song, and Reba gives such a wonderful, warm delivery, you can imagine the story unfolding before you as you listen to the words.

Christmas Time’s A Comin’ - Sammy Kershaw - Another rockin’ favorite from another Louisiana artist. This fun, zydeco-flavored tune is another favorite to listen to in the car to put me in the Christmas spirit.

O Holy Night - John Berry: Again, I am making an exception for this song. I have heard many, many versions of this classic song over the years, but every time I hear John Berry sing it, I get chills - it is that good. If it doesn’t move you, something is wrong with you.

Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee: What Christmas song list would be complete without including this Brenda Lee classic? If this doesn’t get your feet moving and put you in the Christmas spirit, nothing will.

Well, there you have it, my list of my personal favorite country Christmas songs. Feel free to leave comments and share your favorites with me. Merry Christmas everyone!

And the Winners Were: A Recap of the 2007 CMA Awards

I know I’m really late with this, but the following is my recap of the 2007 CMA Awards. Enjoy!


The 41st Annual CMA Awards held November 7, was filled with many wonderful performances and few surprise winners. I really liked the multi-host format this year, and I hope the show is presented that way in the future. Most of the nominated artists gave stand out performances showcasing why they were nominated to begin with.

Performances:
Rascal Flatts opened the show, followed by first-time female vocalist nominee Miranda Lambert rockin’ the house with her newest single, “Gunpowder and Lead.” The Flatts boys also returned to the stage later in the show to perform with Jamie Foxx.

Despite slight audio problems, Horizon Award nominee Taylor Swift gave a bubbly performance of “Our Song.”

Among the performance highlights for me was the Brentwood High School Marching Band joining Brad Paisley for a performance of “Online,” along with his tour mates, Taylor Swift and Kellie Pickler, who reprised their roles from the video and joined Brad on stage to dance around and just have a blast.
Sugarland took the stage right after snagging the “Brooks and Dunn Award,” and despite the initial shock of the win, Jennifer Nettles gave one of the most emotional and powerful performances of their latest hit, “Stay,” that I have seen to date.

Winning the prize for most emotional performance of the night was Horizon Award nominee Kellie Pickler, who sang the powerful “I Wonder,” a song written about her mother, who abandoned her as a young child and left her to be raised by her grandmother. When Kellie broke down at the end of the song, the crowd roared its support as she openly wept on stage, no doubt taking in the special moment of performing on the CMA stage as a first-time nominee in a major category.

In another great performance, Reba McEntire joined forces on stage with LeAnn Rimes to sing “When You Love Someone Like That” from Reba’s Duets release.

One performance I didn’t understand was Little Big Town performing “Boondocks.” I mean, I am a huge fan of the group, and that is the song with which I discovered them and became a fan of their amazing harmonies. However, the song was released nearly two years ago, and as vocal group and Horizon Award nominees, they should have been allowed to perform a song from their new cd, released the day before the awards telecast. Maybe it was their choice, I don’t know. Still, they gave a great performance showcasing their wonderful harmonies. I predict, if they keep up their current pace, there definitely will be a vocal group win for this deserving quartet in the very near future.

Of course, the most highly anticipated and buzzed about performance of the night belonged to the Eagles, who made their debut appearance on an award show after 30-plus years in the business. Despite the debate over whether or not they belonged on a country music award show, there is no denying this legendary group of southern rockers, at least in some small way, influenced the vast majority of today’s generation of country artists.

In a good move by the CMA, Dwight Yoakam paid tribute to late country legend and Opry star Porter Wagoner, as did Big and Rich, who dedicated their rousing performance to “The King of Bling.”

I have to admit, it was a great night highlighting some of the best country music has to offer.

Here is a recap of the winners at the 41st Annual CMA Awards:

Entertainer of the Year:
Kenny Chesney - Mr. Chesney garnered his third entertainer award in four years. Despite some stiff competition, he continues to dominate the touring aspect of the country music industy with sold out shows everywhere he plays, whether it be arenas or the larger NFL football stadiums.

Female Vocalist:
Carrie Underwood - No surprise here. Carrie has been the female vocalist to beat for the past couple of years. Her singles have consistenly gone to number one at a time when many female artists are struggling to get their songs into the top 10, much less number one. And with her sophomore release currently ruling the charts, while her debut album continues to make waves some two years later, she easily could be up for a three-peat next year.

Male Vocalist:
Brad Paisley - First-time winner Brad was both humbled and honored when his name was called. In his acceptance speech, he said, “I can’t tell you what this means to me to win this. I’ve always wanted to win this award at least once. This will do. It’s unbelievable to me to be in the company that I’m in with these fantastic men.” Note to Brad - With the roll you are on, you are bound to win this award again, as well as the coveted entertainer title, sometime in the future.

Vocal Group:
Rascal Flatts - Again, no surprise here. The Flatts boys continue to dominate this category with the undeniable success of their record sales, sold out shows and rabid fan base.

Vocal Duo:
Sugarland - In a huge upset in one of the strongest duo categories in recent history, Sugarland became only the second act to interrupt Brooks and Dunn’s 16-year reign as duo of the year, a streak that began in 1992. (The only other time Brooks and Dunn lost the title was back in 2000, when Montgomery Gentry took home the crystal trophy.) After the initial shock wore off, Jennifer Nettles and Kristina Bush thanked Brooks and Dunn by saying, “If we’re standing up here and we have this lofty view, it’s because we’re standing on the shoulders of giants, those people who have come before us...Brooks and Dunn, they always rock it out and they are so deserving. We are happy to be receiving this.” The crowd of peers and fans were just as shocked and excited for this deserving duo to win the award. I have been a big fan of Sugarland since the beginning, and having seen their high energy, rockin’ show live, I was very happy to see them acknowledged with a win in this category.

Horizon Award:
Taylor Swift - Was anyone surprised that 17-year-old teen sensation Taylor Swift was named this year’s Horizon Award winner? Anyone? She excitedly thanked the fans, radio and Brad Paisley, whom she opened for, before giving perhaps the best quote of the night, “This is definitely the highlight of my senior year.” However, since the CMAs, the young star received another huge honor in the form of her first Grammy nomination, a nod in the prestigious best new artist category, alongside the likes of troubled British R&B/pop diva Amy Winehouse.

Album of the Year: (Award goes to artist and producer)
It Just Comes Natural
George Strait
Producers: Tony Brown and George Strait
MCA Nashville

Single of the Year: (Award goes to artist and producer)
“Before He Cheats”
Artist: Carrie Underwood
Producer: Mark Bright
19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records

I was not surprised at all to see this huge hit receive single of the year honors. This song ruled the top of the country charts for nearly a year before enjoying another long run over on the pop/ac charts.

Song of the Year: (Award goes to songwriter and publisher)
“Give It Away”
Songwriters: Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson
Publishers: Sony, ATV Tree, Mr. Bubba Music, Slow Run Music and EMI Blackwood

Musical Event:
“Find Out Who Your Friends Are”
Artists: Tracy Lawrence featuring Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney
Rocky Comfort Records, CO5

Music Video of the Year: (Award goes to artist and director)
“Online”
Artist: Brad Paisley
Director: Jason Alexander

I was very happy to see the CMA recognize this genius and hilarious video. Brad and company showed off their considerable comedic skills in this video parody.

Musician:
Randy Scruggs – Guitar

The only three categories I missed were the song, album and musical event categories. Don’t get me wrong, King George still has it and is very deserving, I just didn’t think he would win the song and album categories. And I thought the Reba McEntire/Kelly Clarkson duet was a total shoo-in for vocal collaboration. However, Tracy Lawrence’s collaboration with buddies Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney was a huge hit on country radio and had a very long chart run, earning Tracy his first number one single in several years. Having missed only those three categories, I guess you could say I did farely well with my picks this year.

With the CMAs over until next year, it is now time to get ready for the Grammys (February 10, 2008), which rarely showcase the country music categories during the live telecast, and the other two big country music award shows, the CMT Music Awards (April 14, 2008), and the ACMs (May 18, 2008). The ACMs are usually a precursor to the following CMAs and generally have very similar, if not identical, nominee lists in most categories. The Grammy nominations have already been announced (more on that in a future blog entry), and the CMT and ACM nominations should be announced sometime after the first of the year.

Hangin' With Carter's Chord

Remember this name: Carter’s Chord. Back in October, I had the opportunity to hang out with this very talented trio of sisters when they visited one of my local country stations on their radio tour promoting their upcoming debut single and cd release. When I was invited by one of the djs to go to the station and hang out on the tour bus with her and the group, I, of course, jumped at the chance, as experiences like this do not come along very often for the average country music fan.

I’ll be honest and admit I had never heard of them until then, so I looked them up on myspace and read their bio to learn a little about them and listened to the songs on their profile. As I listened to the tracks, I immediately became a fan and was in awe of their undeniable sibling harmonies. After listening to the songs and reading about them, I couldn’t wait to meet the girls and watch them perform.

Before the trio, made up of sisters Becky, Emily and Joanna Robertson, played for us, we watched a promotional video that showed the girls as young children growing up with musical parents and surrounded by music their entire lives. They have a unique connection to country music history, as their parents, Barny and Carter Robertson, both played with Waylon Jennings at the height of the Outlaw movement in the ‘70s as part of his band, the Waylors. After the Robertsons started their family, they moved to Nashville from California and reconnected with Jennings, and Waylon and his wife, Jessi Colter, soon became an influential part of the young girls’ lives. In fact, the sisters got their first taste of the recording studio as young children when they sang on Waylon’s children’s country album “Cowboys, Sisters, Rascals and Dirt,” which was produced by their father.

After playing a benefit honoring Waylon in 2005, the sisters were inspired to record a demo of songs they had written and began shopping it around Music City. The group soon caught the attention of none other than Toby Keith, and after a successful showcase for him on Valentine‘s Day in 2006, they were signed to his Show Dog Nashville label. With Toby at the helm, and their father co-producing on vocals, the sisters had a wonderful experience recording their first release. The album, which includes songs written by the sisters (together and individually) and their parents, as well as outside songs chosen for the project, allows the girls to trade leads and harmonies so all three have a chance to shine vocally.

Joanna, on their web site bio, explained how the sisters came up with the name Carter’s Chord. She said, “We’ve always liked the idea of a musical chord, a triad. And one day we were all sitting around thinking of what we could call ourselves, and one of us - we don’t even remember who - just out of the blue said ‘Carter’s Chord.’” Inspired by their mother and the idea of musical harmony, the name stuck and fits the trio of sisters perfectly.

After watching the video of their musical journey, they played several songs for us with just an acoustic guitar and keyboard. And sitting in the bus watching them play, with the keyboard practically in my lap, was an experience I will not soon forget. I have never before heard live music in such a tight, intimate setting; and these girls blew me away with their vocal abilities and beyond amazing sibling harmonies.

One of the songs they performed, and my personal favorite, “Young Love,” will be the group’s debut single. The song, which showcases middle sister Emily on lead vocals, is scheduled to be released to radio in mid-January, with their debut cd to follow. If their growing myspace following and initial response to the song is any indication, the single will be huge, and Carter’s Chord will be well on their way to a wonderful career in country music.

After they performed, I was able to hang out and chat with the girls for a few moments before they left for a show later that night. They were incredibly sweet, and after I told them about my own country music journalism aspirations, we had a great chat about Nashville and our love of the city and all things country music. And before I left, we took several photos and wished each other well in our country music goals.

It was a truly wonderful experience watching Carter’s Chord perform, and I cannot wait to pick up their debut release once it hits the shelves early next year. I am predicting huge things from these talented sisters in the near future.

A Busy November for the Brooks Household

What originally was intended as a one-night only show to thank the Wal-Mart big wigs at the end of his two-year exclusive partnership with the company turned into a run of nine sold out shows for Garth Brooks. When tickets for the November 14, show at the new Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri, sold out in mere minutes, Garth pushed back dates to accommodate the frenzied fan demand to see him back on stage again. More than 140,000 tickets for the nine show series, which began November 5, sold out in just under two hours, much to Garth’s amazement.

The excitement surrounding Garth's return to the stage comes as he is promoting yet another greatest hits package. However, the Ultimate Hits collection, released November 6, is much more than your typical hits compilation disc. In addition to four new songs, a third disc features videos for 33 of the 34 songs included on the two music discs. The videos include a mix of classic Garth videos, concert performance footage and several newly-shot videos. Once the news about this collection was revealed during a press conference back in August, fans have been anxiously waiting to purchase this collection.

Proving Garth still has the magic touch, not to mention millions of loyal fans, the first single, “More Than a Memory,” garnered another record-breaking first for "Garthzilla." The single became the first song to ever debut at number one on the country charts, and it is currently enjoying a strong radio and chart run. And what new Garth single would be complete without a new video to go along with it? The video is perhaps one of the darkest and most powerful videos released by Garth to date.

For the avid Garth fan and collector, three editions of the Ultimate Hits collection have been issued, including the traditional cover and a limited edition cover. However, they will want to pick up an extra copy of the very special “pink” edition of the collection, available only through the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which promotes awareness and raises money for breast cancer research. Garth was inspired by wife Trisha Yearwood’s dedication to the organization and her recent participation in a three-day, 60-mile Walk For the Cure in Chicago. He was quoted in the press as saying, “Of all the things my wife has done, I’ve never been more proud of her. So I started thinking, ‘What can I do to be that cool?'" A whopping $10 of the $15 cost for the pink edition will go directly to the Komen Foundation to help the fight against breast cancer.

As if promoting the new collection and performing the series of dates in Kansas City weren’t enough, Garth has been flying back and forth to his home in Oklahoma each night to be home with his daughters in the morning before jetting back to Kansas City.

Trisha is just as busy as her husband promoting her own new release, “Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love,” her first project for new label home Big Machine, which is also distributing Garth’s Ultimate Hits. With a release date of November 13, only one week after the release of her hubby’s collection, Trisha fans everywhere are extremely anxious to pick up a copy of this new music. (Bring on the friendly sales competition!) If early buzz from fans and critics is any indication, this might well be Trisha’s biggest release to date.

In addition to promoting her new release, Trisha was determined to be a part of Garth’s historic nine-show run in Kansas City. Amidst the on-sale frenzy and the addition of eight shows centered around both cd release dates, she signed on to open for all nine shows, much to the delight of their mutual fans. As a result, she also will be racking up the frequent flyer miles between Kansas City, home and the round of media and talk show appearances scheduled to promote her new release (writer’s strike permitting).

In order to bring the show to more fans across the country, the final show on November 14, will be beamed live via satellite to more than 300 theaters nation-wide. As one of those unlucky fans not able to make the trip to Kansas City, I have been living vicariously through various concert reports on fan message boards, and I will definitely be at the theater to witness this historic show. From what I’ve read, Garth still has it, and the show will be well worth driving an hour-and-a-half away on a weeknight to see it. I have never been so psyched for a show, especially since it won’t quite be the same as being there in person!

Whew, just thinking about Garth and Trisha's hectic and insane schedules makes me exhausted for them! But on behalf of fans everywhere, I must thank them for going for it and bringing such enjoyment to their many mutual fans. New music, a series of joint dates and scheduled television appearances, what more could a fan ask for?

Reba Gets By With a Little Help From Her Friends

As one of the most highly anticipated releases of 2007, Reba McEntire’s Duets project had a lot of fan and industry expectations to live up to. Well, Miss Reba and company did not disappoint. The disc, released September 18, garnered Reba the highest chart debut week of her career and landed her on top of the Billboard 200 for the first time.

I purchased this cd the week of its release, and it has been in heavy rotation in the car and at home ever since. This is simply the one cd I can’t stop listening to at the moment. There is not a bad song in the bunch. Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything but the best from the stellar group of guest artists Reba lined up to work with her in the studio.

The one collaboration that really surprised me when I first heard about it, though, was with “Mr. Sexy Back” himself Justin Timberlake. When I learned he also had written a song for the project, I was really anxious to hear what kind of song he would write to sing with Reba. After hearing “The Only Promise That Remains,” I was absolutely floored. It is a beautiful love ballad, not quite what I would expect from J.T. After the mega-success of the CMA-nominated first single released from the cd, “Because of You” with Kelly Clarkson, word is this song will be the next single released to radio.

Of the many standout tracks, “Sleeping with the Telephone” with Faith Hill, “Every Other Weekend” with Kenny Chesney and “She Can’t Save Him” with Trisha Yearwood are among my favorites and really stand out. When listening to the Faith Hill duet, you can’t help but visualize a video playing in your mind as you hear the haunting lyrics about a military wife’s fear of losing her husband who is off at war. The chilling last line of the song, “Something awakes me from where he should be. I reach for him, the telephone rings,” lets the listener imagine their own ending, whether it be happy or tragic. I can absolutely see this song as a potential single with the powerful, signature Reba video to go along with it.

“Every Other Weekend” is a heartbreaking tale of divorced parents who alternate time with their children. Even though they still love each other, neither one tells the other, and they secretly wish they were still together. This track, from what I’ve read, has created a lot of buzz around Nashville and could be a potential hit for Reba and Kenny.

Trisha Yearwood lends her subtle, yet strong vocals to the powerful track, “She Can’t Save Him.” In this song, Reba and Trisha sing as old friends sharing their concerns about a mutual friend’s troubled relationship. I also see this as a possible choice for release as a single.

Reba and Ronnie Dunn, her good friend and fellow Okie, co-wrote the track “Does the Wind Still Blow in Oklahoma” for the project; and no Reba duets record would be complete without an appearance by her old pal Vince Gill. Their duet, “These Broken Hearts,” is perhaps their best collaboration to date.

The rest of the tracks, with friends LeAnn Rimes, Don Henley, Carole King and Rascal Flatts, are also great and stand up well against the others. Reba has said on numerous occasions that she had a great time working with her friends in the studio for this special project, and that atmosphere of fun and friendship shines through in every song on the album. I highly recommend picking this one up. Reba Duets is, hands down, one of the best releases of the year.

Welcome to the Opry Mr. Turner!

One of country music’s hottest new male artists, and one of my new favorites, received a huge honor as he was welcomed into the Grand Ole Opry family this past weekend. Josh Turner was formally inducted into the Opry cast by veteran member Vince Gill during the Opry’s broadcast on GAC Saturday night. Although he is still a relative newcomer, Josh has been a hit with country music fans ever since they first heard of him through his 2001 breakthrough hit “Long Black Train.” He first performed the song as a brand new artist in front of a packed Opry House before his debut cd was even released and received a standing ovation – something that is nearly unheard of for a brand new artist no one had heard of yet.

Six years, several hits and two multi-platinum albums later, Josh was surprised last month by legend Roy Clark, who presented him with an invitation to become a full-fledged member. A visibly moved Josh happily accepted the huge honor, and during his special induction night October 27, he sang several of his hits, which showcase his strong leanings as a traditional country artist.

In inducting Josh, Vince told him it takes a lot of respect and responsibility to be a member of the Opry. Along with recently inducted Opry member Dierks Bentley, Josh is one of several new young artists more than up to the task of carrying the banner of traditional country music and keeping the traditions of the Grand Ole Opry alive.

Congratulations Josh!

CMA Night 2007: My Thoughts and Predictions

It’s that time of year again, ladies and gentlemen. The 41st Annual Country Music Association Awards will be handed out Wednesday, November 7, on ABC. For the first time in the award show’s history, the show will utilize multiple artists as co-hosts, rather than the traditional one host format. This should shake things up a bit and hopefully make the show a bit more lively and interesting.

While the list of hosts is incomplete at this time, many top-notch acts have already been lined up to perform. Rascal Flatts will perform a number with Jamie Foxx, and the Eagles will make their first appearance on the CMA stage for a performance of their first single from their first studio album in nearly 30 years. Reba McEntire and LeAnn Rimes will join forces to perform their duet “When You Love Someone Like That” from Reba’s Duets cd. Another unique performance will be when Brad Paisley is joined onstage by a high school marching band to perform his current hit “Online.” Other performers scheduled to grace the CMA stage include Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney, Brooks and Dunn, Sugarland, George Strait, Bon Jovi, Alison Krauss, Jason Aldean and Kellie Pickler, among many others.

The list of nominations held a few surprises this year, including a female vocalist nod for Miranda Lambert and a vocal group nomination for the Dixie Chicks. But, perhaps the biggest surprise was the lack of nominations for country super couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Hot on the heels of the success of their Soul to Soul II Tour, I was expecting at least a couple of nominations for them. Instead, Tim’s only nod comes in the form of his contribution to his buddy Tracy Lawrence’s smash “Find Out Who Your Friends Are,” which is nominated in the vocal collaboration category. Surprisingly, Sara Evans and Toby Keith also were left without nominations this year. On the flip side, Brad Paisley, who is on a hot streak these days, and “King George” Strait each received five nominations this year.

Interesting to note is that, once again, no female artists have been nominated for the coveted entertainer of the year category. No female artists have been nominated for this award since the Dixie Chicks in 2001. With the strong roster of women in country music these days, it is high time they are recognized by the CMA voters for their contributions to the industry. One glaring omission is Martina McBride, who has headlined her own tours for many years and always puts on a great show. Along with Martina, many young female artists are stepping up their game and holding their own with the big boys on tour, and they deserve to be recognized for their efforts. (Okay, done with my little rant.)

Now, for the list of nominees. Here are my predictions and thoughts on who will win and who should win for each category. I usually do fairly well with my picks each year, but you never know how the CMA members will vote from one year to the next. Please keep in mind I am no expert or industry insider and these are just my opinions. Okay, here it goes:

Entertainer of the Year:
Kenny Chesney - will win
Brad Paisley - should win
Rascal Flatts
George Strait
Keith Urban

With the success of his Flip Flop Summer Tour, Kenny Chesney will more than likely repeat as entertainer this year, making it a total of three entertainer awards in four years. However, Brad Paisley is quickly nipping at Kenny’s heels for that honor, thanks to the success of his Bonfires and Amplifiers tour. Both artists give their fans a lot of bang for their buck and always have a fun show. Kenny’s stage show is a no holds barred, rowdy escape, and Brad is just an all-around great entertainer who has the whole package. He can knock you to your knees with a beautiful ballad like “When I Get Where I’m Going” and turn around and make you laugh along with his wacky sense of humor on songs like his current single “Online” - not to mention he can play one mean electric guitar.

Female Vocalist:
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Reba McEntire
Carrie Underwood - will win; should win

The undeniable force that is Carrie Underwood will make it two in a row with a win in this category. Country music’s current “it girl” arguably has had the most commercially successful year of all the nominees. And with her debut album Some Hearts still riding high on the country charts nearly two years after its release, not to mention the current wave of publicity surrounding the release of her highly-anticipated follow-up disc Carnival Ride on October 23, I predict she is a shoo-in for this award.

Male Vocalist:
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley - will win; should win
George Strait
Josh Turner
Keith Urban

Brad Paisley is on a roll this year and will quite possibly bring Keith Urban’s three-year reign as male vocalist to an end. Two-time entertainer of the year winner Kenny Chesney, however, is long overdue for a win in this category and could also take home the trophy. All three are known for their lively and energetic stage shows and have large fan bases, so it’s anybody’s guess who will win. Josh Turner’s young career is definitely picking up steam, but the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry with the deep voice may have to wait another year or two to wrestle the award away from the big boys.

Vocal Group:
Alison Krauss & Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas
Dixie Chicks
Emerson Drive
Little Big Town - should win
Rascal Flatts - will win

As a huge Little Big Town fan, I personally would love to see them pull the upset in this category. Their harmonies are undeniable, and they are rapidly gaining a large fan base and industry respect after years of struggle amidst many professional and personal setbacks. It is their time to shine. However, no one can deny the popularity and success, not to mention the chart and radio domination, of Rascal Flatts, who will more than likely make it five wins in a row in this category.

Vocal Duo:
Big and Rich
Brooks and Dunn - will win
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland - should win
The Wreckers

Oh, I think I’ll go out and a limb here and say Brooks and Dunn will win “their” award yet again. The guys have still got it after all these years and still have the great music and fan base to continue their streak for many more years to come. However, Sugarland has really come into their own as a duo over the past couple of years, building a very loyal fan base of rabid fans with a wild and fun stage show. They are currently headlining CMT on Tour 2007, a huge step up from opening for other acts like Kenny Chesney. Could this finally be the year another duo wins the “Brooks and Dunn Award,” or will the beloved duo get win #15? The last time someone interrupted B&D’s winning streak, which began in 1992, was when Montgomery Gentry won in 2000; So, as much as I would love to see someone else win, my money is on Kix and Ronnie to win once again.

Horizon Award:
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
Little Big Town - should win
Kellie Pickler
Taylor Swift - will win

This category, hands down, is the most difficult for me to call. All five acts have had a huge breakthrough year with hit singles and new, large fan followings. Little Big Town has gone through many ups and downs over the years before finally breaking through with their huge smash hit “Boondocks” and their phenomenal “The Road to Here” release, filled with amazing harmonies and several other hit singles. However, voters more than likely will go with teen sensation Taylor Swift, who has a huge fan following and is quickly earning respect from her peers and the industry as a singer and songwriter. Both acts have been part of huge tours this year and have had much exposure, LBT with Martina McBride and Taylor with Brad Paisley.

Album of the Year: (Award goes to artist and producer)
5th Gear, Brad Paisley - will win
Producers: Frank Rogers and Chris DuBois
Arista Nashville

It Just Comes Natural
George Strait
Producers: Tony Brown and George Strait
MCA Nashville

Long Trip Alone
Dierks Bentley
Producer: Brett Beavers
Capitol Records Nashville

Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing
Keith Urban
Producers: Dann Huff and Keith Urban
Capitol Records Nashville

These Days - should win
Vince Gill
Producers: Vince Gill, John Hobbs and Justin Niebank
MCA Nashville

Brad Paisley has released another wonderful album filled with hit singles to go for the repeat win this year. Unfortunately, Vince Gill’s ambitious four-disc, 43-song labor of love has gone mostly unnoticed at radio, and as a result will not get the win against the other releases in this category.

Single of the Year: (Award goes to artist and producer)
“Anyway”
Artist: Martina McBride
Producer: Martina McBride
RCA Records

“Before He Cheats” - will win; should win
Artist: Carrie Underwood
Producer: Mark Bright
19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records

“Lost in This Moment”
Artist: Big & Rich
Producers: Big Kenny and John Rich
Warner Bros. Nashville

“Ticks”
Artist: Brad Paisley
Producers: Frank Rogers and Chris DuBois
Arista Nashville

“Wrapped”
Artist: George Strait
Producers: Tony Brown and George Strait
MCA Nashville

Carrie Underwood will continue her CMA hot streak with a win in this category. The song, from her debut cd, was a multi-week number one smash on the country charts, and after its run there, it crossed over to the pop and adult contemporary charts, where it continued to reign. This song was everywhere and simply refused to die.

Song of the Year: (Award goes to songwriter and publisher)
“Anyway” - will win
Songwriters: Martina McBride, Brad Warren and Brett Warren
Publishers: Delemmava Music, Bucky and Clyde Music

“Before He Cheats”
Songwriters: Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins
Publishers: That Little House Music, Mighty Under Dog Music and Sony/ATV Cross Keys

“Give It Away”
Songwriters: Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson
Publishers: Sony, ATV Tree, Mr. Bubba Music, Slow Run Music and EMI Blackwood

“Lost in This Moment” - should win
Songwriters: John Rich, Keith Anderson and Rodney Clawson
Publishers: Rich Texan Music, Warner-Tamerlane, Writer’s Extreme, EMI April Music and Romeo Cowboy

“Stupid Boy”
Songwriters: Dave Berg, Deanna Bryant and Sarah Buxton
Publishers: Song Planet, That Little House Music, Cal IV Songs and BergBrain Music

Big and Rich showed a softer, gentler side with “Lost in This Moment,” which has become a popular wedding song of late. However, Martina McBride’s first recorded effort as a songwriter, a song about following your dreams no matter what, will likely win over the CMA voters, who may not be ready to recognize Big and Rich just yet. The duo is still better known for more rowdy fare, such as “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy,” which still polarizes many mainstream country fans, and this may hurt their chances in this category.

Musical Event:
“Because of You” - will win; should win
Artists: Reba McEntire with Kelly Clarkson
MCA Nashville

“Find Out Who Your Friends Are”
Artists: Tracy Lawrence featuring Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney
Rocky Comfort Records, CO5

“Hey Good Lookin’” (Live)
Artists: Jimmy Buffett with George Strait and Alan Jackson
MCA Nashville

“Missing You”
Artists: Alison Krauss and John Waite
Rounder Records

“The Reason Why”
Artists: Vince Gill with Guest Vocalist Alison Krauss
MCA Nashville

Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson’s huge smash, released as the first single from the highly anticipated Reba Duets project, will win this category hands down. The fact that the song has the accompanying dramatic and theatrical video fans have come to expect from Reba certainly doesn’t hurt the song’s chances.

Music Video of the Year: (Award goes to artist and director)
“Anyway”
Artist: Martina McBride
Directors: Robert Deaton and George J. Flanigen IV

“Before He Cheats” - will win
Artist: Carrie Underwood
Director: Roman White

“Moments” - should win
Artist: Emerson Drive
Director: Steven Goldmann

“Online” - should win
Artist: Brad Paisley
Director: Jason Alexander

“You Save Me”
Artist: Kenny Chesney
Director: Shaun Silva

This category will come down to whether the CMA voters go for the humorous tale of a duel online identity, a girl’s anthem of revenge against a cheating boyfriend or the touching story of not judging someone who is down on their luck. This is another tough category to call.

Musician:
Eddie Bayers Jr. – Drums
Jerry Douglas – Dobro
Dann Huff – Guitar
Mac McAnally – Guitar
Randy Scruggs – Guitar - will win; should win

I’ll be honest, this is the category I know the least about, but Randy Scruggs is a wonderful musician who has won this award several times before, so the odds are in his favor.

Well, there you have it folks, my take on who will win at this year’s CMA Awards. I’ll be keeping a tally and taking notes as the show airs to see how well I did compared to the bigwig critics and industry insiders. Of course, I’ll be back here after the show with a recap of the winners, losers, surprises and performances.

Update on Blog; Huge Month Ahead for Country Music Fans

Hello everyone. I just want to apologize for not writing anything new for a while. Believe me, it’s not for a lack of wanting to. Between high school football, two major hometown festivals and the election, work has kept me really busy this past month. I simply had no time to devote to writing for my blog, even though there is so much going to write about, namely the upcoming CMAs and the huge Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood concert run in Kansas City, Missouri, not to mention the release of their new cds, Garth’s Ultimate Hits collection and Trisha’s Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love. These are very exciting times if you are a huge fan of the super couple like I am, so you can rest assured I will be blogging about all of the appearances and new music coming our way the next couple of months from Garth and Trisha. Unfortunately, I won’t be in Kansas City for any of the shows, but you better believe I will be at a local theater to watch it, and I will definitely blog about the show afterwards.

I also will be commenting on the upcoming Country Music Association Awards, which will air November 7. I’ll give my thoughts on the nominations, including who should have been nominated (and in some cases, who should not have). I’ll also do my best to handicap the awards and share my picks and predictions, as well as critique some of the artists' performances.

To those who have checked out my blog - thanks! Please keep checking back. This will be an exciting month for country music, and I have a lot to catch up on and blog about. Stay tuned!

Wyld for Wynonna

As Southwest Louisiana was bracing itself for the possibility of Hurricane Dean last month, another hurricane swept through Lake Charles. Wynonna Judd blew through town for a two-night engagement at L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort, and “Hurricane Wy,” as she’s affectionately known to her legions of fans, did not disappoint. Unfortunately, I was only able to attend the second show on Friday, August 17, but it absolutely was one of the best shows I have ever been to.

Being a long-time fan of Wynonna, I was looking forward to finally seeing her show and hearing that powerful voice live and in person for the first time. It was just an added bonus that she opened the Friday show with one of my personal, all-time favorites, “Heaven Help My Heart.” After she blew me away with that first song, I knew I was in for a great show. She blazed through several of her rockin’ solo hits, including “Tell Me Why,” “Rock Bottom,” and “What It Takes.” But she really shined on the slower tempo songs, such as “She Is His Only Need,” “Only Love” and “I Wanna Know What Love Is.”

Of course, no Wynonna show would be complete without a couple of signature Judds songs. As soon as the band began playing the recognizable opening notes of “Mama He’s Crazy,” the crowd cheered and sang along to every word. Don Potter, creator of the signature Judds sound, was out on the road with Wy’s band, and she had him play the infamous intro lick to “Grandpa” a couple of times to the roar of the audience. Once again, the crowd sang right along with her.

Another powerful moment of the show was the emotional performance of “I Can Only Imagine,” a cover song with very personal meaning for Wynonna. Tears flowed from her eyes (and mine), and the crowd felt the emotion. This was a real chill bump-raising performance, and for die-hard fans like myself who know a little about Wynonna’s personal situation right now, it was especially poignant.

Wynonna brought fans, as well as the stuffy casino patrons, to their feet during her stirring rendition of the classic “At Last,” almost blowing the roof off the place. She then ended the show with another Judds signature song “Love Can Build a Bridge.”

However, there was one more song Wynonna could not leave Lake Charles without performing: her signature solo hit “No One Else on Earth.” Hard core fans made their way to the front of the stage for the rowdy and fun sing along encore, and Wy even handed her microphone down to a fan in the front row so he could sing the song.

Wynonna was in excellent voice and great spirits for the entire set. She was extremely chatty with the crowd, and each time someone shouted something out to her in between songs, she stopped and said something back. She also stopped to pose for those walking up to the stage to take pictures and acknowledged many of them. She shook hands with many people on the front row, and when someone handed her a huge bouquet of flowers, she held it for the entire next song.

At one point, someone passed her a note, which she read to herself. After she read it, she looked up, made a face, laughed and threw it over her shoulder. She also asked how many in the audience had never seen her before, and when practically the entire crowd erupted, she responded with, “Oh my God, are you kidding me? Where have you guys been all these years?” When someone shouted back “Waiting for you to play here,” she just said “Good answer.”

As much as I loved hearing the music, I enjoyed watching Wynonna’s interaction with the crowd and seeing that side of her even more. It’s no secret she loves and appreciates her fans, and they made sure that love was reciprocated that night.

Wynonna has long been a favorite artist of mine, so I am glad I was finally able to have the experience of seeing her live, and I definitely hope to see her again in the future.

Ville Platte's Own American Idol Contender

The following article is not really country music-related, but I thought it was cool to interview a young guy from my hometown who tried out for American Idol and plans on trying out again. He is very talented and kind. The entire town wishes him well with his music. Good luck Justin!

Justin Lafleur’s musical ambitions are only just beginning, and with being a top contender in the “Acadiana Idol” audition for American Idol last month, he is more “fired up” than ever to make his dream a reality.

Lafleur’s singing ability was discovered when he was in the eighth grade at Sacred Heart. He asked his teacher, Karen Soileau, if he could sing “Silent Night” during the school’s Christmas play. He recalls with a chuckle that she told him he could perform the song, but he would have to audition for her first to prove he could sing. When he later told his mom, Lafleur says she was very nervous for him because this was the first time he sang alone in public, and she was worried he would fall on his face. Lafleur adds when his mom discovered his talent, she quickly became his biggest fan and supporter.

Lafleur, the son of Jay and Phyllis Lafleur of Ville Platte and the late Susan Shipp Lafleur, continued singing anywhere he could throughout high school. He sang in church, in the school chamber choir and in the Eunice Community Choir. As a member of the Cotton Pickers for three years, he performed a solo of “In the Still of the Night.” He remembers his time with the Cotton Pickers fondly and proclaims, “It was great. The week of the (Cotton) festival was the best because we got to attend many functions.” He adds he learned a lot of technique from Dwight Jodon with the Eunice Community Choir during his time with the group.

After graduating from Sacred Heart in 1999, Lafleur went on to attend LSU, where he majored in biology. However, he could not leave LSU without taking at least one voice class. He learned a lot from the difficult and demanding classes and tried out for the Schola Cantorum, a choir for music majors. He joined the group for six months and says, “It was the hardest thing, but I learned a lot from people who go on to become music professors and voice coaches.”

In 2004, Lafleur did some research online about auditioning for the reality television show American Idol and made the trip to Austin, Texas, to try out, along with thousands of other hopefuls. He recalls the experience as “really wild,” and says, “People were sleeping in sleeping bags and everyone could really sing. It was really fun meeting people with the same interests.” Lafleur auditioned fifth in a group of five in front of the show’s producer, Simon Fuller, and sang his heart out, hoping to impress him and make the show. After everyone finished singing, Fuller addressed Lafleur by name and told him he was a good singer, which Lafleur hoped was a good sign. However, Fuller then told the group of five, “We can’t use any of you.”

Lafleur’s mom passed away later that year, and he didn’t sing much after that until about six months ago, when someone asked him to sing at a funeral. Lafleur admits he thought it would be harder than it was and he had forgotten how much he loved to sing. Not long after that, he was watching television when an advertisement for “Acadiana Idol” aired saying there was an audition at Arceneaux Ford in New Iberia that weekend. He decided to try out, and at the competition held August 15, he, along with the contestants, filmed a commercial for the dealership, which airs on the local Fox station. For the contest, Lafleur chose to perform the song “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers. The five judges loved his rendition and asked him to perform another song, so he sang “I’ve Got A Woman” by Ray Charles. Lafleur says he gravitates toward those types of songs because he grew up listening to the old Motown and blues and soul classics with his dad, who likes that kind of music. He grew to love the same music and likes to sing anything by Otis Redding and in the blues and soul genres.

The following weekend, Lafleur sang in front of a large crowd at the Center Court in Acadiana Mall, along with the 17 other finalists. Of course, he had his “fan club” with him for support, including his former teacher, Soileau. Lafleur says with a laugh that she told him to “remember who got you started.” Again, he received positive feedback from the judges. Only one winner was to be chosen, but the judges picked five to go up and sing for them again. In the end, it came down to Lafleur and Tamesha Labastrie of Opelousas. Labastrie won the opportunity to audition in Philadelphia for the show, but Lafleur admits she was really good.

One of the judges, Kenny Janise with the local band Kenny and the Heartbreakers, was especially encouraging to Lafleur, who recalls he was down to earth and told him not to give up because he has a unique quality to his voice and doesn’t sound like anyone else.

With all of the positive feedback, support and encouragement, Lafleur plans to audition again for the next season of American Idol. Even though he is just getting back into singing, the 26-year-old exclaims, “I am ready to kick it into high gear.” Currently, he continues to sing at weddings and other events.

Lafleur’s short-term goal at the moment is simply to get something recorded and write songs. He says he has never heard his voice on record and has not yet had the opportunity to work in a recording studio. In the future, he plans to move to California to pursue his goals, but adds, “I’ll move wherever the opportunity is, even to Alaska.”

Lafleur emphasizes the most valuable thing he has taken away from the whole experience is the unbelievable love and support of not only his family and friends, but his entire hometown. He marvels, “The Ville Platte crowd at the mall was incredible, and the support of the town has been unbelievable. Everyone has been very positive and supportive.”

A Birthday and Special Anniversary for the Fabulous Trisha Yearwood

What better to way honor the lovely and talented Miss Trisha Yearwood on the occasion of her birthday (September 19) than to reflect on one of the biggest nights of her life and career. It’s hard to believe this week also marks the 10th anniversary of Trisha’s very first win for CMA Female Vocalist of the Year at the 31st Annual Country Music Association Awards; a win that marked the beginning of what was arguably the biggest year of her career.

I remember exactly where I was the night of September 24, 1997. I was a 21-year-old college student and watched the show in the bedroom of the apartment I shared with two roommates. I had been hoping Trisha would finally win the female vocalist award she so richly deserved, so to say I was ecstatic for her is an understatement.

First, the performance of a lifetime: Trisha, elegant and regal in her long, black gown, performed her current hit “How Do I Live” in front of industry peers and fans, and she simply wowed them. She was accompanied by an orchestra as she sang into an overheard microphone while scenes from the movie Con Air played on a screen in the background. (The song was from the movie’s soundtrack – but that’s an entirely different story.) During the performance, Trisha was visibly moved by the applause from the crowd as she sang her heart out. When the song ended, she was completely overwhelmed by the standing ovation and applause from the audience, and she can be seen shaking her head in amazement as she hurriedly walked backstage.

Now, I have seen Trisha sing this signature song many times over the years, both on television and in concert. But there was something absolutely magical and breathtaking about her performance that night. To this day, I still get chills anytime I happen to see it. It was that good.

That performance alone would have made for a great night for Trisha, but the best was yet to come. The female vocalist category was announced right after her performance, so she was still standing backstage as the nominees were called: Deana Carter, Patty Loveless, LeAnn Rimes, Pam Tillis and Trisha Yearwood. Finally, the moment of truth: Ronnie Milsap announced “The winner is Trisha Yearwood.” The camera captured her reaction as she made her way back to the stage to accept her award. Trisha is not normally one to get teary and too emotional on stage, but that night, the tears flowed. In her speech, she marveled, “I don’t know what to say except that this is what I have wanted ever since I saw Reba McEntire win female vocalist of the year and stand on this stage and say into the tv set, ‘If you have a dream, you can make it come true.’ I believed you Miss Reba and I’m here.” After thanking the obligatory manager, label, etc., she thanked her parents by saying, “As proud as you are of me right now, I’m prouder to be your daughter.” She went on to say, “But most of all, I want to thank the fans, who have made me feel like I’ve won this award every year. I love you guys.”

It goes without saying that Trisha’s moving performance of a beautiful song and her subsequent female vocalist win were definitely my favorite moments of the ‘97 CMAs. It had been quite a while since I have watched my vhs tape of that award show, but I recently found clips of Trisha’s performance and win posted online and got chills all over again as I watched and remembered where I was that night. I just thought back to that night and how it will always remain a magical moment in time for my favorite artist. I know it’s a night she will never forget.

Trisha’s CMA win led to several other awards that season. She won her first solo Grammy for female country vocal performance for “How Do I Live” in 1998, the same night she also won a Grammy for country vocal collaboration with future husband Garth Brooks for their duet “In Another’s Eyes.” Trisha also received top female vocalist honors from the Academy of Country Music for the first time in 1998, and she went on to receive a second female vocalist of the year award from the CMA that same year. On CMA night, Trisha gave another powerful performance and accepted her award live via satellite from Buffalo, New York, where she and Garth had a show that night. Their performance of “Where Your Road Leads” in front of a manic, packed-house crowd was yet another truly magical, chill bump-raising performance.

Trisha’s performances at the ’97 and ’98 CMA Awards shows remain two of my all-time favorite award show performances of hers to this day. Watching them brings back such great memories of the high point of Trisha’s career. With the help and support of a new record label, and with fresh, exciting new music on the horizon, Trisha is well-poised to make her way back to the top, where she belongs.

Here’s to future female vocalist nominations and wins for the birthday girl. Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary Miss Trisha!

Sammy Kershaw and Lorrie Morgan's Exciting Visit to Ville Platte, Louisiana

Country music royalty visited Ville Platte, Louisiana, July 10, when Sammy Kershaw and Lorrie Morgan passed through town as a stop along his campaign trail. He is running for the office of lieutenant governor for his home state and has been making the rounds. One of our local Rotarians happens to be one of Sammy’s campaign volunteers, and he was able to get the couple to visit the lunch meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. For our small town, that was very big news indeed, and as a reporter for my local paper, I got to cover the meeting and visit with them for a few minutes before and after Sammy’s presentation. As a huge country music fan, that definitely rates as one of the most exciting things I have ever been able to do at work.

Now, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the couple as I had read and heard many things about them over the years, so I was pleasantly surprised by how friendly and personable they both were with everyone. They casually walked around the restaurant introducing themselves to the Rotarians who invited them to the meeting, and I was almost taken aback when they actually sat down and ate with everyone. The restaurant owner dressed up and decorated the place to welcome her special guests. As Sammy is a good ole Cajun boy from Kaplan and Lorrie loves Cajun and spicy food, she put together a fantastic Cajun menu for them to chose from, including gumbo, etoufee and many other staples.

As a general rule, Rotary meetings are not supposed to be political in nature, so Sammy spoke more about his personal and career background. Everyone had a great laugh when he recounted how his producer played him this one song while they were looking for songs for his first album and he thought it was the “biggest piece of crap” he ever heard. Then he sang the opening line to his first huge hit, “Cadillac Style.” Then he talked about the honor and privilege of performing with the legends of country music, such as George Jones and Loretta Lynn. He shared the story of when he was asked to participate in a tribute album to George Jones. He recalled he already had a song picked out, but the label told him they had another one in mind. Sammy then sang the opening line to “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” and he said he told his label, “Are you kidding me? That’s career suicide!” He also shared several other anecdotes about his career, which everyone enjoyed hearing.

Sammy did briefly touch on his campaign goals, emphasizing his love for his home state and how he wanted to help improve the quality of life in Louisiana. He proclaimed, “I am sad to see Louisiana in the state it is in,” and that one of his goals as lieutenant governor is to make the entertainment industry in Louisiana a viable, permanent industry for the state. Sammy noted the state has missed many opportunities in this area in the past, and asserted the entire state should be promoted, not just certain big cities like New Orleans. He urged citizens to demand strong leaders and a clean government and to settle for nothing short of a new life. He also encouraged citizens to make their leaders accountable and know who they are representing.

After touching on his campaign, Kershaw focused the rest of his talk on his childhood growing up in Kaplan, his love for his family and the long road he traveled to becoming a “21-year overnight success in the music business.” He said he made a promise to himself that if he made it, he would never forget his hometown and would promote Louisiana every chance he got. He said through his success, he has been able to touch many lives, and he has been welcomed into many small communities like Ville Platte across the country. His success has also allowed him to effect change in Louisiana, and he has established the Sammy Kershaw Foundation, which benefits his hometown. He said at the beginning of his career, he vowed to care for those who worked for him and their families, a promise he keeps to this day. He also said God has been good to him and has blessed him with a great wife, great kids and great grandkids.

During a question and answer session following his speech, Sammy was asked what his wife thought of him running for office, and he admitted she was a bit leery at first. However, he said she knew how passionate he was about his home state, and once she saw how serious he was about it and that this opportunity would be a dream come true for him, she jumped right on board with him and became very supportive.

Once Sammy completed answering questions from the crowd, the Rotarians presented the couple with a gift to thank them for attending the meeting. When Lorrie saw the basket of Cajun seasonings and sauces, she cracked with a laugh, “That will get used, believe me.”

After the meeting, Sammy and Lorrie graciously hung around for a while and signed many autographs and posed for photos with everyone. I took the photos I needed for the paper, and of course I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take my picture with them before they left. I brought along my prized copy of “Finding Her Voice, the History of Women in Country Music” for Lorrie to sign. Good move on my part. Lorrie asked me what I was holding, and when I showed her, she thought that was the coolest thing and thumbed through it. I told her I was a huge country music fan and had many other artists sign the book over the years, to which she replied, “That’s awesome!” Of course, she and Sammy both graciously signed the book (next to her picture and article) and posed for a couple of photos with me after that. I even got an autograph for my father-in-law who is a big fan of both - Huge brownie points for me!

I have to commend Lorrie for being a good sport that day, playing along with all of the guys who were dressed to the nines and shamelessly flirting with her in front of Sammy and their wives.

After the meeting, Sammy and Lorrie remained in Ville Platte for a town hall meeting later that afternoon at the civic center, where he discussed the issues and his campaign platform. They also stopped by the paper’s office to say hello.

That was such a fun day for me, because as you can imagine, we don’t get many celebrities stopping through our small town, much less two at the same time. And I guess my article for the paper could technically count as my first official published country music article. It’s not often I get to write anything remotely related to country music for work, so that was really exciting for me.

Current Country Radio: An Interview with Renee Revett of 99.1 KXKC

Here is another country music-related article I wrote during college. I interviewed a program director/dj friend of mine from a local country radio station, who is no longer with the station, about the current state of country radio (1997). I think it turned out well, and she liked it. I got an “A” on this paper as well.

The current state of country music is vastly different from even a few years ago. The genre has turned itself from being the "music industry’s stepchild" to being one of the hottest and best selling music of the ‘90s. The critics consider the year 1989 as the year the industry began to change and boom with the emergence of future mega stars, such as Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson. Nashville critic and insider Buddy Killen feels country music has been greatly affected by the emergence of so many new artists on the scene. He believes the combination of new artists and the "old guard" has been good for the industry. The introduction of country music to young people, and in turn record sales, have greatly benefited from the rising popularity of CMT and TNN, which both allow the public to visually connect with the new artists and music coming out of Nashville.

Unlike other musical formats, country radio relies heavily on the relationship with the Nashville industry and is more involved with the listeners and fans. Country listeners are some of the most loyal and avid listeners of music. Country radio rewards this loyalty by being accessible to the listeners. Many fans are involved with the genre and attend many concerts. Some die hard fans even attend the annual Fan Fair event, which gives fans the opportunity to meet and mingle with their favorite entertainers, something not seen in any other genre of music.

To find out more about what it takes to be successful in the local country radio market, and what a typical day at the station is like, I spoke with Renee Revett, program director and morning personality with 99.1 KXKC in Lafayette. After getting off the air, she runs the programming department, which includes everything from making sure commercials air on schedule to seeing that on-air personalities attend local events, such as festivals, games and concerts, to show community support and meet the listeners.

One of her most important tasks is being in charge of song rotation, deciding which songs to air and how often to play them. Along with music director Kelly Thompson, Revett listens to the new music out of Nashville and decides which new songs to "add" to the playlist each week. Making this task even more important is the fact that KXKC is a member of the Country Music Association (CMA). The station is also a member of both the Billboard and Radio and Records reporting panels, which means the number of songs played, and how often they are played on the air, has an impact on the national charts. As a result, Nashville is interested in what KXKC plays, and industry executives make sure the station gets the newest music. New artists also stop in to the station on their “radio tours.” The industry also invites KXKC to radio-only listening parties, which help introduce new artists hopeful for airplay.

The station is very successful and popular for its young age of only five years. Revett attributes the station’s success and popularity to several things. She says, "Everyone, from the top management to the on-air personalities, is professional. The owner was a broadcaster first, so the station is operated from the perspective of radio and broadcasting.” Unlike the national trend of stations being bottom-line and profit oriented, Revett says KXKC’s main goal is to be entertaining and informative. The personalities are also very community-minded and make a point of showing their care and concern for the community and listeners. In addition to this local success, Revett was recently honored by Billboard magazine as runner-up for program director of the year. The station also has received several awards recognizing its community and humanitarian efforts, including Humanitarian Station of the Year at Country Radio Seminar.

As for current country music, Revett says there are so many new artists now vying for airplay that it is hard for the average listener to keep up. "KXKC, while taking care to introduce new artists, also makes a point of playing a lot of popular and well-known artists, so as not to alienate the listeners by giving them too many people to have figure out who they are." By doing this, and being involved in the community and lives of the listeners, KXKC has avoided the national trends, which find country music in a decline of popularity.

Revett reveals that while being on the air is more fun, she finds the behind-the-scenes aspect of programming the station and dealing with Nashville more challenging and fulfilling for her.

As far as people wanting to get into radio, she feels now is not the best time for new people to get into the radio industry because of the national consolidation trend with owners having several stations in a single market area. However she does offer the following advice for those who want to pursue a career in radio, "Learn it, know it. Don’t lose your interest now. Go ahead and get your education. Learn as much of it as you can, but diversify yourself. The best, most successful people in radio are those who bring to the table a good background of many different things."

Establishing a Career in Country Music

I had forgotten about this article, but I recently found it and thought I would post it. It is an old college "process" essay I wrote for my first semester in college (English 1001) several years ago. My professor thought it was a unique idea to write an essay on the process of breaking into country music and I received an A for it! After re-reading it, I noticed many changes I could make to improve it. However, I am posting it as I originally turned it in for a grade. Enjoy!

The long road to becoming a singer begins at a young age. Loving to listen to music and sing along with songs on the radio is a great place to start. Learning to play an instrument and write songs from an early age gives the person a great advantageMost people begin performing at local clubs to gain the experience of performing before an audience. When the person feels ready, a move to Nashville, Tennessee, is a smart choice. Once there, it is a great idea to get a job as a waiter or maybe as a tour guide at the Country Music Hall of Fame. A job as a receptionist or demo singer at a record company gives the person a chance to witness what goes on “behind the scenes” in the music business. Recording a demo tape and sending copies to various record label executives can be a crucial factor in getting a recording contract. If these executives like what they hear, the person will be called for an audition, which usually leads to receiving a contract. The person still has a long way to go toward reaching his/her goal.

The hard work begins once the contract has been signed. The person listens to literally thousands of songs or writes his/her own until the singer finds the 10 or 12 best songs and begins recording the critical debut album. Upon completion of the album, the record label’s artists and repertoire department begins its job of determining how to market the new artist. They help decide on the artist’s “look” for the album cover and stage appearances. The artist’s image can play a crucial role in initial acceptance and success. It is now time to introduce the new artist to the public.

Next, life on the road begins. The first year is usually spent opening for more established artists. New artists quickly realizes it is not as glamorous as they once thought. The performer soon learns the pre-concert drill of setting up the stage and lights and doing sound checks and rehearsals each night. Touring with an established artist certainly has its advantages. He/she can offer the new artist advice on everything from performing on stage and handling the media and fans to juggling career and family demands. New artist often loves the excitement of road life, which allows them to be in a different city or state nearly every night, but quickly becomes tired of it after the first year or two.

A new artist who quickly becomes an “overnight success” must learn to handle constantly being hounded by fans and the media. As new artist becomes more successful, they are asked to make more appearances and do many interviews. They now has to deal with the fact that they will have little or no privacy and then must decide how much of their lives to keep private and how much to share with the public.

Several signs indicate that an artist has “made it.” Receiving that first number one record, having an album sell gold, platinum or even multi-platinum and being nominated for various industry awards are major signs of success. Having the opportunity to meet and become friends with other artists, especially the ones that have greatly influenced their career choice and now say they are a fan of them is a huge compliment. While there is competition among the artists, they are constantly pulling for each other. Being asked to perform on the Grand Ole Opry for the first time is always a great honor for all new country artists.

Perhaps the most important sign of success to an artist is the fans. They are the people from whom the artist receives the majority of praise and criticism. By voicing their opinions, fans let artists know what they like or dislike about their music or personality. In doing this, family, friends and fans alike help keep new singers from becoming arrogant about their success. Fans share a special bond with their favorite artists and often write letters explaining how their music helped them through painful times in their lives. Many artists show their appreciation by writing back and sharing their own personal stories. Artists often meet with fans and sign autographs during meet and greets either before or after a show or during events such as Fan Fair. Once a person becomes a fan, it is usually for life. The more “accessible” entertainers are, the more fans they are likely to have.

So, if you love to sing and think you can handle all of the pressure, excitement and fulfillment that life on the road as a country singer hands you, keep practicing and never give up because you just might make it as a country singer.

Welcome to my new blog

Hello everyone and welcome to my new blog. It has been my longtime dream to be a country music journalist or to be involved in the wonderful world of country music in some way. I’ll admit I grew up hating country music, but in 1990, when I was a 15-year-old freshman in high school and had my first boyfriend, I began to gradually like it a little bit because he loved it. He introduced me to the infamous “Class of ’89,” and I soon became hooked on that incredible group of newcomers, which included Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, Clint Black, Lorrie Morgan, oh and some guy named Garth Brooks (maybe you’ve heard of him?).

When my boyfriend was killed by a drunk driver three days before my birthday the next year , music became my lifeline and I continued to gravitate toward the healing lyrics of country music. I soon began discovering other great artists like Randy Travis, George Strait, Alabama, and my two favorites at the time, Reba McEntire and the Judds.

New favorites artists came along in the early ‘90’s, cementing my love of country music. In the fall of 1991, a tall, blonde Georgia girl named Trisha Yearwood came out with her first hit single, “She’s In Love with the Boy.” Being 16 at the time, of course the lyrics struck a chord with me. I soon became an avid fan of hers and have been ever since. It was also about this time that Wynonna went solo after the Judds farewell tour. I became a huge fan of hers as well. “Wy and Ty” became my country music “sheroes” and remain so to this day. I don’t know what it was that drew me to them and their music, but the combination of their songs and their powerful and amazing vocal abilities, not to mention their wonderful, kind and witty personalities, made me a fan of theirs for life.

Music has always been a passion of mine, from the time I was about seven or eight years old listening to my mom’s Pat Benatar, Heart and Fleetwood Mac albums. I have just always loved listening to music because no matter what kind of day you are having, hearing a favorite song by a favorite singer can pull you right out of the dumps and get you smiling again. As a child, I didn’t really plan on doing anything related to music, but as I got older and became more interested in the behind the scenes aspects of the entire country music industry, I began realizing that is where my true passion was.

That passion was strongly reinforced after I read the book “Get Hot or Go Home,” which followed the beginning of Trisha’s career and all the “behind the scenes” action that occurs in the early stages of a new artist’s career. It was then that I became really interested in learning everything I could about the rich and storied history of country music and its artists and movers and shakers. I have since read countless artist biographies and industry books on the subject, which only fueled my desire even further.

However, since I cannot sing a lick, I knew I would have to find some other avenue to be a part of the music and industry I love so much, whether that meant working as a dj for a local radio station, public relations or marketing for a record label, fan club president for an artist or even selling merchandise on the road for an artist. To that end, I referred back to Trisha’s book and decided to look into attending Belmont University in Nashville for its wonderful music business program, just as she did. I also love to write, so I had planned to minor in journalism. I mean, how much fun would it be to interview your favorite artists for a living?

A few years later in 1996, I met and became friends with a program director/dj at a local country station. We began talking about my country music goals and she was very encouraging and supportive. In fact, when I attended Fan Fair in 1997, I did a remote call in to the morning show she hosted.

After visiting Nashville for the first and only time, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that that was where I wanted to be. This is going to sound crazy, but I felt more like myself and at home there for that one week than I did back home with my family and friends who just do not understand my passion and love of music. I had such a blast that entire week, meeting the artists and tv personalities, as well as seeing all of the country music history at the Ryman and the Hall of Fame first hand.

When I returned from Nashville, I spoke to my radio friend, and she graciously offered to write a letter of recommendation for me as part of my application to Belmont. Unfortunately, my parents were so dead set against the move and my getting into country music that I quit in the middle of the application process and put my dreams aside for several years. As a result. I lost contact with my good radio friend.

It has now been 10 years since that fateful trip to Nashville, and 10 years of me putting my goals and dreams aside to please everyone else. No matter how often I have pushed my dreams aside over the years, I just keep coming back to the realization that deep down I know I am meant to do something in country music. I can either keep letting others keep me down or do something about it. So, I am finally going to stop putting myself last for once and go for it, no matter what anyone else thinks. This great quote from Trisha pretty much sums it up and has kind of become my motto: "I remember thinking, I can't have this desire so strongly and not be able to do it. And I remember praying about it and saying, 'God, if I can't do this, if this is not gonna work out for me, then make me wanna do something else. Give me the passion to do something else and I'll go do that.' But the drive never went away and there was never anything else that I wanted to do. And so I felt like, well, that means this is what I'm supposed to do and I'm gonna find a way to do it."

As I love to write and work for my local paper, I thought starting my own blog might be a good way to at least begin writing about the music and industry I am so passionate about. I spoke to several good friends and a new dj friend from a local station, and they are all very excited for me and encouraged me to just go for it. So, here I am with my own new blog site. My ultimate goal and hope is that this will eventually lead to possible opportunities to work for a country music publication or do something else in the industry. For now, however, this site will be a place to talk about my favorite music and artists, post concert and music reviews and just give my take on whatever happens to be going on in the industry at the moment.

Well, now that I’ve given most of my life story here, I hope you all enjoy my new blog. Feel free to share your thoughts and comments with me.