THE GRAND ILLUMINATION AT THE SHOMBY'S

Can someone please tell me who invented the "icicle" outdoor lights? Had to be someone with a sense of humor. On top of that, I found out, the hard way, that you can only light 3 sets of connected lights. We have a long house.....okay so I had 6 sets of 3 spanning the house, garage and the side. By my calculation, I would have had 6 extension chords hanging down from the house. My wife was so no NOT into that decorative idea. So - what I thought would take an hour or two...took two days. I had to take the lights over the garage and the side of the house down. Considering the landscaping we have in the front of the house, my neighbors must have had their camcorders out watching me go up and down that ladder.
Ok - finally yesterday, I finished the job......then one set of lights didn't work....had to go back up and take down that set and move another one (and, yes, I did check them before I hung them). Then I finished....using only two extension chords and finally past the wife inspection last night. She likes them. Merry Christmas everyone!

Putting Up Christmas Decorations

How much I've learned since my bride and I got together 3 years ago!!!! Especially around Christmas time.........especially, when it comes to decorations and pictures. We, of course, wanted to put together our usual picture of the little one for our Christmas card. The little one is about over getting dressed up (as she puts it "in a scratchy dress") and posing in front of a tree. So, I had this idea that we take a picture outside with the little one and our dog - and, hey, put Santa hats on them. After that suggestion, I get the "um" answer. (For you single guys, "um" translates to "no way"). Then, of course, the pictures were all bad (I thought some were good but, again, the "um" answer to my suggestions).
What did I learn from this? Step away. Be an "employee' and do what you're told. I did and the second set of pictures were perfect........to the right person, of course! Next comes putting up outside lights. That will be a whole 'nother blog, of course.
Merry Christmas!

Ways to Save Money

We are all working on ways to make our dollar go alot further. Thank you to the oil companies for lowering those prices. At $1.79 a gallon in one place, I don't think that's an issue right now. With the holidays coming up, we have lots to think about when it comes to spending....and saving money. Things like turning off our computer when it's not in use. Turning lights out when a room isn't in use. Keeping the heater about 5 degrees lower than last year. Buying generic items rather than brand names at the grocery store (look at the ingredients - about 95% of the time, they are the same). I'd love for you to share some of your ideas with me. That's the start for us. I know there are lots more so help us all out. Look forward to hearing from you.

An Interesting CMA Night

No real surprises at the CMA Awards. It appears the Vocal Duo torch has officially passed to Sugarland. The award now belongs to them. Nice to see that everyone still thinks Kenny is still the best entertainer. Of course, no Toby but I guess going there would be to no avail.
Best performances of the night? #1 by far - Kid Rock's All Summer Long followed by Taylor Swift's Love Story. Great moment also with the lead-in for Carrie Underwood and Just a Dream.
Now - to "after parties"......Big Machine Records party was packed. The most interesting guest aside from Taylor Swift was new signee Reba McEntire who was walking around shaking hands as if she were running for political office. Didn't have to but she did - lots of class.
Went to Curb's party and talked with Rodney Atkins who was headed home for the holidays to spend it with his family. His first real trip out will be Feb. 21st here at Little Creek NAB and he's real excited about that. Ran into Lee Brice who talked about a new song he wrote about Dads and kids. Heidi Newfield was decked out as usual and very pumped about Friday's "Live From The Eagles' Nest".
The Universal Music Group party was the best of the night perched high atop the Sun Trust Building downtown. Ran into Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough who, honestly, look as if they are really comfortable with each other. Great couple. Jamey Johnson told me that when he accepts a CMA Award, if he ever gets one, he wants the band to play the "Sanford and Son" theme. Shania Twain looked awesome and very confident and smiling alot. Word I heard is that we'll be hearing some new Shania stuff in early '09. George Strait was there, gracious as ever, saying hello to everyone and anyone who passed by. Another HUGE class act.
We had a good time but look forward to coming home tomorrow. Let me know your thoughts about the show.

Day 2 at the CMA Awards in Nashville

Don't know if we could ever top all the folks we ran into Monday night but yesterday turned out to be pretty cool, too. We had lunch with Gretchen Wilson who is very concerned as to what the next single from her forthcoming album will be. She played 5 cuts (three of which were very "Redneck Woman-like") and was really interested in what we thought. She has grown alot more comfortable with these meetings and now really understands that it's going to take alot of communication to get to the level she had been several years back.
Hung out with Taylor Swift for a short time. Proving that she's still a teenager, through all of the pictures and people chasing after her, she compliments my wife on her eye makeup and asks if she (my wife) can teach her how to do her (Taylor's) eyes that way. She is still VERY grounded considering all this attention, especially this week.
Spoke with Keith Anderson and he is VERY excited about headlining our Winterblast on January 24th. Phil Vassar was his usual energetic self. It was good to see Jessica Andrews getting back into the swing. Danielle Peck has a new label deal and she told us that she was going to be coming back our way for an acoustic lunch sometime soon.
Tonight - it's the awards show AND all the "after-parties"...you can be sure you'll hear about them here tomorow.

All In One Restaurant

We had just arrived last night in Nashville and received an invite to meet Mark McKay and a few of our friends for a late dinner. The restaurant is right across from the arena where the CMA Awards will be held. Little did we know we would see a preview of who would be at the show. In a matter of minutes, in walks Kid Rock with his entourage......then Darius Rucker comes by (talked a little footballl with us - We he LOVES sports!..after that my wife spots Kevin Costner (he has a new country CD out with his band "Modern West") and our buddy Clay Walker (he and Kevin are very good friends). Clay comes over and shows us pictures of his new baby boy and we say a quick hi and he moves on (Kevin C., of course, has already ducked into a private room). Right after that, Tanya Tucker comes and sits in the booth across from us...then Jessica Andrews in front of her. Whew!! Right afer that, Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland stops by to say hi real quick as does Jay DeMarcus from Rascal Flatts. Neat to see these folks in somewhat comfortable surroundings. They are all excited for Wednesday night. Of course, I had to keep my wife chained down when she saw Kevin Costner. Great night....more to come from today.

Off to Nashville

I have to tell you that one of the highlights of my year begins tonight with a trip to Nashville for the CMA Awards coming up Wednesday night (simulcast on 97.3 The Eagle, of course). I'll update this each day to let you know who we've seen and talked to and what possible scoops we've picked up. It's a fun time but also a busy time so I'll do my best to get you the info from all of this that you would like. Until tomorrow.........