2000 to 2009 - A Decade In Review

Hard to believe that the end of decade is almost upon us, where has it gone and what were your favorite moments over these past 9 years? Leave a comment and let me know when and what happened :-D I'd love to hear from you.

Here are just a few Then & Now's from 2000-2009

Then: iPods were just coming onto the scene, CD's players were slowly beginning to become less popular

Now: iPod's have replaced CD players and iTunes has replaced the CD Stores

Then: N*Sync, The Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera ruled the charts.

Now: The Jonas Brothers, Miley Cirus, and Taylor Swift are making there voices heard on the Pop Charts

Then: Shania Twain, Garth Brooks and the Dixie Chicks were dominating Country Music

Now: Carrie Underwood, (Who came onto the scene in '05) Keith Urban and Brad Paisley had huge success

Then: American Idol was just another talent competition with big rewards at the end

Now: American Idol has huge ratings and is still one of the biggest shows from 2002 till now

Then: No One had ever heard of Twilight or Rob Pattinson and Harry Potter and Daniel Radcliff were all the rage

Now: While Harry Potter is still popular Twilight has dominated

So much more has occurred but those are just some of the many things that have happened over the

first half of the decade, what's next for the second half? Stay tuned to find out :-D

And if I don't talk to you before I hope you all have a safe & happy New Year

Congrats To Carrie Underwood!

Carrie showing her ring off at the Boston Bruins/Senators game Monday

Photo Credit: Ottawa Citizen

As all of you know by now I am a huge Carrie Underwood fan so when word came out Monday that Carrie was engaged I was ecstatic to hear about it. So I just wanted to say a huge congratulations to Carrie and her fiancée Mike Fisher of the Ottawa Senators hockey team. May you have many happy years ahead of you :-D

New Music Review: Lady Antebellm "American Honey"

Lady Antebellum isn't new to the country scene anymore and have been racking up awards and praise since they were introduced to us a few years ago. Since then they have released their self titled CD and are in the process of getting ready to launch a new CD titled Need You Now and this song American Honey is the second single from the album.

Co-written by Hillary Lindsey, the group is composed of Hillary Scott, Charles Kelly and Dave Haywood the three have amazing harmonies and this song is smooth and as sweet as well honey. It reminds you of more a summer time song but listening to it now it just warms you up and makes you smile.

The vocals these three have when there together are really out of this world. I have been lucky enough to see them 2 times and meet them as well and their lives vocals are just as good and they are as sweet as can be. So make sure you go and get a copy of American Honey on iTunes and continue to download a song a week until the new CD hits stores January 26th, 2010.

American Honey Lyrics

She grow up on the side of the road
Where the church bells ring and strong love grows
She grew up good, she grew up slow
Like American honey

Steady as a preacher, free as a weed
Couldn't wait to get going
But wasn't quite ready to leave
So innocent pure and sweet
American Honey

There's a wild wild whisper blown in the wind
Callin out my name like a long lost friend
Oh I miss those days as the years go by
Oh nothings sweeter than summertime
And American honey

Get caught in the race of this crazy life
Tryin to be everything can make you lose your mind
I just wanna go back in time
To American honey yeah

There s a wild wild whisper blown in the wind
Callin out my name like a long lost friend
Oh I miss those days as the years go by
Ooh nothings sweeter than summertime
And American Honey

Gone for so long now
I gotta get back to her some how
To American Honey

yeaaah

Ooooh
There's a wild wild whisper blown in the wind
Callin out my name like a long lost friend
Oh I miss those days as the years go by
Ooh nothings sweeter than summertime
And American honey
And American honey

New Music Review: Jimmy Wayne (Feat. Hall & Oates) - Sara Smile

If you don't know who Jimmy Wayne or who Daryl Hall & John Oates are then this is a good introduction to both of them. Back in the 1980's Daryl Hall & John Oates recorded the song Sara Smile which became one of there bigger hits of their career and now almost 30 years later the song is reaching a new generation of music lovers and is being done by country singer Jimmy Wayne.

At first I wasn't sure what to think about this because I love the original song, however Jimmy sang this on tour and it was getting rave reviews from fans and critics a like who wanted to hear it recorded and it was done, and I have to admit I love it to. The song is a new spin on a classic so go and get a copy on iTunes and help support Jimmy and Daryl Hall & John Oates to and introduce this song to a new generation of music lovers.

Sara Smile Lyrics

Baby hair with a woman's eyes
I can feel you're watching in the night
All alone with me and we're waiting for the sunlight
When I feel cold, you warm me
And when I feel I can't go on, you come and hold me
It's you... And me forever

Sara Smile
Won't you smile a while for me
Sara

If you feel like leaving you know you can go
But why don't you stay until tomorrow?
If you want to be free, you know, all you got to do is say so
And when you feel cold, I'll warm you
And when you feel you can't go on, I'll come and hold you
It's you... And me forever

Sara Smile
Won't you smile a while for me

The 2009 CMA's: The Outcome

Your co-hosts of the night: Brad Paisley and Carrie Undewood

So as many of you know the CMA's were held last night and while I was not to thrilled with the outcome of some of the awards I was very happy with others Some of the well deserved awards went to country music new comer Darius Rucker, country trio Lady Antebellum who upset Rascal Flatt's winning streak and Sugarland who beat out the breaking up Brooks and Dunn. Jennifer Nettles being the wonderful women she is offered Brooks and Dunn the chance to come up and speak for the last time however they refused but seemed grateful that Jennifer offered it.

There were so amazing performances as well, including Carrie Underwood's stunning eye popping outfit during Cowboy Casanova, Jennifer Nettels of Sugarland delivering superb vocals on their song Keep You while Brooks and Dunn gave their final performance of their CMA Career Martina McBride and Garth Brooks [Who has came out of retirement] paid tribute to the fantastic Barbra Mandrell. Keith Urban also brought down the house with his song Till Summer Comes Around. And the Zach Brown Band tore it up with their cover of Devil Went Down To Georgia.

Carrie during Cowboy Casanova

While many of the performances above stood out it was the co-hosts who stole the show. Brad and Carrie did a phenomenal job, and seemed much more comfortable hosting the show this year then they did last year. Between the jokes, the parody songs [For example Carrie singing about Swine Flu to the tune of Leanne Rime's song Blue] and their natural chemistry on stage was fantastic and they looked amazing doing it. (Carrie had 9 different dresses while Brad even though he only had the one outfit looked very handsome)

The Winners

Entertainer Of The Year: Taylor Swift

Male Vocalist of The Year – Brad Paisley

Female Vocalist of The Year – Taylor Swift

Vocal Group of The Year – Lady Antebellum

Vocal Duo of The Year – Sugarland

New Artist of The Year – Darius Rucker

Musician of The Year – Mac McNally

Album of The Year: Taylor Swift: Fearless

Single of The Year: I Run To You: Lady Antebellum

Song of The Year: In Color: Jamey Johnson

Musical Event of The Year: Start A Band: Brad Paisley and Keith Urban

Video of The Year: Taylor Swift – Love Story

2009 CMA's: My Predictions

With the 2009 CMA's approaching I have been reading blog predictions on who should win so I decided to post my predictions for the major categories. It's going to be a tough call as to who wins in some of these and some may disagree with me and if you do feel free to let me know who you think will win. And come back tomorrow for reactions on what I thought about the show.

Entertainer Of The Year: Brad Paisley

Male Vocalist of The Year – Brad Paisley

Female Vocalist of The Year – Carrie Underwood

Vocal Group of The Year – Lady Antebellum

Vocal Duo of The Year – Sugarland

New Artist of The Year – Darius Rucker

Musician of The Year – Dan Huff

Album of The Year: Brad Paisley: American Saturday Night

Single of The Year: Brad Paisley: Then

Song of The Year: Randy Travis – I Told You So

Musical Event of The Year: Randy Travis and Carrie Underwood – I Told You So

Video of The Year: Taylor Swift – Love Story

It's going to be an interesting night all around so tune in to ABC at 8/7c to see who wins

New Music Review: The Carter Twins: EP

Ah yes new music what could be better you ask? Honestly I don't know. For today's review I'm going to introduce you to a hot new duo, brothers Zach and Josh Carter also know as, The Carter Twins. while they have been around for a while now their music in my opinion has yet to be discovered by many country music fans out there. [Not saying they don't have a fan base because they do, however I just think that more people should know about them] their first two singles Heart Like Memphis and So What have been hits with country fans.

Tuesday they released their first EP to iTunes, and it's a great sampler of what is to come on their new CD which according to the twins is due out next year sometime.

The EP includes their two hits Heart Like Memphis and So What as well as two songs that have been heard by fans who have only seen them in concert or have to been to one of their video chats and those are Photo Booth and Wish I Would Have Kissed Her.

They have a fantastic sound when sining together and their individual voices are truly fantastic. Each song on this EP is up tempo and fun to sing a long to. I really hope that they keep going out there and continue to do what they do because it's really amazing. For those of you who don't know them check out this EP and their website as well.

New Music Review: Carrie Underwood's "Play On"

Carrie Underwood first came to us on TV's American Idol, and ever since she was crowned the winner she has done no wrong everything she touches turns to gold. She's won multiple awards and her first 2 CD's have sold a combine 10 million copies. Now Tuesday November 3rd is a day that Carrie fans have been looking forward to for a while now. Why you may ask? Well Carrie's third studio CD Play On will be released to the world. I got my copy a day early because of the pre-order I posted about a while back so I figured I would post my review of the album in case you want to run out to Target or WalMart to get it at midnight.

I must say that this album really shows more maturity on Carrie's half , not saying the other two weren't that way but lyrically and vocally she has really grown over the past four years. Carrie has also grown as a writer as well and has 7 of 13 co-writes on the CD. Carrie is very well know for her ballads and powerhouse vocals that were delivered in such songs as So Small and Jesus Take The Wheel. Songs like Change, and Temporary Home and Quitter are just a few songs that show that higher level of maturity.

If your a fan of the ballads you will be short on those. A personal favorite of mine is a song titled What Can I Say. On this song Carrie duets with the group Sons Of Sylvia (A trio of brothers, Ashley, Austin and Adam Clarke) Side Note: Ashley Clarke used to play fiddle for Carrie back in 2005/2006. The one thing I love about this is the harmonies they are simply beautiful and Carrie's vocals are golden as usual.

If your looking for a tear jerker listen to Temporary Home a heart wrenching ballad that was thought up not only by Carrie but her boyfriend hockey player Mike Fisher. The song is a set of three stories: A young boy in a foster home, a mom and her daughter in a halfway house and an old man in a hospital bed. All three songs relay back to this chorus: This is our temporary home it's not where we belong Windows and rooms that we're passin' through This is just a stop, on the way to where we're going I'm not afraid because I know this is our Temporary Home.

Now if heart wrenching tear jerkers aren't your thing, but really come on who doesn't like that sort of song every song every so often? then Carrie does have a does of up beat songs on this as well. You can start with her first single Cowboy Casanova and then move on to the Max Martin produced song and another favorite of mine Quitter. Some may say Quitter is more pop then country but I say who cares? It's still a Carrie song and it's still fantastic. Then there's the sassy song Undo It where Carrie talks about wanting to undo a relationship she had in the past. [Take your guesses as to who she's talking about I'm not saying anything] Overall not matter what your looking for on this CD your going to find, but then again to us there really isn't a bad Carrie song.

Review Of Adam Lambert's New Single: For Your Entertainment

Remember Adam Lambert? Well if you don't remember him he was the runner up on Season 8 of American Idol, despite the fact that he was chosen to win. I myself voted for him week after week and while I was upset he lost I had a feeling he wouldn't disappear . His new album For Your Entertainment is due out in November and his first single is the title track of that CD. This track is very well Adam, very rock oriented vibe to it and it really showcases his killer vocals that we got to hear on Idol. It's also slightly techno sounding in the beginning with a drum beat that sticks around throughout the song. It's one of those that for me that by the second listen I really began to enjoy it. I still it's a little too repetitive but I still do like it and recommend that you get it.

For Your Entertainment Lyrics

So hot

Out the box

Can we pick up the pace?

Turn it up,

Heat it up

I need to be entertained

Push the limit

Are you with it?

Baby, don’t be afraid

I’ma hurt ‘ya real good, baby

Let’s go

It’s my show

Baby, do what I say

Don’t trip off the glitz

That I’m gonna display

I told ya

I’ma hold ya down until you’re amazed

Give it to ya ’til your screaming my name

No escaping when I start

Once I’m in I own your heart

There’s no way you’ll ring the alarm

So hold on until it’s over

Oh, do you know what you got into?

Can you handle what I’m ’bout to do?

‘Cause it’s about to get rough for you

I’m here for your entertainment

Oh, I bet you thought that I was soft and sweet

‘Ya fallen angel swept ya off ya feet

Well I’m about to turn up the heat

I’m here for your entertainment

It’s alright

You’ll be fine

Baby, I’m in control

Take the pain

Take the pleasure

I’m the master of both

Close your eyes

Not your mind

Let me into your soul

I’ma work ya ’til your totally blown

No escaping when I start

Once I’m in I own your heart

There’s no way ‘ta ring the alarm

So hold on until it’s over

Oh, do you know what you got into?

Can you handle what I’m ’bout to do?

‘Cause it’s about to get rough for you

I’m here for your entertainment

Oh, I bet you thought that I was soft and sweet

‘Ya fallen angel swept ya off your feet

Well I’m about to turn up the heat

I’m here for your entertainment

Oh oh…mmmm

Entertainment…

Oh oh…..Oh entertainment…

I’m here for your entertainment…

Oooohhh…..

Do you like what you see?

Wooooaaaahhhh……

Let me entertain ya ’till you screeaaam

Oh, do you know what you got into?

Can you handle what I’m ’bout to do?

‘Cause it’s about to get rough for you

I’m here for your entertainment

Oh, I bet you thought that I was soft and sweet (bet ya thought)

‘Ya fallen angel swept ya off your feet

Well I’m about to turn up the heat (turn up the heat)

I’m here for your entertainment

BOO!

Just a quick note to say Happy Halloween to everyone =D I hope that all the trick or treater's have a great time tonight and stay safe wherever you may be.

And for those who aren't into scary movies here are my two suggestions for what you should watch

1) It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

2) Garfield's Halloween Adventure

iTunes Single Of The Week: Orianthi: According To You

For those of you who haven't heard of Orianthi you should know who she is. The Australian born singer/guitar player [Who has played with the likes of Carrie Underwood and the late Michael Jackson] has made her way here to the US in a big way her new single According To You from her new CD titled Believe [Available Now] is the Discovery Download Of The Week on iTunes. It's a very edgy song and her vocals are just simply fantastic on it I tell you this girl can do it all. She has hit the ground running here in a huge way and in my opinion is someone to keep an eye on for a while she is going to be around for a good long time. So go and get the single now it's only free for a limited time and even if you don't get it within that space of time still buy it and support one amazing singer.

To find out more on Orianthi visit her MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/orianthi

If you like this Purchase her CD here: http://www.amazon.com/Believe-Orianthi/dp/B002NPUCP8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1256676348&sr=8-1

Pre Order Carrie Underwood's New CD

From Sony Music Digital:

http://www.sonymusicdigital.com/carrie-underwood/pages/4001892/

Let the countdown begin! 'PLAY ON' is available everywhere Nov 3, but CarrieUnderwoodOfficial.com has the best pre-order around. Only available at CarrieUnderwoodOfficial.com, this exclusive 'PLAY ON' bundle includes Carrie's latest CD and a limited edition 11" x 17" print that features brand new art from her 'PLAY ON' photo shoot. This exclusive, collectable print is hand-numbered and limited to a run of 5,000. As an added bonus, Carrie has personally signed 500 of these prints at random, so for your best chance to receive one of these extra special prints ORDER NOW!

iTunes New Music Tuesday Review: Carrie Underwood's Temporary Home

Frewarning: Your going to need tissues for this song if you thought Mama's Song (Last Tuesday) was emotional this one will really get you.

As you will come to see Carrie Underwood is a favorite of mine and today I review her second iTunes release Temporary Home

If your a Carrie Underwood fan then you will know that Carrie has released a few power house ballads in the past few years (Jesus Take The Wheel and So Small to name two) however this song is not only powerful but heart has a powerful message behind it as well.

According to co-writer Luke Laird Carrie had everything mapped out for the song "She had the whole thing mapped out," Laird says. "She had the title, knew basically what she wanted each verse to say. She didn't have anything actually written down, but that made a huge difference. Most songs, even when I'm writing with other writers, we don't have them that mapped out, so we're just filling in the pieces. But she really knew what she wanted to say." The song has three different stories behind it: A little boy in a foster home, a mom and her baby daughter in a halfway house and a man in a dying hospital bed [Re-re the forewarning]

Carrie vocals really shine on this there breathtaking you could say, she has really grown as a vocalist over the past four years and this really proves it. It has to be one of my favorites from this CD so far, it will really touch a lot of people in many ways. So in saying that I ask you to go pick up a copy on iTunes and listen for yourself.

Temporary Home Lyrics

A little boy six years old
a little too used to being alone
another new mom and dad
another school another house that will never be home
when people ask him how he likes this place
he looks up and says with a smile upon his face

this is my temporary home
its not where i belong
windows and rooms
that i'm passing thorugh
this is just a stop
on the way to where im going
i'm not afraid because i know
this is my temporary home

young mom on her own
she needs a little help got nowhere to go
shes looking for a job, looking for a way out
cause the halfway house will never be a home
at night she whispers to her baby girl
someday we'll find a place here in this world

this is our temporary home
its not where we belong
windows and rooms
that we're passing through
this is just a stop
on the way to where we're going
i'm not afraid because i know
this is our temporary home

old man, hospital bed
the room is filled with people he loves
and he whispers dont cry for me
i'll see you all someday
he looks up and says "I can see God's face."
this is my temporary home
its not where i belong
windows and rooms
that i'm passing through
this was just a stop
on the way to where im going
i'm not afraid because i know
this was my temporary home.

this is our temporary home.