And the new Nashville Star is....

Melissa Lawson! Very cool. She will join Jon Anthony live tomorrow around 1:45 Eastern on Highway 16.

I think this show turned out the best it can be. The four going on the Nashville Star Tour are going to offer a diverse package of entertainment. This is probably Melissa's best chance, because let's face it... 35 year old mothers of five aren't what the Nashville Record Labels are signing these days, so I'm estatic that she's going to get it. Gabe is going to get signed somewhere because John Rich has been waving his Hispanic Country Flag, and Shawn is going to get valuable experience on this tour and be a star in her own right some day.

You read it here first... I predict John Rich will be hosting next year's Nashville Star. I can see the wheels already spinning in his brain.

Watch this space tomorrow and learn why I **AM** the coolest mom in America. Or Tennessee, anyway. Ok, Nashville. Well... at least the coolest mom that Delaynie has.

Nashville Star FINALE

Hey, I'm headed into Nashville Star. I wanted to remind you that the show has a later start time tonight 10:00 PM Eastern, 9:00 Central and they're going to crown a winner. I'm gonna predict that the winner will be Gabe, however I will tell you I voted for Melissa. I check in after the show and let you know how it went. listen

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Sunday Late Night Ramblings

Howdy -- how's everyone doing? I feel like I haven't talked to you guys in forever.


It's going to be an exciting week at XM. Not like they've been dull lately here in MergerLand... LOL. We've done our few few interviews out of the new studios. Nashville Star Radio was done there this week -- our last episode. I hope you got to hear it, because I know some of you would have been interested in hearing Shawn talk about why she sang "The Dance" or heard what Melissa's favorite song to sing is. If you missed it, one last chance tomorrow (Monday) at Noon Eastern. Tomorrow night we'll know the winner! They'll be coming by XM on Tuesday to deliver their first single. I'm going to the show... not because I have to, but because... I feel like I've gone through the journey this far... I need to cross that finish line.


I think all three have good potential, but I did get to tell one contestant that Delaynie and I had voted for them. Shh! Don't tell the others!


Before we get to Nashville Star fun tomorrow night though, we're taping three - 3 - THREE - trois - tres - THREE shows tomorrow. All in a row. 10am, 11am, 12:30. At 2 different studios. Two ShortCuts, one Driver's Ed. I can't decide if that's incredibly efficient booking brilliance or sheer insanity.


When I was writing them, I was quite certain it was the latter. However, now that they're done and will be in the can ready to edit before my summer intern leaves me, I'm telling myself how brilliant it was.



It was incredibly hot here today, so I tried to stay inside as much as possible. My most productive thing of the day was to get my hubby to hang these new wrought iron pieces I got yesterday. (you'll just have to envision a cool, silver "R" in the middle of the top piece, it's not up yet.) Now if I could just figure out what to do with the windows in this room, I'd be happy.



Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of us moving into this house, following the House Closing from Hades. :-D We are definitely blessed!



I need to do a photo album of my pictures from Gillette Stadium -- I have some pretty cool shots of the concert. Have I blogged about the show? It was amazing. The only other stadium concert I've been to was George Strait a zillion years ago, and it was NOTHING like this. The production on this thing was incredible, I've not seen anything like it. Which is why he IS the four time and reigning consecutive in a row Entertainer of something or another and the 3 time consecutive one right after another winner of something else. ;-)



Big day tomorrow -- must get the munchkin off to bed.

More Rhode Island Pictures

Photos from the site of the Ginormous Bridge in Jamestown, RI, where I turned around before crossing into Newport.

Why did the chicken cross the bridge?
To show Producer J. it could be done!

I completely stumbled onto this picturesque site as I was exploring the twists and turns of Highway 1A. (Not to be confused with A1A)

Open letter to Katie, the Keith Urban fan from New Hampshire

Dear Katie --

I just wanted you to know that last Saturday - you totally made my day. And I want you to remember that as exciting as that all was for you -- KEITH was the lucky one. He's lucky to have a fan like you. He's the type of guy that knows that - but I wanted to make sure that you knew that too.

I hope your pictures turned out ok.

Hugs & Heartpats -
Joyce

They CAN'T be Serious

The company I work for is now called --

SIRIUS XM Radio

The GINORMOUS Bridge

There was NO way. None.

Hello from a very wet...

Hello from a very wet and rainy Providence Airport where I am stuck, I am stuck in Rhode Island. Apparently the flight that was taking me to Philadelphia was delayed to the point of not being able to get me home today/tonight, so I don't think I got stuck in Philadelphia I got stuck in Providence or(?) just because I'm very white(?) strong(?), so I'm headed to the hotel under a distressed passenger rates, I'm not really distressed just a little annoyed, hope you're all having a better night. listen

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Good morning from Gillette...

Good morning from Gillette Stadium where the sun is shining and the stage is setup. I am very excited. They have here and ready to meet all the teenagers(?) in advance. So, I just wanted to call and tell you that all is well. listen

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My Employer

Sitting in a hotel lobby in MA, wearing my XM shirt, I learned --

I now officially work for Sirius Satellite Radio.

State number 4, Massachusetts....

Page number 4, Massachusetts. You know the great thing about my life is that no matter where I go, I couldn't say in the US that literally around the world. It seems like I have a friend there waiting for me. I'm about 10 minutes from my hotel. Paula is on her way there, and I'm driving upon a G6 with Exa. Life is good. I will probably talk to you next from Gillette Stadium tomorrow. Have a good night. listen

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Airport number 3, Providence...

Airport number 3, Providence Rhode Island. The weather is absolutely beautiful here. I am headed to the hotel and then Paula is gonna join me on my quest for awesome Boston(?) camchatter(?). listen

I made a quick detour on this trip to Pawtucket, which was quite lovely. I was looking for a RI visitor's center, but didn't find one. I did however, get some nice pictures.

Airport # 1 / Airport number #2

Airport number 2, Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love. I'm not feeling any love for this airport, it is very ugly. And the cheese steak that I did have was not very good. We flew in over all the sports stadiums where the Eagles and the Phillys and everybody play. And I have a nice view of the skyline from where I'm at. I'll take a picture. Talk to you again in Providence! listen

This one from Airport #1 Jott didn't post with audio because of a "low transcription confidence." Oddly enough, they got Tootsie's Orchid Lounge right, but missed Kenny Tesney.

Checking in from airport number one where I have seen Kimberly from Little Big Town and her family traveling. I heard someone covering Kenny Chesney at the little Tootsie's Orchid lounge that they set up out here. And Phil Vassar is on the over head announcement welcoming everybody. They have a Nashville Star store here now too! It's raining - I hope my flight gets of on time because I really want to have time to get lunch in Philadelphia. Of course I'm gonna have a cheese steak. See you there.!

Please Come To Boston...

'cause you're the number one fan of the man from Tennessee...

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Today should be an interesting day. I'm spending the better part of my waking hours traveling... three airports... four states... OOH -- it's going to be an exciting year end World Tour t-shirt! Haven't had PA, RI or MA on there yet.

While I'm sitting in airports the Merger is probably going to become official... it's unofficially gone through -- the FCC calls it an "agreement in principal." All in all, I'm happy, because my goal was to get to work in our new offices, and I've done that. Whatever happens from here is all good, and there isn't anything I can do one way or the other, so no sense stressing over it.

My cell phone is on, but my laptop is still dead, so I will probably be curing my travel boredom with audio blogs. My trip is not going to be complete until I get some authentic Boston clam chowder. That, is my mission.

Mark Your Calendars!

XM Artist Confidential with LeAnn Rimes, is airing on Monday (July 28). Hosted by XM's George Taylor Morris, this show features an hour of music and conversation with LeAnn. She performs songs from her latest CD "Family" as well as a couple of her previous hits.

LeAnn Rimes Artist Confidential airs Monday night at 8pm ET on Highway 16 AND all day Monday on XMX, channel 2.

Press Release Du Jour

Kenny Chesney’s No Shoes Radio Sets Sail July 26
Boston’s Gillette Stadium Show Marks Launch of XM Kenny Station

Foxboro, MA: Never mind that tickets for Kenny Chesney’s Poets & Pirates Tour sold out in 15 minutes back in December. Forget about the fact that a chunk of his critically acclaimed live, Live Those Songs Again was recorded at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. Don’t even bother considering that this is the fourth straight year the 4-straight Academy of Country Music and 3-time and current Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year has packed the home of the New England Patriots to the bursting for an all day celebration of good times, good friends and good music.

Just when it didn’t seem there was anything the full-tilt performer could add to the intensity, Chesney and his friends at XM Radio will launch the almost all-Kenny No Shoes Radio on July 26 with a live 4 hour kick-off from the ultimate tail-gate experience: the parking lot of Gillette Stadium. Broadcasting from a stage being set up as half broadcast booth/half acoustic performance space, look for Jon Anthony to create the day’s largest boom box for the fans who are coming to get their Kenny on.

“The whole idea behind the station,” Chesney says, “is to take that energy in the parking lot and keep it going. You buzz around in a golf cart before the show, and it sounds like some kind of carnival with all this different music, all these different songs… and No Shoes isn’t just about a buncha my stuff people know, and stuff they may not know as well, but it’s about rare live performances, drop ins and acoustic surprises from my friends and just keeping that vibe alive long after the show has left town.”

In the spirit of spontaneous music and expanding the musical reality of Chesney’s world, not only will the headline be dropping by the stage during the four hour kick-off, but LeAnn Rimes will also drop-in– and there are any number of you-never-know-who-might-show-ups in the wind. As if that sense of musical camaraderie isn’t enough, the good folks at XM are going to be giving away free XM radios – while supplies last – to anyone who signs up for a three month plan.

“We’ve got chunks of our Key West show going up this weekend,” says the man who’s had three multiple week #1s – “Never Wanted Nothing More,” “Don’t Blink” and “Better As A Memory” --from his platinum Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates. “Anyone who’s ever wanted to go to a Keg in the Closet show, but couldn’t get there – or get in if they could – they can experience what that’s like. It’s going to be crazy having some of this music, played in some of these settings going out to the world, but in a way, it’s a great chance to bring people all the way into our world.”

I need to read it again... I was sure there would be a line included that went something like.. "Seven year XM veteran Producer J., the senior member of the XM Nashville programming team, will be boarding a Southwest Airlines jet headed for the north east where the Central IL native will be responsible for producing the high-energy fan-packed four hour live broadcast originating from the west side of Gillette stadium and ringing out border to border and coast to coast across North America on the newly created XM channel 18."

Nashville Star Week 7

Blame Nashville Star Radio for my lack of blogging lately.

Mondays I go to the tv show. It's a late night, so I usually go into work late, which knocks down my productivity. Tuesday I write the show and work on soundbites, which usually kills my entire day. Wednesday nights we tape the show (usually at 8:30 but a couple nights it was 10:30) so that's another wacky day. My schedule is completely off kilter. And in the middle of all that we were relocating. And my laptop died. I can't say that I'm going to be sorry to see this show end. Although I have to say, I'm really happy with the way the radio show has turned out. This was a show I got to create from a blank sheet of paper, which has been a lot of fun. And exhausting.

So just catching up on all things Nashville Star, I have to tell you that I'm liking the TV show much better now that they've weeded out some of the riff raff. There were definitely people who didn't deserve to be there. And the crew didn't deserve having to put up with them. I'm totally surprised that Ashlee was sent home. I'd predicted Ashlee, Gabe and Melissa in the final show. Now I've officially given up predicting.

The radio show this week takes a little different turn. We take the contestants in one by one, instead of by mentor groups. They each get a chance to make their case for why THEY should be the next Nashville Star. And they all brought their guitars!

I've gotten a few questions about particular contestants, and given that I've spent many a late night hour (and plenty of Oreos) with them, I thought I'd just share a few thoughts about the Final Four.

Coffey -- Quite possibly the most charming human being I've ever met. He's just a doll. He has an amazing spirit, the kind of person you want to hang around because he makes you feel good. He was also incredibly sweet to Delaynie (as were Ashlee and Shawn) which always adds bonus points. Then this week, he asked me to tell my daughter hello from him and told me how beautiful she was. Wait until you hear what he's doing for his hometown concert, it totally gave me goosebumps. I could go on and on about some of the neat things he does. He inspires me. I don't think he's the best singer on this show, but I do think he's the best entertainer, and I think he could be an amazing ambassador for country music if given the chance.

Shawn Mayer -- I can't wait to go see her sing somewhere. A bar, an amphitheatre, an arena - wherever. I think she's underdelivering on what she's capable of, but it's hard to tell in a minute and a half song. I want to see more from her. She has a great respect for the music, and has worked really hard to get this far. She's also somehow the most "real" to me. Today we had a conversation about tattoos. (One of us has one, one of us doesn't.) She's doing something pretty neat for her hometown visit too. Maybe that's why we get along so well -- she's from a town even tinier than my hometown. You need to tune in to this week's NSRadio just to hear her studio performance. She is also just stunningly beautiful in person. She looks the part of the winner.

Gabe Garcia - He's Mr. Guy Next Door. He's the one always hanging out in the green room talking to the crew. SOO laid back. I think he has a good voice and he looks good, but I'm still hoping he steps up and wows me. The time I liked him best on stage was the opening cast sing of "Life Is A Highway." He HAD to move across the stage, no guitar, wasn't tied down to one spot, and he was a lot of fun. He'll be the first to tell you he wants to be like George Strait and just stand there and sing, but I'll be the first to tell you I'd love to see him run from one end of the stage to another. He also could do a lot to broaden the appeal of country music. He has a manager here in Nashville.

Melissa Lawson -- Melissa has really warmed up to us over the past couple of weeks. In the beginning she was very quiet when they came in for the radio show, I didn't have a lot of interaction with her. Which is probably good, because had I been able to get her attention and get her alone those first couple of weeks, I'd have asked for her hubby's email address so I could just drop him a note and tell him I'd seen her and she was fine. LOL. But I would have loved to have had a conversation mom-to-mom about this crazy business. She's smart about the business, and she's a fighter. If this contest was judged solely on vocal talent, she'd far and away be the winner. Unfortunately, this is all about which fan base can best be mobilized to click, text, or call. I said I wasn't making predictions, but if I was, I'd put my money on an upset.

Now that I've made you read all that. What you really want to know...

Jon asked each contestant the same series of questions for this week's show -- why them, hometown visit, what they'll be performing next week, etc. They each will be doing 2 songs. Melissa named one and then said something real generic like "and another great song..." (She knows how to give those evasive answers already - see that star potential?) However, I know how to spot those evasive answers, so I asked her afterwords about her second choice, and she said they hadn't picked it yet.

So I flat out told her that a few friends and I had been discussing how we were dying to hear her belt out a Trisha Yearwood power ballad. She kind of sighed and said "I know!" She said she'd been trying and trying, but they kept telling her no. SHE brought it up that she wanted to do "Real Live Woman" a couple of weeks ago because it fit her so perfectly but they told her it wasn't a big enough song. So I told her I was going to come see her on the Nashville Star Tour and she'd have to sing it for me.

I can't say at this point that I'd be unhappy if any of these four won. Regardless of what people might say about the show - and first and foremost, this is a TV show - they are four pretty neat people.

The Suicidal Deer

We interrupt your standard country music related programming to bring you this non-musical anecdote.

Yesterday morning I'm in my driveway, loading junk into my car, when I hear this banging. I look up and see what looks like a dog crashing into the garage door of my neighbor's house diagonally across the street.

As I watch it pick itself up and hurl itself at the door 3 or 4 times, I realize it's not a dog. It's a deer.

About the time I realize this the deer gives up on the garage door and turns around and heads across the street. Towards my daughter. So I tell Delaynie to get in the car and as we watch this very young fawn runs across the street and heads between my house and the neighbor's house. She's (he's? Didn't look...) no more than 5 or 6 feet from Delaynie.

Now what I know, and the deer doesn't is that there is a fence blocking her from going into our back yards, and behind that fence are 2 hungry dogs. Fortunately it's a strong fence, and within a minute or so she reappears at the side of the house and crosses the street again.

This time she targets the neighbor directly across the street from us. And we watch her repeatedly throw herself head first into the garage door.

How that deer even stood up after all that beating, I don't know. But after several unsuccessful attempts to knock herself out, she gallops off down the street. She disappears around the corner, and then a couple of minutes later we see her cross the street again and disappear into the woods.

The moral of this story is, that if you thought you had a crappy Monday... just think of the unsuccessful suicidal deer in southern Davidson County.

We now return you to regular programming already in progress. Up next: lots of Nashville Star scoop -- including the reason you haven't heard Melissa Lawson singing the song she (and most of us) really want to hear her sing.

Well THAT is no fun.

I just overheard who's getting eliminated.

That takes ALL the fun out of watching the show.

Off to re-write...

Backstage Blogging at Nashville Star

Hello from the green room of the Acuff Theater, where I'm awaiting episode 7 of Nashville Star Radio. I didn't get a seat in the audience tonight, so I've comandeered someone's laptop and am hanging out in the green room.

So far I've seen Gabe -- looking awesome in a jacket, jeans and boots -- and Coffey -- looking incredibly handsome himself in a very cool blue shirt. I'm afraid I got makeup on Gabe's jacket... if you see a spot on his right shoulder, it's not MY fault.

They just announced 18 minutes until air. Will check in with you later. I've got my show laid out based on my guess for who will be eliminated. If you don't hear from me much you'll know I'm busy re-writing. There's a cool performance happening tonight -- tune in and see!

Next Stop on the Producer J. World Tour Is...

Boston! By way of Providence, RI.

Anyone want to take a wild guess at why I'm headed to the Northeast?

Call Now and talk to Storme!

Hey -- not only is Storme live out of our new studios for the next 3 hours -- he has working phone lines!

Check him out on Highway 16 until 7pm ET.

My Laptop.... R.I.P.

So I have this laptop. A Dell. Have had it for about 4 years now. Within the past 4 months I've bought both a new battery and a new power chord for it. (Which means I probably didn't need the battery.)

I use that laptop for a myriad of things. Although it's a personal machine, (XM wouldn't give me one) I use it for everything. Amongst the things I keep on it:

Editing software - All field audio interviews get loaded onto it, edited, and uploaded to our FTP site. My laptop has been the intern work station over the past few months, while we have been overcrowded awaiting our new studios.

Photos - everything from my trip to New Zealand (which I do have backup copies) to my assorted trips to the cornfields (most of which I don't) to all of our Nashville Star photos (which have been uploaded to an online album.)

Scripts - ShortCuts, Nashville Star, Driver's Ed -- my entire resume of the past 4 years pretty much.

Pampered Chef Software -- all of my parties, receipts, expenses, orders, addresses, from my first 8 shows.

You know where this is going, right?

My harddrive crashed. The computer no longer acknowledges its' existence.

GO BACK UP YOUR COMPUTER! NOW!!!

Move In Day

Today is my official "move in" day to the new studios at the Sommet Center.

It all feels very wierd. Pictures soon.

It's a Girl!

Nicole and Keith Urban are delighted to announce that Nicole Kidman gave birth to a baby girl on Monday morning, July 7, 2008 in Nashville. SUNDAY ROSE KIDMAN URBAN weighed 6 pounds, 7 1/2 ounces. Husband Keith was by Nicole's side and mother and baby are very well.

Back from the Cornfields

Back from another long weekend of driving through the cornfields. Had a very quiet 4th of July playing with munchkins and cuddling the new baby.

What did you do?

No Shoes Radio

Kenny Chesney Sets Sail For XM Radio With His Own Signature Music Channel 'NoShoes Radio'

WASHINGTON, July 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Midway through the year's most attended Poets & Pirates Tour, complete with 14 NFL stadium plays, the four-time consecutive and current Academy of Country Music and three-time and reigning Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year has set his sights on XMRadio and his own signature music channel, "No Shoes Radio."

Scheduled to launch July 26, "No Shoes Radio" will feature music fromChesney's audio catalog, including never-before-heard recordings, an uncut, exclusive concert broadcast from the 2008 Poets & Pirates Tour, plus random drop-ins from fans, friends and plenty of music to bring to life the attitude that permeates Kenny Chesney's world.

"There's a lot of hits, but there are also a lot of album tracks, songs fromthe early part of my career, stuff from our Keg in the Closet shows and obscurities that you had to be there to hear," says the Luttrell, Tennessee-born and -raised singer/songwriter with a laugh. "Anyone who knows anything about me knows how passionate I am about music, and this is a way to bring people into everything I love about songs, playing ... music."

"No Shoes Radio" will also include music beyond Chesney's catalog, featuring both those artists who rocked Chesney's world and the kind of music you could easily hear drifting from the backstage "Vibe Room" -- capturing the sonic culture of the Poets & Pirates Tour.

"I think we've become a part of people's lives," admits the high energy performer. "The way a lot of bands were for us, we're what they're listening to when they're hanging out, when they're having fun, when they need to gear up for something. That's what music always did for me ... and it's kind of mind-blowing to think that your songs could be that for someone else. So for all those fans out there, get ready for something pretty cool."

In the spirit of his Corona-sponsored Poets & Pirates Tour, music and other content for "No Shoes Radio" will be captured on the bus, in the halls, around the soundchecks, and even during post-show jams. Beyond that, not only will Chesney's special guests be taking part in the ad hoc merriment, look for tailgating fans from the parking lot to provide drop-ins, shout-outs and the occasional request.

Said Chesney, "This is a way to keep the vibe alive, long after our tour is gone.""No Shoes Radio" will be available on XM channel 18 from July 26 through October 25. The channel will also be on XM Radio Online(https://xmail.xmradio.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://xmro.xmradio.com/), where it will stream for an additional three months. Complete programming information for the channel will be availableonline at https://xmail.xmradio.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.xmradio.com/kennychesney.

The Statler Stalking continues...

If you have been around this blog for a while you may remember my discussion of the Kennedy family. Not the political Kennedys... the musical Kennedys. The Kennedys are connected to the Reids... and without all the talent in those 2 families, I'm quite sure I'd have never been inspired to have made the journey to music city.

I spent time tonight with the Kennedys (Jerry, Gordon, and Bryan) and the Reids (Wil and Layla, Langdon and Alexis, Harold and Brenda).

As if that wasn't awesome enough -- we were at the Bluebird Cafe.

And just when it couldn't get any better... Bryan played "Cowgirl's Saddle" and dedicated it to Harold. Who roared with laughter.

I thank God for Circles....

This is been a very...

This is been a very exciting day in Music City. I am headed out to Nashville Star. However, when I get home tonight, I am going to fill you in on my day. I went Statler Stalking! And I have an album that has my name in the liner notes -- the very first time that has happened to me, so I'm very excited! I will fill you in later tonight. Be sure to tune in to Nashville Star. listen

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And the winner is.....

From the Big Machine Radio Report:

*Trisha Yearwood’s new single from her Top 10-selling album Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love is “They Call It Falling For A Reason”, penned by Matraca Berg & Jim Collins, and Trisha loves the tongue-in-cheek take on what falling out of love feels like.”What I love about this song is that it’s about falling flat on your face in a romance and it says that in a way that’s funny,” notes Trisha. “I love the imagery in the first line that says ‘He had me spinning like a girl in a circus in a trapeze act.’ She’s on the high wire and everything is awesome then you fall and hit the ground. It’s a great analogy. They call it falling for a reason. I thought what a great way to look at it. The energy and groove of it draws me in and makes me want to hear it again.” Fans now have the chance to hear it again and again: the single impacts playlists on July 14th.

---------------------------------------------
I suspected this would be the pick since this song garnered both male and female votes - and there was no landslide winner between the two. Will make a cool video.

BTW -- Don't bother posting this on Trisha's site... the message board Nazi will just yank it and claim it's not official -- even though it came from Big Machine. They just don't like getting scooped. ;-)

Highway 16 Test Drive: Trisha Yearwood - RESULTS ARE IN!

Listen in Friday morning in the 8am ET hour for a Highway 16 Test Drive -- help pick the next Trisha Yearwood single!

Spread the word -- tell your friends to be listening to Jay Thomas on XM's Highway 16 (DirecTV channel 814) Friday morning! He will play both contenders, and then take YOUR feedback via email or phone, and compile it all for our friends at Big Machine Records.

Funny note... this came about because someone at Big Machine heard the Alan Jackson test drive we did yesterday morning. I LOVE getting those phone calls!

WOW -- this turned out to be our closest "Test Drive" ever.

53% of voters chose "Nothin' 'Bout You Is Good For Me" with predominantly female votes
47% of voters chose "They Call It Fallin' For A Reason" with a pretty even mix of male / female votes

Which means -- Big Machine has a tough decision to make!

Nashville Star Week #3

I was in the audience for Nashville Star Monday night -- six seats down from John Anderson, and the row in front of Laura Bell Bundy. I'm going to have to take Delaynie some time, because I was right in front of the circle stage where Billy Ray did a bunch of intros, and all I could think of was "I'm four rows away from Hannah Montana's daddy."

So here are a few things you don't see on tv:

- They've redone the audience setup from year's past. Taken out a bunch of seating, and added risers. So it's a smaller audience.

- In the commercial breaks, the judges often pull out their guitars and sing. Jewel did a song that was apparently a hit for her, Jeff did part of "What Hurts the Most," there was a sing along to "Lyin' Eyes."

- They had a sing-off in one break for tickets to the Tuesday night Opry. The two contestants from the audience sang Amazing Grace, accompanied by Jeffrey Steele. They both had more talent than some of the contestants.

- Everything was live this week -- no pre-taped special guest performance.

- Billy Ray Cyrus came out into the audience and hugged or high fived a bunch of little girls throughout the night. He knows his fan base. He also made a trip out once they announced John Anderson was there.

- Watched the show on TV tonight. It sounds so much better in person when the crowd is loud and you can't hear it. It's also hard to hear the judges in the house.

I'll go on the record as saying I think Ashlee Hewitt has the most star potential. They're going to have to develop a story on her to get the audience won over. It's tough to compete with a single dad, a sailor, or a mother of five.

BTW -- who else is dying to hear Melissa let loose on Trisha's "Real Live Woman?"

I sat behind a friend of Courtney's from Pearl Heart. Got a good story out of her that is going to make this weeks' edition of Nashville Star Radio. I also had someone tell me they'd seen Pearl Heart at the Bluebird last year. Shawn had some friends in the audience too - including a guy from South Dakota who used to own a bar she sang at.

As I type this I'm watching a re-run of Grand Ole Opry live. Crystal Gayle is singing, and she sounds fabulous. Whatever happened to the idea that old fashioned notion of getting singers who can actually sing?

One of the things I miss this year is the signs and t-shirts from the fans of a particular contestant. It's hard to tell who's got the crowd support - although in the house, Coffey and Shawn seemed to get the biggest reactions.

I interviewed Jewel prior to the show, and Justin after he was eliminated. (I correctly picked that one!) Try not to be jealous of the plush accomodations I enjoyed while I chatted with Jewel. You can hear clips from both interviews Thursday at 8pm ET on XM's Highway 16. We tape the show Wednesday night at 10pm local time, so it's a quick turnaround!

Test Blog

I am typing here...

GA$ PRICE$

Once upon a time, I would load up my baby daughter and drive from Tennessee to Central Illinois. The trip took almost 3 tanks of gas round trip. A tank of gas for my Chevy Cavalier in 1998 was around $30, the trip was just under $100 round trip.

As the price of gas grew proportionally to my daughter's legs, we had to get a four door vehicle. Round trip to Central Illinois was still 3 tanks of gas, and a tank of gas for a Pontiac Grand Prix in 2005 was about $45. Trip now is still well under $150.

With longer legs comes bigger bicycles and bigger suitcases, meaning traveling to Grandparents Camp is best done in daddy's pickup truck. Round trip to Central Illinois in a Ford F-150 is 4 tanks of gas, and in 2008 they cut you off at the gas tank when you hit $75. Round trip hit $300.

I've cancelled any further thoughts of a summer vacation, and am considering leaving her bike there so I can take my car when we go pick her up. It will be cheaper to buy her a new bike!

Just a Trace...

Sharon was eagle eyed enough to spot me in a picture from the Round Robin proceeding Trace's #1 party this week. Here's what the view looked like from where I was sitting.

Trace's wife, Rhonda, and their three girls were there -- the girls looked so adorable in their sunglasses and pigtails. Rhonda's SUV has a Trace Adkins "Hot Mama" licence plate on the front. Cracked me up.

Honey, The Dog Ate My Radio

Yeah. So, technically he didn't EAT my husband's radio, he just kind of... gnawed on the chords. Not just any radio, his XM Radio. So now it doesn't really work very well.

Which is not the end of the world. I want an in-dash unit with a CD player... so my husband can have my SkyFi 2. A trip to Best Buy and a phone call to HQ and we'll be good to go.

Except... my husband didn't tell me the dog ate his radio....until we were underway on an 8 hour journey through the cornfields.

Hey Ran Fans!

Attention Miranda Lambert Fans -- this message just in from Highway 16's resident early bird, Jay Thomas:

Tomorrow morning in the 8am ET hour I’m going to be playing two cuts from Miranda’s “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” CD to get some feedback for Columbia Records regarding the next single. I’ll be taking calls and e-mails. Tune in and take a Highway 16 Test Drive! Exclusively on XM channel 16 and DirecTV channel 814.

Jay will have the number / email address for voting tomorrow morning, so tune in!

Clearing the Cobwebs

I've sucked at blogging lately, I know. Thought I'd come in tonight and dust a few cobwebs off.

Nashville Star -- in person, I think Shawn Mayer looks like she could be a star. She's been playing Tootsies here in town for a while now. There are a few of the girls that really I just want to hug and say go home and be a teenager. Because they'd get eaten alive on Music Row. A couple of the guys are rather... obnoxious. Like they're afraid their 15 minutes of fame might run out any second, so they have to cram everything in right now. Melissa Lawson was definitely the one I related to most - we sat and talked about her kids -- the youngest of whom is 9 months.

Which brings me to the biggest revelation of Nashville Star radio... the contestants are SEQUESTERED. Like jurors. Cell phones taken away, no access to the internet, no contact with their family. The only way they even know if their family is in the audience is if they happen to see them from the stage. At one point, they weren't allowed to see the newspaper for a few days (probably around premiere time.) Quite honestly, I couldn't do it. This is the first year Nashville Star has done this with the contestants, and I have no idea if other reality shows do this, but I was shocked. Especially given that one of the girls is 16.

The production crew was awesome to work with though, and really went out of their way to make sure XM looked good on tape. We aren't in our new studios yet, as y'all know, so that's a bit of a bummer. But at least tune in to Monday night's show and see the XM gang on NBC. 9pm ET!

My favorite part of the show was watching Jon fret over what shirt to wear!

On the subject of reality TV, I just discovered last week that CMT is doing a little show of their own called "Can You Duet." They picked a winner last week, they get a record deal on SonyBMG. Was it just me, or did that show have zero buzz?

On a more personal note... I have a budding songwriter in the family. Delaynie has always written her own little melodies, from the time she was a toddler in the highchair and she'd hum out a tune over and over. Well last spring she and I wrote a little song together, based on that old sailor expression that my dad taught her (and me, 30 years before.)

Red Sky at Night - Sailors Delight!
Red Sky at Morning - Sailors Take Warning

It turned out pretty cute, and she recorded it acapella and sent it to my dad for Father's Day. If I could figure out how to put up MP3's here, I'd share it, because I think it's kind of neat. It's a "round the campfire" kind of songs. We made a pretty good co-writing team, so watch out!

A couple of media events on my to do list this week - including a Trace Adkins #1 party and a Toby Keith press conference. I will let you guess which one I'm excited about.

This is going to be another insane week... I'm hoping to take Thursday and Friday off (as battle pay for Fan Fair week)... I'm heading to Illinois to meet Ryan this weekend. 8 hours in a car with no air conditioning is not good, so I have to get my car worked on sometime... whenever that may be... I'm really hoping that I can talk Gary into taking Friday off and going with me. A) His truck has air B) I don't think I'm up to driving all that way alone. (Isn't it funny how you are going merrily through life, and then when some quack doctor decides something is wrong with you, their "cure" means you barely have the energy to get out of bed?) Anyway. I'm sure I'll blog from the cornfields, but the place may get dusty around here again in the meantime.

So how's your summer?

OH - which reminds me. I would like to take a vacation. I have a free Southwest plane ticket, 3 nights at a Marriott hotel and almost $500 Disney dollars. But I don't do Disney in the summer. Where should we run away to for the weekend without spending a lot of money?

The short list:

Cleveland (Delaynie's dying to go)
Niagara Falls (Gary wants to go)
Hattiesburg, MS (Gary's sister lives there)

None of that sounds exciting to me. Probably because none of them involve the ocean. Or because any of them require more energy than it takes to get out of bed. But I'd like to go explore somewhere funky and peaceful and fun. Not horribly hot or crowded. Does such a place exist?

Before heading to bed, I checked my blog stats, which I haven't done in 2 weeks. Funny batch of google searches that got people here today:

"Kelly Clarkson Pictures of Hair on Reba Duets Show" (St. Joseph, MO -- used to go there all the time to see my stepsons!)

"Carrie Underwood Love Life" (which comes up pretty much daily, however, this time is was from someone in Dubai!)

"Angela Hacker Bookings 2008" (Guessing that search didn't turn up a lot of results?)

"Sommet Center Tower XM" (Hopkinsville, KY -- come on down and see it for yourself!)

The search of the day, however, goes to the person in Ann Arbor, MI who searched "J. Smooze" and wound up at this post, reporting on an event I can't for the life of me remember attending.

Nashville Star Radio on TONIGHT

Nashville Star Radio -- 8pm ET tonight on Highway 16

Jon Anthony and I put many many hours of our life into this show that we can never get back. The least you can do is listen. :-P Finished show is 98 minutes...

When it's over tell me what you think -- about the contestants, about the show, all of it.

Eventually (like... after I sleep?) I will fill you in on my impressions of the contestants... I've definitely picked a few faves.

i hear crickets chirping... no one listened?

Nashville Star Radio on XM!

No rest for the weary!

Nashville Star Radio on XM debuts this week -- we tape the first episode tonight. This is going to give you a much more in depth look at the contestants and the process -- it's very exciting for us.

Did you watch the first episode Monday? The new home on NBC means a new set, new host, new judges - and hopefully a much bigger audience! So what did you think?

It's going to be fun to follow this show this summer!

My Contribution to People Magazine

Backstage at LP Field last week, Keith Urban met the press. It was actually really funny, because we had a game plan when he came back. There was a tabloid reporter in the press room driving us all crazy, so a bunch of us came up with a sequence of questions so we could get the good stuff answered without her asking something stupid.

I got question #3, and I asked Keith what kind of baby gifts the fans had been giving him. You can read his answer at People.com.

Is it Monday yet?

I have discovered, I'm not superwoman. Maybe I'm just getting old. This has been the most exhausting and emotionally draining CMA Music Fest ever. I didn't blog at 3am this morning while I was munching on room service because I couldn't really think of anything exciting to tell you about. I am behind on work I wanted to get done. Had to make some staffing decisions yesterday that made it easier on my psyche, but tougher on my workload. (I have a mental limit of 2 days in a row of getting my ass chewed, I needed a break.) So today, I plan to spend most of the day editing, cleaning the office, and getting caught up.

I had hoped to throw together a little post-Music Fest soiree at my place for those of you in town this weekend, but... I haven't seen my house since Wednesday, and can't be confident in what kind of state it's in. So let's get together Monday around 10:30 at the Pancake Tree.

If that doesn't work for anyone (most particularly baby Cebastian) please let me know. Delaynie and I will be there!

I get to meet the new Grascal today. I'm sure he's a great fiddler, but the real question is - can he dress like a Grascal? Their bus is parked outside... I really want to climb on board and see what Mayberry's Finest offers up for breakfast.

Will report back later. In the meantime, I've added a photo to the My Favorite Audio Blog Ever. Which, for the record, Jon has absolutely no memory of doing.

I'm back. Met Jeremy. Pleased to report that he's every bit the sharp dressed Grascal. I took a zillion pictures but never saw him smile. Definitely missing the smiling fiddler...

06/07/08

My new nephew is a lucky little guy I think to have such a cool birthday as that! Ryan Christopher has arrived -- 5lb 6oz... I'm not able to get all the details since we're live from the Never Ending Chevy Stage, but I am eagerly awaiting photos.

Ryan is welcomed by big sister Maddie, and cousins Aidan, Andrew, and Delaynie. :-)

Happy Saturday morning,...

Happy Saturday morning, it is 3 AM. I am in my pajamas, just finished eating some cold pizza and I'm getting ready to go to bed. I experienced a whole new level of fandom(?) tonight that I'm going(?) to remember to talk about tomorrow. The whole camping out issue: People are camping at the ____ tonight, people are camping at the Convention Center tonight. I cannot comprehend this level of fandom(?). We'll talk about it tomorrow. Goodnight. listen

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My Setup Here At The Chevy Stage

What else could a girl need?

You know you're out...

You know you're out late, when you come into your hotel the same time as the morning paper. 2:45 in Music City, the end of a 17 or so hour day. Interesting night at the Coliseum. I have to tell you a good Luke Brian story, and I think I've solved the Rascal Flatts' mystery. The songwriter show at the Hard Rock Cafe, I won't tell you who was there because Blogger will totally butcher their names. Then, I took Sandy and her friend Tammy on a 2 AM tour of our new offices, and now I'm back in my hotel room, ready for a couple of hours sleep. We will do it all again tomorrow! Goodnight. listen

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Blogging from the Chevy Plaza!

Hello from the XM Broadcast Booth at the Sommet Center Plaza. We're currently in the bluegrass block of the Chevy Stage, heard live on Bluegrass Junction. Dan Tyminski is on stage. The Sommet Center is providing pockets of shade, the the crowd is moving their chairs as it moves... it's pretty funny.

Tonight I'm heading to LP Field for the backstage press conferences. On our list tonight to talk to: Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift, Julianne Hough, Jewel, Sugarland, and Montgomery Gentry. On my way I'm hoping to stop by a James Otto #1 party.

No phone or internet from the lower bowels of LP Field, so I'll have to talk to you when it's over. In the meantime, go check out (and comment!) our XM blog at xmhighway16.blogspot.com

My favorite audio blog EVER

To fully appreciate this blog, you must listen to the audio....

(Joyce)It is one in the morning, Sandy and I are at Rippy's with the whole XM Engineering Crew including a very intoxicated... well served Jon Anthony who wants to say hello. Say hello to everybody, John.

(Jon) Hello everybody, thank goodness for Bud Light.

(Joyce)If only I had my camera here.

(Jon) And Maker's Mark Whiskey.

(Joyce) Goodnight. listen

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For the record... I was drinking diet coke.

The Surprise Guest

I will say she is stunningly beautiful in person.

Hey I am driving downtown...

Hey I am driving downtown and I realized that I almost forgot to tell you about a couple of very exciting thing that are happening today on Highway 16. First of all, Storming Warn(?) makes his SM debut at the top of the Chevy parade which is off the top of my head, 3:00pm Eastern. And then, we have a very special guest coming by the Chevy block party a little later in the day. I can't tell you who he or she might be. But if you are in the neighborhood you might want to come on over and be a witness to it. Otherwise be turned in the Highway 16 cos you are not gonna want to miss this. listen

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Blogging to the Power of X!

I'm recruiting Team XM to help blog our way through CMA Music Festival for those of you who can't be here in person. Check it out at xmhighway16.blogspot.com

And also keep your eye on our Music Fest Photo Gallery at highway16.xmradio.com (you have to hunt for it down on the lower right)

You only get audio blogging here though. ;-)

11:51 in Nashville,...

Cleaned this up... although I was tempted to leave the Tuckle Bell in... (I didn't find one, for the record.) The first time I audio blogged it cut me off, so for a while there were two of these up, sorry about that.

11:51 in Nashville, Tuesday at CMA Music Festival, just out of the Grand Ole Opry. I am still awake, thankfully. Umm... what did I want to tell you. The show was great. John Conlee was fabulous, Luke Bryan very entertaining. I did not get to see Montgomery Gentry because I was tearing down our booth. I tell you what, seven and half hours out there in that heat today, just about did me in and I am trying to figure out if there is a Taco bell between the Grand Ole Opry and my house. That is my mission. Going to go home and check my e-mails. Sleep in a little bit hopefully tomorrow and then I have got to pack a suitcase and head downtown. The Chevy Parade and block party starts at 3 p.m. Eastern, 2 p.m. Nashville time. You can hear it all live on Highway 16. It's never been heard live on the radio before, so we are very excited. Tune in, don't miss it. I will be there. Hope you will be too! listen

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Hello, from the very...

Hello, from the very hot and sweaty Opry Plaza. The first show has started. Carrie Underwood and Montgomery Gentry are about to come on stage. We have given away a ton of XM goodies and I have seen Dave from Connecticut and Paula and JoAnn from Massachusetts. And a whole bunch of other XM fans, and of course the most popular question that I have gotten today is, "Is that merger ever gonna go through?" Having great time out here - I'm gonna go to the 9:30 show, so, I will probably talk to you after that. listen

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A Day in the Life of the XM Nashville Interns

Happy Hell Week!

I just know the day is coming when someone from the CMA pulls me over and says..."umm Joyce... we'd really rather you didn't refer to our biggest event as 'Hell Week', ok?"

Ready or not - it's here! I have shipped my daughter off to camp, cleaned the house, and broken in new Sketchers. I even bought this ridiculously large pill box and am setting cell phone alarms to make me take all my meds this week (which would work better if I could A) find one of my meds that I'm missing and B)figure out which med is making me nautious when I do take it.) Feel free to ask if I've been drugged lately when you see me.

I've also prepped ridiculous amounts of note cards for our air talent this week and stuffed hundreds of goodie bags. At some point, I move downtown, which I haven't yet packed for, but I don't think that happens for a couple more days.

My first event today is a Gretchen Wilson graduation party, and my day ends with a Pizza & Planning meeting in our new offices.

Probably lots of audio blogging from here on out! Will check in as I can.

Everyone should know better...

... than to challenge Producer J. on Montgomery Gentry triva. Really.

Last night MG held a little soiree to celebrate the release of their album (thank you for not doing it during CMA Music Fest!) that included a massive country music trivia game.

The idea was cute -- tying it into the theme of their current single "Back When I Knew It All." So they were looking for the know-it-alls. The rules, however, were incredibly complex and hard to follow, and I wasn't drinking anything stronger than Diet Coke. Can't imagine how the Jack & Coke drinkers followed along! Troy helped read questions. Eddie just walked around in his sunglasses being cool.

Team XM was comprised of myself, Intern Suzanne, Amy Paige, and 2 people from WSIX. There were probably 125 people playing, and I can't begin to tell you how they came up with winners or where we wound up placing. (Ideas were better than the execution at this event.) As happens when you're playing on a team, not everyone agrees, so some consessions had to be made.

I was ok with conceding to someone else's guess about how many tattoo's Troy had, even though I wound up being right. (3) I listened as my teammates named every Mel Gibson movie except the one they'd done a song for, and then gave them the answer. (We Were Soldiers) But I argued and argued with the guy from WSIX about what year it was that Montgomery Gentry won Vocal Duo of the Year at the CMA's.

Was it 2001? No, It was before I worked at XM.
I was at CountryCool.com
Had to have been 2000.
No no no, it wasn't that early. More like 2004.
Kenny Rogers was in the press room and we were all trying to not show that we were ignoring him as we watched Eddie and Troy on stage for the night's big upset.
Definitely 2000.
No because their first album came out in like 98 or 99. It had to have been 2003 or 2004
I was standing at the back of the room manning a camera. It was before I worked for XM. Clearly, it was 2000
They lost the ACM that year, I remember the party afterwords, it was 2004.
I was wearing black pants and a royal blue sleeveless jacket. Eddie was wearing black. Troy looked hot.
IT WAS 2000 BY GOD!
Ok, so we're going with 2004? Good.

Seriously... did he not realize who he was dealing with???

:-D We did have fun though. And I got some good scoop on how they do programming over at 98. Probably just as well they didn't give each team their results. The winning team for each round, however, got a bottle of Jim Beam. Ick. To this day I hate the smell of that stuff.

Ira Dean, Trent Willmon and Jeremy McComb were all in attendance. (Ira won a bottle of Jim Beam.) Storme Warren emceed the event, bless his heart - he and Trent showed up wearing the same shirt. Trent... not much of a conversationalist that night, but I tried. Amy tried. Amy can carry on a conversation with a tree, but not Trent. Perhaps he needed some Jim Beam???

Onto CMA Music Fest events...

Did a walk through for the Tracy Lawrence Fan Club Party today. Tracy's little girl was with him - she's a cutie. Neat venue -- the new Judge Beans at Greer Stadium. I hadn't been in there before. Tracy is working on some special guests... but I can't tell you who!


We also have started getting in our giveaway items... which means we're in the process of putting together 2,000 XM / GM goodie bags. That's just for the first part of the week. Check out my little volunteer assembly line!


Schedule of events now up at xmradio.com/cma . Please, no comments about the photo... NOT the ones I suggested.

I've heard a rumor that I actually have a desk at the Sommet Center now. I'm going to try to go check it out tomorrow!

This photo was taken as I was standing in my office last week. ---->

And the winner is...

Jay Thomas chose...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Good Ride Cowboy"

And the GarthNutts rejoice.

The Return of US Country

Strait Country rides off into the sunset Saturday at Midnight Eastern, making way for the return of US Country. The last song on SC is, predictably, "The Cowboy Rides Away" (flashbacks to Music City Holiday anyone?) So what is your suggestion for the first song on US Country?

I've made my suggestion to Jay Thomas, but he told me I could open up the floor to suggestions from y'all. So let's hear it -- what would be an appropriate song for US Country to return with?

Use THIS word in a sentence

conviviality

It showed up in a press release today. (I'm sure I don't need to tell you whose...)

BTW... if I was the rumor starting type, I might point out that it's very interesting how the female half of a popular duo has shown up onstage twice now without her performing partner at another entertainer's shows in 2 different states. Can you just happen to be in the neighborhood of places like Grand Rapids, MI? Maybe Cleveland. But not both. If you were touring nearby you'd have the male half of your duo with you, right? Gotta be something there more enticing than the free Corona...

The Countdown is On!

We're one week from our CMA Music Festival coverage. By this time next week, we'll have assembled 3 engineers, 2 field production guys, 3 interns, and 5 members of our air staff. Plus me. All without my usual color-coded spreadsheets. (I'm lost already.)

This is the Pre-Hell Week Hell Week. As tradition has it, Jon Anthony is on vacation, leaving me to deal with 5,000 incoming premium items and no office space while he frolics at Disney World. (I can tell you all this because I say it to him in person too. He knows I still love him.)

FORTUNATELY I am back in the intern business. I have yet another awesome intern, this time hailing from Florida. Her name is Suzanne and she's a mega-over-achiever like I've never seen. I'm pretty sure I could tell her I need her to climb the bat building and she'd ask if I wanted her to do it in boots or flip flops. Now, if I just had a place for her to work! (Don't ask. Seriously. Although I do have updated pictures to show at some point.)

So tomorrow, I tackle editing an MG ShortCuts while Suzanne preps artist info for the Chevy Parade. I spent most of my weekend sleeping (I probably shouldn't tell you this, but I didn't get out of my pajamas today.) I'm hoping I can find some energy, because on top of Fan Fair fun, I've got to pack my daughter to go to Church Camp next week, and myself to move downtown for the week. And if I'm smart, and can stay awake long enough, I'll leave a nice long Honey-Do list for Gary to tackle while he's got the house to himself.

Speaking of sleeping, I think I'll go do some more of that.

Are You My Type?

I'm O+. How about you?

I got a call from The Red Cross yesterday... it was time for me to go in and give blood again. They are critically low (which seems to be an ongoing problem) and are desparately concerned about the upcoming holiday weekend, which traditionally brings an abundance of accidents.

Unfortunately, the day before I'd been given a medical diagnosis that means I can't give blood at the moment. So, I'm relying on you to be an angel in my place! Here in Nashville you don't even need an appointment, you just go into the Red Cross Headquarters on Charlotte and it takes less than an hour. The Red Cross website can direct you to the nearest location where you can give.

One pint of blood can be divided to bless three different lives. Give the gift of life, and pray that some day you aren't the one in need.

MG in the house!

Some days I really love my job. I'm rockin' out to the new Montgomery Gentry album, because we're taping an XM World Premiere with Eddie and Troy today. This album really ROCKS. They've gone back to their earlier, gritty, rowdy rock sound, which is what made me fall in love with them in the first place. (And you thought it was just Troy's good looks!)

We're taping the show this afternoon, and I still don't have songwriter credits to know who wrote what, which normally would be frustrating me to no end, because it's about a 3 hour process to write an episode of ShortCuts. Howevever, it just means I'm killing time by listening to the album over and over waiting to sequence the show, and that's not a bad way to spend a morning.

I've learned by now that some way or another, the show always comes together. And this one will too.

Calendar Updates!

I have the schedules for the late night Musicians On Call benefit shows at the Hard Rock Cafe ... if you're coming to Fan Fair and need to make plans, email me.... three great nights of songwriters! A little closer to the time we'll release the complete schedule of everything we'll be carrying on XM.

Sugarland's album has been moved UP to July -- Keith Anderson's album has been pushed BACK (for what, the 723rd time?) to August 5th, and Sara Evans is getting married "very soon."

Now, about our post-CMA Music Fest blog meeting... who's still here Monday morning June 9th? I have 2 different ideas...

Yeah! What Kenny Said

There's a very good, comprehensive article on CMT.com about Kenny Chesney's reactions to winning Entertainer of the Year, which was Fan Voted for the first time.

Go Kenny! I totally agree. As much fun as it is for the fans to have a voice, I don't think this is the appropriate place for it. They have their award shows, which in reality are a matter of who can spend the most time clicking on the internet. If the ACM's want to do a Fan Voted award, they need to make one -- a Fan's Choice. I'm sure they could sell a sponsorship to it... But don't cheapen the legacy of the Entertainer of the Year by turning it into an endurance test for mouse clickers. If you REALLY want the fans to determine, then award it based on who played to the most fans over the past year.

Plus, the ACM already has a "fan" level of membership, which at least would allow controls over how often people vote. I have never understood elections where one person gets to vote over and over again.

But that's just me. Your thoughts?

Oh My. Discussion Topics.

Feel free to chime in by number. List will be updated throughout the ACM's.

1. Sara Evans' red carpet gunny sack. Umm. Dress.

2. Carrie Underwood channeling Tina Turner.

3. Reba's opening monologue.

4. Taylor Swift's win. Shocking. Did it make you tear up or was it just me?

5. Garth coming up!

6. GO LADY A !! ! ! ! !! !

7. BIG night for Big Machine! I'm so excited for them. :-)

8. Hell. Miranda Lambert winning album of the year. WOW.

9. Notice how they're continually promoting Garth? He must be the top of the next hour.

10. Reba - B&D - ROCKIN!

11. Guitar thrown off stage - $1500
Tear away outfit: $350
700 gallons of water - $2200
Look on George Strait's face at the end of Taylor Swift's performance - PRICELESS

12. Not crazy about Garth's medley. Seriously, we know these songs. In their entirety. Not all chopped up.

13. Ok, I know in some galaxys I'd get shot for this, but I've never heard Garth and Trisha sound so horrible together.

14. Loved the Eddie Arnold tribute. Thought Carrie sounded SO much better when she uses that pretty voice of hers to sing, not scream.

What I love about Red Carpet Shows

I love watching the red carpet shows (especially the ACM's because if I'm watching it that means I'm not in Vegas sweating) because I get to see all my publicist / record label friends hanging out on the carpet with their stars.

Tonight's ACM show is interesting for a couple of reasons... the Sunday thing has wreaked all kinds of havoc on music row scheduling, as artists try to juggle tour dates with rehearsals and charity events and media opportunities.

Even more interesting is the fan voted Entertainer of the Year award. My money is on Rascal Flatts, because they've put the most effort that I've seen into campaigning. If you're watching GAC's Orange Carpet show (why doesn't CMT have one?) you'll see all the fans were given Rascal Flatts fans to deal with the heat, and they offered a free live song download for voting.

Anyone else got a prediction?

Sandi a year ago we were in Vegas hitting Margaritaville and watching the fountains at the Bellagio!

Too Cute Not to Blog

Hee Hee Hee...

Whatever happened to Erica Jo?

Who Is This?

I'm working on some photo galleries for the XM website (thrilling way to spend a Friday night, I realize) and I can't for the life of me remember this guy's name. Anyone?

Stay tuned... no telling what else I may find as I dig through the computer files....

Another XM Blogger!

Kyle Cantrell from Bluegrass Junction has now joined the blogosphere! Go say hello to him here.

More Breaking News

"Shania Twain and her husband, music producer Robert 'Mutt' Lange, are separating after 14 years of marriage. This is a private matter and there will be no further comment at this time."
- UMG Nashville

That Grascals News I Promised You

Been sitting on this for what seems like forever... finally came out today... although I suspect a lot of people have seen the lineup change in concert.

THE GRASCALS TO PERFORM ON GRAND OLE OPRY, HOST ERNEST TUBB MIDNITE JAMBOREE THIS WEEKEND

NASHVILLE, TENN. (May 15, 2008)—The Grascals return to the Grand Ole Opry this weekend, performing Saturday during the 8:30 and 11:00 p.m. segments before hosting the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree at the Texas Troubadour Theater. They will also be guests on Keith Bilbrey’s Opry Warmup Show. Fans can tune in to all the fun on 650 AM WSM or listen online at http://www.wsmonline.com. The Opry can also be heard live on XM 11 Nashville.

The Grascals are also proud to welcome and introduce new fiddle player Jeremy Abshire. Abshire burst onto the bluegrass scene as a member of Billie Renee and Cumberland Gap (winners of the 2006 SPBGMA International Bluegrass Band Championship), and came to The Grascals’ attention as a member of IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year Dale Ann Bradley's band. His influences include Benny Martin, Scotty Stoneman, Chubby Wise, Bobby Hicks, Kenny Baker, and Stuart Duncan – whom he cites as his favorite fiddle player.

“Jeremy has been doing a great job for us, and he’s proven that he’s up for the challenge. We welcome his talent and his passion for the music,” said Grascals vocalist and guitarist Jamie Johnson.

“I couldn’t have picked a better group of guys to hang out with,” said Abshire. “I’m out there having a blast!”

Because I Needed One More Thing To Do...

hee hee hee... I'm quite sure I'm about to convince y'all I have completely lost my mind.

But I'm very excited. Tonight I officially signed the paperwork to become a Pampered Chef consultant. I couldn't resist. I love their products, and I had SO much fun at the party I had at my house back in February. I've been cooking so much more now that I have all these great tools in the kitchen to play with. As awesome as their host rewards are for having a party -- their rewards for consultants are even better. I couldn't resist.

No worries, I'm not about to quit my day job. :-)

Random Ramblings

In the battle of the Greatest Hits collections... Toby kicked Dierks' ass. Toby's new CD debuted #1 country, #2 Pop, with 103k scanned. Dierks debuted #2 country, #9 pop, with 42 1/2k scanned. Prom Queen Taylor Swift still taking names at the #3 country spot.

I haven't had a chance to blog about Taylor's Prom, but you can read about it over at CMT.com. I have a couple of pictures when I find the chord to connect my camera to my laptop! We got souvenir tiaras when we walked in the door.

Fan Fair plans are coming along nicely. Amongst the Fan Club parties you'll hear on XM this year: Sara Evans, Josh Turner, Emerson Drive, JoDee Messina, Phil Vassar, Mark Wills, Rodney Atkins and Tracy Lawrence. There's one more possibility and we're doing something with the Marty Stuart Late Night Jam - just not sure exactly what yet. We'll also carry the songwriter shows from the Hard Rock cafe live, as well as performances from the Chevy Stage, and live broadcasts from our NEW studios! (Did I just say that out loud? no, surely not, that would clearly jinx things.) I'm up to my ears in spreadsheets and phone numbers these days.

BUT -- help is on the way! I met my new intern yesterday... she's officially moved to town. Yay for interns!

Busy place here today - Phil Vassar in the house.. Montgomery Gentry in the other studio... ran into Troy in the hallway, not wearing any shoes.

Storme Warren Joins the XM Family!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nashville, TN

XM Satellite Radio today announced the addition of GAC-TV host Storme Warren to its on-air lineup on Highway 16, its new country hits channel. Warren’s live afternoon drive show (3p-7p CT) will debut Monday, June 9 and will originate daily from XM’s new studio complex at the Sommet Center in downtown Nashville.

“Storme is one of the most talented personalities on both TV and radio,” said Jon Anthony, XM’s Senior Program Director/Country. “He’s interviewed just about every country music star on the planet, and they all enjoy and respect his style and passion! Now, he’ll be able to bring that entertaining forum to a national radio audience every day on XM.”

"This is a dream come true,” said Warren, the 2007 recipient of the CMA Media Achievement Award. “I can't think of a greater way to celebrate my 25th year in broadcasting. XM represents everything I used to love about radio. When I first started at KELI in Tulsa back in 1983, radio was a wide-open world where programmers and DJs weren't afraid to try new things and take risks. XM reminds me of those days. We're going to have a lot of fun, and I will continue to do my best to take care of Country Music and those who help create it!”

Warren’s addition coincides with the upcoming opening of XM’s new Nashville headquarters at the Sommet Center Arena Tower. The brand-new, state-of-the-art facility will house office space, operations, production facilities, and seven studios – including a stunning, glass-walled performance studio overlooking downtown Nashville and the Ryman Auditorium.

“Our new studios will truly be a combination of advanced technology and style that everyone will love to visit,” said Anthony. “With Storme broadcasting to the entire country every afternoon from the coolest studio in town, it’ll be a revolving door of Nashville stars and VIPs stopping by!”

Prior to his show’s debut, Warren will also participate in XM’s exclusive coverage of the 2008 CMA Music Fest, June 2-9, which will feature live concerts from the Chevy Stage, Fan Club Parties, and other live performances. He will also continue as host and co-executive producer of “Country Music Across America” on Great American Country Television.

Just Another Manic Monday

Jeepers. It's only 10:15 and the day is already insane.

Just picked up a Driver's Ed taping with Julianne Hough. Today. in 5 1/2 hours to be exact. I'm waiting on music so I can write the show. That should be fun.

It's also Taylor Swift's Prom Night. Seriously. They're throwing a Senior Prom for her tonight. Unfortunately, my mother couldn't find my old prom dresses -- prom attire is suggested. Should be fun. It's also a triple platinum party for her. She's having one heck of a Senior Year, eh? I kinda hope she brings home the ACM Female Vocalist trophy. That would be one awesome graduation gift.

We're doing a ShortCuts taping with MG this week, and I snagged a booking with Dan Tyminski for Bluegrass Junction. So it's looking to be a very good week.

None of the above is related to the Big News that will be released shortly. Keep watching this space.

Watch this Space!

Something I'm VERY excited about is supposed to be getting announced today. Soon as they pull the trigger, I'll post it here!

The Best Mother's Day Weekend Ever!

Me and My Kids.

Hope y'all had an equally wonderful weekend!

My Eddy Arnold story

Anyone who's worked in this town for any length of time probably has an Eddy Arnold story. His career lasted longer than many people spend on this earth. I've yet to hear a story about him that wasn't favorable, and more often than not includes the word "gentleman."

I met Mr. Arnold the first time about 5 years ago. It was summertime, and he was coming into our studios for an interview in conjunction with something he was doing at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, our setup there didn't include a green room, and he was waiting between events in the employee break room, drinking coffee out of a styrofoam cup.

This particular day my daughter was in the building, she would have probably been around 6 at the time. When they crossed paths, Mr. Arnold talked to her, asking her name and age, typical kindergarten chit chat. She of course, had no idea who she was talking to.

I went back into the studio and told the DJ about Delaynie chatting up a Country Music Hall of Famer, and we laughed how someday, when she learned who he was, Delaynie would scold me for not getting her picture taken with him.

Unfortunately, so many people today, including those who work in this industry, don't know Mr. Arnold's contributions to country music. As the media reflects on his life over the next few days, pay attention to the things that he accomplished. He was one of country music's first superstars.

This looks like somewhere I could work...

Just, umm... not quite yet...

Discombobulated

less than a month until Fan Fair...still between studios... papers never in the right place... What day is today?...bought a new drive for my laptop because the DVD worked and the CD didn't... used it for 4 days before I realized that yes, the CD works, but now the DVD doesn't... 2 1/2 weeks until 5th grade is over... not getting into the school we wanted, and trying to figure out how to tell Delaynie... still have no idea where my work mail is getting delivered to...working 2 days a week from home... unless we have shows to cut... then I come in to work but have nowhere to work... a brand new floor in my downstairs, which looks amazingly AWESOME...now if we only had furniture to go on top of it... on a plane at 6am Friday morning... haven't even thought about packing... can't really pack until I go shopping for a new dress... planning a college graduation party from 700 miles away... confusing the Music Fest spreadsheets with the new studio spreadsheets... grey means live and black means WHAT?... blogs backlogging... lost permission slips... no place for the intern to work... just 11 more school days to get through... 5th grade teachers might all survive... 11 more days to stay away from 5th grade teachers... desparately need a hair cut but I can't find my hairdresser's phone number...first time in 14 years I'm going to have a Mother's Day Weekend with all three of my children... assuming I eventually find a suitcase...

Discombobulated.

Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires...

Are you a Jewel expert? Actually, those would be gems. How about Jewel the country singer?

I'm writing an episode of ShortCuts with Jewel... and her story is incredibly fascinating to me. It's also all new to me. I know she's a multi-platinum pop star, but I can count on my fingers the number of things I really know about her - none of which include titles of her hits.

So... taking the pulse of my audience... are country fans familiar with her story? I don't want to bore people because technically... this is kind of old news. But I don't want to assume people know her country music credentials, either.

What say you?

$50.00!

$50.00 to fill my gas tank just now. I've NEVER had to pay $50.00 for the gas in my car. I drive a Pontiac Grand Prix. I cannot imagine what somebody driving an Escalade is paying at the pump. This is crazy! listen

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Update fom the Rizer Zoo

Remember that beautiful flowering basket I had on my front porch that someone decided looked like a good place to build her nest?

Those 5 eggs have now turned into these cute litte fellas. The big guy there flew the nest this morning. *sniff*sniff* At least now hopefully the other guys can thrive and grow a little....

Unfortunately, I don't think there's any hope for my plant. Once the eggs hatched I had to stop watering it, I was afraid of drowning the little fluffballs.

All five of them made it. In case you can't tell by the photo, they're French. Delaynie named them. Jacques is the big strong one, followed by Pierre. The 3 littler ones are Fifi, Mimi and Belle.