“For years, I’ve heard people say, ‘That’s what she said & well…’she’ sounds like a super freak. I hope one day we’ll meet. That’s what I said.”

- Jerrod Niemann (via Twitter)

Mr. Niemann used a saying made famous by “The Office” to crack me up earlier this week. Plus, it made me wonder some things. What exactly did “she” say? And is there a “he” that says stuff? And who are these people? And where do “they” currently reside?

So, I figured “I” would do some analysis…

“One, two, three and to the four. Snoop Doggy Dogg and Dr. Dre is at the door.” THAT’S WHAT HE SAID. He DID…Snoop and Dr. Dre that is.

At 45-years-old, Dr. Dre still has a presence. He is just freakin cool. Seriously. Some people have that smooth “it” factor. Dr. Dre is one of those people. He has been rappin’ since I can remember and could even make health nuts want to buy more Dr. Pepper. If it can make me spin some sweet tunes, I will take what the Dr. is prescribing. “Slower is better. Trust me. I’m a Dr.”

“I love the Batman Building.” THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID. And by “she,” I mean me. It’s just awesome and 100% Nashville. Why do we call it the “Batman Building” and not the AT&T Building? This is why…

“She’s in on it.” THAT’S WHAT HE SAID (My friend Andy). Andy then sent me the SNL skit about the Shake Weight. That had my laughing until I was in tears. OF COURSE, she’s in on it.

“It was all that Dan Marino’s fault. Everyone knows that. If he had held the ball laces out, like he was supposed to, Ray would never have missed that kick. Dan Marino should die of gonorrhea and rot in Hell. Would you like a cookie son?” THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID. Mrs. Finkle in Ace Ventura…not me.

“A good boy always does what his mother asks him to do.” THAT’S WHAT HE SAID (Dear, sweet Harry T. Burn). Who is Harry? Let me explain why I heart this guy.

This past week (August 18, 1920) marked 90 years since women were granted the right to vote in America. It was a hard-fought battle to earn this right and (interestingly enough) was decided right here in Nashville, TN.

To become law, the 19th Amendment needed the support of 36 states and 35 were in favor when the vote reached Tennessee. Young (24-years-old) Harry T. Burn wasn’t going to vote for the Amendment…until his Mother asked him to do so. He broke a 48-48 tie vote and the lives of women from that point forward were changed for the better. So, thank you Harry. I am SOOOO glad that’s what you said. In fact, ALL of us women are glad that’s what you said.  ;-)

“Personally, I like the extra body heat. You know I’m always cold!” THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID. “I’m a lap sitter, which doesn’t sit well at all with my little wife.” THAT’S WHAT HE SAID. Then… “I would wager that couples who sit side-by-side also feed each other too.” THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID. Then…”Yes.” THAT’S WHAT HE SAID. Then…”I sit next to Mike a lot since I can’t hear a thing out of my right ear and he can’t out of his left…works perfectly. You young whippersnappers!” THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID. Then…”Always sit across.” THAT’S WHAT HE SAID. Then…”There’s a whole other side! MOVE and give me some space dude!” THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID.

What stirred this heated debate on Facebook and Twitter? One simple question…”Is it cool to sit on the same side of a booth when you’re a couple?” And THAT is what they said.

“I’ll take a double McSteamy Dreamy please.” THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID…and I 100% agreed. What?! We are only one month from Grey’s Anatomy. It’s a perfectly appropriate Sunday Night Facebook Poll (McDreamy vs. McSteamy). *sigh*

“People are like dirt. They can either nourish you and help you grow as a person or they can stunt your growth and make you wilt and die.” THAT’S WHAT HE SAID (Thanks Plato).

“Quit effin stealing music and movies!” THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID. And by she, I mean me. Sorry. I had to get that out after seeing a really ridiculous argument for why stealing is okay this past week. It’s one thing to download illegally. It’s another thing to justify it with that wonderful reason…”Everybody’s doing it.” WTF?! All right. All right. I’ll take a deep breath.

“There are no such things as limits to growth, because there are no limits to the human capacity for intelligence, imagination and wonder.” THAT’S WHAT HE SAID. “He” would be Ronald Reagan.

We can grow in so many amazing ways. You can even find growth in a little box. Right Brit…

I am constantly in awe of what I learn from people and music on a daily basis. Wanna know what I learned this week in the way of music? Ready or not…

1. “Someday” by Mariah Carey. “The one you gave away will be the only one you’re wishing for. Someday. Hey. Hey.” At least THAT’S WHAT MARIAH SAID.

2. “You Don’t Love Me Anymore” by Tim McGraw. “And how far we’ll travel for a place to heal our hearts. We watched it unravel so why’s tonight the hardest part?” THAT’S WHAT TIM SAID.

3. “The Beauty of Who You Are” by Marc Broussard. “There’s a silent conversation filled with hidden revelations in your eyes. Baby, I’m so into you. Every whisper from your soul to my heart. Baby, I know it’s true. You’re a sweet little mystery sent to me from the start and that’s the beauty of who you are.” THAT’S WHAT MARC SAID. And Marc can say whatever the heck he wants.

4. “Open Your Heart” by Madonna. This is old-school Madonna kids. Listen and learn. “Open your heart to me. I hold the lock and you hold the key.” THAT’S WHAT MADONNA SAID. And Madonna is many years of awesome.

5. “Why Wait” by Rascal Flatts. Oh it reminds me of that first album a little bit. YEAH! It’s fun, fun, harmonious fun! “Why wait another minute for something we should have done yesterday? I know a little church with a preacher who can hook us up right way. Love don’t need a reason. Baby I don’t see how I could love you anymore then I do today. So why wait?” THAT’S WHAT RASCAL FLATTS SAID. And more importantly, THAT’S WHAT NEIL THRASHER (and co-writers) SAID.

6. “What If You Stay” by Chuck Wicks. I am still trying to figure out why the label didn’t release this as a single. It is overwhelming and catchy and relatable and meaningful. It combines everything this artist says he was raised on…country and pop and rock. Listen to it. Tell me what you think. “What if I told you I’d change? Would you still walk away. What if I told you I love you? Would you say that it’s too late? What if you could feel what I feel when I watch you slowly drift away? What if you’re wrong. What if I’m right? You could move on, but what if you stay?” THAT’S WHAT CHUCK SAID.

7. “Undo It” by Carrie Underwood. This one is my favorite on her latest album. Come on ladies! We’ve all be there. “You stole my happy. You made me cry. Took the lonely and took me for a ride. And I wanna uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-undo it. You had my heart. Now I want it back. I’m starting to see everything you lack. Boy, you blew it. You put me through it. I wanna uh-uh-uh-undo it.” And THAT’S WHAT CARRIE SAID.

8. “Little Rock” by Collin Raye. One of my favorite songs ever written for it’s ability to haunt. Those mistakes that we all make are hard to deal with and even more difficult to correct. This song takes you down a very, specific path. “I think I’m on a roll here in Little Rock. I’m solid as a stone, baby wait and see. I’ve got just one, small problem here in Little Rock. Without you, Baby I’m not me.” THAT’S WHAT COLLIN SAID.

9. “I Told You So” by Keith Urban. This is just a cool, freakin way to say you are right. The rhythms are sweet and the song welcomes back the lost lover with arms open. “Well oh. Can’t you see that for worse or for better, we’re better together? Please. Just come back home. No, don’t say that you’re sorry and I won’t say I told you so.” THAT’S WHAT KEITH SAID.

10. “Summer of ‘69″ by Bryan Adams. This one always throws me directly back to childhood and puts a smile on my face. How can you not adore the meaning? “I got my first real six string. Bought it at the five-and-dime. Played it ’til my fingers bled. It was the Summer of ‘69.” THAT’S WHAT BRYAN SAID.

11. “Keep in Mind” by Locash Cowboys. Without a doubt, in the past two years there has not been a song I’ve been MORE excited to hear on the radio then this one. It’s just been sitting there ready for y’all to enjoy. The fiddle…the piano…the harmony…the meaning…the power ballad…the songwriter. It’s kind of amazing. Do me one favor. Give it a chance by clicking on the link. I would appreciate it. “I know those dreams you’re trying to chase. You want them now, but they won’t wait. Last thing you’re thinking about is slowing it down and the ones you left behind. I’m always thinking of you, cause when somebody loves you that’s what they do all of the time. So keep in mind.” THAT’S WHAT THE BOYS SAID.

“We find comfort among those who agree with us — growth among those who don’t.” THAT’S WHAT HE SAID (Frank A. Clark)

A while back, I got challenged (and you know how much I hate that). There was a difference of opinion on how we mark historical events. Because I’m not the best with dates, places and times, I got called out. HOLD ON! I explained that if given a song from the same time of the significant historical event, I would be able to place it.

It’s not just personal events to which songs are attached. Tell me where THIS song takes you…or THIS song…or how about THIS one? They take you to a year…a month…a day…a moment. Once again, music matters.

Do you know who else helped with the music and history lesson? Last Wednesday, I was able to hear one of my very favorite songwriters in town. His name is D. Vincent Williams and he also happens to be an incredible singer.

As for that history lesson…D. Vincent helped out with the lyrics to a Kenny Rogers cut he had called “The Last 10 Years.” It was written right after we lost Christopher Reeve and captures so much about the world we live in and how it is so quickly changing. “Well, the last 10 years, look at the hills we’ve climbed. The best golfer’s black, the best rapper’s white and it’s about damn time. But we best beware, there’s a brand, new fight you see. And I hate to say, we might be our own worst enemy. We watched Oklahoma sifting through the damage. And we watched a US President get caught. We watched shareholders watch their savings vanish. We all cried when we watched those towers fall. We lost Minnie Pearl, Ron Reagan and Sam I Am. We even lost Superman.”

It’s difficult to explain the D. Vincent Williams experience because it’s so cool. A listener immediately feels welcome and part of the entire show. D. Vincent is so overwhelmingly humble, it’s hard to believe…but you do.

He has a way of spinning words into feelings and bringing you into the stories of the tunes he sings. If you want comparisons, how about comparing the stages of your life to the stages you have and will sing upon. That is what he does in the tune “Stages.”

Most recently, you have probably heard D. Vincent’s song “Just Got Started Lovin’ You” by James Otto. It was a big hit for James and I have a whole lot of fun hearing D. Vincent put his soulful spin on the tune. It is obvious the song is owned by Mr. Williams.

Every time I’ve heard him play, D. Vincent leaves himself wide open to express where these tunes originated. No story is more touching then the one that goes with the Rascal Flatts song “I’m Movin’ On.” I’ve heard the explanation about how it was difficult to get this song even published…and then cut…and then placed on an album…and then released as a single. However, the strength of the song and the perseverance of it’s writers, singers and producers got the job done.

That night I was able to hear where the song came from…and I mean where in the heart and soul it originated. You see D. Vincent had never met his co-writer Phillip White until the day they wrote “I’m Movin’ On” together. D. Vincent said it had been such a rough time in his life, he would have cancelled the writing appointment with Phillip…if he could have found his phone number to do so. Instead, the songwriter walked into the room and was immediately asked by Phillip what was wrong. That is when D. Vincent broke down in tears…in front of a total stranger.

The two men sat and talked about everything that was going on and decided not to write anything that day…until D. Vincent started playing some notes on the piano. Phillip asked what he was playing and when D. Vincent began to sing (what is now the second verse of I’m Movin’ On), Phillip’s eyes lit up. Within minutes, a poem Phillip has written years prior became the first verse and the rest (as they say) is history.

You hear me rave about songs often. However, there are two song in the history of my life that have actually moved me to action…this is one of those tunes. As I sat listening to D. Vincent beautifully deliver the lyrics, I had to look at the ceiling to avoid the waterfall of tears from falling. Incredible song…amazing night…unmatched artist. Thank you D. Vincent. I owe ya one…or a million.

“I’m movin’ on. At last I can see, life has been patiently waiting for me. And I know there’s no guarantees, but I’m not alone. There comes a time in everyone’s life when all you can see are the years passin’ by and I have made up my mind that those days are gone.”

THAT’S WHAT D. VINCENT SAID.

“Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.” THAT’S WHAT JOHN F. KENNEDY SAID.

Have I mentioned Randy Houser before today? This guy is certainly not a conformist and that is precisely what I love about him and his music. It was time for me to break out of the comfort zone of Nashville to see how folks outside of the city limits react to one of my favorite up-and-coming artists.

SOOOO…to Louisville I went. And this is what the crowd looked like…

They kind of loved them some Randy Houser…and I was overjoyed to see it. This crowd was singing back to him on all the songs played over the radio airwaves like “Anything Goes,” “Whistlin’ Dixie” and “Boots On.”

You can also tell that Randy has a good time entertaining crowds. It is obvious that is the reason he is playing music. I even got to enjoy one of my favorites in the form of “My Kind of Country.”

Here is why Randy is far from a conformist. You are about to hear songs from the second album which will be released on September 21st. The first single is called “A Man Like Me,” so be listening for it. This album will be unexpected if all you know of Randy is the first album. The songs are all great, but he’s goin old-school on you for album number two.

Every song has an old country undertone and Randy’s voice suits that style. If you are a fan of the greats, you are gonna love it. He calls upon the influence of his music idols on many of the tunes. I’m gonna be honest. Friday night, I had fun hearing the difference. AND I had an even better time watching the crowd react to music they had never heard until that night. THAT is always the true test.

I can’t wait to see what happens for Randy in the near future. He is hands down one of the most talented artists in town and I am never disappointed at a live show.

It was also great to meet Lauren and Vanessa…

As well as convince Kristen to “Rock On Together” with me this week…

We were trying to rock Louisville’s face off. Who knows if it worked. I do know Randy was successful in winning over the Kentucky public at 4th Avenue Live.

“Round here get the laid-back low down. Little bit of Waylon. Whole lot of Motown. Might sound just a little bit funky. But, hey y’all! That’s my kind of country.”

THAT’S WHAT RANDY EFFIN’ HOUSER SAID.

“If we’re growing, we’re always going to be out of our comfort zone.”

THAT’S WHAT JOHN MAXWELL SAID.

So out of my comfort zone I went on Saturday. Where? To Woodstock of course. It was a really cool place, but I have to be honest. I thought there would be a lot more hippies, recreational drug use and free love.

Woodstock was a beautiful little Georgia town though. Yes, Woodstock, Georgia. Where did you think I meant?!

There was a cute little gazebo that served as a stage for the musicians who played that night.

The people were really sweet and quick to offer up any help or information we needed. Probably because in a town that small…they know when strangers are among them…

At least we weren’t driving this Pac-Man car (even though I REALLY wanted to) or we would have stuck out like a sore thumb…

Chuck Wicks put on a great show for the crowd and everyone had a great time! I told you about Chuck’s show last review and it was just as good this time. However, like Randy, it was nice to see Chuck perform outside of the confines of Nashville. There seems to be more of a lighthearted, no-pressure feel in other places. I can completely understand that concept.

All-in-all, the week was fantastic and I am ready for the awesomeness that will begin in approximately 17 hours and continue through Sunday evening. Oh yeah. It’s on!

THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID (me).

So what is the Tweet of the Week?

“Today I hope I can be the person my dog thinks that I am.”

THAT’S WHAT DANNY GOKEY SAID.

Until Next Time…

No Reins!

K

P.S. If you like what you’ve been reading, I would immensely appreciate your vote for Rock On Together in the “Best of Nashville” contest. Click on the “Media” tab and then type in “Rock On Together” under Music Blog. You have to vote for 20 categories to make it count, so vote for these great artists as well. Thanks y’all! You have and always will rock my face off.