A New Year... A New Format

Between internet connections faulting at every turn last year and a couple of personal issues, this blog got away from me. I sincerely apologize. It is not what I want from this little Texas retreat in the south central Ozarks of Missouri.

What I do want is to showcase awesome talent out of Texas, spotlight classic country and keep you informed of what's going on. I've been dubbed the 'trusted on-line voice of Texas music' and feel I've let the hat slide. Picture me more as the Senator from Best Little WhoreHouse in Texas with his hat askew as he performs that song and dance number in the capitol building.

So let's put the cowboy hat on straight and get back to business.

First off...

The Texas Music Awards are a lot earlier this year. It's the 10th Annual Texas Music Awards and it's going to be outstanding! You can check out the nominees list HERE.

I'm glad to see Ryan Murphey up for Male Vocalist of the Year. He has done a lot of background stuff but has a great voice. Comes by it naturally, don't you know.

Pauline Reese is up for Female Vocalist this year. In the history of the awards, she's the only Female to win Entertainer of the Year (2010). She's nominated again this year as well as Album of the Year. I'm happy to see Bob Livingston and Michael Hearne up for Singer/ Songwriter of the Year.

Award of Distinction category this year has a well-known name in the field - Jeff Posey.

Entertainer of the Year is full of Top ranked talent, as always. But I have to ask... What do I have to do to see Mike Blakely take home that well-earned award? Oh yeah... VOTE!

And you can vote, too. Either by Public Ballot or as a Academy Member. The latter distinction has two categories... either entertainer or fan. Just go to this PAGE and click on the appropriate link.

Here's to another great year of some of the best music you'll hear anywhere!

Country Blessings

Kelly

CMA Recap

Or should that be NMA? Just as Texas music has a variety of styles, Nashville can claim the same thing. Should it all be lumped under 'country'. Not in my book. I'll be the first to say that not everything coming out of Texas is 'cowboy' or 'country'. But at least they don't try to tell me it is. They let me pick and choose for myself.

None of the wins surprised me last night. And that includes the Entertainer of the Year. They are going to milk that girl's sales for all they can and with E of Y on her resume they can jack up the costs again. When does the insanity stop?

One group I am looking deeper into is TheBandPerry. I've not given them much of a listen, but if they aren't rockin' the house, their sibling harmony may stand a chance.

Another one is American Idol winner Scotty McCreery. The kid has a voice. And he has talent. Now if he'll just stick to his roots and not let the Nashville scene eat him alive, he might do okay.

One of the most beautiful moments last night was the tribute to Glen Campbell. The man is one of the last living legends of his era. I agree with many of the posts on the above site that he should have been allowed to sing last night. Were they afraid he was going to embarrass them? Please! Handing him a guitar and then cutting him off was about as disrespectful as you can get. They all do a fine job of that themselves. Nashville has lost its heart and thinks with its wallet. Watching him sit in the audience and sing along with the tribute performers was beautiful. Glen is in the throes of Alzheimer but is scheduled to perform 2 final concerts in Branson on December 2nd and 3rd. You can check out the details HERE

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Country Blessings

The Country Angel

CMA Preview

Okay, some of you know this whole CMA thing is a big issue with me. Am I the only one under sixty that remembers when CMA truly stood for Country Music Association? And that what you heard on stage really WAS country music? I think Ralph Emery got the ball rolling when he hosted the show Pop Goes the Country. Because Pop and Rock are what they are passing off as country music. And it's why I listen and promote Texas/ Cowboy music.

I know, like everything else Nashville it's all about the dollar signs. Attracting a younger audience that can afford and will spend their money on CDs, concert tickets, concert memorabilia, yadda yadda yadda is all they look at. DOLLARS and CENTS.

I'm not saying some of these people can't sing. Some of them have great voices and I have my favorites because I like the song. I just don't appreciate them trying to sell it to me as COUNTRY.

Alan Jackson had a song out several years ago about Murder on Music Row. The chorus speaks volumes for the rape and murder that has taken place over the years:

For the steel guitars no longer cry
And you can't hear fiddles play
With drums and rock 'n' roll guitars
Mixed right up in your face
Why the Hag wouldn't have a chance
On today's radio
Since they committed murder
Down on music row

(Courtesy of CowboyLyrics.com)

But tonight I'll be watching and tweeting during the 45th annual CMA's. I guess because I keep hoping I'll catch a glimpse of what Country Music used to be.

Country Blessings!

Kelly

Looking Back

When I think Texas music, I not only think of the current artists I listen to like W.C. Jameson, Mike Blakely, Thomas Michael Riley and Jake Martin to name a few, but the good ole boys like Willie Nelson, Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. But last week, another group came to my mind and I began searching for them. They were moderate chart artists with MCA back in the early 1980's. James and Michael Younger.

If the name doesn't ring a bell, don't feel bad. A lot of people don't recognize them. But they were two of my favorite people - well, their entire band, The Younger Brothers (until a conflict with another band came about). Nothing But the Radio On was one of their bigger songs. Country station call-letters were dubbed into the lyrics on records (remember those) sent out to radio stations across the country.

I first met the guys in Baton Rouge LA in 1982 at a little place called Texas Dance Hall. Always having a knack for getting back stage, the guys gave me a brief interview. I wrote articles on the guys for local papers where ever they were to perform and caught them on the road several times over the course of their career.

Then I put my budding freelance career on hold to be a full-time mom and the guys dropped off the recording radar soon after. Often times over the past twenty years I've wondered 'where are they now?'. I even played a couple songs of theirs to Mike Blakely because his music reminded me a lot of them. James (Williams) Younger and Mike Blakely are both extremely talented song writers and their styles are similar. I thought it would be cool if I could get them together sometime. I'm still waiting.

So last week I did the Google thing again. This time I came up with a lead. Not only did I find James and Michael but that they had a Texas music life before MCA picked them up as a country band.

For now, I'll leave you with this thought and see if it rings a bell...

The Playboys of Edinburg (Texas, not Scotland).

Country Blessings

Kelly

Crossing Fingers

I didn't think asking for higher speed internet was going to be this much trouble! Geez. After having Hughes Net try to make it my fault, we've finally put in a brand new modem and so far so good. I hope I'm not speaking too soon.

While I've been off-line, I've not been off-loop. I've been making a LONG list of people I want to bring to you. Some are new faces to the business, some have never left us and some fall more into the category of 'Where are they now?'. I'm really looking forward to bringing you some good stuff as we close out the year.

For those of you who don't know, when I'm not freelancing I'm writing novels. Right now I'm working on one for a 'Call for Submissions' by The Wild Rose Press. They are releasing a 15 book series based on my favorite people... Texans. It's for their HonkyTonk Hearts series. One key element must run through all 15 books. At least one pivotal scene must take place in the Lonesome Steer bar - just a few miles outside Amarillo off old Route 66. Sounds like the perfect setting for a romance to me. You can bet if I can sell this puppy, it will be dedicated to all my friends in the Texas music community who inspire me.

I haven't forgotten I promised you way back when an interview with a special guest. I'm still working out the details with his people but we're getting closer. In the mean time, I'll be bringing you other talented folks and what they're up to these days.

Country Blessings

Kelly

Fire Aid with Thomas Michael Riley!

I'm back on-line and back to business - finally! Wanted to make sure everything was running smoothly before I jumped in.

Just getting this in. If you guys are looking for something to do this weekend, I can't think of anything better.

FIRE AID

Saturday, September 10

Fredericksburg KOA

4:00pm - 11:00pm

Fredericksburg KOA, the town of Fredericksburg and the whole Hill Country are teaming up for a benefit concert this weekend. Saturday night, I'm joining Texas native & Grammy award winner Rick Trevino live at the Fredericksburg KOA to benefit Texas Wildfire Relief.

Press release

"FireAid" has now grown to include many state & local artists who have generously donated their performances to such a worthy and timely cause.

The concert starts at 4pm with a pickers circle including Jake Martin, Bill Lewis, Cowboy Doug Davis, Shannie, Hayden Whittington, and Art & Lisa...with more artists likely to sit in...

At 6pm it's Sol Patch, leading the way to Hill Country Legendary Artist Thomas Michael Riley at 7:30pm.

Rick Trevino will be headlining at 9pm, performing old favorites like "She Can't Say I Didn't Cry", "Doctor Time" and "Running Out of Reasons to Run" and new hits such as "Better in Texas", "Whole Town Blue", "Separate Ways" and "Remember the Alimony".

During Saturday's concert, a live auction of items donated by local merchants will be held with proceeds going to Texas Wildfire Relief. Donations of bottled water, sports drinks, gloves for firefighters and, of course, cash will be accepted immediately and throughout the event at the Fredericksburg KOA located at 5681 US Highway 290 East in Fredericksburg. Non-perishable food items, snacks for the firefighters' pockets and pet foods are just to name a few...

Tickets to Saturday's "Fire Aid" concert are $15 per person and can be purchased at Absolute Charm, 709 W. Main St., The Race Barn, 35 Fair Drive, Tejas Smoke Depot, 1639 US Highway 290 West and of course at the gate at Fredericksburg KOA, 5681 US Highway 290 East.

BYOB...Bring your own cooler, lawn chair, and your donation! Load your car up! We're all going to help!

For more information or questions about this wonderful event, please feel free to contact Fredericksburg KOA at (830) 997-4796.

Technical difficulties

I apologize for the laps in reporting over the weekend and in not being able to showcase our final Entertainer of the Year nominee. Apparently my Hughes Net modem is overheating and I am unable to stay on line for more than about 10 minutes. We are working to rectify this issue. In the mean time, I'm sitting in McDonalds making a quick post while the 3-year-old granddaughter is occupied with her french fries.

I'll be back as soon as I can to update everything. In the meantime...

CONGRATULATIONS to Shake Russell for winning the Entertainer of the Year! If you read back over our introduction post about him last week, you'll see he is very deserving of this honor - as were all the people nominated.

See you soon!

Country Blessings!