Gwyneth did an amazing performance with the always tremendous Vince Gill. The song, which is the title track from her forthcoming movie in which she plays a down on her luck country singer, was a huge hit at the Country Music Awards. She received a standing ovation from the audience. It was well-deserved.
Watch the trailer for the film, Country Strong, below.
A reader on my site named Robert sent me a comment about the Rascal Flats show that I blogged about a few weeks ago. I had mentioned that I'd be sure to write a follow up on what I thought about the show and I never did! Thanks Robert for the reminder. (Wow - someone is actually reading this darn blog!)
I saw the Rascal Flats show on January 18th at Madison Square Garden. I always find it quite funny to see a country show in the heart of NYC. There is a mix of your deep deep New Jersey country folk all the way to your glammed up chicks from your downtown advertising agency in attendance. The crowd is eclectic, odd and mismatched and from every single walk of life but ya know what? They all get a long because they love to hear a little bit of good ol' country music.
Opening the show was Kelly Pickler who I was ready to not think much of. I was introduced to the gal on American Idol and I recently saw THIS VIDEO so I wasn't expecting a ton. WELL...she was darn good, y'all. She has a way about her that was reminiscent of a certain country legend. I DID NOT want to admit this because I feel the two are in different leagues but she reminded me of a young (ok VERY young) Dolly Parton. No wait - you'd have to hear her speak to the audience to really get why I'm saying this. When she confided in the crowd that Dolly was a huge influence, the comparison was understood further. She belted out her own version of 9 to 5 during her set that was actually quite fresh. Again, I was VERY pleasantly surprised. She has a stellar voice and her audience rapport is uncanny and sincere. She never seems fake as she speaks to the crowd and often is quite endearing. Her kindness and cuteness was matched by her voice. While I don't find all of her songs incredibly powerful, her voice does an amazing job with what is has to work with.
Following Kelly's fine performance were the boys of Rascal Flats. I won't get too detailed in my review of their performance. There is never much to say about a Rascal Flats show besides that fact that they are absolutely brilliant. They are a talented crew of country pop singers that put in a damn fine show. They sing songs that the crowds swallows up whole. The crowd becomes a sea of well wishers and supporters - like family. This was me and my boyfriend's second Madison Square Garden Rascal Flats show and for the second time we were not disappointed one bit.
I have included below a few videos featuring the surprisingly good (no really!) Kelly Pickler and the always brilliant Rascal Flats. Thanks again Robert for keeping me focused. Enjoy. xox.
Tonight the BF and I are heading to Madison Square Garden to see the country trio Rascal Flats. I thought moving up to NYC from Mechanicsville, Virginia would have landed me far away from the deep twang of a country song but that wasn’t the case. Country music was never my thing growing up which in a Virginia small town is a rare case. Country music, whether you are listening to it or not, seeps in to your blood. The term "Good ol' boy" could be used to refer to a few guys in my immediate family. As my luck would have it, I think I fell for one of the only Brits on earth to be an avid country music fan. I would say there is country music playing in our apartment 85% of the time. Yeeeeee haaaaaw. This is not a complaint though. I've learned to love some country music these days. Some of my favorite artists are of the country persuasion. Hello - I so love me some Carrie Underwood. Don't hate! I just do. Anyway - we are heading to see Rascal Flats tonight and I'm really looking forward to it. Below is one of their more recent and well known hits. I'm pretty sure you've heard it. If not, enjoy. The opening act tonight is none of than American Idol floozy alumni, Kellie Pickler. Eeeeek. I'll let you know how that goes. It should be iiiiiinteresting. xoxox.
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