BCCMA's, etc.
October 26, 2008

Hey y'all!!

I have to admit that the Toby Keith tour was a thrill that I will re-live memories of forever in my head and so will be the the case with the trip to Egypt that we are about to embark on in November to play for the military but some time off has been well deserved. A few days at home can make up for all the time away in a hurry. I'm doing minor repairs to the house due to windstorms, sweeping away all the needles from the Ponderosa pine trees on the property that keep falling on the driveway. But all the while I do it with a smile on my face because I am home! Even for those few days but I still get SOME time there.

I am currently on a plane to Vancouver to hit up the awards show for the BC Country Music Association. I must admit I am so excited at the fact that there are so many great acts this year that have made their mark on the Canadian country music scene. Good luck to Jessie Farrell, Ridley Bent, The Higgen's, Karen Lee Batten and so many others that deserve not only the nominations but the awards I know they'll subsequently win!! Way to represent BC!!!

But I do get to go right back home for more than a week before the Egypt trip! Woo hoo!! More raking and who knows, it may even snow!!

On another interesting note, Australian country artist, Brad Cole, has recorded a version of "Hold My Beer" and is going to be released in January with a video in Oz!! This is great for myself, Mitch and Deric Ruttan who wrote the song as that could help get our foot in the door over there to release our own music and perhaps do some touring in Australia. Would you guys come and see us over there?? I hope so!

I have to admit that lately I have been buying cd's randomly and I think what I would like to do is suggest a cd to buy with every journal I write. With this being the first time I've written about this then I will tell you a bunch that I have bought and my fave's. They are not all country but have many country inflections. Anyone who loves country listens to everything, just like me so I hope you like my suggestions.

First off is the one I am currently listening to on my ipod and that is a new album by a guy named James Morrison called "Songs For You, Truths For Me". Buy it! This guy is great and the album is reminiscent of Johnny Reid. So if you like Johnny then you'll love this album.

Another wicked album is "Seven Second Surgery" by my buddy Dave Faber and his band Faber Drive. This is a very great rock album by a really cool guy. You'll recognize Dave and some of his band mates from the Let's Get Rowdy video. He's the guy that throws the beer at me and says "play something that we know!" This album is in my top 5 of all time records.

My next choice is Colbie Caillat's album. It's great. When I started getting into running, I used her album as motivation. Real easy listening but I think this girl is a brilliant writer and an awesome singer.

Another great group of tracks is Katy Perry's album. Everyone knows the song "I Kissed A Girl" and that is a great song but this album is really well written but more than that, this girl is the real deal when it comes to singers. She is amazing! Have a listen and you decide.

Other than that, in country and especially Canada, there are quite a few records like, obviously, label-mate Jessie Farrell's album is a cool new spin on country and George Canyon is coming out with a new record produced by Richard Marx that I look forward to. My buddy Gord Bamford has some cool sounding songs that makes me suggest that record too!

Some all-time favorites that I would suggest would be Michael Buble's "This Time" album which I believe to be incredible. Such a smooth voice and delivery that is amazing but the production as well, by David Foster, is second to NONE!

Another is ANY Theory Of A Deadman album. Tyler Connoly and the boys keep hitting the mark head on with every record. Love his voice too. It's killer! On a side note, we are re-releasing the Big Wheel cd with the duet version of "The Weight" that Tyler and I did so watch for it before Christmas time!
And my last cd I recommend you buying or downloading (from iTunes only!) Is Amy Winehouse's cd Back To Black. It's phenomenal! She may be a huge screw-up in most other aspects of her life but when it comes to this album, she shines! Get it!

I hope all of you are doing well! Please request the video on CMT and song at radio for "How Do I Get There" and I really hope to see you in the new year somewhere at some time!!!

Aaron