I can't think of a good title

Much of my week has been spent like this: reminiscing over photos from last weekend's wedding festivities; getting sick; sleeping; feeling kinda better; getting even more sick; sleeping some more; eating frozen mango on my couch because most other foods feel like I'm swallowing razor blades; sleeping again. Needless to say, it's been a real riveting time around here.


The First: I Know She Ain't Ready by Luke Combs

Luke Combs has been gaining some traction lately so I thought I'd share the first song I ever heard of his. It's a sweet story if you like stories about pining, I guess? If you don't, just enjoy the smooth twang in his voice instead.


The Second: Love and War by Brad Paisley ft. John Fogerty

Mr. Paisley shared his album on Youtube last week, so of course I had no choice but to pass some of it along to you today. This is the title song from the new album and, although it's an early prediction, I think it's a favourite. Some of the others are... boring (sorry to say it, Brad.) But! If you like it and are just super excited to have some new Paisley in your life, I can also recommend Grey Goose Chase which I find sounds a bit like Catch All The Fish and I'm not complaining about it.


The Third and Final: Any Way The Wind Blows by Home Free

Shocker: the music video concept isn't great but the song really is - especially since it's an original and these boys typically stick with covers. I've listened to this song twice and it's already stuck in my head. I'd be annoyed but it's actually not that bad a song to have stuck in your head. Examples of songs that would be worse: the Small World song, The Song That Never Ends, anything by Nickelback. I need not go on.


Hoping for a strong recovery and a good weekend with my extended family. Hope you all have relaxing, sickness-free, Nickelback-free weekends!


Thanks for listening!
Karla

My Top Ten Country Christmas Songs 2015

We're now well into December, so I figured it was the perfect time to share my favourite country Christmas songs with all of you.
Below is a mixture of both traditional and new songs that get me into the holiday spirit!

Please note: this is best enjoyed with some mulled wine and friends, preferably with the sparkling lights of a tree in the background of the instagram photo we both know you'll end up taking.


1. Run, Run, Rudolph by Luke Bryan

I rarely share Luke Bryan but I love this version of the song! Also, please enjoy his guitar strap lights.


2. Oklahoma Christmas by Blake Shelton (feat. Reba)

One time Blake sang this song with his Mom instead of Reba and it was just as wonderful as you would expect.


3. Go Tell It On The Mountain by Little Big Town

Possibly one of my favourite Christmas classics, sung by a group that can vocally do no wrong.


4. Winter Wonderland by Darius Rucker

Thank you, Hootie.


5. White Christmas by Home Free

You didn't even know you needed country a cappella in your life until now, did you? (Their entire Christmas album Full of Cheer is great, if you're super into them).


6. The Wood Shed Is Full by Dean Brody

Not a classic... yet.


7. Jingle Bell Rock by Rascal Flatts

Their twang rings louder than any of those jingle bells.


8. Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy by Brad Paisley

Can't beat a little Paisley around the holidays.


9. Merry Christmas Baby by Hunter Hayes

I just had to include the little musical gem that is Hunter Hayes.


10. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow by Lady Antebellum

But actually. I would like some snow this year, please.


And finally, Leroy the Redneck Reindeer as a bonus, mostly because that mullet will not be denied.


Thanks for listening and happy holidays!
Karla

A Cat Lady in Kenya

This past week in Kenya has been a wonderful whirlwind. We've met a lot of family, visited with friends, and took a mini trip out to the coast to a town called Mombasa for two nights. Also, jet lag is my nemesis. I have yet to sleep through the night because of it and on top of that I'm a very light sleeper, which really doesn't help. When I was younger, my little brother, Stevie used to sneak into my room in the morning to try and scare me awake (what an angel, right?). I always knew he was there though and, with my eyes closed, would greet him as he was halfway to my bed with a "Good morning, Steve." He hated this because it messed with his life goal of being the stereotypical pestering brother not unlike Shia Labeouf in the Family Channel Original Series, Even Stevens. (I love you, Stevie!)

Back to the trip. So far, I have befriended no less than six cats that have found me along our travels. This is important because it means that if I wanted to move to Kenya in the future, I wouldn't have to give up my life-long dream (aka the inevitable) of being a crazy cat lady.

You can see three photos of our trip so far at the end, but I'll tell you what they are now. One is from lunch on our first day in Nairobi, a picture of one of my many new cat besties (I named him George and he was the only one I loved enough to take a picture of), and the last one is of a coconut backdropped by the Indian Ocean. Because, where we were staying in Mombasa, if you wanted a coconut, all you had to do was go talk to one of the gardeners at the resort and they would climb a palm tree and get you one. What?? Yes.

I have no idea what's new in country music this week, but here are a few songs that are relatively recent and I was enjoying before I left. (All I've listened to since I left Vancouver is whatever was on my iPod that I last updated approximately three years ago. #throwbackfriday?)


The First: Crushin' It by Brad Paisley

This song reminds me of my friend Kali. Not because she is incapable of being a contributing member of society like Brad Paisley narrates himself to be in this song (because let me tell you, she's a rockstar who could probably build a spaceship, fly to Mars, find the life-sustaining water NASA's been searching for and save the earth if she wanted to - that's the kind of human being she is.) No. This song reminds me of Kali because she uses the term"crush/in' it" literally every day.


The Second: Painkiller by Little Big Town

This is a public service announcement that the LBT concert in Abbotsford is basically a month away and if you don't have tickets you should get some. I have no idea if there are any left because I haven't been listening to the radio this past week, but I'm sure you could manage a quick google search. This song is great.


The Third and Final: Hole in the Bottle by Canaan Smith

Have I ever introduced you to my friend Canaan? No? That's because I've been hiding him from you because I was being selfish. But I've decided that's no way to live so here you go. Enjoy your Friday!

Thanks for listening,
Karla

My Top Ten Loud-Car-Singing Songs

I spend a decent amount of time in my car and would argue that that's really where my best vocal performances occur. In fact, the best ones usually happen at around 8:30am when I'm driving to work and trying to get myself super pumped for the day. I also feel that this practice doubles as a public service to other drivers who get to see me rockin' out without restraint and thereby have a slightly brighter day because of it. You're welcome, fellow commuters.

Here are my favourite songs to sing loudly along with while I'm driving:

1. Here Comes the Thunder by Tim Hicks

I really can't express to you just. how. excited. I get whenever this song starts playing on the radio. My hand immediately shoots to the volume dial and the music takes over. This one arguably turns into something more akin to screaming than singing. Tim's Hell Raisin' Good Time is a good substitute, if you need one (the vid's weird though).

2. Kerosene by Miranda Lambert

Because who doesn't love a good revenge-filled cowgirl kiss-off?


3. Friday Night by Eric Paslay

Bonus points for singing this on a Friday, post-work.


4. Young and Beautiful by Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood's powerful voice really just invites you to duet with her in the car.


5. Natural Disaster by Zac Brown Band

You can hear more about my thoughts on this gem here.


6. Want To by Sugarland

This song reminds me of my lovely high school friend Melissa and our adventures driving around our small hometown.


7. Drink In My Hand by Eric Church

Even though I love my job, I can't help but sing this anthem real loud when it comes on.


8. Sparks Fly by Taylor Swift

Because let's get real, once a commercial break comes on the radio I'm switching to the CD player and TSwift is in there 70% of the time. Haters gonna hate.


9. Catch All the Fish by Brad Paisley

I explain my tactic with this song in great detail here.


10. Who's Bed Have Your Boots Been Under by Shania Twain

Shout out to by good friend Lawrence, because this is the only country song he knows (but at least he loves it) so we sing it together sometimes.


Thanks for listening,
Karla

It's Country Music Friday, once again!

Hello from the end of a very exciting week! I started my new job on Monday and let me tell you, it has been awesome so far and I’m eager to start diving into my projects! But we’re not here to talk about me, we’re here to talk about country music.

This week I had my CMF selections all picked out but was shocked and disappointed (An overreaction? Perhaps.) to find that one of the songs isn’t on Youtube yet. GASP. So I’m saving those selections for next week with the hopes that there will at least be some sort of lyric video released so that I can share it with all of you wonderful people!

So instead here is a completely random selection of songs with no rhyme or reason other than that they’re all great. 

Warning: All the music videos this week are awful. You are excused from watching them.

The First: Young and Crazy by Frankie Ballard

Poor Frankie doesn’t know that if I wrote this song it would be about how I would be telling my grandbabies that wild Saturday nights for me in my youth (because apparently I think I’m old now?) meant separating my laundry into not just lights and darks but five subcategories and watching Trading Spaces on TLC. Boy, those were the days. On second thought, it’s probably good that Frankie doesn’t know any of that.


The Second: Lie a Little Better by Lucy Hale

Remember 13 year old Lucy? (More than anything, I just remember really wanting her high-heeled sneakers and also wondering if I could convince my mom to first let me buy them and then let me wear them to school… I decided the answer would probably be “no” to both of those items, but I never stopped dreaming about them.) She’s 25 now and still singing strong.


The Third and Final: Wrapped Around by Brad Paisley

This was the inspiration for Beyoncé’s Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It), in case you didn’t know… Additionally, please know that Microsoft Word just prompted me to correct “Beyonce” to “Beyoncé”. Clearly this woman is as amazing as everyone says she is if she now has power over the dictionary. Brad Paisley is great too.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

An important message.

Hello, Good Morning, and TGIFBTMICMF! (aka Thank goodness it’s Friday because that means it’s Country Music Friday!)

It’s been a couple weeks and things have certainly been booming in the country music arena! This week’s selection is brought to you by: Summer. 

There have been so many awesome new songs released lately that I been forced to react to by yelling, alone in my car, “OMGTHISISGOINGTOBEMYNEWSUMMERJAM!”

Now, as you probably know, I often exclaim things to myself (or sometimes other drivers) while I’m alone in my car. But what I bet you didn’t know is that I use the term “jam” in my everyday vocabulary. Yeah. I know. I’m hip like that. Try not to get too close. You may catch hypothermia because I am so cool. So settle in - it’s a good one this week! (But let’s be honest, we’re talking about country music here: they’re all good ones.)

The First: Boys ‘Round Here by Blake Shelton

Like you didn’t think this was going to be on here. I’ve just been loving this new Shelton song. It’s amazing. It’s got a little hint of that ‘country rap’ that Jason Aldean paved the way for with Dirt Road Anthem two years ago, but also fully embraces the hillbilly by interspersing “re-re-re-re-re-re-re-re-redneck” to emulate a record scratch in the background. How clever. And, of course, let’s not forget my favourite and least favourite line in the entire song, the line that marks the culmination of the chorus, the line that makes me want to puke and sing along all at the same time: Chewtobacca, chewtobacca, chewtobacca, spit.
Just amazing. I also very much enjoy the cameo appearances of the cow, the piglet, and the chickens. Because why not.
(PS He also references/makes fun of ‘the dougie’)


The Second: Beat This Summer by Brad Paisley

http://tinyurl.com/blo43ea 

haha, just kidding:

He’s right. There’s no way we’ll be able to beat this summer. Because this summer is going to be awesome. AMIRYTE? Serious item to research: are there any boardwalks in my town that I can go hang out on? I feel like that needs to happen this summer. Why? Because Mr. Paisley basically just told me that I have to.  Please note that I almost left this song out of this week’s selection because I have been in a 4 year-old war with a friend David about what the best season is (autumn, of course) and I wasn’t sure if this would weaken my argument. But then I thought, “No. Karla The Martyr would never allow a silly vendetta to disservice you, the readers of CMF.” So here you go. You’re welcome.


The Third and Final: Find Me a Baby by Josh Turner aka The Best Looking Guy in Country Music

Because summer is when all the good-lookin’ ones come out of the shadows and grace us with their chiselled chins and six packs and tans. And who better to represent them than the deep-voiced beauty that is Josh Turner? Answer: No one. There is no one better.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Back on the wagon again.

CMF! CMF! CMF! CMF! (< that was supposed to be read as a chant. Such as one might hear at a sporting event of sorts.)

Today’s selection is brought to you by the place in my brain that is guilty of sometimes really loving redneck hicktown country. The more twang the better.

The First: Catch All the Fish by Brad Paisley

When I have a fervent country music hater in my car, I do three things: 1. Lock the doors and windows via my fun and powerful master buttons, 2. Blast this song, 3. Sing this song with as much twang and volume as I can muster. So far I’ve made two people’s ears bleed, caused four people to refuse to get back in my car, and I have successfully converted one blessed soul into a country music appreciator. So I think those are pretty good stats. Clearly my method is working, which is why I have no plans to change it.

The Second: Chattahoochee by Alan Jackson

About a month ago, my friend David and I were walking and randomly started singing this lovely diddy. In the middle of the song, David turned to me and asked, “Why in the world have you not yet included Chattahoochee in your Country Music Fridays??” So, this one is dedicated to David. DP, I am truly sorry for this great oversight. I take full responsibility. I have no excuse for my behaviour and can only hope that my actions in the future are enough to demonstrate my positive intentions and remorse...
The rest of you, please enjoy this wonderful chanson by the one and only AJ.

The Third and Final: It’s Friday by Dean Brody

Okay. So this song may have veered significantly away from my previous “redneck hicktown country” description, but I heard it for the first time this morning and I love it. I love how Maritime-y it is (courtesy of Great Big Sea, no doubt) and how celebratory it is and how it’s Friday today so hopefully some of his lyrics will ring true soon enough. Enjoy because It’s Friday!

Thanks for listening,
Karla

It's Friday, Friday...

... gotta [listen to country music] on Friday! Which songs should I pick?

Hello, welcome, and thank you for entertaining my little homage to Rebecca Black (aka awful. Why? Probably because she isn’t a country music artist.)

LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED, SHALL WE?

The First: Online – Brad Paisley

  

As I’ve mentioned in previous CMFs (slash as you’ve probably noticed from hits such as Camouflage and I’m Gonna Miss Her) nobody embraces and croons cheesy country quite like Mr. Paisley. In this tune, Brad turns into a 30something who still lives in his parents’ basement and regales us with stories of his online dating adventures. It’s hilarious and sad all at the same time. As any quality country song should be.

The Second: Something To Do With My Hands – Thomas Rhett

Okay. I actually have just really been loving this one lately, which is why I thought I would include it. Rock on. (Don’t worry, me saying ‘rock on’ just now felt as weird for me as I’m sure it did for you reading it too. I’m a geek.)

The Third: She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy – Kenny Chesney

Yep. You read that right. There is a song out there about how boys on farm equipment might be considered attractive. Who knew? Are we surprised that this song made it into the CMF or are we more surprised that it has taken me this long to include Kenny in these weekly roundups? I personally think the latter is more ridiculous. But I’ll let you be your own judge. 

The Fourth and Final, by request: Is It Friday Yet? – Gord Bamford

Because it is. So let’s celebrate.

Serious question for all of you: Should JRfm hire me as their new radio dj or should JRfm hire me as their new radio dj? Discuss.


Thanks for listening,
Karla

Quick! Check your calendar! I think it’s Country Music Friday!!

Well, well, well, funny seeing you here. Glad you’ve tuned back in for another edition of the best day of the week!

The First: This is Country Music – Brad Paisley

I don’t know why this wasn’t the very first song I sent out on CMF. It really is the perfect introduction and explanation to the wonderful music genre (read: total lifestyle) that is Country. He talks about all the things that Country music isn’t afraid to put down in song. “It ain’t hip to sing about tractors, trucks, and little towns, or mama.” It’s not that we don’t get that you might find these things boring, it’s just that we’re (what, ladies and gentlemen? Oh yes, that’s right) keeping it real.

The Second: Put Some Alcohol On It – Gord Bamford

You can always count on Gord to find a solution to your problem. I’m pretty sure we can all agree that Gord has a better solution than these guys' attempt. In fact, I’m also fairly certain that the Bacon Boys, as I like to call them, stole their idea from him (there’s a two year gap that is not in their favour, people).

The Third: Summer Nights – Rascal Flatts

Because you can never go wrong with these little Rascals. And because songs about summer make me feel like eventually we’ll have one. Hopefully.

Thanks for listening,
Karla

You know what day it is...

It’s Country Music Friday, the best day of the week!!

Hello and welcome, I’m so glad you could join me. Let’s just jump right in, shall we?

The First: I’m Gonna Miss Her – Brad Paisley

This is a very serious video dealing with a very serious and real issue that every cowboy has to deal with at one time or another. Really great acting by both Brad and his wife (yes, that’s his real wife).

The Second: Camouflage – Brad Paisley

Another Brad Paisley tune. He is the master of the cheesy country music hit. In this little ditty, he discusses camouflage and honours it for its years of service to the USofA.

The Third: Meet in the Middle – Diamond Rio

An oldie but a goodie. I love how classic this song is.

The Fourth, and final: Southern Voice – Tim McGraw

In which Timmy lists all things that represent the Southern Voice.

Thanks for listening,

Karla