One of my first musical memories is “We Are the World”.
My babysitter gave me the VHS of the taping for my third birthday, and I was obsessed. I watched it over and over again, and fell in love with the artists, particulary Cyndi Lauper and Kenny Rogers. I would demand to watch it nightly, and soon knew all of the words by heart,
This video and performance still holds a special place in my heart, not just for all the the amazing artists who were a part of it, but also because of the cause it supported.
All these years later, a documentary is cming to Netflix later this month, and after viewing the trailer, it’s definitely worth a watch!
If you haven’t seen the iconic performance, well, let me educate you on one of history’s greatest musical moments!
Seriously, how great is that???
Watching this tonight for probably the eight millionth time made my little heart happy.
I can’t wait for the Netflix special.
“The Greatest Night in Pop” debuts on Netflix on January 29th.
And to celebrate her birthday, she just released a Deluxe Version of her “Rockstar” albuym featuring some new reimagined tracks, like “Sweet Dreams” by The Eurythmics:
Ok, how cool was that? Haunting and creepy, and still has the rock edge and those stellar Dolly vocals. Honestly, I think that is one of my favorite verisons of that song.
She also released a version of “Bridge Over Troubled Water”:
Annnnnddd… a version of Eddie Money’s “Two Tickets to Paradise”!
Overall, she has nine new tracks on the Deluxe version of her “Rockstar” album, which is available now.
Carly Pearce is one of the best vocalists in Country Music right now, and she has once again proven why in a gorgeous acoustic version of her latest single “We Don’t Even Fight Anymore”.
It’s a song that she shares with Chris Stapleon, but this version that she just released shows that she doesn’t even need Chris’s incredible vocals to make it special.
Also, apparantly she did it in one take?
Masterful.
How good was that, though?nail
I’ve got goosebumps over here.
Carly Pearce is a legend in the making, and I love that she can nail a song and make it come to life with all of the emotion that her voice conveys.
Autotune? AI? Not necessary when you have talent like that.
Carly is teasing more new music for 2024, and like a lot of the newer female artists on the scene, this is just the beginning for her.
You probably weren’t aware (unless you are in the dance world) that the “College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships” were held in Florida over the weekend. Or maybe you are now, since there has been a host of viral videos making the rounds these past few days, opening so many eyes to the sheer talent of these student athletes.
Anyhow, the College Dance World is getting some major attention, as it should, because these dancers are absolutely incredible.
First off, the University of Minnesota Dance Team- winner of the Jazz Championship!
I watched this three times in a row. I mean, how??? How did they DO THAT?
Keep in mind, these athletes have to go to school, as well as nail these routines.
I’m flabbergasted.
Here’s a few other notable performances, as I fell down the rabbit hole this week:
The DIA Hip-Hop Winners- The LSU Tiger Girls:
The DIA Jazz Winners- Ohio State University:
I also have to metion that my husband’s alma mater University of Memphis got 3rd in the DIA Hip-Hop Division:
But… noone is talking about the OPEN Hip-Hop Champions Northwest Mississippi Community College:
I mean, come on… a Community College bringing that much talent and winning? Where’s the news coverage on that?
Pretty damn badass if you ask me.
Oh, and another amazing routine that the LSU Tigers Girls brought…
I seriously can’t get enough.
As someone with negative zero dance skills, I salute these student-athletes, and wish like hell that I could do one-twentieth of what they can do.
I can do one half-assed pirouette. Before I get dizzy and trip over the dog, that is.
Did I miss any other stellar routines?
Let me know! I’m always happy to go back down the dance rabbit hole again.
Luke Grimes- best known as the actor who portrays Kayce Dutton in “Yellowstone” is making quite the name for himself in the Country Music world, which is even further solidified with his live version of “Burn” during a recent Spotify Outside Session.
Check this out:
I love the simplicity of his music, which a good bit of it he has written or co-written.
If you haven’t heard the studio verison, here you go:
So, so good.
All of his music sounds like it could be featured on he “Yellowstone” soundtrack- and some of it is!
Luke’s debut EP “Pain Pils or Pews” is out now, and you get get more info and dates atĀ http://lukegrimes.com
This was THE jam in the early 90’s. I still know every word, even if I never mastered the line dance.
5.Ā Ā “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”Ā byĀ George StraitĀ (1987)
If you don’t love George Strait, you’re unamerican. That is all.
6.Ā Ā “Song of the South”Ā byĀ AlabamaĀ (1988)
Same goes for Alabama. If you don’t celebrate their entire catalogue, you aren’t living your life right.
7.Ā Ā “Where the Green Grass Grows”Ā byĀ Tim McGrawĀ (1998)
Definitely one of my favorites from Tim McGraw- reminds me of home. Man, I can’t wait to get back there someday for good… farm life is the best life. At least for me it is.
8.Ā Ā “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem”Ā byĀ Kenny ChesneyĀ (2002)
Kenny Chesney has no shortage of great beachy party songs. He also rocks the no shirt/cowboy hat look pretty dang well, which is also a pick-me-up in itself.
9.Ā Ā “Barefoot Blue Jean Night”Ā byĀ Jake OwenĀ (2011)
This was THE Country song of 2011, and a career maker for Jake Owen. It’s still a Counry radio staple, and never gets old.
10.Ā Ā “Life Is a Highway”Ā byĀ Rascal FlattsĀ (2006)
I’m honestly “meh” about Rascal Flatts and always have been (except for “Moving On- GREAT song), but they did do justice to the Tom Cochrane original “Life is a Highway” for the “Cars” movie soundtrack.
Luke Conbs seems to be making a habit of posting unreleased songs on socials these days, and hey, I’m not mad at it! He just posted this song he wrote with his friend Josh Phillips called “The Man He Sees in Me”, and it’s, of course, perfect.
Personally, I am loving the “Dad Songs” Luke is putting out these days. It’s where he’s at in life with two litle boys under two.Ā That’s what Country Music is supposed to be- life. And this is where he’s at in life, and I’m in the same place. Except, obviously not a dad.Ā But the song makes me think of my husband and father of my 2 year-old son, and I know Brandon already thinks his Daddy hung the moon, and I hope he never thinks otherwise.
I can’t wait for more Luke in 2024.
Honestly, I am really loving the direction Country Music is headed…
So, yesterday, on “The Kelly Clarkson Show”,Ā Country legends Wynonna Judd and Trisha Yearwood performed The Judds classic “Cry Myself to Sleep” and it is absolue PERFECTION.
Wow, that completely exceeded my expectations. I mean, I knew it would be good, but that was next level.
I grew up a fan of The Judds and Trisha Yearwood, so this made my 90’s Country-loving heart happy.
If you haven’t checked out the “A Tribute to the Judds” album, you’re missing out on some seriously good stuff.
Teddy Swims is one of the biggest new talents on the scene, with an absolutely astounding voice.Ā He hit i big in 2023 with “Lose Control”, and he’s just getting started.
As a sucker for a good cover song, my attention was drawn to a live performance of Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” that he performed on BBC Radio earlier this week.
HOT DAMN!
That was fantastic.
And I wonder how much it hurt o get those eyelids tattooed.
I can’t wait to see where Teddy goes next. As I mentioned before, this is just the beginning.
Ariana Grande just released her highly anticipated new single “Yes, And?” and it’s a mix between Madonna’s “Express Yourself” and Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”.
Basically, it’s a total pop anthem, catchy as hell, and it’s been in my head all morning.
So, it’ll probably be a massive hit. Earworms usually are.
I wish she showed off more vocals, as she does have one of the most incredible voices, but hey, we all know she can sing, so might as well do what she wants at this point.
Also, the music video is totally giving Paula Abdul’s “Cold-Hearted Snake” vibes:
Pretty cool, right?
Here’s Paula’s “Cold Hearted Snake” video from 1989:
Uncanny, right?
What do you think of Ariana’s new single?
I don’t totally hate it, which means I’ll freaking love it in two months.
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