Country Christmas 2016

A very merry First of December to everyone!

I'd be lying if I told you that I didn't start compiling my 2016 Country Christmas round up approximately eight months ago. And since this is my blog and I have no need to lie about these things on here, I should just tell you straight up: I started compiling my 2016 Country Christmas round up approximately eight months ago.

So let's jump into this thing! Here are my picks for holiday tunes this year. Some of them are brand-spanking-new and some of them are a little more aged, but all of them are as magnificent as this time of year.

1. What Christmas Means To Me by Brett Eldredge

Jazzy and wonderful, as per usual with Brett.


2. Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) by Lady Antebellum

I used to be partial to the Buble version of this song... but way to go and ruin that, Lady A.


3. Mistletoe by Lucy Hale

I'll be honest: I thought that this was going to be a Lucy Hale cover of Justin Bieber's Mistletoe and that's why I originally listened to it. For investigative reasons only, of course. Of course. As it turns out it isn't but I think it's still a catchy and fun song in its own right.


4. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Dan + Shay

I really don't think it's a coincidence that croon rhymes with swoon.


5. Do You Want To Build A Snowman by Mickey Guyton

Unabashedly including this because I feel like it will score me major Aunt Points with my niece (who is five and definitely doesn't even know what a blog is but whatever). I think she would be so happy that this cover exists. If she stopped correcting me about how it's pronounced "Ahhhhnna" not "Anna" long enough to actually listen to it, that is. Five-year-olds, I tell ya.


6. Santa Came Anyway by Jojo Mason

Weird cover photo, but who am I to judge.


7. Let It Snow by Kacey Musgraves

Kacey went for a bit of an oldschool vibe with this album and it totally works.


8. Home Christmas by Blake Shelton and Michael Buble

Apparently a Michael Buble version of the original song and a Blake Shelton version of the original song just wasn't enough. They had to also change the words and make it a duet.


9. Do You Hear What I Hear? by Carrie Underwood

Nothing like this powerful voice to sing this classic carol.


10. Meet Me Under The Mistletoe by Randy Travis

And finally, I thought it was only right to round out this Country Christmas post on an extra-twangy note.


And if this ten just wasn't enough, you are welcome to check out last year's round up as well.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Jealous of a Five-Year-Old

Remember last week when I was super excited to see my niece and nephew (aka the littles)? Yeah, that was great until my niece rudely gave me her cold which has left me hopped up on cold meds for the past few days. She's now cold-less and on a beach somewhere in Hawaii. And I'm stuck in rainy Vancouver being jealous of a five-year-old. All that to say, I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!


The First: Sun Sets Down by Chris Buck Band

This one was just too fun not to share! It makes me want to get up and dance. But I don't currently have the lung capacity to do that so instead I just get to sit on my couch and shake my shoulders along with the music. It's basically the same thing. Just like how Coca-cola and Pepsi are basically the same thing. (They're not the same at all don't fall for those lies Pepsi is awful.)


The Second: Dirty Laundry by Carrie Underwood

We got some new stuff, folks! This song feels very Miranda Lambert to me - especially the chorus - and I'm into it. Let's talk about the obvious weirdness though: Umm... the lion. And the horse, and the burning shoe and the peacock and the buck... What's happening here, Carrie? Did you film this video at a zoo or did a circus crash your set?

Also, and probably more importantly, what are you doing wearing a pair of suspenders backwards? I would maybe even be okay with it if they weren't slightly off center the entire time but they are and my brain is super irritated about it.


The Third and Final: Midnight Train covered by The Washboard Union

Covers! Camper vans! Collaborative harmonies! Did I try too hard for alliteration back there? Perhaps. But that's not what's important right now. What's important right now is that you listen to this beauty of a song and then start figuring out your Valentine's Day plans immediately because (*spoiler alert*) you're about to fall in LOVE.

I plan to spend this rainy weekend watching the Jay's, baking apple pie, and ideally finishing off the novel I've been working on for far too many weeks now. Hope you've got some great rainy day plans yourself!


Thanks for listening!
Karla

Grand Ole Opry Covers

The Grand Ole Opry is definitely at the tip top of my list of venues to see a show (another top contender is Red Rocks because... I mean, did you click on that link? It would be epic.)

With that in mind, I thought I'd take us to a virtual concert of some great covers that have been performed on that epic and historic stage (that I one day plan to touch).

The First: 9 to 5 covered by Jennifer Nettles and Carrie Underwood

Two voices - that may just be well on their way to Dolly-like recognition one day - just rockin' this gem of a song. These ladies are definitely two of my favourites in country music these days because not only are their voices so strong but they also always own the stage and make it look easy, breezy... (~beautiful CoverGirl~).

The Second: Mama Tried covered by Scotty McCreery

It still throws me off a bit every time his sweet baby face opens his mouth to sing, but then he sounds so great we can't really complain, can we? If we learn anything from this song, it's that we can all be a little better at listening to our mama's... goodness knows that Merle Haggard, in his infamous wisdom, knew he should have. 

The Third: Ring of Fire covered by Lennon & Maisy

First off, they're adorable. 

Secondly, they're so talented. How?!*

Thirdly, what a great song. Now, yes, they bring a different sound to this Johnny Cash classic, but it works for them and their sibling harmonies.

* I think it might have something to do with their genes. But, like, that's just a guess.

Hope this brought a little bit of light into your day, or at least a few moments of distraction from the heartbreaking things happening in this world of ours. Take some time this weekend to do someone else a kindness and to send up a prayer for all those who hurt. Xo.

Thanks for listening,

Karla

I love fall and I love coffee, but I am not a fan of the Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Welp. The first week of classes - and the inevitable growing pains (read: traffic and no longer empty parkades) that go along with a campus that's coming back to life after a quiet summer - is finally coming to an end. And now it's the weekend so let's celebrate! And by celebrate I of course mean sleep in until you're so hungry that you are forced to crawl out of bed and scavenge your kitchen for sustenance.

The First: Smoke Break by Carrie Underwood

Oh, Carrie. Bringing it home with another working class anthem. I actually quite like the storyline of this video, surprisingly. It's just a feel-good three-and-a-half minutes. Unlike her last single that made me feel the opposite of good. Also, this really lovely cover of Alan Jackson's Remember When just started playing and I liked it so much, I'm spontaneously sharing it with you now. I don't usually like the unplanned, but when it comes to country music, I allow it (apparently).


The Second: One Of Those Nights by Tim McGraw

Full disclosure: I selected this song purely out of frustration. I have a long list of songs I want to share with all of you but sadly they haven't made their way to the youtube yet so we all have to wait. And so I figured if we're going to wait, we might as well enjoy some not-so-new but still great songs that maybe we haven't heard in some time while we do so.
Things that make me happy in this video: Tim McGraw in a toque and puffer jacket, the label maker (because we know how much I love my own label maker), and just this song in general which I still turn the volume up for whenever it makes its way onto the radio.


The Third and Final: Trouble Is by Charlie Worsham

Charlie knows what it's like. You sing it, Charlie.

I hope you all enjoy your weekend of rest and relaxation and that lovely in-between weather when it's still sunny and warm but the colours of autumn begin to make some casual appearances, not unlike all of Taylor Swift's friends at her concerts. (What I'm trying to say is that those appearances are not casual at all. They strut the stage with a wind machine pointed directly at them. In the former's case, that wind is nature.)

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