Have you been to a Rascal Flatts show lately? Or a Brad Paisley concert? And if so, have you seen all those texting screens by the side of the stage? The ones that say things like "Joe Don rox my world" and "I'm all :) for u Gary" and "My BFFs and I <3 Brad 4ever." Fans text because they care but also because it brings them closer to a meet-and-greet with the band if they win this texting contest.
Note to self: Never post songs illegally. Not that I ever would, but there's a lesson to be learned here. If a blogger scoops something or gets a hold of some unreleased music, it's very uncool to post it for the world to see. And as a 27-year-old Los Angeles man found out, it's very illegal, too. There's the whole copyright violation thing. Not to mention pissing off Guns N' Roses and the FBI. So I think I'll stick with streaming what's already out there so I can blog from home, instead of jail.
Alan Jackson has written a melody to a poem written by Billy Graham's wife, Ruth Graham, and recorded it for the soundtrack for the upcoming biopic, Billy: The Early Years. Jackson first saw the poem in Billy Graham's autobiography and set it to music - but he's not the one singing "Ruth's Prayer" on the soundtrack. That honor goes to Patty Griffin, an estimable songwriter in her own right. And both of those musicians have other credits on the album, too.
At last, Billy Ray Cyrus has called upon some higher powers. Namely, songwriters Neil Thrasher and Craig Wiseman and video director Roman White. Together, this crew put together a song and video for Cyrus called "Somebody Said a Prayer." It will be a hit, I'm sure of it. He just wrapped the filming in California, and the word is that Cyrus' musician son Trace makes a little appearance in the video. I'm just glad he called in so many experts to help him nail the first single off his forthcoming album.
Brett McVicker is a writer for CMT's show Country Fried Home Videos.
If you watch Country Fried Home Videos, you know that we occasionally track down the people who send us videos to ask them a few questions. I like doing that. It gives me a chance to get some valuable insight, ask the questions that are on my mind, and meet the interesting people behind the videos.Sometimes the people are funny, and sometimes they're just plain crazy. But this gun expert that I met was just a complete professional. She was so polished, and, as you can tell from our interaction, she was especially respectful of me as her interviewer. What an easy person to deal with!
Editor's note: Updated, Aug. 29, 2 p.m. ET
When Barack Obama finished his acceptance speech Thursday night (Aug. 28) at the Democratic National Convention, a lot of country fans were no doubt surprised -- or downright shocked -- that Brooks & Dunn's "Only in America" provided the soundtrack to the festivities while the Obama family and vice presidential candidate Joe Biden walked among the spiraling confetti to celebrate. After all, George W. Bush had used that same song as one of his themes for his 2004 presidential campaign. And, as I recall, Bush had also used Brooks & Dunn's "Hard Workin' Man" during his initial election bid in 2000. Beyond using "Only in America" throughout his 2004 campaign, Bush was also joined by Brooks & Dunn and the Oak Ridge Boys onstage in Milwaukee on the eve of his re-election.
I have this brilliant beyond brilliant idea. Actually, it's not mine. I'm ripping it off from the NFL. They are having this contest where the winner gets to take an NFL player to school for the entire day. I entered my son, knowing how cool it would be for him to show up in sixth grade with one of the Chicago Bears by his side. But wouldn't it be even better to bring a country star to school?
Sheryl Crow loves it in Tennessee. Check out her place in Williamson County near Nashville. She's got a nice little barn with some horses and says it's a great place for her son to grow up, away from all the celebrity trappings and paparazzi. The little guy is only a year old, and she wants him to have a normal upbringing. Ms. Crow has always seemed very classy to me, so this clip only furthered that opinion. Plus she says she has a new affordable clothing line, called Bootheel Trading Co., and I must say that the jeans look very nice.
After all these years, I figured there couldn't be any lost duets between George Jones and Tammy Wynette. So imagine my surprise to find the previously unheard "Lovin' You, Lovin' Me" on Jones' new album, Burn Your Playhouse Down: The Unreleased Duets. The production sounds a little bit hokey, since it was recorded in 1977, but I still find myself joyously singing along (with George's part, that is). It's at the end of the album, and you can listen to the likes of Dolly Parton, Shelby Lynne and Vince Gill along the way.
The cologne copywriters must’ve had a tough time on this one. McGraw by Tim McGraw is, according to the advertising, a woody, spicy fragrance that's irresistibly masculine. Do you think he wears it? Do you think his wife Faith Hill likes it and finds McGraw (the fragrance) that much more irresistibly masculine? It’s available now for sale at about $20. So if you’ve bought it and/or worn it, please post a comment and tell us all what you think.
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