Between 1982 and 1986, Janie Fricke reeled off seven No. 1 singles as country music fans got to know her as more than a backing vocalist and in-demand duet partner (she also scored No. 1 hits with Charlie Rich and Merle Haggard in 1978 and 1985, respectively). Her run alone through the 1980s consisted of 16 Top 10 singles with a brand of country/pop that paid homage to classic country.

Janie’s now honoring the pickin’ tradition while reworking 12 of her own hits on the new studio album, Country Side of Bluegrass. There’s nothing better than some one converting their standards into a bluegrass version. You get the best of both worlds.

I took a lot of photo’s from last night and if you were there, hopefully I got one of you and Janie Fricke. Not only Janie, but The Roys were solid and I can see why they won all those bluegrass awards. In one of the photos, I scanned my cheat notes from mc-ing last night.

You should also know that the video we took from Thursday, during Number Ones At One, with The Roys, is now up on my Thursday blog. Check it out!!

The Super Bowl truly is a spectacle like no other.  We laugh about it, we joke about it but in the end it is the single biggest sporting event in North America.  Sure in Europe and other places around the world it’s the World Cup of Soccer or even the World Bike Racing Championships.

In Canada the Stanley Cup also ranks right up there with the big events. Personally I love the MLB World Series and the CFL’s Greycup. However, for one night, there is nothing that captures the attention of North America like the Super Bowl.  Part of that is because of the careful marketing and the awesome hype machine that the NFL and the sporting media has developed it into.

People go to Super Bowl parties and the largest TV audience every year tunes in.  They’re not all football fans.  In fact, a lot of them never watch a game.  However the Super Bowl has managed to find a way to transcend just being a football game.  Now it’s an event and they get “A” list celebrities to entertain the folks who don’t know a first down from a field goal.  I always look forward to the Super Bowl and not just the football part.  I’m a fan of the hype.  I get a kick out of the six hour long pre-game show.  A cliche filled afternoon as announcers and the players themselves all take their turns spouting off sports cliche after sports cliche.  We just have to go out there and give 100%.  The team that wants it the most will take this game.  Someone pass me the chips.  Oh sorry, that last one is a Super Bowl viewers cliche.

It’s amazing to watch grown adults kill six hours of TV time with filler.  Highlights, clips, interviews, predictions, it’s all just fluff.  I don’t know anyone who watches all six hours. It starts at noon and runs until six P.M.  I mean, if you sat there for all six hours and you made it to the end, wouldn’t you be a little distraught to find out, you still have to sit there for another four hours watching the actual game??  I will turn it on a couple of times Sunday afternoon just to see what kind of nonsense filler they’re using this year or even better, maybe learn me a new sports cliché I haven’t heard before. However my interest will really peak come game time.  The start of the Super Bowl is almost always the best part.  The anticipation, the excitement watching the two teams charge out of the tunnel to take the field.  There’s electricity and energy there.  The potential is so great at that point that I don’t think the actual game could ever live up to it.  Some polished celebrity comes out and sings the anthem and then it’s almost game time.

Actually the ads are another reason to tune in, unless you’re a Canadian.  Unfortunately due to an idiotic decision by the CRTC years ago we get stuck with the Canadian feed.  Which means a boring evening of even more boring Canadian commercials.  That only leads to us getting even less work down on Monday because we’ve got to go on YouTube to see the cool ads we missed.

Wouldn’t it be great if they moved the game to Saturday night?  I mean then the parties could last into the night and it would easier to get your kids involved in watching this spectacle.  I would like a Saturday night Super Bowl, but that will have to wait until next year.  All I can hope for now is that the game is at least interesting until half time.  Then we get the big production number by Maddona. I probably will be in bed by 9pm so I can do the morning run at 620 CKRM.  I can always look up who won when I’m on YouTube looking for Budweiser ads.

GOOOOooooo ????? who cares??

The Lounge

  Had a great visit with the award winning bluegrass sensation….The Roys.

Here’s our time together in the Century Studio at Harvard Broadcasting………….. 

LONESOME WHISTLE CD (Rural Rhythm / March 2011)-Debuted @ #7 on Billboard Bluegrass Album Chart

• “Trailblazer”- new single, video just released (1/18/12)
• Roots and Music With The Roys TV show – to begin taping in Feb 2012
•  “Coal Minin’ Man”(single) topped Bluegrass Unlimited, Bluegrass Music Profiles and Power Source charts; # 1 for 2 weeks on European Country Charts
• “Coal Minin’ Man” video(shot in Hazard, KY) debuted on Fox Network and aired on GAC TV
• ROUGHSTOCK’S Ones To Watch: Class of 2011
• The Boot Campaign – 2011
• 2010 + 2009 Inspirational Country Music (ICM) “Duo of the Year”
• 2011 Inspirational Country Music(ICM) Bluegrass Artist of the Year
• Compassion International “Respond With Compassion” Campaign 2011
• Compassion International mission trip to Bogota, Columbia, South America (August 2010)
• Spokesmen for Compassion International; sponsoring 2 children
• RFD-TV’s weekly Campfire Café Show (2011) theme song performed by The Roys/written by Lee Roy and Matt Rogers
• Endorsements: Vietti Family Style Beef Stew, Boulder Creek Guitars (Elaine); Boucher Guitars/J Bovier Mandolin (Lee)
• Touring U.S. and Canada 2011, including dates with Janie Fricke

Performance Highlights:

• Country Thunder 2011 –opened for Lady A first day and only act to perform all four days
• Toured with legend George Jones in the US and Canada.
• Opening act for Lady Antebellum, Chris Young, Alan Jackson, Sara Evans, Collin Raye, Chris Young, Phil Vassar, Neal McCoy and The Oak Ridge Boys
• Multiple features in People and Country Weekly Magazines
• Performed the National Anthem for President Bush at Andrews Air Force Base; Tennessee Titans/Denver Broncos game(2011), Red Sox at Fenway Park and the NASCAR Truck Series at the Kansas Speedway
• Performed at Grand Opening of Eddie Montgomery Steak House (2010)
• Partnered with TJ Bell for NASCAR World Truck Camping Series (2009)
• Montgomery Gentry ACM Harley Charity Ride, ACM Weekend (2008)
• Performed at the Freemont Stage (Las Vegas) during the ACMs (2008)
• Rode in The Little Big Town Charity Harley Ride and performed (2008)
• Featured on CMT’s Southern Fried Flicks with Hazel Smith (2008)
• CMA Music Fest Riverfront Stages performance (2008)

TV + Radio Appearances:

• Fox & Friends
• Daytime
• Better TV
• The Daily Buzz
• GAC-TV On the Streets
• ABC -TV What’s The Buzz
• RFD-TV Larry’s Country Diner
• RFD-TV Campfire Café Series
• Inside Music Row
• The Country Vibe
  • Somebody Cares For The Southeast Telethon 2011
• Sunday’s Kind of Country
• Praise The Lord with Jason Crabb
• 2010 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon-Las Vegas – (National TV debut)
• Sirius XM Radio’s Track By Track with Kyle Cantrell
• Bluegrass Radio Network Into The Blue with Terry Herd

 Here’s their hit video “Coal Minin’ Man

http://youtu.be/DV6pJ-0Na4E

Everyday I’m sent to work with a healthy, filling lunch (Donnie spoils me). Every day I have to find room in our staff room fridge. That fridge is so packed you have to shuffle stuff around to make room. It’s like a big puzzle that consumes too much time.

What I want to know is who is responsible for cleaning it out. I have checked in with all the staff and they all say it is  not in their job description! The cleaning staff is not responsible…….So who should clean it out?? I’m pretty sure there is stuff in there from the last 5 years (how many ketchup packets do you need?). 

I’m thinking we should have a contest to see who gets stuck with the job. 

Once in a while somebody will lose an item from the fridge by somebody’s sticky fingers. If you ever want something from my lunch box……..just ask.

These bags are cool……..I wouldn’t touch the sandwich in this bag.

The Lounge

He is one “cool cat” and I let him know……Neil put on one great show at the Casino Regina Show Lounge on Saturday night. He was also confirmed to spend another year with us at the Craven Country Jamboree for 2012!!

Here is the link to You-tube for our 1 hour visit. He has a lot of interesting stories on his career and those of his friends in the business.   

 Click on the link below……………

http://youtu.be/IZIcNRCQHq0

Big thanks to our intern Chris Archer for hanging out and video taping this!

The Lounge

Janie Fricke opened a lot of doors for the ladies back in the early 80′s. She started out as jingle singer, then sang backup vocals for numerous legends (including Elvis) and then found fame in her own right with numerous number ones.

Janie Fricke will be at the Casino Regina Show Lounge Feb 3rd with opening act The Roys.

Enjoy our chat from this morning…….. Janie Fricke Interview – (2012.01.24-10.00)

For the rest of the week I will be in Central Butte for the Recreation Association lotto…..hope to hear from you.

The Lounge

When I was much younger I would always get the “gears” about not dressing properly for the weather. At that age I would shrug it off and continue with my stupid ways. You know that mindset?…. your tough, invincible and god forbid you look like a responsible teenager in front of your friends!

  Then I moved to Flin Flon and trust me, a couple of winters up north and your memory has a funny way of reminding you of loved ones telling you to dress properly. I was always told “You cannot cheap out on 3 things in life…a good mattress…good shoes… and a winter parka”. How I take those words to heart now. 

Well now that I’m older and wiser (I think), those thoughts keep coming back to me and when I see a pers0n not dressed for the weather conditions. I wonder if they were told to dress for the cold or maybe they have nobody that cares.  I saw a kid waiting at the corner of Park and Arcola  wearing nothing but a little hoody.  ”Man will he pay for that when he gets older” I thought.

Then I thought “maybe he can’t afford winter clothing!! 

I know that a lot of the thrift shops and Salvation Army stores go through a big run of winter clothing when it’s this cold. Check your closet or storage rooms and please donate any unwanted or unused winter clothing to a shelter nearest you.

Stay warm

The Lounge

Today will be a day to remember, not only for Brandy, but family, friends and fans alike.

Another Saskatchewan talent hit the mighty 620 CKRM air-waves today. I have said it before but in needs repeating…..”We have so many talented artists in Saskatchwan” .

Brandy Young is one of those “never give up story’s” you always hear about. Brandy was persistent at performing in our 620 CKRM Big Country Talent show. She tried 14 times and 2011 was her year.

From my perspective I knew that Brandy was in it for the long haul and I must say it was fun watching her and her talent grow and blossom before our eyes. She was having fun and it showed on the stage. I always say it’s like watching your own family accomplish feats of excellence when you have watched the artists begin from the unknown to accomplish their goal of winning it  all.

I know you will be impressed by her hit single that she recorded on behalf of 620 CKRM (1st prize for winning). The single was written by Keith Follese (Tennessee) and Peter Zizzo (New York). Jonathan Yudkin, who has played fiddle on recordings for Shania, Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, and many more, appears on the song.

We also have to thank the local musicians who did a great job they are…..

Brian Kelly – bass

Jeff Bradshaw -steel

Jason Brinkworth – drums

Kenny Burton – guitar

Bart McKay – piano/organ

Sheila Deck –  backing vocals/harmonies

…..all of them are very talented local artists. 

 Of course, we can not forget Grant Hall, of Touchwood Studios, for being the master conducter and technician who orchestrated and put it all together. If you need the job done right call 775-1929 or go to Touchwoodstudios.com

Here is the chat Brandy had with Jamie and Gloria on the Flea this morning……Brandy Young interview !!!

And of course here is her brand new single “I’m Not Sorry”………. Brandy Young – Im Not Sorry

Watch for Brandy Young at a venue near you! She’s destined for great things!

The Lounge

Saskatchewan residents will know what I’m talking about……. 

  Gusting, blustery, blowing, howling and whipping are all great words to describe a strong wind. Some of those words are also used for other things but words like gusting are pretty much reserved for wind description. The wind is a pretty amazing thing when you really think about it. Mostly we only think about the wind in the way it affects us. The wind when you’re playing golf can be merciless. A beautiful soaring tee shot is reduced to a chip by a strong wind in your face. The wind can wreak havoc with our lives when it really starts to blow. Cars bouncing around the road to the point that you can’t tell who the drunk drivers are anymore. Lawn furniture can become airborne and the next thing you know it’s decorating someone else’s lawn.  The wind can cause a lot of damage although in most instances it’s the trees that cause the damage when the wind brings them down. Young boys learn quite young, with a splattering down a pant leg, to never pee into the wind. 

  A breeze is always nice. A spring breeze bringing fresh air to a stale city or a summer breeze on a hot day which can help cool you. The wind can also be your friend. If it whips up in the fall you might get lucky and all the leaves in your yard will end up in your neighbors yard without you having to rake at all. When the wind howls in a snow storm so hard the snow is coming down sideways, that can help or hinder you. Depending on where the snow drifts build up. Out on open water the wind is a friend to anyone sailing until it suddenly turns on you and then the wind becomes your mortal enemy. The wind can often have mood swings that way. The wind may end up being very beneficial to humans as we start to build wind farms to harness the power and turn it into electricity. Although I do worry about the day when we have so many wind farms that a strong gust and we could see the country just take off.

 The wind is never a friend to your hair. No matter how many products, from holding gels to hair spray, you liberally apply to your lid, the wind can find a way to undo the doo’ leaving you with what looks like a pile of doo’ on your head. The wind can be friend or foe but have you ever wondered while standing in a strong wind, where it came from. How does the wind start?? Is there always a strong wind and it’s just circling the planet and coming through our area every once in awhile?? Does the wind have a starting point? Is it a gentle breeze that just starts to get rolling like a snowball downhill and the next thing you know it’s a gale force monster that’s bending stop signs and snapping 100 year old trees like toothpicks.

  I don’t like the noise it makes and I’m not a fan of anything that helps create “windchill”. A gentle breeze softly buffeting a wind chime can make a wonderful sound. A howling wind that rattles windows and creates an ungodly screech when it gets trapped between a storm door and the house is never a reassuring thing.

Then there’s “passing wind” but that really is a different topic for another time. Although, admittedly, passing wind in a strong wind really can help you avoid being blamed for any stench. Just something to keep in mind the next time people start using words like gusting, blustery and howling.

Windy days in this province are the norm, I can’t imagine living anywhere where the wind don’t blow.

The Lounge

There are some concerts where you don’t expect anything big and I’m there to do a job. Well on Friday my expectations where shattered as Mo Bandy & Joe Stampley put on a great show that lasted a couple of hours.

My biggest surprise was how well they still could sing and reach the high notes. Usually with age comes a different approach at singing. These guys were singing like they were in their 20′s.

 A big part of the show was that I knew every song that was sung. There were no surprises here, they sang their hits and didn’t spring anything new on us. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind the new stuff, but in all seriousness, I’m just like everybody else and I want to hear the hits!

The guys were eager after the show to meet their fans and spent as much time with them as they wanted (very refreshing).

Here’s my intro to the show so you can see some of the highlights……….

I also took some photo’s from the Green Room, Backstage & in the lobby. Hope you enjoy them!

The Lounge