A couple of months ago, Shenandoah teamed up with Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean for an updated version of their classic #1 1989 hit “Sunday in the South”, and they just released the music video for the song, and it’s a solid recreation of the original- both the song and video:
Being a 90’s Country fan, I appreciated the heck out of that.
Also, I prefer Luke Bryan singing songs like this, instead of songs about beer and shaking your butt for a catfish, but that’s just me.
The video was filmed in Liepers Fork, TN, which is my home state, and reminds me of my hometown of Hnederson, TN, and I tell you, I could really go for some Bells Drive-n right know.
If ya know ya know.
Shenandoah is thankfully still going strong, and still on the road.
Yesterday, as per Thanksgiving tradition, the Dallas Cowboys had their annual Thanksgiving Day game- which they actually won against The Giants- and every year, they have a full-on halftime show.
Last year it was the iconic Dolly Parton, who took to the stage in a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader uniform.
Mind you, she’s 77, and still rocked it:
Ok, so back to yesterday’s performance…
Lainey Wilson was the esteemed halftime show performer, and she did a fantastic job. Sadly, she wasn’t rocking the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader uniform, but she looked and sounded great, and was obviously singing live, which is a bonus.
The NFL blocks people from sharing their Youtube videos (rude), but here’s what I found on social media:
Oliver Anthony- who went mega-viral last year with his hit “Rich Men North of Richmond”- just dropped a cover of John Denver’s “Country Roads” and it’s pretty dang great.
I’ve always loved this song, and there are so many versions of it out there, but Oliver’s definitely stands out with it’s simplicity and authenticity:
Dang, son.
Now Oliver had announced recently that he has left the music industry to focus on ministry. He also said he would still be making music and outting it on his youtube channel.
Billboard just released their list of the “100 Best Country Singers of All Time” this week, and it’s definitely getting some attention.
Now, it seems that the list is based on opinions of the staff, and not the actual chart history, which I would have assumed, since it’s Billboard, but hey, I don’t make the rules.
Here are the Top 10:
Dolly Parton
Johnny Cash
Willie Nelson
Loretta Lynn
Hank Williams Sr.
George Jones
Garth Brooks
Charley Pride
George Strait
Merle Haggard
Pretty solid Top 1o, right? I may have changed up the order a bit, but I can’t really argue those picks.
It’s the rest of the list that gets a bit crazy. And Jason Aldean’s wife Brittany is pissed that he’s not in the Top 100, which I feel like if Luke Bryan is, they Jason should be, too. Especially as he’s had a ton of #1 hits… but they put Maren Morris on there. The whole list out of the Top 10 makes no sense.
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”.
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/
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
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