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

#Hashtag

I guess three hashtags probably isn't a personal best for me, but I still felt very hashtag-y when writing this. Plus you know how awful I am with titles. #SendMeYourTitles? (Ooh... make that *four hashtags)

So there you go. Sorry I'm not more creative or interesting, but at least let me try to make it up to you with this week's fine selection:

The First: Porch Swing Angel by Muscadine Bloodline

Smooth sound. Harsh twang. Sickly sweet romantic things. Front porches.
All things I thoroughly enjoy in a country song. And also things I enjoy in my RomComs, which is probably why I love Sweet Home Alabama so much.

If you're into these boys, might I also recommend Southern Boy Cure? #bonussong


The Second: Who I Am by Jessica Andrews

#FlashbackFriday because why not. This may have been the first country song that I was ever obsessed with. We're talking hitting repeat on Windows media player, looking up the lyrics on my Dell desktop computer (because this was before the days of the Youtube and the early days of being able to even look up lyrics on the interwebs #HowOldAmI) and then, of course, recording myself singing this song very dramatically and gutturally into a tape recorder so that I could hear what a ~beautiful~ voice I had...

Newsflash: It wasn't as ~beautiful~ in the playback as it had sounded in my head.


The Third and Final: Thank God I'm A Country Boy covered by Home Free

An a capella John Denver cover? Um, yes please.
A hilarious music video?? You know me well.
Plaid??? I mean, if I wasn't already on board with those first two, this would seal the deal.

I'll be spending my weekend hopefully hunting down a new crockpot (my last one has sadly seen the last of its days), trying out some new recipes, and sifting through the hundred or so hours of childhood home videos that my father has digitized. It's my job to edit them all down to watch-able clips. Wish me luck. Hope your weekend is an excellent one!

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