The Southern Country Music Awards

An award show celebrating local country and southern rock bands on April 25. Click on the logo to learn more about nominating a band. Deadline is February 23.

**UPDATE: The award show has been moved to September or October, 2009. Nominations are still being accepted, but the new deadline is June 1.**

Before they were Stars: Carrie and Kellie A.I. Auditions

Carrie Underwood's American Idol audition. I love how she'd never flown before then.

Kellie Pickler's audition. Remember "Pick Pickler?" Did you get a little misty watching this again?

America's Song with Faith Hill

Rapper will.i.am puts together this song celebrating our country and the election of Barack Obama. It's a touching tribute to how far our country has come. Faith Hill took part in it, and sings early in the video.

At home with Justin Moore

Who knew Justin was so redneck? Check out his sweet pad. I especially love the bbq grill in the living room.

Naples: Of moods, mafia and melancholy

We took a day trip to Naples, driving a few hours in a rattly old car and snacking on the dried figs that Chris' aunt had stashed away for us. The radio hummed and crackled with jaunty Italian tunes as we giggled and sang our way across the pot-holed highway, our fingers sticky and our blood sugar soaring. It was a clear sunny day, rich with promise, and as we turned off the highway I couldn't

This is really cool. A look behind the curtain at how much control a relatively new artist like Taylor Swift gets on a new song. This is a whole new side of Taylor to love. And Colbie Calliet fans will enjoy it too.

My dog ate my camera case

This happenend on December 28. The bag was felt, and big enough to hold a deck of cards or two. Our vet said she'd probably process it, and we figured since we hadn't seen it after a day or two he was right. In the mean time she played and ate and acted like the normal monster we've come to love.
But finally, after ten days, she gave it back. Our little puppy puked it out whole on our new living room carpet rug. If it didn't stink so bad, I could probably wash it and use it again.

QDR Acoustic Cafe: Dean Brody

Newcomer Dean Brody stopped by. He's real humble. After learning how close he came to returning to the Canadian mines to work, it's easy to understand why. His new song "Brothers" is picking up steam. A real touching song that guys will wanna' listen to alone at first.

Celebrating the New Year in Rome: Chaos!

What better way to herald in the new year of 2009 than to head to the ancient city of Rome, where all the roads lead? A quick peek on Craigslist got us a room for one night, near the Fontana di Trevi for only 50 Euros. Quite a steal I think! Craigslist is certainly a useful tool when it comes to last-minute travel planning -- better than forking over hundreds of dollars for a hotel room over the