Bracelets and Holiday Cards and JMC - Oh My!

The Jason Michael Carroll "officially unofficial" fan club has ordered their JMC bracelets and are anxiously awaiting their arrival - hopefully just in time for Christmas gift giving. The holiday card exchange is off to a great start as well, filling fans mailboxes daily with concert photos and other mementos. Thanks to everyone who has participated in both of these activities! Love all the JMC fans, they are the best!

Not much news on the JMC front, the boys are hopefully in the studio putting the finishing touches on the upcoming sophomore album. At last word, we were looking in the neighborhood of a March/April release but have no official updates in the past few weeks. The songs that he is testing live are getting rave reviews and we are all looking forward to having the new disc in our collections.

Hope the weather is alright where you are. In Wisconsin, as so often happens in Wisconsin - we are in the single digits. No wonder there aren't many tours stopping by during the winter months. Most of those singers are southern born and bred - who in their right mind would head north this time of year? Wishing I was further south - and just a little towards the west coast based on the looks of the tour schedule for 2009.

Also if the powers that be happen across this blog - the "officially unofficial" fanclub would LOVE to have a membership level based fan club - how about setting that up, we have a bit of money to share in exchange for a benefit or two - maybe meet and greet passes. We don't ask for alot, but we love us some quality JMC time. Later!

Toys for Tots Guitar Jam Review

Thanks to Country On-Demand for sharing a great review of the benefit concert that was held last week. Artists included Lee Ann Womack, Jason Michael Carroll and Darryl Worley. Looks like it was a great show with the proceeds going to a great cause. Check it out at Country On-Demand :: Music

Schedule Changes

Jason Michael Carroll's tour schedule has been shuffled and shifted due to Trace Adkins rescheduling his December dates. Please check the schedule ---> to see if any of the changes affect you. Also February 21st is currently showing two places, one Jason! From what I can see on my end, he is booked for both Las Vegas and Wichita Falls, TX. As that gets hammered out, I will update the schedule with where he will REALLY be on February 21st! Stay tuned for updates, news - and more.

Tour Schedule

Looks like the 2009 dates are starting to trickle in - no official word from JMC's website nor management, but here is what we have thusfar....hopefully something will be in YOUR neck of the woods!

• January 3 - Snoqualmie Casino - Snoqualmie, WA
• February 20-21 - Suncoast Hotel & Casino - Las Vegas, NV
• April 2 - Santa Rosa Fairgrounds - Milton, FL
• April 18 - Parker Hill - Auburn, AL
• June 18 - Float-Rite Amphitheater - Somerset, WI
• July 25 - North Iowa Fair - Mason City, IA
• August 9 - Fuddfest - Gleason, WI

Soooo - a couple in my neck of the woods - WI/IL, but will have to see what gas prices are doing come spring/summer (bring it on, we are expecting 2-3" of that white stuff tonight, I already miss the warm weather.)

Schedule subject to change, but this gives you a sneak preview of what may be coming your way. Happy 2009 Tour Season!

BMI Award

Looks like Jason Michael Carroll scored a BMI award for Livin' Our Love Song BMI.com | 2008 BMI Country Awards - Award-Winning Songs

Check out the related video clip from Nashville at Night - and Congrats to Jason!

Stuck in Bed with JMC?

Star 96.3's morning DJ team John Flint and Tammy Lee spent the week in Nashville doing the CMA thing and if you were wondering about yesterday's shower picture of Jason Michael Carroll - that is them and that was last year. Not to be outdone by last years pics, this year they upped the ante to a photo taken of them in bed with artists. You can check out the photo gallery at Gallery - In bed with....

Lions, Tigers & Radio Interviews Oh My!

Truth in advertising - you will find no lions nor tigers in today's post. You will however find some fantastic links to interviews with Jason Michael Carroll from yesterdays Country Music Awards.

Leading off is a great video clip with Blair Garner. Jason discusses this past Halloween, studio time and the upcoming album, and of course the light(s) of his life, his children. Check out After Midnite - Media Manager and look for the CMA link. Jason's clip on page 3 and is well worth checking out.

Thanks to Jessica over on the JMC Official website (linky over ---->) for the following links, visit WBUL's Mooo Crew Media Player and be sure and check out WQDR's video at
YouTube - Jason Michael Carroll

And here are a couple more from my local stations, check picture #2 from last years CMA interviews from WMAD Madison Gallery - In The Shower With...
and take a peek at WWQM's video clip with Jason WWQM Jason Michael Carroll

Aside from that - not much going on. One of the interviews states March or April for the sophomore CD release. It sounds like he has one more song to either cut or recut, but otherwise it is coming together well. I can quite honestly say that I have never looked forward to a CD as much as I am looking forward to this one. With hot songs like Barnburner and the newly released "Where I'm From" and the sentimental "Tears", it is going to be awesome and I look forward to buying a few copies to share as well as my personal "stash".

Thanks Cayce for sharing this great video too - one can only hope ;)

"Where I'm From" Release!

Today is the big day, the day "Where I'm From", Jason Michael Carroll's newest single hits the airwaves. The CD should be in the hands of DJ's from sea to shining sea, and added to playlists in the upcoming days. Be sure and hit up your local DJ's with a request or 3 so we can get a little airplay, but remember some stations will play new stuff and let it hit the floor running, others are more traditional and wait until "but everyone else is doing it". So if you hear it on your local station - fantastic! If you don't, be patient - call them and request it a couple times a day on different shifts and let them know the fans are waiting. Oh - and if you hear your DJ spin it - call them and tell them THANKS! This song has all the makings of a #1 hit, we just need to help it get there.

Lots of internet buzz about the new single - check out Jason Michael Carroll 'Where I'm From' music video - MusicRemedy and here is a board that could use a little love if you can get registered... Pulse Music Board - Jason Michael Carroll - "Where I'm From"

Lastly - today I am sharing "Only Lyrics" version of the WIF lyrics...no promises on accuracy, but here they are ;)


On a 3 hour flight from Memphis to LA
I was silently celebrating my first class upgrade
Laughing at my jeans and my boots beside those high dollar shoes and armani suits
When the gentleman next to me said the drinks up here are free
So if you'd like the first one can be on me
He said im heading back from Memphis, in New York and Iran
Tell me son where do you call home

I said im from the front pew of a wooden white church
A courthouse clock that still dont work
Where a mans word means everything
Where moms and dads were high school flames and
Gave there children Grandmothers maiden name
Yes, it may not sound like much
But its where im from

so we Drink that around and then another
There wasnt a topic in this world we did not cover
He said I headed out west when i was barley 19
Just a kid chasing my dreams
and i said im flying out here to pick up my big brother
He's been fighting the cancer they discovered
But he called last night and said i think this is the end
So come take me home to my family and my friends

Where the quarterback dates the homecoming queen
the trucks a ford and the tractors green
and amazing grace is what we sing
theres a county fair every fall
and your friends are there no matter when you call
it may not sound like much but its where im from

and it was through the claim the bags we checked
he said ill pray for your brother and did i mention that
italian suits havent always been my style
See i was the quarter back of my high school team
We took state back in 63 and my wife yeah she is still my homecoming queen

Cuz im from the front pew of the wooden white church
A courthouse clock that still dont work
Where a mans word means everything
Where moms and dads were high school flames
Gave there children Grandmothers maiden name
Yes, it may not sound like much
I said it may not sound like much
But its where im from

Its where im from

its where im from

November 10th, bring it on!

We have a date, a real date! Jason Michael Carroll's new single, "Where I'm From" is set to hit the airwaves on November 11th, so get your requesting fingers ready. You know what to do, we did it with Livin' Our Lovesong, Alyssa Lies and I Can Sleep When I'm Dead. Call, call again - tell the DJ you love hearing the new song. Request it if you haven't heard it, and keep requesting until you do. If you hear it on the air, give your local DJ a shout and tell them THANKS! and let them know you love that song. Top 10 here we come - and Number 1, you better watch out too. We are bringing JMC's new song, and we are headed for the top.

Found a couple of neat links while wandering about the other night. One lists Jason's "I Can Sleep When I'm Dead" as part of a sugar-free Halloween. Visit Wifezilla's Way: Sugar-free Halloween and take a look, it is a very neat blog post. You can also take a peek over at Fortmann Family: Our kind of love! and read how "Livin' Our Love Song" touches them personally.

Not alot on the tour front yet - hopefully that means the boys are getting in some valuable studio time. We are anxiously awaiting the sophomore CD as the rumors float around about what will and won't be on the CD. What song would you like to see on it?

Well???

So I have my most recent Jason Michael Carroll concert almost an entire 3 weeks into the history of JMC concerts, and am waiting ever so patiently for the tour schedule to give me something to look forward to. Last year at this time I was 2 days away from my first Raisin the Bar show (my first Jason experience) and then 6 days later had another RTB show to look forward to. On the heels of that was a February show with freezing rain for the trip home, and then the festival season was right around the corner.

I know I have the festival season to look forward to again but with the doom and gloom of winter knocking spring seems so far away. If I lived in the "less seasonal" south I could enjoy the festival season year round. In Wisconsin we have 4 months or so where the weather is bound to be tolerable, if not dry and sunny. Not nearly enough for me, but family keeps me here for now.

So now I am sitting waiting and wondering when I will get my next JMC fix. Each time I listen to the CD or watch a JMC video (I love you Youtube!) I find myself wanting that fix even more and even sooner. What is it about a great country artist that is so darn addictive? I saw 8 shows in 2008, which is 6 or 7 more than alot of people and even 8 more than many.

Maybe I am a bit greedy? Hard not to be when those bass lines come rumbling out over the speakers and you can feel the ground rumble beneath your feet. Watching the band jumping up and down and getting into the show, feeding off the very energy that they are putting into the crowd - and taking that energy right back to keep the flow going.

I probably shouldn't be complaining; courtesy of JMC's management and some web angels somewhere we once again have a place to call home. We have our family back, fellow friends who share the love and appreciation for Jason, the band and the rest of the crew. We can talk about shows coming, discuss shows past - and share photos and favorite memories. I have the holiday card exchange coming up so December should deliver my Jason fix securely into my mailbox and we have a fan club order of "Livestrong" type bracelets on the horizon which I am very excited about. Perhaps when I am looking for my next concert fix, I should take a visit to Official JMC
and be glad to have a place to call home.

Givin' a little back

Jason Michael Carroll's flashy new official site is making the rounds and getting some extra press. I want to point out a couple, be sure and stop over and show some love.

CMILCountry Music Is Love » Jason Michael Carroll is a great fan site for all things country and they have Jason a shout out for the revamped website. CMIL should be on your daily list of webstops to see who is where, what is going on, and who is coming in concert.

Thanks also to NashvilleGab for pointing out that the sheer volume of content on the new site is enough to keep JMC fans busy (yes it is!). Also if you have never been - Nashville Gab has THE coolest logo ever on hooves. Click the link and check it out. Well worth the visit!

And of course - if those aren't your style, you can check REVIEW: Trio of Country Boys entertain at Emens | thestarpress.com | The Star Press
The journalist gives a very kind recap of Jason, Trace and Craig's show AND points out her observations - the other women nearby noted that Jason was "easy on the eyes". He is? Maybe just a little....

Smooth Sailin'

Where were we - got kicked out, got back in - tearing down equipment. Ok, we are on to Craig Morgan. Craig has a LOT of great songs. I had one of his CD's (that International Harvester song is like an anthem to me) but had no idea that there were so many others. I believe his 5th was just released yesterday, so look for it in the local stores and pick up a copy. His set included the majority of his older songs and just a few samples from the new CD. He has a fantastic band backing him, along with a fiddle player. More bands need fiddle players, it brings to mind old school country music and really adds a nice touch to the songs.

Mid set Craig braved the crowd and zoomed off the stage and up the left side of the venue, and up a few steps to sing. Very cool, love that interaction and the crowd loved it. Then he zoomed back down and headed our way. He got captured by a blond who was having perhaps a little bit too much fun (insert too much beer) who pasted herself around him, but thanks to security his new appendage was removed and he was safely able to return to stage. I didn't count songs, but he definitely sang more songs than Jason Michael Carroll (sigh). I am guessing he played 45 minutes to an hour and it rocked the house. I need to see him a couple more times to really become a Craig fan, but I did enjoy the show.

Next up - the big guy! I have been following Trace Adkins for 10 years or so, and always try and catch him if he is in the area. If you have not had the pleasure, give his live show a try. Trace Adkins has been entertaining us on the country stations since 1996 and his presence on stage shows it.He also has a CD releasing in the upcoming weeks and played a slew of songs off it. *I* prefer hearing songs that I know, though of course the more I hear them, the more I will know them. Go figure! He has alot of ballads coming out of the barn on this one, and I love his ballads - but they don't do much in the way of pumping me up during a show. Sooo - while Trace is always amazing to see, the show wasn't "all that" for me. It was good, just not stellar. Sorry Trace fans - maybe it was my seating, maybe it was that I still felt shorted on JMC's set.

Absolutely nothing unusual leaving - the buses were in a privacy fenced area, safely under lock and key. So we headed home, listening to Craig and Jason's CD's on the way.

Oh No You Didn't....

Caution - Concert Recap Ahead!

Y106.1's 2008 Country Fest has come and gone, and I have to say it was a great show! We got there early to attend the "pre-show" party at a local bar, Buckheads Saloon in Milwaukee which was just a short walk from the venue. They had a taco bar pre-show and then were giving away front row seats and some meet and greet passes so we figured we would check it out. We also got treated to a pre-concert show by up and coming artist Adam Gregory CMT.com : Adam Gregory : Artist Main . He put on a fantastic set, and had a deep voice that the crowd really enjoyed. After his first few songs, the radio station did the drawing thing - nada, zip, zilch. That is alright though, we already had fab tickets.

We got to the Bradley Center and a Y106.1 staffer stopped us and asked us if there were only two of us in our group. Yes, 2 - myself and my husband...strange. She asked if we would like meet & greet passes for Craig Morgan - hmmm...let me think, umm...YES! Awesome, so we headed over and got in line. I did ask her about Jason Michael Carroll passes, but by the time we got to the venue, they were wrapping his up and all the passes were gone.

Small group, maybe 20 people for the meet and greet with Craig. Craig's photographer took the pic of Craig and hubby, then went to take a pic of Craig and I and he said "the internal memory is full". Ummno, it can't be. It has a 4 gig memory and I wiped the card before the show. Yes, it says it is full. Oops! I forgot to put the memory card in! Meanwhile I am standing next to Craig scrounging for a memory card and chatting - feeling like a total dork. Craig was awesome about it, as were the other fans. Asked him how it was going, how he liked Milwaukee, at one point he started whistling like he was bored - hilarious. He has a great sense of humor and is a very patient man. Got the memory card in and then the pic and done, thanks Craig!

Headed back to our seats since Jason was opening. I had brought along a photo album for him as the result of a previous conversation and was all but convinced that it was coming back home with me (gosh, a photo album filled with JMC pics? Oh no!) Jason came on and while he had a very short set (maybe 5 songs) it was awesome. Got to see the new guitar player Richie and the rest of the awesome band.

He played "Where I'm From" and told us it releases next month as the first single off his upcoming CD. So looking forward to that, I can't wait to hear the studio cut! Once they finished up they started taking down the equipment, and I thought - hmm, if we go over there we will be maybe 10 feet from the stage - I bet we could holler and toss my photo album to one of the band members (it is a small 4x6 dealy). So I talked to hubby and he said sure, he would do it.

Now I need to say this venue is like your average concert/ sports/all-purpose center (we were at the Bradley Center where the Milwaukee Bucks play). So lots of floor seating, and then seating up all sides of the venue. Unlike other venues - you cannot get to the floor from the other seats. We were in the 2nd row of raised seats, literally 2 feet from the floor, and 25 or so from the stage. There is a wall that separates the floor seating from the rest and it stands around 4 feet tall. We have never been there before, so we are not familiar with their (I will say it nicely) guidelines for behaviour. So my hubby asks me quick about the band members names again - and I rattle them off thinking nothing of it. So he gets up, goes over to the nearest aisle and down to the front and JUMPS over the wall. EEK! That can't be good - what the heck is he doing???

He walked up to Eller and chatted a minute or so and gave him the photo album. We had talked to Eller at length about the pics at a previous show, they were requested and were now delivered. Eller was great about it - thanks man, hand shake. Security??? Not so great about it. Apparently jumping that wall is a big "oh no you didn't" on their list of extreme offenses. So I see my husband walk by me on the floor following the security guard...and hubby doesn't even so much as glance at me. What the heck? He made it back to his seat about 15 minutes later, after lots of talking and explaining. The security guy was paranoid to say the least and had kicked my husband OUT. "What are you doing?" "How do you know him?" "Haven't you been here before???". Well you see, it is like this - we have this very small bomb, and we know him because we are stalking him. When he turns the 16th page of the book, a small poof will happen, a little sparkler will fizzle...and he will be horribly scared. Oh wait - that isn't it. It is a photo album - we know him because we have been to 10 shows. No, we have never been here before, if we had would we risk being ejected? Probably not.

Sooo - Jason's short set was awesome, we delivered the "loot", and we scored meet & greet with Craig Morgan.

Will finish up the recap in the next post - coming: Craig Morgan and Trace Adkins recap and pics.

"Hotter Than a Red Hot Chili Pepper" Part Deux

I told you I would come back to it, finally had a chance to hunt down some photos today and am going to share who *I* think JMC looks maybe just a little bit like - and they aren't peppers.

Exhibit A - the late but great Heath Ledger. Heath's cheekbones and strong jawline led him to look just a little like Jason Michael Carroll. His only child was also the apple of his eye, not unlike JMC and his children. I borrowed an internet picture to compare....

Exhibit B - And then the other one that comes to mind - I am not going to give it away, but he is on a television show, and probably as frequently on a related website. He has the long blond locks, the firm jawline, all the makings once again. Feel free to give me your guesses as to who he is, I will let you know if you are right. Hit me up below at "comments" and we can touch base.

Wow - triplets perhaps? Is it just me, or is there a resemblance? Sorry about exhibit 2 and there being no shirt - I promise if I can get my hands on a JMC shirtless pic and owner permission, I will put it here as a way of apology . In fact if you would like any of your pics highlighted here - shoot me a comment and we can get that together. Full photo credits given, and if we get enough response we can have a guest submitted photo in each blog entry.

Enough for now - Happy Thursday, the weekend is almost here - and what does that mean??? It means tomorrow I have my Jason concert, wahoo! Full recap will be posted here, along with show pics.

Answer to the mystery man: Max Hodges, TMZ Staffer

Happy Dance!

So I have been clicking my ruby slippers together for oooo - 10 months now (while merrily chanting "There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home.) Finally today the powers that be have shined down and granted myself and a bazillion other Jason Michael Carroll fans a place to call HOME.

I have been hearing buzzing about Jason's official website being revamped since March and have been persistently checking the site ever since waiting for the day. I have to admit I was beginning to think it wasn't going to happen. But now, after 7 long months of waiting the day has finally arrived. Jason has moved from web host Echo to Sony BMG and I loooove the new digs.

It was well worth the wait, and I am thrilled to see so many old friends (and new) flocking there after being gone so long. There are new forums, photo gallery's, extra things (wallpaper!) and lots of other bells and whistles. If you have not been there to check out the new decor, head on over. Your old log in info will still work (if you can remember it). Stop by the boards and give a shout out to everyone. I have also started a thread there about doing a Christmas card exchange among JMC fans - if you are interested in both sending cards to JMC fans AND receiving a bunch of them, let me know either on the JMC boards or by posting a comment (down yonder below this).

Wondering where JMC's official site is? Check the link list ------->> (it is the top one)

Thanks for swinging by, now head on over and take a look. Special thanks to JMC and his management and label for getting this up and running for us, I know the fans thank YOU!

Say it like you mean it!

Fantastic review from Sat, Oct 11's show in Palm Beach. The staff journalist bid a fond farewell to both Martina McBride's "Waking Up Laughing" tour and to Cruzan Amphitheatre's 2008 Country Mega-Ticket. She gave rave reviews, and gave a special shout out to Jason.

Excerpt written by Janis Fontaine, Palm Beach Post
"Jason Michael Carroll followed, performing all three of his chart hits in his quick: Living Our Love Song, I Can Sleep When I'm Dead and the painful ballad Alyssa Lies. Carroll's got tons of energy and quite possibly the best hair in the business. His vocals, especially at the lower range, seem to penetrate right to your heart. " Click for the rest of the article The end of a tour and a ticket

The Virginia Pilot is also sending out high praise from the October 5 show at Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater.

Frank Roberts writes:
"The songs of Jason Michael Carroll and Jack Ingram were excellent. They are two different types of entertainers, both with good, strong voices.

Carroll gets automatic cheers for his attitude as he sings about small-town America and faith. Ingram, on the other hand, is an energetic nutcase – and that is being said in kindness." Click for the rest of the review Review: McBride powerfully closes out amphitheater season | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com

Me - 3 days and counting til my brush with quite possibly the best hair in the business. Should be a rocking show with Jason, Trace Adkins and Craig Morgan on the tab. Hmm, Trace has really nice hair too...I wonder if maybe Craig would consider growing his out?

Have a great week!

Hot as a Chili Pepper?

Found a great article Hot as a chili pepper, Carroll to play Midnight Rodeo | Ocala.com | Star-Banner | Ocala, FL

Take a peek, it is a great bit on Jason Michael Carroll and reveals just a wee bit of insight on the hair. Once Jason left the military - he let it grow - and grow - and grow some more. In Jason's own words “It kept growing and growing, and I started to look like Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers,” he said laughing.

Anthony Kiedis? Hmmm - well that got me out on a google search. I am familiar with Anthony Kiedis vaguely, but I never once looked at JMC and said... OMG! He looks just like that guy from the Red Hot Chili Peppers! I did however happen across a photo that gives some resemblance.

Courtesy of Rolling Stone's cover on April 7, 1994.

So alright, it looks a bit like JMC...
kind of - well, just a little bit - umm...they both have hair! Ok, they are both toting 6-pack abs, and they both do the head- banging during the concert (love that! Show off those long locks!) But aside from that, I can think of a few other people who bear a slightly stronger resemblance.

Will try and find pics and get them posted in the upcoming days. Have a great weekend!

And now for something completely different...

Got to see Trace Adkins awesome new video for Muddy Waters and wanted to share it. I love it and it is great seeing he and Stephen Baldwin working together again. Enjoy!

13 Days and Counting

It is almost show time! Another 13 days and I will be seated in relative comfort at Milwaukee's Bradley Center enjoying a Jason Michael Carroll concert, with Trace Adkins and Craig Morgan thrown in. I have never seen Craig, so that should be an experience. Trace I have seen hmm - over 10 times would be safe, but it has been over the past 10 years. Trace puts on a heck of a show, and nothing will make me happier than seeing two deep voiced growly artists with long blond locks taking the stage.

I have "fantasy" concerts that I would love to see - Trace, Jason - and Josh Turner to finish it off would be a baritone trifecta. Recent experiences tell me that I need to expand that to include Joe Nichols and Jake Owen. Gosh that would be a fantastic show though - speakers shaking with the bass lines. The ground rumbling, and thousands of fans hanging on each song. I would need to be an outdoor venue, the ground doesn't rumble much at indoor venues. Under the stars is where it's at for great shows and to let those deep voices shine.

Keeping with the "bringing you a show at home" I am including another video clip today courtesy of YouTube and acavanaugh1 - Stray

Where I'm From

Just a matter of time now - maybe even days, or weeks - probably not months. Jason Michael Carroll's next single set for release is "Where I'm From" which I am looking forward to. If I could score an "all JMC all the time" radio station, I would do it - though playing his CD over and over is pretty close! No updates to the schedule, but Jason's official homepage has updated theirs and it matches the one here, yippee! Me - I am just hanging on for October 17th - much closer than it was just a day ago when it was "not until next month". Now it is just a couple weeks away and I am so set for a good JMC fix I can't even begin to tell you!

I am going to try and highlight a youtube video of Jason performing a variety of songs over the month so that even if you are not looking forward to a concert in a week or two, you can watch them and while it isn't quite as good as being there, it is darn close. Today I bring you "Where I'm From" - such a beautiful song and I can't wait to hear it on the radio and then on the CD.

Great Article!

The Free Lance-Star out of Fredricksburg, Virginia has a wonderful article about Jason Michael Carroll's appearance for the show tomorrow night in Bristow, VA. Jason will be sharing the bill with Jack Ingram and Martina McBride, and it sounds like a great show if you are in town. Check out the article at Fredericksburg.com - >> 'ALYSSA LIES' SINGER READY TO TAKE NASHVILLE NOW, SLEEP LATER CARROLL'S STAR IS FINALLY RISING

If you find JMC on the web let me know in the comments section and I will gladly post it. Likewise if you have any recaps, photos, or requests please let me know and I will either do my best to accomodate - or post the recaps and photos to the blog. This is a blog that I have created in honor of JMC, but I am hoping for it to become every HTF's blog.

Have a great weekend y'all!

Take That Blogger!

I respectfully surrender to the meek offering of templates offered by Blogger. They are user (insert: idiot) friendly, easy to edit - and not altogether hideous. I doubt anyone noticed the changes, but this is where we have ended up after a variety of attempts. If you were following along, hope you enjoyed the ride.

Meanwhile - I have added some dates to the Jason Michael Carroll tour list (over there>>>) so be sure and check for updates. Also news coming down the pike is that we can expect that sophomore CD in March. Looks like a great way to celebrate the anniversary of the debut CD's release with Waitin' in the Country having been released February 6, 2007. Bring it on boys, I know it is going to be great!

No news is...

Well - it is no news. Sounds like the weekend shows went great from recaps from some of the Bucky fans who took in Saturday's show in PA. Jason Michael Carroll led off with a short set of about 5 songs, then Bucky took the stage followed by Jason Aldean. I really dig the shows with 2 or 3 artists, it is a fantastic chance to get to know another artist aside from the one you really came to see. Bucky led me to Jason, and Jason has led me over to Jake Owen - so I am sure there are plenty more adventures down the road and more stars waiting.

There is a downside to the multiple billings though - and any of you who have been to one of those shows will recognize it - you get "short-setted". The artist you went to see will most likely being doing a considerably shorter set than if they were headlining, and you feel like you just didn't get enough. Of course that can be a bonus for the artists - if I don't feel that I got enough at a show - I am doubly determined to find out when the next one nearby is and to be there. Just don't like it that feeling though - that there wasn't enough. Don't like hearing about it from other fans either, no matter who the artist. I am one of those fans that if I find an artist I truly enjoy listening to - I could listen all day long. Sing your songs, sing some cover songs - sing me the alphabet, just keep singing. Not sure how that would work out in regards to the artists vocal chords - but I am thinking around the 2-3 hour mark, I might be fresh out of luck. Meanwhile, if you hear of a JMC Sing-A-Marathon gig coming up - let me know, I am soooooo there!

Three-fer and OUCH!

Looks like the show in Bloomsburg PA Saturday night is going to be one seriously great show. Not only will fans be treated to the awesome (and newly wounded, read below) Jason Michael Carroll, but also to Jason Aldean and Bucky Covington. JMC and Bucky became tour pals last fall/winter and they had a blast - hoping for more of the same for the PA show.

On the "newly wounded" list - Jason seems to be on a roll in regards to injuries from the basketball games. A few weeks back merchandise guru Joel twisted his ankle and was feeling it for a few days and now Jason himself has sprained his, once again - shooting hoops. Not one to take something lying down, a bit of tape and Jason was up on stage doing his thing. Hoping a bit of rest between shows, some ice - and more of that tape gets him feeling fine quickly.

When Good Templates Go Bad - and other things

Pffft. For some reason the blog decided to duplicate the schedule, the band members, the label name...and now it has decided it would like to be 2 columns wide, at least for a while. It appears that there may be some changes coming in the very near future before I find a layout that I can work with easily, yet looks a bit spiffier than the standard options. So my apologies for the ever changing appearance. The changes are not quite done yet, but I think we are getting closer...gosh I sure hope so!

Meanwhile.....Jason and the guys are revving up for a 3 night CT-PA-MD set of shows. If anyone makes it to one of the shows, holler back. Would love to showcase a recap here! Will gladly share photos with the photographers permission as well.

November is now 1 gig away from being completely empty. Looks like November 3 will have the boys enjoying the weather in sunny Florida. Not sure if there are going to be more shows coming up or if they are taking a break for some down time and maybe a bit of studio work. Studio work would be great, gets us one step closer to that next album.

Hopin' y'all are having a good week! Halfway to the weekend, wahoo!

Where I'm From

Looks like Jason's next single is set to release in October. Written by Patrick Davis, "Where I'm From" is a preview of JMC's upcoming sophomore CD release. A YouTube search will get you a sneak peek before the upcoming release. I can't wait to hear it on the local stations and watch it climb up the charts. All 3 songs I have heard off the new disc have great potential and this one is sure not to disappoint fans old and new.

Hopefully by the time you read this Jason and the boys are heading back from what was likely a very wet show in Wichita. Looks like the two shows in Hurricane Ike's path were a go, New Mexico Friday nite and then Wichita Saturday. Tour calendar looks pretty peaceful for the next few days and then a show in Connecticut kicks off a handful of shows over the next few weeks on the East Coast.

Hope you are having a good weekend!

Hidden Treasures, A Moment of Silence

Was strolling through the Google archives this evening looking for a tasty morsel to share and found this wonderful interview from May 2008. From Jason's first band to his preferences in footwear, this interviewer captured it all.

News 4 U JMC Interview

No other updates - the weekend is rolling out with shows in New Mexico September 12, and Kansas September 13.

Also would like to ask everyone to take a moment in honor of those who died in the 9/11 attacks, their family members; and those fighting in our honor to maintain our freedom.

More Dates, Takin' the Plunge

Added more tour dates - one show I would LOVE to take in is taking place in Detroit - always wanted to go to Detroit, though I am sure I would find it something of a culture shock. With the October 28th show in Detroit I am hoping the tour schedule fills in around that with a couple mid west shows (for me!) before the snow comes and we live like hermits until spring.

I did after checking and rechecking Ticketmaster finally purchase tickets to the Countryfest show in Milwaukee next month. I would love for ticketmaster to change their website to either show you EXACTLY what seat they are trying to sell or - or better yet, let you choose the seat (we have the empty white squares available, the red ones have been sold). I came in with Row B, in the "middle" section - not on the floor and not kissing the ceiling. Seats 3-4, which means lots of people climbing past, but should give me easy aisle access - and a fair good photo op. I could have scored first row, front and center from a broker for some paltry amount like 250 each seat. Amazing since the highest price ticket for the show is $35, how do they get away with that? (and where do I sign up - that is a great overhead!)

Today's CMA Nominations brought us little to nothing on the Jason Michael Carroll front - but we can still hope for a live performance or perhaps presenting duties. Looks like Wednesday November 12th is the magic day. Show tickets go on sale September 19th, with the show being held at the Sommet Center. Check CMA Awards for more info.

More Tour Dates, Trey Hill, CMA's

Added more tour dates, so be sure and check to see if Jason and the band are heading your way! I am noticing that the November portion of the tour schedule is looking particularly vacant. Perhaps a much needed break and time with the family is on tap for Jason? Watch for updates, if the plans change I will be sure and add it here.

Also just a note for the "old school" JMC fans (wow - are we "old school" already?) you can catch Trey Hill on Good Morning America today (Tuesday) 9/9, time 8:25AM ET, 7:25AM CT. Trey recently had the good fortune to join up with Jessica Simpson on her tour. While he is greatly missed by JMC fans, I know the Jessica fans will make him feel right at home.

And lastly - a more timely heads up regarding watching a morning show. On Wednesday be sure and tune in to Good Morning America where they will be broadcasting the CMA nominations live from the Sommet Center in Nashville. No inside word as of yet, but I wish the best of luck to everyone who is up for consideration. Maybe a bit of extra luck for Jason...but just a little bit.

East Coasters

If you are anywhere near Baltimore Maryland, or will be September 21st - you might want to head over to Sunday in the Country. Tickets available online, check for link on the <<-- schedule. Lots of great music on tap including Jason Michael Carroll, Sugarland and more.

The tour schedule has been reworked to include the state abbreviation in front of the location - nothing worse than people in 20 states heading off to their local Verizon (something or another) Center for a show that isn't there. I also noticed that I need to move to the east coast for the next month and a half, lots of shows coming up out there - if you are in PA, NC, FL - well, it is a popular place. Well wishes to those of you in the path of the hurricanes, batten down the hatches and hang in there. I am hoping all concert dates will go as planned, but will try and update you as word comes down the internet pike.

**If you have not caught the boys in the last few weeks - meet Colin Whinnery! He is a rockin' awesome guitar player who has been around the music scene for a bit in different incarnations, but has settled in with Jason and the band for a bit. Be sure and tell him "Hi!" if you see him out on the road.

Meet My Pet Peeve

Pardon me for taking 2 days off and then returning to tell you about my pet peeve - but I would like to introduce you to my pet peeve. I know not all of us go to concerts with a camera - and for those of us that do, not all cameras nor all photographers are created equal. So today's picture illustrates my pet peeve as best as I can without risking copyright infringement by "borrowing" an image from another online source.

My pet peeve completely 100% revolves around photos. I personally spend more time at a concert taking photos than I do watching the show. Maybe not the biggest bang for my time, but it gives me the opportunity to relive the moments over and over again. I also enjoy sharing my photos with other members of different communities and enjoy viewing pics others have shared in said communities. Someone somewhere forever ago said "emulation is the sincerest form of flattery". If you like my pics - fabulous! I like yours too. You want to take them and put them on your computer to enjoy them later? Also great! I have taken some of yours as well. Want to post mine on your online galleries as if they are your own? Over my (RIP) body.

If you like it - great, save it. Put it wherever you like, but put the photographers name with it. Not sure who took the picture? Ask. Time and time again I have been cyber-strolling through photo galleries only to find a picture that looks an awful lot like one of mine. Ok, so I have a few hundred of them - but I also have a good memory. Sure enough - direct overlay and ta-da, it IS the same photo! Only it is in Jon Smith's gallery - did Jon Smith take it or did I? Now lets say that by some gigantic stroke of good fortune, Company XYZ is so completely impressed by the photo that they wish to get copyright permission to use the photograph in some way. Super! Awesome, maybe even 'totally cool dude'. But wait - who do they contact? The person who holds the copyright for the picture (intellectual property). How are they going to know who that is? Because anyone who has copied it and put it in their own collection has credited the original photographer.

So - that is my pet peeve. I am wondering if anyone else feels this way, or if you think I am off my rocker. I promise to post something useful later, but I needed to get this off my chest.

*By the way - todays photo was taken by me....and then edited, again by me.

NOW That's What I Call Country

NOW That's What I Call Country was released last week, and charts show it is has been flying off the shelves and into our homes. It is an awesome compilation album with 20 tracks by artists such as Reba McIntire, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland - and of course what compilation would be complete without Jason Michael Carroll.

The CD debuted at #1 in on the country charts and #7 overall. This comes as no surprise as the CD includes 15 Top 5 hits. The CD is available wherever CDs are sold. Track listing:






1. CARRIE UNDERWOOD “All-American Girl”
2. RASCAL FLATTS “Winner At A Losing Game”
3. GARY ALLAN “Watching Airplanes”
4. REBA McENTIRE duet with KELLY CLARKSON “Because Of You”
5. KEITH URBAN “Everybody”
6. SUGARLAND “Stay”
7. LADY ANTEBELLUM “Love Don’t Live Here”
8. TAYLOR SWIFT “Picture To Burn”
9. DIERKS BENTLEY “Trying To Stop Your Leaving”
10. LUKE BRYAN “All My Friends Say”
11. BRAD PAISLEY “Letter To Me”
12. GEORGE STRAIT “I Saw God Today”
13. JULIANNE HOUGH “That Song In My Head”
14. SARA EVANS “As If”
15. KENNY CHESNEY “Don’t Blink”
16. TRACE ADKINS “You’re Gonna Miss This”
17. CHRIS CAGLE “What Kinda Gone”
18. KELLIE PICKLER “Things That Never Cross A Man’s Mind”
19. JOSH TURNER featuring TRISHA YEARWOOD “Another Try”
20. JASON MICHAEL CARROLL “Alyssa Lies”

Notice - they saved the best for last. More news tomorrow!

Anywhere USA

Somewhere right now, people are looking forward to catching Jason Michael Carroll in concert. I know I am, even though he was just here 5 days ago. Folks lucky enough to live near Blackfoot Idaho or Pendleton Oregon are up next on the tour schedule. I actually mapquested the Idaho gig... in a mere 20 hours I can be there - maybe even front and center. Where can you catch Jason in concert? Pretty much anywhere - Anywhere USA as the song goes.

Jason has been hitting the road hard, and still drawing huge crowds off his debut CD. His live show also offers a sneak peek at some of the songs that will make the cut onto his sophomore CD. I can say first hand - they are fantastic! "Tears", "Barnburner" and "Where I'm From" are destined to become fan favorites. A search over on YouTube will give you some clips from this summers shows of many of his songs, including these 3.

So while Jason is on his way to Anywhere USA, I am recovering from his local shows. I was lucky enough to hit 3 in 7 days which made for one of those "walking in a daydream" sort of weeks. I started with a trip to IL to catch the Stephenson County Fair. I have been to a good handful of "fairs" this summer to take in concerts - and this one was actually a fair. Midway, farm critters, even a Big Cats exhibit, and darned if they didn't have a JMC show on top of it! Jake Owen opened the show and gained a new fan or 50, and Jason of course - if it were possible outside - raised the roof. Will follow up tomorrow with the Midwest Threshermans Reunion in Mt. Pleasant Iowa - the half way point of my JMC Trifecta. Have a good Thursday, check out the links list and visit Brittany's Battle. Lots going on there, including a great fundraiser coming up in Raleigh, NC with lots of awesome silent auction items.

Almost Open for Business!

I am feeling every so slightly smarter than I was at the beginning of the day. The calendar is back <<---- and I have added a gazillion links ---->>, plus the band members are listed - wahoo!

So lets call it a day on the programming end. I still have a few spaces to fill in (it comes with gibberish, it is my job to fix that - hah!)

So the purpose of this blog is all things JMC, or for those new to him - Jason Michael Carroll. Jason has spent the last year and a half touring to promote his debut CD, and has just recently started working on his sophomore CD. Keep your eyes open this winter, rumblings are leaning towards December/January. If you hear otherwise feel free to leave a comment.

Me? I am a fan. I started out following Bucky Covington on his journey through the American Idol process and had a chance to catch a couple shows last summer. Fall brought the "Raisin' the Bar" tour, along with a very pleasant surprise or two. I was familiar with Jason's music prior to the concert, but was not a "fan". It took one show and I was hooked, with my 7th show being this past Saturday. I have been "keeping it simple" and sticking with the midwest "tri-state" area. Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa - they're all fair game if there is a JMC show.

Maybe you have seen me at a show or 3 if you attend in the area. I am the girl with the camera glued to her face, pumping an arm in the air plus occasionally resorting to headbanging (must be contagious?) Oh - and I am also the annoying person singing her fool head off. I know there are more of you, but each time I turn around to look I see nothing but closed mouths and guilty faces. Those pics you took that have an arm and a camera in them? Yeah - some of those are mine too, but not the manicured polished ones. So I apologize to all I may have offended, and to those I will in the future. I just want that great picture - ok, maybe a few of them....and those songs ROCK - of course I sing (howl?) along. If you have not had the pleasure of catching a JMC show - check the schedule <<---- and head to one. I dare you to not sing along, bob your head, or tap your foot.

Will close off with adding a picture tonight (^ up yonder), watch for more "beware of falling HTML" signs tomorrow as I continue to build the blog. Thanks for stopping by! Any suggestions, questions, complaints? Hit that comment box and let me know.

Once More From The Top

Alas - HTML has gotten the best of me. I am trying to revert back to the old background but it is a work in progress. As mentioned please excuse the sawdust during construction. First addition is the calendar to the right - click on the venue and get more info. More on the way! *Edit - the map is currently on hiatus, but hopes to return as soon as I get this figured out!

Recaps and photos coming - I had 3 Jason shows in the last week to inspire me to create the fan blog. Please feel free to leave comments as well and let me know what you would like to see here.

More tomorrow.