CMT Online Award Nominees

Here's the complete list (released on Friday - but I was on vacation!)


NUMBER ONE STREAMED LIVE PERFORMANCE

"Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On)" - Robert Plant and Alison Krauss from "Crossroads"
"Life in a Northern Town" - Sugarland, Little Big Town, Jake Owen from 2008 CMT Music Awards
"Stupid Boy" - Caitlin & Will from "Can You Duet"
"Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me" - Keith Urban from "Invitation Only"

NUMBER ONE STREAMED VIDEO FROM A NEW ARTIST

"In Color" - Jamey Johnson
"Love Don't Live Here Anymore" - Lady Antebellum
"Stealing Cinderella" - Chuck Wicks
"That Song in My Head" - Julianne Hough

NUMBER ONE STREAMED NOT-TO-BE-VIEWED-AT-WORK CLIP

"Big Guns" - from "Country Fried Home Videos"
"Dunking for Turds" - from "Biggest Redneck Wedding Ever"
"Elevator Toilet" - from "Maybe in America"
"Naked Carpenter" - "Outsiders Inn"
"Too Tight for TV" - from "Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making the Team"

NUMBER ONE STREAMED UNPLUGGED AT STUDIO 330

"I Do" - Jewel
"I Just Got Started Loving You" - James Otto
"Love Is a Beautiful Thing" - Phil Vassar
"That Song in My Head" - Julianne Hough

NUMBER ONE STREAMED SLIPPERY WHEN WET VIDEO

"All I Want to Do" - Sugarland
"More Than a Memory" - Garth Brooks
"Should Have Said No" - Taylor Swift
"Trying to Stop Your Leaving" - Dierks Bentley

NUMBER ONE STREAMED ORIGINAL VIDEO

"Concrete Country" - Hayes Carll
"The Vent" - Gone Country Edition
"Them Thar Hills"
World Premiere Trailer
"Who Is Chuck Slade?" - Episode 5 "Give It Up for Chuck"

NUMBER ONE STREAMED FUNNY BEHIND THE SCENES MOMENT

"Adam vs. Knobs" - from "Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling"
"Pain in the Butt" - from "Outsiders Inn"
"Redneck Manners" - from "My Big Redneck Wedding 2"
"Sean Young - A Little Tipple" - from "Gone Country 2"

THE FAN VOTED "WHAT? I'VE ALWAYS BEEN COUNTRY" CROSSOVER ARTIST

Snoop Dogg, "My Medicine"
Jewel, "Stronger Woman"
Kid Rock, "All Summer Long"
Darius Rucker, from Hootie and the Blowfish, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It"
Jessica Simpson, "Come on Over"

NUMBER ONE STREAMED MUSIC VIDEO

"All-American Girl" - Carrie Underwood
"All I Want to Do" - Sugarland
"Life in a Northern Town" - Sugarland, Little Big Town, Jake Owen
"Our Song" - Taylor Swift
"Stay" - Sugarland

NUMBER ONE DIGITALLY ACTIVE GROUP or DUO

Dixie Chicks
Little Big Town
Montgomery Gentry
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland

NUMBER ONE DIGITALLY ACTIVE MALE ARTIST
Trace Adkins
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
Toby Keith
Keith Urban

NUMBER ONE DIGITALLY ACTIVE FEMALE ARTIST
Miranda Lambert
Reba McEntire
Kellie Pickler
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

LISTS

'Tis the season for Lists. So here's a few.

Billboard Boxscore's Top Ten Highest-Grossing Tours of 2008

1. Bon Jovi - $210.6 million
2. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band - $204.5 million
3. Madonna - $162 million
4. Police - $150 million
5. Celine Dion - $91 million
6. Kenny Chesney - $86 million
7. Neil Diamond - $81 million
8. Spice Girls - $70 million
9. Eagles - $56.6 million
10. Rascal Flatts - $55.8 million

We all know that Kenny would be higher if he charged more for his tix!

The Pollstar figures are a bit different. They are also just for North America. Pollstar does say that worldwide Madonna made $280 million so that number is also different from Billboard's. Pollstar says that figure makes her the highest selling solo tour artist ever.

Here's the Pollstar tour numbers.
1. Madonna ($105 million)
2. Celine Dion ($94 million)
3. The Eagles ($73.4 million)
4. Kenny Chesney ($72.2 million)
5. Bon Jovi ($70.4 million)
6. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band ($69.3 million)
7. Neil Diamond ($59.8 million)
8. Rascal Flatts ($55.8 million)
9. The Police ($48 million)
10. Tina Turner ($47.7 million


The Nielsen/Billboard Top 10 Albums of 2008

1. Alicia Keys - "As I Am"
2. Josh Groban - "Noel"
3. Lil Wayne - "Tha Carter Three"
4. Eagles - "Long Road Out of Eden"
5. Taylor Swift - "Taylor Swift"
6. Kid Rock - "Rock N Roll Jesus"
7. Coldplay - "Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends"
8. Various Artists - "NOW 26"
9. Carrie Underwood - "Carnival Ride"
10. Garth Brooks - "Ultimate Hits"

Yahoo.com posted a list of their Top 5 Celebrity Shockers for 2008. Here they are.

1. Heath Ledger's death: When news broke of Heath Ledger's death at 28, the response was a collective, "You're kidding, right?" The Brokeback Mountain star died of an accidental prescription drug overdose in January. The Australia-born Ledger left behind a 3-year-old daughter and a bright career. He earned posthumous raves -- and Oscar buzz -- for his frightening performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight.

2. Jennifer Hudson's tragedy: The Oscar-winning actress and singer had a new fiance and solo album to boot when her worst nightmare came true. In late October, Hudson's mother and brother were found shot to death in the family home on Chicago's South Side, where Hudson grew up. Adding to the heartbreak, a frantic search began for her missing 7-year-old nephew Julian, whose body was discovered days later in the back of an abandoned SUV. Hudson's estranged brother-in-law, William Balfour, was formally charged with the triple murder the first week of December.

3. The Travis Barker/DJ AM plane crash: The punk musician and celebrity DJ went through hell and came out the other side -- changed forever. After performing in South Carolina on September 19th, they boarded a private plane bound for Los Angeles that crashed and killed the two pilots and two of their close friends. The surviving duo fled the burning wreckage; DJ AM, whose real name is Adam Goldstein, jumped through a fireball. The near-death experience left the performers emotionally scarred and badly burned, requiring weeks of treatment at various burn centers. Back in good form, the pair will reunite to headline a New Year's Eve party at a West Hollywood, California, nightclub.

4. Paula Abdul fan death: The American Idol judge has lived through her share of drama, but she wasn't prepared for the shocking death of Paula Goodspeed -- an aspiring pop star and obsessed fan. Goodspeed, who grew up Sandra May McIntyre in her home state of Maine, was found dead November 12th in a car near Abdul's Los Angeles home. The 30-year-old had dreamed of stardom and expressed her admiration for Abdul during a train-wreck audition on season five of Fox's Idol in which she was ridiculed for the braces on her teeth and a lack of talent. Goodspeed's family members said she struggled with depression and eating disorders as her show business dreams fell apart. Goodspeed died of a drug overdose the day before she was to have moved back home with her mother.

5. The death of Bernie Mac: Sending shock waves to his fans and celebrity friends, the comic actor died August 9th in the Chicago area from complications due to pneumonia. Mac, who starred in his own TV sitcom and numerous movies including the Ocean's 11 trilogy, did not live to see his final roles voicing the lion Zuba in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa and starring alongside Samuel L. Jackson in Soul Men. Speaking before thousands of mourners at the 50-year-old's memorial service, Jackson said: "He never turned that kid down for an autograph. He always had time to shake a hand. He was always that kid from Chicago who wanted to make everybody happy and everybody laugh."

For me, number 1 and 5 hit the hardest. Loved Bernie Mac, but it was the death of Heath Ledger that still has me reeling. His Joker was brilliant, and I hope he wins an Oscar for his performance. As far as I'm concerned no one can ever play the Joker again. His will become/is now the quintessential Joker. I also loved him in Brokeback Mountain. I know that movie wasn't for everyone, but for me it was such a sad love story that I still get a lump in my throat when I think of the ending.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Peace and love to you and yours during this lovely holiday season.

Lezli

P.S. Whoever asked for Snow for Christmas - you are getting your wish!

THANK YOU

Thank you Stocking Stuffers! And Slumberland Furniture for sponsoring! It was another successful year, and many children in our area will have Christmas because you chose to play Santa.

Thank you & Merry Christmas!

HO! HO! HO!

GQ Cover

Here's the cover Craig and I were talking about after the noon news on WXRO. I think I've seen Playboy covers with more clothes.

The 12 Days of Christmas

Every wonder about that song and how much it would cost? Well someone has, and in today's economy too!

The total?

$86,609!

That's this year's cost, according to the annual "Christmas Price Index" compiled by PNC Wealth Management, which tallies the single partridge in a pear tree to the 12 drummers drumming, purchased repeatedly as the song suggests.

The price is up $8,508 or 10.9 %, from $78,100 last year.

"12 Days Of Christmas" Item Breakdown

-Partridge, $20 (last year: $15)

-Pear Tree, $200 (last year: $150)

-Two Turtle Doves, $55 (last year: $40)

-Three French Hens, $30 (last year: $45)

-Four Calling Birds (canaries), $600 (last year: same)

-Five Gold Rings, $350 (last year: $395)

-Six Geese a-Laying, $240 (last year: $360)

-Seven Swans a-Swimming, $5,600 (last year: $4,200)

-Eight Maids a-Milking, $52 (last year: $47)

-Nine Ladies Dancing (per performance), $4,759 (last year: same)

-10 Lords a-Leaping (per performance), $4,414 (last year: $4,285)

-11 Pipers Piping (per performance), $2,285 (last year: $2,213)

-12 Drummers Drumming (per performance), $2,475 (last year: $2,398)

World AIDS Day

December 1st is World AIDS day.

The first World AIDS Day was recognized in 1988 in a number of countries around the world. Sponsored by the World Health Organization, the day inspired messages from President Reagan, Pope John Paul II and United Nations Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar who called for stepped-up efforts against the disease.

I remember that it was 1997 and when World AIDS day passed I thought how lucky I was that I didn't know anyone personally who had succombed to this disease. The next day my mom called to tell me that my brothers best friends little brother had died from AIDS. He was a hemopheliac who contacted the disease in the 1980's before the blood supply was tested. Josh graduated 3 years behind me. When I think of Josh I think of a chubby kid who was a Freshman the year I graduated. He found love and married, and when he died told his wife that he "wasn't ready." He was so young, and this disease is so unfair.

An absolutely terrific movie made about the discovery of AIDS is And The Band Played On. It is filled with stars and you won't believe the character that Alan Alda plays. The other is In The Glooming with Glenn Close, Henry Thomas, Bridget Fonda, and James Woods. Christopher Reeves directed this story of a yound man who comes home to die, and face the family that he doesn't know. James Woods final scene is heartbreaking and you will need a box of tissues.

Today I will remember gentle Josh, and all the others that have been lost to this horrible disease. Hopefully one day it will just be a nightmare in our history.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

To you and all your friends and family.

May your day be blessed with much joy, and much food!

Tim McGraw on SNL

Tim hosted the show last Saturday. I totally forgot to tape it 'cuz I was visiting my folks. I don't think I missed much. It seems if their not doing political commentary they are not funny anymore (JMHO). Here's one of Tim's skits from You Tube. He looks fantastic, but I failed to laugh during this sketch and I bet you won't either.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOK5NtPjT7c

AMA'S

The American Music Awards were handed out Sunday night. I didn't watch the program. Truthfully, there are only 3 awards shows I watch. CMA's, ACM's, and the Oscars. I have a hard time watching others.

But here's a list of winners for you. Remember these awards are fan voted. Let's see if your country picks won.

Favorite Male Artist
Brad Paisley - beat out Kenny Chesney & Garth Brooks

Favorite Female Artist
Taylor Swift - beat out Carrie Underwood & Reba McEntire

Favorite Band, Duo, or Group
Rascal Flatts - beat out Brooks & Dunn & Sugarland

Favorite Album
Carrie Underwood "Carnival Ride" beat out Garth Brooks "Ultimate Hits" & Rascal Flatts "Still Feels Good"

Things to make you laugh.

First thing this morning I found this picture of Kid Rock and had to share it with you. Hilarious! Who dresses this guy? Is he wearing slippers with his fur coat? More embarrassing than your mom driving you to school in her robe and curlers!

One of my girlfriends sent me this video that I wanted to share too. Great stuff! God Bless the Troops!

42nd Annual CMA's

I have finally finished the blog! I have added photos and links to certain performances - you will find those as you scroll thru the story.

Here's a quick recap of the winners - my winning picks are in bold - I did pretty well :)
Entertainer of the Year – Kenny Chesney
Male Vocalist of the Year – Brad Paisley
Female Vocalist of the Year – Carrie Underwood
Vocal Duo of the Year – Sugarland
Vocal Group of the Year – Rascal Flatts
Best New Artist – Lady Antebellum
Single of the Year – “I Saw God Today” George Strait
Song of the Year – “Stay” Sugarland
Musical Event of the Year - "Gone Gone Gone" Alison Kraus & Robert Plant

Hello, and welcome to my live CMA blog. I am just going to blog along as I watch and try to fill in during the commercials. So if some details are skimpy sorry. I don’t have TiVo or DVR.

Brad and Keith begin the show with “Start a Band.” Man, they make t-shirts look good! Brad’s guitar is a glittery blue. They soooo need to tour together. Wow, loved the part where they both bent way back while playing. It was a little like The Limbo.

I like the video screens behind them showing pix of the CMA nominees and presenters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs5qrh-AJzE

Brad and Carrie are hosting and since he started the show with Keith he’s gotta change, and he proves that he is the quick change artist, tucking in his shirt and fixing his tie while coming out. Carrie jokes with him about it.

OMG I Hate Carrie’s dress! WTH were they thinking putting her in that thing – she has no figure in it! It is a gorgeous color blue, with a colorful row of beads at the top, but yikes! Her hair and makeup are great thou. This isn't a bad picture of her in the dress, but I still hated it.

Brad is talking about the big boots that he has to fill and then says that Dolly Parton once hosted the show so Carrie would have something big to fill to…LOL…the look Carrie gave Brad when he said that.

Audience flashes reveal that Taylor Swift looks beautiful, and George Strait still gets my heart going pitter patter.

Brad the smart-aleck…“Nobody here is a loser…yet.”

Brad introduces the artist who will present the Single of the Year. It’s the stars of the new movie (opening November 26th) Nicole Kidman (aka Mrs. Keith Urban) and Hugh Jackman. One of Brad’s lines goes something like this. “Nicole has grabbed Keith’s heart and since they just had a baby together I’m guessing everything else.” hehe, naughty!

“Good day Nashville!” (**sigh** that accent Hugh Jackman. Just read anything and I’ll listen. And I am suddenly thinking “Wolverines!!!” Oops that was Red Dawn and he was Wolverine in X-Men.
Single of the Year
“I Saw God Today” George Strait – his 3rd win and 12th nomination in this category.
Such a pretty song – I don’t know how the judges picked a winner they were all sooo good.
I am starting with a goose egg since I picked Trace’s “You’re Gonna Miss This.”
George’s speech was so nice. Tony Brown just lets the King talk.

Brad cracks me up! “Kellie Pickler is singing her new song she wrote with her BFF Taylor Swift.
Millions of teenage boys would give up their right gametroller to be in that room – just to write of course.” (paraphrased a bit) LOL Kellie is going to sing “The Best Days of Your Life.”

Holy crap Kellie is HOT! That camera better not go lower or we’ll see if she’s wearing undies. Love her hair and makeup. And those boots!


To the right you'll see her on the red carpet. She described her dress as "Old World Hollywood" and I agree. Va-Va- VOOM!!


Kind of a weak performance for me. When she is belting it she sounds great, but the slower lower parts seemed drowned out. I think she shouldn’t have moved around so much, it must be very hard to sing and walk in those boots, and she also climbed a bunch of stairs. I thought it seemed as if she lost her breath a little in spots.

Now it’s time for Alan Jackson to perform his last number one song “Good Time.” He is so much fun, and you can just tell he’s having a good time, which gets even better when dancers come down and line-dance in the aisles. It looks like the stars are getting a kick outta it. lol I think I see a new trend for Alan’s concerts next summer. I better start practicing.



To the right is Alan on the red carpet with his red hot wife Denise.







Now it’s time for the Song of the Year. Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus are presenting. BRC seems like he’s been having a good time, but is he drunk? He seemed a bit strange opening the envelope. lol I hate Miley’s dress! Once I really saw it I thought it looked terrible on her, and way to old for her too. She should be wearing something fun.
“STAY!” Yes, God, that song! So deserved. Jennifer is just lovely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlgpfZSWN3g

Carrie’s changed and this short dress is much better! Quite lovely, and looks to be in a Greek style, over one shoulder with a nice pin. Nice color on her.

Nice intro for Miranda Lambert to perform “More Like Her.”
Wonderful, touching performance. I love her on the red carpet!

Lady Antebellum is up. Carrie calls them “Country music latest power trio.” They are good.














Now Brad is out. Has he changed clothes? I didn’t notice. LOL
Brad talks about the next performer yelling at her kids, saying that having her scream at them in 3 octaves in 3 different keys must be amazing.
Looks like Martina went with the boots. (if you heard my show Wed then you know that she was debating between boots and heels and said it would be a last minute decision. It was a good choice, but I’m not really crazy about that outfit. Her hair looks great, long and full. You know, I’m not crazy about this song. Maybe it was just the performance, but it just didn’t do it for me. Brad after cracks, “Good job there pipes.” lol






Rodney Atkins is up to sing a new song! Hmmm, how can I put this? I thought his belt buckle looked great. ::wicked grin:: OK, now this is a song I like! I can’t wait till it hits the studio so I can play it for you. Seems like a perfect song to release for summer so it’s interesting that he’s singing it now. Of course when it takes off it’ll be after Christmas and then we’ll need to think about warm things (especially if those wooly caterpillars are right.)

Time for the Vocal Group of the Year presented by Heidi Newfield and John Rich. “Wowsa” to that low red number Heidi is wearing. Let’s see if Rascal Flatts makes it 6 in a row. Yep. The rest of the nominees just need to break out a bit more, so I think we could seriously look for an upset next year.

Well the boys look great. Love Joe Don’s white tie. Jay is a stitch with the flowery blazer and the shirt and tie that match it. Then says they have to wrap up early so he can “get meemaw’s curtains back,” so yes, he is very aware that his outfit can’t help but make you laugh. Gary thanks the fans nicely, and Joe Don interrupts for a great “Aww moment” and that is that this is the first time he can thank his son Jagger Donovan. AWWWWWW!

Taylor Swift time. Yay! OMG what a wonderful performance of “Love Story.” The set, the dancers, the costumes, it’s like a fairy tale. Wow. So sweet. Ahhh, she has another clothing change on stage. The dancers hover around her, the lights strobe and presto! She has a lovely white gown on, and…oooooo…Romeo walks out to her. Nice! It’s going to be all over the net tomorrow, people wondering who he is.




To the right is Taylor on the red carpet looking gorgeous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SccDkRFUmlA

Now Carrie is back out to introduce the next act. Fire whoever is styling her puh-lease! Another shapeless dress on her. This one is more toga like, not as bad as the one she wore when the show opened, but UGH! She is introducing the song we heard “All Summer Long.” Kid Rock. Yes, Kid Rock on the CMA’s. Not a great start, but Kid seemed to get better as he went along. Stronger. Oo oo, I want to be one of his dancing girls. I can do that! Lil Wayne is performing with him. Love the Joe the Strummer t-shirt. Wow it finished great! I was really worried when he first started, but that was a blast!

Carrie and Brad tussle a little while introducing George Strait, who’s singing a new song. “Rollin’ on the River of Love.” A little cheesy, but overall good stuff.

Time for Jason Aldean to sing his new song “She’s Country.” Oh yeah, that’s a winner.

Here comes Taylor to present the Best New Artist. I like her one shoulder (which is very trendy this year) simple black dress. She wants Kellie to win, and I do just to see their reaction. OMG it’s Lady Antebellum! I wasn’t expecting that at all. haha They are so cute accepting.

Back from break with Brad playing guitar (and he has changed – looks good). He salutes Jerry Reed.

Carrie looks terrific in the new dress. Short and frilly with nice bling strap.

Brooks & Dunn are singing “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” with Reba!! I really like this song. Wow Reba really brings it home at the end. LOVE IT! I really want that version to play.

Some up and comers are here to present the Vocal Duo of the Year. Julianne Hough, Jimmy Wayne, and Jake Owen. Julianne’s dress is pretty and the boys look good too.
Vocal Duo of the Year is…WHOOOOO!!! Sugarland!!!! WHOOOOO!! Yayayayayayayyay! Now I hope they win Entertainer of the Year.

Here's a shot of Julianne Hough on the red carpet. Very pretty in pink!


Musician of the Year went to Mac Macanally. If that name sounds familiar it’s because he is Kenny Chesney’s duet partner on his new song “Down the Road.”

Time for Hootie and the Blowfish, I mean Darius Rucker. Singing his debut number one “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It.” I just love his voice. I always said he had a “toe curler,” meaning it was so good and deep it curled my toes.

Carrie is sweet introducing Brad’s performance of “Waitin’ on a Woman.” Brad can play guitar for me anytime. (what? All I gotta do is listen to Play.)

Josh Turner and Lee Ann Womack present Album of the Year. I like Lee Ann’s silver dress and Josh’s black shirt and tie with gray suit. It’s George Strait’s Troubadour! Ha! Tony Brown is the producer and he is stoked that they won! Hilarious. Looks like he has been partying. He isn’t being subtle with the shades on, the tie undone and funniest of all the points to his friends. lofl

Did they just say "Waitin' On a Woman" won video? I was kinda zoning out.

Keith Urban is performing a new song, “Sweet Thing.” Brad says he thinks he knows who this is about when he introduces him. I really like this song! So fresh and different.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsusE5Vf57c

Now something very special. I know I missed some stuff here, but I was mesmerized so am just writing what I remember.

Her name is Leslie Ponder and her husband was Trey. He was killed in Afghanistan in June 2005 and Carrie’s song has helped her through. She receives a standing ovation and it’s time for Carrie’s “Just a Dream.” How do you perform after that emotional introduction? Powerfully. I am crying. I love her dress, and the necklace is really wow. I am not happy with the director who keeps shooting her from the distance and we get blinding shots of the white light behind her (this really is an issue throughout the night – not good). She gets a standing O and Brad Paisley says “now that is what country music is all about.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYyAtSk_6X4

Brad Paisley introduces Vince Gill who is wearing a lime green shirt, but we can only see the collar and cuffs so it looks good. Vince is introducing the Hall of Fame inductees.

Now he is going to announce the Female Vocalist of the Year. Will Carrie make it 3 in a row? Yep, she is still the best. Love her saying, “Mama it’s real hard to sing when you’re in the 2nd row crying.” Her thank you is aimed at the industry of country music that embraced her even though she had that unusual start (American Idol). And she is so cute as they go to commercial she does a little happy shimmy and kisses it.

Brad is cute introducing Sugarland. Not really sure I like that top Jen is wearing, wait, is it a one-piece? Oh, they are singing “It’s Love” Man, can she sing! They soooo deserved that Vocal Duo award. Whoooooo, that was great!

It’s Brad and Carrie and she is wearing a new dress. This one short and white with red flowers and a big black belt. I like it. Brad asks, “How many dresses?” Carrie says 6 for the show, 7 with the red carpet. Brad asks if she was “up to 150,000 yet?” Love it! LMFAO Then Brad screws up the next joke and wants to start again because “it’s funny.” He “shares dressing room with the next guy, and he’s getting tired of the sand…Kenny.” It’s funny the way he says “Kenny.”

Amazing performance from Kenny Chesney and The Wailers! “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven.”

Awesome, now it’s Trace and “You’re Gonna Miss This.” Love him and this song! Doesn’t he look great? Again with the bizarre camera angles, they actually make him look small.

Here come Reese Witherspoon in an off the shoulder gown. Like the top part, but not the whole thing. She is presenting the Male Vocalist of the Year. Alright! It’s…Brad Paisley. Oops, the doggies are giving me the eye for all my clapping. LOL He runs down to the front row to kiss his wife, but Keith Urban is standing next to her, so he actually hugs and kisses him first. Then he’s kissing Kim and her pregnant belly. 2nd AWWWW moment of the night.

Commercial break side note – love the new Christina Aguilera song – and her as a super hero.

Another side note.
LOST
LOST
LOST
Sorry, just felt the need to chant that after seeing the commercial and Jack screaming “We have to go back!” January 20th is a great day ‘cuz the Moonlight DVD’s come out. January 21st is a better day with a LOST recap and then 2 new episodes! Look for me to do nothing on January 23rd. Maybe I should just take a vacation day. Lol

Excellent, it’s The Eagles doing “Busy Being Fabulous.” They are FABULOUS!! Soooo good. Brad really gave them a poetic introduction.

One more dress for Carrie, a gold number that I can’t really explain, but I think I like it. She is introducing the special guest who will hand out The Entertainer of the Year.

Wow it’s Shania Twain! She gets a standing O. She looks fab, but is almost wearing my high school mullet.

Entertainer of the Year is Kenny Chesney! Win number 4 ties Garth Brooks. Oh, he’s gonna cry. Suddenly he turns and says “You look really good” to Shania which lightens the mood and saves his mascara from running. He thanks a couple of people he’s never thanked before. How gracious and wonderful he is.

So that’s it for another year. Pretty good overall. Some of the performances were a bit weak, but they all seemed to end with a good punch.

Best Performance of the Night – man kinda tough – Keith Urban “Sweet Thing” followed by Taylor’s “Love Story.”

Worst Performance, sadly, Martina McBride’s “Ride.”

Veteran's Day

My dad is a proud Vietnam Vet (Navy Man!) and I credit him for my love of country. Thank you Dad and thank you to all the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who have given up so much so we can have the life that we do. Too often we take for granted the Freedoms that you fight for everyday! FREEDOM ISN'T FREE. Thank you seems so little to say, but it is offered with my entire heart.

Predicting the CMA's

My picks are in the post below, but CMT commissioned a poll and here are that poll's predicted winners.

Entertainer of the Year - Kenny Chesney

Male Vocalist of the Year - Kenny Chesney

Female Vocalist of the Year - Carrie Underwood

Album of the Year - Carrie Underwood "Carnival Ride"

Song of the Year - George Strait "I Saw God Today"

42nd Annual CMA's - This Wednesday

Make sure to check back to this post. If I get any new performers or presenters I’m just going to add them to the list.


Hosting (& performing separately)
Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood

Performers
Darius Rucker - was going to be just a presenter!
Trace Adkins
Brooks & Dunn
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Keith Urban
George Strait
Sugarland
Miranda lambert
Kellie Pickler
Lady Antebellum
The Eagles
Kid Rock
Kenny Chesney & The Wailers
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
Alan Jackson
James Otto
A Surprise Presenter!

Presenters
Vince Gill
John Rich from Big & Rich
Jimmy Wayne
Jake Owen
Julianne Hough
Reese Witherspoon
Billy Ray & Miley Cyrus
Heidi Newfield
Josh Turner
Lee Ann Womack
A Surprise Presenter!

AWARDS - my picks will be italicized

Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Sugarland (YAY! First nomination for them in this category)
Keith Urban

I would like Sugarland to win this award but think it's too soon, so I pick Kenny Chesney to tie Garth Brooks with 4 wins in this category!

Male Vocalist of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban


Female Vocalist of the Year
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood


Vocal Group of the Year
The Eagles
Emerson Drive
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts

Rascal Flatts have won this baby 5 times in a row. I would like to see Little Big Town break that streak. I know they are on a slow rise, but they are soooo good. So they are my pick.

Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland - let's make it two in a row!!!
The Wreckers

New Artist of the Year (formally The Horizon Award)
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
Lady Antebellum
James Otto
Kellie Pickler

This is a tough category but I am picking Rodney to win since he had 4 straight number ones from his CD "If You're Going Through Hell."

Single of the Year (award to the artist)
"Don’t Blink” – Kenny Chesney
“Gunpowder & Lead” – Miranda Lambert
“I Saw God Today” – George Strait
“Stay” – Sugarland
“You’re Gonna Miss This” – Trace Adkins

I really want Trace to win an award for this song so I'm going against my heart (which is screaming "STAY" and picking him.

Song of the Year (award to Songwriter)
“Good Time” – Alan Jackson (Alan Jackson)
“I Saw God Today” – George Strait (Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell, Wade Kirby)
“Letter To Me” – Brad Paisley (Brad Paisley)
“Stay” – Sugarland (Jennifer Nettles)
“You’re Gonna Miss This” – Trace Adkins (Lee Thomas, Ashley Gorley)

Musical Event of the Year
“Another Try” – Josh Turner & Trisha Yearwood
“Every Other Weekend” – Reba McEntire & Kenny Chesney
“Gone, Gone, Gone” – Alison Kraus & Robert Plant
“Life in a Northern Town” – Sugarland featuring Little Big Town & Jake Owen
“Shiftwork” – Kenny Chesney & George Strait

I would love "Gone, Gone, Gone" to win, but with the reaction to "Life in a Northern Town" I'm picking that one.

Music Video of the Year - I still haven't watched them, so can't pick...yet!
“Don’t Blink” – Kenny Chesney
“Good Time” – Alan Jackson
“Stay” – Sugarland
“Waitin’ on a Woman” – Brad Paisley
“You’re Gonna Miss This” – Trace Adkins

Album of the Year - I haven't listened to them all so will abstain from this category
“Carnival Ride” – Carrie Underwood
“Cowboy Town” – Brooks & Dunn
“Good Time” – Alan Jackson
“Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates” – Kenny Chesney
“Troubadour” – George Strait

PLAY

Brad Paisley's new CD is the feature of my show today! So far FANTASTIC! If you love the jams of Brad Paisley you'll like this mostly instrumental album. It starts with one for his son, "Huckleberry Jam" and there's one for his wife "Kim," and I just played the duet with Buck Owens "Come On In" which was terrific. Still to come is his duet with BB King, "Cluster Pluck" and "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." He always puts a religious song on his CD's. My fav is "The Old Rugged Cross."

So I hope you like the CD and feel free to request some of those songs.

Country Music News

In movie news - BILLY RAY CYRUS will play Jackie Chan's sidekick and George Lopez will play the film's villain in a movie that starts filming this month in Albuquerque, New Mexico. No title yet.

Who does Sunday Rose look like? Two beautiful parents, so she's gorgeous no matter what (which really, aren't most babies?) Well, NICOLE KIDMAN says tells Parade magazine, "I'm glad, because when he goes on tour, I say to him that he leaves a little bit of him with me."

TRACE ADKINS will be will be taking part in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

JULIANNE HOUGH will be performing her new single, "My Halleujah Song," on Dancing With the Stars on November 11th and along with Craig Morgan will host CMA Red Carpet Live -- a live 30-minute television show leading up to the awards broadcast next Wednesday.

You can buy TOBY KEITH'S Nashville home. The 3,400-square-foot house, will only cost you 1.6 million dollars. But it has only two bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths. Toby also owns an enormous home on 160 acres in Norman, Oklahoma.

Say, do you wonder if That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy (the title to his new CD) is a bit autobiographical? He told the Washington Post, "It's tongue in cheek. [I] like drinking cheap whiskey in a paper cup, feeling clean in a dirty shirt, being dangerous, cantankerous -- that might be controversial, but don't make me a bad guy." Doesn't that read like a PlayGirl centerfold bio? LOL And say it isn't so! Toby also reveals to the paper that during his summer tour he shaved his armpits to keep cool.

MINDY MCCREADY was released from jail on Friday after serving only half of her 60-day sentence according to TMZ.com. The gossip site also says that Mindy was headed to a Halloween party after a Bloody Mary and some costume shopping. Evidently Mindy put her time to good use while incarcerated by reading and getting into shape.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

This is me today! Thanks again for the great hat Betsy & Emily.

Everyone really got into it at work today! Ladies you look great. Back row - left to right: Robyn, Danielle, Sheri, Jill, Sharon, & Patti. Front row: Brenda, Deb, Me, and...wait, is that Rick? Oh no, it's just FAB Stef!

Good Scary Halloween Movies!

These are very few and far between IMHO. It is hard to truly scare me now.

Some recent movies that have scared me are the Grudge movies. I know, I know, they are poorly shot (you could actually see the boom mic in one of the scenes from Grudge 2), but they still freaked me out so much I hated to sleep with the lights off. You just never knew where she was going to pop up, she made that super freaky creepy noise, and that little boy was just...**shivers**.

I really loved the first few Saw movies. Saw I you need to see just for the amazing ending that will freak you out. Saw II was actually very smart and my fav of the series. Saw III was also pretty good, and I confess I haven't seen IV and now V is out. I didn't think III quite lived up to II so I prolly won't be renting those.

A really spooky movie is The Others starring Nicole Kidman. It is worth watching with all the lights out. And since it has a twist ending you have to watch it again, and believe me, the 2nd time round is even spookier when you know what is really going on.

The Orphanage was also pretty freaky - don't let the subtitles keep you away.

Of course, one of the scariest was Stephen King's The Shining (even if he didn't like the film version - mostly, I'm sure, 'cuz the ending was radically different than the book). Remember, it was so scarey that Joey, on Friends, had to put it in the freezer. LOL

And really, remember all those cheesy movies where the babysitter gets creepy phone calls and it turns out the guy was actually in the house? I could never even think about those while I was babysitting - especially if the kids were asleep and their bedrooms were upstairs.

The reason I bring this up is that "Entertainment Weekly" has compiled their list of the 20 scariest films.

1. The Shining (1980)
2. The Exorcist (1973)
3. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
4. The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)
5. Jaws (1975)
6. The Ring (2002)
7. Halloween (1978)
8. Psycho (1960)
9. Seven (1995)
10. Rosemary's Baby (1968)
11. Poltergeist (1982)
12. 28 Days Later (2003) - This is a MUST SEE - it's EXCELLENT!
13. A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)
14. The Thing (1982)
15. The Evil Dead (1982) - The sequel Evil Dead II was hysterically funny!
16. Carrie (1976)
17. Night Of The Living Dead (1968)
18. The Omen (1976)
19. An American Werewolf In London (1981)
20. Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer (1990)


I don't agree with Texas Chainsaw Massacre. That movie was just dumb. I liked the remake (with super hot, and I mean HOT, Jessica Beal) much better. One night in high school, on Halloween, my girlfriends and I had a sleepover and we rented this movie (the original). We freaked ourselves out for the first 5 minutes and then we thought it was incredibly stupid. lol

Believe it or not, I have never seen the original Halloween! I know, I have to! The only other one on here I haven't seen is #20. I'll have to look for that one.

Craig Warmbold and I had an arguement (perhaps you heard it) about Jaws. I thought it was very scary and he didn't. I know you don't see the shark much, but the tension in that movie is wonderful, and who doesn't jump a foot when Richard Dreyfus is underwater and the head rolls out of the boat he's looking into? He's crazy!

Wilma!

I am soooo excited. My monster Wilma arrived in the mail today.

You will see her on the left side of my blog. Just click on her and you will see all the fantastic monsters that the Monster Factory has. These are suppose to be one of the big toys of the holiday season and I have mine! She's gorgeous! And very well made! Well, she better be for the price.

Taylor Swift & Def Leppard

CMT Crossroads doesn't premiere until November 7th, but I've got a sneak peek for you courtesy of people.com.

This is their astoundingly awesome "Photograph." (Oh the memories of my youth.)

Enjoy it here http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20235258,00.html

Keith Anderson Contest

WXRO and A Star Promotions wants to send you to see Keith Anderson at Wisconsin Luthern College on November 2nd. We even have Pit Tickets so you can be right next to all the action - or even part of it!

Listen this week for our Keith Anderson Sounder and be Caller Number 5 when you hear it. The phone number is 920-887-9595 so program your phones right now!

We'll give away tickets any time between 5am and 5pm.

Good Luck!

Supernatural

OMG I love you this show soooooo freakin' much!

If you watched last night you saw the incredible Jensen Ackles at the end do a great Lip-Sync/Pantomine to Eye of the Tiger.

It all started when Jared said to himself "what will Jensen do if I don't tap on the roof of the Metalicar like I'm suppose to?"

The result was comedic gold that I have watched over and over and over and will continue to watch over and over and over. Even if you have no sound for your computer it's hilarious and wonderful.

Please enjoy! And thank you Buffybot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09qM5eWu1I0&feature=related

New Hat

I just had to share this with you. Betsy and her lovely daughter Emily saw this hat and thought it was perfect for me. Thank you lovely ladies! I think it is me.

Make sure you notice the spider in the close up!

Turning Air into Water

WTHeck??

Willie Nelson wants to market a machine that does just that.

Oooo, I know, there are all kinds of jokes wanting to jump out of my fingers onto the keyboard!!

Must....Resist...So...Hard...pant, pant. ;)

Now seriously, there is a device that extracts the humidity from the air, filters it, and treats it with an ultraviolet light to get rid of contaminants. The machine will store about eight gallons for later use. Willie jokingly said, "This is going to ruin my image. They'll never believe 'Whiskey River' again."

Makes me think that the creators were watching or reading the amazing sci-fi series Dune.

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood looks fab and you want to copy her style. Will she follow the current trend and create her own clothing line? She could do a sweat suit line if she wanted 'cuz that's what she likes to wear when she's relaxing. (I am envisioning her in one of her commercials but can't remember what it was for. I remember she was on a tour bus and lookin' comfy in sweats, but can't remember the product - maybe Vitamin Water.)

But don't believe any rumors because she will NOT be creating her own line. She says, "It's fun being a girl and dressing up, you know, just being able to play around and try different things, and sometimes you hit the nail on the head and sometimes people are like, 'What was she thinking?'" She does say though, that she "can barely dress myself." I guess that's what stylists are for.


Look for a revamped edition of "Carnival Ride" in stores 10/28. This new two-disc version features Christmas songs as a bonus. It will include her fab "Do You Hear What I Hear" which came out in 2007 on the CD "Hear Something Country Christmas," but we will also get songs never released before. "Hark! The Hearld Angels Sing," "The First Noel," "What Child Is This," and "O Holy Night." Oh, I can't wait to hear these, they are perfect for her beautiful voice.

The Grammy's

The Grammy's have decided that it would be a good idea to change up how they announced their nominations this year.

Out is the early morning nomination announcement ceremony.

In is an hour-long prime time TV special. (groan)

"The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live! - Countdown to Music's Biggest Night" (wow - that's a mouthful) is happening December 3rd on CBS.

During that special the nominations of six categories will be revealed and there will be feature performances from past winners.

Plus, we get a glimpse of the new GRAMMY Museum.

I'll let you know who is set to perform once those announcements are made.

The GRAMMY'S happen February 8th.



**See if you can guess where on this post I resisted adding "That's what she said!"

The Hottest Holiday Toys

Esquire Magazine has come out with a list of the Hottest Toys for the Holiday season and I have fallen in love with one group! Check them out at www.monsterfactory.net

Meet Wilma - she is my mascot now. Listen to her description (and discover why she is my perfect match): "Although it's difficult to follow exactly what Wilma is talking about she is always entertaining to listen to."

Here she is! Absolutely adorable.

Jewel pranks Brad Paisley

They were wrapping up her leg of the Paisley Party Tour and Brad had yet to pull a prank on Jewel so she wanted to get him, and she did! It was awesome and I have YouTube video to prove it.

First she changed the video that runs behind him when he sings "I'm Still A Guy" so that his head was on all kinds of women. (that's important to know because he mentions it in the clip)

So get ready for a good chuckle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YndtwzAwEGM

CMA POLL

Hey Guys please vote in the CMA Female Vocalist Poll to your left.

I want to know who you think will win.

I am extending the poll to run thru Friday since many of you have voted yet.

American Music Award Nominees

Catch the show on ABC November 23rd.

Country-Related nominees

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST
Garth Brooks / Kenny Chesney / Brad Paisley

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST
Reba McEntire / Taylor Swift /Carrie Underwood

FAVORITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP
Brooks & Dunn / Rascal Flatts / Sugarland

FAVORITE ALBUM
Garth Brooks -- "The Ultimate Hits" /Rascal Flatts -- "Still Feels Good" /
Carrie Underwood -- "Carnival Ride"

ARTIST OF THE YEAR - FOR ALL GENRES
Lil Wayne / Chris Brown / Alicia Keys / Eagles / Coldplay

The Eagles also show up in the Fav Pop/Rock Music Band, Duo or Group Category. their album "Long Road Out of Eden" is up for Fav Pop/Rock Music Album, & they are nominated in the Adult Contempory Music category for Favorite Artist.

ASCAP COUNTRY AWARD WINNERS

Monday night at the Ryman Auditorium (the Mother Church of Country Music) The 46th Aannual ASCAP Country Music Awards were held.

Alan Jackson won the Songwriter/Artist of the Year Award (taking it from John Rich who had won it the last three years - yes a record).

Winners:

ASCAP Songwriter of the Year:
Dave Berg for Blake Shelton's "Don't Make Me"
Bucky Covington's "It's Good To Be Us,"
Emerson Drive's "Moments"
Rodney Atkins' "These Are My People"
Chris Cagle's "What Kinda Gone"

ASCAP Songwriter/Artist of the Year:
Alan Jackson for "A Woman's Love" and "Small Town Southern Man."
John Rich has won this award a record setting 3 years in-a-row before Alan swooped in.

ASCAP Country Song of the Year:
"Good Directions" written by Rachel Thibodeau. Published by Castle Street Music and Dan Hodges Music.

ASCAP Publisher of the Year:
EMI Music Publishing for The Eagles' "How Long;"
Kenny Chesney's "Never Wanted Nothing More;"
Alan Jackson's "Small Town Southern Man;"
Brad Paisley's "Online," "Letter To Me," "Ticks;"
Jason Aldean's "Laughed Until We Cried;"
Blake Shelton's "The More I Drink;"
Montgomery Gentry's "Lucky Man;"
Big & Rich's "Lost In This Moment;"
Carrie Underwood's "All-American Girl;"
Jewel's "Stronger Woman."

Lee Ann Womack's new cd

I just found out what the new cd looks like and wanted you to see it - 'cuz it is ROCKIN' AWESOME!










Lee Ann Womack's 2008 CD,
Call Me Crazy.
Photo by Danny Clinch,
courtesy of UMG Nashville.


It drops on October 21st, and even though I promised the honey that I would not buy another CD until Brad Paisley's Play comes out (Nov. 4th) I may have to break that promise for Lee Ann.

CMA Poll

Well, with our first poll Brad Paisley beat out the competition as who you want to win The CMA Male Vocalist award on November 12th.

Let's move on to who you want to win The CMA Female Vocalist award. You can vote thru Wednesday - I'll change it on Thursday.

Halloween Poem

Yes, I wrote it! What do you think?

Whirling
Swirling
Twirling

Lighted
Witches
Hat.

Stars
& Moon
Illuminate

Swooping
Gliding
Bat.

Presidential Candidates

Less then a month to go! Are you ready? Do you know who you're voting for?

Hold on a minute. Are you sure?

I have a wonderful site you can visit that my lovely friend Rosie sent me, and I thought I would share it with you.

You simply click on the quote you agree with about many topics like the ecomony, taxes, and the Iraq war. When you are done, you will find out if you have picked a candidate that will do what you want as the next Prez.

I'll admit I was a bit nervous when I started. Would I choose the quotes from the candidate I wanted to win, or would I have to completely rethink who I am voting for on November 4th?

Well, for me, it was a landslide. I picked all but one quote from the person I am supporting (and the one I got wrong threw me for a loop). It helped solidify for me that I have chosen the candidate that will do what I want as Prez.

So have fun with this quiz.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/MatchOMatic/fullpage?id=5542139

P.S. I saw the greatest Burger King ad about voting. It had a bunch of clips of people ordering thru a drive-thru their unique order (one woman even wanted them to cut her fries in half!). Then it said (I'm paraphrasing a bit - I only saw it once), "We know you have a voice, we hear it everyday. Use it to vote on November 4th. Have it Your Way."

I LOVED IT!

CMA'S! CMA'S! CMA'S!

The 42nd Country Music Award Show is happening November 12th on ABC from 7- 10pm. I’ll list my picks to win as we get closer to the big night. I would also like to add that I am glad it’s not on a Wednesday like the ACM’s were, the 12th of November is a Wednesday night. That does mean no new Pushing Daisy’s, Private Practice, or Dirty Sexy Money, but I can let that slide for some good country music.

::clears throat::
::puts on best announcer voice::

“And the nominees are…”

Entertainer of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Sugarland (YAY! First nomination for them in this category)
Keith Urban
No Rascal Flatts this year.

Male Vocalist of the Year
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban
This is a good category, but I would like to see Blake Shelton, Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, and Josh Turner added at some point.

Female Vocalist of the Year
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Alison has the voice of an angel, but doesn’t get much radio play, which is a shame. Other powerhouse females that are missing are Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill, and Sara Evans.

Vocal Group of the Year
The Eagles
Emerson Drive
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
There are more groups joining the country scene now, and it’s nice to see that reflected in the nominations. Next year we could see Lost Trailers in this category.

Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland
The Wreckers
This, like the Group of the Year, is a category that has been expanding the last few years with newer duos. The Wreckers really don’t deserve to be there however since they are no longer together, and that has been known for a long time, so their inclusion bugs me. Look for Michelle Branch to try a solo country career soon.

New Artist of the Year (formally The Horizon Award)
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
Lady Antebellum
James Otto
Kellie Pickler
This is going to be a tough pick this year.

Single of the Year (award to the artist)
“Don’t Blink” – Kenny Chesney
“Gunpowder & Lead” – Miranda Lambert
“I Saw God Today” – George Strait
“Stay” – Sugarland
“You’re Gonna Miss This” – Trace Adkins

Song of the Year (award to Songwriter)
“Good Time” – Alan Jackson (Alan Jackson)
“I Saw God Today” – George Strait (Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell, Wade Kirby)
“Letter To Me” – Brad Paisley (Brad Paisley)
“Stay” – Sugarland (Jennifer Nettles)
“You’re Gonna Miss This” – Trace Adkins (Lee Thomas, Ashley Gorley)

Musical Event of the Year
“Another Try” – Josh Turner & Trisha Yearwood
“Every Other Weekend” – Reba McEntire & Kenny Chesney
“Gone, Gone, Gone” – Alison Kraus & Robert Plant
“Life in a Northern Town” – Sugarland featuring Little Big Town & Jake Owen
“Shiftwork” – Kenny Chesney & George Strait

Music Video of the Year
“Don’t Blink” – Kenny Chesney
“Good Time” – Alan Jackson
“Stay” – Sugarland
“Waitin’ on a Woman” – Brad Paisley
“You’re Gonna Miss This” – Trace Adkins
This year I will watch them all online and make a pick. I always forget that I have that option since I am too cheap to splurge for the Expanded cable and just have basic at my house, thus no CMT.

Album of the Year
“Carnival Ride” – Carrie Underwood
“Cowboy Town” – Brooks & Dunn
“Good Time” – Alan Jackson
“Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates” – Kenny Chesney
“Troubadour” – George Strait

NEVER FORGET

Seven years ago the way we looked at the world was forever shattered. Much has happened since, but the best thing to come out of tragedy is the love that we feel for each other. I will never forget how I felt that day, and in the days that followed. When I would walk Dingo and see the flags, or the tributes I would know that I was not alone in my mourning. The terrorists tried to separate us and bring hate into the world, but the failed miserably. Instead we were brought together and found love.

Here's what New York City Mayor Bloomberg had to say at the memorial this morning.

“Today marks the seventh anniversary of the day our world was broken, It lives forever in our hearts and our history, a tragedy that unites us in a common memory and a common story ... the day that began like any other and ended as none ever has."

That day ended for me with thousands of tears shed, and a fear that when I woke up that morning the Empire State Building wouldn't be standing. When I forced myself to go to bed and turn off the news The Empire State Building was being evacuated with the fear that there were bombs in the building. Fortunately that was not the case.

In the days following 9/11 there were many theories past around the net. (remember the one about Nostradomous?) But someone sent this email to me that I found fascinating. I don't know what genius thought of this, but it will make you sit back and say "Wow."

UNITED WE STAND
1) New York City has 11 letters
2) Afghanistan has 11 letters.
3) Ramsin Yuseb (The terrorist who threatened to destroy the Twin Towers in 1993) has 11 letters.
4) George W Bush has 11 letters.
5) The two twin towers make an "11"

This could be a mere coincidence, but this gets more interesting:
2) The first plane crashing against the Twin Towers was flight number11.
3) Flight 11 was carrying 92 passengers. 9 + 2 = 11
4) Flight 77 which also hit Twin Towers, was carrying 65 passengers.6+5 = 11
5) The tragedy was on September 11, or 9/11 as it is now known. 9 + 1+ 1 = 11
6) The date is equal to the US emergency services telephone number911. 9 + 1 + 1 = 11.

Sheer coincidence..?! Read on and make up your own mind:
1) The total number of victims inside all the hi-jacked planes was 254.2 + 5 + 4 = 11.
2) September 11 is day number 254 of the calendar year. Again 2 + 5 + 4 = 11.
3) The Madrid bombing took place on 3/11/2004. 3 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 4 = 11.
4) The tragedy of Madrid happened 911 days after the Twin Towersincident.

Sheer coincidence..?! Read on and make up your own mind:
Now this is where things get totally eerie:

The most recognized symbol for the US, after the Stars & Stripes, is The Eagle. The following verse is taken from the Quran, the Islamicholy book: "For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced: for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah and there was peace."

That verse is number 9.11 of the Quran.

Still unconvinced about all of this..?! Try this and see how you feel afterwards, it made my hair stand on end:
Open Microsoft Word and do the following,
1. Type in capitals Q33 NY. This is the flight number of the firstplane to hit one of the Twin Towers.
2. Highlight the Q33 NY.
3. Change the font size to 48.
4. Change the actual font to the WINGDINGS

I wish I could show you what happens, but the blog doesn't have WINGDINGS.

So try it on your own, but be prepared to freak out a bit!

The Presidential Candidates

I found this and thought it was a great way to cut thru the BS and get to the issues and where Obama and McCain stand, so I thought I would share it with you. Going to be a very interesting, and hard fought election.

This is from the non-partisan website ProCon.org. I know you're not dumb, but just to clarify a "Pro" stance means yes he's for it, the "Con" stance means he's against it.

Should abortion remain a legal option in America?
Obama: Pro.
McCain: Con.

Has the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) had an overall benefit for the US?
Obama: Con.
McCain: Pro.

Should sex education in our schools be based on abstinence only?
Obama: Con.
McCain: Pro.

Should drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) be allowed?
Obama: Con.
McCain: Con.

Are more federal regulations on guns and ammunition needed?
Obama: Pro.
McCain: Con.

Should all Americans have a right to government or employer subsidized basic health care?
Obama: Pro.
McCain: Con.

Should illegal aliens receive any of the rights or benefits that lawful permanent residents enjoy?
Obama: Pro.
McCain: Pro.

Should there be a Constitutional amendment or federal law defining marriage as only between a man and a woman?
Obama: Con.
McCain: Con.

Should marijuana be a medical option?
Obama: Pro.
McCain: Con.

Should Social Security be privatized?
Obama: Con.
McCain: Pro.

New Form of Breast Cancer

My friend Sheri sent this to me in an email about IBC. Inflammatory Breast Cancer. A breast cancer that cannot found in a mammogram or when doing your monthly self-exam.

Please watched the linked video to learn more about a disease that most woman have never heard of.

Be aware that it is a bit graphic.

Thanks Sheri for sharing this with me.

http://komonews.s3.amazonaws.com/ibc/komo_ibc.wmv

NASHVILLE STAR FINALE

This is it. The final Nashville Star. In an hour we’ll have a new star on the horizon of country music. This season started with high expectations, but I am finding that most of us were quickly disillusioned. I just read an article with John Rich where he talked about NBC casting characters more than true singing talent for country radio. If they want this show on next season, get the judges involved right away, and have them pick the contestants, and find a better way to fill so you don’t have to torture the contestants with super long exaggerated pauses.

That said, I am excited about tonight's show.

John Rich introduces Melissa Lawson by saying, “One of the most gifted vocalists” he’s ever heard.
Jeffrey Steele says “Shawn Mayer is the comeback kid.”
Jewel says Gabe Garcia is “country thru and thru.”

And then Katy reveals there were 5 million votes to determine the winner.

We will start the show with Billy Ray Cyrus (BRC) singing, and I am hoping for his new song, or even “Ready, Set, Don’t Go.”

But shut my mouth, and slap your gramma (to quote Trace Adkins “HonkeyTonk Badonkadonk”)

He is NOT singing Achy Breaky Heart! The honey likes the dancers, now Gabe joins in, then the rest of them, and then the entire Top 12. Now I wasn’t into the country scene when this song was popular, so it doesn’t grate on me the way it does others, but I don’t think this is the song that would lure in the viewers (well maybe with those dancers.)

The voting is over, but each contestant will sing an encore performance. Then their mentors will show a little love for them.

Gabe Garcia
“Celebrity” – Brad Paisley
It was just OK for me. Oh, but I did like how he ended it by boosting “adios reality.”
Jewel (J) – She is proud of him. He is so country. He is the American dream since he started out as an electrician.

Melissa Lawson
“My Wish” – Rascal Flatts (Jeffrey Steele wrote this song)
She is restrained and didn’t belt it out, seemed to have a few weak moments, but she has a great voice.
John Rich (JR) – 5 kids under 10, she has become more beautiful each week. How does it feel to know people can download her music? “Unbelievable.” He said it’s life-changing.

Shawn Mayer
“Gunpowder & Lead” – Miranda Lambert
Was she having mic problems? She looks nervous. Trying to put too much into the performance – just sing already. She is doing bad karaoke for me again. Seems like a copy of Miranda’s performance of this song.
Jeffrey Steele (JS) – He didn’t think she would make it to the final 3, he agreed with JR (she fired him as her mentor), but says she has been professional and she is his dark horse.

Now it’s time for some pointless filler. The judges and the contestants have some mentoring moments. They show them sitting around with snacks talking about what it takes to be in the business, and then they bring out the big Radio Syndicator Blair Garner (After Midnight), and then one of their big mentors George Jones. JR said “if there is a God of country music, it’s George Jones.” Seems George is a fan of the show. On a side not, did you see all those tattoos on JS? George Jones still sounds great. It’s too bad his voice was out and he had to miss Country USA.

OK, someone is going home. Who?

Shawn Mayer. I don’t think that’s a big surprise.

So we are where we knew we would be in practically the first week. Gabe & Melissa in the final two. I will say that my pick is Melissa. I like listening to her all the time, but I am iffy about Gabe.

Anyway as Shawn says goodbye BRC asks her if she would do anything differently and she says no, and reminds us that Miranda Lambert went out third. She has been hit and miss for me. I think she has potential, but there is something about her that I am not a fan of. I think it’s her attitude and when JS tells her it’s all stepping stones to get there I find myself wondering if I am not alone and that he thinks her attitude needs to be adjusted.

Now it’s time for Gabe & Melissa to sing a corny duet. “Time of My Life” which Jennifer Warren & Bill Medley sang for the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. Melissa is blowing Gabe away. Oh, now wait, that part was pretty good. LOL I guess he just had to relax a bit, since the end was better than the beginning.

I have a question about the duet. Did they practice this with Shawn and Gabe, and Melissa and Gabe, and Shawn and Melissa (which would have been extremely corny!) or did they have the girls practice another duet?

During a commercial break they run a trailer for Toby’s movie “Beer For My Horses.” I really want to see it! I love the end of the trailer where he is elbowing a bunch of different people. And ladies, you know you melt when he says “If you hurt her, I’ll kill you.” It looks like fun. It has to be better than The X-Files movie. But I hear it is only opening on 100 screens and if it does well they’ll “blow it up” as Toby says. Hopefully one of those 100 is around here. I’ve been counting on the movie as a Fair stress reliever.

Back to the show.

Melissa Lawson recap.
Shots of her performing and the judges saying nice things about her.
“Something More” – Sugarland
The girl can sing.
The judges give her lots of positives.

Gabe Garcia recap.
See above with Melissa.
“Gone Country” – Alan Jackson
If they find the right song that fits his tone he sounds good, and this is one of those songs. Very nice.
The judges heap him with love.

BRC wants them to pick.
J says she can’t she’s “𨢁a girl”
JR says that he is proud that they both represent what country music is.
JS picks Gabe, and since he isn’t a mentor of either, like J & JR, it will be interesting to see if he is right.

I want Melissa to win. I remember the first time I heard her voice. Hers was the first one to make me say, “OH!”

Now we get a treat of seeing the two contestants in the studio singing the new single “What If It All Goes Right?” John Rich is going to be their producer, and when BRC asks how it went, he says that country radio and fans are getting a true star no matter who wins (translation – they both have a career ahead of them).

Jewel congratulates America for putting the two right contestants thru.

And the winner of Nashville Star is….MELISSA LAWSON!!!

She looks so surprised! How sweet!

“What If It All Goes Right?” her first single.
I really like it, but I also want to hear Gabe sing it. I wonder how he would have sounded. I was a little worried that she was going to choke on confetti – she kept having to pull it out of her mouth. Then her darling boys come up on stage and she hugs them. So sweet.

So congrats to Melissa Lawson!!! I’ll get that new single on the air pronto!

NASHVILLE STAR

Final Performances – the last chance to impress – our last chance to vote.

They are going to go back and visit their hometowns.

The Final Four are Melissa Lawson, Gabe Garcia, Shawn Mayer, and Coffey.

3 of the finalists are from Texas (though Coffey is from LA “via Texas”)

Next week the show is on an hour later at 9pm.

They all perform once, then one will be eliminated, and then the Top 3 will perform.

Their back home concert was to raise money for High School Dropout Prevention. That’s one you don’t here of often enough is it?

Shawn Mayer
A nice package of her going back home. That surreal experience of having a sign put up saying “Welcome to the home of Shawn Mayer”, seeing 6000 people show up for the concert which she lead a motorcycle ride to.

“Here For the Party” – Gretchen Wilson
I liked it – she didn’t over sing.

John Rich (JR) – Said he didn’t want her to ever sing a Gretchen Wilson song at the beginning of the competition, but she has come a long way and made that a Shawn Mayer song. Really good.
Jewel (J) – We’re seeing her come into herself and become confident, but it comes with great responsibility.
Jeffrey Steele (JS) – Wanted her to hit a high note at the end, but she is having a Wisdom tooth issue. He commended her for being a professional and playing thru the pain (if you watched Celebrity Apprentice, then like me, you prolly figure that Trace Adkins has to be the strongest, most consummate professional out there! LOL For those that didn’t watch, Trace has done many concerts in terrible pain, including one when he went to the hospital immediately after a show and had several feet of his intestine taken out! It was priceless hearing him talk about that – but I digress.)

Gabe Garcia
Gets a parade and the key to his city, Liddell, TX. He had 10,000 people at his concert.

“It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere” – Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett
I don’t care for it much, and it’s mostly ‘cuz I don’t like his voice that much. I had grown to like it more, but not tonight.

JS – Said it was shaky at the beginning and the end, and that he has been sick too.
JR – Is honest that we need to bridge the gap between Hispanic and country – didn’t really critique his performance.
J – Relates to being from a small town, hopes he has what it takes. Again, no really critique of his performance.
JS - Said he was sick and that they had their first taste of working 24/7 and asked if he was ready for it (he said he was). Maybe they feel he doesn’t have the stamina yet to make it. Third Town made it into the competition for just that reason. A young woman had been selected to be on the show (can’t remember her name, sorry) but she couldn’t take the rough schedule so they dropped her and put Third Town in her place. It’s a tough gig being a singer (oh, but the perks).

Coffey
Had to go back to LA and not TX ‘cuz his daughter Savannah is in LA. He had a Hollywood experience. Patricia Heaton and Sinbad were shown as fans.

“Sweet Home Alabama” –Lynryd Skynyrd
I thought it was great! He sounded good and the performance rocked.

JS – Thought it was good. Thinks he is a star.
JR – Incredible charisma and showman, thinks he’s a star, but doubts that he’s a Nashville Star
J – Great, but there’s a difference between performing and recording. Ahhh, they are prolly worried about catching lightning in a bottle.

Melissa Lawson
Smothered in the cutest little boys in her package piece. She performs at the high school where she was not popular – every girls dream. lol

“Hit Me with Your Best Shot” – Pat Benetar! (What! Why is she not singing a country song?)

J – Good – hit the money notes when she had to.
JS – She hits it out of the park, but others are sneaking up on her. He doesn’t like to hear those big notes all the time.
JR – Asks her why she wants to win. She said she always has, it will change her life and her children’s life and that’s a mother’s job.

Who is eliminated – they are going to call the person forward to sing. Based on last week I think Coffey doesn’t make it thru.

Shawn Mayer is going ahead.

“The Dance” – Garth Brooks

Very intimate and controlled.

JR – She is light years ahead of where she was 10 weeks ago.
J – Thinks she would be good ‘cuz she would be able to help her label shape her career.
JS – She sang it the way he wanted, and he was impressed.

Melissa Lawson is next.

“Jesus Take the Wheel” – Carrie Underwood

J – Very beautifully sung. Thinks she has a lot of good things going on.
JS – Felt the verses were a little low, but when she gets into her zone she is beautiful.
JR – She has a shot at being Nashville Star. The TV show is becoming reality, and her performance connected with the country audience.

OK – off to one of the endless commercial breaks, and then we will have a torturous pause to find out who is going home and who is performing.

It’s Gabe & Coffey.

It’s Coffey, as predicted, and the pause was only 9 seconds!

Of course there’s a Nashville Star tour. It kicks off in the fall.

Gabe Garcia if the final one in the Top 3.

“Living in Fast Forward” – Kenny Chesney

This one is better for me.

JS – This is it and their all great. When you’re in this role it’s radio all afternoon.
JR – Important to country music. He is great.
J – Labels have signed artists not as good as these three. He’s not a vain singer, so he can do more with his voice.

OK – I get that they want to bridge the gap with the Hispanic audience, but what about the African American audience that Coffey could have bridged? It’s not like country is overflowing in that area either. I just find it weird that they would bring it up for one and not the other.

So my pick to win would be Melissa. I like Shawn if she can control herself. And then it’s Gabe. So we’ll see what happens.

Who do you want to win? What is your Top 3 order?

Remember next week it’s on an hour later at 9pm!!!!