CMF!

It's Friday, so let's get right back on the horse, shall we? (< get it? Horse? 'Cuz we're... we're talking about country music? And horses are a cowboy's best friend... get it?) Moving on!

The First: Goodbye In Her Eyes - Zac Brown Band

Try not to cry. This song is so good! As I believe I've proclaimed before, Zac Brown can do no wrong. He and the band have only continued to prove this fact. If the lyrics are too sad for you, just listen to the instrumentals - they're all fantastic musicians! I watched them perform this song live on the CMAs a few months back and it was even more phenomenal. I mean, he would trade a thousand Babylons to be in her arms..! Also: I weirdly enjoy the creepy vulture on their cover art.

The Second: Party for Two - Shania Twain ft. Billy Currington

An oldie but a goodie. The question: Who wouldn't want a party for two with either Shania Twain or Billy Currington? The answer: No one. Whether you're a country music lover or not. They're both fairly attractive human beings. Now, I know Shania's upper half kind of looks like she was ripped straight out of the seventies in this video. And maybe she is a bit overly enthusiastic with her hair whipping at certain portions of the video (see 1:23-1:30 for an exceptional example - and this is before Willow Smith was even BORN... okay, maybe not. But she was probably still in preschool, so... yeah). Before you say anything, yes, I am also aware that Billy's acting skills leave a little to be desired. And I really don't understand why he is practicing his model walk for the entire first scene of this video. But listen: this was early on in his career... and he's a singer, not an actor/model! So calm down. (But even a choreographically challenged person may need to question his "footwork" around 3:13-3:18...)

The Third and Final: Dust on the Bottle - David Lee Murphy

Because all things DO get sweeter with time, yo! Exhibit A: this song - which is even older than Party for Two and, therefore, even more of a goodie. Hence the (AMAZING) video quality and that 'do of his. Additionally, let's not overlook those acid wash levis he's rocking on that railroad track - like Justin Beiber could ever pull those off (he's too short). All joking aside though folks, this is a classic, amazing song. Clamazing, if you will.
I will admit, I haven't been to too many weddings in my life. But all the ones I have attended have featured this song during the "dancing" portion of the festivities and without fail, everyone piles onto the dance floor. Coincidence? I think not. It's just that good.

Thanks for listening!
Karla

Back on the wagon again.

CMF! CMF! CMF! CMF! (< that was supposed to be read as a chant. Such as one might hear at a sporting event of sorts.)

Today’s selection is brought to you by the place in my brain that is guilty of sometimes really loving redneck hicktown country. The more twang the better.

The First: Catch All the Fish by Brad Paisley

When I have a fervent country music hater in my car, I do three things: 1. Lock the doors and windows via my fun and powerful master buttons, 2. Blast this song, 3. Sing this song with as much twang and volume as I can muster. So far I’ve made two people’s ears bleed, caused four people to refuse to get back in my car, and I have successfully converted one blessed soul into a country music appreciator. So I think those are pretty good stats. Clearly my method is working, which is why I have no plans to change it.

The Second: Chattahoochee by Alan Jackson

About a month ago, my friend David and I were walking and randomly started singing this lovely diddy. In the middle of the song, David turned to me and asked, “Why in the world have you not yet included Chattahoochee in your Country Music Fridays??” So, this one is dedicated to David. DP, I am truly sorry for this great oversight. I take full responsibility. I have no excuse for my behaviour and can only hope that my actions in the future are enough to demonstrate my positive intentions and remorse...
The rest of you, please enjoy this wonderful chanson by the one and only AJ.

The Third and Final: It’s Friday by Dean Brody

Okay. So this song may have veered significantly away from my previous “redneck hicktown country” description, but I heard it for the first time this morning and I love it. I love how Maritime-y it is (courtesy of Great Big Sea, no doubt) and how celebratory it is and how it’s Friday today so hopefully some of his lyrics will ring true soon enough. Enjoy because It’s Friday!

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

Quick! Check your calendar! I think it’s Country Music Friday!!

Well, well, well, funny seeing you here. Glad you’ve tuned back in for another edition of the best day of the week!

The First: This is Country Music – Brad Paisley

I don’t know why this wasn’t the very first song I sent out on CMF. It really is the perfect introduction and explanation to the wonderful music genre (read: total lifestyle) that is Country. He talks about all the things that Country music isn’t afraid to put down in song. “It ain’t hip to sing about tractors, trucks, and little towns, or mama.” It’s not that we don’t get that you might find these things boring, it’s just that we’re (what, ladies and gentlemen? Oh yes, that’s right) keeping it real.

The Second: Put Some Alcohol On It – Gord Bamford

You can always count on Gord to find a solution to your problem. I’m pretty sure we can all agree that Gord has a better solution than these guys' attempt. In fact, I’m also fairly certain that the Bacon Boys, as I like to call them, stole their idea from him (there’s a two year gap that is not in their favour, people).

The Third: Summer Nights – Rascal Flatts

Because you can never go wrong with these little Rascals. And because songs about summer make me feel like eventually we’ll have one. Hopefully.

Thanks for listening,
Karla

It’s Country Music Friday!

Well hello!

Today is Friday, and we all know what that means! Country music!

The First: Bait a Hook – Justin Moore

In which good ol’  Justin attempts to put down his ex’s choice for her new boyfriend by picking out every non-country thing about him. Although the second verse is my favourite (because every good ole country boy should know how to melt a girls heart on the guitar) I think the following line might be the funniest: “I heard he's got a Prius, 'cause he's into bein' green.” Also: be sure to listen to the end bit (from 3:08-3:23 in the video), because it’s also quite a laugh.

The Second: The Wind – Zac Brown Band

Now, let me just start by making the following statement very clear: ZAC BROWN CAN DO NO WRONG. Seriously. The man is a genius. This is their newest song. Very banjo-y, very fun. Please ignore the awful lyric video – they have yet to release the music video for this song.

The Third: Dirt Roads Scholar – Dean Brody

In my book, this may be one of the wittiest country music songs out there. Listen closely to the lyrics – so smart! I think I might apply to be a Dirt Roads Scholar for my grad program – thoughts? “I’m from the dirt road poison ivy league...”

Thanks for listening,
Karla