So what really is a country song?

I had a lot of time on my hands lately while listening to songs and realized that everyone seems to have an opinion of each and every song out there on country radio. So what exactly IS the perfect country song...besides David Allan Coe's classic hit?

You say...well..."That's too pop. Too rock. Too hiphop (or is that hick-hop?). Too country. Too young. Too loud. Too soft. Too electric. Electric guitar doesn't belong. Electric guitar does belong. Too slow. Too fast. Where are the banjos? Why are there banjos in the song? Too sad. Too peppy. Too hillbilly. Too citified. Too northern. Too southern. Wait, too southern?

And then there is the "Ugh, not another List Song....backwoods, cowboy hats, rednecks, momma, trucks, dirtroad, love lost, love gain, someone died, someone's dog died, patriotic fight for our rights, religious theme, tractors, farm, farming, Dixie, the south, hunting, fishing, partying, boots, jeans, rough, honkytonk, beer, whiskey, did I mention momma? How about adding daddy too."

So what exactly do you want to hear? What makes a good country song? After you take out what everyone claims to have an idea for of what "isn't country", then what is left?

To me, country music is a way of life with the songs chronicalizing the journey of the path we lead. If the song touches you, then you know it. It is hard to explain when a song affects your mind, but your soul. It could be living in the moment and in the words of Trisha Yearwood, the song remembers when. There are songs in each of our lives that have may have not been a #1 hit but they pulled some heartstrings. Honestly, do you remember what was #1 on the charts a year ago, heck a month ago? Do you remember the song that you danced at your wedding to or used to get over a breakup a while back?

When you get back to the basics and focus on the song, the writer, the story, the emotion...then you won't need to worry if it is "too country" or not.

CMA Award thoughts....the after dinner mint

So, was it me or was this year's award ceremony a "shoe-in" for Taylor Swift? It was pretty obvious with all the hype and coverage, plus the SNL performance she was going to be the "story of the night" as it was preplanned. I will say there were some highlights of the night....

* Little Jimmy Dickens being on the show...it is always good seeing him out and about especially how he's had medical problems over the last couple of years. Now who is going to fill his shoes someday?

* Martina McBride and George Strait singing "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" with Barbara Mandrell in the audience.

* Performances were lackluster in my opinion - in fact, way too many slow songs. Lets keep the uptempo beat.

* Speaking of lackluster, none of the "Entertainer of the Year" nominees besides Brad Paisley really showed that you should spend your hard earned dollars on their show based on their performance tonight.

* Holy cow...Zac Brown should be King Guitar Hero! Dang!

* Jamey Johnson & Kid Rock's performance receiving a standing ovation while paying homage to George Jones and Waylon Jennings. You know me, I'm partial to Jamey. I honestly think after you see one of his 4 hour + shows, you will see why he deserves to be Entertainer of the Year.

* Changing of the hair...Kellie Pickler, Miranda Lambert, anyone else you can think of? Red is the new blonde I suppose.

What were your favorite performances? Rants? Raves? I've got a full recap over on the Lexington Examiner. Be sure to check it out too. :)

CMA Award Thoughts

So, was it me or was this year's award ceremony a "shoe-in" for Taylor Swift? It was pretty obvious with all the hype and coverage, plus the SNL performance she was going to be the "story of the night" as it was preplanned. I will say there were some highlights of the night....

* Little Jimmy Dickens being on the show...it is always good seeing him out and about especially how he's had medical problems over the last couple of years. Now who is going to fill his shoes someday?

* Martina McBride and George Strait singing "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" with Barbara Mandrell in the audience.

* Performances were lackluster in my opinion - in fact, way too many slow songs. Lets keep the uptempo beat.

* Speaking of lackluster, none of the "Entertainer of the Year" nominees besides Brad Paisley really showed that you should spend your hard earned dollars on their show based on their performance tonight.

* Holy cow...Zac Brown should be King Guitar Hero! Dang!

* Jamey Johnson & Kid Rock's performance receiving a standing ovation while paying homage to George Jones and Waylon Jennings. You know me, I'm partial to Jamey. I honestly think after you see one of his 4 hour + shows, you will see why he deserves to be Entertainer of the Year.

* Changing of the hair...Kellie Pickler, Miranda Lambert, anyone else you can think of? Red is the new blonde I suppose.

What were your favorite performances? Rants? Raves? I've got a full recap over on the Lexington Examiner. Be sure to check it out too. :)

Music of our Lives

I had nothing else creative to post as a title - ha. So there you have it. I came to the realization that by the end of 2009, I will have seen 40 concerts. My original New Year's Resolution was to at least see the Oak Ridge Boys perform at the Kentucky State Fair...that was like my 25th show or so of the year. In the spring, a family member was diagnosed with cancer and well, it lit a fire in me to do something I love and enjoy it. Two things I love are photography and music. What best to combine the two and attend shows and take photos. Here are some highlights (so far):

Meeting Jamey Johnson for the first time back in the spring and it started something pretty special seeing his career explode before our eyes. Yet, each time I see him, he is just the same feller that I met earlier in the year. I had been a fan of his for several years, and I will say that I have become a bigger fan of his music over the years.

I got to see Josh Thompson and take a few photographs as he performed for Dierks Bentley in Indiana. I met Dierks before the show (another moment that I'll never forget - my close friends know what a memorable and meaningful experience that was). Dierks spoke highly of Josh and said to be on the lookout for him. And now his song "Beer on the Table" is in the Top 40 countdown. Wow.

Friendships - I've met 2 wonderful people that I wouldn't have met if it wasn't for attending concerts. Daisy & Kerri are just hillarious to be around. I met Daisy through a songwriter buddy at a show and I met Kerri from going to Jamey shows. Both have a love of country music and I cherish their friendship. Thanks guys!! There are many more roadtrips awaiting for us!

I thought I would put up a personal post on here since it had been a while. I honestly can't believe that it is November. Where did this year go? I can only imagine what 2010 will be like...I turn the big 3-0. I guess you could say that I'm celebrating my last year of being in my roaring 20s.haha.

When country music comes to town

See the original article & more insight by clicking here....

Country music will be well represented the next few months with some hot shows coming to the Bluegrass Region. Here is just a sample of what to expect:

Texas music legend Robert Earl Keen, along with Todd Snider and Bruce Robison will be showcasing their talents on stage of the Lexington Opera House in Lexington, Kentucky on November 5th at 7:00 PM. Keen's latest release The Rose Hotel reached number one on the AMA Americana Radio Airplay chart on November 2, 2009. Tickets are $22.50, $27.50 and $32.50 Gold Circle at the Lexington Center box office, call 859-233-3535 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. The concert is part of the Troubadour Concert Serices, presented by Highbridge Water. More information is available at www.troubashow.com

Keith Anderson will be coming back to Kentucky after his performance with the Halfway to Hazard Charity Concert and Trail Ride. Eastern Kentucky University is playing host to Keith Anderson's performance at Brock Auditorium on November 12th. Tickets are just $10 each and available online through Ticketmaster.

Speaking of Halfway to Hazard, they are coming back to Lexington, Kentucky for a special charity event. The Boots & Bourbon at Round Barn at Red Mile will be held November 13th at 8:00 pm. Join the Lexington Cancer Foundation's Pegasus Board for Boots and Bourbon. Put on your jeans and pull on your boots for a fun casual night of great music and barbeque. Beginning at 8:00 with a casual barbeque dinner by Bayou Bluegrass Catering and music by Halfway to Hazard. Tickets can be purchased by calling 888-388-2620. Tickets are $75 Individual, $125 per couple, $750 per table of 10 with all proceeds going to benefit the Lexington Cancer Foundation

Dierks Bentley will be bringing back his headlining tour after a 2 year absence from Lexington, Kentucky. He is bringing Gloriana along for the ride, who are no strangers to Kentucky, having performed with Taylor Swift just a few months ago. They will be playing at Rupp Arena on November 13th. Tickets are $25 and are available by clicking here.

Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser will be bringing the CMT Tour to Louisville, KY on December 15th and then Cincinnati, Ohio on December 16th. Ticket info can be found by clicking here.

Be sure to check out these hot shows that are a rarity to the central Kentucky area. You definitely will not be disappointed by the musical talents by these fine artists. For the latest news & updates, be sure to follow me on twitter.

Haunting country music songs for the season

I did this article for the Examiner and thought I would post it here, just in time for Halloween:

"Those memories always haunt me..." plays on the scratchy rustic record player as the season for hauntings and spirits arrives. Country music is no stranger to haunting songs with the tales of heartache, drinking, death, and seeing those from the past. Here are the top picks (in no particular order) to add to your haunting playlist:

1. "Midnight In Montgomery" sung by Alan Jackson provides the chilling tale of seeing the ghost of Hank Williams Sr. while hearing the sounds of the whipporwill. The listener feels as though they are standing in the memorial gardens that Hank Sr is buried next to his wife. The haunting imagery throughout the song takes you back in time.
2. "Ghost In This House" sung by Shenandoah and later by Alison Krauss shares the memories of losing the one you love and turning into a ghost that just wants to be alone. Heartache and death is portrayed in the chilling tune with Alison Krauss's vocals making the song more lonesome.
3. "Haunted Heart" provided such lyrics as "A run down house is love's graveyard" along with Sammy Kershaw's vocals that you hurt for him. The chillbumps appear on your arm as you listen to the song silently as you imagine the house being haunted by ghosts.
4. "Bones" by Little Big Town was sang on one of the award shows, but never made it as a radio hit. It speaks about the other person having bones in their closet that you know about but they won't share them. Eventually the past will come back to haunt them.
5. "The Ride" by David Allan Coe is probably one of the most recognized songs about riding with Hank Sr. to Nashville, Tennessee, only to be let out so he can go back to Alabama. As the lyrics say, "If you're big star bound, let me tell you it's a long hard ride." Country music singers could take a lesson from this song.

Please feel free to add your comments to your favorite haunting country songs. For more news & updates, please be sure to follow me on twitter.

If you like this article, check out these chilling articles:

Shooter Jennings and friends brings the melodic groove to Busters

Roaring outlaws Jamey Johnson and James Otto showcase their talent in Kentucky

Roseanne Cash to premier The List

Shooter Jennings - finally see him live in concert!

I have been waiting for years, literally, years to see Shooter Jennings in concert. He's come to Lexington quite a bit but I haven't gotten the chance to attend a show. For Christmas one year, one of my former coworkers gave me a personalized autographed photo from Shooter. I've been a big of a fan of Shooter as I was/am of Waylon. Needless to say, I'm glad that I ended up going to the show last minute. I just wrote an article for the Examiner w/a slide show with the article. Click on the link below to view the photos. Hope you guys enjoy!

Shooter Jennings and friends brings the melodic groove to Busters

While the air turned cooler outside, things were heating up instead Busters of Lexington, Kentucky. On Thursday, fans were treated with a performance of Earl Greyhound, JJ Grey & Mofro, and Shooter Jennings. Starting things off was Earl Greyhound, who brought the funk rock soul to the house with their three piece band. Fans were taken back in time with current songs that could have very well been played in the 70s with an infusion of rock and soul. The vocal power of Kamara Thomas was showcased throughout the set, as well as the songwriting skills of Earl Greyhouse and grooving beats from Ricc Sheridan.

JJ Grey & Mofro, co-headliner, brought the crowd back on a journey down to the south with their music that had a distinct flavor of soul. With the band that included its own grooving brass section, alongside the guitars, keyboard, and percussion, the vocals of JJ Grey presided a procession of music delight. Fans enjoyed dancing and singing along to the original tunes, such as "On Fire". The emotional "Brighter Days" showed the vocal powers of Grey as he sang about where did the brighter days go. The band really got down in the groove with "Orange Blossom" and "Blackwater." The fans in Lexington, Kentucky showed that they want to hear more from this great band that provided some country rock soul.

As the lights became blue and green, smoke machines filled the air as Shooter Jennings came on stage to the screams from the entusiastic fans. Singing songs from his new project, Black Ribbon, as well as selections from previous albums, Jennings provided a musical journey to the fans. Fans were excited as they sang along to "Gone to Carolina", "4th of July", and "Manifesto No. 1". The band were full of smiles hearing the fans sing along to the songs. He also treated the fans with "God Bless Alabama," that he sang with Jamey Johnson on the CMT Crossroads, as well as a few Waylon Jennings selections. After playing for over two hours, Jennings and the band left the stage and came back for an encore that was as strong as a good whiskey. Throughout the show, Jennings spoke about how he loved playing in Lexington and that he was sad to see that the Dame is no more. The Dame helped build his fan base in the Lexington area and you could tell he enjoyed playing any chance he could in the area. Thankfully with venues, such as Busters, music fans will have a place to enjoy a great show by regional and national acts.

For those that missed the show or want to see another dose, be sure to check the tour 10/7/09 at Headliners Music Hall in Louisville and 10/8/09 at the Madison Theatre in Covington.