No Good Reason

I'm excited for this week's selections for honestly no good reason other than I just think they're fun. But then again, the idea of cat wine appeals to me for the same reason, so maybe tired Karla isn't the best person to be taking advice from.

To be determined. I guess you'll just have to listen to find out.

Stone Cold Killers by Dallas Smith

I can only stay away from featuring this talented gem for so long. And it's been months since we've had a decent listen to Dallas Smith around here, so it's about that time. This is an oldie but a goodie that I've just rediscovered and figured I might as well share with all of you Dallas Smith lovers too! I just assume you all love him as much as I do because literally how could you not.


Missing You covered by Kira Isabella

I'm a big fan of the original John Waite version (and the perfectly 80's music video, tbh), so obviously this cover by a country artist caught my eye. I was tentative at first, but can gladly say that I was pleasantly surprised. Even if her voice isn't as husky or gravely as we're used to hearing those lyrics sung.


Deep South by Josh Turner aka The Best Looking Guy in Country Music

Anyone else up for a crawfish boil after listening to this one? Sweet tea? Front porch sittin'? Well that's what I'll be up to in case you're looking for me. Fingers crossed that Josh Turner reads this, grabs his guitar and joins me too. I've always wanted my own troubadour.


I've been especially grateful for good friends and people who ground me this week and am looking forward to a weekend of sleep and very few chores (the best kind of weekend). And also, a special shout out to John who, despite being from Calgary, isn't the biggest fan of country and has to put up with my country music listening ways when he'd rather be listening to his rock 'n' roll. Oh and also because it's his birthday tomorrow (too bad//so sad if you didn't want me to tell people).

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Catnapping 101

I hope you all had a happy Family Day on Monday and enjoyed your shortened workweek!

If you didn't have a Family Day well... then... I don't know. Maybe you should move to BC? It's beautiful here, just like it says on our license plates. If you aren't interested in a massive life upheaval, then I'll just say that I hope you had a nice, normally-lengthed weekend/week. Either way, it's Friday now so let's just put aside our stat holiday differences and celebrate anyway. K? K.

The First: We Should Be Friends by Miranda Lambert

I won't lie, I have mixed feelings about Miranda's new album but I definitely have a few favourite songs on it, nonetheless, and this is one of them. So yay for a new music video where I almost thought she was going platinum again (literally), but then didn't.


The Second: Darling, Let's Go Out Tonight by JJ Shiplett

Super into the grainy-ness of JJ (so mysterious - what do all the J's stand for??) Shiplett's voice. I mean, do I kind of feel like he needs to clear his throat a few times? Yes. But that's what makes him enticing and like maybe we're all on the edge of hearing his voice disintegrate into a major coughing fit, which is about as close as I get to living my life on the edge of anything. So thanks for challenging my comfort zone, JJ. If that is your real name...


The Third and Final: These Old Boots Have Roots by Aaron Watson

Yes, the title is a little counterintuitive, but the song is fun in typical Aaron Watson fashion. So just go ahead and hit play. You can send your thank you cards later, I'll wait.

No real plans on my end for this weekend after the social butterfly I pretended to be last week, but I hope y'all do something fun. PS The kittens were adorable and I am currently plotting my "accidental" catnapping of the tinier one (Samson). My brother and his partner don't read CMF so it's cool. They'll never know it was me. Especially since I definitely didn't already try to leave their apartment with him.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Kittens and Fluoride

With a day off today and a holiday Monday for BC Family Day, I've got an extra-long weekend that I'm really looking forward to! The activity docket highlights include: a kitten cuddle because my brother and his partner just adopted two tiny and adorable babies (eek!!!), a much needed catch-up with an out-of-town friend over brunch, a dentist appointment (does anyone else actually really like going to the dentist? Is it just me??) and then going for hot chocolate with my high school drama teacher (aka my high school hero). I'm hopeful I can time it so that I've got that fancypants hocho in my hands right when the fluoride wears off.

Please don't tell my dentist.

The First: Nothing At All by Baylor Wilson

Baylor has a single out right now called Turn Around and that song is great and all, but I decided to choose this one instead because the melody is just so delightfully different and uplifting. And what else are we all looking for on a Friday other than delightfully different and uplifting music? I mean, probably a glass of wine and and a vat of popcorn, obviously. But I mean other than the necessities, you know?


The Second: Memories Are Made Of by Luke Combs

A simple, sweet, and twangy walk down someone else's memory lane. The recorded version doesn't seem to be available on the Youtube, but this acoustic version will certainly do in the meantime. If you've now discovered you're a fan of Luke Combs (as I can only assume you must be after listening to this one), might I also suggest Out There which he duets with Jacob Bryant, for your extended listening pleasure?


The Third and Final: Kiss By Kiss by Brett Young

In case anyone was wondering, I'm still very much in love with this very talented gem. Because how could anyone not be. Also Brett maybe takes this song on a little Bruno Mars segue that I'm not entirely opposed to (for swooning-related reasons), so there's that too. Anyways, I thought this was a cute February 14th-appropriate song.

Wishing you all a happy Family Day and a very sweet Valentine's, whatever you're up to!

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Happy Anniversary to Us!

So apparently I've been doing this for FOUR years.
What?!? 
My goodness.
Why are you all still here?

I kid, of course. Thanks for sticking around for so long and appeasing this little accidental project of mine. Thanks for putting up with my weekly rants and attempts at humour, for the kind notes, for the uproar when I said I'd no longer be CMFing last April Fool's Day, and for all of you non-country listeners who have excitedly told me stories about when you've been able to "impress" others with your country music knowledge. I appreciate you.

If you're curious about what CMF was like four years ago, here you go...


The First: Girl Crush covered by Lauren Alaina

So this lady's got a new single called Queen of Hearts out right meow, but sadly it has yet to make its way onto the Youtube. So instead I decided to feature her in another way because I do think she has a beautiful voice that needs to be shared. I mean, did you hear that high note at 3:14?? What a beaut. Plus we all know my love for all things Little Big Town, but they don't currently have anything new out soooo whatcha gonna do.*

*You gonna feature some covers.


The Second: My Old Man by Zac Brown Band

New album! New album! What a thoughtful anniversary gift, Zac. This is too much. You really shouldn't have... but since I wouldn't want to deprive the world of your incredible musical creations, I'll allow it. Also, a shout out to my old man who texts/emails me to tell me how funny I am every week. He's the one you can thank/blame for my sense of humour and also my obnoxiously large ego.


The Third and Final: Boomerang by Ward Thomas

Just discovered these ladies and it looks like they've released a few pretty decent singles in the past year. Maybe this means that perhaps the ladies of country are coming out of the hibernation they told no one about? Maybe?? I'm taking it as a sign and am very excited. This song's fun, has some subtle clapping (immediate win in my books, as y'all know) and is quite catchy. Like, you listen to it more than once and it's got some serious It's a Small World After All levels of catchiness. Listen at your own risk, I guess.

According to the internet, the traditional gift for a 4th anniversary is fruit or flowers. Since I know you're obviously going to ask, let me just tell you: my favourites are mangos and freesias. They can be sent to either my home or work address. Up to you to decide whether or not I'm joking...

As always, thanks for listening!
Karla