gary allan

Here's the thing. I didn't used to like country music. When I think about the albums I listened to in high school, I realize that lots has changed. I loved R.E.M., the B-52s, The Cure, The Smiths. I still like those bands, but now I find myself listening to a much wider range of music, and I like that.

I got into country music in grad school. I was struggling to find something I liked on the radio, and I discovered the Dixie Chicks. Maybe it was a liberal's intuition, but I felt like they were my kind of people. It was a while before I branched out from them.

Now, I count Sugarland, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban and Gary Allan among my favorite artists period. They shuffle well with my personal collection of blues, rock, soul, rap, opera, etc.

Last night, I had the opportunity to see Gary Allan live at the Ryman Auditorium. I've wanted to see him in concert for a long time. There's something about his voice that sticks with me. It's a certain rasp/twang/sad combo he has. And being from California, he seems to have a different attitude than a lot of other country artists -- more rock.

One highlight of the show was when his daughter Dallas came on stage to accompany him on The Band's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." She played piano; he sang. Good times.

all for the hall

Keith Urban headlined a fantastic show at the Sommet Center this week with all ticket sales going to support the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.

The idea stemmed from an earlier challenge by Vince Gill to every country artist, asking them to donate the profits from one night of performing to the Hall.

One thing that made the show amazing for fans, besides the great music, was the ticket price -- $25 -- even for fifth row center floor. To recognize the economic pressures a lot of families are experiencing right now is admirable. I'm pretty sure they could have charged $100 a ticket and still sold out, but keeping the price low was a genuinely nice thing to do.

The lineup was impressive. Guests included some of the top country artists out there -- Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Faith Hill, Dierks Bentley and Little Big Town.

Keith Urban kicked off the night playing a dozen songs. He also paid tribute to the country music that inspired him growing up by playing Dolly Parton's "Coat of Many Colors." Urban said he was proud to open for the other guests, many of whom had opened for him during the U.S. leg of his current Escape Together tour.

After his set, there was a lengthy intermission as Vince Gill's band set up on stage. Gill performed two songs, and the band -- plus Gill and Urban -- backed all the other artists during their performances.

It was a great night and a great show. Urban also announced plans to host another All for the Hall concert in October 2010.

3rd and Lindsley

Maia Sharp was at 3rd and Lindsley tonight performing for Lighting 100's Nashville Sunday Night show. Every time we've seen her, she's been amazing, and tonight was no exception. I can't believe we've gotten to see her twice this summer, and we didn't even have to travel!

Nashville-based Lauren Lucas opened the show with a 40-minute set that included "Riverstone" and "You Still Ain't Out of Arkansas."

Maia focused on songs from her latest album, Echo, including "John Q. Lonely," "Polite Society" and "Unbreakable." Go buy it, or any of her other equally good albums, for real.

wynonna day

Before it rained so hard that I was temporarily blinded and terrified, July 4th in downtown Nashville was a festive occasion. On Broadway down near the Cumberland River, there was a bounce house, a climbing wall and meat-on-a-stick.

But besides that, July 4th in Nashville was a day to celebrate Wynonna. Not only did she sign autographs at the Country Music Hall of Fame but also she was the headliner for the 4th of July concert with the Nashville Symphony.

I have really liked Wynonna for a long time. I find her to be so different from the other country music stars. Her life has been filled with a lot of confusion and struggle, from never meeting her birth father to clashes with her mother Naomi to weight gain and loss and two failed marriages. I like her because I love her voice. No one else sings like her, and when performing, she is completely emotionally available. How many other artists have you seen cry on stage? She also exudes and discusses a spirituality I find truthful and comforting, not fake or pushy.

Wynonna's set with the symphony was cut short by the impending thunderstorm. She only got to sing three songs, and she wasn't happy about it.

"But it took me three hours to get ready," she said, and then encouraged the audience to come see her on the road.

Because of the weather, the fireworks started about an hour early, but I doubt most people stuck around to see the finale. The rain went from steady to blinding. I couldn't get it out of my eyes. Everything was distorted.

Luckily, we had been standing in the back and didn't have to get through a mass of people to get to the streets, which were filled with water. We were so wet when we finally got to the apartment, we took our clothes off in the hallway and immediately threw them in the washer.

cmt awards - pickler style

On Tuesday night we moseyed down to Broadway to get a beer and a bite to eat and decided to check out the before-and-after CMT Awards festivities.

Sugarland posing with a young fan as they head into the Sommet Center.

Kellie Pickler signed autographs and took pictures with fans after the show. Make fun all you want, but she is extremely likable. Did you see her on Ellen? Hilarious.  

crawfish boil

Yum. Yum. Yum. Nicely seasoned. 

Some debris in the firepit. 

Washboard, anyone? Anyone?

When all is said and done ... lots of shells. 

The backdrop ... a sleepy part of the Cumberland River. 

Sassy guitar player / crawfish broiler. 

We have company in town this weekend, and decided to check out a place near the water called Norm's River Road House. They had a crawfish boil today with music by various New Orleans artists. 

Good food, good beer, good company, good music. It was a good time, AND (probably most exciting to me) I found out about (and tasted) a brand of andouille that is definitely on my shopping list next time I make gumbo. Super spicy and yum!

martina @ tribe

Martina McBride showed up at the Nashville bar Tribe tonight to promote her new album, "Shine." 

Not only did she make an appearance, she stayed a couple hours, hanging out in a booth with her husband, talking to friends and fans.