Big Brother 16 Finale Thoughts and My Love For This Season - Still Team Nicole!

I haven't had as much time to put to the website but if you have been following me on Twitter, I have been following the happenings of Big Brother 16 huge.  This has been one of my most favorite seasons ever.  After the bad that was BB15, this was such a welcomed relief.  Do I wish there had been more big game moves made?  Oh yeah.  This group was a fun group this year and I just really enjoyed them. I had moments that made me crazy especially as a Nicole fan.  Looking at you Caleb.  That backdoor on Frankie was swinging wide open and you shut it.  LOL.  I am definitely Team Nicole over here and she was just a true joy to watch all season long.  Just such a genuinely sweet person and she was ready to play this game.  I just wish some others had jumped behind her to where she could make some power moves in this game.  The one chance we had at it was so close in that HOH after she came back in the game.  It would have been really interesting to see how that alliance handled some pressure.  It wasn't looking like they could handle it all that well based on seeing how they reacted after Nicole came back into the house.  It was stress city among that group for a couple of hours.  It was stress city for me cheering her on in that return to the house competition.  LOL.  Derrick is, of course, the winner of Big Brother 16.  He played a great game,  It made me crazy at times (LOL) but he played a great game.  The biggest influence of power that he had was that one day where Caleb and Frankie were trying to get Cody to flip and vote Nicole out instead of Donny.  It took them an hour to try and sway him.  Then, Cody finally went for it.  Derrick came in and shut down in 30 seconds what had taken an hour to get there saying "vote out Donny."  Social media was hilarious to watch at that moment when everyone just reacted at it saying well, so much for that.  LOL.  Derrick's game has been compared to many of the greats in Big Brother history including Dr. Will and Dan.  I still wouldn't put it over either of them obviously cause those are just untouchable games for me.  Just my opinion anyway.  Derrick really did take a page out of Dan's book seemingly at the end cause he had a Memphis and he had a Danielle at the end of the game meaning Cody and Victoria.  The only worry among many Derrick fans was whether he would have the votes at the end.  He had almost played so good under the radar in the house that many wondered, including myself, if the house realized just how much in control he really was of the game.  He did have a jury that saw all of that.  My only complaint with Derrick's game is that I still don't understand why he would lie to us on the feeds.  Such as the night that Donny was evicted and he looked at the cameras saying "sorry, I tried to save him".  We had seen the opposite on those same cameras that he was talking to.  That has really been my only thing with him is that I just wish he had owned it instead of trying to tell us opposite.  We have no pull in this game obviously so why lie to us?  LOL.  Derrick played a great game and I am so appreciative of just how much of a super fan that he is and it showed with him saying goodbye to the backyard on the feeds.  I would be very much the same way if I was in the house feeling emotional about it all. 

Cody has been asked multiple times about his decision to take Derrick to the end.  I feel bad for him cause he almost sounds exhausted at the question at this point but it is obviously going to be the first question.  Could he have won taking Victoria?  Probably.  Just never know with a Big Brother jury with what they are thinking.  

America's Favorite.  So excited to see Donny get that and that Nicole got in the top three as well.  Zach was clearly in that mix too.  If I had to pick the three that were the most popular of the group, that would have been my guesses at top three favorites.  

I loved Big Brother 16.  The withdrawal of it now being over has kicked in.  That is always a sign for me that I love a season.  It is great seeing the cast jumping on Twitter and on other social media.  I loved this Big Brother 16 group and thanks to you all for making this a great Big Brother summer!

September 22nd - A Great TV Day In History For Me - Friends 20 Years, Veronica Mars & Lost 10 Years

September 22nd is apparently a very good day for TV for me.  I may need to start eyeing show premieres for this date in the future.  Maybe it will bring good shows.  There are three anniversaries going on today with three of my all time favorite shows.  Friends, Veronica Mars, and Lost.  All three premiered on this date.  Veronica Mars and Lost celebrate the same anniversary premiering 10 years ago tonight.  Wow, was that ever a good night of TV??!!  Friends premiered on this night 20 years ago.  So, let's look at each one.

Friends.  When a show has been off the air for ten years, it really does slap you in the face with reality.  Back in May, we celebrated the anniversary of the finale.  Today, we celebrate the premiere. The popularity of Friends still to this day is everywhere.  Whether it is the huge opening of the Central Perk attraction that opened recently or just that you see it everywhere in reruns.  The lines at the Central Perk opening were huge which was great to see.  Make no mistake that if I was in New York, that would have to be a stop for me.  I still watch Friends every night.  Granted I haven't watched it as much in recent months because of the madness that is Big Brother fandom with Big Brother After Dark airing at the time I usually catch my Friends reruns.  LOL.  I watch the same episodes over and over and I still cheer when I look and see that a favorite episode of mine is coming on.  We were left with so many memorable lines over the years with this show and memorable moments as well.  I do the Friends online quizzes just like everyone else and then get annoyed when I miss even one question.  Whether it was the apartment bet, the prom video, pivot!!!, gum would be perfection, Ross not being able to flirt (oh, the humanity), or countless other moments, we still laugh all these years later and enjoy this show and this cast that gave us so much.  

Veronica Mars.  Our little show that could.  :)  10 years ago, Veronica Mars premiered on UPN and it immediately won over a dedicated fan base.  It seems like we had to fight for that show from the get go.  Rob Thomas brought such a beautifully written show to TV and just kept us wanting more.  Kristen Bell was a star from the beginning and played the role so amazingly.  The Veronica zinger lines were just something we always waited for and looked forward to.  Just to have this strong female lead was just awesome.  We were hooked with the awesome story line twists that would always mess with us as we tried to figure out where these mysteries were going.  We got three seasons of Veronica Mars on TV.  It carried over to The CW for season three as we got into the college years.  The fans fought hard for this show especially with the cancellation talk every year.  The fandom stepped up huge every single time.  When the show was cancelled after season three, there was a pitch for season four.  The pitch is shown on the season three box set and it would have been a winner.  Just like everything Veronica Mars is.  The network passed on it.  Isn't it ironic that the network that had to have their arm twisted to keep Veronica Mars now has a web series of it.  Funny how things turn, isn't it?  Last year, it was put up or shut up.  The talk of the movie.  Here was the Kickstarter campaign launched out of nowhere.  The rumblings of a movie had quieted after Rob Thomas said that things just didn't seem to be going anywhere.  This stunned all of us when on a quiet normal day, here comes the Kickstarter campaign.  Raise $2 million and the movie happens.  Not just their movie but our movie.  The show, the fan base, everyone that loves this show.  The money was raised in 24 hours!  I sat and watched the Kickstarter campaign refreshing the page every few seconds.  Just watching it in amazement.  The totals climbing and climbing.  I was just in awe thinking this movie is going to happen.  Of course, the campaign raised a lot more than the intended goal which made the movie even better with the money they could throw at it.  Yes, I was a Kickstarter backer!  Of course!!!!  The gang was back together.  We got our movie and it was awesome!  It was tied up in a nice little bow for all of us fans that have stuck by it.  When it came time for us to put our money where our mouth was, we did.  Now, we have books coming out picking up where the movie left off, a web series, and the possibilities of yet another movie.  10 years later, our show is still kicking along and may have more momentum than ever.  Veronica Mars not only set records last year with the Kickstarter campaign, it set a standard in entertainment with many people taking note of what was going on.  It has inspired others to do the same and opened a LOT of doors.  Happy 10 years marshmallows!  

Lost.  10 years ago today.  This may be the most addicting show that I have ever watched in my life.  This was the ultimate description of "I'll watch one more episode."  "Ok, one more episode".  Then, by the end of the day of binge watching, you have watched 10.  LOL.  Yep, that was me!  You had to constantly see what was going to happen next.  The writing was amazing.  The cast was great.  The crew was awesome.  We got wrapped into these characters, their backgrounds, their stories on the island, their future, and their lives.  The mysteries of the island, the odd characters that would show up, and just what was that noise back there in the trees?  I still remember the day that I am watching that one season finale and I'm watching Jack and Kate together.  My brain is scrambling trying to figure out where in the world can this possibly be in the time line???!!!  It doesn't make sense.  Then, we got the reveal of this is a flash forward.  This show had such a way of making our minds stir and then making us cheer when we realized what was going on.  There was action, drama, and comedy in the mix.  They took us on a wild ride.  The finale is obviously debated.  I loved the finale.  Still love the finale.  I went and watched the finale at a theater with a group and I have never heard a group so quiet as we watched that last 15 minutes waiting to see how it was going to turn out.  You could hear a pin drop as we all just stared at the screen.  Lost is one of those shows that you would love to watch with someone that has never seen it.  You get to see their reactions and remember your own.  I would love to re-watch Lost from the beginning and see it again.  I think it would be fun to see what I catch on to with future happenings.  

So, there you have it.  Just thought I would touch on the irony of three of my all time favorite shows premieres on the same date.  Have a great rest of the day!

Take care and God bless!!

Tuesday at the Opry - CMA Fest Week

CMA Fest 2014 was a blast and just left me wanting to do…..more of it.  LOL. Tuesday saw the big day which was a kickoff of sorts for the CMA Fest week ahead.  Tuesday morning was the Carrie Underwood Fan Club Party held at the Grand Ole Opry.  Lots of fun as always.  Carrie had a blast as did all of us.  The song list was fan voted and she gave us a full near 90 minute concert of 16 songs.  I crossed several songs off the bucket list of ones that I have wanted to hear Carrie do live.  Those would be Flat On The Floor, Some Hearts, So Small, and See You Again.  I still have several more to cross off that list but the fact that Some Hearts was performed made me a happy camper for sure.  I never thought I'd get to hear her do that song live.  Sounds like I wasn't the only one that loved hearing that one brought back for the day.  Carrie did a lot of fun fan interaction with us including taking her phone out and taking a selfie with a bunch of us.  She said she would post it on Twitter later and did.  She also took a group picture with us which turned out great.  Lots of fun stories including her telling the tales of her and Miranda Lambert and motorcycles.  We should be getting the "Somethin' Bad" music video soon.  Carrie put on a show and gave all the fans a lot of great memories.  I thought it was her best one ever!  

The Tuesday Night Opry was another kickoff for CMA week.  Sold out crowd in attendance for both the 7:00 and 9:30 shows.  I attended the 7:00 show and had a great time.  Great mix of singers.  Carrie was on the lineup and finished big singing a lineup of All American Girl, Jesus Take The Wheel, and closing with Blown Away.  If you went to the 9:30 show, you got an awesome surprise of her coming out to sing with Jennifer Nettles as they performed a version of 9 to 5.  Not bad at all considering Carrie said that they hadn't even rehearsed it and just went of it.  It was great!  Anyway, back to the 7:00 show.  Jennifer Nettles made her solo debut at the Opry on this night and she was just so excited about it.  Loved her performances and it was just so great to see the excitement that she had about being on the Opry stage that night.  Josh Turner had the Opry roaring just upon being introduced.  It always cracks me up.  The women love Josh Turner.  He performed and he has become one of my Opry favorites.  That deep voice just sounds awesome there in the Opry.  Trace Adkins performed several of his hits including "You're Going To Miss This".  That sounded great in there.  Terri Clark was treated to a celebration of her 10 years of being an Opry member.  Funny moment when she was told how many times she had performed on the Opry as an actual Opry member.  I can't remember the exact number but it was either 90 or around 90.  She laughed saying that you would think she wouldn't be so completely nervous being on that stage after being there that many times.  Just shows the tradition of that place that everyone still gets nervous on that Opry stage.  The Oak Ridge Boys had the Opry rocking and they were running all over the stage.  Elvira had everyone singing along.  Charlie Worsham was a busy man on Tuesday.  He performed outside for the kickoff concert before the Opry show and then he was also on the Opry show inside.  He was a lot of fun and was out in the crowd singing, taking pictures, and having fun.  I also got to listen to him doing his soundcheck earlier in the day as I just sat out in the Opry plaza enjoying the day.  I just laughed thinking 'only in Nashville could I just be sitting outside enjoying the day and I basically have a concert going on right over here by me'. Gotta love Nashville.  Bill Anderson is always so much fun and was on the Opry show as well.  He has long become one of my Opry favorites.  A really fun day at the Opry.  All it made me think is I HAVE to do even more of CMA Fest next year.  So much fun and there is so much more that I want to do and concerts to see.  Hope you all have a great day!  Take care and God bless!

Artists To Watch In Nashville - Caroline Kole

I was flipping through the channels last week and landed on CMT Pure.  I landed on a video called "If He'd Ever Look Up" by Caroline Kole.  This video hooked me immediately with a guy so distracted by social media that the girl that is interested in him across the cafe can't even get him to look up to get his attention.  LOL.  I always love these kind of videos.  Such a simple and great story for such a great song.  Just that simple dream of being interested in someone and just hoping that you can make that connection.  If the person would ever look up!!  LOL.  This seems to be the common theme in articles today but Caroline also had a busy CMA Fest week performing.  I am definitely going to have to buy her EP and check it out.  For more info on Caroline and to check out her music, head over to www.carolinekole.com.  I am definitely saying now that Caroline is going to be one to keep an eye on in Nashville and her video is already climbing the charts on CMT Pure's Top 12 countdown.  Do yourself a favor and watch her video for "If He'd Ever Look Up" right here.

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Artists To Watch In Nashville - Danielle Bradbery

Just thought I would spotlight some singers to keep an eye on in Nashville.  I have two that I am going to focus on today.  One is Danielle Bradbery who recently has released her second video.  After the great success of "Heart of Dixie", she has now released her next video for "Young In America".  Danielle was the winner of season four of The Voice.  She had a busy CMA Fest week which had her performing at one of the many stages in Nashville.  She also took part in the always fun City of Hope softball game.  Here is the latest video of hers, "Young In America".

Carrie and Brad Are A Hit Once Again For The CMA Awards In Nashville - November 7, 2013

Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN once again hosted the CMA Awards last night.  Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley hosted the show which has become a favorite tradition.  They did not disappoint.  Through the week, there have been a lot of pictures and video posted through Twitter and other social media showing them rehearsing and getting ready for the big show.  That in itself was fun cause you just wonder what those two have planned.  It was a lot of fun and I can't think of a monologue that I sit and wait for more than theirs every year.  From poking fun at celebrity feuds and Obamacare among other things, they were a big hit.  The two of them have such a great chemistry together and their friendship really shows.  You know when you combine these two together for hosting that you are going to get a great effort and a lot of fun!

The awards.  Some surprising and some not surprising.  George Strait winning Entertainer Of The Year was a very awesome ending to the show and very popular among the artists and fans.  The power duo of Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton continued their reign taking home several awards including Female Vocalist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Blake winning Album of the Year.  That was a loaded category for Album of the Year with a lot of great albums in there.  Little Big Town took home Vocal Group of the Year.  Lee Brice's I Drive Your Truck won Song of the Year. Music Video of the Year went to Highway Don't Care with Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban.  I absolutely love that song and video.  Florida Georgia Line made noise last night taking home two awards including Single of the Year for Cruise and also Vocal Duo of the Year. 
I fully expected Kasey Musgraves to take home New Artist of the Year.  She has had a big year and that album has gotten a lot of positive response.  Taylor Swift was presented with the Pinnacle award last night which recognizes artists who have received national and international prominence through concert performances and record sales.  A very nice surprise with having the singers on stage that helped to launch her as she opened for them on tour several years ago.  I thought that was a nice touch along with the video of congratulations.  She was clearly in awe of the happenings and it was nice watching her just take it all in.

There is a baffling name in there missing from winning an award last night and that is Carrie Underwood.  How does Carrie leave last night without an award?!  I just don't understand it.  The Blown Away era was a huge success and the list of achievements for it are long.  There was a lot of criticism when she was left off of the Entertainer of the Year nominations.  Clearly all of us Carrie fans have not forgotten as that criticism showed back up on Twitter last night.  LOL.  She definitely deserved a nomination in that category.  Not sure what else you have to do to get nominated in that category but I have to think that the Blown Away era achieved that.  Anyway, I just don't understand it.  She had too big of a year to not take away something last night.

On to the performances.  There is a stream right in the middle of the show where it was just performance after performance and I got pulled in loving it.  Some of my favorites were Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert.  I thought they gelled together really well.   I loved Taylor Swift teaming up with Vince Gill and Allison Krauss in an acoustic version of Red.  That was really different.  Lady Antebellum rocked out their new single, Compass.  The Band Perry did the same with their new single, Don't Let Me Be Lonely.  I liked the pairing of Hunter Hayes and Jason Mraz and the interaction through the audience.  Speaking of audience, Brad Paisley did the same during his performance roaming through Bridgestone Arena to finish his performance.  Alan Jackson and George Strait did a great tribute to George Jones which brought down the house.  Carrie Underwood went big with a montage of her four number one singles off the Blown Away album.

The CMA Awards had a big audience last night doing its highest numbers in four years is what I have read this morning.  Lots of people tuned in and it was a fun night.  

2013 Superman Celebration - Michael Rosenbaum and Alessando Juliani - Smallville Q&A Recap

The 2013 Superman Celebration this year featured a couple of returns and lots of various guests from the genre of Superman.  For me, the main event was of course the Smallville Q&A which featured Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor - Smallville), and Alessandro Juliani (Dr. Emil Hamilton - Smallville).  To say that this was a very entertaining Q&A would be an understatement.  What might have been the most random and fun Q&A for a Celebration last year with Cassidy Freeman and John Glover was likely topped this year by this duo of Rosenbaum and Juliani.  They were so much fun and just had a lot of fun being a part of it.  The two of them were so gracious all weekend talking and meeting with fans.  Having a great time and they were a great addition to this year's Superman Celebration.  So, what happened at the Q&A?  Well, there really is no way to recap all of it and I'd be doing it a disservice if I did.  I'm going to hit a few of the questions asked at the Q&A and tell some stories of the happenings along the way.  

Question: What was it like joining into Smallville?  Were you welcomed in greatly?

Juliani: They were a finely tuned machine.  I came in during season eight.  It was a great bunch.  A great crew.  I was welcomed into the fold.  They were really happy that I could do all the scientific talk for them.  Allison Mack was very relieved cause I could do all the tech talk now and she could have real storylines. (laughs).

What was it like going back to the show?
Rosenbaum: It was pretty fantastic.  I did seven years.  I wanted to go off and do other things and have fun.  I directed my first movie (titled Old Days).   Everyone needs to see it.  All my Smallville/Superman fans.  Morena Baccarin of V and Homeland is in it.  I came back.  The fans demanded it.  I figured seven years was enough.  I knew I had to go back.  I said I can't shave my head again.  I knew they weren't expecting it and I called them a week before and I go, hey, it's Michael.  I've got next Friday open.  I'm not going to shave my head.  Why would I do that for one episode to have six months of hair growing back?  You've got me on a Friday.  A whole 24 hour day.  Let's do it.  The next thing you know they're frantically writing, fitting me for a bald cap.  I came back.  It was the best thing that I could have done.  I'm glad I did. It was the way to end the series.  Why didn't they do a Smallville movie?  I still think they should. 

Juliani was asked about his music being involved in Smallville and also Battlestar Gallactica. 

Juliani: Music is actually what I am trained to do.  I trained as an opera singer many years ago. Getting to sing in that one Smallville episode was a hoot with Cassidy. 

How does it feel to be the torchbearer of sorts moving from one Superman franchise to the other?

Juliani: Let’s be honest.  This is how the conversation went when my agent called and told me about Man of Steel.  My agent called and said so they want you to be in the new Man of Steel but your role, it’s only four or five days, and your role is kind of like it was in Battlestar.  I was like, I’m in, whatever, whatever.  Just tell me where to show up.  I’d worked with Zack before on Watchmen so I knew it was going to be so much fun and it was.  The difference was that in Man Of Steel that I provide vital exposition in tech talk for the main actors in the film.  Oh no, wait, that’s what I did in Smallville too.  

A fan brought up the very funny story of John Glover from last year talking about some of the stories that he told about Rosenbaum at last year's Celebration. He told the story about how the two of them used to always mess with one another as John would always touch him on the shoulder or face during their scenes together.  It later became a competition of who could touch the other first including them touching shoulder to shoulder immediately on a take and breaking into laughter.  I have heard the stories of this happening on the DVD sets and it is hilarious.  Rosenbaum reenacted it during this Q&A with a fan. 

A fan all the way from London asked what their fondest memory from Smallville was?
Juliani: When I got to have an Elvis costume tailored for my body.  The white jumpsuit with the rhinestones.  That's got to the be the highlight....maybe of my life.  Not just of the show.  Without a doubt.
Did you get to keep the suit?
Juliani: No
Rosenbaum: You have to steal them.  I got the white suit.  The president's suit. 
Juliani: I stole my fake leg from Battlestar Gallactica.
Rosenbaum: Fondest memory?  This is a tough one.  When I left season seven, I didn't really get emotional.  It didn't really hit me.  It was bittersweet.  It was nice.  But when I went back for the series finale and I realize that the show is going to be over after this next episode.  And I was fine.  I got the whole cast and crew sushi.  At the end, I went to get the bald cap off and my makeup artist who has been there since season one and she took it off and cleaned my head up. I walked out and I gave her a hug and as I walked out and I just go, oh no, and I don't know why.  I'm not kidding.  I just started crying.  And she goes, 'oh my god, are you crying?' and I'm saying 'I think there is something coming out of my eyes'.  And turned around and hugged her and just cried it out.  That was a great moment.  So, now you know Lex Luthor has a soft side.

There were a lot of other fun moments including the finale with Rosenbaum telling the crowd that if this last question for him was bad to boo him.  LOL.  That got a lot of laughs.  I should also point out that Rosenbaum was working the crowd a bunch roaming around with a wireless mic which has never been done at a Q&A there.  He was having a blast.  He pointed out one kid that was making a noise with something that was just blaring in his ears.  It turned out to be the Q&A host, Steven Kirk's son, which drew a lot of laughter when he said it was his son.  Rosenbaum got a huge laugh out of the odds of this happening.  Awesome singing out of Juliani as he was asked to break into song.  He has an awesome voice!  Rosenbaum teased about wanting to do a Smallville movie saying get a Kickstarter campaign going and make it happen.  They were asked about the Smallville prom which was happening later in the night.  If fans were at the prom, they got a special treat as Rosenbaum and Juliani crashed the Smallville prom giving fans that were there a memory.  I have seen people's pictures from it happening and it looks hilarious.  Just goes to show how much fun that they were having to go and do that.  The two posed in front of the Superman statue and had fun with the fans.  It was just a great day with the two of them and they could not have been nicer to the fans.  A crowd favorite duo for sure.  Thanks to both of those guys for coming out and being a part of the Celebration and having fun with all the fans!  It was a great time!

Carrie Underwood Celebrates Five Years As A Grand Ole Opry Member - June 7, 2013

CMA Week was in full gear on Friday night with plenty of options of places to go see live music.  You could of course be over at LP Field but I was at my place of where I wanted to be and that was at the Grand Ole Opry for Carrie Underwood's five year anniversary of being inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.  Two shows with the 7:00 show being sold out.  I got to attend both shows with being in the second row for the 9:30 show.  A great lineup for both shows which included Carrie, Josh Turner, Lauren Alaina, Bill Anderson, Casey James, Charley Pride, and many more.  Carrie Underwood had the spotlight for the night with her five year Opry anniversary.  She made all of us fans very happy with her performances on both shows.  Before her performance, the Opry showed us a video looking back on her journey at the Opry.  The video just made me smile as we all got to look back on her years there and seeing her career just get bigger and bigger.  The video showed the night that she was asked to become a member of the Opry by Randy Travis and then also the night that she was inducted by Garth Brooks.  The video was so great and thankfully the Opry has posted it online to see.  You can check it out here.
 
Carrie was presented on stage with a speech and plaque by vice president and general manager of the Grand Ole Opry, Pete Fisher.  Here was his words to Carrie:  "As we were watching that video, we heard her promise that it would be a decision that we would not regret.  When I think of Carrie Underwood, the word regret doesn't even enter my mind.  You have done an extraordinary job as an Opry member.  The Opry has almost an 88 year history and I think folks will look back with very special favor on the years that Carrie Underwood contributed to the Opry.  So, on behalf of the staff and all of the members of the Grand Ole Opry, we want to thank you.  You have far surpassed all of our expectations when we brought you into the family.  We know it's going to continue into the future.  You are not only so good for country music but you are so good for the Grand Ole Opry and you are so good for America and we appreciate all that you do.  You're the All American Girl, aren't you?"  Carrie was then presented with a plaque showing the number five on it with her picture and the date of June 7, 2013 on it to commemorate the night.
For the 7:00 show, her set list opened big with "Cowboy Casanova", followed by "Two Black Cadillacs",  "Jesus Take The Wheel", "All American Girl", and then closed with "Blown Away".  My favorite performance of the night may have been Blown Away.  She just absolutely brought it all night and that sounded great live especially with it being the closer for the 7:00 show.  For 9:30, Carrie opened with "Good Girl" followed by "Wasted", "I Told You So", "Undo It", and closed it with the always crowd pleaser, "Before He Cheats".  Carrie spoke on her five year anniversary during the show saying "It is so hard to believe it has been five years but what an amazing five years it has been.  Just watching that video back, I was getting a little teary eyed thinking about how I felt when all that was happening.  I still feel that blessed and that honored to be on this stage so thank you guys so much for a wonderful five years." Carrie has blessed all of us fans for these five great years at the Opry and she has actually been my introduction to the Grand Ole Opry.  I had never been there until I went to see her there.  Now, Carrie and the Opry has just become one for me.  It was a special night to be a part of and all of us were incredibly thankful to be there to cheer her on.  Here is a video that the Opry has posted of "Two Black Cadillacs" from Friday night.





The Opry show kicked off with Lauren Alaina getting to do a couple of songs which included her new single and also an awesome cover of "I Hope You Dance".  During the second show, Bill Anderson came out and talked to Lauren about how she had just graduated from high school.  He asked her how she managed to keep up her school work while also managing a busy schedule.  She laughed in a "wasn't easy" kind of reaction while also adding she graduated with all A's saying "I may be blond but I do have some brains".  LOL.  Loved it.  She talked in the first show about how far she had come here at the Opry with Carrie introducing her to the Opry crowd a couple of years ago and now she is on the same lineup as her performing.  I was already thinking about that very thing as I was in attendance at the Opry that night that Carrie brought out Lauren and Scotty McCreery.  Josh Turner was a lot of fun as well and the ladies love that guy.  He went through "Long Black Train", and "Why Don't We Just Dance", and more.  His performance was a lot of fun on both shows. Bill Anderson was his usual crowd favorite entertaining the crowd with music and his fun personality too.  This wasn't all of it though as there were many other great performances through the night including Charley Pride, The Whites, Casey James, Mel Tillis, Bobby Osbourne & The Rocky Top X-Press, Jeannie Seely, Jan Howard, and Jim Ed Brown. 

In attendance and seen by many fans including myself was Two Story Road.  They were there to support Carrie and see the show.  They had been busy themselves earlier in the day with their first ever fan club party.  I got to meet Two Story Road and they could not have been nicer.  I just wish them all kinds of success and know that great things are ahead for them. 

A really fun night at the Opry as always.  I actually took in three Opry shows during CMA Fest including the two Friday night and then also the Tuesday Night Opry.  Fun at all three and it is such a great and relaxing atmosphere there.  Looking forward to being there again soon.

Grand Ole Opry Kicks Off CMA Week With The Tuesday Night Opry - June 4, 2013

CMA Week got another big start on Tuesday night with the first Opry show of the week.  The Grand Ole Opry had an awesome lineup for the night and a packed house.  This was a great crowd too that was having a lot of fun.  The show kicked off with Kellie Pickler.  Funny moment from the crowd when a bunch held up signs that said "10" on them as she finished her first song.  Completely unexpected moment for her and she laughed big at it.  She closed her set with her first single, "Red High Heels".  Next up was Diamond Rio who played several of their hit songs including "One More Day" which was my favorite of their set.  Bill Anderson was the next to hit the Opry stage.  I have become a fan of his by seeing him at the Opry.  I am admittedly a "new" country fan so I might take some boos for that from the hardcores.  LOL.  So, I have gotten familiar with Bill Anderson through my Opry visits over the last few years.  I always enjoy his performance and such a nice guy up there.  Next up was an act that just absolutely won over the Opry.  Lennon and Maisy.  If the name doesn't sound familiar, think of the show Nashville.  They play the daughters of Rayna James.  Sisters in real life too.  They went through three songs and we just all loved them.  They were so good.  They closed with a cover of "Ho Hey" by the Lumineers.  Loved it and loved them.  Ricky Skaggs had the middle part of the Opry lineup singing three of his songs.  His wife came up and sang with him as well on one of the songs.  Rascal Flatts is a band that I have never seen live so I was interested to hear them.  The crowd was into them immediately.  They got the crowd rocking quick and then toned it right down into an amazing performance of their song, "Changed".  Great stuff there.

If you are an American Idol fan, you know this name.  Kree Harrison.  Her debut at the Opry and she had so much support there.  Keith Urban had asked to introduce her and he got the honor of it.  She was in such awe up there and you could just see the amazement in her eyes of being on the Opry stage.  She at one point asked if it would be a bad thing if she just leaned down and kissed the Opry circle.  LOL.  She went into her new single of "All Cried Out".  After singing "In The Garden" and followed by another song with Keith joining her on stage to play guitar, she just brought the house down.  Huge standing ovation for her and it was the first of the night.  She was so emotional up there watching the standing ovation.  Kree made a big fan out of me that night.  The show closed with Keith Urban.  My first time to see him as well and he finished big.  Great performance by him as well and he got the second standing ovation of the night as he closed.  A great night at the Opry and a lot of great performances.  Here are a few extra pics from the night.

Carrie Underwood Fan Club Party 2013 - Nashville, TN - June 4, 2013

The Country Music Hall of Fame has definitely been a big place for Carrie Underwood fans this week.  Not only is the Blown Away tour exhibit open but this was the location for her annual Fan Club Party.  A special treat this year for fans as this was a very different feeling party with a songwriters roundtable concert in the Ford Theater.  It is funny cause recently I was watching one of these that Carrie was involved in on You Tube in recent months thinking that would be something fun to see.  Then, Carrie delivers one for the fan club party.  I feel so bad as I wish I knew everyone's names up there on the stage but there was Josh Kear and also Hilary Lindsey among others.  I remember Hilary from the roundtable that I did watch.  All of them were so great and talented.  It worked like a roundtable with them doing songs.  Lot of fun moments including Carrie going into "Undo It" and mixing it up for a second.  She sang a tiny bit of "What I Am" by Edie Brickell and then went into Undo It.  However, she got mixed up on her own lyrics for a second.  It was a funny moment.  Carrie and Hilary teamed up on Jesus Take The Wheel.  Lots of fun stories from this group telling how the songs came about and just having fun in general.  Very funny when Josh sang "Before He Cheats" and adding lyrics to it at the end that got cut from the song.  The event also featured a very cool moment with getting to be a part of a number one party for "Two Black Cadillacs".  Lots of industry people in the theater as they announced the news on "Two Black Cadillacs".  The plaques were given out along with awards and a medal.  It was a really unique thing to be a part of and that was something that Carrie wanted for the fan club to get to see.  It felt like we were suddenly at this huge press event. Carrie, Josh Kear, and Hilary Lindsey all were recognized for the song and each spoke.  After this, the fans got to ask a few questions.  The event was hosted by CMT's Bill Cody.  Several fans presented Carrie with gifts.  To close out, Carrie took a group photo with the room.  It was a very unique and special fan club party this year and very fun.

Carrie Underwood's Blown Away Exhibit Now Open At The Country Music Hall of Fame

CMA Fest week is underway in Nashville for another year.  Country music fans are coming in from all corners of the globe to check out CMA Fest week.  I have already thankfully gotten to be a part of it and have some fun in the city.  Tuesday was a full day of activity among Carrie Underwood fans for the 2013 Fan Club Party and also the opening of her new Blown Away exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Fans were abuzz over the news a few months ago that she would be having an exhibit opening up there.  Let me tell you.  The exhibit does not disappoint.

Carrie gave a gift to her fan club this week by letting the members see the exhibit a day before it was opened to the general public.  Each group went in with groups of ten and it was really fun to see.  On display were a lot of her outfits from the tour.  I should also point out that I love how the exhibit was laid out.  It was put in order of the acts of the show so just like in concert, you saw it right from the beginning.  With each outfit was a picture of her wearing it.  It wasn't just outfits though that you were seeing as there was all sorts of things to see such as mics that were used, jewelry, drum kit, and more.  There were also a lot of huge size pictures taken at various concerts from over the run of the tour which looked great.  The end of the exhibit features a thank you to the fans. Signs that fans had at shows and were kept.  Gifts that she was given as well.  Also, there is a thank you note from her to the fans for coming out and seeing the sold out Blown Away tour.  The exhibit is a lot of fun.  I have been to the Country Music Hall of Fame twice now and I highly recommend it.  Very friendly staff and it is just a beautiful building.  The Carrie Underwood Blown Away exhibit runs from June 5-November 10, 2013.  Go check it out! To find out more on the Country Music Hall of Fame, go to their website at countrymusichalloffame.org