Little Big Town - Better Man

This songs speaks to me since my divorce big time! I definitely wonder what life would be like if he had been a better man, but I can truthfully say I do not wake up missing him, ever.  That is the only part of the song that is not true, but other than that, I love this song.


Every time it comes on the radio, I have to turn it all the way up and sing along, much to the dismay of my children, but they will get over it!


I wonder where we would be if you could have been a better man, but I am not going to waste time worrying over it. You couldn't be, and no matter how many times I tried and dragged you to counseling it never worked, so its time to move on.  Maybe you can figure it out and be a better man for the next woman. 

Zac Brown Band - Colder Weather (Home Free Cover) (The Sing Off)

First off - I love Zac Brown Band! And to that I really like this song, Colder Weather. I think its an emotional and moving song.


Second - I love Home Free, as if you couldn't tell by all the videos that I have been posting, but I think they are amazing, the fact that they do it all with their voices only is amazing and I don't think they get enough publicity or credit. So to that end I am doing my part in sharing what they do and trying to get more people to notice them.


This blog was for me to share music, the things that touch me and color my life, and I hope that some of the music touches you and helps to color your life as well!


Enjoy!

Lee Greenwood - God Bless The USA (Home Free Cover) (All Vocal) (A Cappe...

Happy Veteran's Day











I have always loved this song, but Home Free is amazing.


It blows me away what they can do with just their voices.

Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson - Don't You Wanna Stay

When this song first came out, I absolutely hated it! I would cry every time I heard it, but it really had nothing to do with the song, it was the point in my life where I was at. I had finally started to reach that breaking point in a bad marriage where even though I thought I would stay until the kids were out of school, I wasn't sure anymore that I could and still survive myself.



Since then, some years and a divorce have passed. I am in a much, much better place in my life!! So much better that this song is even a ringtone on my phone!

Yes, I know....you are thinking how could you go from hating it to having it as a ring tone. Well, let me explain.



Everything that the song talks about, the deep connection, making things last, and being together I didn't have in my marriage. I had someone who wanted to control me and make me into someone that I wasn't and who that that they knew best for everyone. After leaving, I got to like the song because it really did embody the things I wanted, that we all want in life, that we want to find with another person. So it no longer made me cry, but it still wasn't my favorite song because here I was, a single mom of three teens and preteens, dating just wasn't going to be an option I thought, I was just learning to stand on my own.



Much to my surprise someone entered my life as a friend, someone that I could really talk to and open up to. We've had our ups and downs, dealing with my fears of what my kids would think, is it too soon after the divorce, but then again it was not like we planned it to happen this way, it just sorta did. I never thought that someone that I vented to would turn into someone so connected.



This song is our ringtone for each other. The minute I hear it on the phone, a smile comes across my face, because I know that its him, I know that he is going to say something sweet and off the wall, and he will definitely catch me off guard. He is the polar opposite of my ex - in that he encourages me in everything I try to do, he always tells me I am beautiful, he thinks my kids are wonderful angels, that their teams will always win, and when they don't he is ready with a pick-me-up talk that has them cheered up in a heartbeat. I'm amazed everyday at him, and this song fits my feelings.

Hard Candy Christmas - Dolly Parton

So I couldn't get a video of this song to load onto here,  but this is probably my favorite "Christmas " song!

Lyrics

Hey, maybe I'll dye my hair
Maybe I'll move somewhere
Maybe I'll get a car

Maybe I'll drive so far
That I'll lose track
Me, I'll bounce right back
Maybe I'll sleep real late

Maybe I'll lose some weight
Maybe I'll clear my junk
Maybe I'll just get drunk on apple wine
Me, I'll be just

Fine and dandy
Lord it's like a hard candy Christmas
I'm barely getting through tomorrow
But still I won't let
Sorrow bring me way down

I'll be fine and dandy
Lord it's like a hard candy Christmas
I'm barely getting through tomorrow
But still I won't let
Sorrow get me way down

Hey, maybe I'll learn to sew
Maybe I'll just lie low
Maybe I'll hit the bars
Maybe I'll count the stars until dawn
Me, I will go on

Maybe I'll settle down
Maybe I'll just leave town
Maybe I'll have some fun
Maybe I'll meet someone
And make him mine
Me, I'll be just

Fine and dandy
Lord it's like a hard candy Christmas
I'm barely getting through tomorrow
But still I won't let
Sorrow bring me way down

I'll be fine and dandy
Lord it's like a hard candy Christmas
I'm barely getting through tomorrow
But still I won't let
Sorrow bring me way down

I'll be fine and dandy
Lord it's like a hard candy Christmas
I'm barely getting through tomorrow
But still I won't let
Sorrow bring me way down

'Cause I'll be fine
(I'll be fine)
Oh, I'll be fine

Brantley Gilbert - "Read Me My Rights" - C2C 8th March 2015 London, England

Brantley Gilbert has been called the "bad boy" of country music currently, but if there is one thing you have to admit, he has his views and he is willing to voice them!!  



He has been a strong supporter of the American Troops, riding motorcycles with the Wounded Warrior Project and more, including the song released earlier this year, "helluva an amen".



Once again he stands up for what he believes in, whether you agree with him or not, he voices it and that is what is important. "Read Me My Rights".



Lyrics:

Somebody better call the law
We done took it outside we’re about to brawl
Ol’ boy done put his hands on a woman
Where I come from, son, the next thing comin’ is a
Ass whoopin’ in the parkin’ lot
Gonna drop this fool right in front of the cops
Be proud of what I done
I ain’t gonna run

Just read me my rights put me in cuffs
Take me downtown barney lock me up
I’ll do my time and raise my right hand
I’ll tell the judge, I’d do that shit again

I heard it through the grapevine
Good daddy and a husband is a doin’ time
Said his wife and his kids were in the house
Ol' boy broke in man it all went south
When he dropped the hammer on his forty five
Now he’s in the pen twenty five to life
Lord knows if it’d have been me
I’d have to say

Read me my rights put me in cuffs
Take me downtown barney lock me up
I’ll do my time and raise my right hand
I’ll tell the judge I’d do it again

If I have to put the law in my hands its about to break
Cause I know right from wrong and if you cross that line
Boy all I gotta say is

Read me my rights put me in cuffs
Take me downtown barney lock me up
I’ll do my time raise my right hand
I’ll tell the judge I’ll do that shit again

Home Free - Elvira (feat. The Oak Ridge Boys)

I grew up on the Oak Ridge Boys! Loved this song since I was a kid, in fact I think I would have to say that Elvira is where my LOVE of the deep voice came from, I literally melt listening to him!!



Now I have posted Home Free videos before. I have been a big fan of them from the first time I saw them on The Sing-Off and continue to love watching what new and exciting stuff they come out with.



This is just classic! What else can I say. Two amazing bands, showing great respect for each other, working together to make a wonderful song even better! Truth be told, I didn't think you could make Elvira any better than The Oak Ridge Boys in their hayday, but I was wrong.



Now I hope you all enjoy as well!!

Little Big Town - Girl Crush

Absolutely love this song!! Everytime it goes on I have to turn the radio all the way up and sing along!!


There has been undue talk about the song and what it means, and to be honest I could care less what some idiot on TV or radio or newspaper says they think the song is about.  Listening to it with my kids, we all got the same message, and it sparked some great car conversations!!


To us, the song is sang by a woman, who is love with a guy, but he happens to be into this other woman, and all she wants is what this other girl has in hopes of getting his attention.


I have been into a guy that didn't want me, but was into someone else, but I can never say that I ever felt that low that I wanted to be her, to change my hair or perfume or whatever to get him to notice me, but I can remember so many girls in high school falling into that trap.  Trying to change who they were for a guy.


As I said, this song has sparked many a great car conversation. You know those spur of the moment talks between a parent and child that you can't plan, but that are real and deep and sometimes are the greatest moments in parenting you can ever have.  I have a 15 1/2 year old son and a 14 year old daughter, along with a younger 11 year old daughter. Most of the conversations are with the older two about this song, but the younger one gets to hear it all too.


We've talked about the song, how it made them each feel and what they felt about it. I admitted to my kids about my feelings as a teen in high school, and knowing so many girls that tried to change for a guy.  I talk to my daughter about it a great deal because she is at that age where everyone is testing out this dating thing, and she wonders sometimes if she is "too smart" or "too active" or "too into dance" or a million other things for the guys in her class. I tell her all the time, that she has to be herself. They may not see it right now, but you can't try to be someone else for a guy (or a girl for that matter, I tell my son).


We talk about the girls in school that act dumb around the boys, or the ones that walk hunched over so they don't seem as tall. We talk about boys doing the same things and I try to impress on them everytime we end up in one of these conversations that trying to change yourself and be someone else is never going to work. You might get the guy (or girl) but you are not going to be happy, you have to be true to yourself.


Music - not only does it stir emotions in each and everyone of us, it can spark wonderful conversations with your children, and in a day and age when everyone is rushing around so much, every little bit of time that we can grab to talk to them is well worth it!


Thank you Little Big Town for sparking some great car conversations for my family!!

Kelly Clarkson - Silent Night ft. Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire

Silent Night is one of my favorite Christmas songs, and this version is just wonderful.



Add to it three of my favorite people, what more could you ask for?



Just had to share!!

Home Free - Angels We Have Heard On High

You have all heard me mention on here before that I really, really like Home Free. Something about the voice and country mix that just really gets me and they just seem to be able to strip the songs down to the meanings and make it that much more powerful.


Well, it's that time of year - CHRISTMAS - no it's not the holiday season or whatever else you want to call it, it is Christmas and I am so excited to see a real Christmas song from a great group.


Enjoy everyone!!!

Love Your Love The Most - Eric Church cover by Jordan Rager

In the past I have brought you a number of songs, some new and unknown or not played all that often by radio by artists that I love. Some by artists that don't get as much airplay and just a number of different things that aren't always as mainstream as normal. This is just a little different.

Lately I have been seeing a lot of posts of some really cute country boys that singing some great songs. The more I watch them, the more I realize that although they all deserve a platform to been seen.

Right now, the best platform for new artists out there is The Voice, if you can manage to get on that show, no matter how well you do, you get some great exposure and it can jump start your career in music.  This country boy is Jordan Rager, and he did make it onto The Voice, and of course he made it onto the best Team in the country - Team Blake

I know there are some of you out there that will call me out and tell me that I should mention American Idol, but really, what have you heard from anyone that has been on American Idol since the "Big 3" - Kelli, Carrie and Jennifer?  And besides that, have you ever heard anything about anyone that hasn't won doing anything? - Oh wait, Scotty McCreey and Lauren, I stand corrected.

Anyway - what I am going to be doing is showcasing the music I like - if it is "b-side" songs that never make the radio, covers from unknown country boys or girls, or just old classics that's what it will be. You'll never know that you might get on my site - but know this, it will be different, it will be country and it will be good!!

HOME FREE remakes Florida Georgia Line ft. Luke Bryan - This is How We Roll (Home Free A C...

I love Home Free, the voice control and amazing harmonies that these guys have together is amazing!!



Now, this is a funny take on this song, a great video and just enjoyable.



Home Free is currently on tour:



OCTOBER 2014



17 | Rolla, MO - Leach Theatre at University of Missouri S&T

18 | Henderson, KY - McCormick Hall at Henderson Fine Arts Center

19 | Aurora, IL - Paramount Theatre

20 | Lexington, KY - Transylvania University

22 | Louisville, KY - Bomhard Theater

23 | Carmel, IN - The Palladium

25 | Abilene, TX - Moody Coliseum 

26 | Nederland, TX - Nederland Performing Arts Center

28 | Albuquerque, NM - KiMo Theatre

30 | Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre



NOVEMBER 2014



01 | Herber City, UT - Herber Valley Western Music

02 | Denver, CO - The Soiled Dove Underground - SOLD OUT

05 | Durham, NC - Carolina Theatre

06 | Charlotte, NC - McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square

07 | Germantown, MD - BlackRock Centre for the Arts (2 Shows) - SOLD OUT

09 | Boston, MA - The Wilbur Theatre

11 | State College, PA - State Theatre

12 | Buffalo, NY - Center for the Arts at University of Buffalo

14 | Cleveland, OH - State Theatre

Frankie Ballard - "Tell Me You Get Lonely" (Official Video)

By this point in time Frankie Ballard isn't exactly the new kid on the block. He's got two mega big hits out on country radio in "Helluva Life" and "Sunshine & Whiskey".

Love both of those songs, but just recently Frankie was CMT's Listen Up artist and I found some really great stuff that he has done, even earlier, if you watch the videos you will notice a slightly younger face and longer hair. And it is really good.

I for one, like to go back to an artists early days, and look at the music they began with, the stuff they started out with and see what got them to the point they are now, and I really like it.

Once you take a listen and watch the video, I think you will enjoy the early Frankie Ballard as well.

Enjoy, ya'll!!

Florida Georgia Line - Dirt

This is the newest song by Florida Georgia Line.  It is a big departure from what we are used to hearing from them, but it is still a song that comes from the heart and fits with the style and sound that is signature FLAGA Line.

Dirt is a more true life kind of song, and it gives us a look at the American life. What's more it gives us a look at the life that we all want and dream of!

I. for one, love listening to this song. It reminds me of some people that I knew that had been married for life and were always there for each other. It was the ideal that I dreamed of and wanted for myself! It is still the ideal that I want for my kids and wish for everyone else in the world to experience.

This is one of those songs that touches the heart and means something different to each person that hears it! It is what a country song is all about!

Brantley Gilbert - "My Baby's Guns n' Roses" - 5-2-14 - Evansville, IN

So the audio on this isn't the greatest, but this song is something else!

Yes, I'm a child of the 80's, I remember when Guns & Roses was popular and yes I had the albums and sang along with "Sweet Child of Mine" , "Paradise City", "Knocking on Heaven's Door" and "November Rain", so maybe that is why I love this song so much. Each of these songs are mentioned in the song, so it makes it that much more special and a tribute to the band.

It's not on the radio. I bought the CD and this was on there, and the first time I heard it I was hooked. That is another thing I like, I tend to like songs long before they ever make it to radio, if they even make it to radio. Some of my favorite songs are on albums, but never played on radio.

Brantley Gilbert solidifies his rocker/outlaw image with this song. Thing is we could use some good outlaws in country music, we have lost the older ones, so this isn't a bad thing.

Enjoy something off radio that is worth listening to!

Cassadee Pope - Wasting All These Tears

So this is another Team Blake winner from The Voice. No matter what you think about Blake Shelton, he has a talent for hearing the right voices that the public likes and that can win The Voice.  He also happens to be a great coah, in that he can get the best performances out of people.

This is one of those love gone wrong songs, and we have all had them. We think about people in our lives now or in the past that left us crying and we are ashamed that we cried over them when all the signs where there that they were never as into the relationship as we were. 

There are also the times when we just grew apart over time and the relationship ended and yet it seemed like wasted tears. We've all been there and can relate to the song. That is one of the things that makes a great song, it talks about something that everyone can relate to you.

I have spent so many days and nights crying over my current relationship that it is silly. No one should cry this much over something, and yet as toxic as I know it is, I have a hard time walking away. Sometimes we just become so used to things, even when they aren't good for us, that we can't move on to something better, more healthy.

Enjoy Cassadee Pope, and I think we will be seeing her around for some time to come now!

Tim McGraw - Meanwhile Back At Mama's ft. Faith Hill

Like most everyone else, I first heard this song on the CMT Awards show. I loved it, there was something about it, besides the fact that his wife joined him onstage that I liked.

This song reminds me of life as it used to be, and some days I really wish I could go back to a simpler life like back at my grandparents. There was so much less to worry about, less technology but so much more fun. Running in the yard, gardens and eating off the land. Just a simpler more natural time. I miss that so much some days that I feel this song.  

Every time I hear this song I think of the small town roots, being someone everybody knows, the corn fields and the ridges, the sunsets and the fun of running in the yard and never having to worry about being outside of letting the kids play outside.

Even though I have chosen a small town to raise my kids in, we don't live in the country and there isn't as much room to roam as what there was back on my grandparents place. This is a place were you know a lot of people and what they are doing and I have to admit that I love that about our little town. It's also a place where I feel reasonably comfortable letting my kids play outside and walk back and forth between their friends houses. Still some of the concerns of the big towns have started to creep into our small town.

The video itself is a wonderful look and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill together, which is just romantic. They have made a go of a marriage based on love and faith in a place were there is little respect for the older values. I applaud them.

Hopefully, when you see the video or hear the song, you will think about the older times, the slower times, and take the time to slow down and spend time with your family. Supper's on the table, let's all sit down together!

Josh Turner - Long Black Train

This song may be a bit older, but it is still one that I love!

Josh Turner is an amazing singer. i mean really, when he hits that low register, well it just makes me weak in the knees. Of course it probably does just about every other woman out there too! There is just something about that voice that is amazing and makes you feel things when you are listening to it.

The song itself is another story! I love what it says, what it's message is and that it is a moral and value inducing song. There are so many good things about it. When we hear it, it is something that I can spend time talking with my kids about and discussing what is going on and what he is taking about. I love songs like that, that start a conversation with my kids. They have become teenagers and it is important to me to keep open communication with them, so when something on the radio will start a really deep conservation, I am in heaven. This song always brings us to a deep conservation about faith and religion and friends and school.

No matter how old the song, this is one that is worth another look and listen to!

Sara Evans - Slow Me Down (Official Video)

I have loved Sara Evans for years now! So glad to see her making music again and this song is just amazing!

I love this song, even if it hits way too close to home right now. It is just something that says the words that are so hard to say to that other person when you are in the middle of a situation. In fact, it if wasn't for the fact that the other person in my life that needs to hear this didn't hate country music, I would have already have sent this too them. 

I know, how can anyone hate country music, and if I love country music so much, how can I have someone in my life that hates it so much. The same reason that I have let someone who tears me down all the time stay in my life for twenty years, I have been afraid to leave, to walk away and be on my own. To know that I failed at something I wanted to work out.

After numerous attempts at counseling and a lot of soul-searching. I listen to this song again and I realize that it is not a reflection on me if I walk away. I have to be stronger to walk away, it doesn't take anything to stay. I am not a failure, I am someone who finally realizes that I don't have to live with the hate and the snide comments all the time, I am worth more than that.

Thank you Sara Evans, for this song at the right time in my life. I am sure I am not the only one, and I am sure that there are those out there that are able to learn from this song and fix things that need to be fixed before it's too late. Maybe it can be fixed, another attempt at counseling is always an option.

Hope you all enjoy the song as much as I do!

The Swon Brothers - Later On - The Voice Highlights - Official Video at the end

The official video to this song was just released this week, and I for one am so glad to know that. I can't get it to share on here yet, but when I can I will have to share it.

My daughter and I love to watch The Voice together, and we have been Team Blake fans from day one! Well, actually I should say season two. We did not watch the first season, but have watched every season since then.  So many people want to complain about Blake Shelton being the winning-est coach on The Voice, like the thing is rigged or something, please! He wins because he is a good coach and he knows what he is doing when he picks people for his team.  I think a great example of that is too look at what his team members are doing today.

The Swon Brothers were part of Team Blake, and even though they did not win their season, they still are doing well. They were picked up, have a song on the radio and now a video. If you look at other seasons of Team Blake, you will see other team members that did not win but that are still producing music and working on getting contracts. I mean Terry McDermott is on tour in Ireland right now.  I haven't heard of anything anyone on any of the other teams are doing now.

Enough about The Voice, how about The Swon Brothers! These are two little cuties! And yes I can say that about them because they are both probably young enough to be my kids, which is scary but it seems to be how the music world is going nowdays. No one my age is making music anymore, they are all retiring! They are cute, they sound great together and I can't wait to see what more they have in store for us all!


Congrats to the Swon Brothers!! 

Find them on Twitter:  @SwonBrothers (Fan page) and @TheSwonBrothers

Can upload the Official video now: