FRIDAY FUNNY - Christmas Edition - LeRoy the Redneck Reindeer

Good morning, everyone!

December Friday Funnies are all about Christmas! Here's the first one!

 Country Christmas Blessings

~ Kelly

WINTER VACATION!

Courtesy of David Mark 

Pixabay

 

Good morning, everyone!

Today kicks off my winter vacation! I know things were slow around here in 2021 - totally on me! As is my usual plan, I am taking December 1, 2021 - January 31, 2022 off. I use this time to do some reorganization on the blogs, prep for the coming year and get the dreaded tax stuff in order. (We always file by end of February)

Also, most of the musicians are off these two months as well. A lot of the people I typically work with are headed for Steamboat Fest right after the holidays. If you love good music - and snow - head for Steamboat Springs Colorado!

Unless a music review lands on my desk, the only posts going up this month are the Friday Funnies and the special Guest spots during the week leading up to Christmas.

For now, I'll leave you with this video:

Country Christmas Blessings

~Kelly 

TURNTABLE TUESDAY - A Heaven For Heretics

 Good morning, everyone!

I'm coming in a bit late with today's post. I've been dealing with a sick kitty for the past few days. They are like children. When they don't feel good, they just want the security of being snuggled next to you. 

Tabby is about four-years-old and is starting to develop some tooth issues. She'd not eaten more than two Tablespoons of food since last Friday. She is now on anitbiotics for inflamation and is eating again. She has a ways to go and down the road, the teeth may become more of an issue. But for now, she's a momma's girl and I'm okay with that. 

Now, let's check out what's on the turntable today!

One thing I can always count on from Kristian. His music isn't fluff or daisies. His lyrics do not paint a picture of a perfect life, yet they do leave you feeling a deep warmth, like a smooth sippin' whiskey. 

A Heaven for Heretics is the latest release from Kristian Montgomery & The Winterkill band. The album is a mix of blues and edgy country. If you want to sit back with a tumbler of Southern Comfort then all but two of the tracks are perfect for contemplation. When it comes to Peach and Times Like These, you'll be hitting the dance floor. The album delivers both in a style that is uniquely Winterkill. 

In our interview with Kristian yesterday, he had this to say about his music.

I want the sounds I produce to reflect on life, real life that's hard, dirty and often disappointing and try to find the beauty in it.

Like everything else, there are two sides to every story. In A Heaven for Heretics, Kristian Montgomer gives us the version most people never take the time (or desire) to see, using contemplative instrumentals to set the tone. 

I'm tipping my hat:

You'll find Kristian Montgomery & The Winterkill info and music through the following links:

   FACEBOOK   TWITTER   YOUTUBE   SPOTIFY   INSTAGRAM   

Country Blessings

~ Kelly

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - A Star That Twinkled But Never Got to Shine

 

Good morning, everyone!

As promised, here is my review of A STAR THAT TWINKLED - But Never Got To Shine by Sharon Kizziah-Holmes

We seldom get to read, or even hear about, the folks who helped build our Country Music. My only hope is they are not sitting in Hillbilly Heaven plugging their ears at what people call country music today. I know that music has to progress but I'm saddened by the fact that talented people like Tommy Kizziah never got to shine while some with lesser talent are making money left and right now. Personal opinion, mind you.

Without giving you too much of the story here's a bit of history. You'll want to buy the book for all the interesting details.

Tommy's mom believed in her little boy when his dad and brothers treated him more as an outsider. When she convinced her husband to gift the boy a guitar, a star was born. 

Jimmy Rogers

He loved  Jimmy Rogers, the 'yodeling brake man'. Learning by ear, Tommy taught himself every song on the radio and 78s they owned. He truly was a talent. When the opportunity to meet his idol came, Tommy took advantage in a way that will melt your heart. Grit and determination to play music carried Tommy Kizziah his entire career. He overcame many hurdles and was blessed to live a life he loved. The most prominent part of his career was lead for Tommy Kizziah and the West Coast Ramblers. 

Tommy Kizziah and the West Coast Ramblers

Courtesy of Sharon Kizziah- Holmes YouTube Channel

As I read Sharon's book I was reminded of some great artists her dad worked with over the years, like Willie Nelson and Faron Young - artists I've been blessed to know as well.

Here's a video from Sharon's YouTube channel:

If you love true classic country that helped build the industry or just want to take a step back in time, you need a copy of A STAR THAT TWINKLED But Never Got To Shine by Sharon Kizziah-Holmes.

I'm tipping my hat

You'll find A STAR THAT TWINKLED - But Never Got To Shine on AMAZON

Also, be sure to check out Sharon's business, Paperback Press.

Country Blessings

~Kelly

I'M BACK!!!

First off... HUGE Congratulations and CountryBlessings to Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit as well as Rhonda Vincent & the Rage last night at the Grammy's. WOW! What an amazing night for country music!

First off, Chris Stapleton:

Best Country Album - From A Room Vol. 1

Best Country Solo Performance - Either Way

Best Country Song - Broken Halos

Jason Isbell:

Best Americana Album - Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit - The Nashville Sound

Rhonda Vincent:

Best Bluegrass Album - Rhonda Vincent & the Rage - In Concert Vol. 1

I am so happy to be putting this blog back together. Of all the things I'm involved in, this blog and the items I include here are what I've missed the most. I'll need a couple weeks to get reviews and interviews up and running but The Party List will launch on Thursday. 

My husband is home so I'm dividing my work/ hubby hours but he understands I have to get business rolling if there's any plan of him retiring in five years. 

In the meantime, I'd love to hear who you'd love for me to showcase this year? 

Country Blessings!

CHEYENNE COUNTRY

Since things are a bit out of sorts and order this week, I thought I'd post the lead-in for the next two days. Co-hosted by Rich Price and Jennifer Herron, this is an awesome program featuring talented artists in true country and gospel music. You can look for your local channel airing Cheyenne Country by going to their WEBSITE.

Check them out and we'll see you back here tomorrow for a great Turntable Tuesday!
Country Blessings
~Kelly

TURNTABLE TUESDAY - Country Grass - Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road

COUNTRY GRASS is a magical blend of two clans - Country and Bluegrass ... a musical marriage made in Heaven. Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, along with a host of classic country artists, have created a sound that rings with familiarity.

Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road have their own unique Bluegrass sound that many younger fans really enjoy. Lorraine and her team have brought their signature style to thirteen tracks of great country songs and when possible, the artists who took them to the charts. While the original recordings were worthy of their success, adding a bluegrass sound brought out the nuances we never imagined.

Runnin' Water (The Kentucky Headhunters) kicks things off with a true Bluegrass sound. As I listened, I did notice that some of the country tunes required only a bit of tweaking to bring out a Bluegrass strains carried in the original. Ready for the Times to Get Better (Crystal Gayle), Dixie Road (Lee Greenwood), Boogie Grass Band (various guest artists), Don't Close Your Eyes (Keith Whitley - vocals by Jesse Keith Whitley & Tim Cifers), Rose Garden (Lynn Anderson with Lorraine Jordan) and the Floyd Cramer classic, Last Dance.

Tunes I never thought of as being bluegrass have become brand new with the addition of a mandolin. I Got Mexico (Eddy Raven), Darned if I Don't Danged if I Do (Marty Raybon), Common Man (John Conlee), You Can Have Her (Jim Ed Brown), Digging Up Bones (vocals by Tommy Long), Do You Want To Go To Heaven (T. G. Sheppard) were perfect pairings for this project.

COUNTRY GRASS is a compilation of timeless songs for those of us who remember tradition while capturing the attention of new listeners.

I tip my hat:

To purchase your copy of COUNTRY GRASS or to learn more about Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, visit their WEBSITE or social media outlets:

FB
TWITTER
YouTube

CONCERT AND EVENTS SPECIAL!

TURNTABLE TUESDAY - Only Me by Rhonda Vincent

ONLY ME is the newest release from Rhonda Vincent. This new album showcases Rhonda’s roots in that there is no line between country music and bluegrass music, only tradition. Listening to the twelve tracks from this two-disc compilation reminds us why our music roots are to be treasured and passed down. They give us an insight into Rhonda Vincent’s musical background in rural Missouri, as a person and an artist.

Rhonda Vincent always brings the best she has to offer, whether in a recording or a live performance and this CD is no exception. The Bluegrass cuts include a duet with Willie Nelson (Only Me) and Daryle Singletary (We Must Have Been Out Of Our Minds), two exemplary artists in their own right. Nestled among those two are gems of recreation. Rhonda Vincent has taken traditional country songs like We Must Have Been Out Of Our Minds (George Jones & Melba Montgomery) and I Need Somebody Tonight (Jack Greene) and worked them into beautiful Bluegrass remixes.

Five of the six country tracks are covers of some of the best traditional tunes country has to offer while bearing the Rhonda Vincent signature sound we have come to love. Rhonda Vincent musically created her own cross-genre within this CD, proving an artist can stay true to their roots and put out a great product.

From the title track on Disc One – Bluegrass to the final note of Drivin’ Nails on Disc Two- Country, I can understand how this CD debuted at #1 on Billboard after only two days of sales. Her crystal vocals mixed with traditional instruments are a match made in heaven.

I know I seem to be tipping 5 hats lately on reviews, but the music coming across my desk is exemplary and deserves every one of them. ONLY ME is hits the top of the mark.

You may connect with Rhonda Vincent on:
Website: www.rhondavincent.com
FB: www.facebook.com/rhondavincentofficial
TW: @rhondavincent13