So, I was midway through writing this serious little piece about the never-ending and ever-escalating traditionalism/”evolution” debate when I realized, jeez, no one wants to hear about that sort of thing on December 24th. I mean, I don’t. Christmastime is Chill Time in the Milliken household.
So let’s just have some fun. Some of you will remember something called Show & Tell from grade school. Each person just comes up to the front of the class and shares something he or she thinks is rad. It’s fun and easy, and you don’t have to study for it. And everyone’s input is special. It’s great.
I’m thinking the Internet version can work pretty much the same. Just comment with something you think might interest us or touch us or give us a laugh or something, or that you just think is cool. I’m going to leave it completely open-ended, but you do get bonus points if it somehow involves country music. Here are a few ideas to get you going:
- Mention a cool present you’re getting someone for the holidays.
. - Share a cool YouTube video or link (fun tip: you can embed videos directly into your comments by simply posting the video’s URL with a ‘v’ after the ‘http’, like so: httpv://www.youtube.com/blahblahblahblahblah).
. - Perpetuate (by way of lovingly and reverently ripping off) the awesome “turn a country song into a haiku” idea popularized by The 9513 here and originated by Chris N. .
.
Model example:The only reason
He stopped loving her today
Is that he is dead
Just go crazy, y’all. And of course, Merry Christmas Eve!
Well, my show and tell item(s) are five CDs of Patty Loveless’ “Bluegrass and White Snow, A Mountain Christmas” that I’m giving to four fortunate friends and family members for Christmas.
Seasonally appropriate, and a genuine treasure in the genre of Country Christmas albums.
The fifth copy? Keepin’ it for meself..My current copy is in peril of wearing out.
See, I consider BG&WS kinda/sorta Patty’s “Mountain Soul 2” and that warrants year round listening..(is that so wrong?)
But it’s always nice to be normal, and to share and enjoy this outstanding Christmas album “in Season” as well.
Great topic Dan, Merry Christmas everyone!
Country haiku? Sounds interesting…
Our forest of green
Our ancient redwood and oak
Like rust it corrodes
I tried other songs, but I like this one the best. Bonus points for anyone who can guess the song it’s from! Hint, it’s a track on one of the albums listed here:
http://mykindofcountry.wordpress.com/2008/12/24/chriss-end-of-2008-list-top-8-albums/
See? I managed to plug my own list! I guess that is something, I’m posting my 2008 lists for albums and singles today on mykindofcountry.wordpress.com/ . Go check it out! Also, Merry Christmas Eve to everyone!
Well I’m excited to see my brother open his Christmas gift. We bought him an iPod! I’m even more excited because I’ll finally get mine back after a month! Yay!!
Also, I’m really loving the performance of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, and Julianne Hough that was at the Opry this past weekend! It’s great!
And lastly, here’s a cheesy haiku thing:
He called her baby
So they eloped in Vegas
Before he cheated
Oh also I forgot…
Merry Christmas everyone!! Hope it’s filled with tons of joy and happiness!!
Here’s something fun – ADC Media Guide presents a Christmas special with Raul Malo.
The concert: http://www.adcmediaguide.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=193:christmas-concert-with-raul-malo&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=18
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXwUNV1xzr0
My favorite Christmas track – my gift to everyone … This version directly from the movie doesn’t feature Dolly’s solo vocals.
Merry Christmas everybody.
P.S. Be sure to check out Chris’s end of the year albums list. It’s really great, and I’m not just saying that because we write for the same blog. ;)
OK, more show and tell..Country related.
On the recommendations for some folks here at CU, I asked for, and received…COAL, my little niece was only too happy to present it to me on behalf of her Mom (my cousin), and she was delighted with the double meaning in the context of the Christmas Holiday.
Kathy Mattea’s “Coal”, was even better than I thought it would be…I put it right up there with Patty Loveless’ masterpiece Mountain Soul, although I still like MS a little more.
I also like the fact that Marty Stuart is all over this album, as producer and musician, and harmony vocalist.
And the Stuart connection goes even further…My Mom and Step Dad gave me Marty Stuart’s book COUNTRY MUSIC: The Masters.
This book is amazing…it features Marty’s first rate photography, portraits of Country and Bluegrass masters and memorabilia. I really recommend this book…it’s like a Country Music museum in 373 pages.
Hope everyone had a great Christmas!
Oh, dear grandmother
Were it not for that reindeer
You’d still be with us