JMC IN MARYLAND!!!!! REVISED

I am so lucky. For the second time in four months I was able to see Jason Michael Carroll in concert. Both times in Maryland, now my new home. The first was on the Raisin’ the Bar Tour with Bucky Covington, where I saw them at Rams Head Live in Baltimore. This time round it was just him and his band.

The concert took place at the Cancun Cantina, a big nightclub in the town of Hanover. I was aware that JMC was going to perform there, but thought I probably wouldn’t make it. At the last minute my husband agreed to come with me.

The club was only 15 minutes away, but we were already late. At 9:30 we were circling this gigantic building. Jason was supposed to hit the stage at 10. Neither of us had ever been to the Cantina, and ended up parking quite far away. As my husband and I started walking toward the entrance, a spiffy little shuttle bus pulled up and opened its doors. We looked at each other slightly surprised and stepped up and in. My goodness I thought, this place must be packed. Yes it was!

After we were dropped off, the driver (way nice old guy ) told us to have a fun time and we thanked him. Loud country music hit us right away. After paying the modest/well worth it 10 bucks, we see a young cowgirl standing behind a water trough of iced down beer. Next we entered the main bar and dance floor. Small tables surround the floor with an elevated stage area, a seating area directly opposite the stage.

The dance floor was filled with couples doing the two step. There were lots of cowboy hats and boots. Finally a real live country bar, I’ve been waiting for this, yes for two and half years. There I was in the middle of it all. Happy is the only word that can describe me at that moment. My quest for another form of entertainment, the kind that affects one, that has already bared ones soul to several genres of rock and roll, has taking another step forward.

I was happy to be a part of the revelry. After several months of adjusting to the move form New England, this turned out to be a stress reliever. My husband Eric and I moved about the club looking for a good place to plant ourselves, one with a decent view of the stage. We moved to and fro and finally we were leaning against a wall to the right of the stage.

The local country music radio station WPOI introduced JMC and everyone went toward the stage, including myself, knowing Eric would not join in, he prefers to watch from a short distance in a relaxed and cerebral manner. Unfortunately I didn’t have my concert buddies, my daughters Caroline and Rachael. But I went anyway.

Jason started the set off with “I Can Sleep When I’m Dead” a current single that at the time of this writing was ranked 28th on the R&R chart. The band was right on and so was JMC. He continue to perform most of the songs from his current CD release, “Waiting in the Country”. He and the band also performed two songs that they had recently recorded for a CD that will be released in the future. The crowd was dancing and jumping, and having a good ole country time.

Jason was a little different this time. First of all he played a little longer, and of course he was the headliner. It made a difference. He seemed more personable with the audience, telling stories and having fun with his band mates. At one point after singing Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love”, he said he loved 80’s rocked songs, but everything he sang sounded country. This was a sweet little admission, showing a little bit of himself. Comments like always bring the audience closer, making the artist seem real. Not only was the music good, whole experience was good. Truly I don’t know how much longer we the concert goers will be able to see him in small venues, I’m just very glad I had the opportunity twice.

2007 MUSIC FOR THE NEW YEAR

We are now a week and two days into the New Year; this is typically a dreary and gloomy time. The majority of us are recovering form the holidays, and struggling to keep are resolutions on track.

Then there are those of us who can not wait for the new batch of CD’s to be released, hoping we will be transported to a warm sunny day, sipping a cool drink under the oak leaves, listening to good music. Oh sweet summer! Where are you?

If that’s the case, may be you should take a look back on some of the music of 2007. The few that are listed below are only a sampling of fine music that came out in this past year. With the sales of albums down in all genres, and country sales down about 16%, show a little enthusiasm, go purchase some new music.

Pure BS- Blake Shelton
Blake’s fourth album has already given us two great hit songs, “The more I drink”, and “Don’t make me”. One is a heart felt emotional ballad about the end of a love affair, and the inevitable begging from the one being “dumped” to stay and if you don’t well then I’m never coming back. The other hit is more of a fun loving honky- tonk romp through a drunken stupor, matching Shelton’s lively and sarcastic humor. All in all there are consistently strong and good songs. This album should be in your collection.

Bucky Covington
The fifth-season American Idol finalist self titled album has real talent. His rough and gruff southern rock style voice gives songs like “American Friday Night”. “Carolina Blue”, (which he co-wrote), and “Empty Handed”, their edge. As time goes on the hope is he will lean more towards the edgy and move away from the predictable.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend – Miranda Lambert
Not only has Lambert continued to rock hard on this album she also continue to prove she’s a skillful writer. There is no doubting that revenge will be hers in “Gunpowder and Lead”, and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”. But she also shows a more tender side in “Desperation” and “Love letters”. Every track is worth listening to over and over again.

Waitin' in the Country- Jason Michael Carroll
JMC’s debut album is a rough and tumble ride through a maze of songs varying form the hit single, “Alyssa Lies” about child abuse, which he wrote solely, to a rip roaring party stomp “I Can Sleep When I’m Dead”. His rich baritone voice belts out the heartfelt lyrics in each song. “Livin Our Love Song” is also a hit single and a great tribute to lasting love. This CD should always been in the car, its great fun to drive to!

Living Hard- Gary Allan
Gary Allan is the gift that keeps on giving. Go buy this album.
NUFF SAID!

Relentless – Jason Aldean
This album is full of attitude, raw emotion, and edgy tough. He is the coolest looking man in a cowboy hat. “Johnny Cash”, Relentless”, Grown Women”, with Miranda Lambert on back up vocals are all hit makers. This is a great sophomore album that everyone should own.

Look for the debut album by Lady Antebellum in 2008!!

JASON MICHAEL CARROLL REMOVES MESSAGE BOARD

It’s interesting that by doing one single act a thought pattern can be provoked that can lead to all sorts of outcomes. Last week Jason Michael Carroll took down his message board. I was hopelessly wondering why I could no longer read current posts. Finally, I read Jason’s last journal entry. In it he describes verbal abuse and disrespect being committed by the members of his fan base. Unfortunately this is a sad comment of the state of our cultural society today. We seem to live in a period of time that has no boundaries. Everything and everybody is a target of ill begotten comments or ridicule.

There is noplace it can be seen more clearly than on the internet. On one hand it has become a tool for research, being able to find and retrieve information in moments instead of hours or perhaps days. We can reach out and touch people from all over the world. And yours truly has a voice for my writing that was unheard of 10 years ago. This I appreciate. I really do. But, some times I think we are advancing technically at a pace we just can not keep up with. What should bring out the best of people sometimes also brings out the worst.

I don’t exactly know what was written on JMC’s board but I do have an idea. I have only posted twice on that sight; I seem to get more out of reading its contents. And I have seen this sort of thing on other sites, a sort vindictive smear, against certain comments. It baffles me. Jason stated that “topics of conversation were becoming things that are not appropriate for all ages”. Say it ain’t so; one of the best attributes of country music is its agelessness. I can take my 45 year old self to a concert, with my 22 and 19 year old daughters. It really doesn’t get better than that. He went on to write that they “were posted with the intent to be harmful.” This does happen, one of my daughters closed out her Myspace profile because she could not stand the petty ridiculous comments being made.

There is really no conclusion to this story. JMC’s site is still a fledgling. On other sites the monitors have been able to lock out and completely delete threads. Hopefully when he puts it back up it will have those elements. Jason apologized to the majority of fans who truly wish to learn more about him and the band. He handled it without rage, just enough intelligence and pointed comments. My daughters were impressed and so was I. In a world lacking all kinds of character it is always sensational to find it where you least expect it. If you look hard enough the world still is full of wonderful surprises.

Raisin The Bar Tour [Photo][Photo][Photo][Photo]Saturday December 8th was the last night of the “Raisin the Bar” tour featuring Jason Michael Carroll, Bucky Covington, and Cole Deggs & The Lonesome. The venue was the Rams Head Live in Baltimore, MD. My main purpose in going was to witness Jason Michael Carroll live. There has been a whirlwind following him around since the release of his album “Waitin in the Country” earlier this year and has received nothing but great reviews. Needless to say I was excited.At first I was little disappointed, the crowd at the Rams Head was small; I soon came to realize this was to my advantage. I was positioned right in the middle of the floor about three people back from the stage directly in front of the mic.Cole Deggs & the Lonesome hit the stage running, and that’s how they remained for there entire set. Hard driving country rock, that kept you swaying and clapping the entire time they were on stage. Most of the songs came from their first self titled CD. The new single “Girl Next Door” co written by Cole Deggs the bands front man was a highlight of the set and Cole commented on the video that was recently filmed and now airs on CMT and GAC. He made the good natured comment that he had no idea what he was doing while filming it. He swirled and swayed all over the stage, keeping the audience engaged and happy. The band was tight. (Cole’s brother Shade is also in the band and plays bass). I really enjoyed them and hope they continue on the upward path they are on.Next was Jason, the intro was a montage of songs from the CD, then finally he comes out to “ I Can Sleep When I’m Dead”, a hard core rocking song that has everyone in the audience rocking along with him. Oh did I mention the screaming, yes he is eye candy and talented eye candy, the best kind. His full toned voice filled the club and gratefully sounded very much like his CD. He sang “Angel of Broken Hearts”; making a comment that someone said that song wasn’t country enough. “Alyssa Lies”, "Livin Our Love Song”, “Honky Tonk Friends”," Anywhere USA": and my favorite of the night “Stray”. When he sang “Waitin the Country”, Cole Deggs joined him on stage, (Cole wrote it), that was fun to watch. Jason danced and didn’t hesitate to sign all sorts of things the crowd handed up to him, from paper to shirts. etc., while performing. But he does fall into the category of sexuality and he happily gyrated and shook his incredible toned body all over the place. Unfortunately I just sensed a tiny bit of vanity that rubbed me and my two daughters (22 and 19 respectfully) the wrong way. I know that it’s all part of the act and he was great. But, I was touched by Jason’s performance, and being woman I could not take my eyes off of him, the spell is strong. I might not even have mentioned it if it wasn’t for Bucky.Bucky Covington was the 2006 American Idol 8th runner up. Since then he has had a hit single with “A Different World”, and is currently watching his new single “It’s Good to be Us”, climb the charts. He and his band which includes his brother Rocky on drums or in this case percussion and bongos, came on stage starting their set off with “American Friday Night”, I was in shock. I had no idea that he was going to rock the house down. He did covers such as “Drift Away”, and “Another Brick in the Wall”. There were no breaks in between songs. He would easily glide into a new song. Dancing for the crowd and encouraging them to sing along with him as he held the mic out to the audience. When he spoke to them he was funny and up beat, just like he was one of them. He threw in a Christmas song for good measure, commenting afterward that he loved that song. He was endearing and folksy, yet still was able to jam hard and seriously rev up the music. I was impressed. The two guys that were standing behind my daughters told them they were about to be happily entertained by Bucky, now sitting here in a New England snow storm, all I can think is, man they weren’t kidding.
Labels: Concert Reviews

My first Meet and Greet

It’s December and I have just found out that Rascal Flat’s is coming to concert on the campus the Amherst campus of the University of Massachusetts. I just happen that Blake is touring with them. Here is my chance to see him, and maybe meet him and yes, get my picture taking with him. How could I possible go to a Blake Shelton Meet & Greet by myself? I must find away to include my at the time 17 year old daughter. Then it comes to me. I will help her join his fan club. Yes!! Caroline can also become a true BSer. Quickly, I get my fingers typing. She must become one before the deadline ends to request M&G’s. So, I went ahead and submitted her info, and a couple weeks later she was a true blue member.

The following is an observation I wrote after the concert. It was posted on The Blake Shelton website the day after the concert.

Around 1:30 in the afternoon my husband, Eric, daughter Caroline and I took of for the concert at the Mullins Center in Western Mass. We had a 2 and a half hour trip. The day before I was in a tizzy because of the imposing blizzard that was about to strike. My oldest daughter Rachael would be working till into the night and I did not want her driving home in snow, she has a little beater car. Eric called the venue and they assured him is not supposing to snow till after midnight out there. He said where going. My worries and fears of being stranded left and were replaced with excitement as we sped are way down the mass pike. We had reserved a room at the Springfield downtown Marriot, which is a half hour south U. Mass. We got to the hotel at 4:30 and right away Eric wants to eat. I don’t, but Caroline does. I said I would never be ready to leave on time. This said, I did end up in a sports bar eating awesome clam chowder and feeling like I was going to come out of skin. I had to calm myself. I mean I am a grown women, but is everyday you meet a recording star. My nerves just deterred up in the room. My hair was to frizzy, my contacts make my eye sight to blurry, I was almost in tears. But everyone else was calm, Caroline fixed my hair in the car on the way to the concert and once again all was right in the world. I have never been on the U mass campus which I am a little surprised about. Both my girls have friends who go there, and needless to say so do the rest of Mass. The campus was huge! Finally we parked. I didn’t want to bring my coat inside, so I was wearing a cotton jacket, and yes it was 20 degrees. We got on line but forgot the camera, Eric runs back to the car. We start talking to the couple in front of us. He was a truck driver and was quite in love with Tim McGraw. She likes Blake, or so he said. At this point I still hadn’t figures out how to get the M&G tickets. The cell phone rings Eric can not find the camera in the car. I panic! Did I leave it at the hotel? This would figure. He calls back he found it SAVED!! Mean time the truck driver points Caroline and I in the direction of will call. We wait till Eric comes back to hold are place in line. When he comes back we run, then run back again to wait. While on line you meet so many people. One family went to see an American Idol concert, and was so excited to be seeing Rascal Flatts; Actually the mom was so funny and kept us laughing while we froze. There was actually a guy in front of us with no coat on. He finally turned to his girlfriend and said I’m numb. We finally got in; it was so crowed by the merchandise table I started to feel a little lost. I finally went up to someone wearing a plastic badge and asked for help. It was OK; we just had to stand by the wall till they called us. Again we meet several people, all nice going to meet Blake. When it finally came time to go we were rounded up put in line and up three flights of stairs. There we waited for a cue to continue. All of a sudden out walks Jason Aldean!! “Hey ya’ll” He said Out came everybody’s camera, Flash Flash, “Ya’ll here to meet Blake?” I don’t even know if anyone answered him. He was adorable. Finally into the room we go. We made a half circle around the room. After all the waiting and freezing I was no longer nerves, what ever happen happens. Caroline was first in line me right behind her. The guy comes in tells us he will take a picture, and that Blake will sign something. WHAT an autograph I thought they were finished, no more. We search for something for him to sign. Next thing he walks in the room. His presence was so big; it took up the whole room. Not just his height but the fact that here’s the guy that you’ve been listening to and watching on TV, right in front of you!!!

The above was original posted on Blake Shelton's website in February 2006. Blake's fan club and website are great, everyone that posts is really nice and helpful. Please go check it out!!!

First Time

It was a late August afternoon, I was stretched out on the couch wondering why the air conditioner never reached me whenever I sat in here. It's hot and muggy outside. I can barley lift my arm to sip my ice tea. My husband comes in from work, looking sun kissed and happy. "I have a confession to make." he said. I lift my eyebrows in a slightly concerned look. "I have been listening to country music." I'm lying their and staring. "I just can't listen to that garbage on the radio anymore. It's refreshing to hear uplifting music, and they actually have talent."

That's how it started, a journey into the excitement of music again, a trip to a Rascal Flatts Concert, because Blake Shelton was playing, converting my daughters to country music and a trip to Nashville!!!

After the day Eric disclosed his secret, I decided to give it a try. Of course I was not totally ignorant to the ways of Country Music, I new a few songs by Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Alabama. I watched CMT a lot after 9/11. I realized maybe the country music culture was more in tune to my sad thoughts and pain at that time. But that was pretty much it.

So I started to listen to country music radio. It was refreshing, uplifting and best of all fun. I couldn't get enough. I watched CMT all the time. And there were certain songs that resonated, it was like it reached into my soul and took hold.

One night I watched the Duets concert on CMT and it was then I really fell. Blake Shelton singing "Your the Reason God Made Oklahoma", with Miranda Lambert. It was so good!! ( maybe because it was foreshadowing B and L's future relationship.) I wanting to know more about Blake, who was he? Where did he come from? etc., etc. So I did what everyone does in the 21st century, I googled him.
Much to my surprise I was able to fine his web site and join his fan club. At first I was reluctant. I mean I never belonged to anything like that. Well maybe when I was a teeny bopper, but the culture of country music is different. It appeals to all ages. I found out that the musicians make time to meet the fans. This was perplexing to me. I had been to plenty of concerts, shows, and performances but never had I been able to meet a "STAR", and have my picture taking with them. It just was not done, I had no idea such a thing took place. So for that reason and maybe that reason alone I joined, Yes I met Blake, and yes I am still a proud card carrying BSer.

This really was the beginning for me, what started as a way to listen to the radio without getting frustrated to a road trip odyssey to Nashville.

Here is the sad part though. My peers actually make fun of me. The have disgusting looks on there faces when ever I choose to speak of my music fun. I know that there are plenty of people who listen to country music in my little part of the world and I have found them. But most don't get it. Oh well!!
Next time: How I talked my daughter Caroline into meeting Blake.
JH