The Best and the Worst: 2008

Good Afternoon, everyone!! I’m here to start the new year off right with a look at my personal highlight and lowlights of ‘08. Feel free to share yours, too!

As I mentioned before, I loved Miranda Lambert’s increased success this year. It’s been a long time coming.

LeAnn Rimes releasing ‟What I Cannot Change‟ as a single.

Brad Paisley and Keith Urban teaming up for ‟Start a Band‟.

LeAnn Womack’s single ‟Last Call‟.

Jessica Andrews getting signed to a new label and putting out a single to country radio again.

Brad Paisley getting a taste of his own medicine when Jewel played a trick on him.

Tim McGraw letting Curb and his fans know he is not happy with the latest Greatest Hits release.

Carrie Underwood being invited to the grand Ole Opry.

Getting the chance to chat with Can You Duet? contestants and new Big Machine recording artists Kate and Kacey Coppola via MySpace.

Dolly’s ‟Jesus and Gravity‟.

Discovering the talent that is Minnie Murphy.

Sugarland’s ‟Love on the Inside‟ CD

Lowlights:

Nashville Star and the fact it had very little to do with Country this year.

A former member suing Sugarland, claiming she’s owed money from the continued success.

The passing of Eddie Arnold.

Gone Country. Hmm... John Rich isn’t doing too well this year, is he?

Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus performing on the CMT awards.

The continued delays of CDs by Jo Dee Messina, Danielle Peck and others this year. (At least Danielle finally got a digital release...)

The end of the Wreckers.

Mindy McCreedy’s continued troubles.

Jessica Simpson crossing over to Country.

Big Reba News....

It's just been announced Reba will be leaving MCA records and joining the Valory Music Company soon. The label's the sister label to Big Machine Records and is home to Jimmy Wayne and Jewel. It's also run by Scott Borchetta, who used to work at MCA. Congrats to her on the move and may this bring her a lot of success. Big Machine and Valory seem to be doing pretty well by their artists. Expect new music from her very soon.

Hello, again!!

I'm back with some more news! I swear I am going to be posting more regularly soon, so bear with me as I feel my way through this new setup and all. Anyway... I guess you may have noticed I haven't posted about Nashville Star this week. I ended up missing the episode and well, frankly... I didn't care to see the repeat after I foun out Pearl Heart was cut. They're one of my favorites on that show and I just don't get them getting the boot over Coffey. Don't get me wrong- I do think the guy has some talent and he seems fairly cool and all but, he's just not a country act. And I still can't get past that horrible "Unbrella" performance when he yelled out random stuff between lines over and over. He claimed when criticized for it that it was to pull in the older audience who might not know the song. Um, Coffey? A little advice for you- the older audience most likely will not care about such gimmicks and just want to see someone do a good performance. Anyway... I guess it's back to checking out the episodes this week, as I do still like a couple of the acts.

Speaking of talent competitions, guess who's been signed? The Coppolas from Can You Duet? They'll be releasing their debut single "You're Not My Judge" on Big Machine records later this summer. Good for them! Hopefully, they and the winners of that show will find some success in the Country world. The people on that show are way ahead of some of the other show's contestants. Check out this video of the song, courtesy of the girls own YouTube account.



By the way... y'al also might be interested to know that they wrote the song "House With No Doors" on the new George Strait CD. Check it out. Well, that's it for now. Take care and I'll see you guys soon! Be sure to comment if you want with your thoughts about Nashville Star, The Coppolas new song and anything else Country!