The 2024 CMA Awards were last night on ABC, and as always, there were a bunch of live performances. Some great, some meh, and a couple where I was like, “why are they here”? I won’t name names on the not-so-great performances, but I want to give props to who I thought really represented Country Music well.
Ashley McBryde honoring the late Kris Kristofferson with a gorgeous rendition of “Help Me Make it Through the Night”:
Perfection. Kris would be proud.
Kacey Musgraves delivered a gorgeous version of “The Architect”, which I feel is one of the best songs of the year. It didn’t pick up any CMA Awards, but it’s up for a bunch of Grammys, so I’m sure she’ll rack up there:
So pure and gorgeous. Country music is lucky to have Kacey, and really, the industry needs to show a bit more appreciation.
Chris and Morgane Stapleton “What Am I Gonna Do?”:
These two… POWER COUPLE. I want Morgane to release her own solo album and just blow everyone ou of the water.
You know she would.
As usual at The CMAs, there were a lot of great performances, but those were the ones where I was like, “damn.”
And we just got a beautiful new Christmas song from Michael Buble and Country Star Carly Pearce called “Maybe This Christmas”, and I absolutely love it!
First of all, you can’t go wrong with these two mega-talents.
Secondly, I love that it’s a more somber, poignant song, which differentiates itself from the usually overly cheerful holiday tunes that dominate during the season.
It’s a reminder that not everyone is feeling super festive, and many are lonely during these times. I’ve been there myself, being an Army wife and spending holidays with my husband overseas, and away from my family.
Just a different perspective for the holidays, and completely necessary in my opinion.
Also, remember those deployed durng the holidays, and their families back home- this song definitely makes me think of them all.
And as one of the lines in the song states, “I wish you all the love that your heart can hold”.
Gwen Stefani released her fifth solo album “Bouquet” this past Friday, and she’s still got it!
Her new songs are catchy, fun, and give a glimpse into her life with husband Blake Shelton, and are perfect for the Adult Contemporary format.
I’ve been a fan of Gwen since the mid-nineties when I discovered No Doubt, and I just thought that she was the coolest human ever, and she’s still got it going on decades later.
Her latest single is “Somebody Else’s”, and she released the music video today, and it’s beautiful. All flowers, and horses and Gwen looking gorgeous, as always!
Of course, I’m always giving bonus points to anything with horses…
I’m happy to see that Gwen is still doing her thing, and doing it well.
On Friday, Brooks and Dunn released their “Reboot 2” album, and there’s all kinds of reimagined hits of their catalogue. Everyone from Morgan Wallen to Lainey Wilson to Halestorm- yes, Halestorm- are on the album.
Wanna hear a Metal version of “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”?
Thanks to Halestorm, we now have it:
Well, ok then.
I don’t hate it, though.
Lzzy Hale- the vocalist of Halestorm- is a freaking Rock Goddess. I appreciate anything she does.
Definitely an unexpected combo- but you know what? I’m down. I love both Country and Rock, so I’m for combining the worlds.
Here’s the track listing:
“Play Something Country” with Lainey Wilson
“Neon Moon” with Morgan Wallen
“Rock My World (Little Country Girl)” with Marcus King Band
“Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You” with Megan Moroney
“Brand New Man” with Warren Zeiders
“Believe” with Jelly Roll
“She Used to Be Mine” with Riley Green
“She Likes to Get Out of Town” with The Cadillac Three
“Boot Scootin’ Boogie” with Halestorm
“Ain’t No Way To Go” with Mitchell Tenpenny
“How Long Gone” with The Earls of Leicester
“I’ll Never Forgive My Heart” with Jake Worthington
“She’s Not the Cheatin’ Kind” with Hailey Whitters
“Hard Workin’ Man” with Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
“Hillbilly Deluxe” with HARDY
“Indian Summer” with ERNEST
“Drop in the Bucket” with A Thousand Horses
“Only In America” with Corey Kent
“Reboot 2” is available now, and you can get more info on what’s going on with Brooks & Dunn- so happy they’re back together and on he road- at https://www.brooks-dunn.com/
“Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” is coming to the Hallmark Channel later this month, and the trailer was just released.
You ready for some Kansas City Cheese?
Here ya go:
Ok, so I am not a fan of the cheesy holiday movies that so many women seem to love, and I’m clearly in the minority, as Hallmark and Lifetime have a zillion new ones every year, and someone has to watch them, or they would make them, right?
But this being Kansas City and Chiefs-centric, I may have to suffer through it in honor of one of my favorite cities ever.
To be fair, it looks better than the Travis Kelce/Taylor Swift inspired movie tha is coming to Lifetime this month, so there’s that.
Plus, Donna Kelce makes an appearance, so it can’t be all bad if Mama Kelce is involved, right?
“Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” will air on the Hallmark Channel starting November 30th.
His breakout hit “Tipsy” is spending it’s 17th week at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week, which is freaking HUGE. And while he is riding that impressive wave, he dropped a much more serious song called “Good News”, and it’s really, really good.
Here’s the lyrics:
“Man, what a hell of a year it’s been
Keep on bluffin’, but I just can’t win
Drop my songs, but they learn to swim
Man, what a hell of a year it’s been
Head on a battle, but my heart in a cage
Yeah, it’s gettin’ harder to act my age
Play a sad song on a tiny violin
For the man at the bar confessin’ his sins
I need some good news
Sittin’ here, sippin’ on cold truth
Nobody know what I’m goin’ through
But the devil wouldn’t walk in my shoes
Wish someone told me
Livin’ this life would be lonely
Tryna get away from the old me
Still stuck singin’ these blues
All I really need is a little good news
Love keeps knockin’, but I just stay home
I ain’t pickin’ no flowers from the seeds that I’ve sown
They say it gets darker when you’re coverin’ them doors
Still lookin’ for the right at the end of my wrongs
At the end of my wrongs
I need some good news
Sittin’ here, sippin’ on cold truth
Nobody know what I’m goin’ through
But the devil wouldn’t walk in my shoes
Wish someone told me
Livin’ this life would be lonely
Tryna get away from the old me
Still stuck singin’ these blues
All I really need is a little good news
Is a little good news
I need some good news
Sittin’ here, sippin’ on cold truth
Nobody know what I’m goin’ through
But the devil wouldn’t walk in my shoes
Wish someone told me
Livin’ this life would be lonely
Tryna get away from the old me
Still stuck singin’ these blues
All I really need is a little good news
Ooh, oh
Ooh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
All I really need is a little
Something bring me back to the middle
All I really need is a little good news”
It has been another crazy year, and I think this will resonate with many.
This is Shaboozey’s first new release since his album “Where I’ve Been Isn’t Where I’m Going”, which means perhaps a new album is in the works?
Brooks and Dunn released their “Reboot 2” album this morning, which is some of their biggest hits reimagined by today’s biggest Country stars.
One standout is their version of their classic “Neon Moon” with Morgan Wallen.
It’s a cool, modern take on one of my favorite Country songs of all time:
Lets be real- nothing can compare to the original. But it’s a pretty solid version.
Add Morgan Wallen to anyting these days, and you’ve got an automatic win.
However, THIS is my favorite version of the song, which features the incredible Kacey Musgraves:
That one never gets old.
The Brooks and Dunn “Reboot 2” album is out now, and here is the full track listing:
REBOOT 2 Track List:
“Play Something Country” with Lainey Wilson
“Neon Moon” with Morgan Wallen
“Rock My World (Little Country Girl)” with Marcus King Band
“Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You” with Megan Moroney
“Brand New Man” with Warren Zeiders
“Believe” with Jelly Roll
“She Used to Be Mine” with Riley Green
“She Likes to Get Out of Town” with The Cadillac Three
“Boot Scootin’ Boogie” with Halestorm
“Ain’t No Way To Go” with Mitchell Tenpenny
“How Long Gone” with The Earls of Leicester
“I’ll Never Forgive My Heart” with Jake Worthington
“She’s Not the Cheatin’ Kind” with Hailey Whitters
“Hard Workin’ Man” with Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
“Hillbilly Deluxe” with HARDY
“Indian Summer” with ERNEST
“Drop in the Bucket” with A Thousand Horses
“Only In America” with Corey Kent
Taking an already perfect song and making it even more perfect with her “Kellyoke” segment on “The Kelly Clarkson” show.
The song is on the “A Star is Born” soundtrack, and is sung by Lady Gaga. I loved it as soon as I heard it in the theater, and had to add it to my playlist.
Well, Kelly covered it today, and that high note at the end… chillllssss….
Seriously, how gorgeous is that?
I didn’t think anyone could do it better than Gaga, but Kelly went and made it her own.
Can we PLEASE get a “Kellyoke: Greatest Hits” album?
As you probably are well aware of by now, the “Wicked” movie- based on the smash Broadway musical “Wicked”- comes out next Friday.
Just seeing the previews get my musical theater-loving heart super giddy, and now that we have audio of Ariana Grande as Galinda performing “Popular”, well, it’s everyhting I had hoped for:
LOVVEEEE!
For reference, here is the original Galinda performing “Popular” portrayed by Kristen Chenoweth:
Pretty spot on, right?
I honestly prefer Ariana Grande’s musical theater chops as opposed to her Pop Music. I think this genre definitely shows off her true talent, instead of songs like “Side to Side” and “Seven Rings”.
“Wicked” startting Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo hits theaters next Friday, November 22nd, and you can get more info at http://WickedMovie.com
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