Country Drinking Songs

Just in case you didn't know, the day before Thanksgiving is the biggest drinking day of the year! This got me thinking about country songs that I love hearing while drinking with my friends and have come up with a list of great country songs for the drinking festivities tomorrow:
"Love Train"-Big and Rich
"Here for the Party"-Gretchen Wilson
"Chicken Fried"-Zac Brown Band (Zac Brown Band tickets are on sale for the Northrop)
"Hicktown"-Jason Aldean
"Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy"-Big and Rich
"Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off"-Joe Nichols
"I Love This Bar"-Toby Keith
"Red Neck Yacht Club"-Craig Morgan
"Friends in Low Places"-Garth Brooks (#1 drinking song in my opinion!)
"Boondocks"-Little Big Town
"Need You Know"-Lady Antebellum (the new drinking song we listen to all the time)
"Cowboy Casanova"-Carrie Underwood
"It's 5 o'clock somewhere"-Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett
"All My Friends Say"-Luke Bryan

I know there is a ton I have missed so please let me know what great country drinking songs I have forgotten about and I will add them to the list. Thank you to my friends that helped me with this list and all my friends that have had great times with me while listening to these songs!

U2 TCF Stadium tickets

I know some of you might be surprised to hear this but a couple times a year I listen to music that isn't country! One band that isn't country that I really enjoy listening to is U2. That's why I was so excited to hear that U2 will be performing at the new TCF Bank stadium in Minneapolis on June 27, 2010. I have always loved U2 because their music is very original and talks about very powerful subjects. I also like how much U2 does to help change the world and make it better place with their charities and fund raiser concerts. I have a feeling this will be one of the best concerts people will ever get a chance to see. No band/artist has ever had a tour this large. U2 had an architect design the stage they will be performing on and it will cost U2 $750,000 a day just for expenses. I can't wait to hear U2 perform some of my favorite songs like "With or Without You," "Where the streets have no name" and "One." I'm guessing U2 tickets will be very hard to get because they are such a popular band. Luckily I have already found some U2 tickets for when they play at the TCF Bank Stadium!

CMA Awards 2009

I was in my own personal heaven on Wednesday watch the 2009 CMA Awards! First I will start with the performances: The performances this year on the CMAs were amazing and are the reason why this is hands down the best award show on tv. The show was only 3 hours long but they were able to fit in performances by Taylor Swift, Zac Brown Band, Tim McGraw, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, Sugarland, Darius Rucker, Vince Gill & Daughtry, Brad Paisley, Brooks and Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Martina Mcbride, Dave Matthews & Kenny Chesney, Jamey Johnson & Kid Rock and Jason Aldean. I can't even pick out my favorite performances because they were all so great. I did fall in love with Sugarland's new single "Keep You" and Keith Urbans "'Til Summber Comes Around." I was also very excited to see my two newer favorite country songs performed which were Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now" and Jason Aldean's "Big Green Tractor." It was also great to see Brooks and Dunn play together for the last time because they have influence the country world so much through out the years and they will be greatly missed. And now for the winners...
Single of the Year- "I Run To You" Lady Antebellum
Song of the Year- "In Color" Jamey Johnson
Vocal Group of the Year- Lady Antebellum
New Artist of the Year- Darius Rucker
Album of the Year- Fearless by Taylor Swift
Vocal Duo of the Year- Sugarland
Male Vocalist of the Year- Brad Paisley
Female Vocalist of the Year- Taylor Swift
Entertainer of the Year- Taylor Swift

One of the things I really love about the CMAs is that you can see that all the country artists are friends and all excited for each other no matter who wins. It is so nice to see positivity like that at a music award show because it isn't always like that with other award shows. I can't wait for 2010 CMAs

Top 5 Country Concerts

My favorite thing in the whole world is to go to country concerts. I have been lucky enough to see many of my favorite country artist perform live. Yesterday I was asked which country artist was my favorite to see in concert/who puts on the best show and I didn't have an answer because I never compared them to each other. I have decided to come up with a top 5 list of who puts on the best concert so I have an answer for the next time I am asked. First I should tell you who I have seen live in concert so everyone knows which bands/artist I am comparing: Kenny Chesney, Sugarland, Reba McEntire, Chris Cagle, Gretchen Wilson, Chuck Wicks, Dierks Bentley, Pat Green, Randy Houser, Keith Urban, Zac Brown Band, Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Garth Brooks, Dixie Chicks, Little Big Town and Brad Paisley. This was not an easy list to make but this is what I have come up with...

#5. Garth Brooks: The only reason Garth Brooks isn't number 1 is because I was so young when I went to see him that I don't really remember it that well. But I do remember the night I saw Garth Brooks was the night I fell in love with country!

#4. Dierks Bentley: This concert was so amazing because Dierks Bentley is able to make everyone that is at the concert feel like he is singing to only them. He was very down to earth and had a ton of energy. You leave a Dierks Bentley concert with the feeling that you just watched one of your good friends perform.

#3. Rascal Flatts: I have seen Rascal Flatts twice and the more you see them in concert the more you love them. I am a huge Rascal Flatts fan and know every word to all of their great songs and when you go to one of their concerts you realize every single Rascal Flatts fan is the same. The energy from the crowd and the band doesn't compare to the energy you will feel at any other concert.

#2. Jason Aldean: I have never been to a concert where the fans were on there feet the ENTIRE time of the the concert but that happened at the Jason Aldean concert. I was front row for this concert which made it even better but when I looked behind me you could tell that even the people in the back row were having as much fun as I was. Jason Aldean sang every song as if it was the only song he was going to perform that night and gave it everything he had until he walked off the stage after the last song.

#1.5 Kenny Chesney: Kenny Chesney has won Entertainer of the Year many years in a row and he definitely deserves that award! I have seen Kenny Chesney twice and both times were unforgettable. Kenny Chesney was the first country artist I saw that really knew how to put on a show and he is one of the main reasons I started to love going to concerts. I hope I get the chance to see Kenny Chesney a 3rd, 4th and 5th time because I love all of his songs and his concerts!

#1. Keith Urban: I was speechless after I left the Keith Urban Concert and I still kind of am. Every song he sang I looked over at my friend Jamie and said "That is my favorite song I will never forget him singing that live" and after the next song I would say/think the same exact thing. During the concert I wanted to soak up every moment because I didn't want to forget a thing about this concert. If you ever get the chance to see Keith Urban in concert jump at it because it is a concert you will never forget.

On a side note: I wouldn't have gone to 3/4 of these concerts if it wasn't for my country partner in crime Jamie. I can't imagine anyone else I would have rather gone to these concerts with because no one can party country style like we can :)
And a HUGE thanks to Megan for coming to the Jason Aldean concert with me because that was hands down one of the funnest nights of my life!

David Nail concert in Minnesota at The Rock Nightclub

David Nail is a new country artist but I am already a fan because of his single "Red Light." I was very excited to hear that David Nail will be performing at The Rock Nigh Club in Maplewood, MN on November 12th at 8:30. One of my favorite things to do is go to a small venue to watch an up and coming country artist. I love David Nail's voice and I have a feeling he has a very big country career in his future. Thats why I can't wait to see him at this small venue so I can see David Nail up close before he becomes extremely popular. I have never been to The Rock Nightclub even though it is only a few miles away from my house so I will let you know what I think of it!

David Nail "Red Light"

Verse 1
so this is how it ends
this is where it all goes down
this is what I don't love you feels like

It aint the middle of the night
and it aint even raining outside
It aint exactly what i had in mind.
For goodbye

Chrous 1
at a redlight in the sunshine
on a sunday nothing to say
don't even try

some are coming home
some are leaving town
while my worlds crashing down
on a sunday in the sunshine at a red light

Verse 2
I thought she was going to say
something about that couple kissing
crossing the street
or something about this beautiful day

but she just looked me in the eye
said its over didnt try to lie or pick a fight
I might have seen it
coming that way

Chrous 1 Again

Bridge
theres a mama
calming down a little baby
in the backseat in front of me

theres an old man dressed
in his sunday best
just waiting on green
but i cant see getting past

Chrous 2
this redlight in the sunshine
on a sunday nothing to say
don't even try

some are coming home
some are leaving town
while my worlds crashing down
on a sunday in the sunshine at a red light

Gloriana performing in Minnesota at The Cabooze on December 10

Gloriana has been touring the country with Taylor Swift opening for her sold-out shows. I thought the only chance I would get to see Gloriana live was when they come to the Xcel Energy Center with Taylor Swift on May 7th. I was already excited to see them open for Taylor Swift but I found out this morning that Gloriana will be performing at the Cabooze on December 10th. Gloriana is a new band but they already have one hit single "Wild at Heart." I love the single and video for "Wild at Heart" because it is such a fun upbeat song. Even though they only have one hit single I know it will be fun to see Gloriana at the Cabooze because it is fun to see any artist at the Cabooze. It is a smaller venue and the stage is right on the floor so you can get very close to the artists as they are performing. I suggest buying Gloriana tickets before the show so you don't have to wait in line to get tickets because the lines can get pretty long.

Jason Aldean's New Single "The Truth"

I am in love with Jason Aldean's latest single called "The Truth." I have a feeling that there is a lot of us out there that can completely understand and relate to this song. Who hasn't been in a situation where a relationship ends and you want the other person to think you are doing great even if you might not be doing so well. That is what "The Truth" by Jason Aldean is about. Throughout the song he asks his friends to lie for him saying that he is out having the time of his life but the truth is that he is going crazy without her. Its a little hard to completely explain "The Truth" but if you take a few minutes to listen to the song you will understand it and most likely fall in love with "The Truth" by Jason Aldean like I did!

"The Truth" by Jason Aldean

Tell em all I'm on vacation,
Say I went to visit friends,
That you ain't heard or seen from me in quite a while,
When they ask you where I've been,
Tell em I'm out on the west coast where it don't ever rain,
And that I'm probably doing fine,

(Chorus)
Just don't tell em I've gone crazy,
That I'm still strung out over you,
Tell em anything you want to,
Just don't tell em all the truth,
Yeah don't tell em all the truth,

Tell em all I'm out in Vegas,
Blowin' every dollar I ever made,
Tell em that I must be into something bad for me cause,
I sure lost a lot of weight,
Tell em I'm out on the road with some old rock and roll band,
Living like a gypsy can,

(Chorus)

The truth is that I'm asking you to lie,
And we both know that it ain't right,
But if you ever loved me please,
Have some mercy on me,
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah,

Tell em anything you want to,
Just don't tell em all the truth,
Yeah don't tell em all the truth,
I still need you,
Yeah that's the truth,
I still love you,
Baby that's the truth.

Brad Paisley coming to the Xcel Energy Center on January 16, 2010

I was so excited to hear that Brad Paisley will be performing in Minnesota at the Xcel Energy Center on January 16, 2010! I saw Brad Paisley two years ago when he was at Wefest but I don't remember much of the concert (if any of you have been to Wefest you know the reason why!) I can't wait to get another chance to see one of his shows because I love him and his music. Some of my favorite Brad Paisley songs are "He Didn't Have to Be," "I'm Gonna Miss Her," "I Wish You'd Stay," "Wrapped Around," "Mud On The Tires," "Whiskey Lullaby," "I'm Still A Guy," "Alcohol" and my favorite Brad Paisley song and the reason my cat is named Paisley "Little Moments." I was even more excited to hear that the opening act is going to be Miranda Lambert! Miranda Lambert has been one of my favorite country artist since I heard her first single "Me and Charlie Talking." Her songs have gotten me through many big moments in my life and I could listen to them all day long. Some of my favorite Miranda Lambert songs are "Kerosene," "Gunpowder & Lead," "More Like Her," "Bring Me Down," "Love Letters," "Love Your Memory," "Greyhound Bound for Nowhere," "Love is Looking for You," "I Can't Be Bothered" and her two newest singles that I am obsessed with "White Liar" and "Dead Flowers." I already know this will be one of the best country concerts to see! Brad Paisley tickets are not on sale yet but when they do go onsale I will let you know. These Xcel Energy Center tickets will go very fast so as soon as I find out what date they will be on-sale I will let everyone know :)....UPDATE: I found Brad Paisley tickets!!! I can't wait till he is at the Xcel Energy Center with Miranda Lambert!