BACK TO YOU by Dimitri's Rail

Today, I'm doing a belated review of a great album. I hate when life jumps on a fast track and forgets to make a boarding call. That pretty much explains my life the past few weeks. And I apologize to Paul, Justin, Eric and Mike for not doing this sooner. They earned and deserved better from me. So here we go.

Before we get into the review, here's the YouTube of the title track.

BACK TO YOU by Dimitri's Rail

This CD contains eleven tracks that will blow you away. I'm not a rocker by any stretch of the imagination but I find myself listening to Back To You with a new perspective and not at all what I expected from Dimitri's Rail. The album is refreshing with an undercurrent of frustration. As a guy, you'll get the licks and the intensity of the lyrics. As a woman, a part of you will want to make everything all better. As a whole, you want to keep listening.

From the opening strains of Back To You to the final note in Home, you are carried on a journey of love, heartache and all the bumps in between with haunting overtones. Each track pulls you into a not-so-imaginary world offering up strength and determination to keep going, no matter what tries to smack you down. Whether it be a broken heart or just life in general. You have to take a breath, evaluate and then move forward. My two favorite tracks are Just Breathe and Through the Window.

You can order your copy direct from the Dimitri's Rail STORE

So.. have you ordered your copy yet?
Country Blessings!
~Kelly

A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO OUR VETERANS

I grew up listening to the Osmonds. I am not surprised to find Nathan Osmond as talented as his father (Alan), Aunt Marie and uncles. Like his family members, his words and music comes from the heart.

I first learned about Nathan from James at Williams Productions and Promotions and began following him on Twitter. I know James only works with people he believes in. In that respect, Nathan and James are the perfect match.

So when I got a tweet from Nathan Friday regarding the video I have to share with you today, I had to check it out… two links actually.  The first link is the ‘behind the story’ video about how the song and video for Stars and Stripes came about. I won’t give it all away, but you are taken on an emotional walk about the LOVE for God and Country which has encircled his life.

Please, take a few minutes to watch the Behind the Stars and Stripes. Then watch Stars and Stripes and click LIKE.  You may leave a comment on the YouTube page or go over to Nathan’s FB page and leave one there.

The other thing I ask you to do is reach out today… and everyday...  to the Veterans, their families and everyone who supports their efforts to ensure our freedom.

Country Blessings
~Kelly

WALTS ACROSS TEXAS!

I just picked this up off of Tommy Alverson's website yesterday. The 4th Annual Walts Across Texas is set for next weekend. This HUGE event needed to be shared separate from the weekly Party List. So start planning now for an AWESOME weekend!

THE PARTY LIST - Nov. 8th - 14th, 2012

Note: Please remember to check with the venue as to whether or not there is a cover charge or ticket required for the shows you plan to attend. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out.

Not all events take place in Texas. With that in mind I will begin listing them not only by day but by TEXAS and ON THE ROAD. With that in mind…

Let’s Get This Party STARTED!


TEXAS

Thursday 8th:
Mike Blakely – The Badu House – Llano – 7 p.m.
Mike and W.C. Jameson welcome Brian Hudson

Friday 9th:
Randy Brown – 106.9 The Ranch Acoustic Lunch – Noon – 2 p.m.
                                   1879 Chisolm Grill – Waxahachie  FREE!
No Justice – Silver Saloon - Terrell -
Stoney LaRue- Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill – Dallas - 9 p.m. $20
KHYI 95.3 Range Night @ Toby’s!
Jason Boland & the Stranglers – Midnight Rodeo – Amarillo –  10 p.m.
Tickets $12 Advance/ $15 Day of

Saturday 10th:
Oak Ridge Boys – Wellington Theater - Wellington
Tommy Alverson – Red’s Roadhouse – Kennedale  5 p.m. $5
Brian Burns – Back Porch Grill and Tavern – Grapevine
No Justice – Rockett Café and Club – Rockett
Wade Bowen – Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill – Dallas
Sol Patch – Hosting Legendary Picker’s Circle @ Luckenbach – 1 -  5 p.m.
Mandi Powell – Filthy McNasty’s Saloon – Fort Worth – 5 p.m.
97.com Toys for Tots Benefit. Bring a New/ unwrapped Toy
Jason Boland & the Stranglers – Wild West – Lubbock –  10 p.m.
Tickets $12 Advance/ $15 Day of
Gary P. Nunn – Love and War in TX – Plano - $12


Sunday 11th:
Tommy Alverson – Filthy McNasty’s Saloon – Fort Worth – Noon –
97.com Toys for Tots Benefit. Bring a New/ unwrapped Toy
Sol Patch – Hondo’s on Main – Fredricksburg – Noon – 3 p.m.
Hondo’s Gospel Sunday /w/ Melissa Weatherly and the Any Given Sunday Band

Monday 12th: - No Dates Found

Tuesday 13th:
Randy Brown – Railhead Smokehouse – Willow Park – 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Sol Patch – Picker’s Circle – Luckenbach – 5 – 9 p.m.

Wednesday 14th:
  Davin James– Puffbelly’s – Spring – 8 p.m.
               /w/ Tommy Alverson
Sol Patch – Silver Creek Beer Garden – Fredricksburg – 6- 9:30 p.m.


Because you need to register early, I wanted to pass on this information:
My friend, Mike Blakely, and his wife Annie have a awesome new business venture – LoneStar Wine and Music Tours. Their next tour is coming up on Friday Nov. 17th. You’ll want to sign up for their Wine and Music Newsletter to get all the details. Email: mike@mikeblakely.com and put Wine Tour in the subject line. They’ll get you signed up to receive updates of tour dates.


ELSEWHERE

Thursday 8th:
Wade Bowen – Uncle Ron’s Wild West Saloon – Lincoln NE -
Oak Ridge Boys – Oak Ridge Boys Theater - Branson
Jason Boland & The Stranglers – The Dirty Bourbon Dance Hall & Saloon –
Albuquerque  NM – 5 p.m. $10 + $2 fee (Ticket purchase)

Friday 9th:
Oak Ridge Boys – WLW Arena - Emporia KS
Wade Bowen – Midnight Rodeo – Springfield MO –
Randy Houser – 8 Second Saloon – Indianapolis IN –
Eli Young Band – Coyote Joe’s – Charlotte NC –  8 p.m. $18
    /w/ J. T. Hodges

Saturday 10th:
Randy Houser – Dusty Armadillo – Rootstown OH –
Neal McCoy – Oak Ridge Boys Theater – Branson MO – 8 p.m.
Eli Young Band – Track 29 – Chattanooga TN – 9 p.m.
Tickets: $22 Advance / $25 Day of.

Sunday 11th: No Dates Found

Monday 12th: No Dates Found

Tuesday 13th:
Randy Houser – The Orange Peel – Asheville NC -
Oak Ridge Boys - Oak Ridge Boys Theater - Branson - Christmas Show!


Wednesday 14th:
Eli Young Band – Turning Stone Resort & Casino -  Verona NY –
Ticket Info HERE
Oak Ridge Boys - Oak Ridge Boys Theater - Branson - Christmas Show!

TOYS FOR TOTS BASH!

As I sit here looking out at what remains of the fall leaves of the season, the sunshine filtering through the trees, it's hard to imagine Christmas is less than seven weeks away.

For every leaf that has fallen from my favorite Maple tree, there is at least one family who will need help putting something under the tree this year. Were you were a kid growing up with memories of a tree loaded with presents and bulging stockings, or were you left wondering if Santa Claus really existed?

Either way, this event is something we should all be a part of. I always give to my local Toys For Tots. Since I can't be in Texas for this amazing event, I'm spreading the word and praying that everyone who reads this at least takes the time to drop off a NEW/ UNWRAPPED toy to Filthy McNasty's in Fort Worth or any Toys For Tots drop-off near you. If you check out Filthy McNasty's FB page, you'll see a complete list of the entertainment available for this five-day event.

That said - This event is AWESOME. So check out the poster below, link over to their FB page and plan to have some FUN while spreading the Christmas Spirit!

Country Blessings!
~Kelly

POST CMAs

Another year is almost behind us. I can't say there were any surprises. Well, maybe one. I thought sure Brantley Gilbert would get New Artist, though Hunter Hayes earned it. Nice to see it not just 'handed' over as has seemed the case in recent years.

I was THRILLED not to see Taylor Swift get Female Vocalist.

The thing that made me most happy was the tribute to Willie Nelson. Lady Antebellum was a good choice for Always On My Mind.  Though I think my heart would have gone pitter patter if it had been Trace Atkins instead. Hey, even a journalist has her favorites. I also thought Whiskey River and Blake Shelton was a great pairing. Though you couldn't miss the double play with reformed Keith Urban as the other half of the duo.

As I type this, I'm crossing my fingers for Entertainer of the Year... praying they'll give it to someone who's truly EARNED it!

Yes, the award went to Blake Shelton. I can't believe it. I've NEVER known Blake to be speechless LOL.

If you missed the show but would like to see how things went down, you can check out the link  at CMA World

Please leave a comment. What did you like about the CMAs? What disappointed you? Let your voice be heard.

Country Blessings
Kelly

THE PARTY LIST - Nov. 1 - Nov. 7th

Note: Please remember to check with the venue as to whether or not there is a cover charge or ticket required for the shows you plan to attend. I have provided links to the venues when possible, making it easy for you to check it out.

Not all events take place in Texas. With that in mind I will begin listing them not only by day but by TEXAS and ON THE ROAD. With that in mind…

Let’s Get This Party STARTED!


CRAZY HORSE SALOON in Decatur opens up this weekend.
1982 E. Highway 380
Fun begins on Friday night at 9 p.m.
Scotty Thurman and the Perfect Trouble Band among the featured music for the weekend.
You don’t want to miss this event!


TEXAS
Thursday
Geoff Union – Blue Grass Happy Hour – Whitehorse Saloon – Austin 7-9 p.m.
Mike Blakely – Badu House – Llano
Jeff Posey joins Mike and W.C. Jameson this week. Going to be HOT!
Cody Johnson – Lucky Mule  Abilene -

Friday
Thomas Michael Riley – Terlingua Chili Cook off – 9:45 p.m.
Several others will perform beginning at 7:30 p.m. Check the Link for details!
Mike Blakely – River Bluff Party Barn – Center Point – 7 p.m. Tix $15
Almost Patsy Cline Band – Leon Springs Dance Hall- 8p.m. – midnight
Dimitri’s Rail – Main Street Crossing - Tomball –
Terri Hendrix – Uncle Calvin’s Concert/ Coffeehouse – Dallas – 8 p.m.
/w/ Lloyd Maines
                        Also performing:  Albert & Gage, Brooks Williams

Saturday
Geoff Union – Last Concert Café – Houston
Byrd and Street – Rear Window Listening Room – Ganado - 7 p.m. –
South Texas Sounds – Terlingua Chili Cook off – 7:30 p.m.
Drugstore Cowboys – Terlingua Chili Cook off – 9:45 p.m.
Randy Rogers Band – Lone Star Bike Rally – Galveston – 7:30 – 8:15 p.m.
This is with Randy and Brady  Acoustic

Monday
Geoff Union – Flipnotics – Austin –
Randy Rogers Band – Cheatham St. Warehouse – San Marcos 8 p.m.
  Advanced Ticket Purchase Recommended!

Wednesday 
Geoff Union – Blue Grass Outfit – Tantra – San Marcos



ELSWHERE
8th Annual Songwriters Showcase
It’s a ‘Meeting of the Minds’ with Kelly McQuire
Key West FL now – through Nov. 4th.
2-5 p.m. Wed. – Saturday. 12-2 on Sunday.
Songwriters Island Radio will be broadcasting live Thur. – Sun.
Lighthouse Court

Thursday
Casey Donahue Band – Granada Theater – Lawrence KS

Friday-
Buddy Case – Word Aflame – Little Rock AR –
Casey Donahue Band – George’s – Fayetteville AR
Brantley Gilbert –Barton Coliseum – Little Rock  AR

Saturday 
Casey Donahue Band – George’s - Fayetteville AR