And the winner is......

I should have mentioned this last week.  I hope for this blog to be interactive, so feel free to comment or respond if you feel like it.  Please be respectful of others opinions and keep the language PG. 

First things first.  Does anyone have a good home remedy for poison ivy?  I've been working in a tree-line along our property and got a few hot spots on my legs.  I know a hot shower isn't the answer!!

I hope the "Church Choir" will have mercy on me for what I'm about to say.  I want to establish the fact that I'm a big Eric Church fan.  I keep his cd's "Sinners Like Me" and "Carolina" in my truck and listen to them often.  I know all of his songs.  But I had to scratch my head last week when I read that Eric won the "Best New Solo Artist" award from the Academy of Country Music.  His debut album "Sinners..." was released along with the single "How 'Bout You" in 2006, and that single reached #14 on the country charts.....in 2006.  Since then, he has charted six top 20 songs.  To me a new artist is someone who released their debut single within the last 18 - 24 months.  It's always fun for us fans to debate whether Brad Paisley should have won Entertainer of the Year, or if George Strait or Kenny Chesney should have won because they are all legitimate candidates, and deserving of the award.  I know the Academy didn't pick him as the winner, it was fan voted, which opens up a whole new can of worms.  Eric has been on the radio and on tour for WAY longer than the other two guys, so obviously he has more fans that will go stuff the ballot box.  Eric was nominated along with Easton Corbin and Randy Houser.  Randy's first single charted in 2008 and Easton's in 2009.  What about Josh Thompson, Justin Moore and Jerrod Niemann?  Each of them has had multiple hit songs since 2008.  What's even more confusing to me, is when the Academy of Country Music had Chris Young up for "New Artist" in 2007 AND in 2010.  Will he be nominated again in 2013?  Luke Bryan was also nominated in 2008 and 2010.  I can see someone getting a "new artist" nomination two years in a row, but '07 and '10?  As they say on ESPN, "C'MON MAN!!".   I'm glad to see Eric get recognized for his work.  I just wish he would have won this award back in 2007 or 2008.......when he was a new artist.  Have mercy Church Choir.  Have mercy.  By the way, WXBM will have the annual ACM Award Show Party at Sam's Fun City on April 3rd.  Keep listening for a chance to win your invitations!

Another news story that caught my attention this week said that Sugarland is back from their tour in the UK and were "heavily influenced" by what they heard on UK pop radio.  Also that they plan on making a conscious shift in that direction with their music.  More on this story in next week's blog.

Don't forget the 13th annual Children's Miracle Network Radiothon runs Wednesday - Friday of this week.  We're looking forward to some fun new stuff this year.  Hope you will be able to tune in and help out.

Thank you for taking time to read again this week, and thanks for listening to Your Country 102.7 WXBM!! 

Upcoming Country CD's

March 8th

Sara Evans - "Stronger"

April 5th

Craig Campbell - "Craig Campbell"

April 12th

Alison Krauss - "Paper Airplane"

May 24th
Brad Paisley - "This Is Country Music"

TBD

Martina McBride

Ronnie Dunn (Bleed Red)

Sunny Sweeney (From A Table Away)

Lady Antebellum

Eric Church

CD's Now Available
Jane Dear Girls - "Jane Dear Girls"

Thompson Square - "Thompson Square"

Joe Nichols - "Greatest Hits"

Upcoming Concerts

March 11th
John Conlee - Farmers Opry in Chumuckla

March 12th

Colt Ford, Corey Smith and Matt Stillwell - Wharf in Orange Beach
John Conlee - Farmers Opry in Chumuckla

March 18th

Zac Brown Band - Wharf in Orange Beach

Justin Moore and Jerrod Neimann - BeulahFest at the Escambia County Equestrian Center

March 19th

Joe Diffie, Sammy Kershaw and John Michael Montgomery - BeulahFest at the Escambia County Equestrian Center

April 14th

Sugarland and Little Big Town - Pensacola Civic Center