Calendars are dumb

Well, well, well. What have we here? Looks like we've made it to another Friday aka one short work day away from the weekend. Congratulations! Pat yourself on the back! What an accomplishment!
Unless you're like me and have ended up with a day off today in which case Friday probably means sleeping in. And if that's the case, I guess I would also say "congratulations!" "pat yourself on the back!" and "what an accomplishment!" because sleeping is hard work too.

The First: Something To Wrap My Heart Around by Jojo Mason

Jojo tends to have this awful habit of taking months to get his music onto the Youtube and so when I heard this song the other day I only halfheartedly typed it into the search box, truly expecting that I was in for several weeks of frustratingly fruitless searches. But guess who's apparently changed their ways?? It's Mr. Mason and we should all be thankful about it because it means we get to listen to this today.


The Second: The Way I Talk by Morgan Wallen

Man. Don't you miss the days of just casually perching yourself on a basketball net or playing softball in an empty pool? I know I sure do.


The Third and Final: At Last covered by Brooke Eden

Yes, yes, yes. I know this isn't a country song.
I kind of fell down a rabbit hole of Brooke Eden videos on Youtube and this is where I ended up. Mostly I wish I had this girl's voice because it's pretty incredible. She's just released her EP too, which hopefully means we'll be hearing from her some more over the next little while. If you're looking for more right this instant, here's a hot off the press (camera?) music video for you.


I don't know what you're up to this weekend but it's my high school reunion which is just a little startling to think about. I do not feel like it was ten years ago that I graduated high school but according to the calendar it has, in fact, been that long. But here's another fact for you: calendars are dumb.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

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

Back To School

I assume you probably haven't had enough of the "Back To School" marketing stampede yet since they only started it in mid-June this year, so I figured I'd get my own back to school cool shout out in before it's too late. Or maybe I just couldn't think of a title so this is what you get instead. We'll never know, will we?

(Yeah, no... I know you know.)

The First: Red Dress by Jojo Mason

It. Took. Four. MONTHS. For this song to be released on Youtube. Jojo! What were you doing for FOUR months that you couldn't throw even a lyric video online for us?? I swear I think I searched this song every week in the hopes that that would be the week that I could share it with all of you. But every week my hopes were dashed to pieces and I was forced to make a different selection.

I probably would have given up by now if I hadn't heard on the radio a few days ago that the music video was finally (finally!) uploaded. Thank. Goodness.


The Second: In Case You Didn't Know by Brett Young

Can't stop, won't stop featuring this man. Even if the live version begins with the disconcerting sound of the Skype app opening up when you least expect it. But I just think this is the sweetest song, so I'll put up with the bloooop sound anyway.

Did you know that Brett was on track to be a professional baseball player but after suffering an injury in college took the music route instead. Can you imagine?? "Well, I guess I can't make millions playing the sport I love and am really, really good at so maybe I'll just do it by picking up this guitar thing instead?" Somebody was clearly given a double dose of talent.


The Third and Final: Beer Weather by Cold Creek County

Okay hear me out. And by "hear me out" I really mean hear this song out. Because titles aside, it's catchy and almost fools you into thinking that fall isn't just around the corner. Speaking of autumn, has anyone seen large halloween packs of Reese Peanut Butter Cups yet? I've only come across packs of 12, which is basically like one movie's worth and obviously won't do. If you find some, please advise. This is important (to my happiness).


And in case you weren't already in a great mood because it's Friday, here you go. Enjoy your weekend!

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Fireworks and beards and love.

Welcome to Tuesday? Friday!

I hope you all had a wonderfully patriotic Canada Day and enjoyed a BBQ hot dog and some fireworks!! I, of course, did neither of those things. Why?
   a) I’m vegetarian.
   b) I was so exhausted from the day that I was in bed by 10pm which meant I missed the fireworks. I did hear them, however. I also heard the choir of dogs in my neighbourhood barking at the fireworks (and the resulting humans yelling at said dogs, because that’s apparently necessary) until well past 11pm. Charming.

Let’s listen to some country music, shall we?

The First: It’s All Good by Jojo Mason

This guy. Who is he? Where did he come from? It doesn’t really matter because he rocks this tune and I look forward to many other wonderful and oh-so-fittingly-Friday jams from him in the future. Apparently Tim Hicks co-wrote this song, which I find interesting because I think it would sound quite different if he was the one singing it. Either way, it’s aaaaall good.


The Second: Some Day by The Washboard Union 

All the beard. All the banjo. What else could you want in a country music video? A truck? Some hay? Oh don’t you worry, they’ve got you covered there too. My favourite part of this video – and I think what really speaks to the goofiness of this group – happens nice and early on at 0:24, in case you were wondering (don’t lie, you were).


The Third and Final: Everyday Love by Rascal Flatts

Taking us back to this lovely oldie in honour of my friend David’s wedding this weekend. I have no doubt you and Kim will share a life no less wonderful than the one described in this song. Thanks for being my country music buddy for those years in Victoria when I so desperately need one – wishing you both the best! (P.S. Specifically linking the lyric video here because the real music video is too Y2K for my liking.)

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Find me and the CMF playlist on Spotify @karcarr8.