The 2022 CMA Awards Review...

 Dear 2022 CMA Awards, 

Hello friends! Much like Christmas and Thanksgiving the CMA Awards Show comes once a year and gives us a purpose to gather round as a family and comment on all that is wrong with what Nashville likes to refer to as “country” music. As your host for this annual event I would like you to grab a drink, sit back and enjoy the 11th or 12th annual review of the CMA Awards brought to you this year once again by our gold sponsor Tito’s Vodka….

1. Show opens with Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert paying tribute to the coal miner’s daughter. I’m just going to turn the TV off and call it a night, you have finally won CMA’s.
2. Reba now takes the stage, Costco doesn't have enough crackers for this. 
3. Can we add an amendment to the Constitution that states Carrie Underwood isn't allowed to wear a dress that covers her legs. 
4. I feel that John Fetterman and Joe Biden’s first conversation isn't going to be as painful as Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning’s monologue. 
5. Four girls are singing “When will I be loved” from 8 Seconds fame. Just poured some out for Dylan McKay. 
6. Cody Johnson performance with the lights and smoke reminds me of Dusty. A trip back to Texas would do you good. 
7. $100 to the first person that punches Cole Swindell. An extra $100 if you bring me the jacket he is wearing. 
8. Jo Dee Meesina looks like the mom who stayed too long at Riley’s the Saturday night of graduation. 
9. I am an addict and Miranda is my fentanyl. 
10. If I was the Brother Osbourne’s parents I would have worn a condom…Both times. 
11. The Boot Barn commercial is the first thing I’ve seen country all night. 
12. Carrie Underwood’s legs are a national treasure I am Nicholas Cage. 
13. I see Luke Combs is the one who took all my Halloween candy. 
14. IPA’s see Old Dominion and run. 
15. I don’t know what “Country On” is but what Luke Bryan is singing isn’t indicative of it. 
16. Carly Pierce is another reason why women are the only hope in saving Nashville. 
17. I like Zach Brown better when he’s doing pushups in the end zone in South Bend on Saturdays. 
18. The only reason Rhett Atkins isn't disappointed in his son tonight is that he is sharing the stage with Katy Perry’s breasts. 
19. Hardy looks like the dude that is always asking “do you have a lighter?” at a party. 
20. Rip is on stage. I wish he would have brought Walker with him. 
21. Nashville’s new formula of hot talented blonde women sure trumps the skinny jeans and leather bracelets worn by talentless men era. 
22. The dude who sang “Honky Tonk, Badonka Donk” was talking about Lainy Wilson. Good Lord. 
23. Do panties just drop when Morgan Wallen walks into a room? 
24. They must keep Chris Stapleton in a glass case that says, “break if we need someone country” at these shows. 
25. If you are going to do a tribute to the Rolling Stones contribution to country music please choose a group with talent to do it. 
26. Chris Stapleton wins Male Vocalist of the Year. He now has more trophies and wives then Tom Brady. 
27. Jerry Lee Lewis and Maverick and Goose are the only three people allowed to sing “Great Balls of Fire”. Two are dead and the other isn’t on stage. 
28. You would think that with all the dangerous creatures in Australia, Keith Urban would have come across one by now. 
29. This isn’t the first time I have seen Jon Pardi cover Alan Jackson. It was usually followed by the DUI song. Jon, hear me out…Northern Comfort reunion. 
30. I’m proud to say the shirt that Alan Jackson is currently wearing is hanging in my closet. 
31. If you didn’t shed a tear during Alan Jackson’s speech, you have never sang along to “Chattahoochee” with a cold beer in your hand drunk at a bonfire. 
32. Entertainer of the Year…Luke Combs. In his speech he states that, “country hasn’t sounded this country in a while.” We must not be watching the same show. 

Much like spending the holidays with relatives this gets harder for me to do each year. I keep saying it is going to get better but the family continues to fail. You then give up on them and search elsewhere for that love you have been missing since Garth and George took the stage regularly. You meet people like Sturgill, Ryan, Cody C and Randy and start a whole new tradition. God Bless…

Ps. Happy Pre-Friday peeps, I wish I still had the time to do this regularly but for now please enjoy and remember…Caveman didn’t leave drawings of salads on rock walls. 

The 2021 CMA Award's show review

 Dear 2021 CMA Awards, 

Four scores and many skinny jeans and leather bracelets ago I sat down for the first time and attempted to decipher for you what exactly Nashville is doing to the genre that most of us use to know as “country music”. Tonight represents a milestone for this occasion, It will be my 10th installment. A lot of things have changed in this last decade but one of them isn't Nashville’s ability to destroy country music as me know it. Sit back and enjoy as I present to you the 10th or 11th annual review of the CMA Award’s: 

1. The show opens with Miranda Lambert. You have my undivided attention. 
2. This also must be the reason she is late coming home. 
3. All the positivity and hope has come to a screeching halt with the introduction of Luke Bryan as your host. 
4. I have counted six cowboy hats in the crowd. Four of them looked to have been shaped by Brad Paisley. 
5. Keith Urban is taking diet tips from Tim McGraw. 
6. Lionel Ritchie and Katy Perry make an appearance with the host. This makes Luke Bryan the 5th most country on that stage. 
7. Chris Stapleton takes the first award of the night (This will be theme). Somewhere the cast of HeHaw is smiling. 
8. Dirks grew a mullet. I chalk this up as a win. 
9. Eric Church is the only artist that can shop in Michael Jackson’s closet and make it look country. 
10. The men of Nashville need to thank the current crop of women artists for giving the rest of us a reason to listen to mainstream country. 
11. Zac Brown and his band are auditioning for the Country Bear Jamboree. 
12. Gabby Barrett is singing “one of the good ones”. She isn’t referring to her outfit. 
13. I can’t hate on Jimmie Allan because I would rock that outfit. 
14. Kane Brown looks like an Old Navy commercial. 
15. If Reno Rosser is on stage with Carrie Underwood who is running the Christmas tree lot?…Wait, that’s Jason Aldean???…Gets me every time. 
16. Most people have hoarded toilet paper over the last two years. Carrie I chose crackers for you. 
17. Blake Shelton is the one stealing food from Tim McGraw’s plate. 
18. Coming up with material was so much easier when I started this. 
19. Can we allow Vegemite and ban Keith Urban? 
20. I would still let Deena Carter pour me some strawberry wine. 
21. I now want to grab some pallets and start a bonfire at the creek. 
22. Loving ones hair has now been added to “my girlfriend left me”, “got drunk” and “my dog ran away” as a reason to write a country song. 
23. Old Dominion is a struggle between making lattes and serving IPA’s. 
24. If you have dreams of making it big in country music, follow Chris Stapleton’s blueprint. We all win. 
25. Luke Bryan comes back more then a mask mandate. 
26. I like my wokeness on CNN not CMT. 
27. Billy Bob from Varsity Blues fame is now going by Luke Combs. Looks like he ate that pig named bacon. 
28. Thomas is wearing Wranglers and cowboy boots. Somewhere Rhett is shedding a tear. 
29. I want Trace Adkins to voice the story about my life. 
30. Dan and Shay are the COVID of country music. 
31. Mrs. Gaines makes an appearance but seems to have left Chris at home. 
32. Fell asleep for a few minutes and woke up to a blues concert. Still better then what Nashville refers to as country. 
33. Their are more sequins on stage then in the line at Riley’s on buck night. Only this time it is being worn by men. 
34. Moon walking is the new two step. 
35. Nashville, I don’t care about an artists sexuality. I care about good music, which you are failing at. 
36. You want people to get vaccinated? Force them to listen to Luke Bryan as the alternative. 
37. Freddy Freeman handles a bat much better then a mic and a cue card. I still love ya.
38. Chris Stapleton collects another piece of hardware. That glimmer of hope is still lit. 
39. Allan Jackson presents entertainer of the year rocking fringe and talking about other legends like himself. My heart is full . 
40. Luke Combs entertainer of the year. Waffle House’s stock price just skyrocketed. 

The pre-show described that what is now coming out of Nashville is “hybrid” country. I prefer to call it crap but I guess that wouldn't get the ratings. I really didn't think Nashville’s version of country music could get worst but the last three hours proved me wrong. Now I am going to make like our President and forget this ever happened…God Bless! 

Ps. Good to be back with you peeps and I hope you enjoy the read and remember…Brittney is free, rejoice. 

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

The balancing act of personal health and risk assessment

 Dear my current sickness experience, 

Health and risk assessment are some topics I would like to present to you as an audience today. 

Who do you believe? “Take a vaccine it’s good!”. “Don’t take a vaccine, it will kill you!” are what we are bombarded with daily based on what side of the political pendulum you fall on. 

What ever happened to days of science and health? This didn’t start with a virus, it has been going on for years in our society. We are constantly being assailed with commercials and ads  that tell us if we have a certain “symptom” we must take this drug or something we “suffer” from then this pill is a must all the while not paying attention to the numerous side effects that are listed in small print that could have an adverse effect on you. 

Being proactive in ones health just like other parts of your life is what we as a society should be seeing versus the previously mentioned scenarios. The United States is home to one of the safest and healthiest food supplies in the world. We have an abundance of choices that can be found at any grocery store or farmers market across the country. Putting these choices into your body versus waiting for a pill to come along that is going to save you from health issues in the future is a much better option for all of us. 

Feeding that immune system healthy food and working it through exercise can only help you prepare for the future. Your body is a bank that we are constantly making withdrawals from that needs to be replenished daily. Your body can give you some of the best medical advise around. Listening to it is key. When some people are sick they rush to the doctor immediately rather then letting themselves heal naturally. 

Contrary to a drink or more I have always refrained from putting things unhealthy in my body, especially when it comes to medicine. I have always trusted my immune system to do what it was meant to do…Keep us healthy. Following this advise has worked for me up to this point.

Life since the dawn of our existence as humans has been about risk assessment. It is what has allowed us to thrive and become the alpha species that we are today. Some examples of this: 

• “Should I attack that wholly mammoth without my spear or wait for my cave mates to come help me?” 
• “ Will taking this polio shot save me from a debilitating disease in the future?” 
• “Is it ok to not wear my seatbelt if I drive to the store to pick up some things?” 
• Will an experimental vaccine that was created on a conservative President’s watch and pushed to us to take by the succeeding liberal President help me survive or prevent me from becoming ill?” 

A month ago, after much “risk assessment” I decided to get a shot. It wasn't without great hesitation or anxiety. It was a choice that I decided to make that I viewed as for myself at the time. I trusted that it would help my immune system if I was ever unlucky enough to come into contact with a certain virus. 

Fast forward eight days later and I tested positive for our government’s favorite talking point. Now I know 3/4 of my audience are going to blame what I did for this while the other applauds. A little background before any of the above mentioned happens…Seven of us were diagnosed with it, four with papers, three without. I by far have shown the least amount of problems associated with it, while others have had to make there way to the hospital for their condition. 

Was the shot I received my saving grace? Was it my immune system and what i prepared it for? Tough questions indeed. I fall back to personal health and risk assessment. 

With the horror stories I have learned about through reaching out to people who have had it and those who have seen the issues it has caused both short and long term I was scared into not trusting my own self defense even more. I was in a window that gave me the opportunity to have antibodies added to my system to help fight what I didn’t want to take control of my lungs or any other part of my body. I have really come to enjoy them over the years. Once again, under much research and anxiety, I decided to say yes to this treatment even though I have been doing everything right and didn’t show the symptoms that others I know were experiencing. Risk assessment…Now on day two of receiving this treatment, my body feels worse then before and almost as if I have reverted back to square one in this fight. I have been told that this is natural because my body in “fight” mode and ridding itself of what it isn’t suppose to have in it. I hope the experts are right because my regret is weighing heavy on my decisions currently. 

Vaccines are good and have helped us eliminate some of the most deadliest viruses and diseases this world has ever seen. Polio, small poxes, etc. are no longer part of our vocabulary as a society because people much smarter then you and I had the ability to come up with solution for these ungodly problems. They may even help rid us of our current situation, only time will tell. 

What I want to relay most is that I didn’t trust my body and immune system that I have been nurturing my entire life. I second guessed it, and  have added unknown thing to it that i have spent a lifetime avoiding. Trust and risk assessment are a thin line sometimes. 

This isn’t a blueprint on if you should be medicated or not. It is my personal experience on what I have went through due to the choices that I have made. In sharing this with you, I hope that it helps shed some light on this virus and some first hand knowledge on how one person has dealt with it. 

Take care of and trust your body. Decisions made now in life will impact it in the future…

Ps. Thanks for following along peeps and you never know when I may get the writing bug back again and remember…Brittney is finally freed. 

The 2020 CMA Awards show recap: Nashville country's version of 2020

Dear 2020 CMA Awards, 

Hey folks! Just popping out of the basement to stock up on toilet paper and check on the election results and realized that the most joyous time of year is upon us…Yes…You guessed it, I present to you the 9th or 10th Annual review of the CMA Awards:

1. Show opens with a tribute to the legend that is Charlie Daniels. I’m intrigued. 
2. That soon fades as the next participant in the montage has a Baby Gap black card and isn't afraid to use it. 
3. Reno Rosser performs an amazing cover of The Devil Went Down to Georgia….Wait, that is NOT Jason Aldean! 
4. Hootie and Reba have replaced Carrie and the dude with hat issue as the hosts. I consider this a push. 
5. The COVID-15 has made the rounds through Nashville. Can someone please check on Vince Gill. 
6. I just love Bobby Bones. 
7. First award of the night goes to Maren Morris. You can hate her politics and like me, her choice in a husband but she is what is good in Nashville. 
8. Morgan Wallen looks like the guy from the Bay Area who always went out of his way to bump into you at the Crazy Horse. 
9. Gabby Barrett’s been shopping in Michael Jackson’s closet…HEEEE HEEE. 
10. Cowboy hats in the audience are currently as plentiful as attendees at a Joe Biden speech. 
11. I would let Reba take me home before 2am. 
12. Eric Church, don't ever change. 
13. With all due respect Hootie, I wish The Blowfish were the ones that decided to join the country genre. 
14. Ashley McBride is about to ask for the manager. 
15. Lauren Akin is so disappointed in her husband she took her father-in-law’s last name. 
16. If 2020 was a country performance, it would be Dan and Shay. 
17. One hour into the show and Justin Bieber is currently holding strong as the 2nd most country artist featured thus far. 
18. Apparently salads were not deemed essential to Luke Combs. 
19. Finally a stage full of cowboy hats and twang. Thank you Jon Pardi, now play the DUI song. 
20. Apparently Dirks and I currently share the same barber. 
21. Can we have a recount on who considers Dan and Shay country? 
22. Reba and Hootie are currently singing about the ghetto. Somewhere Too Short is crying. 
23. Do you think Miranda’s husband gets mad knowing that he goes home to a woman who is in love with another man? 
24. Charley Pride is on stage. Kiss an Angel Good Morning is flowing through the speakers. All that Nashville has done bad tonight is forgiven. 
25. Chis Stapleton’s sound could cure Covid. 
26. A bunch of baristas have apparently formed a band and called it “Old Dominion”.
27. Luke Combs and his wife are the real life version of that meme of the ugly rich guy who owns the yacht with the hot girl.  
28. Glad to see Carrot Top has still found employment in these trying times. 
29. If one of the Osbourne brothers would have been adopted by another family, we wouldn't have to suffer through this performance. 
30. The barista’s play a mean version of Looking for Love. 
31. On a bright note, we are 2.5 hours in and not a sign of Luke Bryan. 
32. For another reference, there are more masks worn at a Trump rally then cowboy hats seen on stage tonight. 
33. I wish that stingray would have found Keith Urban and not Steve Irwin. 
34. Someone get Luke Combs a Peloton. 
35. Kelsey Ballerini is apparently auditioning for the ‘crackers in my bed” club. 
36. Eric Church Entertainer of the Year and states “Music will save us.” Someone get me and overpriced ice cold beer and a lawn seat somewhere! 

After last year’s performance I truly believed Nashville was starting to find its way, only to fall in line with the rest of 2020 and revert back into it’s mix of bubble gum and pop garbage. Nashville is the mask of country music. No one wants to hear it, but we are all being made to on the radio. I’m headed back to the basement..God Bless! 

Ps. Good to be with you peeps and I hope you are doing well in this world we currently live in. I can’t wait to belly up to a bar somewhere in the near future with y'all and remember…Grind now so later your dog has the backyard it deserves…

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

Minnesota: Humanity and justice needed

Dear Minneapolis/St. Paul, 

I am not black nor Latino. I don’t check Asian or Native American when filling out a form. My parents raised me to differentiate between right and wrong which is why what the country witnessed on the streets of your city was racism in its truest form. 

Ten times out of ten I refrain from pulling the race card when an incident happens. It gets us nowhere in society and only continues to drive a wedge between us but at times like this it sadly rears its ugly head. 

Their was no resisting, no violence towards the officers or others present. It was one man’s decision to place his knee on the neck of George Floyd and hold it there for an eternity, thus ending his life.  

Choking anyone for almost ten minutes no matter what demographic you are is an act of violence that you and I would be in jail facing felony charges if we were to do it. In legal terms it’s called assault. What made it worst were the numerous officers who were present and choose to do nothing but let a man die. You swear to an oath to protect the people you serve. The threat of ones life should only happen if your own is in danger. Be the leader that we all strive to follow, not the sheep that most of us have become. 

Much like what happened in Los Angles, Baltimore, etc., burning down your city and stealing from your neighbor isn't going to change the outcome of this heinous act or will it bring that person back. All it does is harm innocent people and rob them of there livelihood. These same citizens most likely share your feelings of frustration and wanting justice that you and the country has concerning the murder of an innocent man. 

George Floyd’s life was taken to soon much like that of Ahmaud Arbery. They are no longer here because of the color of there skin. In the year 2020 we should not be reading about this or having it flash across our TV screen and newsfeed. Humanity and equality shouldn't be hot topic items, they should be practices on the reg by society. 

We are all frustrated as a nation. Leaders on both side of the aisle continue to divide us like never before. This is a time more then ever to remind ourselves that there should be only three colors that matter in our society…Red, white and blue. Until we take a stand on this together we are destined to fail as a whole. God Bless. 

Ps. Happy Friday peeps on this last Friday of May. Get outside and enjoy that sunshine, it’s free and is good for all of us. Also take the time to tell those close to you that you love them and sneak in a hug mask or not and remember…..We all get by with a little help from our friends…

#Minnesota #Minneapolis #Georgefloyd #ahmaudarbery #RIP #justice #normalizeequality #America #oneflagthreecolors #buttestrong 

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