ABCs of Spring

I stole this from Dani.  I thought it was a really fun way to write out the different things I want to accomplish between now & the end of May.

Actually go on a date -- I have't been on a real date since November people.  And not that this actually bothers me a whole lot most of the time, but if I don't go on a date then I'm not really giving the whole meet someone thing a try.

Blog 19 more times -- I broke down my blog 500 times over my 101 in 1001 down & I need 19 more by the end of May to stay on track.

Crawfish -- Give me all the crawfish!  I've only been twice so far this year, to Tasty Tails & Hoochies, I need MORE!

Drink a half gallon of water everyday -- Another one of my 101 in 1001 goals was to drink a half gallon a day for a month.  Today will be day 17.  I still want to be conscious of drinking more water everyday after that, but I won't be as strict on counting oz to make sure I get to the half gallon.

Eat 3 homemade meals from Pinterest recipes - One of my spring goals was to make 10 Pinterest recipes, I've got 3 more to go.

Flatland Cavalry -- I'm going to see them on April 26

Give blood -- I have an appointment to donate this coming Saturday.  Fingers crossed my iron is high enough & I don't wake up feeling like death like this past Saturday when I was supposed to donate.

Handwritten letters -- 101 in 1001 goal

Instagram growth -- My goal is to be at 2900 by the end of May (I'm at 2608)

Jack In The Box - Strawberry Dr. Pepper -- I can't stand Jack In The Box but I saw they have Strawberry Dr. Pepper & now I'm intrigued...

Koe Wetzel -- I'm going to see him on April 19

Lone Star Jam -- I am so excited!  I've never been to a music festival in Texas & this one is at the end of May in Austin.

Magnolia Table -- I went to the silios with my parents when they were here last month but now Magnolia Table is open so my friend & I are going when she comes to visit in May.

Nash's 1st birthday -- Tomorrow Mr. Nashy will be 1, today Mr. Nashy is being a butt head

Otto's Grand Opening -- Next Wednesday there is a new coffee shop opening up & I plan on stopping either on my way to work or on my way home.

Post Crossing - send 2 post cards -- 101 in 1001 goal

Quit biting my nails -- 101 in 1001 goal (I'm on day 17)

Red 55 Winery -- I went to the Pink Pistol/Red 55 Winery back in Nov/Dec but my friend will be visiting in May & really wants to go.  I'm excited to sit there & actually try all the wines this time around.

Softball season ends -- 2 more weeks!

Treat myself to a massage -- After softball season is finally over I am hard core going to treat myself.  Massage definitely included.

Use my Cavenders gift card for new boots -- When I switched from TXU to Reliant for my electric, part of Reliant's deal was a gift card from Cavenders.  As soon as that puppy arrives I'm going to go get some new boots.

Visit a new to me winery/brewery/distillery -- I've never actually been to any winery, but I'm thinking of finding a local one when my friend is here for our "chill" day.

Walk a 5k everyday -- Also a 101 in 1001 goal (today is day 17)

eXchange Netflix for reading before bed for a week -- I'm hoping that by starting a book today at work (it's a testing day) this will be easier because I'll already be sucked into a book.

Yelp reviews for all of my check-ins from April 8th or before -- I have so many reviews waiting to be written... I don't even want to count...

Zbonz Birthday Bash -- Hopefully the weather is nice this Saturday because there is an event at a dog park in Fort Worth that I really want to take Nash to.

Just 15 Minutes

As a general rule I don't read featured or sponsored posts.  As in I don't, ever.  However last week I was bored & had already read all of the blogs that I follow for the day & I saw one that said "How Changing Just 1% Of Your Day Can Completely Transform Your Life"  I was intrigued.

In case you don't want to read it here are the cliff notes.

There are 1440 minutes in every day.

15 minutes is about 1% of your day.

If you dedicated 15 minutes to something (writing, praying, meditating, whatever) how would your life change...

The guy in the article started writing 15 minutes a day which led to him writing multiple books.

The article got me thinking.  I've been saying for YEARS that I want to learn to play guitar, & then I don't.  I got my first electric guitar at 15.  I bought my first acoustic guitar around 24/25.  A few years ago I won a signed acoustic guitar.  Guess how many of them I can play?  That's right.  Zero.

A few days before I read the article I actually downloaded an app to help me learn, I also found a real human who said they'd teach me too.  I already used the app to tune my guitar & did part of a lesson, Nash was not pleased with my lack of skills.  But what if I really did start practicing?

So because I don't give myself enough goals (insert sarcasm here) I plan on attempting this.  For just 15 minutes a day, I'm going to start playing guitar using the app I downloaded.

What would you choose to dedicate 15 minutes a day to to change your life?

My 2017 Wrapped

Music is pretty much my life.  In fact I'm a little surprised I only listened to that many minutes of music in 2017.  I love that Spotify does these little recaps at the end of the year.  

Here's what my 2017 looked like according to Spotify...

Including the songs that I let slip away...

And the top 100 songs I listened to...

 

What did your 2017 look like in music?

Where Words Fail, Music Speaks

I haven't said anything about it yet, & I didn't know if I was going to or not to be honest, but I figured maybe writing would help a little.  I don't know if this will make sense or how well it will flow but here it is.

Like many I am incredibly saddened by what happened in Las Vegas.  There aren't enough words in the world to express my feelings.  Anytime I scroll through Facebook or Twitter & see something about it, I tear up.  Anytime I read an article about it, I start to tear up.  I was driving to work on Friday & I just started crying.  

Music is my life.  Concerts are my thing.  I have attended countless concerts & festivals.  I know multiple people that were supposed to be at Route 91 & each for one reason or another had wound up not going.  There are so many problems in this country & in the world right now.  Music is supposed to be what helps.  Music is the escape.  From 2009-2016 I spent the first week in August at WeFest, we often referred to those days as a suspension of reality.  You just got to forget about responsibilities & have fun, live in the moment.

On the 29th Eric Church played in Vegas, on the 4th he then played the Grand Ole Opry.  I know people that were there as well.  And some of those friends actually had friends that still wound up going to Vegas.  One of the people I know that was at the Opry & did a live stream of part of Eric Church's performance.  I couldn't watch it.  Video of his new song "Why Not Me" along with his thoughts on on Vegas.  I avoided that video for a few days.  I was crying enough on my own about everything that happened.  Music already makes me more emotional.  Eric Church is my guy when it comes to music.  I knew that watching it would just open the flood gates so I put it off.  I did finally watch it though, & if you haven't seen it, whether you like country music or not, I think you should watch it.  Warning: have the tissues ready.  I was ugly crying less than a minute into it.

I still don't have the right words to express how I'm feeling.  But music is still the answer & will always be the answer.

12 Concerts I've Been To So Far In 2017

About a month ago Emily wrote about 20 things she had bought so far this year.  I really liked this idea.  Except I really had no idea what I had bought, and truth be told most of the time what I spend my money on is food.  I had just been to a concert the night before though & decided I wanted to do a post on the concerts I have been to so far this year.  Today is World Music Day so it seemed like the perfect day to post about it.

1. Eric Church

February 3

2. Rich O'Toole

February 17

3. Texas Mardi Gras

February 18

4. Red Jumpsuit Apparatus/Hawthorne Heights/Secondhand Serenade

February 19

5. Aaron Watson

February 25

6. Flogging Molly

March 21

7. Aaron Watson

March 25

8. Oddfolks

April 29

9. New Found Glory

May 5

10. Sam Riggs

May 17

11. Fastball/Vertical Horizon/Everclear

May 23

12. Sum 41/Pierce the Veil

May 25

Issues of Mainstream Country Explained by Kevin Fowler & Zane Williams with 'Sellout Song'

"It's no secret that standards for what's considered country music these days have drastically dropped.  Hell even artists that used to produce quality music have taken to the new trend of releasing their very own sellout songs.  That's right I'm looking at you Luke & Jason.

Kevin Fowler & Zane Williams certainly aren't the first to call out "artists" who have chosen to take the path of sell out.  Aaron Watson has "Hey Y'all - My Contribution To Ruining Country Music"  Wade Reeves had "Haggard and Jones" Eric Church has "Lotta Boot Left To Fill"  The list goes on & on.  

Hopefully one of these days mainstream country will go back to meaningful lyrics, rap & techno will permanently exit any track meant to be country, & grown ass men will stop wearing glittery skinny jeans.  However, until that day comes at least we have Kevin & Zane willing to show "country artists" these days just how ridiculous they look & sound."

**This post was originally posted on my other blog**

The Cadillac Three Remind Us What It Feels Like To Fall In Love

**I originally wrote this post back in August for a blog that my friend Alicia & I had started.  Summer ended, we went back to work, the blog sort of died.  However, the song came around on my Spotify & I was reminded of the post & so I wanted to share it with y'all on here.**

"Anyone who has fallen in love knows how quickly and unexpectedly it can happen.  'White Lightning' does the perfect job at explaining just that.  

'White Lightning' can be found on their new album 'Bury Me In Boots' out this Friday!

You can pre-order 'Bury Me In Boots' on iTunes as well as here."

**The album is obviously out now & you should definitely check out the song, the album, & the band as a whole!**

The Zombie Apocalypse

On Sunday The Walking Dead returns for season 7.  In honor of that, I thought I'd play this fun little game I saw online.  It's the Zombie Apocalypse Playlist.  While I have iTunes & Spotify that I actually use more, I have a wider variety of music on my Pandora stations so I went to Pandora, made sure all of the stations were selected on shuffle, & then hit play.  Here's what happened...

1: Bills, Bills, Bills - Destiny's Child

2. A Woman Like You - Lee Brice

3. Straight Outta Compton - NWA

4. Everywhere - Tim McGraw

5. Whiskey - Jana Kramer

6. Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Goulding

7. Stone - Whiskey Myers

8. Promiscuous - Nelly Furtado

9. Forget About Dre - Dr. Dre

10. Small Town Kid - Eli Young Band

Tuesday Tunes - WeFest Style

Today I head up to WeFest for the week.  I have some WeFest related posts scheduled for the week however other than that I'll be pretty absent in blogland.  I'll do my best to catch up on posts when I get back.

Today we're starting off simple with some Tuesday Tunes.  Here's a playlist of popular songs by the artists that will be at WeFest this year.

Summer Playlist

In all reality I'm listening to the Maren Morris album Hero on repeat a lot of the time.  You can read my post about her & the album here.  But here are 10 fun songs I'm loving for summer.

Country Music Hipsters

Originally I had planned to do a day in my life post, but let's be real, it's summer, I'm not doing a whole lot on a day to day basis.  Plus, along with my friend Alicia (formerly Music Soulmate), a new blog was born on Monday.

If you've been around this blog for any length of time you know that I love music, especially country.  You also know that live music is my thing.  You might deduce from her nickname, Music Soulmate, or if you've read any blog posts about her, that she's the same way.  What stated as an off hand comment became reality on Monday when we decided to start a blog dedicated to music.  A place where we could talk about songs, artists, concerts, and perhaps one day even be able to include some interviews of different artists.

For now though, here's an introduction to who we are & our blog.

Check it out!

Country Music Hipsters: Who We Are

Ten Tuesday Tunes

Kelsea Ballerini - Peter Pan

You're always gonna fly away, just because you know you can
You're never gonna learn there's no such place as Neverland
You don't understand
You'll never grow up
You're never gonna be a man,
Peter Pan

Cam - Mayday

I said I'm moving on, 'cause things were getting rough
But here I am in your bed
I strung it on too long, afraid to be alone
Now we're in over our heads
It's either sink or swim, we've tried so many times
For worse or for better
It tears my heart in two to leave it all behind
And say goodbye forever

Eric Church - Record Year

I'm either gonna get over you
Or I'm gonna blow out my ears
Yeah, you're out there now
Doin' God knows how, and I'm stuck here
Havin' a record year

Livin The Dream - Drake White

Look at us with a picket fence
Don't got a lot of money but we're makin a dent

Old Ford truck with a dog in the back
Ain't we livin the dream

H.O.L.Y. - Florida Georgia Line

You made the brightest days from the darkest nights
You’re the river bank where I was baptized
Cleanse all the demons
That were killing my freedom

Next Big Thing - William Clark Green

21 Summer - Brothers Osborne

I hope you find the storm that you were chasing,
hope your eyes are still full of dreams
as they were that night when you slipped off those cut off jeans
when I hear the sound of high tide thunder,
I can see your hair blowing in the breeze
I think about how you and that 21 summer made a man of me.

Born & Raised - Shane Smith & The Saints

Church Bells - Carrie Underwood

She could hear those church bells ringing, ringing
And up in the loft, that whole choir singing, singing
Fold your hands and close your eyes
Yeah, it's all gonna be alright
And just listen to the church bells ringing, ringing
Yeah, they're ringing

Running For You - Kip Moore

But if the rain stops falling, falling on you
And your heart stops breaking, breaking in two
If the light starts fading, baby don't move
Just say my name, stay right there
I'll come running for you

American Music Awards

For the record I won't be watching.  I said if Eric Church got completely shafted at the CMAs I would never watch another award show again.  I only use watch the country music related ones anyway but I'm sticking to my word.  If Eric Church ever wins an award then I'll consider watching again.  I voted & had this scheduled long before the CMAs happened but I'm sticking to it.  I'll vote...but I won't watch until country music comes to it's senses.

Artist of the Year
Iggy Azalea
Beyonce
Luke Bryan
Eminem
Imagine Dragons
John Legend
Lorde
One Direction
Katy Perry
Pharrell Williams

Single of the Year
Fancy
All of Me
Rude
Dark Horse
Happy

Favorite Male Rock/Pop
John Legend
Sam Smith
Pharrell Williams

Favorite Female Rock/Pop
Iggy Azalea
Lorde
Katy Perry

Favorite Band/Duo/Group Rock/Pop
Imagine Dragons
One Direction
OneRepublic

Favorite Album Rock/Pop
Lorde
One Direction
Katy Perry

Favorite Male Artist Country
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Blake Shelton

Favorite Female Artist Country
Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood

Favorite Band/Duo/Group Country
Eli Young Band
Florida Georgia Line
Lady Antebellum

Favorite Album Country
Garth Brooks
Eric Church
Brantley Gilbert

Favorite Artist Rap/Hip Hop
Iggy Azalea
Drake
Eminem

Favorite Album Rap/Hip Hop
Iggy Azalea
Drake
Eminem

Favorite Male Artist Soul/R&B
Chris Brown
John Legend
Pharrell Williams

Favorite Female Artist Soul/R&B
Jhene Aiko
Beyonce
Mary J Blige

Favorite Album Soul/R&B
Beyonce
John Legend
Pharrell Williams

Favorite Artist Alternative Rock
Bastille
Imagine Dragons
Lorde

Favorite Artist Adult Contemporary
Sara Bareilles
OneRepublic
Katy Perry

Favorite Artist Latin
Marc Anthony
Enrique Iglesias
Romeo Santos

Favorite Artist Contemporary Inspirational
Casting Crows
Hillsong United
Newsboys

Favorite Artist Electronic Dance Music
Avicii
Calvin Harris
Zedd

Top Soundtrack
Frozen
Fault in Our Stars
Guardians of the Galaxy

Shake It Off

Country Music Awards

Tomorrow is the CMAs.  

These are not necessarily my predictions on who will win but who I want to win.  

I've unlined my first choice

I've italicized my second choice

I will pitch a fit if they win if they are crossed out.

2014 CMA Awards Nominees:

Entertainer of the Year

Luke Bryan

Miranda Lambert

Blake Shelton

George Strait

Keith Urban

(2nd choice is a tie...love Miranda but Keith puts on a great show too)

Female Vocalist of the Year

Miranda Lambert

Martina McBride

Kacey Musgraves

Taylor Swift

Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year

Dierks Bentley

Luke Bryan

Eric Church

Blake Shelton

Keith Urban

Vocal Group of the Year

Eli Young Band

Lady Antebellum

Little Big Town

The Band Perry

Zac Brown Band

Album of the Year

‘Crash My Party,’ Luke Bryan

‘Fuse,’ Keith Urban

‘Platinum,’ Miranda Lambert

‘Riser,’ Dierks Bentley

‘The Outsiders,’ Eric Church

Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriters)

‘Automatic,’ Miranda Lambert (Written by Nicole Galyon, Natalie Hemby and Miranda Lambert)

‘Follow Your Arrow,’ Kacey Musgraves (Written by Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally)

‘Give Me Back My Hometown,’ Eric Church (Written by Eric Church and Luke Laird)

‘I Don’t Dance,’ Lee Brice (Written by Lee Brice, Rob Hatch and Dallas Davidson)

‘I Hold On,’ Dierks Bentley (Written by Brett James and Dierks Bentley)

(They are all good though)

Vocal Duo of the Year

Dan + Shay

Florida Georgia Line

Love and Theft

The Swon Brothers

Thompson Square

(really anyone but Thompson Square...I cannot stand them...)

New Artist of the Year

Brandy Clark

Brett Eldredge

Kip Moore

Thomas Rhett

Cole Swindell

Single of the Year

‘Automatic,’ Miranda Lambert

‘Drunk on a Plane,’ Dierks Bentley

‘Give Me Back My Hometown,’ Eric Church

‘Meanwhile Back at Mama’s,’ Tim McGraw and Faith Hill

‘Mine Would Be You,’ Blake Shelton

(They are all good though)

Musical Event of the Year

‘Bakersfield,’ Vince Gill and Paul Franklin

‘Meanwhile Back at Mama’s,’ Tim McGraw and Faith Hill

‘Somethin’ Bad,’ Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood

‘We Were Us,’ Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert

‘You Can’t Make Old Friends,’ Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

Music Video of the Year

‘Automatic,’ Miranda Lambert

‘Bartender,’ Lady Antebellum

‘Drunk on a Plane,’ Dierks Bentley

‘Follow Your Arrow,’ Kacey Musgraves

‘Somethin’ Bad,’ Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood

Musician of the Year

Sam Bush

Jerry Douglas

Paul Franklin

Dann Huff

Mac McAnally

That Man

I know that all we've ever known
Is how to be the best of friends
And hangin' out and cuttin' up
Ain't as easy as it's been

You know I've always loved you girl
Aw but never quite like this
Been waitin' so long to right what's wrong
And taste your kiss

[Chorus:]
And when you wanna be wanted
And you need to be needed
When you wanna move on
'Cause you want somebody
Who's nothing like he is
You know I've always been waiting
And I guess what I'm saying
Is I am that man

You know it's killin' me inside
Watching you go through
The truth of all his lies
Girl, I think it's time you knew
That I'm here to pick you up
And I won't let you down
Girl, whenever you're ready
I'll still be hangin' around

[Chorus:]
And when you wanna be wanted
And you need to be needed
When you wanna move on
'Cause you want somebody
Who's nothing like he is
You know I've always been waiting
And I guess what I'm saying
Is I am that man

And when you wanna be wanted
And you need to be needed
When you wanna move on
'Cause you want somebody
Who's nothing like he is
You know I've always been waiting
And I guess what I'm saying
Is I am that man

I am
Whoa, oh, I am that man

It'll Have To Hold Us Over

Earlier this week Kip Moore released an EP to keep his fans waiting until his 2nd album is released next year, his 1st one was released April 2012!  Whether you know Kip Moore or don't know him, like country music or don't like it, you need to listen to these.  I personally haven't been a fan of where country music has been heading lately & it's nice to know it's not all manufactured pop.

Plus... he's good looking...

Lipstick

Heart's Desire

Hang Awhile

Come & Get It

Beer Money (Which is actually on his first album)

American Country Awards

In just under a month the American Country Awards will be airing on FOX at 8PM ET on Tuesday December, 10.  You can vote daily on who you'd like to see the various awards by visiting the ACAs website.  For now I'll just share with you the categories & the nominees.  On the day of the awards I'll share with you who I've been voting for and who I think will actually win.

 

Artist of the YearJason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Florida Georgia Line
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift

 

Male ArtistJason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Eric Church
Blake Shelton

 

Female ArtistKelly Clarkson
Sheryl Crow
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

 

Duo/GroupLady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

 

Breakthrough ArtistLee Brice
Hunter Hayes
Randy Houser
Scotty McCreery
Justin Moore

 

New ArtistFlorida Georgia Line
Kip Moore
Kacey Musgraves
Cassadee Pope
Thomas Rhett

 

AlbumJason Aldean - Night Train
Florida Georgia Line - Here's to the Good Times
Time McGraw - Two Lanes of Freedom
Blake Shelton - Based on a True Story...
The Band Perry - Pioneer

 

SingleFlorida Georgia Line - Cruise
Randy Houser - How Country Feels
Kip Moore - Beer Money
The Band Perry - Better Dig Two
Tim McGraw - One of Those Nights

 

Single By a Male ArtistGary Allan - Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)
Tim McGraw - One of Those Nights
Jake Owen - The One That Got Away
Darius Rucker - Wagon Wheel
Blake Shelton - Sure Be Cool If You Did

 

Single By a Female ArtistSheryl Crow - Easy
Faith Hill - American Heart
Miranda Lambert - Mama's Broken Heart
Taylor Swift - Begin Again
Carrie Underwood - Two Black Cadillacs

 

Single By a Duo/GroupLady Antebellum - Downtown
Little Big Town - Tornado
The Band Perry - Better Dig Two
Thompson Square - If I Didn't Have You
Zac Brown Band - Goodbye in Her Eyes

 

Single By a New ArtistGreg Bates - Did It For The Girl
Brett Eldredge - Don't Ya
Tyler Farr - Redneck Crazy
Florida Georgia Line - Cruise
Kip Moore - Beer Money

 

Single By a Vocal CollaborationJason Aldean w/Luke Bryan & Eric Church - The Only Way I Know

Kelly Clarkson w/Vince Gill - Don't Rush
Tim McGraw w/Taylor Swift feat. Keith Urban - Highway Don't Care
Blake Shelton w/Pistol Annies - Boys Round Here

 

Single By a Breakthrough ArtistLee Brice - I Drive Your Truck
Easton Corbin - All Over the Road
Hunter Hayes - Somebody's Heartbreak
Randy Houser - How Country Feels
Justin Moore - Till My Last Day

 

Great American Country Music Video of the YearFlorida Georgia Line - Cruise
Little Big Town - Tornado
Blake Shelton - Sure Be Cool If You Did
Taylor Swift - Begin Again
The Band Perry - Better Dig Two

 

Music Video By a Male ArtistJason Aldean - Take A Little Ride
Gary Allan - Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)
Tim McGraw - One of Those Nights
Darius Rucker - Wagon Wheel
Blake Shelton - Sure Be Cool If You Did

 

Music Video By a Female ArtistFaith Hill - American Heart
Miranda Lambert - Mama's Broken Heart
Kellie Pickler - Someone Somewhere Tonight
Taylor Swift - Begin Again
Carrie Underwood - Blown Away

 

Music Video By a Group/CollaborationLittle Big Town - Tornado
Tim McGraw w/Taylor Swift & feat. Keith Urban - Highway Don't Care
Rascal Flatts - Come Wake Me Up
The Band Perry - Better Dig Two
Thompson Square - If I Didn't Have You

 

Music Video By a New ArtistBrett Eldrige - Don't Ya
Florida Georgia Line - Cruise
Casey James - Crying On a Suitcase
Kip Moore - Beer Money
Kacey Musgraves - Merry Go Round

 

Touring Artist of the YearJason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Miranda Lambert
Brad Paisley
Rascall Flatts
George Strait
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Zac Brown Band

 

Song of the YearBetter Dig Two - The Band Perry
Cruise - Florida Georgia Line
Hard To Love - Lee Brice
Highway Don't Care - Tim McGraw w/Taylor Swift feat. Keith Urban

I Drive Your Truck - Lee Brice
Like Jesus Does - Eric Church

Mama's Broken Heart - Miranda Lambert

Merry Go Round - Kacey Musgraves
Pontoon - Little Big Town
Wagon Wheel - Darius Rucker