The 2019 CMA Awards show recap: Thank you Nashville (did I just say that?!)

Dear 2019 CMA Awards, 

As another year inches closer to the end it brings us many things. Summer turns to Autumn, leaves begin to fall, harvest comes to a close, flip flops and t-shirts are soon replaced by sweatshirt and Uggs (well at least speaking for myself, Tom Brady and most women) and more importantly another CMA Music Awards show. With each passing year I want to think that somehow there's a person in Nashville reading this and will finally make that much needed change to bring real country music home. With that hope, I present to you the 8th or 9th review of the CMA Awards. 

1. Opening act is a mix of Carrie’s legs, Dolly’s chest and Reba’s voice. CMA’s, you have my attention. 
2. A plethora of women from country music’s past now dots the stage, the smile stays on my face. 
3. Apparently Terry Clark and Brad Paisley shop at the same hat store. 
4. Gretchen Wilson just hit the stage, hotel rooms everywhere rejoice. 
5. Martina McBride can be added to the list of people who can eat crackers in my baed. With or without her dentures. 
6. Twenty minutes in and I have yet to see Luke Bryan. My remote has suddenly become more friendlier with me. 
7. Every female who shares the same age bracket as myself just remembered the first time they got drunk. Thank you Deena Carter. 
8. Jeffery Epstein didn't kill himself. 
9. Blake Shelton wins first award of the night. He has normal jeans and cowboy boots on. Flipping through the channels to make are this is the CMA’s. 
10. Some guys named Dan and Shay are mumbling something about being speechless, I feel the same way about them being considered country. 
11. The dude from Blues Travelers just accepted a reward for Luke Combs. 
12. Miranda, why is our timing always off? 
13. Reba. Fancy. You win Nashville. 
14. I think Old Dominion served me my oat milk latte this morning. 
15. The hotness of Carrie Underwood has no equal. 
16. I fell Luke Combs would do well at the Tackle Box. 
17. Kelsey Ballerini, bravo. I said a a long time ago that women will be Nashville’s savior. 
18. Lindsey Ell is Canada’s greatest export. 
19. Halfway through the show and the tightest jeans still belong to a female. 
20. My wardrobe needs to creep closer towards Midlands. 
21. With every great performance, they mix in a dan and shay to remind my TV that it’s a remote control toss away from retirement. 
22. It’s November 13th and Ronnie Dunn still hasn't taken off his Halloween costume. He makes a great skeleton though. 
23. “Damn it Thomas, wear something country!” -Rhett Akins 
24. Is Keith Urban’s brand of country considered an impeachable offense? 
25. Bobby Bones > Ryan Seacrest 
26. I want Maury Povich to reveal that I am indeed the father of Maren Morris’s child. 
27. Eric Church is an icon. Prove me wrong. 
28. I bet Luke Combs isn't celebrating his male artist of the year award with a salad. 
29. If Willie Nelson wanted to smoke me out I wouldn't say no. 
30. How come we have never seen Garth Brooks and Chris Gaines in the same room ever? 
31. Female vocalist of the year goes to Kasey Musgraves. I am not one of your haters. 
32. Garth Brooks, Entertainer of the Year. For a brief moment, Nashville can do no wrong. Thank you. 

As the awards show came to and end and I turned off my television a tear began to roll down my face. You know that feeling you get when you tell your child that you are proud of them for the first time? That is what filled my heart tonight. Nashville, please make this the norm and not an anomaly and we the fans will come back. God Bless. 

Ps. I hope you enjoyed another installment of this annual event peeps and remember….Drinking is optional, but always preferred. 

#CMAawards #CMAs #Nashville #countrymusic #awardsshow #ABC #review #americastrong

The circus that is the Democratic debate

Dear Democratic Presidential candidates, 

Where have our leaders gone? I pose this question to you following what unfolded on stage at the most recent Democratic Presidential debate. Ten candidates, all with the ability and opportunity to set themselves apart from the rest and what was put forth to we the people was a failed attempt by all. This was exemplified from the start. Dedicating your opening statement to your hate of the current President rather then explaining how you will help this country is the reason why none of you will ever call the White House home. 

When an opportunity presented itself for a candidate to share an idea, instead of eloquently making a point, you chose to attack the current President with name calling and accusations. You know, the very thing that you condone him for doing. This was emphasized by the use of the words “racist", “bigot” and “white supremacist" when describing the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue….How very Presidential of you. 

Your hostility towards the President was only matched by your disdain of the Second Amendment. Threats of confiscation and hostility towards a vast number of the voting population is not the best way to attract support. The founders of this great nation put checks and balances in place to prevent this or any other infringement on our Constitution. You see, one person is not greater then the whole. This applies to all who hold the highest office in the land. 

The two words most presented to the viewing public were “free” and “crisis”. These media driven buzzwords can be inserted for a number of topics such as education, the border, race, climate, student loans and healthcare. It just depends in what content you are using them in. 

What last night did accomplish was that it fortified that you are all out of touch with the American people. What was presented were broad strokes ideas, with no meaning or plan of action behind them. We as a nation are tired of the rhetoric on both sides. Leadership is not who yells the loudest, uses insults to get a point across or pushes agendas of your own. It is the ability to take a nation divided and make it whole. It’s standing up and doing what is right, even when others say it’s wrong. It is listening and respecting views other then your own. It’s facing adversity and knowing that we will triumph through all. 

At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is the are four simple words…One flag, three colors. Find me someone who still believes in this and I will show you someone who is fit to lead this great nation. God Bless…

Ps. It has been a long while since I have sat down and put my thoughts into words for y’all and I am sorry about that. Life sometimes gets in the way of inspiration but am going to try and devote more to the latter and remember….. This wasn't a piece supporting the Donald but the majority of people commenting will make it that. 

#Democraticdebate #Democrats #President #debate #leadership #Washington #oneflagthreecolors #UnitedStates #Americastrong  

The 1st annual ACM Awards show recap: Nashville does "Country"

Dear ACM Awards, 

As my Sunday was winding down and I prepared to meet some friends for dinner and a relaxing end to my evening it happened. First it was a single text message. Then it was followed by two, three and four more from friends. Next, the alerts on social media that someone had posted something concerning me and numerous people were commenting on it. As I wrapped up dinner and checked what all the commotion was about it dawned on me….Tonight was the ACM Awards show. One of the yearly tributes to what Nashville defines as “country”. 

Now I usually don't do a review of this show and focus my efforts on the CMT version of this debacle but you the fans have spoken so I present to you the 1st Annual ACM Awards Show review (unfortunately due to my lack of preparation, no Tito’s was consumed during this broadcast):  

1. As stated in the opening, due to a prior commitment I tune into the show 30 minutes late. Chris Stapleton is the first thing to appear on my television screen. I need to not be on time to these things more often. 
2. Ashley McBride needs to be added to the “what is going to save Nashville” starter pack. 
3. Maren Morris and that outfit. Currently on my way to Costco to clean them out of their cracker supply. 
4. George Strait is the greatest country singer of all time. Prove me wrong. 
5. I would never advocate violence but would someone please punch Cole Swindell in the face. 
6. Dan you suck. Shay you suck more. 
7. Show cuts to a Ford commercial with Florida Georgia line blasting on the radio. I am now a Chevy guy. 
8. Blake Shelton keeps singing about “God’s Country” yet has not mentioned Butte county, rice or Northern California yet. Someone please get him a map. 
9. Lighting the dude from Florida Georgia Line on fire would be the only time I would support burning the American flag. 
10. Midland is the best dressed act in country. 
11. Ronnie Dunn is what happens when you bury people in Stephen King’s pet cemetery. 
12. If Veggie Mite is illegal in the United States how come Keith Urban isn’t? 
13. Do you think Rhett Atkins looks at Thomas and gives him that “I’m not mad, I am disappointed" look. 
14. Eric Church is an icon. 
15. LANCO makes me miss Sam Hunt. 
16. Carrie Underwood’s legs are a national treasure. Don't get any ideas Nicholas Cage.  
17. Kane Brown to wardrobe person: “Make me look the opposite of country.” Wardrobe person: “Say no more….” 
18. Reba has that look tonight but I cant find the right word to describe it. I’m just going to go with fancy. 
19. Congratulations to Reno Rosser on winning the artist of the decade award. Hard work does pay off. Wait….That was Jason Aldean??? 
20. “Let us out” -Jason Aldean’s nuts in those jeans purchased from the Baby Gap. 
21. Miranda appears on stage in a Santa outfit. I am now cleaning out the chimney and baking cookies awaiting her arrival. 
22. Female artist of the year goes to Kacey Musgraves. Miranda, if you need consoling, there’s plenty of crackers on the nightstand. 
23. Male artist of the year: Keith Urban. I see there’s been no progress made on that wall I requested between us and Australia. 
24. As I pick up the remote and prepare to launch it at the TV, Nashville throws me a changeup and closes the show with George. I have underestimated your tactics. The television survives another “country” awards show. 

Another year and yet another disappointed awards show in the books. If I have learned one thing from doing these year in and year out is that if I had invested in tight jeans, leather bracelets and wallet chains when this began I would be a rich man. God Bless…..

PS. Happy Monday peeps from here in God’s Country. It felt good to write this and makes me once again realize I need to do this more often and remember…..Be a stiletto in a room full of flats…. 

#ACMawards #Nashville #Makecountrymusicgreatagain #realcountry #Buttestrong