Congrats!

Big congratulations for Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert, who announced their engagement today!

Miranda Lambert w/beau Blake Shelton

Last Post!

So it’s been a fun ride, but this marks my last post (for this semester). I’ve had a lot of fun with the show. Not only did I get to blast some of my favorite music, but I’ve learned a lot about the genre as well and about radio in general. This playlist consists MOSTLY of best-ofs, but I’ll go ahead and talk about why I chose each song.

Kenny Chesney-Summertime

This song was a request from my BFF from back home, Amanda. It’s all about the end of school and the start of summer, so it’s also super appropriate as we go into the last week of classes at Oberlin.

Taylor Swift-Our Song

This is another song reminiscent of summer. It’s bouncy and light and about love and you really can’t go wrong with Taylor Swift.

Miranda Lambert-White Liar

This is an artist that’s gained a lot of recognition this year. She really got onto my radar after she won best female vocals at the CMAs. White Liar is the first song of hers that I really liked, but since then I’ve expanded my repertoire.

Rodney Atkins-If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)

For a run on a hot day, this is the perfect song. It’s also one I’ve suggested to friends in the past who are going through a hard time. The mantra, just keep going, is very inspiring.

Brad Paisley-We Danced

I love Brad Paisley and how versatile he can be. This, of course, represents a softer side of his songs. And how more cowboy can a guy get?

Rockin' the Cowboy Hat

Alan Jackson-Chattahoochee

There’s so many Alan Jackson songs to choose from, but this is the first of his that I played and one of his most well-known.

Darius Rucker-Alright

Listening to this song, you can’t help but believe Darius Rucker when he says it’s “alright, alright.”

Carrie Underwood-Last Name

I like this Carrie Underwood song in particular because it’s so funny. Anyway, with a voice like hers, she could sing happy birthday and it’d be fantastic.

Tim McGraw-Something Like That

I think this may be my favorite Tim McGraw song.

Garth Brooks-Ain’t Goin’ Down (Til The Sun Comes Up)

This has to be my most listened song of the week, since I always listen to it while I’m running (sometimes on a loop). It’s got the greatest beat and it takes real talent to sing that fast and clear.

Ten ’til twelve is wine and dancing
Midnight starts the hard romancing
One o’clock that truck is rocking
Two is coming, still no stopping
Break to check the clock at three
They’re right on where they want to be
Four o’clock get up and going
Five o’clock that rooster’s crowing

I like especially how Brooks goes: croooowningggggggg

Patsy Cline-Leavin’ On Your Mind

Couldn’t have a best of show without Patsy Cline!!!

Big & Rich-Big Time

I love the way their voices harmonize here, and it’s one of my Dad’s favorites!

Toby Keith-How Do You Like Me Now?!

Like I’ve said about a million times before, I love Toby Keith. I love a lot of his songs but this one I love the best. It’s the kind of song anyone who’s graduated high school can relate to.

Lady Antebellum-I Run to You

Of course, Lady-A is another big newcomer on the country scene, breaking Rascal Flatts’ streak for Best Vocal Group at the CMAs this year. As much as like “Need You Now” and “American Honey” I think “I Run to You” is my favorite Lady-A song.

Billy Currington-People Are Crazy

This song represents everything I adore about country music. The simple, clean beat, Currington’s voice, and the little zinger at the end.

George Strait-Twang

You couldn’t have a best of show without George, either! This is a newer song of his, but one I really like, and one that really captures how I feel when I want to listen to a country song.

Anyway, it’s been so much fun this semester! I hope to be back next semester but…we’ll see!

-Kaleena

Winding Down

So this marks my second to last post. I only have one more show left after this! I’m thinking of doing a “best of” sort of show, since there are so many songs I’ve played once that I would love to revisit.

Kenny Chesney-Out Last Night

I’ve said before that I’m madly in love with Kenny Chesney. This song is sooo appropriate for a Monday morning show, on the tail-end of the weekend. It’s got a great, bouncy beat and Chesney’s vocals are lazily sweet.

Johnny Cash-Hurt

This song came as a recommendation from a friend. It’s very sad but also very reminiscent of old country. Plus, who can pass up a Johnny Cash song?

You Can't Say No to Me, Right?

Miranda Lambert-The House That Built Me

I’ve been paying Miranda Lambert a lot of attention since she won big at the CMAs this year. I’d always liked “White Liar,” but lately I’ve been exploring her other songs.

Tim McGraw-When the Stars Go Blue

This song is different from the songs that McGraw is most famous for (Live Like You Were Dying, Southern Voice) as it takes on more of a soft edge, even softer than “Don’t Take the Girl.”

Carrie Underwood-Undo It

This is another great, foot-tappin’ song from Carrie Underwood, reminiscent of “Cowboy Cassonova”

Travis Tritt-Take it Easy

I have a whole bunch of songs I heard over break that I wrote down and liked, and this is one of them! I am by no means a Travis Tritt expert, but I may become one…this song is really great.

Gloriana-Wild at Heart

This is a great song for the summer. Like Rascal Flatts’ “Summer Nights” it’s the kind of anthem-y song you can blast through your sun roof as you cruise along in the sun.

Blake Shelton-The More I Drink

I find this song clever and amusing–a different sort of take on the classic country bar song, as it tells the story of someone who abstains from drinking and his (very good and very funny) reasons why.

Darryl Worley-Awful Beautiful Life

Darryl Worley’s another artist I’ve been exploring lately. I love “Sounds Like Life” and this is like that in that is appreciative of life with all that comes along with it.

George Strait-Where the Sidewalk Ends

Does anyone need a reason to play George Strait??

Can't Have a Country Show Without George!

The Tributes-Picture (In the Style of Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow)

I love this song. I love the original of this song, but I haven’t had any luck finding Kid Rock on Itunes. I found one of his CDs in the WOBC music library, but alas, the CD was missing from inside. The Tributes do the song justice, but I haven’t given up on finding the original. Kid Rock, who isn’t always thought of immediately as a country artist, is set to host the CMT awards this year.

Eric Church-Hell on the Heart

This is another song from my list of songs from back home–I have a neat app on my Iphone called Shazam which lets me tag songs. It’s SUPER helpful when I’m driving and I need to identify a song (as long as I keep my eyes on the road, of course). Church has a great voice, a little like Zac Brown.

Jaron and the Long Road to Love-Pray for You

This is the perfect song for anyone who has been broken up with recently.

Little Big Town-Little White Church

I perused some online country music stations to find some more music last night, and this song came up several times. It’s sassy!

Montgomery Gentry-My Town

A small-town anthem that I can relate to, right down to the water-tower reference!

Alan Jackson-Five o’clock Somewhere

I thought this was appropriate, as my show wraps up around 5AM. Not that I’m encouraging early morning drinking, of course!!

Shows winding down…I’m going to miss (in a way) getting up at 3AM!

Whiskey for My Men, Beer for My Horses

Ah! Toby Keith has been stuck in my head all day long. Not all together a bad thing

Toby Keith and Willie Nelson

George Strait-If You’re Thinking You Want a Stranger (There’s One Coming Home)

There’s no reason NOT to play George Strait first thing in the morning! I continue my quest through his four-disc “best of” collection, and I keep finding great gems, like this one.

Rascal Flatts-Summer Nights

This was THE summer anthem for 2009. It played all the time, especially on warm summer nights when I drove home from my job at the local, one-screen theatre. I opened the sunscreen and blasted this song with Washington stars above my head as I zoomed down the hill to my house. Love it! It’s not quite summer here, but it’s so close I can taste it. This song seemed appropriate.

Rodney Atkins-It’s America

There are lots of country songs about America or being American. This one’s sweet and far from blindly patriotic. Atkins sings:

We don’t always get it all right, there’s no where else I’d rather build my life

Luke Bryan-Do I

Luke Bryan followed me on Twitter this week! So of course I had to follow him back, and honor him with a rendition of “Do I.”

Jessica Andrews-Who I Am

This is the kind of song that comes on the radio and you go YES because it NEVER plays (or so it seems). It comes once in a blue moon, and when it does, you gleefully sing along to every word. It’s a fun song.

Garth Brooks-American Honky-Tonk Bar Association

I’m also exploring Garth Brooks more. He’s “retired” from country music, although his stuff is still played on the radio. I missed his heydey, however, so I’m still learning a lot about him.

Kenny Chesney-Don’t Blink

Have I mentioned that I am absolutely in love with Kenny Chesney? I love so many of his songs. This is just one of many more to appear on this show. I’m thinking next week of playing “We Went Out Last Night,” which is appropriate for a Monday morning/Sunday night.

Lady Antebellum-Lookin’ for a Good Time

Lady-A is known (at least to me) mostly for their more mellow songs (e.g. Need You Now and I Run to You) This is a little more upbeat, and features a lot more male vocal than usual. It’s a cool change.

Toby Keith & Willie Nelson-Beer for my Horses

This is a down’dirty sort of country song that makes no apologies. I especially like it for the refrain:

Whiskey for my Men, Beer for my Horses

Jason Aldean-Big Green Tractor

Tractors are an object of obsession in country music. Kenny Chesney has a very popular country song: “She Thinks My Tractors’ Sexy.” This song also has sexual undertones, which Aldean claims he was unaware of until it became popular.

Taylor Swift-Fearless

Like George Strait, you don’t really need a reason to play Taylor Swift. She’s great!!

Patsy Cline-Crazy

And, of course, Patsy is a classic, and another one I’ve discovered through this show.

John Michael Montgomery-I Swear

There were a lot of newer artists (for my show) on today. I’m expanding my repertoire of music! It’s really great that I’ve gotten to chance to learn more about this genre that I love so much!

Dierks Bently-Long Trip Alone

I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again: Dierks Bently is about the best name a guy could have if he aspired to be a country star. This song was included on a country mix made for me by my best friend back home

Alan Jackson-Gone Country

Of course, no playlist is complete with an Alan Jackson song. I’ve yet to listen to his new CD!! I will. He’s fantastic.

Playlist 7 and the ACMs!

Well, it’s that time of the week ago! My show this week got an added spice by the Academy of Country Music awards, which were on last night. It seems like all the country stars had a ball with it. Reba McEntire hosted and quibbed that they had Jesse James and Tiger Woods to thank for the inspiration to write songs like “Cowboy Cassonova” and “White Liar” (Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert, respectively, both of whom had a great night last night.)

Patsy Cline-Blue Moon of Kentucky: This was supposed to be LeAnn Rhimes, but I couldn’t find her version of the song. Just as well, as Patsy Cline continues to be one of my favorite country artists. It’s not only her voice: she’s got such a great sound, the slow, careful reverberation gets me every time.

Garth Brooks-Ain’t Going Down (Till the Sun Comes Up)

This song is appropriate for a 4AM country show. It’s got a great beat too. I ran to it today and the minutes seemed to fly by as I matched my pace to Garth’s tune.

George Strait-Lovesick Blues

As I work through my hearty collection of George Strait, I continue to find great gems like this song. He’s got a great sound similar to Patsy Cline that I really like.

Taylor Swift-Love Story

Taylor Swift had a great entrance at the ACMs but she went home empty handed. As one article I read pointed out, however, it’s not as if she returned home to sadly dust her empty shelves.

Taylor Swift went home empty handed after the ACMS, but has plenty to go home to

Brooks and Dunn (feat. Reba McEntire)-Cowgirls Don’t Cry

Love this song. I’m so sad that B&D have decided to call it quits. They did perform last night at the ACMs, however!

Rodney Atkins-These Are My People

This is another great Rodney Atkins song about loving your community. My favorite line:

Well We take it all week on the chin with a grin
’til we make it to a friday night
And it’s church league softball
holler about a bad call
preacher breaking up the fight

I can really imagine that preacher!

Rascal Flatts-Unstoppable

Ah, Rascal Flatts. They’ve won the award for best vocal group at the ACMs seven YEARS in a row. Well, Lady Antebellum broke their streak this year. Lady A had a particularly good night, winning 5 out of the 7 awards they were nominated for, including best vocal group, best single record (Need You Now) and Song of the Year (Need You Know). But to celebrate and to console Rascal Flatts, I played their newest single, Unstoppable.

Lady Antebellum, who "stopped" Rascal Flatts' 7yr streak

Alan Jackson-Country Boy

Alan Jackson is superb. End of story

Martina McBride-This One’s For the Girls

I’ve been listening to Martina McBride more lately and I’ve always liked this song AND I haven’t played any of her stuff yet, so, it was perfect for this week’s playlist.

Jason Aldean-Crazy Town

This album of Jason Aldean’s, Wide Open, has enjoyed enormous success and contains another of my favorite songs, She’s Country.

Gretchen Wilson-Work Hard, Play Harder

I’ve always loved Redneck Woman and this song is of the same vein…it’s an anthem of sorts with strong female vocals.

Big&Rich-Big Time

I think I first heard this song in the car with my Dad and as I was browsing the interweb this weekend looking for what was hot in country music, this kept popping up. They’ve got perfect unison, you can hardly tell it’s two people singing.

Miranda Lambert-New Stings

Miranda Lambert was another big winner last night at the ACMs. She won video of the year for “White Liar,” album of the Year for “Revolution” and female vocalist of the year.

Miranda Lambert w/beau Blake Shelton

Keith Urban-Kiss a Girl

Another artist who has been woefully absent from my playlist. This is a cute song, penned, I assume, sometime before his marriage to Nicole Kidman.

Love and Theft-Dancing in Circles

I heard this song when I was home a few weeks ago for Spring Break and made sure to write it down. It’s soft, it’s sweet and it’s got a cute message.

Carrie Underwood-Last Name

Of course, the big winner of last nights Academy of Country Music Awards was Carrie Underwood, who won Entertainer of the Year for the second year in a row, making her the first woman to do so!

I only have a few more shows left for this semester! I would love to get suggestions about what people might want to hear. I’ve found even people who claim not to listen in country have at least a vague idea of the artists and some songs, and I’m open to suggestions.

Until next week!

Back!!

Hey! I’m back after an extended Spring Break and I didn’t broadcast last week. So, yay, welcome back to the blog. I shamelessly plugged this today during the show, so let’s see if I have any results. I was on for two hours today due to an unexpected mix-up, but I’m going to spend most of my time talking about the songs in the first hour. The second hour I used as more of a “best of,” show.

Toby Keith-Should’ve Been a Cowboy

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Toby Keith rocks. He has a lot of in-your-face songs (“How Do You Like Me Now,” “American Ride,”) and this is refreshing in that it’s a little more mild, calm and tells a story. It’s been stuck in my head for the past three weeks and it was such a relief to blast it out of the WOBC speakers this morning. There’s just one line stuck in my head.

Go West, young man, haven’t you been told, California’s full of whisky, women and gold

Patsy Cline-Walkin’ After Midnight

I’m in love with Patsy Cline. I keep hearing her songs on TV shows, especially LOST, where there seems to be somewhat of a Patsy-Cline obsession I hadn’t noticed before. (A clue perhaps? Or a tragically ironic nod to the fact that she too was in a plane crash?) I also heard “Leaving on Your Mind” on a West Wing episode last night at my West Wing Exco

Darius Rucker-History in the Making

Darius Rucker is great, of course, and although I like “Alright” better than this song, it has its merits as well. Also, is it just me, or is Darius Rucker FINE?

Taylor Swift-Stay Beautiful

On my way back to Oberlin from Spring Break I listened to a lot of T-Swizzle on the plane and this song stood out to me especially. Love love love.

Alan Jackson-Where I Come From

I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve loved this song forever without knowing who it was by. Incredible, I know. My favorite verse:

Well I was south of Detroit City/I pulled in this country kitchen/to try their brand of bbq/ the sign said finger licking/well i paid the tab and the lady asked me/how’d i like my biscuit/i’ll be honest with you ma’am/it ain’t like momma fixed it

Carrie Underwood-So Small

Can’t go wrong with a Carrie song. She has such an incredible choice. Only in my delusional shower concerts do I imagine I can sing like her.

George Strait-Love Without End, Amen

I’ve been slowly making my way through of the four discs of George Strait’s “Strait from the Box” collection and this stood out as a sweet, old-country song.

Rodney Atkins-In the Middle

Rodney Atkins may not be George Strait, but he’s got a great twang, his songs are so full of southern culture you can taste the BBQ and most of all, he really sounds like he’s having a blast in each one.

Steve Holy-Brand New Girlfriend

Another hilarious country song. Here’s the video, which takes a twist from the lyrics.

Sara Evans-Suds in the Bucket

This is a song I heard SEVERAL times on the radio while I was home over break, that I’d never heard before. It stuck, and made it to the playlist!

Rascal Flatts-My Wish

Rascal Flatts has been woefully absent from my show. They’ve got some great songs and are certainly one of the more mainstream country bands. Who doesn’t know their song, “Life is a Highway”? I saw them on CSI a few weeks ago and they’re actually decent actors.

Lady Antebellum-American Honey

Another great Lady-A song. Dedicated to my BFF Amanda who says this is “her” song. Although I’m 99% sure she didn’t tune in to listen this morning

Brad Paisley-Water

Isn’t it great when you hear a song you like on the radio and you discover you own it?

Dixie Chicks-Wide Open Spaces

I heard this song over break too. It was great to have access to Seattle radio stations again!

Kenny Chesney-I Go Back

Another thing that happened over break is that I fell in love with Kenny Chesney. Actually what happened is that I was already in love with Kenny Chesney without knowing it and then one day I discovered a bunch of songs I really liked were all by him. So…expect to hear more from in the future.

Shania Twain-That Don’t Impress Me Much

Another artist that has been absent from my show. Shania’s great and this song is a lot of fun.

So there you are! The songs I played for the second half were all ones I’d played and mentioned before, with one or two exceptions that I want to play again some day, so we’ll leave it at that. Tune in next week to hear some LeAnn Rhimes and Garth Brooks!

-Kaleena

WOBC Playlist-5

It’s that time of week again! And this will be my last post for two weeks, since WOBC goes silent next week for Spring Break. I’m headed home to Seattle–can’t wait!!

Rodney Atkins-About the South

Like I mentioned last week, I’ve been meaning to incorporate more of Rodney Atkins into my playlists. He’s no George Strait but his songs are fun, proudly-country little numbers that all have a great beat and/or tell a great story. This is a Southern Anthem of sorts, or maybe more of a Country Music Anthem (comparable to Tim McGraw’s ‘Southern Voice’ on some level). My favorite line:

“The Devil Came to Georgia, Mr. Daniels showed him out, no doubt about it, what I love about the South”

This, of course, is a reference to “The Devil Came Down to Georgia” by the Charlie Daniels’ Band

George Strait-Heartland

I have George Strait’s four disc “best ofs” on my computer and I’ve slowly been working through them and finding the songs that stand out. He has a lot of great songs. Expect to hear him much more in the future. This is another Southern/Country Music anthem.

Garth Brooks-The Thunder Roles

I’ve been listening to Garth Brooks’ “No Fences” Album lately and this is the first track. It reminds me of Reba McEntire’s “The Night that the Lights Went out in Georgia”

Lady Antebellum: I Run to You

Lady A–as the group is referred to by those who know -has enjoyed a great deal of mainstream success lately. When we went around my sociology class and stated our favorite artists, people actually recognized their name. I think part of their success derives from the layers of their sound: having a male and female lead singer gives them an edge that most groups lack.

Lady Antebellum

Alan Jackson-Don’t Rock the Jukebox

I love love love love love Alan Jackson. He’s a country megastar, of course. This song is a lot of fun, like his other songs, and he’s got the greatest Southern drawl.

Lee Ann Womack-I Hope You Dance

When anything gets you down, this is a good song to listen to.

Brad Paisley-Online

Country music is not unique in it’s adoration of “funny” songs, but I think they’re more prevalent in the genre than in rock or pop which tend to be more serious or ironic. This is one of those funny songs that also tells a story. Actually, I’m pretty sure I met someone here at Oberlin who claimed he played in the band at the end of this track…

Brooks and Dunn-Cheating on the Blues

I feel that I’ve already expressed my love for Brooks and Dunn here…several times…they’re great. This song is great. I don’t want them to break up!!!!!!!!!!

Dierks Bentley-Sideways

Hey girl, what’s your name, so loud in here I can’t hear a thiiiing. I mentioned today on the show that this is the kind of song I imagine that someone would hear in a country version of a club. Or a honkey-tonk? I think a trip to the South is in order so that I can do some research.

Trace Adkins-Honkey-Tonk Badonkadonk

A country favorite. Well-known inside and outside the country world and one of the first country songs that I really liked.

Dixie Chicks-Not Ready to Make Nice

I heard this on American Idol a few seasons ago…and liked it. Dixie Chicks have been blacklisted on most radio stations ever since bad-mouthing George W. Bush, but they’ve recently been somewhat grudgingly re-welcomed.

Josh Turner-Firecracker

I HAVE played this before, but my sister requested it, so it took the place of Reba McEntire’s “Consider Me Gone.” Listen for that in two weeks!!

Love and Theft-Runaway

This song is kind of like a combination between Jason Aldean’s “Johnny Cash” and Johnny Paycheck’s “Take this Job and Shove it.” It works.

Sugarland-It Happens

An oh well, move on, sort of song…with a great beat.

Tim McGraw-Taylor Swift

Gotta play at least one T-Swizzle song! I really like this one. It’s from her earlier days. (Plus, you know you’ve REALLY made it as a country star when you get a shout-out in someone else’s song. Congrats, Tim!)

Live Like You Were Dying-Tim McGraw

Of course, I couldn’t have Taylor Swift singing Tim McGraw’s praises without actually playing a Tim McGraw song. This is another of the very first country songs I heard and really liked. It’s grossly overplayed but it hasn’t lost its charm for me!

See y’allllll in two weeks! Don’t forget that you can listen to the live stream at www.wobc.org

WOBC Playlist-4

Hey y’alllllll

I’m pretty much exhausted after this morning. Lately after my show I’ve been going to the gym, then class and leaving sleep for later. Which means I’m functioning on very little sleep but that’s ok! I have so much fun doing my show so it’s totally worth it.

Tim McGraw-Southern Voice

I started this morning with Tim because I love him and this is a really fun song. It’s kind of like the country version of Billy Joel’s ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’ just because it’s a song about Southern history and invokes country artists, social figures and athletes that all have the “southern voice” that McGraw sings about. If you saw the Blind Side starring Best Actress Winner Sandra Bullock, you may recognize this song. Tim McGraw played her husband in the movie, and “Southern Voice” ran during the credits.

A De-Countrified Tim McGraw in The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock

Fleetwood Mac-Landslide

Maybe this isn’t technically a country song. I don’t know, but it was lately redone by the Dixie Chicks and has been playing on the radio (so I guess country radio has decided to give them another chance.) I opted for the original here. Although it is a “pop” song I think it has enough country in it to be considered a crossover. And it’s so beautiful.

Carrie Underwood-Just a Dream

This is a tragic song. A friend of mine once told that in order to be considered as a serious country artist you have to sing a song dedicated to the US military. I don’t know how true this is, but this is Carrie Underwood’s salute to our troops. She has such an incredible voice and the emotion in the song feels incredibly real. Beautiful, but sad.

Garth Brooks-Unanswered Prayers

I’ve been exploring more of Garth Brooks lately. He is a huge name in country music but I kind of missed out on his heyday. Anyway, I’ve been going through his CD “No Fences” and this song stood out to me. My family is not religious but we have a saying that you’re supposed to say after something bad happens “thank you jesus.” It’s a silver-lining sort of philosophy, which this song embodies, like if dinner burns you could say, well at least we have dinner. This song is a little deeper than that.

Dierks Bentley-Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)

Dierks Bentley is possibly the greatest country name ever invented. I know him more from his song “Sideways” (look for it next week) but this is a great one too. It comes from a mixed-CD my best friend gave me before I left for Oberlin–I think I may have mentioned her before here. She listened in this morning and got a shout-out! It’s easier to tune in on the West Coast (at 1AM) than on the East Coast (at 4AM)

Lonestar-Mr. Mom

This is one of the really goofy country songs that I love. I’m not sure any other genre is as adept as country music at utilizing humor in their songs. This is a funny little story about reversed gender-roles with a great beat.

Rodney Atkins-If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)

Rodney Atkins is by far one of my favorite artists, but this marks the first time I’ve played him on the show!! This is a great song. Very inspirational. My favorite line is:

Ask directions from a genie
In a bottle of Jim Beam
And she lies to you
That’s when you learn the truth

Anyway, Rodney Atkins is great. I’m not sure all his humor will transfer to an Oberlin audience (I’m thinking here of his song “Cleaning this Gun [Come on in Boy]) but you’ll hear more him soon.

Taylor Swift-White Horse

What would a country music show be without some T-Swizzle (as we call her in the business?) This is a sweet song.

Marc Cohn-Walking in Memphis

I don’t know Marc Cohn that well but I’ve heard this song several times on the radio and it’s beautiful. Like poetry. It’s also very honest. I feel like a song like this was written on an airplane, on a whim, after a trip to Memphis.

Toby Keith-I Wanna Talk About Me

Presenting, country music’s first rap-crossover. Now, I’m pretty sure rap stations have not played this song, but they could get away with it! It’s another kind of goofy song but it stands out because it takes a kind of rap-esque vibe:

We talk about your dreams and we talk about your schemes
your high school team and your moisturizer creme
We talk about your nanna up in Muncie, Indiana
We talk about your grandma down in Alabama
We talk about your guys of every shape and size
The ones that you despise and the ones you idolize
We talk about your heart, bout your brains and your smarts
And your medical charts and when you start

Jason Aldean-The Truth

This is another of my favorite artists. I’m looking forward to playing his “Big Green Tractor” song next week, if only to see how my listener(s) will react.

Easton Corbin-A Little More Country Than That

This guy deserves a little more research on my part. This song, his single, is the only one I’ve heard but it’s so cute and so country and I’m going to have to see what other tricks he’s got.

Brad Paisley-We Danced

Love Brad Paisley. He’s got some great songs too that’ll be played in the next few weeks. He suffered a bit of an accident in South Carolina, falling on stage, but he handled it with good humor, challenging the media to find the video. TMZ. com happily obliged and posted it on their site.

Brooks and Dunn-Cool Drink of Water

It’s too bad that B&D are breaking up, because I’ve just jumped on their bandwagon. I’ve really enjoyed listening to “Brand New Man” lately and this song in particular stood out to me as a fun, fast country beat.

Darius Rucker-Alright

This is one of my sister, Paatela’s, favorite country songs, and mine too. Darius Rucker is the former guitarist of Hootie and the Blowfish and is the first African-American to win the Country Music Association’s award for New Artist of the Year.

Patsy Cline-Leavin’ On Your Mind

This is another artist I’ve been exploring more and more. Actually I was watching an old episode of LOST and this song started playing and what’d you know–turns out the same song was on my CD of Patsy Cline’s 12 Greatest Hits. As John Locke would say–it’s meant to be. Anyway, I thought it was an appropriate way to end the hour, especially since she’d just been given a shout-out in Darius Rucker’s Alright

Make sure to tune in next week!

Playlist-Week Three

Today was kind of a fun playlist because my sister was listening to the live WOBC stream on the West Coast. We have a bit of a Taylor Swift/Lady Gaga feud going on….and it was nice to know I had at least one listener. Thanks Paatela!

Taylor Swift-Our Song

I started with this song because it’s the only one my sister sort of likes. And just to play a T-Swift song.

George Strait-All My Ex’s Live in Texas

Blake Shelton-Some Beach

If you say ‘some beach’ in a Southern accent it can sound like something else…but that’s not the reason I played it. It’s a fun, story-telling country song and Shelton has a great country voice. The video is pretty funny too:

Miranda Lambert-White Liar

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton are actually a country couple…something I didn’t remember until I played their songs one after the other.

Chad Brock-Yes

I first heard the Brad Paisley rendition of this song, but the Chad Brock version is just as good, if not better.

Mark Willis-Nineteen Somethin’

Garth Brooks-Friends in Low Places

I actually haven’t heard very many of Garth Brooks on the radio, but he is, of course, one of the biggest country superstars. I need to brush up! But this is a song my Dad introduced to me.

Heidi Newfield-Johnny and June

A lot of the songs this week actually come from a mixed CD my best friend made me before I left for college. Thanks Amanda!!

Chris Young-Gettin’ You Home

Kenny Chesney-Better as a Memory

I know Kenny Chesney better than Garth Brooks, but he’s another big name in country I need to listen to more.

Patsy Cline-I Fall to Pieces

There’s a Darius Rucker (who I adore) song that goes: “don’t need to concert in the city…I got my stereo and the best of Patsy Cli-i-ine.” I hadn’t heard of her before, but if she’s big enough to be referenced in a country song (e.g. Hank Williams in Tim McGraw’s ‘Southern Voice’ or Taylor Swift’s ‘Tim McGraw’) then she’s definitely worth some more research. I own one of her CDs and this song stood out for me…Patsy Cline actually died in a plane crash, tragically enough.

Jake Owen-Yee-Haw

Kellie Pickler-Best Days of Your Life

Here’s another American Idol alum. She hasn’t enjoyed the same success as Carrie Underwood, but she has a moderate following and is played fairly often on country radio. It seems that AI contestants who chose to do country oftentimes are the more successful ones…maybe that’s why Danny Gokey is angling to be a country star?

Billy Currington-That’s How Country Boys Roll

Zac Brown Band-Toes

Of course, Zac Brown Band won best new artist at the Grammy’s this year

Charlie Daniels Band-Devil Went Down to Georgia

Finished today with a popular, extremely well-known rendition of the Devil Went Down to Georgia. Love the fiddle in this song.

Josh Turner on Jimmy Kimmel

Josh turner performed LIVE on Jimmy Kimmel last night…his deep voice sounds even better live. Check it out