Southern Comforts
Musings and ramblings from the South... pardon the accent.
-
The literary equivalent of Hershey’s dark chocolate and a Bota Box of Shiraz… AKA food for my soul. Thanks, Huff Post Women and Glamour magazine for this great article that will be a great book!
-
It’s our gal @meghanlinsey and Josh Jones of @steelmagnolia11! From the ACM red carpet, recalling the festivities of the previous night. TOO MUCH FUN. Love y’all!
-
He drives a Jeep. He’s terrible at Blackjack. And he’s from TIFTON! Yep, there’s somethin’ ‘bout @kipmooremusic. From the magical ACM Red Carpet! Ladies, you’re welcome.
-
It’s my new IBF (Instant Best Friend), @kramergirl, Miss Jana Kramer! Talking blackjack and answering the burning question: “Why Ya Wanna?” LOVE HER!
-
ACM-winner @leebrice pays the compliment of the century! And we steal some sugar on the red carpet…
-
We survived! Granted on Starbucks and blueberry muffins mostly, but we made it!
Our first Academy of Country Music Awards experience was everything we’d hoped it would be and more: a jackpot of our favorite artists and music biz buddies, lots of flashing lights, high dollah martinis, free beer, and God knows more fake eyelashes than the law allows.
In other words: Heaven.
The MGM Grand felt like Nashville had moved out West for five days. And thank God! Who wouldn’t want to be walking through the slot machines and get a wave from Easton Corbin? Everyone is everywhere: hanging in, hanging out, hanging on.
But enough Tanya Tucker. And enough of the stuffy “news” on the ACMs. Here are my personal highlights from the Vegas days, in no particular order:
- Keith Urban remembering me and telling me how fantastic I looked at the radio forums. (Seriously. I think I peed my pants a little.)
- KIP MOORE. In every shape, form, and tight shirt imaginable. So kind. That’s a good-hearted man.
- Big & Rich: the entire interview.
- Chris Young in a Titans jersey crusing through the casino.
- Bumping into Jake Owen at the Vegas baggage claim. He and his beautiful honey Lacey had dinner at Wolfgang Puck’s the same night we did.
- Meeting Taylor Swift. Having her gush over my dress, and then touch it, and give me a big hug. Taylor is magical.
- Little Big Town. Interview, red carpet, Jimi complimenting my red carpet shoes. All things Little Big Town.
- Hanging with David Nail at the Darius Rucker show.
- All things my buddy Justin Moore. Hearing him say, “I just love you!” pretty much made my weekend. He’s precious and bada**.
- Thomas Rhett opening up his shirt to me on the red carpet…and then asking me to be his date. (What?! Was I supposed to button it back up??)
- Literally running into JT Hodges outside Rouge. Stole a hug and we chatted about the day. Adore that guy.
- Canaan Smith offering to split his cherry Twizzler with me. Lady and The Tramp style. You know, where he chews one end and me the other. And we meet in the middle. (Trying to remain professional in that moment = my biggest Vegas regret.)
- Laura Bell Bundy. Generally. Interviewing her. Chirping. Talking drag queens. Plotting future shenanigans.
- Lee Brice telling me I look like Elizabeth Taylor on the red carpet. What a honey. He gives the best hugs.
- Keeping it all the family with CMT Radio Live’s Cody Alan, Dingo, B. Ro, and Philip. For the first time ever, Dingo unleashed “Fake Sam.” Thanks, Crown Royal.
- Margaritas and Barbara Mandrell karaoke with Jon Pardi, Donna, Hunter, Becca, Tammy, and Curt. OH M Garth. Hilarious.
- Curt doing fake everyone. All the time.
- …did I take a shot with Darryl Worley?
- Being able to hug Thompson Square only hours after they won their first ACM for Duo of the Year. What an incredible moment for them!
- Neil Perry, your vintage sunglasses are the John Lennon to my Yoko rayban frames. (see tweet…)
- …I think I did take a shot with Darryl Worley…
- Carrie Underwood on the plane heading home. Carrie encouraging Curt to sing “Good Girl.” Carrie diggin’ my purple dress.
- Seeing Jana Kramer blackjackin’ it up, all while encouraging me and Jay Frank to get in the game. We all lost. Which led to a fun evening of celebrating our loss with Meghan Linsey of Steel Magnolia and The Voice’s Adley Stump.
- Gwen Sebastian. Love her.
I am so, so thankful for my job and my life. So, so thankful.
