A penny for my thoughts...

UT Martin student. Blogging about country music. Stay tuned to keep up with the latest in country music!

[skyoung44]

The Voice Premier Night 1 (with tweets) · skyoung44

And so it all begins again...night one of #VoicePremier aired on February 23, 2015.

[skyoung44]

Love with open arms

One of today's biggest country music starts is making headlines not for his music but for his open heart. Luke Bryan has been all over the news today talking about opening his home to his nephew, Til. 

Bryan and his wife, Caroline, are having to make adjustments just like any other family would if they were bringing a young teenage boy into their household with their other two sons. The two seem excited to be able to provide Til with a loving home after tragically losing both parents at different times in his life. 

Bryan has lost both of his siblings tragically within 11 years of each other. After losing his sister he was scarred from losing both of his only siblings. In late 2014 his brother-in-law, Til's father passed away suddenly. 

Since the tragic loss, Til has spent more time with Bryan and his family. Til even attended an awards show with Bryan and his wife Caroline in December. 

Throughout this entire journey of losing loved ones too soon, Bryan has managed to keep a positive outlook on life. He told ABC News that, "We feel like if we just stay positive through this, maybe we'll be a positive inspiration for people that had these things happen to 'em." I am sure that this story will be an inspiration to many and help families cope during hard times. 

[youllbemyblake]

[skyoung44]

I love these two!!! 

[skyoung44]

One of my all time favorite Dixie Chicks songs! Brings back memories of riding around backroads singing this song at the top of my lungs my freshman year of college. It's funny how certain songs hold so many memories. Happy Wednesday! We are halfway through the work week everybody!

[skyoung44]

I love Sam Hunt's Montevallo album!!

[skyoung44]

The Thunder Rolls...

     Well the wait is over for Garth Brooks big announcement. His live announcement could be viewed by anyone at GarthBrooks.com earlier today at 12 ET. His live announcement or should I say announcements have been all over social media since.

     One of the announcements made was that Garth will be putting his music online for the first time ever. As of yet we are not sure exactly how the music will be available, but we do know it will not be on ITunes.

     Sony CEO, Doug Morris, was proud to announce that Garth Brooks would be welcomed into the Sony Music Family. Garth's new album will be released on Pearl Records and RCA Nashville. He mentioned that his music would be just like his old music. Garth made sure to emphasize that he would stay true to himself and not have "bro-country" or "hick-hop" on his new album. He also made note that his new music would be about some of the things he has experienced during retirement like being a father. His album (maybe a double album!) will be available on "Black Friday" this November, with his first single being revealed within the next two months.

     One of the biggest announcements was about his world tour. Everyone has been buzzing about it since his interview with Robin Roberts in December when he accidently let it slip. Garth was excited to announce that he would be touring and the first tour date will be announced soon. He said that he shows will be just like his old shows with a mix of both his old music and his new album.

     The country music world is ready to see what Garth brings to the table as he comes out of retirement. He made sure to point out that he will only play "Garth Music" just like he always has. Now the wait continues for his tour dates and new music.

[skyoung44]

This is my new favorite Florida Georgia Line song! If you have not seen it yet then you need to watch it now. This song makes me even more thankful for growing up on a small family farm. I will forever be thankful for the "Dirt" that my roots are planted in!

[skyoung44]

An "Automatic" Throwback

     Miranda Lambert has been in the news quite a bit lately. Between her new look and her new album she seems to be on just about every magazine cover or tv channel available. I think we can all agree that she deserves it all.

     This past Monday night on June 30th, Lambert along with her co-writers, Natalie Hamby and Nicolle Galyon, were honored for the success of her latest album Platinum. All of the partygoers were asked to wear 50's themed attire to go along with the song "Automatic," which talks about a simpler time in life.

     Country Music Weekly wrote in their story, "The club took on a prom theme, with balloons and streamers as decorations and a snack table loaded with burgers and mini-Oreos. Over the loudspeaker blared era-reminiscent favorites like Lloyd Price’s “Stagger Lee,” “Please Mr. Postman” by The Marvelettes and other hits..." Can you imagine how much fun that would be? I bet it looked very similar to Lambert's "Only Prettier" music video.

     A presentation ceremony took place during the fun filled night of throwing it back to the 50's. Miranda, Natalie, and Nicolle all received plaques from "Automatic" publishing companies. Along with that the Country Music Association presented them with medallions. Miranda was also honored by receiving a plaque for million-selling status for her Platinum album from the Gary Overton, CEO of Sony Music Nashville.

     If you have not had a chance to listen to the album go do that right now!

[skyoung44]

One of my favorite songs so far this summer! If you have not heard it yet take a few minutes to listen to it!! Beware it is very catchy!

[skyoung44]

Happy Mother's Day!! Watch this and remember that you will always be somebody's hero! 

[heartlandsweetheart-deactivated]

Never ever trust anyone who tells you they don't like George Strait.

***and if you happen to be dating this person, they are obviously not the right person for you.

[skyoung44]

I completely agree!! 

[skyoung44]

CMA Fest 2014 (with images) · skyoung44

Are you ready for one of the biggest weeks in country music? Want to know who all is performing? Look at this years line-up and get ready to for country music to be all over Nashville June 5-8!

[skyoung44]

I was already a Team Blake fan but I had to share this! Sisaundra did amazing job with this country song. Audra and Jake did a great job too but this was more in their comfort zone. All in all a great performance for them and their coach! 

[skyoung44]

A Love for Country Music

     First...how can you not love country music? There is just something about country music that I will always love. It tells a story. It can make you want to either smile from ear to ear or make you shed a tear or two. 

     I listened to country music growing up because that it what my parents listened to. When I got older I listened to country music because I loved it. Most of my memories from growing up can be associated with a special country song. 

     Country music is all about life lessons. Just by tuning into a country radio station you can learn about love, family, and booze. It will help you realize that "She's In Love With A Boy" or that "It's A Little Too Late" and you "Should've Been A Cowboy." It reminds you that it is always "5 O'Clock Somewhere" and the next day you will be asking "What Was I Thinking." Sometimes, it will even make you realize "What Hurts The Most" but "Whatever It Is" will be alright in the end. 

     Now that we have the basics of country music covered we need to talk about my favorite decade of country music...the 90's. I still listen to 90's country on a daily basis. I have multiple Pandora stations of artists that were big in the 90's and just one plain "90's Country Radio" station. Those were the days of real country music. When you have a combination of George Strait, Alan Jackson, Diamond Rio, Brooks & Dunn, Shania Twain, Jo Dee Messina, Ricochet, and Martinia McBride (only to name a few) it turns out to be the best era of country music ever! 

     When you open up my Itunes I have a wide variety of music but the majority is country. Yes, I was raised in the South and that is expected but it is more than that. Country music talks about my was of life. Many of the songs I am pretty sure they wrote about my life. I can relate to most of the songs on country radio and that makes it extra special to me.  I will always be a fan of country music as long as they continue to tell stories with each song. 

    Why do you love country music? Comment and let me know! I want to hear all about why country music is special to you! 

[skyoung44]

KIDS REACT TO WALKMANS (Portable Cassette Players)

Walkmans BONUS Reactions: http://goo.gl/qSqzcU NEW Vids Sun,Thurs & Sat! Subscribe: http://bit.ly/TheFineBros Watch all episodes of REACT http://goo.gl/4iDVa...

I laughed the whole time! I had one of these when I was younger. It is sad to think that my nephew would be just like the kids in this video!

[platinumdreamer]

[skyoung44]

You can't help but love Miranda Lambert!!

[skyoung44]

I am wishing for pretty days where I can roll the window down and just drive! Can't wait to be rollin' through the sunshine!