George Strait and Reba McEntire on October 21

Hey country fans, I'm the guest writer on the blog today. I'm an intern and will be writing on here occasionally. On Thursday, October 21st, George Strait and Reba McEntire will be performing at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Both are country singing legends that are arguably the most iconic figures for their gender. Strait is referred to as "The King of Country" and McEntire is called "The Queen of Country." Strait has 57 #1 hits as of 2010, breaking a music record and has sold more than 68.5 million records worldwide. McEntire has sold more than 56 million albums worldwide and the 7th best selling artist of all time.

Coming Soon To Chicago: A Little More Country!

Less than a month ago I was just a simple Minnesota girl that loved listening to country music while sitting on the tailgate of Ryan's truck, sitting at the local bars with my friends, sitting around a bonfire or just hanging out at friends houses. In a blink of an eye I find myself putting my two weeks in at work, packing up all my things, saying goodbye to family/friends and moving to Chicago to be with my amazing boyfriend. When you think of Chicago your first thought isn't exactly going to be country music but I am hoping I am able to change that just a little bit! I haven't figured out how I am going to accomplish this yet but I will have a lot of time on my hands so Chicago better watch out! :) My heart will always be in Minnesota so don't worry I will still post a ton of good information about Minnesota country concerts! I know there will be many times when I miss my friends and family but I know if I turn on some great country songs it will make me feel a lot better and a lot closer to them. To my family, friends and co-workers, I love you all! "I will count the days and the miles back home to you..."

Is Toby Keith Coming To Minnesota?

Back in April I wrote a post about Toby Keith's Tour making a stop in Minnesota. A few months ago on his website their was a schedule date for Toby Keith to perform in Minnesota on July 16th but that date is no longer on his website. Has anyone heard if Toby Keith is no longer coming to Minnesota and the reason behind it or has he just changed the date? I am a little confused about the whole thing and am just looking for some answers :) Thank you for your help!

Jerrod Niemann's New Single "Lover, Lover"

A few weeks ago my roommate came home and told me about a new country song that she absolutely love and she introduced me to one of my new favorite country songs "Lover, Lover" by Jerrod Niemann. Jerrod Neimann has been releasing songs since 2006 but this was his first top 10 single. Not only does Jerrod Neimann sing he also writes songs for very famous country artist like Jamey Johnson, Neal McCoy, Julie Roberts and wrote Garth Brooks hit single "Good Ride Cowboy." Jerrod Niemann has such a great voice and this song has such a good rhythm and fun lyrics to sing along with I am not surprised at all that it is a top 10 hit. If you haven't heard it yet I highly suggest taking a few minutes to listen to it because I am sure you will love it too!

"Lover, Lover"
Well the truth, well it hurts to say
I'm gonna pack up my bags and I'm gonna go away
I'm gonna split, I can't stand it
I'm gonna give it up and quit and aint never coming back

Girl but before I get to going, I've got to say,
I know you used to love me but that was yesterday,
And the truth, I won't fight it,
When the love starts burning you got to do what's right.

Woh-oh lover, lover lover, you don't treat me no good no more,
Woh-oh lover, lover lover, you don't treat me no good no more,

Well the truth, yeah it hurts to say,
I'm gonna pack up my bags and I'm gonna go away,
I'm gonna split, I can't stand it,
I'm gonna give it up and quit, ain't never coming back

Girl but before I get to going, I've got to say,
There was a time, oh woman, when you used to shake it for me,
but now, all you do is just treat me cold,
Ain't gonna take it no more, gonna walk out the door,

Lover, lover lover, you don't treat me no good no more,
No good no more more more more
Lover, lover lover you don't treat me good no more,
Yeah yeah yeah yeah

Well I'd wait up for you almost every night
and I'm hurting so bad cause you don't treat me right
Oh woman, oh woman you know I love you so
but you're so mean to me baby, I'm walking out the door,
Oh lover, oh lover, yeah-yeah

No good no more more more more

I know you used to love me in every way
but now im giving it up, and I'm tired of crying babe
I can't stand it no longer, it hurts me to say,
but I'm packing up my bags and going far away,
Hey lover, oh lover yeah-yeah

Lover, lover lover, you dont treat me no good no more
Lover, lover lover, you dont treat me no good no more

Kellie Pickler in Concert!

Kellie Pickler will be playing at the Jackpot Junction Casino in Minnesota on July 9, 2010! Kellie Pickler got her start on American Idol just like many other country stars including Carrie Underwood, Josh Gracin and Bucky Covington. I have always like Kellie Pickler as a country artist and as a person. She had a very rough life growing up with both parents being in and out of jail and having to be raised by her grandparents. Even after growing up in that environment she seems like such a fun, happy and light-hearted person who likes to have a good time no matter what she is doing. Kellie Pickler's first single was "Red High Heels" which reached #15 on the country charts. Kellie Pickler continues to release amazing singles like "I Wonder," "Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind," "Don't You Know You're Beautiful," "Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You" and my Personal favorite "Best Days Of Your Life." Kellie Pickler has opened for huge country artist including Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift but is now headlining her own tour. Kellie Pickler tickets are still available and I think this would be a very fun show to go see!!!

Josh Turner at Mystic Lake Casino in Minnesota

Josh Turner will be performing in Minnesota at the Mystic Lake Casino on August 19th, 2010! I have always liked Josh Turner because of his unique/distinctive voice! Josh Turner released his first single "Long Black Train" in 2003 and it spent more than 40 weeks on the Billboard country charts. Josh Turner has released many great singles since then including: "Your Man," "Would You Go With Me," "Firecracker," "Another Try" which he recorded with Trish Yearwood and his newest single "Why Don't We Just Dance." I am so glad that Josh Turner is performing at Mystic Lake Casino because it is such a great venue to watch country artist in. It is a pretty small venue so no matter where you sit you are close to the performer. I have never seen Josh Turner in concert before so I don't know what to expect but I have no doubt that it will be great! Josh Turner tickets are still available for his performance at Mystic Lake Casino. If you have had the chance to see Josh Turner in Concert please leave a comment and let me know what you thought of him.

Tim McGraw at the Minnesota State Fair!

I was beyond excited when I found out that Tim McGraw will be playing at the Minnesota State Fair on August 28, 2010!!! I have been a huge fan of Tim McGraw since "Indian Outlaw" and have not had the opportunity yet to see him in concert. Tim McGraw has been everywhere lately because of his staring role in The Blind Side and his chart toping new album Southern Voice. I have loved every movie that Tim McGraw has been in including Friday Night Lights, Flicka and Four Christmases. But, I first fell in love with Tim McGraw because of his music. Some of my favorite Tim McGraw songs are: "Don't Take the Girl," "I Like It, I Love It," "She Never Lets It Go To Her Heart," "It's Your Love," "Where The Green Grass Grows," "Just To See You Smile," "My Best Friend," "Just To Hear You Say That You Love Me," "Live Like You Were Dying," "Over & Over," "If Your Reading This" and "Southern Voice." I can't wait to hear all of these songs live!!! Opening for Tim Mcgraw is Julianne Hough who most people know from Dancing With the Stars. Julianne Hough is also a new country singer whose most popular single is "That Song in My Head." Tim Mcgraw tickets will be going on-sale next week and I will keep everyone updated on when and how you can get them!

"Southern Voice"
Hank Williams sang it
Number 3 drove it
Chuck Berry twanged it
Will Falkner wrote it
Aretha Franklin sold it
Dolly Parton graced it
Rosa Parks rode it
Scarlett O chased it

Smooth as the hickory wind
That blows from Memphis
Down to Appalachicola
It's hi ya'll did ya eat well
Come on in I'm
Sure glad to know ya
Don't let this old gold cross
In this Allman Brothers t-shirt throw ya
It's cicadas making noise
With a southern voice

Hank Aaron smacked it
Michael Jordan dunked it
Pocahantas tracked it
Jack Daniels drunk it
Tom Petty rocked it
Dr. King paved it
Bear Bryant won it
Billy Graham saved it

Smooth as the hickory wind
That blows from Memphis
Down to Appalachicola
It's hi ya'll did ya eat well
Come on in I'm
Sure glad to know ya
Don't let this old gold cross
In this Crimson Tide t-shirt throw ya
It's cicadas making noise
With a southern voice

Jesus is my friend
America is my home
Sweet iced tea and Jerry Lee
Daytona Beach
That's what gets to me
I can feel it in my bones

Smooth as the hickory wind
That blows from Memphis
Down to Appalachicola
It's hi ya'll did ya eat well
Come on in child
I'm sure glad to know ya
Don't let this old gold cross
In this Charlie Daniels t-shirt throw ya
We're just boys making noise
With a southern voice

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Southern Voice
I got a southern voice
A southern voice

New Lee Brice CD Love Like Crazy!

I recently bought the new Lee Brice CD and I absolutely love it! Most of you probably know Lee Brice because of his hit single "Love Like Crazy." I bet a lot of people don't know that Lee Brice has also wrote many songs for other country stars including Garth Brooks comeback single "More Than a Memory" and Tim McGraw's hit single "Still." There is a song for everyone on his new CD! If you are looking for a song to listen to while drinking beers with buddies around a bonfire there is "Sumter County Friday Night." If you are looking for a great love song there "Love Like Crazy." For those of you (like me) who enjoy a sad song every now and then there is "Happy Endings." My favorite songs on the CD that have become some of my all-time favorite country songs are "Power of a Woman" and "These Last Few Days." I am making a prediction that Lee Brice's song "These Last Few Days" will become a huge #1 single! I promise you will not be disappointed if you buy this CD or download these great songs on your Ipod! If you have listened to Lee Brice's new CD Love Like Crazy let me know what you think of it and what songs you love!

"Love Like Crazy"
They called him crazy when they started out
Said seventeen's too young to know what loves about
They've been together fifty-eight years now
That’s crazy

He brought home sixty-seven bucks a week
He bought a little 2 bedroom house on Maple Street
Where she blessed him with six more mouths to feed
Yeah that’s crazy

Just ask him how he did it; he'll say pull up a seat
It'll only take a minute, to tell you everything
Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse I love you
Go to work, do your best, don't outsmart your common sense
Never let your prayin' knees get lazy
And love like crazy

They called him crazy when he quit his job
Said them home computers, boy they'll never take off
He sold his one man shop to Microsoft
They paid like crazy

Just ask him how he made it
He'll tell you faith and sweat
And the heart of a faithful woman,
Who never let him forget

Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse I love you
Go to work, do your best, don't outsmart your common sense
Never let your prayin knees get lazy
And love like crazy

Always treat your woman like a lady
Never get too old to call her baby
Never let your prayin knees get lazy
And love like crazy

They called him crazy when they started out
They've been together fifty-eight years now

Ain't that crazy?

"These Last Few Days"
These last few days
What can I say
You've had me thinkin' in circles
In crazy not like me ways
My favorite thing
Lately has been waking up with you
Talkin ourselves to sleep again

Baby come a little closer
Let me lay some nibble kisses on your shoulder
You said that's your favorite place
Baby maybe we could borrow
Find a way to bag and
Steal a few tomorrows and stay
Here in these last few days

These last few days
Have blown me away
The thought of letting go,
And falling
Is actually feeling okay
I must confess
I need some rest
But with every touch
I swear the better it seems to get

Baby come a little closer
Let me lay some nibble kisses on your shoulder
You said that your favorite place
Baby maybe we could borrow
Find a way to bag and
Steal a few tomorrows and stay
Here in these last few days

I aint lookin for love
But whatever this is
I can't get enough

Baby come a little closer
Let me lay some nibble kisses on your shoulder
You said that your favorite place
Baby maybe we could borrow
Find a way to bag and
Steal a few tomorrows and stay
Here in the last few days

Mary Chapin Carpenter in Minnesota

Mary Chapin Carpenter will be performing at the Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater on July 7th! I didn't recognize her name right away but after I did a little research I realized that I love a bunch of the songs she sings. Mary Chapin Carpenter first released a country cd in 1990 and has had many hit singles since then. Some of her hit singles that were all top 10 are: "Never Had It So Good," "Quttin' Time," "Down at the Twist and Shout," "I Feel Lucky," "Passionate Kisses," "He Thinks He'll Keep her," "I Take My Chances," "Shut Up and Kiss Me" and "Tender When I Want To Be." Mary Chapin Carpenter tickets are still available if you want to hear her sing any of these great songs live in person!

Jewel in concert and backstage

Last night I got the chance to not only see Jewel in concert but I also got to go backstage and meet her and watch a private performance. The private performance was amazing! First my friend Anna and I got to take a picture with her, she answered a few questions and then she sang a song just a few feet away from me that she just recently wrote. My friend Anna asked Jewel why she switched to country music and Jewel explained that she always thought her music belonged on country stations because she likes writing meaningful songs but with her first label they wouldn't let her music play on country stations. I'm really glad that Anna asked that question because most of you know that I don't always like artist that switch over to country but after that explanation I completely understood her and no longer consider her a cross over artist. Jewel has such an amazing voice and is a very talented song writer. During her concert she sang a song called "Count to Ten" that will be on her new album and I am predicting that it will be a #1 single on the country stations. I had such an amazing time from start to finish. I was able to do all of this because of the people at Country Financial. They are sponsors for Jewel and Jason Aldean and I was lucky enough to be picked to become a blogger for them. You should check out their website tripsandpicks.com because you can see a lot of fun pictures and videos and sign up to win contest. Thanks to everyone at Country Financial and especially Jay!