Julianne Hough Concert

Julianne Hough was here Friday March 27th! She was a pleasure to visit with and put on a great concert for Eagle Listeners. It was a Sold Out show .........

Five for Friday...

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1) The Julianne Hough Concert is tonite at the Liberty Theater

2) Spring Break in Oregon is over already... that means my Jessi-girl is headed back to college this weekend

3) It's raining. Again.

4) Like everyone, I am distressed with the state of our economy...more of my friends have been getting laid off.... I thought this was all supposed to get better.

5) It's going to be a great weekend! I love the weekend and time with my family.

...The 'Boat'.

With surprise appearances by Peter Frampton and Steppenwolf's John Kay, the Sony Music Nashville extravaganza aboard the General Jackson showboat Thursday, March 5th, lived up to its reputation of being the single most star-spangled event of Country Radio Seminar. The General Jackson floated celebrants up and down the Cumberland River in Nashville for the three-hour show....I was fortunate to be there and it was amazing. The internal 'wow' moments for me were many! The talent that was in the room that night was beyond fantastic. Having earned my living as a singer, performer, for most of my life, before getting into radio, it was exciting to experience every piece of some of country's biggest hits and soon to be hits.... from the lyrics to the artist and everything in between....

Facing an audience of approximately 650 radio and music industry guests, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Gretchen Wilson and Jason Michael Michael Carroll performed selections from their forthcoming albums. Carrie Underwood, Montgomery Gentry and Craig Morgan reprised recent hits, and Kellie Pickler and Chuck Wicks chatted with the show's host, TV personality Robin Meade, about their non-musical sidelines. Oh, and I can't forget to tell you about Peter Frampton and John Kay literally rockin' the boat with their explosive hits... keep reading...

We had a very nice dinner on the boat and I had to take a picture of the fruit! Look at it! Small town girls like me love that kind of thing. I was also lucky to have the seat I did for the show....front and center. It just happened that way, being with some friends, who knew friends, who had 4 seats open up and asked us if we would like them...uhhh...absolutly! They were the best seats in the house! I had to look up when Brad Paisley put his foot on the monitor while he jammed on his guitar...nice.


Kenny Chesney went on first, accompanied by his friend and songwriting partner, Brett James. He opened with "Out Last Night," which he indicated was a more-or-less accurate chronicle of his and James' nocturnal roarings. It will be his next single. The song was so new, Chesney had to sing it from a lyric sheet. Even so, he faltered a couple of times -- not that it mattered at all to any of us listening! It was fun to hear something new, something that will be coming our direction soon.

(When we arrived at the General Jackson earlier in the evening, no one knew for sure who would be there performing, but there were some of us that thought Kenny had to be there for sure. He is such a huge country star and half of the Nashville Police Depeartment was there providing security, so we thought with that kind of security he must be there... he was.)

With James taking the vocal lead, Chesney provided harmonies on "When the Sun Goes Down," Chesney's No. 1 single from 2004. (James wrote the song and even recorded it on an album for Arista Records that was never released.) "I wanted to be the first," Chesney told the crowd, "so I could come out afterward and have a few drinks."

He, like most of the other acts, was limited to two songs. At the end of Chesney's set, Sony Music Nashville chief Joe Galante presented him with a crystal plaque for having achieved 15 million downloads. That feat, Galante pointed out, made him the biggest digital-selling artist in the country format!

Martina McBride followed Kenny Chesney with her new single, "Ride," from her album, 'Shine', that came out March 24. She concluded with another new song, "I Just Call You Mine," which she belted out as if she were heralding the Second Coming and I am not even kidding!



Maritna was getting ready to exit the stage, when Joe Galante gave McBride a plaque marking her career total of 18 million albums sold.... can you imagine? It was nice to see Martina honored and so thankful for the milestone in her career.


Montgomery Gentry came next. The duo began with its most recent hit, "Roll With Me," and then brought out John Kay to roll back memories with Steppenwolf's 1968 classic, "Born to Be Wild." His feverishly commanding performance earned the evening's first standing ovation. It was SOoo rockin'! It was hard to stay seated as they jammed.

While the stage set was being changed -- each act brought its own band or backing musicians -- Pickler chatted with Robin Meade about her endorsement deal with Big Sexy Hair and of co-writing her current single, "Best Days of Your Life," with pal Taylor Swift. Kellie said she's already done the photo shoot for the Big Sexy Hair advertising campaign and that the promotion will launch next month.

She and Swift came up with "Best Days of Your Life," Pickler reported, in response to one of Pickler's thwarted romances. "We wrote the song about a pig I used to date," the singer said with her usual forthrightness. "He was an a******." She really is Dolly Parton re-incarnate. She is bubbly, cute and that girl can sing! She says things out loud that alot of us just wish we had the nerve to say aloud!

During a later set change, Chuck Wicks told Meade about the intimate "pelvis-to-pelvis" choreographic instruction Julianne Hough, his girlfriend and fellow recording artist, gave him for their upcoming appearances on Dancing With the Stars. Chuck having just been here in Eagle Country is a favorite of mine....he really is as innocent and cute as he appears. He makes me smile and I wish there were more 'good' boys like him! Oh, but wait! If that were true, Kellie Pickler and Taylor would have alot less to write about!

When guests first seated themselves at their dinner tables, they saw at each place setting a pair of two-and-a-half inch hoop earrings attached to a card that read, "She's back."The "she," it turned out, was Gretchen Wilson. When she came out to sing, the reason for the teaser gift became apparent. Her first song -- and next single -- was "Don't Make Me Take My Earrings Out," a combative song somewhat on the order of Loretta Lynn's "Fist City."

Gretchen said she's been hard at work on her next album at the studio she built on her farm. This time around, she's working with producer Blake Chancey. Her final song was "As Far as You Know," a pulsating yowl, which she warned the radio programmers might be a bit too "heavy" for their purposes. It was good to see Gretchen again...even though she still scares me a bit! She reminds me of that girl in school that you knew, could and would, kick you rear-end if you crossed them...yikes! Seriously, she sounded great and it was nice to see her back....the earrings? I gave them to my daughter, even though I can't see her wearing them, they came from Gretchen. Good enough.


Craig Morgan, who made his bow as a new Sony artist on last year's boat show, sang only one song, "God Must Really Love Me." It's from his first BNA album, That's Why.

Jason Michael Carroll gave one of the show's most dynamic performances via two new songs: "Where I'm From" and "That's All I Know." They're from his second Arista album, Growing Up Is Getting Old, which is set for release on April 28....I LIKE this kid. He has 5 children of his own, looks like he's 15 years old and just rocks. I ran into him throughout the week and he was just nice, nice, nice...and that voice!

Jason and Robin Meade bantered about growing up as the children of preachers. He said that when he was 15, his father caught him with a "pirated copy" of "Achy Breaky Heart" hidden under his mattress and spanked him for the transgression. Jason said it was the spanking of a lifetime!


Carrie Underwood scorched the room opening with, "Flat on the Floor," and then immediately cooled things down with her mournful rendition of the Randy Travis standard, "I Told You So."

Joe Galante gifted her with a trophy for having sold 10 million copies of her first two albums during the four years since she won the American Idol competition. "I can't process all the things that have happened these past four years," she marveled. (She even shed a tiny tear.)

To celebrate her achievement, she invited everyone to join her at a bowling party after the show was over. I did go with my buddies and it was alot of fun ...I posted about that earlier Bowling With Carrie Underwood ....

Next, Brad Paisley ambled out on stage and sat down patiently while co-host Tom Baldrica introduced him. His first song was the wistful, reflective, song Brad had NEVER performed in public called "Then." It was neat that he saved that for us.......He followed it with the decidedly more upbeat "American Saturday Night," which, he told the crowd, is the title cut of his impending album. The CD will be out June 30.

Brad Paisley was funny and sweet. In between songs, he told us that it was nervewracking for him to perform infront of all of us....he laughed and announced that his wife was due in a few weeks with their new baby and told us that we are the obstetricians of country music. It was cute...Brad Paisley a little nervous?? His singing and picking came across just fine, in Brad Paisley style.

Baldrica brought Peter Frampton out to close the show -- and he did so in grand style. Opening with a guitar solo that sent tidal waves of sound across the room, he then called Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood out to accompany him on his 1976 smash, "Baby, I Love Your Way." Powered as it was by a potent mix of nostalgia and urgent vocals, the performance brought the crowd to its feet.

Mr.Frampton lamented that he couldn't afford to take McBride and Underwood with him on his tour this summer....

The rocker finished his set with another hit from 1976, "Do You Feel Like We Do," and beckoned Brad Paisley to join him in a wild electric guitar jam. This earned him his second standing ovation, just as the General Jackson returned to the dock.

With an amazing night of performances, food and being surrounded by some of the most talented musicians in the country, my night wasn't over! I needed to get on the phone....while Peter Frampton was jamming with Brad Paisley I got a text saying that I was 'officially a grandma!' Our son had just welcomed his new baby daughter into the world. Macie Jane. 8lbs, 10oz.....I would make that call, en-route to the bowling alley........ Carrie Underwood was taking some of us bowling!

Josh Gracin to Come to Eagle Country!

I haven't had the opportunity to meet Josh Gracin yet, but I have always really liked his music. I am excited to announce that he will be here for one show in May! Julianne's concert will be this Friday night and we're excited that it is sold out. Concert week is always a little crazy busy, but fun busy! I'm looking forward to seeing so many of you this weekend. Bring a little extra cash and get your Josh tickets at the Julianne concert. You'll also be able to pick up some raffle tickets from the Red Cross before the concert and the things being raffled off are just so cool! Raffle tickets are 5 bucks a piece for 5 chances (all proceeds go to the local Red Cross) and you could win a spot on stage to watch the concert, win a signed guitar or even a free set of tickets for a future Eagle Country concert! Fun! We'll see you there!

It's Tough Losing a Buddy....

We lost one of our little chihuahuas today. Nacho was my daughter's little buddy... if you've ever been a pet owner, you know how hard it can be to say Good-Bye. We did that today. Tough stuff.

Spring!

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Spring Rain - Photographer, Gary St. Jean

Even though it was pouring down rain in Astoria this morning, Spring began today at 7:44 a.m!

Spring is one of my favorite seasons...with Spring, comes the promise of flowers blooming, gray clouds turning to sunshine days......warmth.....new life....amazing and glorious!

I remember one special spring morning so clearly...it was after a long, rainy, especially gray winter here on the Pacific NW Coast. My dad came for a morning cup of coffee. We sat outside and visited. Listened to the birds and after a bit he grabbed a broom, started sweeping the porch and said, "there is nothing better than the first wisk of a broom in spring, to lift one's spirits."

I loved that.

Julianne Hough SOLD OUT!

Julianne Hough will be here in concert at the Liberty Theater March 27th! All the tickets are now sold out! Look for more exciting Eagle Concerts coming this summer!

ACM New Artist Awards!

Julianne Hough

While I was in Nashville for the Country Radio Seminar, it was exciting to hear first-hand, the announcments for Top New Artists from the Academy of Country Music. Julianne Hough, Jake Owen and Zac Brown Band all received new artist awards on Friday, March 6th. The awards were voted on by fans through GACTV.com.

Jake Owen and Sonja in Nashville, March 5th

Julianne Hough, who will be here in Astoria, March 27th for a sold out show at the Libery Theater, was named top new female vocalist. Jake Owen was named top new male vocalist and the Zac Brown Band was named top new vocal duo or group.

Zac Brown Band

The three artists will now compete for overall top new artist during the live telecast of the ACM Awards on April 5 on CBS. The winner will be determined by fan voting.

Random Two for Tuesday

Faith's Shoes.....



Tim's Hat........

Honoring Merle Haggard

Jack Ingram, Merle Haggard and Emmylou Harris

Merle Haggard received the prestigious Career Achievement Award from the Country Radio Broadcasters March 3rd, honoring his long and epic career. I was lucky enough to be able to attend... the room was full of talent, legends and pure country....

Craig Morgan, Sonja and John Rich

Recovering from a bout with lung cancer, Haggard was happy to be able to attend. After conveying his appreciation, Haggard also admitted he still harbored some resentment against his former label, Epic Records. Following a performance of his hit, 'Kern River' by Emmylou Harris who recalled that the first time she heard the song she "almost drove off the road because it's just so good," Haggard reminded the audience of how that song almost missed the light of day.

Emmylou Harris

"I want to say that there was this other guy -- I can't remember his name -- he was head of CBS, and he made fun of my song. He said, 'Who in the hell knows where Kern River is at?'" Reminded by someone in the audience that it was former president of CBS Records, Rick Blackburn, Haggard recalled the exchange of words the two had more than 20 years ago."I'd like to tell you one more time. I don't like 'Kern River.'

Merle Haggard

Haggard continued, "And I said, 'That's about the third time you've told me that.' He said, 'It's more like five times.' And I said, 'Well, I'm about five times short of telling you to go to hell.".......Merle had the entire room in laughter. I don't think anyone was surprised at his, cut-through-the-bull candor! After all, he is Merle Haggard. He shared some other 'thoughts' that I won't repeat here, but let me tell you it was all in 'Merle' style.

Above: Jack Ingram performs .........Below:Jack Ingram and Sonja

Also on hand to congratulate Haggard was Jack Ingram, who covered Haggard's tune, 'Are the Good Times Really Over (I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver). An honor for Jack that he descibed as an honor he will 'never forget.'

Sarah Buxton and Sonja