In case you missed it, “Christmas at Graceland” was last night at the iconic home of Elvis Presley in Memphis, TN. Of course, the whole point was to honor The King of Rock and Roll this holiday season with some stellar performances on the NBC special.
The standout?
Kacey Freaking Musgraves.
I love her version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” which she recorded for the “Elvis” movie soundtrack, but her live version last night?
Magical.
Seriously, how perfect is that???
Kacey is an incredible talent, and I’m still not sure why her success hasn’t translated to more radio airplay. I’ve always loved her music, and her voice is one of the purest out there. Plus, she’s ridiculously STUNNING.
A few weeks ago, Walker Hayes dropped a holiday version of his smash-hit “Fancy Like” called “Fancy Like Christmas” and it was absolutely perfect! So, of course, I’ve been waiting for the video to come out, and I am NOT disappointed.
Isn’t that great? I love Walker’s relateable sense of humor, and how he involves his family in all of his videos and socials.
Hopefully that puts a smile on your face this holiday season!
Also, I got to chat with Walker Hayes on the show last week, and he is seriously the BEST.
One of my favorite websites- http://ultimateclassicrock.com– just compiled a list of the worst lyrics in Classic Rock, and it’s hard to argue it.
Here are the Top 10:
1. “Why Can’t This Be Love?”, Van Halen: “Only time will tell if we stand the test of time.”
2. “Don’t Stop Believin'”, Journey: “Just a city boy, born and raised in South Detroit.” (South Detroit doesn’t exist.)
3. “Roundabout”, Yes: “Mountains come out of the sky, and they stand there.”
4. “Sleeping Bag”, ZZ Top: “Let’s go out to Egypt ’cause it’s in the plan . . . we’ll whip out our mattress ’cause there ain’t no beds.”
5. “Dirty White Boy”, Foreigner: “I’m a loner, but I’m never alone.”
6. “A Horse with No Name”, America: “In the desert you can remember your name, ’cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain.”
7. “De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da”, The Police: “And when their eloquence escapes me, their logic ties me up and rapes me.”
8. “We Didn’t Start the Fire”, Billy Joel: “Rock and Roller, cola wars, I can’t take it anymore.” (A Coke and Pepsi rivalry frustrates him?)
9. “We Built This City”, Starship: “Who counts the money, underneath the bar, who rides the wrecking ball into our guitars?”
10. “Pinball Wizard”, The Who: “[He] plays by sense of smell.”
Yeah, they’re all pretty bad. But what about “Christine Sixteen” by KISS?
“I don’t usually say things like this to girls your age
But when I saw you coming out of school that day
(Christine sixteen)
That day I knew, I knew
I’ve got to have you, I’ve got to have you
[Bridge]
She’s been around, but she’s young and clean
I’ve got to have her, can’t live without her, whoa no”
As time goes on, I am definitely becoming more and more of a Miley Cyrus fan. I wasn’t into her in her “Hannah Montana” days, nor her music right after. Some of her songs on the “Bangerz” album were good, but her public persona was a bit much for me at the stage of life I was in. But now? Miley has grown as an artist and a person and is really impressive. These past few years, she has really turned my head as an artist, and she keeps getting better.
Case in point: Her version of Journey’s “Faithfully” at her 31st Birthday Party at Chateau Marmont:
Well, she just slayed that, and made it her own.
“Faithfully” is one of my favorite 80’s Power Ballads, and I love the spin she put on it. She made it her own.
Anyone else hope she releases her version as a single?
One of my favorite YouTube Channels “There I Ruined It” just released another gem this weekend.
It’s called “What Bro Country Sounds Like to People Who Don’t Like Bro Country”, and it is absolutely spot on!
Ok, now I actually like some of the “Bro Country”- I said “some”- and it still sounds like that to me.
I grew up in the Country, so the beer/truck/buck/cut off jeans thing resonates with me, because that’s an actual thing. But for about a decade, that’s all Country music was. I was a Program Director at a Hot Country station a few years back, and the Bro-Country was a bit extreme. I really felt sorry for all the girls who had short, pale legs, because they never got any love in Country songs.
At least Country Music is kind of getting away from that trend. I mean, Florida-Georgia Line is no more, so that’s half of the Bro-Country genre right there.
And again, I don’t hate all of it, as I do relate to it. Hate on me all you want for that statement, I don’t care. I have spent many a nights at a field party drinking beer while wearing cutoff jeans. No regrets.
Jason Aldean just announced his new radio single “Let Your Boys Be Country” off of his latest album “Highway Desperado”, and honestly, I really like it.
I know Jason has been the center of controversy after his last #1 single “Try That in a Small Town”, which, growing up in a small town and living that lifestyle, I didn’t take offense to it, although I can see why some took it the wrong way. And I’m sure someone will have a problem with this song, too, as people who don’t know that life won’t exactly understand the meaning of it. That’s fine. I really liked the song, as for me, it’s very relateable. Especially as I have a son of my own right now, and one day- hopefully soon- my husband and I will return to the family farm in West Tennessee and get to live the small town life once again. I want Brandon (my son) to grow up outside, with acres of land, to be able to roam and be free, the way my husband and I both grew up. My husband- an Officer in the US Army- and a true Country boy at heart- can’t wait to live the outdoor lifestyle with our son. There really is something to it. And that’s what I get out of this song.
I especially like the video. It makes me want to go home right now, and show Brandon the ropes of growing up on a farm in a small town. All in good time.
Growing up in a rural area was a blessing. I know there are some that make fun of that lifestyle, but in my 40+ years on this planet, and getting to see many sides of life, I have to say that there is something special and real about growing up in the country and I really can’t wait to get back to it.
I hope that my son will appreciate it as much as his father and I do. If not, that’s fine, too.
But I am excited to give him that opportunity.
Cheers to Country boys, and the Mamas that raise them!
I particularly love the performance, not just because Dolly, but I love the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, and was addicted to their “Making the Team” show… which really needs to come back. The whole thing is a YES from me!
Here’s more on the performance, and the official kickoff to “Rock the Red Kettle” for the Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army is one of the many causes I love to support, and Dolly herself just donated 1 MILLION dollars to it.
We don’t deserve Dolly.
ABSOLUTE QUEEN!
Also, her new “Rockstar” album is fantastic, and you can get more info on that and everything Dolly at http://dollyparton.com
Country singee Justin Moore just dropped a new single called “This is My Dirt”, and of course, I had to take a listen.
Holy macaroni, did it hit home for me.
Growing up on a farm in West TN, that I hope to one day return to and pass down to my son, this really resonates with me, and I’m sure it will for many who live in the rural areas who own land. It’s a special thing that money can’t really buy.
My dirt is covered in kudzoo, and strawberry flies take it over in the Summer, but dammit, it’s still mine.
They don’t make dirt anymore.
Kudos to Justin Moore for putting another great Country song out there!
I smell another #1 Country Radio hit, what do you think?
So, last week, Walker Hayes dropped a holiday-parody of his massive Country-Crossover hit “Fancy Like” called “Fancy Like Christmas” and it is absoluely PERFECT!:
Isn’t that great? “Go Jesus, It’s Yo Birthday”!
So, I was really excited to get a chance to catch up with Walker. The last time we chatted was right before “Fancy Like” broke big, and A LOT has changed since then. Check the interview below:
It’s always a treat to get to talk to Walker Hayes. He’s he nicest, most down-o-Earth guy, and he is super-fun to follow on instagram, too. I am so incrdible happy for all of his success, and I can’t wait to see what happens next! I love seeing good things happen to good people. We need more of that!
I’ve been listening to her “Rockstar” album these past couple of days, and I have a few new favorites.
First off: Her cover of “Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones, featuring P!nk and Brandi Carlile.
Dolly originally wanted Mick Jagger, but he didn’t do it for whatever reason. What, like you’re too cool for Dolly? Who the hell says NO to Dolly??? Rude, Mick, RUDE!
Another fun track off the album is her verison of “Heartbreaker” by Pat Benetar. Pat Benetar and her husband Neil Giraldo join in:
This is NOT an easy song to pull off with the vocals and tempo, but you know Dolly can handle it!
And one more anthem that she shares with Debbie Harry- Blondie’s “Heart of Glass”:
Holy Icon Explosion!
There are so many great songs- both covers and originals- on Dolly’s new “Rockstar” album. As a Country and Rock fan, I am all for it. Also, at Dolly’s age, to even do one-tenth of what she does would be incredibly impressive. This woman is a true ROCKSTAR, and we are so lucky to have her.
Audio, Video
