Props to the Queen

May Long is HERE!! And we all get Swiss weeks next week, courtesy of the Queen. So lovely of her.

I don't really have that much more to say other than I hope these songs help you get through whatever's left of your workday and that you've got some great plans in store for how you'll spend this long-weekend gift.


The First: Heart Break by Lady Antebellum

I kind of think this is the country version of John Mayer's Perfectly Lonely and I'm super pleased about it. I love that song and I love country (a shock to all of you, I'm sure), so this works for me on several levels. Three levels, in fact.


The Second: You'll Accomp'ny Me covered by Frankie Ballard

I realize there's a lot of new stuff out right now that I could be featuring, but this one has been on repeat because it's got a strong beat that's oh-so-perfect for a sunny (fingers crossed!) long weekend. Plus there's snapping, which is like second best to clapping, which we all know I love incorporated into my music.


The Third and Final: Happy People by Little Big Town

Beyond the fact that these four really can't do wrong with their song choices, I'm really loving this one. I get that it's not the most country-sounding in a hoedown kinda way, but I think the message is positive and true and that's pretty country unto itself. Don't forget to be a happy person this weekend.

And with that, I hope your day passes quick and that you're swiftly ushered into a weekend of relaxation and sunshine (fingers double crossed)!

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

Driving is boring.

So last week Goose, my car, decided to no longer have a working radio and it's all very dramatic because, in case you weren't aware, driving is painfully b.o.r.i.n.g. without a radio to keep you company and to sing along with. Like... what's the point? For the first few days I tried to just sing songs a cappella but turns out I don't know lyrics very well without musical accompaniment and it's exceptionally frustrating to not remember the words to songs when you're also unable to look them up.

Needless to say it's been a harrowing, music-less week. But thankfully I still have three new songs to share with you today.

The First: Just Sayin' by the James Barker Band

Starting with this groovy number to kick us off! I was having a little dance party (surprise, surprise) to this song the other morning and just knew it would need to be part of this week's selection. Also, am I the only one who thinks of this when they hear "I'm just saying"?


The Second: She Is by Lady Antebellum

A new single from Lady A! Ohmygosh! I've missed their harmonies and uplifting melodies so this song was welcomed with open arms. Plus, I too like Sundays and champagne so I feel this song really gets me.


The Third and Final: Time by Dean Brody

You know, I've always been a Dean Brody fan but this song has really solidified things for me. The slow build in tempo and storylines is so good but doesn't detract from the main message of the song: time doesn't care. Or in other (perhaps kinder) words: you never know how much time you'll really have with the people you love or to do the things you hope to do. Not in a scary way, but more in a today's the day kind of way. So carpe diem this Friday!

Today kicks off a week of staycation for me. It's a staycation because I failed to plan appropriately for my days off from work like a fool. So instead I'm going to spend the next week catching up on life things that have kind of fallen to the wayside since... August. Wish me luck!

Thanks for listening!
Karla

K & P

My incredible friend Kali (yes, the one we chatted about not too long ago) and her hilarious partner, Paul, are getting married tomorrow. So obviously we're celebrating their loOoOoOove in this week's CMF.

This will either make them very happy or very embarrassed... but we won't know until we try, will we? (Jk, I already know it's going to be the latter. Ha ha ha.)

The First: Love's Lookin' Good On You by Lady Antebellum

It's lookin' real good, you two. Almost as good as head-to-toe Star Wars costumes. Almost.

The Second: Save Water, Drink Beer by Chris Young

This is a selection for so many reasons. Here are just a few:

One: there's going to be a wedding, so... 

Two: Kali always talks about the California drought and yells at people for not finishing their water before they leave a restaurant.

Three: You just know that this is going to be a real fun song to dance to.

The Third and Final: All Nighter by Dan + Shay

These boys are back with their usual wonderful musical ways. This song seemed like an appropriate choice for tomorrow's highly anticipated, likely lengthy celebration.

And an extra special shout out to Dan Davidson's Found, which I've featured before but they really like so we might as well all be reminded of how great it is.

Have a wonderful weekend, whatever you're up to! And don't forget to tell your dad all the reasons he's so great this Sunday. I'm lucky enough to get to have lunch with mine because we'll be in the same town this year!

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Bunch of Nerds.

Sooo... have you completed the Canada census yet? I have, as I was only a mere half notch below these people on the excitement scale.

My favourite tweet so far? "Based on tweets in my feed, Wayne R. Smith, Chief Statistician of Canada, is Canada's Beyonce. #Census" (@ALL_CAPS). He's not wrong.

It's important. Fill it out, plz. 


The First: H.O.L.Y. by Florida Georgia Line

People are freaking out about the new FGL album *almost* as much as they're freaking out about the long form census. It's gonna be a good one. And in case you're wondering, H.O.L.Y. (for some weird artistic reason) stands for "high on loving you." I just saved you approximately 27 seconds on a google search which is what I had to do to figure that out. So hey, make good use of those saved seconds, will you? Time is precious.


The Second: Pick Up by Dierks Bentley

How do I feel about this video/the storyline Dierks is telling with his short film series so far? Super lukewarm. Like when I make tea and am super excited about it but then it's too hot to drink right away and then I become so good at being patient that I kind of actually just forget about it and then an hour later I'm like "oh yeah, I made tea" but by then it's barely warmer than room temperature and I have to either suck it up or boil water again which inevitably means that I go through the whole involved ordeal all over again. That run-on sentence is how I feel about it.


The Third and Final: Singing Me Home by Lady Antebellum

Let's lighten things up a little bit with this old favourite that has recently made its way back into my life. I just can't get enough of those beautiful harmonies.


Hope you have a marvellous weekend! Don't forget to send some prayers to the people of Fort McMurray or to tell your mamma you love her.

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

Lists and whatnot

Time to celebrate – it’s Friday, CMFers!

I feel like all the songs that I’ve been loving lately have involved some sort of list-making. What I mean by this is that a large portion of the song lyrics are comprised of the artist listing off all the wonderful things about their love interest. Or all the things about themselves that their love interest makes better. In some cases the love interests are people. In other cases they are a time of year. Or a country. Did I lose you on that last one? That’s okay. You’ll see what I mean soon enough.

The First: Friday Night by Lady Antebellum or Eric Paslay

I. Love. This. Song. I can’t even... ah. So good. So good, in fact, that I have found not one but two great versions of it. Two! If that’s not a marker of greatness, I don’t know what is.

The Second: Ten Time Crazier by Blake Shelton

So adorable. Every girl wants a guy to say that he’s crazy about her. But then Blake Shelton goes ahead and literally surpasses all men on the planet by saying he’s not just crazy about Miranda (we can assume that she’s the one he’s singing about. I always just do.) but he’s ten times crazier about her. Ten times! Imagine winning the lottery and being all “guys! I just won a million dollars!” and then Blake Shelton walks in and goes, “that’s nothing. I just won ten million dollars. I’m buying ya’ll your own unicorn.” That would hurt a little bit, don’t you think? You may say to me, “It’s okay, the good news is that I still have a million dollars to comfort me.” Well guess what, money isn’t everything. Way to be materialistic. So what have we learned today, boys? The lesson is that you should tell that special person in your life that you are eleven times crazier about them than anything else on the planet and just blow Blake Shelton out of the running for Most Romantic Cowboy. You’re welcome. 

The Third: Point at You by Justin Moore

The song that puts a giant, stupid smile on my face whenever it comes on my radio dial. It’s just so happy and sweet and wonderful. 


The Fourth and Final: Stronger Beer  by Tim Hicks

I know, I know. I usually limit CMF to three songs but I just couldn’t do that this week. I just couldn’t, people! And when you hear this song, you’ll know why. It’s too good/ridiculous to pass up. And it would be quite impolite to leave it out of my Lists Roundup, and that’s just not very Canadian, eh? So here you go. A bonus song this week! Woohoo!!! Okay, calm down. Save that energy for your big Friday night plans. Mine include making popcorn, cleaning my house and – hold on to your hats ‘cuz it’s about to get crazy - watching tv. So, yeah. I’m saving my energy.

Thanks for listening!
Karla