Passings By rkrugg | No comments yet

Country-rocker Dawson dies

“Musician John “Marmaduke” Dawson, who along with Jerry Garcia co-founded country rock group the New Riders of the Purple Sage and wrote songs for the Grateful Dead, died Tuesday in Mexico from stomach cancer. He was 64 years old.”

Got to admit, and it’s probably not much of a surprise to people, that NRPS really isn’t my kind of country.  But Dawson’s passing is worth note, he wrote most of the songs on their albums, and you can hear some of them on the official website at http://www.nrpsmusic.com/music/index.html

The quote above comes from Spinner.com, and the full article is a decent summary.

Country Music By rkrugg | No comments yet

Lady A at No. 1

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Lady Antebellum may be one of the odder names for a country music group that’s out there on the charts right now, but their “Run to You” just made it Billboard’s No. 1 country single spot, and well-deserved it is, too.  This is one of the best songs on the country airwaves-  it’s fresh, it’s progressive, and sounds great.

Lady Antebellum is singer Hillary Scott, singer Charles Kelley and instrumentalist Dave Haywood.  With a previous single of “Love Don’t Live Here,” their self-titled debut album was released in April of 2008, and they took “Top New Group” honors at the 2008 Academy of Country Music Awards.

The trio opens for Miranda Lambert and Kenny Chesney for a sold-out show July 29 at Harveys Outdoor Amphitheater at Lake Tahoe, as well as maintaining a solid touring schedule throughout the rest of the year.

For more info, check out their site at http://ladyantebellum.com/index.htm

Clothing By rkrugg | No comments yet

If the Boot Fits…

Wall Street Journal blogger Jennifer Rosa, in her blog Private Equity Beat, last month made a suggestion regarding bankers’ footwear- “Consider Wearing Cowboy Boots.”

Huntsman Corp.’s lawsuit against the banks that were to fund its buyout by Apollo Management goes to trial this week. The Wall Street Journal reports that barring a last-minute settlement, we’re going to find out how a Texas jury views big banks. We suggest that donning cowboy boots instead of patent leather loafers might be a good idea in the coming days.

Though a word of advice to those bankers who might actually think about following Rosa’s suggestion-  choose your boots wisely.  While Shepler’s website does have some boots listed as low as $29.99, the price tag on some cowboy boots there shoot over the top into several grand, and there’s one pair- the Lucchese Limited Edition 125th Anniversary boots, listed at $12,500.  (Seriously!)  If you’re trying to portray an image of fiscal responsibility and/or a bond of kinship with the people, these might not be the footwear in which to be seen…

That's $6,250 per foot!

That's $6,250 per foot!

Country Music By rkrugg | No comments yet

A Country Cruise

My friend over at the Grand Ol’ Opry shot me over this info on a chance to take an ocean cruise with some of the classic country music artists.  Take a look, and for more great country music bloggin’, visit Rugged Stuff on the community blogs at www.NewWest.net.

OPRY COUNTRY CLASSICS CRUISE TO SET SAIL JAN. 24, 2010

Larry Gatlin, Gene Watson, Jim Ed Brown, Jeannie Seely, Chuck Mead Slated to Perform on Caribbean Cruise Aboard Carnival’s Valor

Jim Ed Brown is among the classic country greats on the cruise.

Jim Ed Brown is among the classic country greats on the cruise.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 17, 2009) – Fans of country classics like “All the Gold in California,” “Farewell Party,” and “Pop A Top” are in for a treat when the Opry Country Classics Cruise sails the Caribbean Jan. 24 – 31, 2010. Grand Ole Opry star Larry Gatlin is set to entertain during the cruise alongside fellow Opry stars Jim Ed Brown and Jeannie Seely plus country favorite Gene Watson and special guest Chuck Mead.

Fans of the classics will experience private shows by the artists performing their own hits in addition to all-time country favorites throughout the week. Additional musical fun onboard will include classic country karaoke with celebrity guests, screenings of classic country television performances, and an exclusive cocktail party with fellow Opry Country Classics Cruise passengers. A full casino, deck activities, dancing, first-run movies, and gourmet dining also are included.  All meals aboard the ship, including a special “Welcome Aboard” party with the Captain, up to six meals a day, and a gala Bon Voyage Dinner are included.  Departing from Miami, FL passengers aboard Carnival’s Valor will visit four ports of call: Grand Cayman, Isla Roatan, Belize and Cozumel.

“Great music, great fans, a whole lot of food, and some sunshine in January. It doesn’t get any better than that!” Gatlin said. “I’m looking forward to singing some classics on the high seas and listening to my Opry buddies do the same.”

Prices for the Opry Country Classics Cruise start at $999 per person. For more information on each artist on the cruise, cruise blogs, and more, visit oprycruise.com. To book a cruise, contact Corporate Travel Service Inc. at (866) 653-OPRY (6779).