Chevron and Monograms

Attending a small liberal arts college in North Carolina has its pros and cons. One thing that is a pro is our version of the sorority bid day. Since my college has roughly 1200 students, we consider ourselves one big sorority and share in the tradition of Big/Little Sis, with our bid day being Fall Fest. Trust me, yesterday I saw enough monograms and chevron on posters and coolers to make any Southern belle jump for joy. I know I did.

Whether you are a belle or not, you will get something monogrammed at least once in your life, if you live in the South. Recently, I was talking with one of my friends from the North and she said people don’t monogram things and she had never heard of it until she moved to NC. Wait…what? Did pigs just fly? What is it about monograms and chevron that make it so Southern?

As I sit here thinking about the differences between the North and South, I am so thankful I live in NC and that I am a Southern belle. After all, who doesn’t love monograms and chevron on everything?

Yesterday….At the Emmys

This past Sunday, country singer Carrie Underwood performed at the Emmys with her cover of The Beatles’ classic hit, Yesterday. None of the least, Underwood performed the hit with poise and commemorated the past 50 years of history through her lovely rendition. Did you enjoy her performance?

Video Credit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rWFLfB6ziU

I’m a Small Town

Love this song by Kenny Chesney! Who else is a small town?

Video Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMRfHRPAg6I

Heaven Only Knows…

How many times does the saying “Heaven only knows” cross your mind per day? For me, I know its probably about 10 times. Then I sit and think maybe there are somethings that don’t need explanation and just happen because Heaven is only suppose to know why.

I could go on and on about my theory about God’s reasoning, but I think Randy Travis’ Three Wooden Crosses seems to be the perfect song to explain my thoughts.

Video Credit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HPl9Dlox00

A Virtual Memory

Exactly one year ago today was one of the best days of my life. Packed in the car was Moma, my sister, and I en-route to Charlotte, NC for Brad Paisley’s Virtual Reality tour with the Band Perry and Scotty McCreery.

The show opened with Scotty McCreery (my favorite!). As the audience walked through the country with him and celebrated the reasons why we love our season 10 American Idol winner this big, the excitement in me kept growing. Once his set ended, the Band Perry performed and I wasn’t anything but done for their performance to end.

Around 8:30pm, the main event started….ladies and gentlemen, Brad Paisley! Opening with Old Alabama, his set list continued with hits, such as Celebrity (with Scotty), Water, Remind Me, and my favorite This is Country Music. All I can say, Paisley sure knows how to put on a show, complete with lights, sounds, and fun!

My three favorite parts of the night were: Scotty McCreery, Paisley singing This is Country Music, while pictures of country legends flashed in the background, and last, but not least, when Paisley came and sang, literally, three rows in front of us!

Brad Paisley’s Virtual Reality was one of the best concerts I have ever seen! Tons of memories were made that night, memories that I can relive anytime I want to through pictures and songs. My night of Virtual Reality is now a virtual memory.

Is it Really Country on the Radio?

More steel guitars, please!

Recently country music outlets have been a buzz about a statement made by country singer Alan Jackson. Jackson expressed his disappointment in the lack of “real country stuff” and misses the “real root-y traditional stuff.”

“You can’t get it played anymore. It’s always been that constant pop-country battle,” stated Jackson in an interview with the Baltimore Sun.

I agree with Jackson on the pop-country battle. Recently, country singers have been joining forces with pop singers. The most current example is Florida-Georgia Line’s Cruise remix with Nelly. There has also been singers leaving the pop genre and going country (cue Kelly Clarkson). Seems as if these days there are more country wanna-be’s than anything. And no, putting on a cowboy hat and boots and singing a little George Strait does not make you country.

Both, Jackson and I would like to see a little more traditional country on the radio. Play a few more songs by George Jones, Tammy Wynette, and Conway Twitty on the radio and people just might start singing the traditional stuff again. Don’t get me wrong, I love the country songs that are out today and all of the singers, but sometimes you just want to hear a little Patsy Cline while driving down the highway.

Source: http://tasteofcountry.com/alan-jackson-no-country-left/

That September Day….

12 years ago today, I remember exactly where I was. I remember being in 2nd grade and the school was on lock-down. Once I got home, I remember watching the news coverage with Moma and my family. Today, 12 years later I’m still crying and praying for all those affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Today, 12 years later I’m still getting chills as I re-watch the news coverage and see the pictures. Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

Country singer Alan Jackson expressed the words no one could say, through one of his greatest songs Where were You when the World Stopped Turning? Were you teaching a classroom? Did you turn off that violent movie and turn on I Love Lucy reruns?

America changed 12 years ago. We became stronger and learned to lean on each other. “Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us and the greatest is love.”

I have a feeling Jackson’s deifying song will be on many people’s playlist today.

This post is dedicated to the first responders, firefighters, police officers, men and women, children, and family members involved on Sept. 11, 2001.

Video Credit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr8VwYLcxGo