New Aldean & Swift

For months now, Jason Aldean and Taylor Swift fans have been anxiously awaiting new music.  People like myself have been telling you that Jason & Taylor have been in studio working on new material for quite some time, and now we finally have some more info on what to expect from both artists. 

Jason's new CD will be titled "Night Train" and will have 15 new songs.  He said "There are some surprises on there that might raise a few eyebrows, and there's also some more traditional stuff too. I don't like being put in a box, and I think with every record, we've had a lot of variety. Night Train is no different".  All along, there have been rumors that Aldean was working with a hip-hop artist or artists, so that could be what the surprise is all about.  I'm not crazy about the country/rap thing that is going on now, but I can accept it as part of the ever-evolving genre of country music.  I really do like his first single "Take A Little Ride". 

Jason also confirmed that he recorded a song with Eric Church and Luke Bryan called "The Only Way I Know".  Here's a complete track list:

1. "This Nothin' Town"
2. "When She Says Baby"
3. "Feel That Again"
4. "Wheels Rollin'"
5. "Talk"
6. "The Only Way I Know" (with Luke Bryan and Eric Church)
7. "Take a Little Ride"
8. "I Don't Do Lonely Well"
9. "Night Train"
10. "1994"
11. "Staring at the Sun"
12. "Drink One for Me"
13. "Black Tears"
14. "Walking Away"
15. "Water Tower"

Night Train will be released October 16th.

Last Monday Taylor Swift held a live webcast and announced a few details about her new CD.  The project is called "Red" and will feature 16 new songs.  Taylor told her fans that all the songs on the CD were written about the "tumultuous, insane, intense, semi-toxic relationships I’ve experienced in the past two years".  Unlike her last CD, Taylor enlisted the help of other songwriters for Red.  The first single (which isn't about Joe (or whichever) Jonas) is called "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" and you can hear that on 102.7 WXBM.  Taylor will release Red on October 22nd.

Thoughts & prayer going out this week to Wynonna's husband Cactus Moser, who was involved in a serious motorcycle wreck in South Dakota.  His injuries aren't life threatening, but doctors did have to amputate his leg above the knee.

Got a bunch of free concert tickets for you to win!  Keep listening this week to score free Lynyrd Skynyrd tix!  Two ways to win....listen to 102.7 WXBM and we'll let you know when to call in.  Also, keep an eye on our facebook page (www.facebook.com/1027wxbm) and we'll post on facebook when it's time to call and which caller to be.  We'll play all week for Skynyrd tickets.  We'll also be giving you chances to see Zac Brown Band and Dwight Yoakam at DeLuna Fest!!  More info to come on that on WXBM and at www.delunafest.com

Have a great week! Thanks for listening to Your Country 102.7 WXBM!!!

Aug/Sept Community Events Calendar

If you're looking for some good ways to serve your neighbor and your community, there are quite a few events coming up in August & September that you may be interested in.  Here's the WXBM Community Events Calendar:

August 15th

Operation Clothe 'Em:  Clean out your closets for a good cause!  Operation Clothe 'Em is looking for donations of clothing to benefit Gulf Coast Kids House, Pace Center for Girls and the Acute Stabilization Unit at Lakeview.  Looking for toddler - teen sizes.  Donate at Florida Blue Center at the corner of 9th & Airport from 10am-2pm this Wednesday, August 15th.  More info: breepittman@yahoo.com

August 18th

Back To School Bash:  Join WXBM next Pea Ridge Elementary School for the annual Back To School Bash!  Bring the kids out for free bags of schools supplies, free food, exhibits, demonstrations, door prizes and much more.  It's a great way to get the kids ready for school.  BTSB is Saturday, August 18th from 10am-1pm next to Pea Ridge Elementary School. 

St Rose of Lima Sale:  It's the annual Antiques & Uncle Junk sale!  Shop for household goods, books, music, clothing, arts, crafts, baked goods & more from 7am-12pm at St Rose of Lima Church.  More info:  995-7056

August 19th
Pensacola Roller Gurlz/pet adoption:  The Pensacola Roller Gurlz next bout is Sunday the 19th at Dreamland Skate Center on Olive Rd at 7pm.  If you show up early you can see some great critters that are up for adoption from the Junior Humane Society and other organizations.  They will hold their adoption event from 5-7pm before the Gurlz event at Dreamland.  Also, at halftime there will be a pet parade! 

August 23rd

Fiesta Forces happy hour:  You can become part of a Pensacola tradition by volunteering at the annual Seafood Festival!  Join Fiesta Forces Happy Hour to sign up for the shift of your choice.  There are new member dues.  More info:  (850) 433-6512

August 30th

Council on Aging meeting:  The Council on Aging will host a Pensacola caregiver support group meeting from 6p-7p on the 30th.  There is no cost and reservations are not required.  More info:  (850) 432-1475

Septmeber 8th

Strike Out Homelessness:  EscaRosa Coalition on the Homeless will hold their "Strike Out" bowling event at DeLuna Lanes on 9 Mile Rd on September 8th.  Cost is $125 for a five-person team.  More info:  Serene (850) 232-9548

September 9th

UCP Wine & Dine:  United Cerebral Palsy's "Wine a little.....dine a lot" event should be a fun one.  They will have a silent auction followed by a 5 course meal!  More info:  (850) 432-1596

September 22nd 

Steps for Autism:  Sponsors, team leaders and volunteers are needed to plan & organize Steps For Autism next month.  More info:  Susan at (850) 450-0656

If you wish to volunteer some time, the Northwest Florida Blood Services is always looking for blood and platelet donors.  You can get more info at www.nfbcblood.org or call (850) 473-3853.  And Habitat for Humanity is also desperate for volunteers.  It's hard work, but it really is rewarding to be part of something like a Habitat build.  No experience is necessary.  If you know ho to use a hammer, you can help out.  More info:  (850) 434-5456.

If your non-profit organization has an event or announcement that you'd like us to air, email all the info to communityannouncement@wxbm.com.  Try to get the info to us at least three weeks before your event.  As always, if you have any questions, give us a buzz in the studio and we'll help you the best we can.

Thanks for listening to Your Country 102.7 WXBM!

Kenny and Tim in NOLA

I took a vacation day last Friday so Kim & I could go over to New Orleans and see the Brothers of the Sun tour with Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw.  It was an awesome show.  We got there a little late and missed Jake Owen, but got to see all of Tim & Kenny's performance.  Tim came out and sang most of his bigger hit songs and a couple new ones:  "Truck Yeah" and "Mexicoma".  The whole time he was singing Mexicoma it sounded like he was saying "Pensacola".  Good song though.  After Tim got done, they did a quick set change and Kenny started his performance by coming up through a smaller stage back by the soundboard in the back of the floor section.  At the end of the song, a chair that was rigged to a wire came up and he sat on that and rode it to the main stage.  Pretty cool stuff.  I noticed that it was a very up-tempo set by both artists.  Fine with me.  Considering the concert was in New Orleans and Kenny is good friends with several Saints players and coaches, we thought for sure he would bring someone out on stage with him, but it didn't happen, but Kenny did hold up a "FREE SEAN PAYTON" tshirt which the crowd loved.  That was definitely the loudest moment of the evening.  After Kenny's set, he came back out a started the song "Feel Like A Rock Star" and when it came to Tim's part of the song, Tim came up on the smaller stage where Kenny first appeared, but he didn't ride that chair to the stage, he walked through the crowd with some big beefy security guys around him.  They sang that song, Indian Outlaw, She Thinks My Tractors Sexy and Runnin' on Empty to close the show.  Funny moment during their last song, Tim started cracking up and pointing at a couple guys in the crowd and motioned for them to come up on stage.  When they got up and the camera zoomed in for the crowd to to see, the guy Tim brought up first was a dead-ringer for him.  Coulda been his twin brother and his buddy looked just like Kenny.  They goofed around on stage, took some pictures & had a few laughs, and that's how the show ended.  I thought that was pretty interesting considering what happened a couple weeks ago when security booted a guy who looked just like Kenny.  Coincidence?  Probably.  Pretty funny moment though.  This was my 5th time seeing Tim and at least my 5th time seeing Kenny, and both guys were at the top of their game.  I was very impressed.  Tonight (8/6) Tim is taping an episode of the PBS program Austin City Limits.  No word on when that will make it to air, but I'll keep you posted.

Couple weeks ago I mentioned that Blake Shelton was working on a Christmas CD, and now we have a little more info on that.  First of all the title will be "Cheers, It's Christmas".  Blake credits his wife Miranda Lambert with coming up with the title.  Very fitting because Blake has never been accused of turning down an adult beverage.  He didn't release a full track listing, but did say that he recorded a few duets.  One with Reba.  Another with Michael Buble, and a third duet with his mother, Dorothy Strickland.  Blake described the duet with his mother as an emotional song written about the special women in his life.  The last bit of info is the release date, October 2nd.  Blake is also working on the 3rd season of The Voice which starts next month on NBC.

Garth has signed on to appear in a CBS TV special called "Teachers Rock" later this month.  It's a back to school concert special that will also feature Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley and several artists from other genres.  Look for that on Saturday the 18th at 7pm on CBS.

Have a great week and thanks for listening to Your Country 102.7 WXBM!!