Country Music Herald

As I told you in yesterday’s post, People Magazine currently has it’s super Country Music Issue out on stands and I, of course, bought one. I’ve already downloaded all of the great new music from rapidly rising artists like Rissi Palmer and Jennifer Hanson, so now I thought I’d bring you some more spicy tidbits of information straight from the magazine itself. I also will give my opinion on those trivia facts and I hope you leave some comments about what you think, too.

Today, let’s talk about Rascal Flatts and what they take out on tour with them to make life a little more convenient and comfortable. People reporters interviewed Joe Don Rooney about things he won’t leave home without. Often described as one of the “prettiest” guys in country music, it should come as no surprise that the first thing on Joe Don’s list is hair products. He admits to straightening, highlighting and deep conditioning his hair. It looks every bit as polished as he said, so yes, hair products will be on that tour bus for sure.

The interview then goes on to say they like to eat healthy, but they also like their beef jerky, Baked Lays, and Cheetos. What, fellas, no pork rinds? I do have to agree, though, that Cheetos should be a staple on buses everywhere. Maybe even city or public buses. Because I can’t get enough of orange fingers. I love those things!

Like typical guys, they of course have a Playstation and various sports games, like Madden NFL ‘08 to occupy their time. Joe Don says he takes the Tiger Woods PGA Tour ‘08 game too seriously. Again, I am not surprised. Watching my husband cuss at our Playstation has led me to believe that type of behavior is normal for guys when they play sports games.

Now my favorite part of Rascal Flatts’ tour bus has to be the 45 inch television they had built into the side of the bus. They use it to watch college football outside while they grill some food. That’s what all those campers need in the infield of the NASCAR races. Heck, I’d love to have one of those on my house or maybe my car. Great choice, guys!

country music, Rascal Flatts, Rascal Flatts Tour Bus

Forgive me this week, Country Music Herald readers, for a bit of indulgence. I just feel I need to post the lyrics to my favorite country song this week. This is the song that really got me listening to country music. You see, I’m a boy band fanatic and as many anti-fans will tell you, Rascal Flatts is considered the boy band of country music. I just related to this song because sure enough, after college I married a rodeo cowboy in Las Vegas. It was like they were singing to me and so I became an instant fan.

I hope you enjoy the lyrics to my favorite country song, and if you want to give me some ideas for song lyrics you’d like to see next week, leave me a comment or two!

These Days by Rascal Flatts

Hey baby, is that you?
Wow, your hair got so long.
Yeah, yeah, I love it, I really do.
“Norma Jean”, ain’t that the song we’d sing in the car
Drivin’ downtown, top down, makin’ the rounds
Checking out the bands on Doheny Avenue.
Yeah, life throws you curves,
But you learned to swerve.
Me, I swung and I missed,
And the next thing ya know, I’m reminiscing.
Dreaming old dreams, wishing old wishes,
Like you would be back again.

I wake up and tear drops, they fall down like rain.
I put on that old song we danced to and then,
I head off to my job, guess not much has changed.
Punch the clock, head for home,
Check the phone, just in case.
Go to bed, dream of you.
That’s what I’m doin’ these days.
Yeah that’s what I’m doin’

Someone told me, after college, you ran off to Vegas,
You married a rodeo cowboy,
Wow, that ain’t the girl I knew.
Me, I’ve been a few places,
Mostly here and there once or twice.
Still sortin’ out life, but I’m doin’ all right.
Yeah, it’s good to see you, too.
Well, hey girl you’re late, and those planes, they don’t wait,
But if you ever come back around this sleepy old town,
Promise me you’ll stop in, to see an old friend, and until then…

I wake up and tear drops, they fall down like rain.
I put on that old song we danced to and then,
I head off to my job, guess not much has changed.
Punch the clock, head for home,
Check the phone, just in case.
Go to bed, dream of you.
That’s what I’m doin’ these…

I wake up and tear drops, they fall down like rain.
I put on that old song we danced to and then,
I wake up and tear drops, they fall down like rain.
I put on that old song we danced to and then,

I wake up and tear drops, they fall down like rain.
I put on that old song we danced to and then,
I wake up and tear drops, they fall down like rain.
I put on that old song we danced to and then…

country music, country music lyrics, Rascal Flatts, Rascal Flatts lyrics

Back before Carrie Underwood became a platinum selling country superstar, she was on a little television program you may have heard of called American Idol. Well, while on that show, she got the chance to sing God Bless the Broken Road with Rascal Flatts live on the finale show right before she won that season. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and watch that performance.

country music, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood with Rascal Flatts, American Idol clip

This year’s CMA Awards ceremony is shaping up to be full of great live performances. The show will be broadcast on Wednesday November 7th on ABC. Previously announced artists slated to perform include Brad Paisley (who leads the pack with 5 nominations this year), Sugarland, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, and the show’s hosts Brooks & Dunn.

Another huge announcement was made today about the CMA live performances. The Eagles, who have never performed live on an awards show, will reunite to play a song at the CMAs. Their current single “How Long” was released to country radio and has been well received by fans. While The Eagles have never performed live at the CMAs, they have had some previous success with the awards:

In 1993, Eagles drummer Don Henley was nominated for CMA Vocal Event of the Year with Trisha Yearwood for “Walkaway Joe,” which the two performed together during the 1992 CMA Awards. In 1994, Common Thread: The Songs of The Eagles won CMA Album of the Year. The project featured top Country artists performing Eagles’ hits including Clint Black, Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, and Yearwood.

See all of these great artists on “Country Music’s Biggest Night” starting at 8:00 PM ET on Wednesday November 7th.

country music, CMA Awards, CMA performers, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, The Eagles

Rascal Flatts is undeniably one of the hottest country acts today. With cross over appeal and a pop-country sound, there isn’t much that Rascal Flatts hasn’t accomplished. Their new album, Still Feels Good, will be released on Tuesday, September 25th and Rascal Flatts is hitting the road to promote the CD. Some upcoming appearances include performances on Good Morning America and The Late Show with David Letterman, both on Tuesday. They are also scheduled for several radio interviews across the country, including cities such as Chicago, Dallas, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Cleveland, and Washington DC. If you just can’t wait for those interviews, CMT has a two part interview on their website with Gary, Jay, and Joe Don.

Still can’t get enough of Rascal Flatts? They could be touring near you! Check out the currently scheduled tour dates on the Rascal Flatts official website. You can also listen to their new album online now before you can buy it.

Let’s hear from you, Rascal Flatts fans. What is your favorite song they sing? My all time favorite country song is “These Days” and my son loves their version of “Life is a Highway” from the movie Cars. Let me know what you think in the comments section below! Be sure to check out the 451Press Rascal Flatts blog, too.

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