I Relinquish My Crown

Ugh. What is wrong with me??
Me, Karla, the self-proclaimed Popcorn Queen failed to notice that last Friday, while it still was National Thesaurus Day, was also POPCORN DAY.

How embarrassing for me. I don't deserve this crown. Take it away from me. But please be gentle. It's made entirely of popcorn kernels I've collected over the years and it means a lot to me. And also keep it away from direct heat.
Please.
Thank you.


The First: Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega by Ashley McBryde

Any new artist endorsed by Eric Church is someone to watch out for in my books. This up-and-comer is tough and tattooed and talented and I'm a fan (of her, and also of alliteration). Certainly worth a listen if you've been looking for some edgier old school Miranda in your life.


The Second: Marry Me by Thomas Rhett

Y'all knew it was only a matter of time for this one. The music video is completely not terrible. The song is quite good. Thomas Rhett's voice is pleasant to listen to. Plus, #spoilers: That lyrical plot twist is just too great to not get featured here.


The Third: Put It In A Song by Taylor Acorn

Gosh, it's been years since someone named Taylor wrote a song about writing a song. Okay, that's probably enough sarcasm. In reality, I do quite like this Taylor Acorn song. It's not too serious, catchy, and I quite like her voice. Plus, how fun was it to sneak in that TSwift flashback? So fun.


The Fourth and Final: Say Something by Justin Timberlake ft. Chris Stapleton

I know I'm gonna get some heat for this and that I'm already walking on thin ice following the whole popcorn thing, but I really don't care. This may not be a country song but I have to share because nothing short of literal magic happens when these two kings get together.


Boy, oh boy am I looking forward to my free weekend! It's been a while since I did nothing but slept in and sat around in my pyjamas and read books and napped and watched movies for two days straight. But that is what I've got planned and I couldn't be happier. Maybe a glass of wine would make it a *tad* better, but I'm now just days away of successfully completing my Dry January mission and so a cuppa tea will have to do. Enjoy your weekend, whatever you get up to!

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Surprise, surprise

Well let me tell you, no one is more surprised you're reading this right meow than yours truly. This week has been something else. Between work, and life, and trying to drink eight glasses of water a day (I'm trying y'all) and remembering to call my father on his birthday (Happy Birthday, Dad!), I really didn't think this was going to happen. And yet, here we are.
What a world.

The First: I Hate Love Songs by Kelsea Ballerini

We haven't had a Grand Ole Opry performance around here in far too long, so I think it's about time. Why have a regular music video when we could instead pretend that we are all hangin' out at the Opry on this Friday morning, enjoying Kelsea's performance? Alternatively, we could all just move to Nashville and exclusively listen to live music for the rest of our lives.
Either/Or.


The Second: Castle On The Hill covered by Thomas Rhett

Umm... are you kidding me?
Thomas Rhett? Big fan.
Ed Sheeran? Love him.
Covers? Bring 'em.
Country covers? Excuse me while find a paper bag to hyperventilate into.


The Second: Shoot Me Straight covered by Brothers Osborne

Glad to have another great one from the brothers, their guitars, and their moody twangy voices. Just try not to tap your foot while you listen to this one. I dare you.


Cheers to an exciting and busy weekend. Let's see if we're able to stretch this ~very impressive~ streak to three weeks in a row, shall we?

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Breaking My Own Rules

Look! I did it! We did it! A CMF is actually happening this week and we've all made it to Friday. Congratulations to all of us.

But mostly congratulations to me.


The First: For The First Time by Darius Rucker

YASSS Hootie! It's live. It's on top of a tower. It's so good you'll start shoulder dancing and head bobbing and foot stomping by the one minute mark at the latest. This is a great end of summer Friday night dancing barefoot in your living room while wearing workout clothes even though you already know you're defs not going to be working out that day (ha!) because you've already cracked open a bottle of wine kind of song. You know? I know you know. 


The Second: Hallelujah covered by Brett Young

Ugh. You know. I've said it before and I'll say it again: It's really unfair that this guy has all that talent and also has that face. This happens to be one of my favourite songs to sing and my friends and I love it so much that we refer to it as one of our "standards" during our Sunday night jam sessions. I like Brett's slow and steady take on it but unfortunately he does come in second place to my all-time favourite cover of this song. Not even Brett Young can quite measure up to the experience that is J Star Valentine.


The Third and Final: Sixteen by Thomas Rhett

So, shout out to Thomas Rhett because his new album is good. Like, really, really good. I was this close to not featuring this song today because he already got his fill of the spotlight last Friday but... I just had this song stuck in my head all day and so I'm breaking my own rules and sharing him twice in a row (which never happens unless your name is Zac Brown SO YOU BETTER BE PAYING ATTENTION, THOMAS).


So what are you up to this weekend? Soaking in the last few beach days of summer? Going on an adventure? Hanging out with friends? Tell me all about it! I need to live vicariously through all of you instead of working which is what I'll be up to. But then I think I'm going to go hang out by a pool afterwards so that's something.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Summer Storms and Soggy Bottoms

Happy August!!

I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend! As much as I would have liked to spend all of mine out on the beach, I only visited it for a few short periods on account of the very smokey and not-so-great-for-your-lungs air quality we're currently experiencing in the city. Instead I read a lot, rapped along to Hamilton, spent time catching up with friends, and avoided talking to strangers at social gatherings. So other than not spending time at the beach, all par for the course really.

On a bit of a programming note, we're heading into the busy season at work and as much as I'd like to say that you'll still see a CMF in your inbox every Friday morning... that just may not happen based on how tired and/or musically exposed I am in the coming weeks. I'm aiming to stay on track, but as you've probably already noticed you may not receive a weekly CMF every Friday through mid-September, depending on how things roll out. In the meantime, feel free to throw on the CMF playlist on Spotify if you really need your fix!


The First: When It Rains It Pours by Luke Combs

I avoided this song for a while because I assumed from the title that it would be slow and broody and I wasn't really interested in that. But as is often the case when I make assumptions, I was wrong! This song is a fun one so give it a listen.


The Second: Unforgettable by Thomas Rhett

In. To. Ittttt! Even if I have I no idea was a "mango-rita" is. From what I've gathered via interviews he's done, Mr. Rhett wrote this song about meeting his wife and the start of their relationship. The beat and the story and all of it makes me real happy. And just like that title would suggest, the song is fairly unforgettable and hasn't really left my brain since it was released. Thanks, dude.


The Third and Final: Soggy Botton Summer by Dean Brody ft. Alan Doyle

I remember the good ole days of soggy bottom summers as a kid. We used to spend all day at the lake and although there weren't tube-able rivers in our town, we would sometimes go tubing whenever we were on vacation. Great times and both activities that would often leave your swimsuit bottoms a little soggy because they always took a bit longer to dry. As an adult I don't really experience soggy bottoms because I've matured, you see. And as a mature adult I know that going into any body of water that you can't see the bottom of isn't the best idea because sea monsters.
On another note, you may have noticed that Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea fame lends his one-of-a-kind pipes to the bridge of this song. Much like you would expect from a Bieber song that spontaneously features a rapper de jour partway through. But, like, way better of course. And even more Canadian.

It's looking like rain and maybe even some thunderstorms this weekend in Vancouver! My excitement for this is two-fold. First, we desperado need rain to clear up those wildfires and all the resulting smoke. Two, I love a good thunderstorm. Like, a lot. Especially in the summer when it's still warm enough to have your windows and doors open so that you can listen to the loud rain and thunder with a glass of wine, a good book, and a candle or two. That's the life. I'm going to be so happy if that's what my Sunday ends up looking like.

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

Majestic horses and nightmares

Allow me to paint you a picture of my super relaxing Thursday evening (because yes, I write CMF on Thursdays. Scandal!): Tea. Sweatpants. Face mask. Popcorn (which I eat with a spoon, because I don't like it when my fingers get all popcorn-y). Hair is up in a bun that is actually just slowly sliding down the side of my head. Attractive? Thank you, I know. That's what I was going for.

The First: Used Up by Logan Mize

So this guy! I had heard State of Your Heart a few years ago, and Can't Get Away From A Good Time earlier this year (great workout song, let me tell you) but never really paid him much attention or ever featured those songs. But this week the YouTube Autoplay function wanted to do something about that, apparently, and led me to this song. It's a gem. As is basically all of his current EP, "Pawn Shop Guitar".
Now, can we please discuss his foolishness around 0:45 of this video?! A vehicle compactor seems like a very dangerous place to lean, even if it is supposedly turned off. I've clearly been scarred by all those work safety videos I was made to watch in grade 9. Did you have to watch these? The ones when someone would be slicing salami at a deli without the safety guard and lose their thumb? Or someone else would brilliantly decide to kick a log that was stuck in a wood chipper to unclog it and lose their leg? Or maybe someone was leaning on a vehicle compactor and got compacted?? BE CAREFUL, LOGAN! I wish for you to make more music and you can't do that if you continue to live your life so recklessly.
PS Does this video also remind anyone else of that horrifying scene from The Brave Little Toaster? That junkyard gave me nightmares for years. Years. (What I'm trying to say is that I still have Brave Little Toaster nightmares.)


The Second: Steal Me Away by Olivia Lane

Good tempo, mature voice, clever lyrics: "come in like a thief, I'll leave my heart unlocked and steal me away." The makings of a good song, if you ask me.


The Third and Final: Die A Happy Man by Thomas Rhett

Look at this guy slowing things down a little bit. I like it, Thomas. I'm a fan. Now, can you guess what I'm not a fan of? Yep, the video. Shocking. But I feel it is for legitimate reasons.
Exhibit A) There is a lyric in the song that goes, "I don't need no vacation, no fancy destination..." Mhmm... and yet this video is seemingly set in Hawaii/a similarly tropical destination. Interesting.
Exhibit B) Someone decided to ride majestic horses on the beach at sunset. So... who even knows how these choices are made but they are all very poor ones.
The song is great though. Real cute.

Enjoy your weekend! I'm technically already enjoying mine because I'm off today. Don't be jealous: the only difference between me and you is approximately eight hours and a pair of sweat pants. You'll get there.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

My Top Ten Songs of Summer 2015

It's August 19th.
I'm just going to go ahead and call it now. I hope you're all okay with that because, if not, it's kind of too late since you're already reading this. Besides, there's a bonus in doing this now, instead of sometime in September: you can actually enjoy the songs while the season is still upon us.

So here are my top ten Songs of Summer 2015.

I will preface with saying that yes, I know not all these songs were brand new this summer. That's not really the point. The point is they're just the ones I've just been listening to a little bit too much lately. So, in no particular order, here you go:


1. Until I Met You by Sundy Best

We all know how these boys changed my life. Is that an exaggeration? Probably not. They gave me a newfound faith in music videos potentially not being awful forever and also gave us this really adorable song.


2. Break Up With Him by Old Dominion

Don't even pretend to be surprised. I've gushed over these guys three separate times. We all know my love for them and their humour and their talent and their faces.


3. Gonna by Blake Shelton

Still love it every time it comes on.


4. Rodeo by Mackenzie Porter

I think I just like how straightforward she is. I also still think he is adorable at the end with the laundry.


5. Take Your Time by Sam Hunt

My friend's almost three-year-old, Lily, doesn't like this song because "he spends too much time talking." Unfortunately, I disagree with lil' Lily. I'm a fan of the slow jam rap (at least that's what I call it..)


6. Loving You Easy by Zac Brown Band

It would take me forever to link all my past love for ZBB. Y'all get it. They're wonderful. They're talented. And every one of their future singles will probably end up being a CMF feature. Some things in life are just predictable like that.


7. Stay A Little Longer by the Brothers Osborne

So what I actually wanted to link here, and have been waiting (im)patiently for for months, is the extended version of this song. JRFM plays it once in a while and it's just such a treat. If you can find it on iTunes or are lucky enough to catch it on the radio, please enjoy.


8. My Mistake by Cam

Her voice is just so beautiful and the harmonies in this one still make my heart happy.


9. Don't It by Billy Currington

I think I just love the way he sings "as far as I can tell that finger ain't got no ring on it" and then goes on to talk about karaoke for kind of no reason at all.


10. Crash and Burn by Thomas Rhett

I'm into the video almost as much as I'm into the song. I like the part when he's walking next to his car rolling in neutral. I like the look on his face when he's recreating a little 1989 Say Anything and she's throwing his stuff out the window. I even like his jacket. The only thing that I don't really like is this girl's overacting. It's really the only upsetting part of an otherwise lovely music video.

Thanks for listening,
Karla

I have no witty title this week, I'm sorry.

Alright team! It’s Friday! FriYAY!!

Your weekend may still be a few hours away, but you don’t have to wait another second for Country Music Friday because it’s right here!

The First: Crash and Burn by Thomas Rhett

Not to be confused by the (excellent) Savage Garden song of the same name, Thomas Rhett’s Crash and Burn is certainly a current favourite of mine. And by that I do mean that it is one of the songs I’ve been enjoying on repeat ever morning whilst getting ready for work. I think my favourite part is the transition into the chorus. I could not tell you why. I just like it. When the beat drops (is that the right terminology? I don’t know. I’m sure one or ten of you will correct me if I’m wrong), I just feel like the music is basically saying, “Okay Karla, get ready, it’s about to get real good!”


The Second: I Love This Life by LoCash

To begin, let’s discuss these guys: The LoCash Cowboys. They are their own kind of cowboy, if you ask me. I can’t quite decide how I feel about them. In my very thorough research that you all know I do in preparation for each week’s CMF (< that was sarcasm, fyi. Unless you count watching YouTube videos “research”), I came across this gem of a video of them debuting this song at a country music festival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCC8OFVV5m8. First of all, you’re welcome because your life was clearly incomplete without these six minutes of gold. Secondly, I wish to share a few of what I believe are the major highlights of their personalities in this particular performance:
- The fist pump and determined high-kneed strut up the stage at 0:16.
- The choreographed pose at 0:56 (which is actually one of my favourite lines in this song, in case you were wondering. I know you were.)
- The groovin’ by Mr. Red Hat at 1:40.
- The enthusiastic shoulder shrugs at 2:51. To be entirely fair, this is legitimately how I “dance” when I really don’t want to dance for real.
Those are all the gems I could find before I felt the need to stop watching.
If you wish to just hear the song and not watch the shenanigans, just click on the link I provided at the top there.

The Third and Final: I’m To Blame by Kip Moore 

Your time is valuable, my time is valuable, so let’s just cut to the chase and I’ll tell you that the music starts at 1:34. I don’t know what it is with country music videos these days and their need to delay and/or interrupt otherwise excellent songs with a storyline. Ugh. 

This song is good though. I always enjoy the roughness of Kip’s voice.

I do feel bad for the groom (see 2:17, 3:02, 3:15, 3:28, 3:34 for reference). While we’re at it, I also feel bad for the couple at 2:44.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

It's Friday, Friday...

... gotta [listen to country music] on Friday! Which songs should I pick?

Hello, welcome, and thank you for entertaining my little homage to Rebecca Black (aka awful. Why? Probably because she isn’t a country music artist.)

LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED, SHALL WE?

The First: Online – Brad Paisley

  

As I’ve mentioned in previous CMFs (slash as you’ve probably noticed from hits such as Camouflage and I’m Gonna Miss Her) nobody embraces and croons cheesy country quite like Mr. Paisley. In this tune, Brad turns into a 30something who still lives in his parents’ basement and regales us with stories of his online dating adventures. It’s hilarious and sad all at the same time. As any quality country song should be.

The Second: Something To Do With My Hands – Thomas Rhett

Okay. I actually have just really been loving this one lately, which is why I thought I would include it. Rock on. (Don’t worry, me saying ‘rock on’ just now felt as weird for me as I’m sure it did for you reading it too. I’m a geek.)

The Third: She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy – Kenny Chesney

Yep. You read that right. There is a song out there about how boys on farm equipment might be considered attractive. Who knew? Are we surprised that this song made it into the CMF or are we more surprised that it has taken me this long to include Kenny in these weekly roundups? I personally think the latter is more ridiculous. But I’ll let you be your own judge. 

The Fourth and Final, by request: Is It Friday Yet? – Gord Bamford

Because it is. So let’s celebrate.

Serious question for all of you: Should JRfm hire me as their new radio dj or should JRfm hire me as their new radio dj? Discuss.


Thanks for listening,
Karla