Thunder On The Mountain-Day 2

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Thunder On The Mountain – Day 2 – Through The Eyes Of HaleighT. After some eggs and bacon bright and early, I showered and cleaned up and was ready for day two of Thunder On The Mountain! I was really excited to try EVERYTHING that Thunder had to offer, but unfortunately, because of the storms the previous week, there was no Ferris wheel. However the water-slide was set up and ready to go. I gave it some good thought and decided it just wasn’t hot enough for me to cross that off of my TOTM bucket list (there’s always next year). The Music. The music started early again and I made my way throughout the grounds to catch as many shows as I could. I started out with Woodshed at the George’s Majestic Backwoods Stage. I then split my time between Kelly Road, Kevin Fowler and Aaron Watson. I caught the first half of Kristen Kelly and the last half of Reckless Kelly. I really enjoyed RK’s set, especially because Cody Canada joined the guys. It’s always fun to see a long friendship like those guys have, play out on stage. Easton Corbin really impressed me. I loved his latest album and it was fun to see some of those songs live. After participating in a press conference earlier in the day for Sunny Ledford, I had to catch his show. It was a good time…he’s fun on stage and honestly does not care what anyone thinks of him. I must also add that the crowd for that show was interesting, but fun. After Sunny, I had a quick dinner and caught the second half of Montgomery Gentry. The night really got started when Luke Bryan hit the stage, I was with all my friends and we danced and danced while Luke shook his stuff on stage. Anyone who has ever been to one of his shows knows the crazy amount of energy he has and how contagious it can be! After Luke a small group of us decided to head to the Hideout, which was the dance club/karaoke part of TOTM. It was fun to watch people, but sadly for us we didn’t get to get on stage. The list of people wanting to sing was extremely long and if I would have known I would have signed up earlier in the day…because I’m all about some karaoke! For the second night in a row, I went to bed in the early hours of the morning. But again, I was up bright and early for the final day of TOTM!

Kristen Kelly: This One’s for the Girls

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From her glimmering mini skirt to her bedazzled microphone, Kristen Kelly sparkled at the inaugural Thunder on the Mountain country music festival. Currently on tour with Rascal Flatts, Kelly’s soulful, southern voice croons tales about love, love lost and, well, whiskey. “I may or may not be single thanks to Jack Daniels,” Kelly told the crowd before she belted out her catchy, unreleased tune, “When I Drink Whiskey.” Other crowd pleasers included a beautiful cover of “Angel from Montgomery” and, of course, her debut single “Ex-Old Man,” which had the audience singing and dancing along. “Life ain’t always easy, but it sure is beautiful. Never stop dreaming,” Kelly told the crowd at one point during her hour-long set. It’s pretty clear that the Lorena, Texas, native has experienced her fair share of heartache, as she later addressed the subject of having an ex-husband. Knowing what she’s been through causes her music to speak that much more loudly. A personal favorite Kristen Kelly tune, “He Loves to Make Me Cry,” is a smooth, romantic song that really shows off her range and strong vocals. It’s one of those songs that will make you want to grab your significant other and slow dance. Kelly seems like the kind of girl I’d want to be friends with. She’s genuine, she’s been through it and she’s got attitude. I feel as though she can drink with the boys while wearing heels and lipstick. Her music just makes you feel like – a woman. So, ladies, be sure to give Kristen Kelly a listen. This one’s for you. Don’t worry, boys. You can listen, too.

Thunder On The Mountain-Day 1

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Thunder On The Mountain – Day 1 – Through The Eyes Of HaleighT. It is hard to believe that after months of preparation and exited jitters, the first-ever Thunder On The Mountain is behind us. After the three days of non-stop music, I find myself still trying to recover from my sleep deprivation and the loss of my voice. My fun filled work-cation began Wednesday night, June 7. I drove through the beautiful Mulberry Mountains and arrived at the festival grounds to check in and get my media credentials. I then drove to Ozark and had supper at Rivertowne BBQ, the smoked bologna with baked beans was to die! While eating, my partner in crime for the weekend, Melissa and I made some new friends. They were a group, I believe from Iowa, who had floated the river all day and would also be attending TOTM. Campground Set Up. The next morning was a bit of a hectic one, not for me but for those campers who decided to be at the festival gates when they opened at 6am. My cousin, Amme, rolled into the area with her fiancé and a group of friends around 4am. They had eight trucks and 11 campsites between them, over 20 people in their own little village. To say this group came prepared and ready to party is an understatement! Their headquarters were fully equipped with tents, canopies, ice chests, generators, grills, yard games and more. Fortunately for those festival goers who decided to wait for the sun to rise before they showed up, their entrance to the campgrounds and set up went a little smoother. In my down time between morning responsibilities and the first show, I along with Melissa, Riley and Tia (two of my weekend neighbors) went to get the feel of the land. We saw some interesting campsites, passed out fans to cool off festival goers and crossed a treacherously muddy field. At one point we had to cross a newly formed river by using an air mattress that was left behind from Wakarusa as our bridge. We really should have followed the flags that marked off the rough areas…oops. The Music Although campers and festival goers were still rolling in, the music for the day and the entire weekend began at 12:45pm. The first band to take the Country Pavilion stage was Whiskey Myers and boy was this an excellent choice! They definitely set the mood for the weekend and got the crowd primed and ready to go. As soon as Whiskey Myers set was over, the hardest part of TOTM began, choosing which stage to go to and what act to see, because from this point on there were multiple stages occupied with live performances. My day seemed like a whirlwind, I saw Aaron Watson, Shooter Jennings, parts of Bucky Covington, Greg Bates and Reckless Kelly before a short dinner. I then, was BLOWN AWAY by Randy Houser’s performance. I had seen him before, but his type of Continue reading Thunder On The Mountain-Day 1→

Thunder on the Mountain Rumbles Through Arkansas

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Like the roads leading up to Mulberry Mountain, the talent of the musical acts appearing at the first ever Thunder on the Mountain country music festival was steep. With headliners Luke Bryan and Toby Keith and over 50 other acts including Justin Moore, Easton Corbin, Montgomery Gentry, Casey Donahew Band and Thompson Square, this festival did, in fact, bring the thunder. In addition to three days and three stages filled with booming entertainment, the festival’s setting was a force to be reckoned with. Located on 650 acres of breathtaking hills, big skies and gorgeous scenery, it was hard not to consider your surroundings as another main act. Camping, fishing, rafting, hiking and even helicopter rides were available to festival goers – along with a wide selection of food and shopping options. The Bud Light Main Stage housed the festival’s bigger acts. If you were looking for a more private show, the Country Pavilion and George’s Majestic Backwoods Stage provided a smaller, more intimate backdrop. The great thing about country music is how gracious the artists are when it comes to their fans. Recurring statements such as, “Thank you,” “We couldn’t do this without you,” and “We love you,” were uttered from artists’ lips throughout the entirety of the festival. On Saturday night when the last of the tour buses rolled out and the dust settled, hearts sank, yet simultaneously fluttered with excitement at the thought of what is in store for next year. If you couldn’t make it to Thunder on the Mountain this year, do yourself a favor and don’t make the same mistake twice. Make the drive up that curvy, winding road in 2014. You won’t be disappointed.

What’s New? JB & The Moonshine Band Catch Up With HaleighT

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An Update On What JB & The Moonshine Band Have Been Up To. This past Saturday I met up with JB & The Moonshine Band before their show at The Longhorn Saloon in Fort Smith, Ark.. It had been about a year since I had seen the guys, so it was nice to catch up. Other than fishing and gardening in their down time, they’ve been pretty busy continuing to tour and promote their album Beer for Breakfast. In case you didn’t know, that album is part of an exclusive group, being named one of the Best Country Albums of 2012 by Rolling Stone magazine. These East Texas country rockers are like a thousand other bar bands, with a crucial difference: Frontman JB Patterson can really write songs – balancing sentiment with low-key Music Row wit and driven home with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers-like chime and crunch. –Rolling Stone Being praised by such an acclaimed magazine could and would make some band’s head swell, but not JBMB. “It’s awesome and I still can’t get over it,” Patterson said. “It means people are really listening.” After making their first appearance at the CMT Awards this Wednesday (June 5), the guys will be making a stop in Oklahoma on June 9 for Red Dirt Rising. The benefit, being held at The Arbuckle Ballroom in Davis, Okla., is a gathering of Oklahoma and Texas musicians. The artists and bands will be lending their talents to raise money for the victims of the Oklahoma tornadoes that hit this past May. I know after reading all of the awesomeness that is JBMB, you’ll want to catch one of their shows pretty soon. Well… if you have any special talents you might not only see them soon, you might be on stage with them too! These guys love a good contest and their latest is “Get In Where You Fit In.” It gives people the opportunity to show off their talents and perform with the band on stage at any one of the listed shows. Hayden McMullen, lead guitar, said, “I think it’s cool that people have the opportunity to be able to get on stage and show what they’ve got.” For those of you who are fans from France, get excited! The band will be making a journey your way to headline Craponne! All I can say is JBMB are playing and headlining one night for over 15,000 people. I’d tell you more but that’s all they told me and the website is in French…but I’m sure it’ll be one for the books! Bottom line, this band is constantly growing and gaining new fans and that says something! Good work boys! Y’all watch the latest video for their current single, “The Only Drug,” now!

Randy Houser Runnin’ Outta Moonlight-Music Video

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The Official Music Video For Randy Houser’s “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight.” Below is the official music video for Randy Houser’s current single, “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight.” The song comes from Houser’s latest album, How Country Feels. The song- I love! The video- not so much. Not to say the video is horrible or anything, it’s just a pretty predictable vision. But like I said, I’m obsessed with the song. It’s catchy, upbeat, sweet and perfect for any summer playlist! Houser will be performing at the first-ever Thunder On The Mountain this week! If you are in the area, you DON’T want to miss this party, TRUST ME! For those of you who haven’t picked up Houser’s new album, check out MissMolly’s review here and hopefully it will convince you to! Watch “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” below and tell us what you think!

Florida Georgia Line Round Here-Music Video

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The Official Music Video For Georgia Line’s “Round Here.” Below is the official music video for Florida Georgia Line’s current single, “Round Here.” The song comes from their album, Here’s To The Good Times. The video has an interesting take on it, as we see both Tyler and Brian playing out their day in separate locations (Georgia and Florida). I’m sure the song will do well with radio and fans like their previous singles. It has a good beat, the type of song that you could calmly listened to driving down the road or rock out to with your friends. Watch the video for “Round Here” and tell us what you think!

Justin Moore Point At You-Music Video

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The Official Music Video For Justin Moore’s Current Single, “Point At You.” Below is the official music video for Justin Moore’s single, “Point At You.” The song is Moore’s first single from his upcoming album. I’ve been a fan of this song since day 1, but the video made me like it even more! The entire time Moore’s love interest in the video is having to save his butt. I laughed out loud when I watched the scene with the pool game and then had to re-watch it 3 times. I suggest everyone watches this video at LEAST once because it is just too cute! Also keep your eye out for Moore’s new album.

Why Sad Songs Are The Best

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Why Sad Songs Mean The Most To Me! If I were to bring out a ballpark figure, I’d say that 90% of my favorite songs are sad, or negative in some way. That’s not a reflection on me as a person! I’m probably one of the happiest and smiliest people you’ll meet, but I don’t think I’m alone on this one. Country music was borne out of hard times and heartbreak, serving the needs of the forgetten, underappreciated and non-privileged working class of America, and coming into its own during times such as The Great Depression. For me, part of the appeal of country music is its dedication to being just about the most depressing, most lonesome music you can find. Sad music tells you that you are not alone in how you’re feeling. Sad music indulges you and helps you cry, making yourself feel better. Sad music puts you in the frame of mind that allows you to dwell on the problems in your life and your own inner heartbreak, which you would otherwise ignore and suck it up for the outside world. Sad music makes us more thoughtful human beings. I’ve also found that sad lyrics are some of the most beautiful around. Negative emotions are almost always complex, and the lyrics which reflect that are the most observant yet poetic and artistic that I have yet to come across. While simplicity in music is welcomed, as a big fan of language, I love the way it can be used to delve into the very heart of emotions, to both convey and understand them in equal parts. But sadness isn’t the only negative emotion. Angry songs can provide you with the confidence to stand up for what it right, and allow you to rent your frustrations. For women, angry songs about sexism and poor treatment can give them the strength to rise above it, in addition to producing feisty, sassy songs that on another level are tons of fun. Even hope is a negative emotion. It is, ultimately, dissatisfaction leading to pondering the possibilities of a life lived without that dissatisfaction. When you say “I hope”, you are wishing for something better than what currently exists. But some hope is more determined than others. Often it is frail and a desperate attempt to outlive the dissatisfaction without it deepening into depression; this is a key characteristic of country songs. Take the Pistol Annies latest record, ‘Annie Up’. Songs like ‘Unhappily Married’ and ‘Being Pretty Ain’t Pretty’, perfectly summarize this chronic dissatisfaction, but instead of fighting for better they find a kind of resigned peace in their situation. Kacey Musgraves’ recent release ‘Same Trailer Different Park’ also looks at the lives of ordinary people, but tracks like ‘Silver Lining’ actively strive for better, with even the pessimistic ‘Blowin’ Smoke’ being full of characters who spend their lives dreaming of a different existence. Still, they are all songs of negativity. It is no coincidence that the song often awarded “best Continue reading Why Sad Songs Are The Best→

Tim McGraw Highway Don’t Care-Music Video

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The Official Music Video For Tim McGraw’s “Highway Don’t Care” Featuring Taylor Swift & Keith Urban. Below is the official music video for Tim McGraw’s current single, “Highway Don’t Care.” The song features Taylor Swift’s vocals and Keith Urban’s guitar skills. The song is catchy and is constantly getting stuck in my head, but the video is just confusing. I am unclear on what McGraw’s actual part in the mini-movie is…he is a doctor, but does he have any connection to the female? I’m not sure! I do however love the fact that the female character drives a Chevy Cavalier! My first vehicle was a white Cavalier, Rally Sport to be exact. Watching the female drive it brings back memories. Like I had mentioned in the video for Lady A’s “Goodbye Town,” the timing seems off. It is another gloomy video with no leaves on the trees. People can wreck in the Spring…just saying. Anyhow, you guys watch the video for “Highway Don’t Care” below and tell us what you think!