~ Music for the Weekend ~ A Mix Tape ~ Sept. 11 ~

So , I feel like I have heard so much good music this week that I couldn't wait until #NewMusicMonday to start sharing . For those gearing up for the weekend here are some tunes for you to consider adding to your playlist .

Starting with Demi Lovatos' cover of Hozier's , "Take Me to Church " . As " Cool for the Summer  " , the first release off Lovato's upcoming album , " Confident " , cools off for fall this will help hold you over until the October release date . No stranger for belted vocals Demi does a terrific job in covering this tune . She has said in interviews past that she often sings while running on the treadmill to prepare for bringing the same vocals to her road show as she does her recorded tracks . Just a little fun fact for ya before you start thinking to yourself , " I could totally do that " . If you thought walking and chewing gum was hard , try working a full stage whilst holding big notes . " My lovers got humor . She's the giggle at a funeral . "

To get more info on " Confident " click here .

Next , you legitimately NEED this redo and duo on your play list . Like . NEEEEEEEEED it . When Willie Nelson asks if you want to cut one of his records.....you say yes . As did Kacey Musgraves when he made the offer to her . Along with cutting the record he offered to sing on it w Musgraves as well . I would imagine while playing it cool on the outside she totally geeked on the inside . I would've . As expected , nothing less that awesome came from this collab . Yesterday was a rainy , don't feel good , booh on all things kind of day and this song was my sound track . That might bode poorly for this tune , but I see it as a compliment . It's like the friend you know you don't have to clean your house for before they come over . It's comfort . It's familiar .  It hits the nail right on the head . It's if tears had words these would be them . It almost feel wrong to listen to it on anything other than vinyl . " Please don't let my tears persuade you . I had hoped I wouldn't cry . Lately tear drops seem a part of me . "

Kacey Musgraves & Willie Nelson - " Are You Sure "

This morning I woke up with Tori Kelly's " It Should've Been Us " stuck in my head . I have had that one line repeating all day . So , I was extra stoked to see that Kelly joined one of my fave country groups , Little Big Town , last night at their show in Cali . There is a youtube video of the collaboration I just for some reason suddenly can't find it . This is Kelly's performance from the VMA's which was actually one of the best performances of the night as far as staying on point musically/vocally . " Walking round with my head down , but I can't hide with these high heels on " .

Tori Kelly - VMA - " Should've Been Us "

Rae Lynn - " For a Boy "

 

So , I go back and forth with Rae Lynn . One minute I am all , YESSSSS . Such twang . So country ! Yessss !!! And then I get all , NOOOO . She is too young . Don't tell me about love and heart break lil' missy . But , " For a Boy " has me back in her corner . I just like it . I can't even help it . I mean , it's the words we all think when debating falling for a boy . They make us crazy . They make us do things we'd never normally do . WE CAN'T EVEN HELP IT !!! It also high lights our suitors strengths . So , Rae Lynn lands on my music for the weekend mix tape . " For a boy , your heart is pretty see through " . For more of Rae's tunes click here .

I think rounding out a mix tape with a little Dierks Bentley is always a good idea . "Bourbon in Kentucky " was actually the first release off of " Riser ", Bentley's most recent album . The song didn't get much traction with radio so they moved on to other tunes like " Drunk on a Plane " , " Say You Do " , " I Hold On " , & " Riser " . All great songs , but I LOVE " Bourbon in Kentucky " and do NOT get why it didn't get the radio air it should've . I mean , turn it up as loud as it will go and sing it at the top of my lungs driving down the two lane , LOVE !!!! I hope that you love it too . Dierks is finishing up his headlining Sounds of Summer tour with Kip Moore , Maddie & Tae & Cannan Smith ( pretty sure I spell his first name different every time I write it)  to find out where you can catch them click here . " Once you've had the best , nothing else will do " .

Dierks Bentley - "Bourbon in Kentucky " fr "Riser" 

 

~ Insta Blog ~ Acceptance ~

‪

Jesus Calling - Sept. 8th

So , I was just doing my devos minding my own business when the Lord speaks so specifically . I will NEVER stop being amazed by His directness towards us . I had just finished being less than thankful and a complete girl complaining about my insecurities and why oh why does it have to be this way and no matter what I do or don't nothing changes (just a little real life rawness for ya today) and yada ya...da blah blah . Then I read this , " Accept each day exactly as it comes to you . By that , I mean not only the circumstances of your day , but also the condition of your BODY . Your assignment is to TRUST ME ABSOLUTELY , resting in My sovereignty and faithfulness . " - Jesus Calling and " I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint . " Jeremiah 31:25 I mean , listen guys , it is very clear that He wants us to find acceptance with in ourselves for whatever situation we are in while also continuing after Him . Physically , mentally , spiritually , & emotionally if your situation is less than you dreamed trust that even this has potential to bring Him glory . Keep pursuing His word . Linger on the things you know to be true of Him . Consider how your situation could possibly bring Him glory and show others what exactly your God is capable of . The time of glory may not come in the midst of the battle , but once it is all said and done you can bet your sweet biscuits that you will see His handiwork in it . So . Don't be brought down today by ANYTHING. Heads held high . He has you .

~ Insta Blog ~ Haters Gonna Hate ~

I've never been truly able to understand the haters who hate just for the sake of hating . My heart has always lead me to believe there is more to it . Jealousy . Insecurity . Confusion . A life time of less than kind examples . Hurt . Because hurt usually manifests in a not so pleasant way . In the midst of dealing w these folks , while I may not want to spend allllll my time around them I believe w all my insides that not going to their level of mean says something to them . Perhaps ...not on a obvious level,  but in a seed planted sort of level . I don't know who/what you are dealing w this week , but just remember , " no one can make you feel bad without your permission " . Own your strength . Own your wisdom . Own the forgiveness and grace that is bestowed upon you daily by your Heavenly Father . 📱❤😘 ‪#‎truth‬ ‪#‎bestrong‬ ‪#‎beyou‬ ‪#‎bekind‬ ‪#‎grace‬ ‪#‎forgiveness‬ ‪#‎roosevelt‬ ‪#‎mondaymotoontuesday‬ 🍷 Here is to a week of handing out grace . Love y'all 😘

 

~ New Music Monday ~ Sept. 7th ~ Happy Labor Day !! ~

Kip Moore - " Girl of the Summer " fr "Wild Ones"

 

#‎NewMusicMonday‬ is on a bit of a delay today due to 1 . The Holiday and 2 . A wicked migraine that makes me wanna rip my ears off . Good news , that feeling is fading and I can now see straight enough to share some sweet tunes .

As we say good bye to the summer I am fittingly starting #NewMusicMonday with ‪#‎KipMoores‬ ‪#‎GirloftheSummer‬ from his newest album ‪#‎WildOnes‬. Because yes , I was serious about exposing you to EVERY track from the new album . Anyway , this is one of the teaser vids from #LifeinRewind ‬. I think it is so perfect and fits so well w the song . Happy listening !!

You can learn more about Kip Moore and when he may be in your town by clicking here .

Clare Dunn - "Move On"

Next on the ‪#‎NewMusicMonday‬ list is ‪#‎ClareDunn‬. I have nothing but mad respect for female guitarist . I mean , I respect the other females too , but electric has been such a male dominated thing that when a chick rocks , it seems no one knows what to do with it .

Dunn is one of CMTs ‪#‎WomentoWatch‬ and ‪#‎NextWomenofCountry‬. I first heard of her in another artists interview . After checking out some of her tunes and watching some interviews I think I have a ‪#‎GirlCrush‬ as ‪#‎LittleBigTown‬ would say.  Clare has only been playing guitar for about 6 years and in my opinion surpasses some of her male counter parts in the skill and style department . Hailing from a small town in Colorado w a population of less than 40 , she is a great example of dreaming big and making it come true .

This is the first "official" vid produced for what will hopefully end up being an album . I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this track . I have no doubt there is going to be MUCH more to see from Clare Dunn in the future .

P. S. ALL THE SINGLE LADIES tired of waiting on that shy guy to make his move , this is the tune to "accidentally" have on when you leave the room . 😉

" I got plenty of em', I don't need more friends "

You can learn more about Clare Dunn by clicking here .

Dierks Bentley - "Riser " fr "Riser"

 

Last on todays list for ‪#‎NewMusicMonday‬ is ‪#‎DierksBentley‬'s, ‪#‎Riser‬, off the album of the same name . Dierks is easily one of my favorite writers getting air time right now . Usually bringing some humor with his truth this is a more stoic departure since "Drunk on a Plane" or even "Say You Do". This is the 4th or 5th release from #Riser and a perfect way to head into a new season .

The video was inspired by , tells the story of and features one of Bentley's fans and her families struggle to find a way out of hard times . If you get the chance you should ‪#‎Youtube‬ the behind the scenes clip for this one . It is well worth 3 or 4 minutes of your day .

It seems like in todays times everyone is struggling in one way or another . I don't know about you , but this tune helps remind me of what I am capable of and that no one and/or nothing can keep you down when you are meant to rise back up . As summer turns to fall let this one inspire you to be a #Riser !!!

" When push comes to shove I'm a fighter "

Dierks is on the tail end of the Sounds of Summer tour with Kip Moore , Caanan Smith , and Maddie and Tae , to catch one of the last shows or to research future shows you can click here .
 

~ Insta Blog ~ Be Generous to Yourself Now and Then ~

Some days its about being grateful for the little things and remembering it is ok to do a little something for yourself now and then no matter your "situation". Today I am grateful for hand written letters , snail mail , and "co-workers" that turn into real friendships !! @kaye_laso11 I just love you and your beautiful heart lots and lots !!! Thank you for obeying His leading when He asked you to write this letter . I am grateful for "used" music stores (the boss... for $3.95 almost seems wrong.....but I love him.....and a bargain , so .) , coupons (so that m'$18.00 vitamins are FREE ( this bottle will last close to three months PTL) , and new music magazines just for the brain candy factor . A couple frivolous purchases ? Maybe . Well worth the less than $10.00 spent ? Definitely . As you head into your long Labor day weekend remember it is ok to enjoy yourself or to at least try , no matter whats going on in your world and to maybe do a little something thats just for you . We are hugging summer good bye and heading toward yet another season . Celebrate this one for what it was and be grateful for the change a new one brings . Love you all !!!

~ Insta Blog ~ Dreams ~

I truly struggle w the idea of dreams and especially day dreaming. I fight w the idea of what's from Him and how much is my own selfish, foolish, flesh . I do believe He gives us passion and vision and often it spins out from a silly day dream , but it is in the absence of passion and vision I panic . Maybe panic is a strong word . Anyway, as your mind wanders off today my prayer for you would be that it land on something Holy . Something undeniably from Him . That's" gonna be my selfish prayer for myself as well . Lord let none of my waiting be wasteful . Let even my silly , girly , day dreams be something You could use .

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers , whatever is true , whatever is noble , whatever is right , whatever is pure,  whatever is lovely , whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things .

~ Books ~ Cause Reading Makes You Look Smart ~

So , in the last two weeks several people close to me have published books . Weird right ?! But that is kinda how my world works , when it rains it pours . I am very proud of both and need to brag a little on my loved ones . First....

Dana and I met our freshmen year of high school . In choir and both mixed in some sort of he said she said , boy tryin' to be a playa nonsense , we at first where on opposite sides of a girl fight . That lasted about an hour and somewhere in the hour after that we became besties and have been ever since . We "cruised" (drove up and down main street eventually landing in the Wal-Mart parking lot) town with the boys who drove wubba wubba's (big ol' trucks) , spent as much time in church activities as we did any other , shared a locker our senior year with another bestie and even managed to survive going to different colleges in different states . Somehow , though our life journey's have lead us on different adventures we have always remained close and connected . Everyone has buddies , but not everyone gets real true friends . I am proud to say Dana is one of mine and more than likely always will be . So , I can't help but boast on her behalf on this kinda a big deal accomplishment of the publication of her first book , "Confessions of an Unlikely Runner" .  You can check amazon.com to download your copy now for free !!! Congrats Dana on your first book !! We are all so very proud of you .


Next , my cousin , Tracy Adkins Powers and her husband Dennis Powers have written and published a Christian children's book , " Little Kate - World Traveler " . My cousin Tracy is one of the main reasons I had the opportunity to attend Liberty University . As I was searching and thinking on the idea of college Tracy passed along an Alumni Scholarship to me from the university . At the time I never thought I'd go so far away from home , but I am so thankful that she opened my mind to the idea . Liberty changed my life and I'm always overwhelmed by how a small gesture could make such a big impact . The scholarship didn't pay my way , but it undeniably opened the doors . So , I am so excited to now get to share with you all her and her hubs book as a bit of a Thank You . Inspired by my great-grandparents , Tracys' grandparents Estel and Hannah , and her great niece , Kate , Tracy and Dennis have come up with such a sweet depiction of a little one looking to share her adventures with her grandparents . I often think on what Mamaw Hannah might have to say about the grand kids , great grand kids , adventures and this is a fun way of thinking what it might have been like to get to tell her our stories . You can purchase "Little Kate - World Traveler" by clicking here . There is also a small free preview that can be read here .

Little Kate - World Traveler - WestBow Press
 

With a long weekend ahead this may be the perfect time to download these two books !! What have you been reading lately ?!
‬