"Country Music Makes the World a Better Place"

...or so says Carrie Underwood last night after accepting her top female vocalist award from the Academy of Country Music. I agree. I love country music. I've previously posted about how my selection of music is quite broad in variety. From Jimmy Buffet to Destiny's Child, Keith Urban to T Pain, John Mayer to Tina Turner, the list goes on. Big fan of music in general. Therefore, I get really excited about music awards shows. Alas, I'm sure you read my distaste for the Grammys this year... we're not reliving that experience, but it seems to me that country music awards shows especially, never seem to disappoint. And last night was no exception.

After an awesome opening performance by Brooks and Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, and Carrie Underwood, I knew that the next few hours were bound to be thoroughly entertaining. And I was right. With performances by the majority of my favorites including: Lady Antebellum, Carrie, Sugarland, Reba, George Strait, and Kenny Chesney, I felt as if I couldn't be happier if I had been sitting in the MGM Vegas watching live. Okay, no doubt, I probably would've been a lot happier if I had seen it live, but the point is, it was a great show. Sugarland took home Best Duo, Carrie took home Top Female Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year, Rascal Flatts took home Best Group, and Brad Paisley took home Top Male Vocalist... all in all, the majority of the decisions made by the Academy, I was quite pleased with. I would've chosen Jake Owen's beautiful self over Julianne Hough for Best New Artist and I would've chosen Carrie's Carnival Ride over Taylor Swift's Fearless for Album of the Year, but I won't be picky. As I texted both IG and Roxie all throughout the show, I couldn't help but feel as if I were watching my friends perform and win awards. I can't tell you how many "Yay!" or "I hate her!" or "Really!?" text messages were sent back and forth. It was quite the enjoyable evening. I hope the rest of you had the pleasure of viewing.

I have quite the summer of concerts and weddings planned out this year. You already know all about the weddings... but, as it is my first summer working full time and not being a student on summer vacation, I have been slightly worried that it will.. well.. suck. However, I have a major concert to kick off my summer down south with IG including Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, and Miranda Lambert and another to wrap up the summer in late August with Sugarland and Keith Urban. Can we say SO excited?! Yes, yes we can. These events only added to the sentiments felt last night of watching my friends on television. Call me crazy, it's okay, it wouldn't be the first time. I probably had too much fun sitting at home watching my television on a Sunday night, yes, but I'm okay with it. It put me in a good mood to start another Monday. I'm still in a good mood on this Monday because I know it's a short week... Hope the rest of you have Good Friday off, too! If so, three and a half days til another weekend!



Note: While not a fan of either Taylor Swift or Miley Cirus and the ever-so teen dramatics that they bring along to their "country" performances, I will admit to enjoying SOME of their songs... even if I wish someone else would sing them. It really burns me, however, when the likes of the slightly talented Taylor wins out over the enormously talented Carrie. She can write songs, yes, good ones, yes, but Carrie could out sing her in a heartbeat. Just had to be said.