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.