"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.

Oh, John...

As I discussed previously in my post about the 51st Annual Grammy Awards show, one of my favorite acts was the John Mayer, BB King, Buddy Guy and Keith Urban ensemble. It was incredible. Big fan. Mr. Perfect enjoyed it as well, surprisingly enough. We've always had our differences over Mr. Mayer because of my... well... undying love and devotion towards the man and anything he puts out musically. You could say that Mr. Perfect is a wee bit jealous. Maybe because I've flat out told him, I'd leave him for John... yeah... that could be it. Oh well. Such is life. I can't help it. The man just does something for me. Always has. I received a burned copy of Room for Squares the summer after my sophomore year of high school. Before he became a HUGE deal on pop radio charts, then on blues/jazz radio charts, and then on gossip columns everywhere. Since that cd, let's just say, there was no going back. I have every cd and dvd that has been put out, I was in the fan club and received back stage passes to one of the three concerts I've seen him perform, have my picture with him, a framed poster... yes, I'm in my twenties and some might call me obsessed. I hide it well. Don't worry. Not a freak about it. Mostly. I just love him. Love his music. Think he's an unbelievable song writer lyrically. You name it, I'll go on and on about it... Just can't help it. Sorry. 

Anyway, to my point. 

I come home from my run this evening to find Mr. Perfect and a friend of his watching my latest John dvd, "Where the Light Is"... if you're a fan, you need this dvd. It has performances of an acoustic set, the John Mayer Trio, and then all of his chart toppers. It's fabulous. Anyway, as I mentioned earlier, Mr. Perfect, not so much a fan of John... at all...  at least this was my understanding. Anyone who knows him would understand the shock factor here. But apparently the gears are shifting. He has always said that he respects him as a guitarist, because let's face it, he's amazing at his art, however, apparently now he's starting to warm up to him a little bit more... And thus, my job is done. Sure, he's still jealous. He should be. ha. 

Good point in my day, I get to watch John all night and not be ridiculed for it. He did roll his eyes at me when he saw that I was looking for images of the man for my blog. Oh well. I don't see the problem. 

And so, I don't believe I've ever truly expressed my love for John via my blog, so I thought tonight would be as good of a time as any to share. Happy Monday. 

51st Annual Grammy Awards: Wow.

Can anyone say tragedy? Because as I sat through all three and a half hours of them (why? I'm not sure.), there were very few times when the look of utter disgust vanished from my face. No matter what your tastes in music include, most of the performances were lacking. Seriously.

Now, I'm not ready to slam the entire show. My favorite highlights include: Carrie Underwood's performace (of course) and her kickass lead chick guitarist; Sugarland and Adele's duo performance; John Mayer, BB King, Keith Urban and Buddy Guy together (Heaven.); and lastly, Jamie Fox and Ne-Yo singing Motown. Not all was lost. There were parts that I loved...

HOWEVER.

Can we please talk about the performance of a 9 month's pregnant M.I.A. with Jay-Z, Kanye, Lil Wayne and T.I. ?? Can we say CATASTROPHE? (Note: If anyone finds a picture of this disaster, please post it because I've looked and can't seem to come up with one as of yet) If you didn't see it, you need to. Just to believe it. Also, do the Jonas Brothers know that Stevie Wonder has been blind from birth? Because they danced around him throughout the entire performance like the man could see them ruining one of his most famous songs. And I recognize that there was pre-show drama that left both Chris Brown and Rihanna's performances out of the televised broadcast, but the collaboration of Justin Timberlake, Rev. Al Green, Keith Urban, and 3/4 of Boys II Men that was thrown together to kick off the show made zero sense. And I'm a big fan of all four of those artists... but together? What?

As you can plainly see, as a majority, I was disappointed. Some of the crazy collaborations were fantastic. Others... not so much. And don't get me started on Hannah Montana and Taylor Swift. 

Dear God.

If you watched, please let me know your thoughts! Tell me I'm not the only one who enjoyed what our Music Industry now calls "Music" last night! Let me know!

Side Questions: 1) Where was Beyonce?... Not only was this the first year in forever she hasn't performed, but her new husband was up for Rap Album of the Year. Hello? 2) Not really a question, as more of a statement for Island Girl: Kenny's date-- skank.

As Promised!

Random facts about Me!

Where do I begin? I've covered in past awards my love for iced tea, Law and Order, going out, taking pictures, college football, etc. So, now what?

Well...

1) How about I am the most impatient person ever. I want what I want when I want it. I want that new sweater, I want to get in shape, I want it all and I want it quickly. I can't help it. I've heard I have quite the patience with children. At least I show that I do. Most times on the inside, I'm screaming "What can't you just do what I ask you to do!?" It's a flaw. Whatever. 

2) Whenever I do get married, it will be on the beach. There can't be a more beautiful backdrop than the white sand and the blue ocean. It's what I've always wanted and you can bet that I will not compromise. 

3) With that being said, unlike the majority of my friends, I'm not in a rush to get married. I'm happy where I am and I'm not so concerned with "growing up" or racing to "join the club" of new wives. It's not at the top of my list. Yes, of course I want to get married, but not tomorrow.

4) I love going to the movies. The whole cinematic experience beats renting a movie any day of the week. My routine is as follows: middle of the theatre, small popcorn, small Dr. Pepper or Diet Coke. I think I get this from my mom. She's a movie fanatic. Especially during Oscar Season. 

5) I also love going to concerts. As you can tell I'm a big fan of entertainment. Last year, I saw Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean, and a few others in smaller venues. The year before, Sugarland, Little Big Town, Jake Owen... all in one fabulous night. I've seen John Mayer three times. Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, Backstreet Boys and Mandy Moore (Don't Judge, I was young),... the list goes on. I. Love. Music. Especially, live. 

6) Along with getting married oceanside one day, I'd pretty much love to be there all the time. Life as one big vacation would be fantastic. You've already heard I have seasonal depression which means, of course, I'm a big fan of summer, warm weather, and you guessed it... the beach. The best week of the entire year: Vacation week. 

7) In loving warm weather, I hate being cold. Hate. It. And I feel like I always am during the winter. Sweat pants are a favorite necessity. Along with fuzzy blankets and oversized sweatshirts. Basically, I'm counting down the days until Spring finally arrives again...

Okay, I'm done for now. I'm sure you'll be learning more random facts soon enough. Thanks so much for my awards and for reading. I love sharing this blogging world with you! Hope you all had a great weekend!

Not Used to This Life Quite Yet..

Yes, I'm a fan. A big fan of music. A big fan of country music. A big fan of local bands who are on the brink of hitting it big. A big fan of members from hit bands of my past conjoining with local bands on the brink of hitting it big. This was my night last night.

Isn't he beautiful? I think so. There were many more pictures like this one taken. Don't you worry. This is the lead singer of a not very well known, but soon to be very well known, KingBilly. I was asked yesterday afternoon to attend their show with one of my city girls who had seen them before and was also excited to see Mr. Richard Marx along with the lead singer of Vertical Horizon perform in the same show. Of course my answer was, sure, live music? Perfect.

Matt Scannell (from Vertical Horizon) took me back to a very special place in my life. The late 90s. Although in the late 90s, the Captain and Cokes that I was inhaling while listening to some old favorites were not a part of my agenda. Richard Marx also performed some of his own and some that he had written and others had made famous such as Keith Urban's "Better Life." I was more than satisfied with this show before KingBilly ever took the stage. So the picture you see above was just icing on the cake. And what a cake it was. It's so exciting to see these shows and these people you never thought you'd be less than ten feet from. Turns out, they're right in my back yard now. And. I. Love. It.

Not too shabby for a Friday night. Good entertainment was needed in order to keep me going. I'm so ready for my Christmas at home. Especially since it's about this time that I'm used to being able to head home for the holidays after exams are over. Oh winter break... Not this year, unfortunately. Although, I am blessed to have a week off at Christmas. It's not quite the month I'm used to in between semesters. Life goes on I suppose. I'm still adapting. Still not used to it just quite yet...

Oh AMAs, Where Do I Begin?

Perhaps first, that Kanye wants to be Elvis? Or maybe Miley Cirus's very Ashlee Simpson-esque jazzercise performance? The Pussycat Dolls and their stripper poles? Rihanna the pirate? Taylor Swift beating out Carrie Underwood? The Jonas Brothers beating out Colbie Callait? You pick, because I could go on...

Needless to say, I was quite less than impressed with this year's American Music Awards. The talent was lacking and more often than not, I felt as if I were watching dance awards rather than music awards. Performers such as Beyonce danced their hearts out, however, forgot that when performing for Music Awards, they're expected to sing. Crazy, right? Maybe it's me. 

I was disappointed that I missed out on Christina's opening act. I heard it was enjoyable. I thought Natasha Bedingfield was the most talent I encountered all evening. By far the most impressive. Then again, I turned it off before Alicia Keys hit the stage. I couldn't take anymore. Quite disappointing for someone who adores awards shows. Especially music awards. 

If you watched, I'd love to know what you thought. Did I miss any high (low) lights? Let me know...

Take a Breather

I had so many blogging friends enjoy Christina's "Superbitch" that I thought I would do a mid-week breather for all to enjoy. It's a little more country than pop, but the same kick-ass angry girl music you know I so enjoy. And so, I hope you enjoy.

Here's a clip of Kelly Pickler's CMA performance, "Best Days of Your Life."

Note: My love of Kelly Pickler extends to "Red High Heels" and now this. Even if you're not a fan or perhaps know nothing of her, watch anyway. It will make you smile. Two days until the weekend!

Have No Fear, The Weekend is Here!

As you could probably tell, the week started off a little less than par. Monday was a rough dayfilled with emotional inner-turmoil, children refusing to listen or follow directions, slight conflict with Mr. Perfect, and the beginnings of this sickness that has slowly conquered my body. However, as the week went on, my mood grew more positive. Yesterday was exciting and today is my day off therefore, you know Classy is a happy girl. Why was yesterday exciting you may be wondering? Well, it was the 42nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. If you have read anything about me, you are aware that I love all kinds of music from T Pain to Jimmy Buffett, Destiny's Child to John Mayer, Christina Aguilera to Sugarland. And so, CMA day was quite exciting as AMA day will be next week. However, as the CMAs are held in Music City, Little Miss Classy was quite star struck just knowing how many celebrities whom I admire and sing along with daily were so close to home. It was quite a day. My morning drive to work began such excitement with just talk (via my favorite radio duo) of all of the fame less than ten miles away from me, a surprise visit from dear ol' Dad at work as he was passing through town continued the excitement, and the majority of my favorites winning last night concluded such a terrific Wednesday!

Recap if you're interested at all: 

1) Male vocalist of the year- Brad Paisley (for the 2nd year in a row)

2) Female vocalist of the year- Carrie Underwood (for the 3rd year in a row)

3) Song of the Year- Sugarland's "Stay"

4) Vocal Group of the Year- Rascal Flatts

5) Vocal Duo of the Year- Sugarland

6) Album of the Year- George Strait

7) New Artist of the Year- Lady Antebellum

8) Entertainer of the Year- Kenny Chesney (for the 4th year in a row)

...Those are the big ones I believe. Minus the leather pants that so many chose to perform in and a select other "what was she thinking?" moments, I'd say the fashion watch was pretty exciting as well. Don't worry, you'll get a recap of the AMA's next week as well. I'm a sucker for awards shows. I can't help myself. 

Anyway, today is my day off for the week. Another bit of good news/bad news is the change in schedule I'm preparing for beginning on the 24th of November. We're returning to 8 hour work days as opposed to ten. Bright side: No more 7:30-5:30 work days. I like the sound of 8:15-5:15. (Especially since there is a half hour of mandatory break and a half hour of overtime pay every day) Dark side: No more off days. However, if I'm not so exhausted working ten hours every day, I might not be so ready for an off day by the end of a long week. We'll see how it works out. I believe I'm okay with this at this point in time. 

Aside from my sickness, it hasn't been a bad week. I'm very much looking forward to my Friday and Saturday nights. The weekend is always the best part of any week. I hope all of you enjoy yours as well! If anything terribly exciting happens, you'll be the first to know... 

Angry Girl Music

...or as Mr. Perfect refers to it as "man bashing music." Why is it so catchy? Why do I love it so much? I don't have much to relate to any of it, but for some reason, I love almost all of it. 

"What would you classify as angry girl music?" one might ask. Well examples of such: Kelly Clarkson's "Since You Been Gone" along with basically her entire third album, Taylor Swift's "Picture to Burn" and "Should've Said No," Beyonce's "Irreplaceable," Miranda Lambert's "Gun Powder and Lead," Rihanna's "Take a Bow," Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats," Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know," and the list goes on forever. It seems to be a trend as of recent years, or maybe now I'm just more aware of what the songs I'm singing in the car actually mean. 

In any case, I can't help but turn my radio up high and blast my poor speakers every single time. In about 97% if the songs, I have no idea what it feels like to be in her situation, but it gives one a sense of power and pride I suppose to feel like you do. To feel like you're standing up for yourself or escaping from a suppressive state of being. Who knows the reasoning behind it, but I know I'm not the only one. Mr. Perfect can't understand it. I feel like sometimes he thinks it's a reflection on him how I enjoy this angry girl music. But in all actuality it has nothing to do with him. Nothing. 

Believe it or not I'm a sucker for love songs too. But that's a different blog. 

So sorry if we see the feminist poking her way through my facade again. Maybe the love of this particular genre simply comes from a desire to be stronger in your own skin. To feel like you have the guts to stand up as they do and "Say what you need to say," as John Mayer would put it. 

In our Girls' night out last Sunday evening, during the "wild karaoke," a young woman sang one of these particular songs and the whole place blew up with girls singing and rocking out along with her. It was incredible. Who knew such power could be found within music? Within songs? Within words? 

...I did.