Hey there,
Wow. What a crazy few weeks it's been. So many things to mention, not the least of which is the CMAs that took place on Wednesday. Best three hours of my life! But I will get there in due time.
First, a few other notable news items to brush up on. For one, Taylor Swift has extended her Fearless tour to next year, with Gloriana and Kellie Pickler. For dates, you can check her website. Good luck getting tickets, though, as the shows are all virtually sold out. Speaking of Fearless, the album has been rereleased as a "Platinum Edition," with six new songs. These are "Untouchable," "Come in with the Rain," "Forever and Always" as a piano-only version, "Jump Then Fall," "SuperStar," and "The Other Side of the Door." My favourites are the last three, but it's Taylor, so of course the songs are amazing. One last bit of Taylor news is that she hosted SNL last week, as well as was the musical guest (she sang "You Belong with Me" and "Untouchable"). I haven't laughed that hard, probably EVER. Her monologue was wonderful, and I can't get the song out of my head. Here's a link to check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ss8CtwmOXg&feature=related
Garth Brooks has announced that he will be coming out of retirement, which is unbelievable. What a guy.
Recently, I have fallen in love with four new songs. These are "Strange" and "Consider Me Gone" by Reba McEntire, "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum, and "People Are Crazy," by Billy Currington. They're just wonderful songs, and I recommend them to anyone. The last one, "People Are Crazy," warrants many listenings, because the first time I listened to it, I didn't understand the ending, but now I think it's brilliant. Reba is just a classic, timeless artist and these songs are terrific. The Lady A song will be on the band's new album, which is set to be released in January, but I can't possibly wait that long.
Now, onto the CMAs. I must say, whenever I watch the CMAs, it's like I'm spending three hours with my best friends, and the world seems at peace. I'm not joking, that's really how it feels. Everything seems right. And no matter what is going on in my life, I forget it all during those few hours (it also helps that the Devils beat the Anaheim Ducks that night, by a score of 3-1). So, here we go. Let me share it with you. The show began with an explosive performance of "Forever and Always" by Taylor Swift. The second performance was Darius Rucker with "Alright," his third consecutive Number 1 hit. Miranda Lambert followed with her song, "White Liar" (the music video for which is awesome, and features Jamey Johnson). Host and all-around spectacular artist/guitar player/performer/person/dad/insertwordhere Brad Paisley burned up the stage next, with his unbelievable song "Welcome to the Future." The Zac Brown Band provided its take on the country classic, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" in a performance my sister couldn't stop complimenting and writing glowing things about. George Strait was next, with his song "Twang," from his new album that was released a few months ago. Following Mr. Strait was Lady Antebellum with their astounding new single "Need You Now," in a performance USA Today called "chilling." Host Carrie Underwood performed not my favourite song, "Cowboy Casanova," from her new album, Play On, in a performance I can only describe as, well, awful and whack. Vince Gill performed with Daughtry (yes, that Daughtry) next, singing "Tennessee Line," which they both wrote. The next performance was Keith Urban, singing "'Til Summer Comes Around." Then Tim McGraw returned to the stage of the CMAs for the first time in a while, singing "Southern Voice," the title song from his latest album. Sugarland continued its streak of great songs and performances with "Keep You," and this year I loved Jennifer Nettles' dress SO MUCH. The next performances was incredibly bittersweet, as it was Brooks and Dunn's last, ever, as a duo. They sang their classic hit, "Honky Tonk Stomp." Sadly enough, you could tell that they were like a couple going through trial separation, because their body language wasn't the same, and the performance wasn't as passionate as one would expect from such seasoned veterans as they are. Jamey Johnson was next, singing the song that caught my eye by him, "Between Jennings and Jones," with Kid Rock (yes, that Kid Rock). Taylor came back and sang, accompanied only by her own acoustic guitar (but that gorgeous one with her name written on the neck) and the voices of about 300 teenage girls and fans who were in the audience, "Fifteen." The next performance was "Big Green Tractor," by Jason Aldean. The next song was sung in honour of the latest inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame, in this case, Barbara Mandrell. Martina McBride sang "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" along with George Strait and the harmonica of Charlie McCoy, another inductee this year. Then came Reba McEntire with "Consider Me Gone," followed by Billy Currington and "People Are Crazy." Kenny Chesney closed out the show with his hit song "I'm Alive," with Dave Matthews (yes, that Dave Matthews).
It certainly was a cracker of a show. It was riddled with funny moments, surprises, and the best music in the world. But my favourite part was when Carrie told Brad that his video for "Welcome to the Future" was amazing, and he began to thank everyone involved for their contributions, but was interrupted by Little Jimmy Dickens, who proceeded to tell him that Taylor's video was the best of the year. I died laughing. Here's the video link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYfEc0dimFA. I suggest you watch it. Hi-LARIOUS!!
And here is my annual run-down of the winners of every category:
Musician of the Year: Mac McAnally
Music Video of the Year: "Love Story," Taylor Swift (that's one!)
Musical Event of the Year: "Start a Band," Brad Paisley with Keith Urban (deservedly so)
Song of the Year: "In Colour," Jamey Johnson
Album of the Year: Fearless, Taylor Swift (that's two!)
Single of the Year: "I Run to You," Lady Antebellum (the song that made me fall in love with the band in the first place)
Vocal Duo of the Year: Sugarland (Jennifer Nettles invited Brooks and Dunn to come up on stage with them, but they declined)
Vocal Group of the Year: Lady Antebellum (breaking Rascal Flatts' six-year streak)
New Artist of the Year: Darius Rucker (was anyone actually surprised by this??)
Female Vocalist of the Year: Taylor Swift (that's three!)
Male Vocalist of the Year: Brad Paisley (yay!!)
and...
Entertainer of the Year: TAYLOR SWIFT!!!! (that's four!)
It really was Taylor's night. And what a night it was.
I always hate posting a song of mine after reliving the CMAs and remembering all of the stupendous songs, but last year I posted "Do You Feel Safer Now" after the CMAs, and I like to think that's one of my best ones. So here's this one.
Remember how I mentioned that no matter what kind of crap is going on in my life, country music makes it all go away and everything is right again, even if only for a little while? Well, this song is about the crap that this week was about, and I must say, it sure did put my faith in country music to the test. I have never been more unsure of myself, or more uneasy about everything I do, and I keep second-guessing myself more often than usual. I do everything for other people, and I try so hard to make myself fit what they want me to be, but somehow it never seems to be enough, and I'm still left the way I've always been. So, here goes.
The Battles I've Gotta Fight Alone
whenever I look in the mirror
I can see the beauty's not getting nearer
I change my hairstyle half a dozen times
and I try to fake all kinds of different smiles
the more I change, the more I say no
these are the battles I've gotta fight alone
I can feel people talking behind my back
what they say isn't true but they still laugh
they've singled me out but I don't know why
sometimes I put my head down and cry
now I'm looking over my shoulder everywhere I go
these are the battles I've gotta fight alone
CHORUS:
all those times no one will stand up for you
are the times you've got the most to lose
take it from me, you're your own worst enemy
but I can't let myself give it up and let go
just another battle I've gotta fight alone
everytime I say a few small words
trying to be friendly I'm never heard
I play music to have something beside me
and I make friends with all the sad melodies
'cause I've got no one, standing on my own
these are the battles I've gotta fight alone
CHORUS:
all those times no one will stand up for you
are the times you've got the most to lose
take it from me, you're your own worst enemy
but I can't let myself give it up and let go
just another battle I've gotta fight alone
yeah, these are the battles I've gotta fight alone
I just noticed, there's no bridge in this song. When's the last time I haven't had a bridge? I just don't think one belongs here, and I don't know what I would write in it. Bridges are departures, either musically or lyrically or both, from the rest of the song. I don't have a departure from this.
So, please let me know what you think. Seeing as I'm still here, I figure that's the least I deserve. Everything is welcome!
Much love, and thank you for the musik!
NBK
p.s. Tomorrow: going for 10-0 on the road, baby! I know we can make it happen.
