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

School Dance Reenactments Included

Well hellllloooooo! Apologies for the missed post last week... Some weeks you meal prep, go to bed on time, get your workouts in, manage to be a charming and social person, write CMF, etc. Other weeks you... don't. You get one guess on what kind of week it was last week.

The First: Happy People by Little Big Town

New stuff from Little Big Time always makes me a happy person. I like this song for many reasons but mostly because don't we all need to be reminded what the keys to happiness are these days?


The Second: Skin and Bones by Eli Young Band

If I was in high school again (but actually, let's all be thankful that's not really a thing that has to be re-lived) and I was at a dance, I suppose this would be a decent song to slow dance to. Turn on this song and follow this link for a look at what that would be like.

The Third and Final: Chills by James Barker Band

So to be honest, I was kind of feeling pretty meh on this song when I first heard it. But then the chorus came on and I was like heck yes! because it's so fun and catchy and now we ALL got chills. Also yes, fine, the music video is cute. Bonus: these boys are Canadian.


Can you believe it's April tomorrow? APRIL. Twenty seventeen. What? How. I feel like the guy in the Maxell tape ad with how fast time is whipping by. I'm simultaneously confused, sad, confused again, and excited that another academic year is wrapping up and summertime is on its sweet way.

Also, just because it's the best April Fool's Day prank I've ever successfully pulled, let's remember last year because I'm still so proud of it.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Slightly Overwhelmed

Friends. I'm slightly overwhelmed by all the new awesome music that's been released over the last month. What is a country music lover to do with themselves!?? Well I'll tell you what I've been doing: saturating myself in it whenever I get a chance.

It's either that or re-watching the new Gilmore Girls trailer for the hundredth time, which truthfully overwhelms me more than really great new music so I've been choosing the former over the latter because it's probably less strain on my heart.


The First: Star of the Show by Thomas Rhett

FIRST OFF: how did I miss this song earlier in the month?? Apologies for my oversight, friends. Anyways, I heard this for the first time over the weekend and I can tell you that my immediate reaction was something along the lines of, "Yes. I love this. I love it so much already. This is so good!" That reaction is still true today, several days and tens of listens later. I particularly love the acoustic groove at the beginning. It's good for head bobbing and living room dancing.

Side note: Don't we think that Thomas Rhett can afford to buy shirts without holes in them given his recent success? Especially for his album cover shoot? Who knows... maybe giant moths attacked his wardrobe the night before his photoshoot or something.


The Second: Ain't Always Pretty by Logan Mize

Something about this song and things not always being perfect or easy is just really hitting the right chord with me. We get it wrong, we get it right... it ain't easy but it ain't too hard.

Also, yes. I am embarrassed that this is the first Logan Mize song I've featured in over a year.


The Third and Final: Better Man by Little Big Town

The incomparable LBT! They've done it again! My money is on this making the top five at some point for sure. Is it kind of heartbreaking? Yes. Is it kind of really beautiful irregardless? You betcha.


If you're celebrating, I hope you have a fun and safe Halloween weekend! If you're not, I hope you still have a fun and safe weekend.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Artist of the Week: Little Big Town

Good morning and happy Monday!

We've heard a lot from Little Big Town around here. But apparently not enough. Because we're going to hear from them a little bit more today.

These four have been together for nearly twenty years. Twenty years of making sweet, sweet music together. For us. Like selfless southern wonders. Gosh they're great.

These impeccable harmonies come from Alabama, so I just feel like when they sing about sitting on their front porch or dancing on a pontoon, they're really speaking from experience. They've got some clout. Some credibility. Experience, even. Basically all the things this West Coast girl with a country music blog doesn't have.


The First: Little White Church

What's not to love here? We're taken down a scenic route. There's revenge. We've got clapping. They talk about chicken and gravy. It's got it all. Plus when they're strutting down that dirt road don't they just like the coolest cats around? I just want to join them and be their fifth. I can't harmonize to save my life but I could probably hold my own with a nice tambourine.


The Second: Quit Breaking Up With Me

I can't really tell you why I like this song, but I really, really do. I think it's funny and different than their normal sound and all around entertaining. It's a real great time. It's also an easy song to sing along to because the thing is that you don't have to sound good vocally to still sound good. It's just a lot of stuttering at the end of every other line.
Turns out I can tell you why I like this song after all.


The Third and Final: Girl Crush

Since I haven't gushed quite enough about their harmonies yet, let's do that now shall we? Because they are just so technically correct in their vocal collaborations that it's astounding. When I first heard this song I think I listened to approximately twenty seconds and was all "meh" and then it came on again and I listened to the whole thing and was amazed. The concept of the song and the writing and this particular performance. I love it all. Oh, and the harmonies... who would have guessed.


And of course I would be remiss if I didn't give a shoutout to Sober, my all-time favourite LBT song. So beautiful.

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

Nothing exciting has happened in the last 24 hours

As you may have guessed, I don't really have anything too important to share. The last 24 hours have been pretty standard. I woke up. Worked out. Had some meetings. Did some work. Ate some food. Heard some vocal performances by Little Big Town that legitimately changed my life. Stretched. Went to bed. Now we're here.

Really nothing to report.

The First: Boondocks by Little Big Town

SO THIS CONCERT. Let's talk about it.
Their harmonies: on point.
Their song selection: excellent.
Their theatrics: subtle and not so overwhelming that it takes away from the music.
I've chosen this classic mostly because I realized that I hadn't up until this point and that seems shameful. They closed with it last night and it really was the best last song. Also, for the record, the ending of this song is hands down the best part.


The Second: Won't You Be Mine by Bobby Wills

You have permission to not watch the video. It's weird and has no clear storyline.
Actually, maybe go ahead and watch it if you like watching confusing videos.

I like this song because, as most of you know, I get oddly enthusiastic about songs that have clapping parts. Exhibit A. Exhibit B. Also it doesn't take itself too seriously and I think that's what we all need right now.

PS If you like watching confusing videos (or if you just need a serious laugh), please enjoy this incredible gem that a student shared with me last week. I've been forcing people to watch it all week - that's how good it is. The epitome of Fox News.


The Third and Final: Crazy Beautiful Sexy by my faves Old Dominion

I HAVE BEEN REMISS. Old Dom released their debut album Meat and Candy (gross) several weeks ago and we HAVE NOT TALKED ABOUT IT.
I will say this: they do not disappoint. The entire album is everything I had hoped for and more. Simply put, every single new song is perfect.
I only chose this song because it is the first one I listened to and since we have seven new songs to work through, I had to start somewhere.
(There's also clapping.)


Okay. I think I've now exhausted myself by all the music-related excitement that's happened in this edition of CMF. I feel like my four-year-old niece on Christmas morning after opening all the presents: hungry and ready for a nap.

Enjoy your Friday! Only a few more hours until you can go home, pour that glass of wine, and unwind from the week.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Oldies but goodies.

To be honest I don't know what's new in country this week. So we're sticking to oldies but goodies because a) they need love too, b) when else am I going to showcase them? and finally c) it's the safest option considering my current lack of awareness.


The First: Bourbon in Kentucky by Dierks Bentley ft. some vocal love from Kacey Musgraves

How appropriate is this video right now amidst all this Alaskan rain? (That's right: it's a weather system that's come on down from Alaska. I like to do my weather-related research, thank you). But actually 1:57 is basically all of Vancouver right now. Thanks, Sarah Palin.

This song is an old favourite when I'm in a rainy moody mood. That's a phrase I just came up with, although the concept is not new at all. Essentially it just involves cozying up on the couch with a fluffy blanket near a window that I've opened just a tiny bit so that I can hear the rain, while a glass of wine, a book, and Dierks keep me company. Rainy moody moods are actually super pleasant, despite what the name may lead you to believe.


The Second: Hip To My Heart by The Band Perry

Ahhh TBP. I linked a live-in-studio version of this song that I think is incredible and a little funkier and a little banjo-ier than the recorded version, which is also great but different. I'm in love with this version and am really sad that I've lost out on five years of not knowing it existed. Ugh.
In other news, can we take uno momento to talk about how fun it would be to just start emphasizing sentences by saying "brother man"? I think it would be awesome. Just picture this with me:
"Excuse me, brother man! Can you please pass me the hot sauce?"
"Hi. I'd like a ticket for one to Sleepless in Seattle. Yes, that's right, just the one... brother man."
"Dear Santa, I would like a Princess Unicorn doll under the tree this year. BROTHER MAN!"

PS Kimberly Perry: I want your outfit. Thanks.


The Third and Final: On Fire Tonight by Little Big Town

Hey... have I mentioned at all that LBT is in concert in the greater Vancouver area next week? Probably not... I've been trying to be super subtle and quiet about it over the last few months.

I AM VERY EXCITED. And I anticipate that this song is basically a description of what will happen in real life next Thursday. Get ready to hear all about it.

It's the weekend in a few short hours and I hope it's a good one for you. I also hope that you are able to keep dry out there and take care when puddle-jumping.

Thanks for listening,
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

Déjà vu?

So basically I may have featured/listened to all of these artists too much this summer but if I’m being honest, I don’t really care. I will not apologize for selecting super talented people and their noise art! #noregrets*

*That was a shout out to my friend Jam. Yes, that’s his real name. Poor guy.

The First: Beer Can in a Truck Bed by Old Dominion

They’re back again. They’re still charming and hilarious. They’re still not coming to Vancouver anytime soon and I’m actually really torn up about it. How else will one of them fall in love with me?! (Yes, I really don’t care which one). Sigh.
I like this song because it is light-hearted, fun, and has a good beat. And they have a clapping part! Who doesn’t love a little clapping interlude? Fools, that’s who. I personally love it (obviously). After all, I’m Spanish. I’ve been clapping along to songs since I was an infant.

The Second: Smoking Gun by Sundy Best

Because these guys are still so wonderful to me, ever since I discovered them back in May and fell in love. I selected this particular song a) because it’s heartbreakingly beautiful and true, and b) because it has some smart lyrics that I’m just super impressed with. I mean, just listen to the chorus! “I can’t rewrite all the words that have set foot on my tongue” and “I can’t do one damn thing to change the road that I’ve run.“ Because guess what? No one can. We can only change our future.
CMF just got real.
Life lessons from Sundy Best.

The Third and Final: Front Porch Thing by Little Big Town

Because I will never get over their perfect harmonies and this one exemplifies their pipes so wonderfully. When I hear this song I legit picture them sitting on an old porch next to a creek somewhere in Alabama. It makes me want to join in with a banjo or something. I should probably learn how to play the banjo first though. And then I guess I’d need to find their porch somehow, even though I know nothing about wayfinding in the state of Alabama. Also Alabama has that whole alligator thing, and alligator/crocodile encounters are kind of my greatest fear. This dream is actually turning into more of a nightmare.

Thanks for listening,
Karla

Find me and the CMF playlist on Spotify @karcarr8.

Say hello to these annoyingly talented people

Last night, my friend Tiffany told me that she likes it when there is some sort of theme to my CMFs and so that’s kind of what I’m doing this week. I say “kind of” because the ‘theme’ of this week’s selections is in highlighting the artists who contributed to the BEAUTY that is…

The First: Life In A Northern Town by Sugarland, Little Big Town, and Jake Owen 

Okay. My goodness. I love this performance. Definitely in my top 3. Part of me is disappointed that they never recorded this for real, and the other part of me knows that I’ve listened to it so many times that it just wouldn’t sound as good without the screams and the inflections and all of what happened on stage that night. So for this week’s selections I would like to highlight the outrageously talented Little Big Town and Sugarland because CMF has not yet done them justice…

The Second: Sober by Little Big Town

Oh these wonderful human beings. They are just so technically gifted with those vocals that they really do blow my mind. Those harmonies. Oh my. I recently got tickets for their concert in Vancouver (it’s actually in Abbotsford, but we’re trying to downplay the long drive after work to get there) in November. I’m already trying hard to mentally prepare. Sober is probably my favourite song of theirs because it just hits my heart real hard. I hope you enjoy it too. (Also they play at Red Rocks in this video which I just think is the world’s coolest venue and I hope to see a concert there one day).

The Third and Final: Want To by Sugarland

Pretty sure this song was my first introduction to Sugarland. The summer after our first year of university one of my friends from high school and I took to driving around our little hometown for hours late in the evening because why not. We loved this song and would listen to it on repeat for hours while entertaining each other with stories from our year apart (we had gone to different schools). So when I hear this song I just think of my friend Melissa and I BELTING out the lyrics on the quiet road up to Quest University or down the highway and getting lost in the conversation. We would also always stop at Tim Hortons for French Vanillas, even after swearing that we weren’t going to. Thank you for listening to that story from my very wild youth. Great song, great memories.

Sadly for Jake I’ve run out of formal selections for this week. I will share an oldie Keepin’ It Country because I haven’t yet decided if I’m a fan of his current single, Real Life.

PS If you are like me and can’t get over this collaboration, I’ll do you a favour and leave this nugget of gold here. Song starts at 2:45. You can thank me later.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Find me and the CMF playlist on Spotify @karcarr8.

CCMF

Hello CMFers!
It's been a long time. TOO long, really. I blame the whiplash caused by me thinking moving/starting a new job in the middle of hiring season and over the course of three measly days was a smart decision. Hindsight, I tell ya. But! Things have been really great at my new job and my team is amazing, so really there isn't anything to complain about. Not even the temperature (which I have yet to figure out how to appropriately dress for) because whenever I do complain I am faced with several people from Ontario looking back at me with blank stares and then telling me that negative degree weather that remains in the single digits is what they simply refer to as "early fall." 

Anyways, today's selections have no theme. Just three songs that I've been really loving lately! So, Classic Country Music Friday.*


The First: Sober by Little Big Town

LET ME JUST SAY THAT A SONG CANNOT GET MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN THIS ONE. I mean, really. Not only is the message really heartwarming and the analogy is fantastic, but pair that with a group that is just so  perfect in their harmonies and you get this. This amazing song that I will never be able to emulate singing alone with my guitar, but one that I will continue to try to do. Because how can I not?

The Second: Give Me Back My Hometown by Eric Church

Dear, Eric Church. You make me love 'rock and roll'. You also make me love you and your ability to mix twang with rock while simultaneously not caring/not wanting to define your genre. Other things: You only wear your signature sunglasses in a few seconds of this music video - you're learning that people want to see your face! Yay! You feature some of your other songs in this video. Classy. Me gusta. Finally, this video makes me feel emotions, which most of you know is something I try to avoid as much as possible. So. 9/10.

The Third and Final: Wake Up Loving You by Craig Morgan

Gah. This song is just so up my alley! I don't know why. But it's been on repeat for several weeks. So now you get to hear it too. PS I think Craig Morgan is somehow being sponsored by a motel chain. (Sidebar: 2:28 when he's singing into the door frame = my favorite).

*Not to be confused with Classic Music Friday which is a WHOLE other beast. And not one that I would have any authority on.

Thanks for listening!

Karla