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!

Brooks & Dunn and Jason Aldean Concert in MN!!!

I can't believe Brooks & Dunn and Jason Aldean will be in Minnesota at the Xcel Energy Center in just a few days!!! I have been waiting a very very long time to get the chance to see Jason Aldean. I saw Jason Aldean at the Minnesota State Fair last summer and it was by far the best country concert I have ever seen. I was recently selected to become an official blogger for Road Trips and Guitar Picks which is sponsors for Jason Aldean and Jewel. Thanks to Road Trips and Guitar Picks I get the chance to see Jason Aldean and get backstage passes to meet Jewel. They have a very cool website, www.tripsandpicks.com, that has many pictures of fans and the artists and a lot of great articles about the artist so everyone should check it out! I am also very excited to see Brooks & Dunn for the first time which is ironically the last time they will be touring together. The song I am most excited to hear is one of their newest songs "Indian Summer!" If anyone has seen Brooks & Dunn in concert before please let me know what you thought of the experience.

Indian Summer
tall weeds laid flat down
on the hard black kansas ground
sad song in her head kept blowin round
she barely even knew his name
but she like the way he played the game
everybody cheered when he scored that last touchdown

indian summer,
the wonder,
the hunger,
and the sound of distant thunder,
indian summer

tangled in a moment of truth
bottle of wine in a motel room
blue haze circled round the cold gray moon
while the wind chased the leaves outside
passion found a place to hide
late september heat couldnt be denied

oh indian summer,
the wonder,
the hunger,
and the sound of distant thunder,
indian summer

she never even finished school
people like to talk, they can be so cruel
heard california was a place to start brand new
so she left that dust bowl town
sometimes when a long wind howls
i wonder where we'd be if i never scored that last touchdown

summer,
the wonder,
the hunger,
and the sound of distant thunder
indian summer
whoooooaaaaaaaaaaa

Carrie Underwood Performing at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand!

I found out this morning that Carrie Underwood will be performing at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand this year thanks to my friend/fellow country girl Jamie! Last week I was thinking about how I would LOVE to see Carrie Underwood in concert. I checked her website and was not able to find any Minnesota dates. So, I was so excited this morning when I got the text that Carrie Underwood would be coming to the Minnesota State Fair! I have loved Carrie Underwood since I first saw her on American Idol and have been a huge fan ever since. I love all of her songs but my favorites would have to be: "Jesus, Take the Wheel," "Don't Forget to Remember Me," "Before He Cheats," "All-American Girl," "So Small," "Just a Dream," "Last Name," "I Told You So," "Cowboy Casanova" and "Temporary Home." Carrie Underwood's newest album Play On debuted at #1 on the music charts. Carrie Underwood tickets go on-sale on Saturday May 8th. Carrie Underwood tickets will sell-out very fast so I will keep everyone updated on where you can get tickets and when!....UPDATE!!! Carrie Underwood tickets are now available to be purchased!!!

Zac Brown Band Concert in Minnesota

I was so excited to find out that Zac Brown Band will be coming back to Minnesota! Zac Brown Band will be performing at Mystic Lake on June 20, 2010. I am a huge fan of the Zac Brown Band! The last time I saw them in concert is when they opened for Keith Urban at the Xcel Energy Center. Zac Brown Band are such great performers and have so much energy any time they play live. I am completely in love with their newest single "Highway 20 Ride." Other songs of theirs I am excited to hear are "Chicken Fried," "Whatever It Is," "Toes" and their rendition of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." If you haven't had a chance to see Zac Brown Band in concert yet I highly suggest you get tickets for this concert because you will not be disappointed! There are still Zac Brown Band tickets available but I wouldn't wait to long to get your tickets.

"Highway 20 Ride"
I ride east every other Friday but if i had it my way
The day would not be wasted on this drive
And i want so bad to hold you
Son there's things I haven't told you
Your mom and me couldn't get along

So i'll drive
And I think about my life
And wonder why, That I slowly die inside
Everytime I turn that truck around, right at the Georgia line and i count the days and the miles back home to you on that Highway 20 ride

A day might come and you'll realize that if you could see through my eyes
There was no other way to work it out
And a part of you might hate me
But son please don't mistake me For a man that didnt care at all

And i'll drive
And I'll think about my life
And wonder why, That I slowly die inside
Everytime I turn that truck around, right at the Georgia line and i count the days and the miles back home to you on that Highway 20 ride

So when you drive
And the years go flying by
I hope you smile
If i ever cross your mind
It was a pleasure of my life
And i cherished every time
And my whole world
It begins and ends with you
On that Highway 20 ride....

Toby Keith Coming to Minnesota!

I was searching for country artist that will be performing in Minnesota sometime soon and I was extremely surprised when I saw that Toby Keith will be coming to Minnesota this summer! I have not always been the biggest Toby Keith fan and there was a point in time when I couldn't even stand listening to his music. I got really upset when he started a huge public fight with the Dixie Chicks because they didn't have the same opinion about George Bush. I loved the Dixie Chicks and because of Toby Keith's actions/hatred towards them a lot of people turned against the Dixie Chicks and the pretty much had to disappear for many years. But, in the last few years Toby Keith has won me over with his great music. Some of my favorite Toby Keith songs are: "American Ride," "God Love Her," "She Never Cried in Front of Me," "Love Me if You Can," "Whiskey Girl," "American Soldier" and his newest song "Cryin' for Me (Wayman's Song)." I am very excited that I will finally be able to see Toby Keith perform all of these songs and many more live in concert. The venue or when Toby Keith tickets go on-sale hasn't been released yet but I do know that Toby Keith will be performing in Minnesota on July 16, 2010. Many other Toby Keith tickets are available for purchase right now and I will let you know when Toby Keith tickets will go on-sale for Minnesota!

"Cryin' for Me (Wayman's Song)"
“Sorry you missed me
I’ll get back with you as soon as I can
Thank you and god bless”

Got the news on Friday mornin’
But a tear I couldn’t find
You showed me how I’m supposed to live
And now you showed me how to die
I was lost till Sunday mornin’
I woke up to face my fear
While I’m writing you this goodbye song
I found a tear

I’m gonna miss that smile
I’m gonna miss you my friend
Even though it hurts the way it ended up
I’d do it all again
So play it sweet in heaven
‘Cause that’s right where you wanna be
I’m not crying 'cause I feel so sorry for you
I’m crying for me

I got up and dialed your number
And your voice came on the line
That old familiar message
I heard a thousand times it just said
Sorry that I missed you
Leave a message and god bless
I know you think I’m crazy
But I had to hear your voice again

I’m gonna miss that smile
I’m gonna miss you my friend
Even though it hurts the way it ended up
I’d do it all again
So play it sweet in heaven
‘Cause that’s right where you wanna be
I’m not crying 'cause I feel so sorry for you
I’m crying for me

So play your upside-down, left handed
Backwards bass guitar
And I’ll see you on the other side
Superstar

I’m gonna miss that smile
I’m gonna miss you my friend
Even though it hurts the way it ended up
I’d do it all again
So play it sweet in heaven
‘Cause that’s right where you wanna be
I’m not crying 'cause I feel so sorry for you
I’m crying for me

I’m still crying
I’m crying for me
I’m still crying

Chelsea Handler Tour!

I know Chelsea Handler has nothing to do with country but I love her and I am so excited that she will be performing in Minnesota! Chelsea Handler is a comedian who has her own show on E! called Chelsea Lately. Chelsea Lately is a hilarious talk show where Chelsea Handler talks about celebrities and events that have been in the news. Chelsea Handler also has written three top-selling books about her life and funny stories about what she has experienced. Chelsea Handler has been touring with comedians that appear on her show for a couple years and I am so happy that I finally get the chance to see her! There are still a few Chelsea Handler tickets left for her performances at the Northrop Auditorium on April 3rd at 8pm and 10:30pm. Let me know what you think of Chelsea Handler!

Country Fest 2010

In three months it will be Country Fest time again!!! In case you don't know what Country Fest is it is a Festival with performances by amazing country artist in Cadott, Wisconsin on June 24-27. If you are a true country fan there is no way you will want to miss out on this awesome weekend! The country artist that will be performing are:

June 24:
Heidi Newfield, Pat Green, Neal McCoy and Blake Shelton

June 25:
Eli Young Band, Darryl Worley, Jo Dee Messina, Lady Antebellum and Tim McGraw

June 26:
Trailer Choir, Jason Michael Carroll, Little Big Town, Rodney Atkins and Toby Keith

June 27:
Walker Hayes, Eric Church(Eric Church tickets are still available for his concert in MN on March 25), Jamey Johnson, Darius Rucker and Reba McEntire

I can't wait to see almost all of my favorite country artist perform in one weekend! The ones I am most excited to see are: Darius Rucker, Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw and Jamey Johnson. If you have been to Country Fest before please let me know what you though of it.