“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” – Albert Schweitzer

Well, how in the heck have y’all been?! I have missed you lots, but the time off was needed. Writer’s block is a bitch! Sorry, but it is.

Breaks allow time for discoveries…both within ourselves and the world that surrounds us. When we step back and take a breath, the important details of life become more clear, we are able to let people inspire us and our passions are rediscovered.

Basically, we are able to see all of the things for which we should be thankful. AND just in time for Thanksgiving…how ironic! At least by Alanis Morissette standards.

Thankfully…There are doubters and haters to provide motivation. This is very beneficial if used in the correct way. I’ve heard.

Just ask Mark Twain…”Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them, the rest of us could not succeed.”

Thankfully…Class never ages. Vanessa Redgrave reminded me of that as I watched “Letters to Juliet” a few weeks ago. She also gives great “real life” advice.

“Ask the right questions if you’re to find the right answers.”

I have been working on it and it’s amazing how many correct answers you actually get.

Thankfully…We matter and romance is still alive. Movies contain many fun explanations, but I find more joy in the real life examples.

Thankfully…Strength is built over time by a consistent, emotional workout. This strength is far more important than the physical kind and MUCH harder to build.

Thankfully…It’s never wrong to follow your instincts and trust people. Even when you end up being wrong.

Thankfully…Clarity finds you at the strangest times. It is in those times that your world changes dramatically and, more often than not, for the better.

Thankfully…Fear deserves a punch in the face and we have the power to deliver that punch. Swing away.

Thankfully…You don’t need to ask people how they feel about you. They will show you. The trick is listening.

Thankfully…Whoever was in charge of the “Morning Glory” soundtrack is a genius. When the first notes of “Free Me” by Joss Stone started, I was sold. “Don’t tell me that I won’t. I can. Don’t tell me that I’m not. I am. Don’t tell me that my master plan aint comin’ through. Don’t tell me that I won’t. I will. Don’t tell me how to think. How to feel. Don’t tell me cause I know what’s real. What I can do.”

The movie was pretty awesome too. Although I have to admit, I might have related to Rachel McAdams’ character a little too much.

Thankfully…I have people in my life who will get into intelligent debates with me. I. Love. It. How in the heck do you learn anything if you’re never challenged? Differences of opinion is what makes life fun. There are many times I’ve learned about my friends and family as well as myself, because of a good debate. Don’t shut down your mind. Keep it open and learn! I especially have fun battling Lair. I mean he’s ALWAYS wrong.

Thankfully…We can learn to not just work hard, but also smart.

Thankfully…It’s never too late to become of fan. *Insert Jason Aldean music here*

Thankfully…We have the power to eliminate “What Ifs” from our lives. If we don’t, they can become really, really overwhelming.

One of my favorite quotes from a movie is…”‘What’ and ‘If’ are two words as nonthreatening as words come. But put them together, side-by-side and they have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life.” – via “Letters to Juliet”

Figure it out. No regrets. I promise no matter what the answer is…it’s 200 times better than wondering.

Thankfully…My basketball team is good this year so I can watch them on ESPN, even when I live far away. GO CATS!

Thankfully…My friends are some of the most intelligent people on the planet. They give great advice and I am a thankful beneficiary.

AND my youngest friends are some of the smartest.

Thankfully…Country music currently makes me proud. Just compare the CMAs to the AMAs. Enough said.

However, there WAS this performance. Come on. You know all the words. Admit it. Plus, they can still dance.

Thankfully…We are constantly given amazing music for digital consumption.

Six albums in two weeks. Yep. That’s what I purchased. And it was worth every cent. You know I love to spread the music love (It’s kind of the purpose of the website). Therefore, let me tell you about the awesomeness of the albums and a few great songs from each.

Are you ready?! I know I am.

Jason Aldean – “My Kind of Party”: I was slow to join this party, but now I’m staying until the last person leaves. As a new Jason Aldean fan, I waded into the music slowly…maybe afraid it would be too cold. There was no need. Every song is pretty incredible. With the songwriters Jason chose, it’s impossible for the tunes not to be ear candy. If you like country music, your money will not be wasted on this album.

Favorites: “Fly Over States,” “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson and “See You When I See You.”

Shelly Fairchild (a.k.a. Ruby Go Go) – “Ruby Go Go”: Shelly Fairchild is amazing. She is a performer with impressive vocal ability. Add in a whole lot of soul, a big band feel and strong background vocal support and you have a great album.

Favorites: “Love Everybody,” “Try the Truth” and “Somebody Pick Me Up.”

Rascal Flatts – “Nothing Like This”: They have been my boys for more than 10 years for a reason. The music always finds me when I need it. They rely on great songwriters, sweet harmonies, fun and romantic heartbreak. This album allows the trio to shine with both glimpses into their music past as well as a smooth transition into the present. They rarely let me down. This album is no different.

Favorites: “Easy” with Natasha Bedingfield, “Summer Young,” “All Night to Get There” and “I Won’t Let Go.”

Keith Urban – “Get Closer”: The first time I heard Keith Urban play live, I fell in love. He owned the music he sang and was so passionate about what he was doing, the passion was contagious. His sophomore album is still one of my favorites of all time. This one has that kind of fun and nostalgia. I am also proud to say that a couple of guys who go by the name the “Locash Cowboys” have a tune on the album. AND it’s quite possibly the best song of the bunch.

Favorites: “Put You In A Song,” “You Gonna Fly” and “All For You”

P!nk – “Greatest Hits…So Far”: I love pretty much everything about P!nk. I have to admit that I only had to buy about four of these songs since I already owned all the rest. There are very, few artists I respect as much as this woman. She has been going strong for years and is easily the most underrated artist in the business. How many people do you know who can sing while hanging upside down from a trapeze? Yeah. Not many. To quote P!nk herself…”Outcasts. Girls with ambition. That’s what I wanna see.”

Favorites: “Stupid Girls,” “Sober,” “So What” and “Don’t Let Me Get Me.”

Nelly – “5.0″: Nelly…Ohhhh Nelly. I freakin love this artist. This album is no exception. It is full of club-Nelly awesomeness as well as a softer side of the artist. Nelly has a very, specific way of phrasing and singing that lets you know immediately who is behind the mic. He also has no fear when it comes to recording something a little different. I love that.

Favorites: “Just a Dream,” “Nothing Without Her,” “Long Gone” and “Move That Body.”

Thankfully…There are always amazing artists I haven’t heard in Nashville. God Bless Music City!

I spent the past two months listening to music for fun only and somewhere along the way, my passion was restored. It was right around November 13th that I decided it was time to take some notes and let y’all know about a couple of wonderful artists.

3rd and Lindsley was calling my name. When I arrived, it was to find a giant line around the building. You see, Shelly Fairchild can bring a crowd. At that point, I had only heard one song out of the woman and I understood.

However, first up was an artist Brit had been raving about since she heard him. His name is Isaac Hayden. WOW! Times 100. That is the guy that brought some inspiration back into my music life. He started singing and I was stuck in a trance.

Isaac has this strong, clear, almost perfect voice. It reminds me of water gliding over smooth rocks in a stream…clear with a little texture for beauty. The Wyoming native impressed me as he sang song after song.

I was instantly moved by the song “Gravity.” It discusses the pull of love. “The world keeps spinnin’. It turns me around. One day I’ve got it on a string. The next day it’s pulling me down. I’m much stronger when you’re pulling me. Why can’t you see, you’re my gravity.”

He then guided me through a fun tune with insane pacing called “She Waits.” I can’t even describe why I fell. I just did.

There was the bluesy, deep tune “She’s Gone.” It’s just that voice, a drum box and guitar. That is more than enough. I felt like Isaac was leading me over to the stage with sheer performance ability alone. It is a very, specific power.

There were numerous other tunes and I was extremely satisfied to just sit there and take it all in. I felt like his songs were telling me his story. It was personal and real. That is the most difficult sell for an artist and Isaac sold me hook, line and sinker.

Like I said, I am newly inspired and a forever fan of Isaac Hayden. Wow. Did I mention…Wow? Look him up on YouTube. Buy the CD. Just listen to the music. You won’t be sorry. At. All.

Next up was Shelly Fairchild. OMG. This woman is incredible and the music is inspired. You do not listen to a Shelly Fairchild show…you experience it. Shelly’s voice is strong and steamy and heartbreaking and sassy and encompassing all at once. She was accompanied by a big band section and incredible background vocalists. And the energy can barely be contained in any room in which she performs. Fun. Lots and lots of fun.

Do you need a song for the liar in your life (“Try the Truth”)? “You should think it over. Sell me something better. Dig deep. Find a new line. Something I’ll believe the first time. Can you be authentic? Say what you mean. Let me know you meant it. Let it out. Let it out. Get inspired. Even if…even if you’re a liar. Try the truth. Try the truth. You’ve tried everything. You should try the truth.”

How about for demanding a little accountability (“You Said”)? “You said. ‘I’m never gonna leave you.’ You said. ‘Don’t you know I need you?’ Don’t know why I didn’t see through. I can still hear every word. You said, ‘Baby, I should trust you.’ You said you were gonna be true. I can’t believe that I believed you. You can’t take back everything you said.”

Maybe there is just a need for some sassiness in your world (“What You Gonna Do”). “What ya gonna do to get me to want you? Show me what you’ve got. Let me see a menu. Tell me what you know. I wanna feel the words. I’m just that kind of girl. So what ya gonna do? What ya gonna do to get me to want you?”

She also gives you a tune for letting go and embracing love over hate (“Love Everybody”). “I feel love y’all. That’s what I feel. Every time I let go of my fear. Freedom. Free from the hatred. Oh Lord how long I’ve waited to arrive where I’ve landed in peace and understanding. One thing that time has taught me. You’ve got to love everybody.”

I could go on and on about this artist. She is that good. Go buy the CD and more importantly go experience a live show. It is worth every second of your time. Promise.

Thankfully…Twitter keeps me laughing. Especially when I read “Tweets of the Week” like this one from Katie Armiger. “My trainer told me not to eat too much food on Thanksgiving…I call exception. It’s the one day that everything you eat has no calories.”

Thankfully…Harrison Ford is a very intelligent man who speaks wisely to the masses.

“All I would tell people is to hold onto what was individual about themselves, not to allow their ambition for success to cause them to try to imitate the success of others. You’ve got to find it on your own terms.”

Thankfully…y’all actually read this. It makes what I do worth it. It sure is good to be rid of “The Block.”

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and eat lots of turkey!

Until Next Time…

No Reins!

K