Originally Posted March 29, 2010

It’s March Madness Baby!! And by “Mad,” I mean me since my Cats lost to Butler this weekend. I mean, we lost to a team who has an 18-year-old coach! I’m kidding. I’m kidding. EASE UP!

In all honestly, I am so proud to be a Wildcat. Congrats to Coach Martin and the whole Kansas State team for an awesome season.

And as for that 18-year-old coach who goes by the name Brad Stevens (he’s actually 33)…Coach RESPECT (you get a WHOLE lot of it from me)!

Since it is that time of the year we refer to as March Madness, I would like to start with a quote from the great John Wooden.

“Talent is God-given. Be Humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.”

He wasn’t just smart with the X’s and O’s people.

MADNESS IS…any conversation comparing New Kids On The Block (NKOTB) and N’Sync. However, that is the discussion had by my friend Cathie and I (Brit just laughed at both of us).

You see, I’m embarrassed by my childhood love of NKOTB music. It is the only band that actually makes me feel musical shame. I mean have you ever gone back and listened to something you loved as a kid only to be horrifed?

Cathie disagreed with me. She said it would be more embarrassing for someone to catch her in her car listening to N’Sync than New Kids On the Block. What do y’all think? Would you rather admit that you enjoy THIS

or THIS?

I could go into my whole argument. Instead I will just say this…Five guys busting into choreography while wearing ripped jeans and small hats does not really equal ”hangin tough.” However, it is hard to deny these sweeeeet dance moves.

MADNESS IS…a basketball announcer accidentally calling KU “Kansas State.” HAHAHAHAHA! Yeah, that never happens. However, it did this tournament. It made me smile. Is that wrong? Probably. Do I care? Nope.

MADNESS IS…Dancing With the Stars…And I love it…Can’t help it. There is something awesome about seeing athletes and celebrities out of their element. It is refreshing. A viewer discovers really quickly why each individual is so good at what they do. That hard work and competitive nature kicks in and you get some really, great dancers.

I’m pulling for Erin Andrews this season. She is good. She is the slight underdog. She knows her sports AND she puts Max in his place. That is entertaining television people!

I’m also cheering for Buzz, because he’s freakin’ cute!

MADNESS IS…“Bones.” I started watching this show in reruns a few months ago. It was so great, I bought the first three seasons to catch up. I love the interaction between Bones and Booth. It is awesome. One Seeley Booth speech in particular caught my attention. Maybe because I don’t think people feel this way enough anymore. For any man who has THIS opinion…THANK YOU and RESPECT.

MADNESS IS…This week-and-a-half’s list of songs for you. They come from many artists, genres and involve different themes. Hope you enjoy them…I know I did.

1. “Look Who’s Back In Love” by Jonathan Singleton and the Grove. It is so much fun. It is country with a kick. It makes me smile. AND you can buy it on iTunes and request it on your radio stations. “Feels so right. Hugged up tight. Look who’s back in love. I’m fallin’ for you darlin’. Look who’s back in love.”

2. “Free Fallin’” by Tom Petty or John Mayer. I have both versions and I heart them both. This is just one of those classically awesome tunes. How can you not like this one? I still think of “Jerry Maguire” every time I hear it. “She’s a good girl who loves her Mamma. Loves Jesus and America too. She’s a good girl. Crazy ’bout Elvis. Loves horses and her boyfriend too.”

3. “Follow That Dream” by Elvis Presley. Ahhhhh…one you might not be familiar with by the King. That doesn’t mean it’s not also awesome. It’s got a kick and some bad ass rhythm with lyrics to remind you of what is important. ”You gotta follow that dream wherever that dream may lead. You gotta follow that dream to find the love you need.” He’s the King and the King is never wrong…at least not this one.

4. “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive” by Travis Tritt. This song NEVER fails me. If I’m in a bad mood, it puts a smile on my face. I cannot help it. Everything about the song is fun. Hey! If Travis can get thousands of people to howl back at him on demand, he is the man. I’ve seen and heard that very thing happen.

5. “No Mercy” by Ty Herndon. I love this man’s voice…always have. This song right here is the most dangerous song in America. By that I mean…It. Is. Hot. I need to be at least 100 yards away from any man I’m attracted to when this song starts to play. Otherwise, I cannot be held responsible for my actions. “No mercy. Show me no mercy. Love me all night long and don’t hurry. Take it slow and easy no mercy tonight. Hold me baby you know I’ve been hurtin. Love this love back to life cause it’s worth it. Love me strong. Baby, show me no mercy tonight.” Ummmm….yeah.

6. “Come Home” by OneRepublic. I’ll never forget the first time I heard this song. It is everything I adore in music. Give it a listen. You won’t be sorry.

7. “I’ll Be Your Escape” by Shanna Crooks. You won’t find a singer as great as Shanna. I’ve been listening to her for a few years now and never fail to be impressed EVERY time she opens her mouth. This is one of the first songs I ever heard her sing and let me tell you…Shanna can SAAAAAANG. I think this one expresses what all of us women would like to say to the men in our lives. “‘Cause I’m not the woman who will get in your way. And I don’t need anything except your kiss on my face. I’ll give you those little things and you’ll know you’re in the right place. When you need someone, you can run my way. I’ll be your escape.”

8. “Crash and Burn” by Savage Garden. I have loved this one for years. It’s just sweet and cool all wrapped into one great package. “Let me be the one you call. If you jump, I’ll break your fall. Lift you up and fly away with you into the night. If you need to fall apart, I can mend a broken heart. If you need to crash, then crash and burn you’re not alone.”

9. “The Way You Make Me Feel” by Michael Jackson. How do you not adore this song?! Every time I hear it, I’m up dancing. However, it does make me think of the movie “Center Stage.” I mean Michael Jackson and ballet can go together right?! Just watch the clip. You’ll like it!

10. “Put Your Hands On Me” by Joss Stone. This tune is some sassy fun. If you know me, you know I love sassy fun. “Can’t stop my mind from thinkin’ of ya. How am I supposed to function? Got me feelin’ for your lips on my kiss. I never want no other lover. Baby I’m hungry. More than I need. So bring me your sugar and pour it all over me Baby. Put your hands on me Baby.” While I have you listening to Joss, check out THIS one. I can relate 100%. Just sayin’…

11. “Love This Pain” by Lady Antebellum. I’m gonna suggest EVERY song on this album, but I adore this one. Jason Sellers is a co-writer so it’s no surprise that I like it. The man can write a song! I think most all of us can relate on some level to this one. “It’s like I love this pain a little too much. Love my heart all busted up. There’s somethin’ bout her that just don’t work, but I can’t walk away. It’s like I love this pain.”

MADNESS IS…The amazing group of singers/songwriters/performers who took the stage at The Music Circle Jam at Hotel Indigo a couple of weeks ago.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen and heard a show from this group of people and it was great to see Susan and friends again! I’ll tell you about a song or two from each of them.

We begin with Mason Douglas. I adore this guy’s voice and his songwriting prowess. For example, Mason can sing about two very distinctly different approaches when it comes to romance. There is the sweet “People Fall In Love Every Day.” It’s a song about those first moments between two people that lead to love. The first verse alone makes your heart warm…”Saw you sittin on the train. Something in your eyes spoke to me. The kind of thing you can’t explain. Somehow you know someone you don’t. I sat there staring while you read. When you looked up, I got caught. Embarrassed I just turned my head…turned back and smiled ’cause girl why not?”

Then there is the song “Big, Bad Wolf” which produces a whole different kind of warmth. “I’m the big, bad wolf. The one your Mamma warned you about. Yeah, I’m the big, bad wolf. I’m wild and I’m crazy. Baby I can make you howl. I will show you my tent way back in the woods if you show me what you got under that little, red hood. Ohh…I’m the big, bad wolf.” I. Love. This. Song.

Next up was the always sweet Lainey Edwards. She sang the 100% relatable tune “Butterflies.” It was about the feeling new love creates. “Whenever he comes around, my emotions go up and down. A million little stars fall out, when I look into his eyes. There’s just somethin’ about butterflies.” Listen to Lainey. It’s sweet fun.

Cory Batten was next up and it’s always a pleasure to hear him sing. PLUS, he and Mason should start a stand up comedy routine. They are hilarious when they sing in rounds together. There is entertainment during the songs AND in between tunes. Cory sang three that you will know…“If You Had Called Yesterday” by Andy Griggs and Julie Roberts; “She Wouldn’t Be Gone” by Blake Shelton and “Gettin’ You Home” by Chris Young. These always put a smile on my face (and everyone else’s face in the crowd).

Cory also sang a new one called “Don’t Mean Nothin’ to the Rhythm.” This tune is all about everyone having an opinion they can express these days. It’s about having to listen to the gossip mags and videos and bloggers (AS IF?!). “Don’t mean nothin’ to the rhythm. No it don’t mean nothin to the blues. Let them yap if they want, that ’ol guitar is gonna do what that guitar’s gonna do.”

Billy Dawson took the stage and sang an amazing song called “She Makes Me.” Billy’s voice has always been good, but it gets better and better every time I hear him sing. That night it was almost hypnotic as he sang, “She’s the angel on my shoulder. She keeps me in line. Oh the good Lord must have told her I need someone like her in my life.” It was sweet and well-delivered.

Matt Jenkins…well, he’s just freakin’ awesome. Matt has one of those pure old-country voices that is always spot on and a joy to the ears. He sang the straight to the point tune called “About a Girl.” What does a man do for a woman? Well, according to the song…”There’s no doubt about it. Our lives revolve around it. Ain’t no end to what we’ll try to get on your good side. Every situation, there’s an explanation. There’s not much a man does in this world that ain’t about a girl.”

For a little funny, turn to the Matt tune “Tornadoes and Trailer Parks.” It’s HILARIOUS and compares “oil and water” and “Gene Simmons and a preacher’s daughter” and “tornadoes and trailer parks.” Classic.

Do you want to hear a voice that could possibly stop time? Sit down, close your eyes and revel in the vocal wonder that is Josh Osborne. He is awesome and that night was no different. Josh sang “Sittin’ on top of the Pinebox” which was about not missing out on the purpose of life before it’s too late. “Before your life turns into the story of a stranger. Just a pair of lines in the paper. Preacher man preachin’ to an empty church sayin’ a good man is goin’ home. Life is still an open door. Better find what you’re lookin’ for. Find the strength to let it go. It’s too late to smell the flowers when you’re sittin’ on top of the pine box.”

He then started to play another amazing tune called “Chapters” that left the crowd silent and in awe. “Every day we write a page and the plot keeps changin’ with all the roads we took and the ones untaken. Finish one. Start another. It goes so fast cover to cover. Marked by all the memories, tears and laughter. Chapters.”

Dillon Dixon got up to make a quick guest appearance as well. This man has a voice. You should hear him sing. The song was called “Chip Away.” The tune was all about trying to be a better man with the chorus, “I wanna take the shape of a better man. I’ve got the will. You’ve got the plan. Steady my hand as I swing and chip away.”

Dillion is also the Dad of cute little Drake. You might recognize Drake from the Randy Houser “Boots On” video. The kid is ADORABLE! Check out THIS video or THIS one. The kid is going to be a Superstar.

MADNESS IS…Listening to “Big Poppa’s Underground” on 91.9FM here in Nashville. It happens on Friday nights from 10pm to Midnight. It’s a good kind of madness. Big Poppa rocks and the music he will bring you is new and impressive. It’s some of Nashville’s finest people!

MADNESS IS…Great people joining together for a great cause. That is what happened last week at The Listening Room. Janice and friends did an awesome job putting together a long list of talented singer/songwriters for the “Songs for the Cure” benefit.

It was an amazing night of music. I was just getting back into town, so I only got to see a few people perform. However, that was worth the trip.

Let me just say any time you have the opportunity to go hear people like Billy Dean, Dave Berg, DeAnna Bryant, Trevor Rosen, Lisa Carver,Chas Sandford and Bridgette Tatum sing…GO.

I’ve heard every one of these musicians play and sing prior to that evening and they are always incredible. It is an added bonues that they would lend their time to such an amazing cause.

It turned out to be a pretty great night. Thanks to all who participated or came to support throughout the course of the evening. You rock!

MADNESS IS…not what I was feeling when I saw a past episode of one of my favorite television shows. I think all any girl can ask for from a man is “Brainy Smurf.” If you know what show I’m talking about without checking the clip first…you rule.

MADNESS IS…My disposition when I don’t get enough sleep. That’s a lie. It’s when I don’t get enough Dr. Pepper.

So to end the blog with a quote from the same basketball and life genius we started the blog with…I give you John Wooden.

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

Amen!

Until Next Time…

No Reins!

K

P.S. I almost forgot the “Tweet of the Week.” This one comes from John Mayer (again). What do you want from me?! The guy is funny! “Reading Twitter replies is like day-trading in a 24 hour ego stock exchange. JHNMYR 547.98 (funny joke, + .45)”

I’m almost not smart enough to understand that one. I’ll admit it.