Amelia Earhart once said, “Decide whether or not the goal is worth the risks involved. If it is, stop worrying…”

She was a wise one that Amelia. Right girls?

Risks. They are scary. They are necessary. They are real. They are a part of every, single part of life that truly means something. Therefore, sometimes you have got to take them. Like it or not.

RISK IT IF…you know the outcome can change a life or lives for the better.

Happy belated Father’s Day to all the Dads out there! I have to be honest…being designated a father doesn’t take much more than one night. However, being a DAD takes a lifetime and DADS earn that title.

Being a parent has GOT to be a terrifying thing. The risks involved with loving and raising a little person you helped to create are numerous. However, there are so many men who step up to the challenge and do such a wonderful job. Those are the true heroes. Do you know why? Providing love by being a role model, support system, guide, protector, mentor and safe place for your kids to fall, means everything. You are molding those little people into great individuals. Your love (along with their mother’s love) means the world.  There is no amount of money or gifts that can take the place of a Dad’s love.

I am so, very blessed to have one of the greatest Dads on the planet. Dads do so much for their sons and daughters in the way of teaching them about self-worth, independence, love and a myriad of other things. To all the Dads out there…thank you. You are changing the world for the better.

And to my Dad, thanks for taking the risk. Everything in life I cherish is that way because of you and Mom. I can never thank you enough. Thanks for the hugs, advice, talks, debates, etc. Love ya!

RISK IT IF…you want to stretch your artistic boundaries and have the talent to impress.

I have been a Madonna fan pretty much my whole life. However, it was a surface level love of her music. I thought she was a marketing genius and that is why her recording career was as successful as it was. The woman IS a marketing genius, but it took her taking a HUGE risk for me to truly respect her as an artist.

The year was 1996 and Madonna decided to do a little movie called “Evita.” Absolutely incredible. From that point forward, I never doubted her ability again. If you haven’t seen it, rent it. From beginning to end, it’s stunning. What do you think girls (Who am I kidding? Most of them weren’t even old enough to remember the movie. Damn!)?

I usually have a problem with the Oscars because of the politics. I never had a bigger problem with them than the year Madonna wasn’t even NOMINATED for that role. Keep in mind, she had just WON the Golden Globe. It still ticks me off to this day.

One of her very, best songs is the heartbreaking tune, “You Must Love Me.” It is understated, timid and delivered perfectly by the music veteran. Madonna…RESPECT.

RISK IT IF…you want to really learn about someone and you want them to learn about you.

A really interesting topic was explored in a recent episode of “Criminal Minds.” (I know! I know! It’s an odd place for a topic, but it’s still noteworthy.) The team discussed the importance of eye contact.

Eye contact can tell you VOLUMES about people in a matter of minutes. Remember that oft stated quote…”The eyes are windows to the soul.”

This is the reason people don’t make eye contact with someone they are attracted to when they are unsure if the attraction is reciprocal or if they don’t want the attraction to be known. It gives away too much information in the early stages of the dating game.

Have you ever looked into the eyes of murders, prisoners, the criminally insane or any heartless human when they are interviewed on TV? It is a truly creepy experience…even when you know they are far away. There is that same vacant or uncaring look in the eyes.

Those who are in love have a spark in the eye that others are quick to notice. Those who are in pain emit absolute heartbreak from those windows. Those who like to joke and have a little smart ass fun tell you with their eyes before they have a chance to speak (they are my favorites).

If you’ve ever been to a seminar in the corporate world, they often make you do an exercise where you stare into a stranger’s eyes for a full minute. It’s SO interesting. You share this intimate moment with a complete stranger and not a word is spoken. If you are a private person, it’s a struggle not to look away. The whole thing is actually really cool and unsettling all at the same time.

If you are sure the person is worth it, take the risk. Really LOOK at them and let them LOOK at you. It’s amazing what you will learn about each other and how you will grow. Promise.

RISK IT IF…you love this great country, the people in it and your family.

So I came across a really cool YouTube link last week and I have to share it with you. As we near the 4th of July, it’s important to remember all those amazing men and women who serve this great country. Many of them gave all they had and I will be eternally grateful.

This video is a “happy tears” video. It’s shows the joy people experience when their soldiers return home. If you don’t get a little choked up at this video, you have no heart. It’s that touching. Grab some kleenex and click HERE.

Once again, thank you for serving our country. Y’all are amazing.

RISK IT IF…the darkness will help you see the light.

People always give me a funny look when they find out Edgar Allan Poe is my favorite poet. Hey! What did you expect? Dr. Seuss?!

He is such an amazing wordsmith, but what I find most interesting is how he expresses himself. You see on the surface the poems are dark. If you dig a little deeper, you find the man’s immense ability to FEEL. Let’s face it. You cannot experience and appreciate the light without knowing what the darkness feels like. Edgar just gives the darkness words.

Open yourself up to works that may not exactly mirror your personality. You might learn more about yourself than you ever thought you could.

FYI…THIS is my favorite Edgar Allan Poe poem.

RISK IT IF…the music matters.

And here is the list of music that made a difference this week…

1. “I Do Not Hook Up” by Kelly Clarkson. It’s fun and it’s feisty..two of my favorite things. “You want a chase, but you’re chasin’ your tail. A quick fix won’t ever get you well. Oh. No. I do not hook up…up. I go slow. So if you want me, I don’t come cheap. Keep your head in my hand…your heart on your sleeve. Oh no. I do not hook up…up. I fall deep. Cause the more that you try, the harder I’ll find it to say goodnight.”

2. “I Can” by Nas. My little brother and rap fan extraordinaire said it best. “Nas is like half man/half amazing.” This is a truly inspirational video full of kids rapping and singing with him. “If the truth is told, the youth can grow. They’ll learn to survive until they gain control. Nobody says you have to be gangsters. Read more. Learn more. Change the globe. Ghetto children do your thing. Hold your head up little man, you’re a king. Young Princess when you get your wedding ring, your man is saying, ‘She’s my Queen.’ I know I can (I know I can). Be what I wanna be (Be what I wanna be). If I work hard at it (If I work hard at it). I’ll be where I wanna be (I’ll be where I wanna be).”

3. “Sidestep” by Robin Thicke. This one is FUN! You gotta get your disco on and dance. Those who don’t move with this song, do not enjoy life. The end.

4. “Dreaming With a Broken Heart” by John Mayer. Dear, sweet John Mayer always delivers in the way of music. This one piano danced it’s way onto my iPod this week and made a short stay in my head. “When you’re dreaming with a broken heart, the waking up is the hardest part. You roll out of bed and down on your knees. And for a moment you can hardly breathe.”

5. “I’m Tryin’” by Martina McBride. The first time I heard this song was a great version done by Chely Wright and Diamond Rio. I latched onto the tune right away. Put Martina’s voice on it and the meaning jumps to a whole other level. WOW! It is the soundtrack for a relationship in distress. “No, I can’t change. What’s done is done, but I can tell you this. Not a day goes by that I don’t curse myself and all my sins. And I need you to hold on too while this part of me is dying. Though I haven’t kicked the demons that haunt me. I’m tryin’.”

6. “Lead Me On” by Steve Holy (written by Chuck Wicks). It’s a rare HOT song that is sweet at the same time. I fell in love with the tune the second I listened to it a few years back. “It’s your call. Your move. Baby, it’s up to you ’cause I know you know I’m in your hands. I’m so in love with everything you do. So don’t lead me wrong. Lead me on.” Wow.

7. “Dust on the Bottle” by David Lee Murphy. It’s a classic and I adore it. Every time I hear this song, it takes me back a few years. “There might be a little dust on the bottle, but don’t let it fool you about what’s inside. There might be a little dust on the bottle. It’s just one of those things that gets sweeter with time.”

8. “I Wanna Know What Love Is” by Mariah Carey. The original was outstanding. AND Wynonna’s version is one of my personal favorites. However (as usual), Mariah holds her own with this tune. “In my life there’s been heartache and pain. I don’t know if I can face it again. Can’t stop now. I’ve traveled so far to change this lonely life. I wanna know what love is. I want you to show me. I wanna feel what love is. I know you can show me.”

9. “Like We Never Said Goodbye” by Clay Walker (written by Tiffany Goss and Cory Batten). This one is different and cool at the same time. I think we’ve all been here at some point in our lives. “I didn’t know you were gonna be at that bar when I walked in…til I walked in. Looked up. Saw your face. Turned around and walked back out again. Then I thought there’s too much we’ve shared. So I made myself get ahold of myself and I walked back in. Went right up to you. I could see that you were caught off guard. Neither one of us knew just what to do. So I said, ‘How ya been? Been a while. Tell me how’s your Mama?’ You said, ‘Good. You can sit down if you wanna.’ I said, ‘I was just thinkin bout Oklahoma. Wild roller coaster ride we had that summer.’ Before I knew it we were on our second glass of wine. Sittin there talkin just like we had never said goodbye.” You can go to Tiffany’s MySpace page to hear the female version of the song. She has one heck of a voice!

10. “All Fired Up” by Pat Benatar. What a great soundtrack song for a “risks” blog! It’s been one of my favorites for a whole lot of years. “Aint nobody livin’ in a perfect world. Everybody’s out there cryin’ to be heard. And now I’ve got a new fire burnin’ in my eyes. Lightin up the darkness. Movin’ like a meteorite. (All fired up) Now I believe there comes a time when everything just falls in line. (All fired up) We live and learn from our mistakes. (All fired up) The deepest cuts are healed by Faith.”

11. “Hold That Thought” by Chuck Wicks. It is great. It is hot. It is worth the listen and/or watch. “Now, hold that thought. Hold it right there. Let your mind keep runnin’ wild til I get there. Just imagine. Me lovin’ on you all night long. Can you see it? Feel it? Girl, are you there yet? Now, hold that thought.” Yes, Sir!

12. “I Will Not Say Goodbye” by Danny Gokey. I told you about this one in January when I heard Danny perform it live. It. Is. Incredible. Don’t get me wrong…it’s hard to watch, but the meaning is so heartbreakingly amazing. I’m so glad it’s the current single. Make sure you are emotionally ready to watch this one. “I don’t wanna feel better. I don’t wanna not remember. I will always see your face in the shadows of this haunted place. I will laugh. I will cry. Shake my fist at the sky, but I will not say goodbye.”

RISK IT IF…the music moves.

So I started off the second half of the CMA Fan Fest at a Rock/Pop/Hip-Hop show. When you hear Chris Nathan, you will understand why.

Dear, sweet Chris was playing at the Blue Bar and I hadn’t heard him in a while. That is unacceptable. I always feel a peace of mind when listening to this talented man.

Who else can cover “No Diggity” and then jump into an original tune about emotional roller coasters called “All Four Seasons in a Day”?

Chris always plays the go-to original songs that matter like “Always” and “Spin.” The second he starts singing, everyone in the bar is paying attention and swaying along. He has enough loyal fans, that many are singing his songs back to him.

This time I also got to hear Chris cover a Johnny Cash tune. He put his own very, cool spin on the song “Long, Black Veil.” With that unique tone to his voice and phrasing mastery, Chris stated the haunting lyrics. “She walks through these hills in a long, black veil. She visits my grave when the nightly winds wail. Nobody knows. Nobody sees. Nobody knows but me.”

Mr. Nathan also has the ability to craft amazingly catching songs that leave me singing them for days. Go listen to and buy the tune “Sugarcane.” LOVE IT! “Your love is sweeter than anything that I’ve tasted. Well, I would dig a hole to Hell and fight the flames. If the Devil shackled me, I’d break his chains to taste your sugarcane.It’s sweeter than a summer rain. Blows through me like a windy day. Nothin is sweeter than your sugarcane.”

The other “stay with me” tune of the night was called “Someone I Used to Know.” It’s slow and easy. That makes the song even more likable. “I took a fly to Vegas. Rode a bus to LA. Hitch-hiked to Seattle just to feel the rain. No matter where I am. No matter where I go. Aint nothin’ changed. Just someone I used to know.”

Two thumbs up (as usual) Chris! Carry on…

Later that night took me to see/hear another artist I love and haven’t seen/heard in a while. Dear, sweet Jared Blake was rockin things downtown at 2nd Ave. Live.

Ray and Brit seemed to be having a good time…

Jared is that artist with an edge who also projects a softer side. He is the working man with a rebellious streak. His voice is rugged and hard, while at the same time warm and huggable. It’s a perfect kind of confusion. You listen to the music intently for that reason. You want to know the artist. AND the songs give you a glimpse of Jared.

I mean, there were people who came in off of 2nd Avenue just to see and hear what was going on inside. They ended up staying for a while.

I lean on the catchy/fun songs from Jared like “Easy Lovin’ You.” However, I also stay to hear the biographical tunes like “Whiskey in My Water” (written by Bobby Pinson). “I got whiskey in my water. Willie in my truck. Miss me in my hello. Gypsy in my blood. Teardrops in my wallet. White boy in my blues. And you don’t even know it yet, but Baby I got you.”

Then there will be one of my all-time Jared favorites called “Some Things a Man Can’t Walk Off.” Face it ladies. Sometimes we want the men who didn’t stay to feel this kind of pain. “Here I sit thinkin’ bout a lover. Heart in one hand…bottle in the other. She lies in another man’s arms who aint near as good as me. And it burns to know that I’m the fool who let her go so I sit on this stool and try to drink away all I’ve lost. ‘Cause there’s some things a man can’t walk off.”

PLUS, I had to have a question answer session with Jared that night. Ummm…Jared, what are you doing with a GALLON of water?

No. I couldn’t possibly…

Well, maybe just a little bit…

What?!

I also have to give a shout out to Chance. Here he is with me and Jenn…

I am a little snobby when it comes to DJs. It takes a VERY specific talent to be good at spinnin music for crowds. You have to read the audience, not miss a beat in between songs and have an instinct about where the pacing should go from tune to tune.

Chance is a natural. He got onstage right after Jared was finished and kicked things off with “Crazy Bitch.” He kept the flow kept going with “You Shook Me All Night Long.”

When he noticed the crowd might be a little bit country with an edge…out came “Cowboy Casanova.” Followed by a fun dance mix of “Dust On the Bottle.”

AND right before we left, he busted out music by the Trailer Choir (a new country trio who are a whole lot of fun) called “Off the Hillbilly Hook.”

Chance, that was impressive!

RISK IT IF…the heat doesn’t matter.

We enter into CMA Fan Fest Weekend which is notoriously hot. By hot, I mean that humid, 187 degree kind of day. However, when the artists are that good…it can be tolerated.

First up, was another “Dear, Sweet.” That would be Dear, Sweet Lee Brice at the Riverfront Stage.

How can I best explain Lee Brice? Let’s see…Lee Brice is such a great performer when he is onstage, even the men think he is singing to them…and they’re flattered by it.

Lee is one of the songwriting masterminds behind Garth Brooks’ mega-hit “More Than a Memory” and Lee sings it even better…no lie. He can make a crowd get dance crazy without them even realizing it. Just watch him play “Four on the Floor.” I cannot begin to explain my infatuation with that song. It’s an anomaly. Then there is the tune that makes me stare in awe a little bit. I’ll admit it. Ladies, if you heard him sing “Try” you would too. Trust me on this one.

The song that is currently climbing the charts for Lee is called “Love Like Crazy.” This one is incredible and pretty much sums up the meaning of life. “Be a best friend. Tell the truth and overuse ‘I love you.’ Go to work. Do your best and don’t outsmart your common sense. Never let your prayin knees get lazy. And love like crazy.”

Next up on the Riverfront Stage was Emerson Drive. These Canadians rock my face off and have for years. What a great band!

The voices and blend are pure ear candy. That is the bottom line. Your ears are pleased at what they hear when these men start to sing a song. They are professional romantics with tunes like their new single. It’s called “She’s That Kind of Beautiful.”

They have the ability to teach life lessons in songs like “Moments” and “A Good Man.” They can also vocalize falling in love with tunes like “I Should Be Sleeping” and “Fall Into Me.”

People know and love these songs! Do you know how I know that? The band stopped on the final chorus of “Fall Into Me” and the crowd kept right on singing. That has got to be one of the coolest things an artist can experience.

Do you know what has ALWAYS impressed me about this band? Their music expertise…both instrumentally and vocally. If you know the song “Fall Into Me,” you also know that there is no lead in for that vocally. Do you know how impossible it is to hit harmonies on that kind of intro?! Emerson Drive jumps into it like it’s second nature to them. Perfect every time. THAT my friends in extremely impressive.

Next up was some girl power on the Chevy Stage with Mallary Hope. This woman can SAAAAANG and write a great song.

Check out “I’m a Girl” if you’re a girl with some sass. I adored this one…no particular reason why. “‘Cause I’m a girl. Oh yeah. I can get a free drink by flippin my hear. Stay home with a bottle of wine and you. I’m a girl. I got skills. I can dance all night in 5-inch heels. And make you feel like the luckiest boy in the world. ‘Cause I’m a girl.”

Mallary sing biographical music like the song about her sister’s life called “Wise Beyond Her Tears.” And the talented singer/songwriter produces caring in a tune called “Blossom in the Dust.”

Finally, Mallary can bring you to your knees with the broken, yet hope-filled tune called “Love Lives On.” “And even though I cry like crazy. Even though it hurts so bad. I’m thankful for the time God gave me even though we couldn’t make it last. I’m learnin how to live without you even though I don’t want to. And even with you gone, love lives on.”

If you love great country music, listen to Mallary. It’s worth your time.

The girl power continued on Sunday with the musical stylings of Whitney Duncan. She is a tiny woman with a big voice. The girl has some sass to her songs as well. There were quite a few relatable tunes.

“So Sorry Mama” was about not taking your Mother’s advice when it comes to men. I have NO IDEA what that song is about…at all.

Whitney was also holding the gavel with the tune “Judgment Day.” It’s all about the men who do us wrong…and karma. “Whatever you’ve done. Whatever you did. The Good Lord raised me to forgive. Bite my tongue. Turn my cheek and just walk away. A lie’s a lie and the truth’s the truth. I aint the one you gotta answer to. Let’s just say I wouldn’t want to be you on judgement day.”

She finished with great (and reasonable) expectations in the form of “When I Said I Would.” The chorus says it all. “When I said I would, tell me what was I thinkin’? I gave my heart without even blinkin’. That’s all ya got? Well,  Baby…that’s just no good. Don’t give me that line. You know I won’t buy it. You’re as good at love as you are at lyin’. You said uh-huh, but I just don’t think you understood when I said I would.”

Whitney carried on the torch of girl power awesomeness. Go listen.

You might have heard me discuss the next band in great detail. They go by the name of KingBilly. These guys are a music treat to watch/hear and that Sunday was no different. They kept the tired and hot crowd happy and dancing. That was no easy feat.

I love the play on words in songs like “Damn This River.” It’s the heartbreak tune that leads you in a slightly different direction then first assumed. “Damn this river makes me miss her. Reminds me of what I aint got. Her goodbye left me cryin’. Now all these tears won’t stop until I dam this river.” Nice!

For fun, plug into the songs “I Wanna Come Back As Her Beer” and “Stompin’ Ground.” Even in the extreme heat, the crowd was clapping along with the band.

For some sweet steel guitar action, listen to “She Got Me Good.”

Finally, look for meaning in loss with the tune “Ones That Got Away.” Hey! Raise a glass and sing along…”There’s more fish in the sea. It just wasn’t meant to be. You can’t win ‘em all. I’m probably better off. That’s why they call it Faith. Here’s to the ones that got away.” Added bonus…Matt rapped part of the “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” theme song.

They also sang my very favorite, fast, fun KingBilly song called “When She Breaks Down.” Love. It.

Find a KingBilly show near you, y’all. You won’t regret it.

After a lunch break for pancakes, it was back to the Chevy Stage to see the Trailer Choir. There are four words to describe this trio…fun, fun and MORE fun. Every song puts a smile on the crowds face. Crystal, Vinny and Butter have a way with people that puts them at ease. Crowds feel like they are friends of the band.

The crowd at the Chevy stage grew quickly from the time we arrived until Trailer Choir was finished. Check it out…

The show was well-paced and the move from song to song was seamless with Butter serving as the emcee and lead singer. Vinny was the dancing extraordinaire and Crystal was the power vocals.

For humor, check out the school about bullies…a specific kind of bully actually. It’s called “Your Lucky Day.” The other full-fledged LOL tune is called “Rockin’ the Beer Gut.”

For laid-back summer fun there was “Rollin’ Through the Sunshine,” while “Off the Hillbilly Hook” provided the “refusal to dance is not permitted” song of the day.

The crowd was in full-participation mode for the entire Trailer Choir set. It was quite impressive. Carry on y’all!

AND…then there was the Locash Cowboys. What to say? What to say? I feel like I’ve said it all already. If you haven’t seen them, listened to them or at least voted for the video by now…you’re out of your mind. Too harsh? Nah.

Here is the setting. It’s 215 degrees outside by this point of the day. The crowd is tired and hot…has been listening to music all day…is preparing to listen to music all night…isn’t quite sure what they are in for AND not quite sure if they even care. Enter…the Locash Cowboys.

“C-O-U-N-T-R-Y” has the crowd smiling and some are singing along. “Fresh Off the Farm” has them connecting to familiar lyrics.  “You Got Me” brings the clapping of the hands and tapping of the feet.

Then comes a much-needed break in the energy for the harmonytastic “Keep In Mind”…and the crowd listens. Then it’s back to the races with a brand, new single called “Here Comes Summer.” The entire audience perks up because they know this one. Singing along commences.

Finally, Chris and Preston bring out Storme Warren to help them out with a song for the Troops (“Fight For Your Right To Party”).

It starts like this….

Then goes to here….

AND finishes like this…

By the end of the 20 minute set, the entire crowd is jumping up and down (because Locash asked them to do it). Did I mention it was 215 degrees outside? Oh…okay. Just checking.

My very favorite part of Locash Cowboys show is watching crowds transform. And it happens every time. There are doubters transformed. There are questioners transformed. There are passersby transformed. There are 100% detractors transformed. It makes me happy. That…ladies and gentlemen…is what you call the “It” factor.

I think that sums it up.

The day was finished off by a new trio called Stealing Angels. The group is comprised of Tayla Lynn, Jennifer Wayne and Caroline Cutbirth.

I have heard all three of these women separately, but it was the first time I’d ever heard them collectively. WOW! I have to admit I was impressed by many things about this group.

First, I was impressed with their ability to harmonize so perfectly. The first three-part they hit had me shaking my head in approval. Nice.

Second, I was impressed with the sweet and sassy combination in the songs. Check out the tune “He Better Be Dead.” HAHAHAHAHA! Love. It. “He better be dead…his house burnt down to the ground. He better have two wheels hangin’ off a crumbling ledge, the way I’m feelin’ now. I’m swearin’ his head better be pressed up agains t a gun. After all the things we said. If he aint called by now, he better be dead.”

My other fave from these three was the song “If I Smoked.” This makes 100% sense to me. How about you? “If I drank, I’d be drowin’ in whiskey. If I gambled, I’d be swimmin’ in debt. If I cheated, I’d be runnin’ round this town with your best friend…Lovin’ up on him. If I cussed, I’d have the dirtiest mouth. If I chewed, I’d spit you out. If I smoked, I’d light one up and burn your memory down to the ground.”

Give these ladies a listen. It’s old-school country…and I like it!

RISK IT IF…the Tweet is entertaining.

This week’s “Tweet of the Week” comes from Josh Flint (although it was on Facebook and not Twitter). “There’s an ‘anti-snoring’ iPhone app that beeps when you snore to encourage you to shift positions. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the equation unless the person who hates your snoring also happens to hate loud beeping noises all night.” BAHAHAHAHA!

RISK IT IF…the words have meaning.

I’ll let Leo Buscaglia take that risk to wrap it up for me. “To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure, but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.”

AMEN!

Until Next Time…

No Reins!

K

P.S. It was great to get to hang out with the coolest Mom on the planet this weekend…that would be mine. Love ya Mom!