Quiet

This morning as I was checking my blogroll, I came across a great video shared by Piece of Cake. As I started to listen, I was distracted by what I had on TV. While catching up on all my blogs I also was trying to catch up on all my DVR'd shows. But I had missed a little of what they were saying on "The Talk" so I rewound. But then I missed part of the song that Laura from Piece of Cake shared, so I started her video over. And then I looked up to watch the TV show. Ugh….this wasn't working-so I paused the TV so I could concentrate on the video. Then, I flipped over to some other blogs I had opened on other tabs. But then I thought, no I want to see this video. So I went back to Piece of Cake's blog to watch the video while listening, but before I knew it I had opened up the latest game of Spider Solitaire that I always have going.

I mean seriously, it was if I was incapable of slowing down and focusing on one thing at the time. Why? What is wrong with my generation? I always have the computer up while I'm watching TV. Or maybe I'm reading a book. While in the truck with Mark, I'm reading or playing crossword on my Kindle instead of just talking. And when I do dishes or am cleaning – the TV's on for at least some background noise, or I've got the music blaring.

Now, I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with listening to some music while you're cleaning…but my point is that it is never quiet. I am never solely concentrating on what it is I'm doing. It seems like even when I have my iTunes pulled up on my computer just so I can clean dishes, I'm also thinking about my playlist and maybe searching for a song, or maybe buying a new song.

At the Radio Station, I always have the radio going. It's always playing into my right ear. And when I first started working here, it took a little getting used to. So by the time I left from work, I would leave and just shut my radio off in my car and just drive home in silence. It was a wonderful, peaceful feeling. That feeling of quietness. And it's something that I need to WORK to find more often. So right now, I'm asking you to pause the TV (tell your husband I told you to do it). Don't open another browser or another tab. Don't start thinking about what's for supper, or what's on your grocery list, and don't look at the ledge that needs to be dusted. Just sit and be still….

Now, listen to this. Listen to each word.

A List for you to read

1. I have attended four showers in the past 8 days. I have decided that I love sherbet punch and I suck at fill in the blank nursery rhymes.
   
2. While on my way to the aforementioned baby shower, I realized I had not yet signed the card. There's construction on the road at a bridge, and so they have the stoplights in the middle of nowhere so you can go one lane at a time. I was stopped at the light with a car in front of me, so I decided to sign the card real quick. I pulled it out to on top of my wheel and began signing with my usual flourish – but when I pushed too hard on the pen….I honked the horn. I honked the horn, while behind another car – at a red light! I waved my hands frantically and shook my head no – "Sorry Sorry Sorry!!" I doubt they heard me though.
   
3. I had a garage sale yesterday. I forgot how serious some people are. I had a guy here 30 minutes before the advertised start time, just jamming out in his car right in front of my house. I had about 5 or 6 cars total all watching me put out my stuff and come running at about 6:55. My wonderful, sweet, awesome, badass of a husband helped me out all day. I love him. And yes, I might be trying to suck up a bit after all he did.
   
4. Mark also tilled up a garden for me. We got some green beans, peas, spaghetti squash, cucumbers, green onions, maybe some other stuff. We'll be getting some tomatoes that have already been started. Basically Mark and I have decided that we don't have enough things to argue about, nor do I have enough stuff to kill. And it will only be slightly annoying when our nice tilled up rectangle remains empty…..on our corner lot that everyone drives past. I kinda feel like a farmer who has their land on the highway.
   
5. We've had some ups and downs as a family the past few months. Health problems, job changes, and big decisions. Through it all though, I have seen the hand of God present in our lives more than ever.
   
6. I'm going to see the Civil Wars this weekend with a co-worker and some other good music devotees. I am terribly excited, and you should be jealous. If you're saying, "The Civil Wars? Who's that? I thought that was just a time in our nation's history." And to that I say, please check them out. Your ears and your soul deserve it.
   
7. We bought a king sized bed a couple months ago. Mark and I really like it! And Cody loves it. Sometimes, he's harder to get out of bed than I am.
   
8. Yes, my dog is spoiled.
   
9. There's no nine.
   
10. Or ten, sorry….apparently I am out of words for the evening. Or just the energy to type them out and make them into complete sentences, specifically sentences that make sense and are interesting.

As long as you don't say Justin Bieber

Important things are coming.

Game Day is in 8 days. Game day, baby! I'm getting so excited. I'm planning out recipes and meals in my head, trying to decide what needs to be packed and most importantly, I need to decide on some game day music.

As a K-Stater, I have the obvious choices. The fight song, Wabash, Stand up for the Champions. But I need some more good stuff. I need some just fun tailgating music, some pump me up stuff, and mainly just some good music to take my mind off the fact that no matter what, every year, almost every game, we're 1 1/2 hrs later getting to the stadium, I forgot the tickets again, and there's some random kids eating all my hot dogs.

But anywho, what are the songs you love? The songs you put on your iPod for your morning run to get you going, the song you hear on a commercial at the beginning of football season that just gets your juices running? Let me know.

Yes, you can be jealous

So tomorrow.....

My mom and I have some big plans......

Her Christmas present is finally here......

She and I will be heading down South....

To the big city of Wichita.....

for a once in a lifetime show......

It'll be almost like we're 'livin on a prayer'

So come on mom, 'take my hand, we'll make it I swear'

Exposure

I love blogging. It exposes me to so much. There are so many things that in my quiet, quaint little world I would never see. I am inspired by other's stories, passions, homes, and music. I am that dork that constantly says to my husband, "The other day on this blog I was reading...."

But in the Middle of Nowhere, Kansas how else would I connect with a mother of four in Southern California, and watch as she puts out some of the most honest thoughts of motherhood and dealing with life and money and baking cakes?

How would I see how literally hundreds of people decorate their homes with the kind of style that I can only copy?

How would I meet a woman who has adopted through foster care three different, beautiful children and be inspired by her patience and dedication?

And how would I have found this?

Music Tuesday-Groundhog Day Edition

Today's Tuesday, right? I mean I at least think it is, and I wish I could say-oh it's just been one of those weeks-but it really hasn't. I'm not that busy. I'm just confused.

But anyways, listen to these guys. I know I've talked about them before-but how often do you get to personally know the lead singer for a great new, up and coming band from Kansas? I'll tell you how often--not very. But before singing for Callous Maddy, Lucas Maddy was a part of every week for me in college. My husband and Lucas had many of the same classes and also shared the same "lounge." You know, where everyone hung out, ate lunch, and slept off last night's hangover. There were many late nights at Longhorns, he swung me around the dance floor at my wedding, and I even still have the tshirt from when he and his sister ran for the Student Body President/VP spots. Which he won! So I have an awful big soft spot for these guys-plus it doesn't hurt that their music is just fun to listen to.

www.myspace.com/callousmaddy

www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=111272043221

Troubled Annie

So it's not Tuesday, and I've been gone for a little over a week, but I have to tell you something-something great! A few weeks back I was commiserating over the fact that none of my faves from Nashville Star have really made it big on the national scene with their music. Now I do not have to hear an artist on the radio for me to listen to them, in fact-it's typically the opposite. But, because they aren't big or well-known, I had lost track of them, and it's highly doubtful that anyone would ever come to Kansas to play, so there wasn't much of a chance of me catching up with anybody later.......till I became obsessed with blogs and blogging and I stumbled across this blog http://hootenannie.com/.

You see, the cutie from hootenannie.com is friends with Meg Allison, and just the other day talked about Meg and if I'm understanding this right, a dude from the same season of Nashville Star-Joshua Stevens (who by the way looks approximately 1100 times better now), making a duo called Troubled Annie. Awesome awesome stuff! I'm excited for them to come out with some great stuff and I've just had their myspace page playing in the background and I love their voices together.

So now my family has some more ideas for my Christmas stockings! (That's right, I get more than one stocking-in fact Mark and I travel to about 73 different holiday celebrations-ok more like 7 or so -but that's just the immediate family, grandparents and parents, and it feels like 73.) Yes dear family I will take a CD from about any or all artists I have listed in my little music section.

And you have some more exposure to the real country music, the good country music that I love and that you should too.

Music Tuesday #?

It's Music Tuesday again and I have lately been reminded of my love, my random strange love for the band Dropkick Murphys. Yes, completely out of left field-but it's true. I have to give full credit to my friend Robin, clear back from high school she loved all sorts of different British and Irish and I don't know-any sort of punk music. Thanks to her I fell in love with those guys and B*Witched. Oh ya-google that one!

The songs are fun, and they're Celtic-meaning they're perfect drinking songs! Sounds like a good night to me-I think I'll turn up my speakers, open a Bud Light, and enjoy the fact that I work at a bank and don't have to show up to work tomorrow.

Favorites:
Tessie
The Pub with No Beer
I'm Shipping up to Boston



And just cause I know you want to see some B*Witched-Enjoy....

Music Tuesday

Completely random-I mean way random and I don't even know why I thought of this. But I was thinking about the tv show Nashville Star. Now I'm talking about back when it was on USA, not NBC-because you can hardly consider that show Nashville Star, plus I could hardly watch it for the severe dislike I have for John Rich-blech.

But anyways-I was really into Season 5 and I thought I would google a few names and see if anyone from that show had done much of anything. Sadly, it's not really looking like that. But I do still love some of the girls from that show and there's a few random singles out there that I love.

The winner of Season 5 was Angela Hacker. Her most popular song during the competition was "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool." She just crooned it and made me close my eyes and sway along and I loved every minute of it. According to her website she's supposed to be coming out with a new CD in early 09-it's obviously late 09. So hopefully it is in the making somewhere, because I really think that she has an individual sound and could take country music back to its roots.

Another favorite of mine was Meg Allison. She wasn't real classic "country" sounding. But I big time love her. I love the twang and the writing and everything about it. She seems to be busy with tour dates, and there's lots of good songs on her myspace page.

Music Tuesday-Again

Today I want to highlight one of my most favorite bands ever! Jackson Taylor and the Sinners. Apparently the last time I named them I accidentally said Jackson Taylor and the Stragglers-but that's Jason Boland-so I apologize-but anyways. Back to Jackson Taylor.

I LOVE Jackson Taylor. He's got some hardcore music, strong lyrics, and can be offensive. But if you close your eyes, listen to the words, and remember it's not personal-it's just his story and maybe you can relate or empathize or just enjoy, I really think that a lot of people will enjoy his stuff.

When Mark and I got married, (two years ago today!) our first dance was to Jackson Taylor's "Circle of Trust" and the first time I ever climbed on top of a speaker with a good friend and a lead guitarist for a band was at a Jackson Taylor concert. The first time I ever knew every song the band was playing was Jackson Taylor. And the first time that I fell head over heels in love with the Texas country stuff was Jackson Taylor.

I have worn out all my old CD's and I fear that greater than shoes or clothes addiction is that of my music addiction, and so I have to be careful of continuously ordering more and more-but Jackson Taylor is one the ones that I know will be worth it everytime.

Click here to Listen

And then-Click here to Buy

Same Old, Same Old

This blogging thing sometimes is really difficult for me. I always have lots to say (just ask my husband) but I always seem to have a hard time actually saying it-I also have a hard time putting my thoughts down on paper -or computer. There have been a few times this week that I have sat down to try and say something, something more than just updating you on how the house is coming along, and I just sit there. I may type out a line or a sentence or perhaps just a few words. But that's it, that's as far as I get. I'm never concise, full of cliches, and lose interest quickly. Which, when combined together never make for anything worth reading. And I'm all about putting quality posts on here to stimulate your mind and challenge myself and, hahaha who am I kidding.

But still, I do want to write something that at the very least makes sense, and so here I am again today. Typing, yet saying nothing. Reminds me of a song by Jared Pete Gile, yes the same one that I wrote about on my last Music Tuesday post-you know almost two weeks ago, which of course means that after two solid weeks, I've already gone AWOL on my weekly Music Tuesday Posting posting. Ah well. He had writer's block for awhile and so he took a trip to see new scenery, get out of his routine, and perhaps get over his block. And he said what he finally did to break through, was just to write a song about having writer's block.

Same Old, Same Old
Same old hat same old blue jeans
It’s always the same old same old it seems
The glass is half empty and I’m laying around
Why does everything gotta seem so upside down

Thumbing through the classifieds
Ain’t no jobs out there unless you wanna work 8 to 5
Sun comes up then it melts aways
It does the same thing day after day

CHORUS
I could use a break
From all this nothing that I do
I sleep in till about 11
And finally get outta bed around 2
Just looking for something to get me out
Of this restless state of mind
I’m stuck in a rut but if I can dig out
I bet I’ll be just fine

Same old hunger same old empty plate
It’s always the same old same old just a different date
Watching the world out my front door
Dr. Phil at 3 and Bonanza reruns at 4

CHORUS

I could use me a Hummer
One of them great big 4 wheel drives
If I could just get my hands on a new set of wheels
I bet ya I’d feel a little more alive
Just looking for something to get me out
Of this restless state of mind
I’m stuck in a rut but if I can dig out
I bet I’ll be just fine

Same old guitar same old songs
It’s always the same old same old all along
Head in my hands feelings on my sleeve
I ain’t the type to ask why but why me

CHORUS

I could use a trout stream I could us a pretty mountain morning
If I could just get my hands on a million bucks
I bet my life wouldn’t seem so boring
Just looking for something to get me out
Of this restless state of mind
I’m stuck in a rut but if I can dig out
I bet I’ll be just fine

Music Tuesday, Edition 2

I love listening to Jason Boland, Stoney LaRue, Randy Rogers Band-all those guys. And so when people ask me what kind of music I listen to I tell them Texas country or Red Dirt Country. But the problem is that that title for the genre is so geographically limiting. I mean really, what are we supposed to do about the great artists that are starting to come out of Kansas? Sunflower country doesn't quite have a good ring to it and despite my husband's suggestion of Red Wheat Country, I'm still not sure what to call it. But there are many different bands and individuals that I have had the great pleasure to listen to from open mic nights at Longhorns in Manhattan, KS to county fairs to opening for some of the big names like Jackson Taylor and the Stragglers or the Casey Donahew Band.

Some of the guys that are playing and getting a great following here in my home state, that I have listened to and really enjoyed are Jared Pete Gile, Russell Sawyer and the Lost Cause, Jared Daniels Band, or Callous Maddy.

Jared Pete Gile is one of the greatest songwriters I've heard. I love his shows-perfect for a good bar and some great friends hanging out. I couldn't even tell you the number of times that we've heard him, but I can tell you that if you asked my husband for his favorite song he would quickly tell you Old Back 40 Lover.

Just a half full whiskey bottle and this old beat up guitar
They’re the only two friends that I’m gonna need tonight
I’m gonna tell one my troubles and let the other wash them away
After a little conversation everything’s gonna be alright
I’m just a country boy that’s been locked down by the handcuffs of a bigger town
I still feel guilty bout leavin Daddy on the farm
He told me to go on off to college and make your Momma proud
Cause in 5 years this little farm’s gonna be long gone

CHORUS
I’m just an ol back 40 lover that got stuck on the other
Side of the fence and it’s got me feeling all wrong
I’m just an ol back 40 lover didn’t take me too long to discover
That the city ain’t where this ol country boy belongs

So, now I’m just a sittin here alternating shots with bottles of beer
Acting plumb crazy, getting all drunk and loud
With an average of 5 nights a week in Aggieville
Can’t seem to shake this guilt I feel
Sorry Daddy, but I don’t think I’m makin Momma proud

CHORUS

With a little luck I guess I’ll get a degree but it’ll just be another piece of paper to me
An education’s never made anybody more of a man
But a little hard work sweat on your back, hell some of these boys ain’t ever heard of that
But you can bet I’m damn proud of the calluses on my hands
I’m talking about clear water and spring fed fishing holes
The sunset on the leaves in the fall
How the open countryside becomes a little part of your soul
And how working alongside your family might be the best part of all

CHORUS
I said the city ain’t where this ol country boy belongs

I think there are a lot of people my age (my husband is one) that can really identify with that feeling about leaving the farm and trying to do something different but always knowing where you're really supposed to be. I love it.

And when you can get a songwriter that writes songs like that and will also throw in the good bar tunes like, Just How Drunk - you know you've got it good!

Just how drunk would you have to be
To go home with a guy who looked like me
We could satisfy a little more than just my curiosity

So just how drunk would you have to be
It’s easy to see that I’m no prize
We know you could have a lot of better looking guys
But everybody needs a little more variety
So just how drunk would you have to be

and will also give you his honest opinion on the direction of current "country" music-the Nashville pop/country. Some of my favorite lines come from the chorus of What Would Hank Williams Say and he puts it out there exactly what he thinks about the current "stars" of country.

CHORUS
What would Hank Williams say
About the crap that they’re calling country music today
Didn’t this used to be about the songs
Could somebody tell me just what in the hell is going on

And I hate when ol Kenny Chesney goes to playing air guitar
And I can’t believe the old lead singer for Poison was a judge on Nashville Star
And ol Toby Keith probably wouldn’t agree but I think that it’s wrong
When a tune called “Who’s your Daddy?” is considered a hit country song

Now I know this has been a really long post, and I did already get in trouble for not having my Music Tuesday post up so that people could actually read it on Tuesday! But hey, I got it done before 11pm-so we're good, right? But with all the painting and demolition and redoing of my house, I've really been just cranking up the music and having fun-and Jared Pete Gile has been at the top of my list lately and I wanted to share him and think about all the fun songs and the truthful, thoughtful songs he has. He may not ever make it far on the radio, but he and the other Kansas guys helped to influence my current music tastes, through all of those fun college nights.

I found this on the new blog that I just started reading, "The Eye of the Hurricane" which is by one of the guys behind http://www.galleywinter.com/ , a Red Dirt Country website. But anyways-I loved it, and wanted to share it. This is what he said, "...there is something pure when God’s creations form something so compelling." What a beautiful way to put it, I couldn't have said it better.

Birds on the Wires from Jarbas Agnelli on Vimeo.

Music Tuesday's -Mark 'em down in your calendars

I have always loved music. I was a band nerd in high school and college, I will listen to almost anything, and I can still describe exactly how I felt the first time I heard Kansas' "Carry on My Wayward Son" - I know, what a cliche but I can get so lost in the moment of a good song. I have always wondered what I would have done had I actually been good myself at singing or playing an instrument or something. I love to hear new bands and different sounds and so I thought I'd try to once a week, on Tuesdays, talk about a favorite or new band that I'm listening to, and if anyone has suggestions or thoughts-I'd love to hear them (unless they're from a certain co-worker of mine who will probably just rag on all my Country-laden choices.)

So it's Music Tuesday. Cause Music Monday's too obvious, and well....I didn't have anything else I wanted to say today-so why not!

Today, in honor of the hour or so my friends and I spent just hanging out, drinking a beer, and listening to some music after the K-State game on Saturday, I want to tell you all a little bit about one of the classics, the originals, the best Red Dirt Country musicians-Cross Canadian Ragweed.

Ragweed, or CCR, or whatever you may call them is one of my favorites. Whether you're talking live shows, CDs, or whatever-there is a song for everything. Tons of fun bar tunes that you can dance and sing along to, unbelievable guitar, and the songwriting and chemistry is what I believe has kept them around with such a loyal following for so long. 15 years and 10 cds! They just released their 10th CD on August 31st.

One of my favorite songs on the new CD that I'm pretty sure I could listen to over and over again is "Pretty Lady." And I think my friend Chance's favorite was "Drag" and the first release is "Kick in the Head" - all solid songs.

Cross Canadian Ragweed × Discography: "Listen"

Another reason that I absolutely love Cross Canadian Ragweed is their live show. Un-frickin-believable.

This is better than any Rascall Flatts or Big & Rich "country music."

If you are not familiar with these guys, I suggest you head immediately to your local music store or their website and buy as many as possible. You will thank me later.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And, as I was thinking about this post and hopping around from one website to another, I came across an artist just right now, that I've been listening to for the past hour or so, and so far I've loved every song she sang. Bonnie Bishop I think that because I lean so much towards the Red Dirt Country, that I just don't hear that many female artists-but you can bet that I'll be looking for her more in the future.

Turn Your Speakers On

Have you listened to the music I have on my little playlist at the bottom here? I mean seriously, some of the best stuff. I just have a really good taste in music you see. When people ask me what kind of music I listen to, I tell them Country. But I'm not talking Rascall Flatts, or Toby Keith, or especially those idiots Big & Rich. I like real country, classic country, the good stuff, but especially what is called "Texas Country" or "Red Dirt Country." These are typically artists that come out of Texas or Oklahoma and it's a real Rock Country, alternative Country. Love it! Think Country music/lyrics with good-rock-guitar playing. Check out some of these guys if you want to hear true musicians.

Jason Boland

Cross Canadian Ragweed

Jackson Taylor Band

Casey Donahew Band - and again!

Aaron Watson

Ryan Beaver

Oh goodness, I could go on forever-but these are a few of my all time favorites and current obsessions. Please Please check them out. Yes these links are all YouTube videos, but go to their websites and you can hear so much more.

I only sing along in the car or the shower!

Today I updated my playlist that I have here at the bottom of my blog. I did this for two reasons. (1) to please my sister and (2) to kill time at work. I love music, and as evidenced by the list, I mainly listen to Country, specifically the Red Dirt country, or Texas country, or alternative country or whatever you may call it. But it depends completely on my mood as to what I listen to. Sometimes all I want is to dance along to the hip hop stuff-I look completely white girl-but it's what I do. (Especially while I'm cleaning. In fact, it's the only way I clean.) I grew up on classic rock with my dad. AC/DC, Meatloaf, Def Leppard. But I like other stuff too- I just don't have enough time. I don't spend enough time on the Internet, searching around for new music. I try to catch the Red Dirt Show Sunday nights on the local radio station. I'd love to be introduced to something new. Whether it be a new artist, or even a really different genre of music. So, if you're here-leave a comment (you can even remain anonymous) and let me know what your favorite song is currently-or if you have a random artist that I should know more about. I'd love your input.