The Country Music Association caused a stir when it announced its nominations for the 46th CMA Awards – and pop star Kelly Clarkson was on the ballot for Female Vocalist of the Year. It’s an odd move, to be sure, and unfounded in my books.
But this? This is exquisite.
(Bonus points for wanting to make out with Vince Gill's voice.)
It’s been a lovely, chaotic summer – the best kind. Here are a few gems that caught my eye (and ear) over the past month or so:
This wine:
…from a winery on the outskirts of this incredible city:
(I spent a little over a week in Switzerland, Florence and Venice last month. Needless to say, it was an inspiring trip.)
This anthem from the Zac Brown Band’s action-packed new album,Uncaged (give it a listen and you’ll understand what I mean):
This funky, new-ish song by British group Graffiti6:
This kick ass and deserved title that Houston just nabbed. And yeah, we already knew we were the coolest. Why?
“I’ve never seen a city where people blend more gracefully than Houston.”
This surprisingly moving performance by tenth place finisher Erika Van Pelt (at the Idols Live concert I caught in Dallas):
This crazy-cool local band that I was jazzed to interview for Houston magazine.
This Kelly Clarkson cover of my favorite band’s breakout single:
…and finally, this wonderful milestone that Country Universe –my country music home– recently hit. I couldn’t be more grateful to have found my way into the CU family three years ago.
“Ms. Clarkson is turning into the Mary J. Blige of pop: so good at being wounded that no one wants to let her heal.”
-New York Times music critic Jon Caramanica on Kelly Clarkson’s new album,Stronger, released today. Read the full review here.
More, please:
I dig pop culture.
