Jake Owen raises money for St. Jude (from his kitchen)

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Country Christmas

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Swift's win shows problems with CMA

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Country star celebrates birthday today

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Dierks Bentley 'Home'

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Rucker's return

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Blake Shelton announces January 2012 tour on Twitter

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Trace Adkins lands another movie role

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Edens Edge performing in Mansfield, Mass. on the H2O II Wetter and Wilder tour.

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National Kiss Day Playlist

Hey everyone, National Kiss Day is trending on Twitter today, so celebrate with this country kissing playlist. Whether you have a special someone to kiss or not, there's a song here for you!

1. "Kiss A Girl" -- Keith Urban
2. "Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not" -- Thompson Square
3. "You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This" -- Toby Keith
4. "Just A Kiss" -- Lady Antebellum
5. "Shut Up And Kiss Me" -- Mary Chapin Carpenter
6. "Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'" -- Charley Pride
7. "This Kiss" -- Faith Hill
8. "Kiss My Country Ass" -- Blake Shelton
9. "XXX's and OOO'x (An American Girl)" -- Trisha Yearwood
10. "Kiss Goodbye" -- Little Big Town
11. "Kiss This" -- Aaron Tippin
12. "Kiss Me When I'm Down" -- Gary Allan

So country fans, which kissing songs did I miss? Let me know in the comments, and I'll add it!

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Trace Adkins at the New York State Fair

Hi everyone, first off, sorry it's been so long since I've posted. Fear not, I'm back now and I've got plenty of topics to cover and the time/Internet access I need to share them with you!

First, who else enjoyed Trace Adkins' performance at the New York State Fair Saturday? He put on a great show, as you can see from the video below.

Big Kahuna Donut Burger

Now this was an interesting experience for me. As Chevy (or Cole Muffler) Court veterans know, seating is first come first serve. I'm pretty sure I came close to last. Believe me, I had every intention of arriving early, grabbing a good seat and shooting some excellent photos/videos of Trace, but the tantalizing diversions of donut burgers and freak show funhouses scuttled that plan. By the time I arrived, there was no way to get anywhere near the stage. 

The zoom on my camera is actually really good.

About 30 minutes before showtime me and a group of friends settled in near the News Channel 9 booth. Being this far away meant we couldn't really see the stage, or understand exactly what Trace was saying throughout the show. The music also wasn't loud enough that we had to shout to have a conversation. So we spent the show talking, laughing and admiring Trace's leg-sized arms. Fortunately, his booming voice was easy to understand while he was singing, so we could also enjoy the music.

All-in-all, we didn't catch every single word of the show, but Trace sung his heart out and we appreciated it. I would definitely recommend going to see Trace in concert. Even if you can barely see or hear him, all you need is a good group of friends to have a good time.

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Best of Trace Adkins

Well folks, the most wonderful time of the year is almost upon us, the great New York State Fair. One week from today you will be able to see the famous butter sculpture, ride the Ejection Seat and ingest more than three times your daily caloric intake in one afternoon (Big Kahuna Donut Burger, anyone?).

Of course, several country artists are coming to the Fair this year, beginning with Trace Adkins at Chevy Court on Aug. 27 at 8 p.m. To get you ready for Trace's show, I've composed a playlist of my favorite Trace songs. 

1. "Songs About Me"


2. "Ladies Love Country Boys"


3. "Cowboy's Back In Town"


4. "Ain't No Woman Like You"


5. "I'm Tryin'"


6.  "Then They Do"


7. "High"


8. "You're Gonna Miss This"


9. "Every Light In The House"


10. "Muddy Water"


11. "I'd Sure Hate To Break Down Here"


12. "Semper Fi"


13. "This Ain't No Love Song"


14. "Find Me A Preacher"


15. "Just Fishin'"


16. "Chrome"


17. "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk"

I've tried to mix in some of Adkins' biggest hits, as well as some unreleased tracks. Feel free to let me know what I forgot.

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Loretta Lynn concert postponed

Hey everybody, quick heads up, the Loretta Lynn concert at the Turning Stone Showroom scheduled for Sept. 16 has been postponed until March 3.

Loretta recently cancelled several shows to recover from knee surgery, and I hope she recovers soon.

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New single, tour dates for Lady A

A couple of new singles started making the rounds online Monday, one from Lady Antebellum and another from Miranda Lambert's side project Pistol Annies.

Also, Lady A and Dierks Bentley announced fall tours. Lady A won't return to CNY after their State Fair appearance, but they will play in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. With Edens Edge opening, I'd say it's worth the trip to Wilkes-Barre, especially if you miss Lady A at the Fair. Dierks' full schedule hasn't been released yet, but he's bringing Jerrod Niemann and the Ely Young Band with him. I've seen Bentley and Niemann in concert, and believe me, this will be one heck of a party.

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Review: "Tailgates and Tanlines"

Luke Bryan was the second country artist to release his third studio album over the past couple weeks (Eric Church being the other). Church took "Chief" to the top of the charts, but I have a hard time believing Bryan will have the same success with "Tailgates and Tanlines."

1) "Country Girl (Shake It For Me)" -- I don't know if everyone shares this opinion, but Bryan comes across as a bit of a creep in this "Country Girl (Shake It For Me)." The chorus just sounds like it should be spoken by a creepy old guy. That being said, it's still kind of a fun song, and I like the sound.

2) "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" -- Look at the middle word of "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye." That's what this song reminds me of, Chris Young's recent hit "Tomorrow." Bryan asks his leaving lover for one last night together before the inevitable end of the relationship. While not awful, it's not nearly as good as "Tomorrow"

3) "Drunk On You" -- Bryan titled the album "Tailgates and Tanlines" and with "Drunk On You" you start to get a good idea why. Like "Country Girl (Shake It For Me)," Bryan sings about a girl in a truck. Again, not a horrible song, but nothing special.

4) "Too Damn Young" -- Bryan reminisces about two kids falling in love out on a dock in "Too Damn Young." Again, nothing special with this track.

5) "I Don't Want This Night To End" -- And, we're back to the girl in the truck. The formula starts to get a bit stale on "I Don't Want This Night To End." On its own its not a bad song, but three of the first five songs on the album address the same thing.

6) "You Don't Know Jack" -- "Tailgates and Tanlines" finally starts taking off with "You Don't Know Jack," a song about a man who's lost everything to Mr. Daniels. To this point it's the best song on the album.

7) "Harvest Time" -- A song about the work those who provide us with our food put in, "Harvest Time" probably won't resonate with everyone. However, it's still a decent song.

8) "I Know You're Gonna Be There" -- Bryan belts "I Know You're Gonna Be There" to his ex who's going to the same bar. He's got his strategy all planned out, bringing another girl to make her jealous, accidentally walk by her table, yada yada yada.... Another ho-hum offering.

9) "Muckalee Creek Water" -- Definitely the most aggressive song on the album, Bryan sings about the peace he finds when he disappears into the "Muckalee Creek Water." Definitely one of the top two tracks on "Tailgates and Tanlines," Bryan captures the essence of letting worries go when you slip away from society for awhile.

10) "Tailgate Blues" -- Bryan addresses what happens when you have a tailgate but no tanlines in "Tailgate Blues." Hands down the best track on the album, it's a simple track about having the blues on a tailgate (obviously). Bryan again gets away from it all to bemoan the loss of his lover, with only the crickets singing to console him. Definitely worth a download.

11) "Been There, Done That" -- Sung from the opposite perspective of "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye," "Been There, Done That" features Bryan singing as the one who's ending the relationship. When she begs him to come back, Bryan refuses, saying he's already "been there, done that." Another one of the better tracks on the album.

12) "Faded Away" -- Bryan mournfully remembers a wild spring break weekend with "Faded Away." While it seems like the memory would be what fades away, he vividly recalls the details of the affair, with the girl being the one who faded on him.

13) "I Knew You That Way" -- Bryan closes the album with "I Knew You That Way," the fourth straight song about a heartbreak. Again, not a bad song, but the formula gets old.

Honestly, I was very disappointed with "Tailgates and Tanlines." I think Luke Bryan has the talent to be one of the best singers in country music, but he takes a step backward with this album. Most of the songs on this album blend together, with only one or two standouts. The rest of the tracks are very average, which is unacceptable for someone with Bryan's talent.

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Under the Covers -- "Come On Eileen," "Dirt Road Anthem"

A couple of bands performing at the New York State Fair this year shared covers of popular songs on their YouTube accounts this week. Well, one was a cover, the other was a parody. Sugarland (with help from Sara Bareilles) tackles a classic '80s hit:

Lady Antebellum gets some help from a former professional golfer to poke a little fun at Jason Aldean's smash summer song:

Which of these songs would you rather hear at the Grandstand on Labor Day weekend?

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Review: Trace Adkins "Proud To Be Here"

"Proud To Be Here" - Trace Adkins

The title of Trace Adkins' latest album could easily refer to his music career or the life he's led. The big man -- who may have been the inspiration for Bruce Willis' character in "Unbreakable" -- has survived a truck accident, getting run over by a tractor and being shot in the heart by his ex-wife. As he croons in the title track, Adkins has clearly "been living on borrowed time for years." After a rough life and a career of ups and downs, it's easy to see why Adkins is "Proud To Be Here."

1) "Proud To Be Here" -- I love country songs that I can really relate to, that's what I think the genre is all about -- "Songs About Me," if you will. "Proud To Be Here" tells a story we have all been through. Solid song about focusing on all we have been given, despite our best attempts to screw it up.

2) "Million Dollar View" -- While some prefer exquisite ocean scenes and others enjoy stunning mountaintop vistas, Adkins lets listeners know he's got the best view of them all in his living room in the upbeat "Million Dollar View." While Trace has succeeded on some gushy love songs before, I could live without this one.

3) "Days Like This" -- Speaking of gushy, "Days Like This" fits in this category. However, he slows the tempo down in this one and knocks the song out of the park. Adkins nails the sentimental tune about leaving the troubles of the world behind on a beautiful day. One of the top tracks on "Proud To Be Here."

4) "That's What You Get" -- Adkins lays down the law to his "pretty thing" in "That's What You Get," letting his woman know exactly what to expect from him. Of course, he's going to give her two strong arms, a big heart, you know, everything he's got. I like the lyrics, but Trace is very aggressive singing them, almost like he's mad. I think the song would have benefited from a slower pace.

5) "Just Fishin'" -- The lead single off the album, "Just Fishin'" really brought Adkins back into the limelight after recent singles "This Ain't No Love Song" and "Brown Chicken, Brown Cow" struggled for airtime. "Just Fishin'" hasn't had that problem, and it's easy to see why. I loved this song about a father and daughter bonding without her even realizing it from the first time I heard it. Great song.

6) "It's A Woman Thing" -- Men and women are different is the premise of "It's A Woman Thing." Kind of a typical song on an overdone topic.

7) "Love Buzz" -- Adkins shows off his bluesy side on "Love Buzz," singing about the overwhelming effects his romance has on him. Adkins even sounds a little intoxicated while singing ("Yessir, ociffer"), making the song that much more believable. I like the slow, smooth sound this song has.

8) "It's Who You Know" -- Superstar quarterbacks and CEOs who look like they've "been carved from granite" seem to have the edge in life, but Adkins turns the tables on them in "It's Who You Know." The message he delivers is it doesn't matter what you do in your life, a relationship with God will be the most important thing "at the end of the road." This is my favorite song on the album, but I could have done without the crazy preacher screaming at the end.

9) "Poor Folks" -- Again, Adkins is out to flip the script on who's rich and who's poor on "Poor Folks." The song has a very traditional feel, and echoes "Million Dollar View" in that no matter his financial situation, Trace feels like he has it all.

10) "Always Gonna Be That Way" -- Another ballad that reflects an earlier song, "Always Gonna Be That Way" is reminiscent of "That's What You Get." Adkins again informs his significant other how he's going to feel about her, but is much softer and sweeter in this one, making it a much better song.

11) "Damn You Bubba" -- Some people aren't going to like "Damn You Bubba." Some people are going to outright hate "Damn You Bubba." I really, really like "Damn You Bubba." Maybe it's because the morning I heard it I was seething about my own brother taking some work I should have had, much like the song's protagonist ("Bubba done filled that spot. Damn you Bubba"). I'd recommend giving it a listen, but it's definitely not for everyone.

12) "More Like Us" -- Speaking of "not for everyone," "More Like Us" definitely fits the bill. Adkins informs our leaders in Washington that he's willing to fight for his God, and there's more like him coming. Patriotic, religious and in-your-face, it's a stereotypical country song. Like "Damn You Bubba" some will like it and others will hate it.

13) "If I Was A Woman" -- "If I Was A Woman" sounds like something you would here in a saloon (musically, of course). Adkins teams up with Blake Shelton, reuniting the "Hillbilly Bone" duo. On that hit, Trace commented on how he "always wanted to sing a bone song." Well this time the big boys sing about an entirely different topic, what they would do if they were women (fall in love with themselves, of course). It's a funny song, and Adkins and Shelton have a good give-and-take throughout the tune. I recently said that Shelton should headline his own tour next summer, and I think Adkins should open for him. The two clearly have great chemistry, making this track shine.

14) "Semper Fi" -- If you call a country song "Semper Fi" you better bring it, and again Adkins doesn't disappoint. While other military-themed country songs are sung from the view of a soldier, "Semper Fi" is honoring those who sacrifice so we can be free. While "More Of Us" highlights the division in America today, "Semper Fi" unites us and is a great end to a very good album.

While Adkins may just be "Proud To Be Here," I'd say he's put together an album to be proud of. From the ballads to the rockers, Adkins hits the right notes for most of the album and shows he's still got it... much like Bubba's old Tonka Truck.

(Tracks 11-14 are found on the deluxe edition of "Proud To Be Here")

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CNY country radio debate

I must confess that I'm a pretty lucky guy. I live in between Syracuse and Utica, giving me access to four different country radio stations. So, which one is the best to listen to?

Bug Country - Bug Country broadcasts from the Mohawk Valley area, so Syracuse listeners will have a hard time picking it up. I found this station recently, and I like what I hear. I've heard them play new songs before anyone else, but they also play more classic songs than the other three stations, which is a nice change of pace. My only complaint is that they frequently remind listeners they're not Big Frog. We get it.

Wolf 105.1 - Wolf 105.1 is a new station, beginning broadcasting a few years ago. They play a good mix of songs and their on air personalities keep the chatter to a minimum, aside from Big D and Bubba in the morning. While the duo are funny, it's a national show, where I prefer a morning team who can address issues in this area.

B104.7 - To be completely honest, I don't listen to B104.7 much. It's not a knock on the station, it's just never been my first choice. The final station on the list is the reason why.

Big Frog 104 - I confess, when it comes to radio stations, I'm a homer. I've listened to Big Frog since I was a kid, back when it was just the Frog. I need Matt Herkimer when I wake up in the morning and Greg "Splashin'" McShea to get me through the workday. It just feels like home, which is what country music is all about.

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"Remind Me" video most boring ever?

Brad Paisley is one of the most entertaining people in country music. He puts on an outstanding live show, and previous videos for "Online," "I'm Gonna Miss Her" and, my personal favorite, "Celebrity" are laugh-out-loud funny. Carrie Underwood's voice may be the only thing on earth more beautiful than her smile. Put the two of them together, and they create a dynamite hit song. Unfortunately, they also create a lackluster music video.

Obviously, making a humorous video for this song makes no sense, so I understand that. I also understand that both performers are married and wanted to keep things "delicate." And I even understand the metaphor, but was walking through the desert to each other really all they could come up with? Really? I mean, that could have been part of it, but the whole thing? It's excruciatingly boring. Why couldn't they have had actors play the lovers' roles and just done cutaways of Brad and Carrie in the desert? I think it would have been a much better approach.

Don't get me wrong, "Remind Me" is an excellent song, and it's worth listening to over and over and over, I just wish the video could have provided a similar spark. To quote the great William Shatner: "The end of the song, I liked it... You know when the song ends and you come to a complete stop, I liked that."

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Review: Eric Church "Chief"

"Chief"

I think it's a safe bet to say Eric Church rocks harder than just about anybody in country music right now, as anyone who witnessed his 2009 show at the New York State Fair can attest to. In fact, he rocked the stage so hard that September afternoon he broke his foot during the show (apparently a common occurrence for country singers). Fans of Church's hard-rockin' ways won't be disappointed by his new album "Chief." Here's my track-by-track review of the singer's third album.

1) "Creepin'" -- No, this isn't a song about a stalker, or anything to that effect like I thought it was. Church wails about those feelings/memories of a lost lover that keep on crawling back, despite the fact that he thinks they're long gone. Not to mention the way the song's tempo creeps up throughout the song. Not a bad offering, but not quite Church's best.

2) "Drink In My Hand" -- Every country album has to have a good drinkin' song, and "Drink In My Hand" is one of the better tracks on "Chief." Church celebrates the various occasions to throw a cold one back, whether it's the end of a gruelling 40-hour work week, jammin' with the band or sneakin' a peek at lower-back tattoo at the bar. Excellent song to start a Friday night.

3) "Keep On" -- Another solid offering, "Keep On" chronicles Church's attempt to steal that girl at the bar from the cowboy on her arm. Fun track about sweeping the girl off her feet by brawling with her man in the parking lot.

4) "Like Jesus Does" -- Probably the closest thing to a traditional country song on "Chief," but it seems half-hearted. It's the only love song on the album, so if that's what you're looking for, "Chief" probably isn't for you. I think if Church had been a little less progressive with this one it could have been a great track, but something about it just feels off.

5) "Hungover and Hard Up" -- Another forgettable track, this one about trying to drink away the one that got away. Church provides some witty lyrics, such as "I'm tired of this see-saw merry-go-round, so Mary you can go to hell." But the track isn't as good as "Creepin'" "Jack Daniels," or "I'm Gettin' Stoned," which all cover a similar topic.

6) "Homeboy" -- The first single off  "Chief" and one of the best tracks. Story of a young man who leaves his small town to run city streets with his "hip-hop hat and your pants on the ground," and the brother who pleads with him to come home and stay out of trouble. "Homeboy" provides the best of the progressive sound Church shoots for on this album, as well as outstanding lyrics.

7) "Country Music Jesus" -- After a revelation, Church realizes that we need a second coming before it's too late in "Country Music Jesus." Whether he's looking for a country music saviour or the actual return of Christ, I can't tell. But I do know that in Church's mind it's gonna be one hell of an event when it happens. One of the better songs on "Chief."

8) "Jack Daniels" -- Church already tackled bar-room fighting in "Keep On" and he returns to the topic in "Jack Daniels." Obviously, the opponent is of a different variety this time around, and according to Church a much tougher opponent. Of course, the song again focuses on fighting memories with whiskey, and this one's also a keeper.  

9) "Springsteen" -- "Springsteen" is a reminiscing-about-a-high-school-sweetheart version of  Brad Paisley's "Old Alabama," where Church remembers puppy love through Boss hits like "Born To Run" and "Glory Days." It also reminds me of "Tim McGraw" by Taylor Swift, in that Church asks his former flame if she also thinks about him when she hears those familiar songs. Definitely worth a listen.

10) "I'm Gettin' Stoned" -- Church revisits the drink-away-an-ex ground that should feel familiar to listeners at this point. However, "I'm Gettin' Stoned" is the best of the bunch, a hard-rocker for "all us haters of old lovers new last names." Church mixes bitterness with anger and that one sure-fire way to forget for a while, making this one of the best tracks on the album.

11) "Over When It's Over" -- Evokes the same emotions found in Billy Currington's "Love Done Gone" without the peppy melody. Church basically tells his lover "it is what it is," and it isn't love anymore and there's nothing they can do about it. Not a bad track.

Overall, "Chief" is a pretty solid offering from a guy who is building himself a solid career in Nashville. Although it isn't traditional country by any means, this album has some great tracks mixed in with a couple busts. It will be interesting to see if this change in style derails Church's growing momentum or allows him to pick up steam.

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Under the Covers - "Friends In Low Places"

"Friends In Low Places." If you aren't familiar with it, you should probably turn in your country music fan card and pick up the latest Jeezy record. It might be Garth Brooks' best known song, and that's saying something for a guy who seems to have a hit song for every state in the country.
So, who did the most famous cover of the song? Hint: The answer isn't someone at every karaoke night, ever (close second). Nope, the answer is actually Garth himself. While Garth made the song the classic that it is, Mark Chesnutt originally cut the song on his album "Too Cold At Home."
I wonder if Mark is still kicking himself for not releasing that song.

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Concert Review: Brad Paisley H2O II Wetter and Wilder World Tour

Brad Paisley's carnival/concert recently swung through the area, with stops in Darien Lake, Scranton, Pa. and Mansfield, Ma. With acts like Sunny Sweeney, Brett Eldredge, Thompson Square (special guest in Mansfield only), Edens Edge, Jerrod Niemann and Blake Shelton touring with Paisley, it would be easy to make the show all about the music. However, this wouldn't be enough for Brad, who also provides fans with a carnival prior to the main event. 

Just one of Brad's trailers.

The Water World Plaza offers a Slip 'n Slide, bean bag toss (with prizes), Captain America and Brad Paisley photo stations, Corvette and Chevy FLW boat simulators and a dunking booth. Also, if you're feeling generous, there is a Water = Hope booth and boxes to donate cell phones to soldiers. Oh yeah, and opening acts Edens Edge, Brett Eldredge and Sunny Sweeney rock the stage. All three have unique styles, Sweeney with the classic country twang, Eldredge brings a party to the stage and Edens Edge's country-bluegrass mix is outstanding (expect more on them in a later post). Opening acts are also available for meet and greets after their sets conclude.

Edens Edge

Once inside, Jerrod Niemann is the first to take the main stage, playing hits "Lover, Lover," "What Do You Want" and his latest single "One More Drinkin' Song." He also plays other songs from his excellent debut album "Judge Jerrod and the Hung Jury," as well as Garth Brooks hit "Good Ride, Cowboy," which Niemann co-wrote. Niemann's sense of humor sets the stage for two of the funniest guys in country music.

Judge Jerrod

After Judge Jerrod's court adjourned, Blake Shelton enters to roars of approval from the crowd. Blake plays old ("Austin," "Ol' Red") and new ("Honey Bee") hits, along with a medley of pop songs explaining why he is so "screwed up." Blake's shares the humor that made him a star on "The Voice," and gets the crowd all fired up for the main event. There's no doubt in my mind Blake should be headlining his own tour in 2012.

Blake drawing his biggest cheer of the night, by drinking.

After his outstanding array of opening acts, headliner Brad Paisley finally takes the stage (kind of). Brad comes out singing "Mud On The Tires" (my personal favorite Paisley song) and the hits just roll from there. If you get a chance to attend the show, be sure to count how many guitars Brad goes through (I got 11).

Does Brad play guitar better, or sing better? We may never know...

While the crowd is clearly there to hear Brad sing, he certainly provides more than just music through his giant HD video boards. Animations, music videos and crowd shots are just a few things to watch for. Brad also provides a few surprises throughout the show, from his tricky intro to his secondary stage in the "cheap seats."

Hey, what are you doing way up here?

Brad's signature wit and charm are on display throughout the night, and of course he sings and slings guitar with the best of them. And you know Brad provides a big splash at the end of the night. 

If you have a chance to make it to a H2O II date this summer, I would absolutely recommend it. The Water World Plaza, witty performers, excellent animations and... um... oh yeah, outstanding country music show why Brad deserves to be the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year.

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Welcome y'all!

Hello there, how are you doing? Thanks for checking out my blog. I'm going to try to keep you up to date on what's happening in country music, specifically in the Central New York area. I'll be reviewing new music, giving my thoughts on concerts I attend in the area, providing you with playlists and anything else I think you'll enjoy. If you have any ideas, feel free to comment here, or on Facebook and Twitter. That's it for the intro, let's have some fun.

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