Much more than you might think, given where I live and what my particular interests and passions are, the past three years of my life has resembled nothing so much as a popular Country Music song by artists like Thomas Rhett or Maren Morris
Because of that, wherever I've been the past year, in South Florida, or mostly away from it, as I've been since last August, I've been listening to a LOT more Country Music than ever before, and writing about it more than ever, too. But sharing those thoughts in emails to friends & family, not on the blog.
Those of you out there who know me even reasonably well, know why that's so, and can and have even repeated back to me, almost word-for-word, several telling past conversations and anecdotes we've shared about the woman behind all those positive heartfelt emotions of mine. The woman I fell completely head-over-heels in love with, who, for now at least, is not in the area. Hopefully, not for good.
But like a good Country Music song, this amazing and wonderful woman of so much creativity and passion that she makes my heart sings, is still on my mind as much as she ever was when we were constantly together, when she knew and appreciated that she was the focus of all my positive energy and thoughts everyday, no matter where in the world she was traveling.
Still, over the past year, I haven't been sleeping on quality music from some of my favorites, especially from Scandinavia: Zara Larsson, Robyn, Veronica Maggio, Miriam Bryant, Astrid Smeplass a.k.a. Astrid S., Cecilla Nilsson. They are still on point and killing it!
And depending upon on how some plans of mine and some touring schedules go before the end of the year, I may not only be seeing some or all of them in person, but even driving around with them in a car, singing THEIR songs with them. Yes, there's a lot I haven't shared yet and can't share now but am very excited to share in a few months when the time is right.
As to the specific reason why I've been thinking about and relating to County Music and its sensibility so much more the past few months will make perfect sense in a few months, when I have some interesting #Nashville-inspired news to share with you here on the blog.
News will that really shock/amuse/delight many of you.
At least a dozen blog posts about topics of great interest to people in #HollywoodFL, #HallandaleBeach and #SoFL have already been written will be dropping in the coming days and weeks as I've been waiting for just the right moment.
Well, knock-knock, next week it'll be time to answer the door!
Because of that, wherever I've been the past year, in South Florida, or mostly away from it, as I've been since last August, I've been listening to a LOT more Country Music than ever before, and writing about it more than ever, too. But sharing those thoughts in emails to friends & family, not on the blog.
Those of you out there who know me even reasonably well, know why that's so, and can and have even repeated back to me, almost word-for-word, several telling past conversations and anecdotes we've shared about the woman behind all those positive heartfelt emotions of mine. The woman I fell completely head-over-heels in love with, who, for now at least, is not in the area. Hopefully, not for good.
But like a good Country Music song, this amazing and wonderful woman of so much creativity and passion that she makes my heart sings, is still on my mind as much as she ever was when we were constantly together, when she knew and appreciated that she was the focus of all my positive energy and thoughts everyday, no matter where in the world she was traveling.
Still, over the past year, I haven't been sleeping on quality music from some of my favorites, especially from Scandinavia: Zara Larsson, Robyn, Veronica Maggio, Miriam Bryant, Astrid Smeplass a.k.a. Astrid S., Cecilla Nilsson. They are still on point and killing it!
And depending upon on how some plans of mine and some touring schedules go before the end of the year, I may not only be seeing some or all of them in person, but even driving around with them in a car, singing THEIR songs with them. Yes, there's a lot I haven't shared yet and can't share now but am very excited to share in a few months when the time is right.
As to the specific reason why I've been thinking about and relating to County Music and its sensibility so much more the past few months will make perfect sense in a few months, when I have some interesting #Nashville-inspired news to share with you here on the blog.
News will that really shock/amuse/delight many of you.
But until then, that monent of declaration, here's what's been percolating in my mind musically of late.
I'm sure you will see and hear much that you like, if you weren't already familar with them.
Keep an open mind!
@CallMeCilia @LindaZachrison @fredrikstrage Was a young teen by the time I was old enough to appreciate both the genius of @RnH_Org's music/lyrics, nuances of real story, but 1 thing I knew immed. - I've GOT to get a GF like #CharmianCarr! 😍❤️ #swoonhttps://t.co/rcQY3JOSYf— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) August 4, 2018
@CallMeCilia Someday when U have this problem @Arlanda, @flyLAXairport, @HeathrowAirport -& @iflymia of course!- bec of yr crazy #talent, a day sooner than U think, and tell me abt it over a meal, I'll remind U that I shared this Bebe tweet in 2018! :-) https://t.co/xKb2wlDa2u— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) August 12, 2018
True 😍— Call Me Cilia (@CallMeCilia) August 25, 2018
@CallMeCilia @fredrikstrage Life in #FL - Good points: 🏖️🌴🌊😎warm/nice weather most of yr.— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) October 3, 2018
Bad points: as true as when I was kid growing up in #SoFL- cool artists do NOT tour here. 😥
14 cities on @tovestyrke's NorthAmerica #swaytour, but 0 in #FL. 😭https://t.co/ymd1sYTlKy
Sara: There has been a lot of reaction to my recent comments about country radio. I am, and have been for several years, devastated to see how the genre I grew up on and made my career on has changed. The obvious and most maddening change to me has been the blatant stonewalling of female artists. One day I’m a country artist with hits on country radio and the next, I can’t even get one spin on ANY of my new music. It’s so frustrating and I don’t know what genre my music belongs to now. But the other major disappointment is the lack of creativity and lyrical sophistication that is being played now. (Not all, but most). Country music used to be known for its amazingly true to life, heartfelt lyrics. With sweet sounds like steel guitar and fiddle surrounding those lyrics. It used to be true stories told of unrequited love, or lost hopes and dreams, and sometimes fun down-home good ole party songs, but it was great music. When I signed my record deal with RCA, country airwaves were full of amazing females like Reba McEntire, Patty Loveless, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride and so many more. It’s time for a change.
@zaralarsson - re yr current cover dilemma. Asked -and answered. 😊— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) October 29, 2018
Always hoped you'd some day do a cover of this when U were older 4 @svtallsang. People's heads would/will explode! 😘@CallMeCilia.
Rose Royce - Wishing on A Star 1977 (Remastered audio) https://t.co/1zoCX19ZVT
@fredrikstrage @CallMeCilia @LindaZachrison @MiriamBryant @jjakerman @swedennewyork So, this may happen... 🎶+🌊+🛥️— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) November 2, 2018
(#UMF #Miami 2013 is where I first saw Tim B. in person. 😊/ 😢)
Following ouster fm DWTWN #Miami, @ultra 🎤may go to #KeyBiscayne in March https://t.co/kIPMLL1KuK
I can relate to that 👋— Call Me Cilia (@CallMeCilia) November 14, 2018
@fredrikstrage @LolaAkinmade @CallMeCilia 🎹 🎼— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) November 20, 2018
MT @KennethTuran “#GreenBook” doesn’t hesitate to take on the complexities of a man who despite #CarnegieHall appearances does not feel fully accepted in either the white world or the black one." https://t.co/25WT7zCz2C
Happy to say I'm STILL planning on starting my podcast/video series in 2019, so while visiting my Mom in Central #FL 4 🦃 holidays, when bored, I set up her back deck to practice interviews a bit. (A backup studio?)— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) December 3, 2018
But sadly, no @CallMeCilia 🎤🎼🎸concerts on Mom's back deck.🥺 pic.twitter.com/GRptZbJdp4
FYI: That back deck got power-sprayed and treated in March and now looks brand new.
@CallMeCilia @fredrikstrage Been following career of @astridsofficial for 5 yrs -esp. bec of Karl @ #Scandipop- and so pleased that her talent is finally getting the attention of ppl in #UK & #USA. 😘https://t.co/M7A54Ox9lE,— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) December 14, 2018
Astrid S - Emotion (Acoustic) https://t.co/ozfy1e5TmA
Love her 😍— Call Me Cilia (@CallMeCilia) December 14, 2018
@CallMeCilia @fredrikstrage When I saw that huge photo of @astridsofficial in @vgnett, posted to her @Instagram, I thought the same thing as thr editors:— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) December 14, 2018
"Wow!" 🇳🇴😊
Her står Astrid S på scenen i Londons O2 Arena: – Fantastisk! https://t.co/Io7wGu9hbI
@CallMeCilia @fredrikstrage 2/ One of my favorite #LindaRonstadt songs, largely bec I just loved the way her powerful, crisp voice just cld BELT OUT certain phrases -just like U!- was "Silver Threads And Golden Needles" https://t.co/KCEmzx9KJO— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) December 19, 2018
Rare bright spot 4 @NPR in 2018, given how much worse thr political unfairness/bias has gotten, was in Dec. They played 1st 10 sec. of #VeronicaMaggio's "Måndagsbarn" on an out-cue. I flipped😊— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) January 3, 2019
1st time to hear it on U.S. 📻! 😍@CallMeCilia @fredrikstrage https://t.co/sJ0y9VAcDW
Hopefully, like the name of this 1965 "Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass" album I got @ a thrift shop last wk, in 2019, I'll be "Going Places."— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) January 4, 2019
Maybe even 2 trips(!) 🛬@ #Sweden, #Norway, #Denmark & #Iceland. @bjornpilot @magnusswede @CallMeCilia @IceSif @fredrikstrage #Strage242 pic.twitter.com/FO0KJ3XWWc
Pls can someone write my name all over their face with an eyeliner at one of my shows cus that would be too much— Astrid S (@astridsofficial) January 8, 2019
Family XXL 😋🍕💖— Astrid S (@astridsofficial) January 8, 2019
me @ all your concerts. remember when job jana arina & julchen literally slept on the STREET for you? yes. crazy. pic.twitter.com/fXjzudlgOb— margot ✧*:・ (@suchagirl) January 8, 2019
🎤😘 MT @AmyKinLA #LadyGaga on her ahhh-ah-ah-ahhh wail going viral: "That moment when I sing that way, I think that people felt a very guttural need from me that they related to." https://t.co/3NPva0SZ6D … @CallMeCilia 🎤@fredrikstrage— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) January 24, 2019
@fredrikstrage 2/ #LanaDelRey 🎤 😍— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) January 10, 2019
MT @shockleysmith @vulture @NYMag #LanaDelRey, at her best, has always written with wisdom beyond her years, but she’s never done it this well https://t.co/1doQeDKSWj @polydorrecords @CallMeCilia
@CallMeCilia For my money, the 2016 season of @TV4's @SaMycketBattre was best ever, w/so many great performances that year by @Danny_Savcedo, @jilljohnsons, @littlejinder, @MrTommyNilsson, #MagnusCarlsson, et al.— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) January 15, 2019
Plus, so many genuine laughs and so many heartfelt tears! 😊😂
@CallMeCilia 🦋 #lyrics via .@KaceyMusgraves— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) January 17, 2019
I was just coastin'
Never really goin anywhere
Caught up in a web I was gettin kinda used to stayin' there
And out of the blue
I fell for you
Now you're lifting me up, instead of holding me down...
https://t.co/P9dIq9fZvi
@CallMeCilia Never saw more smiling faces @ a concert than this 6 yrs ago! (Watched it LIVE in #Miami online via @SVT Play.) Thought, "What cld be better than sexy/happy #Swedish women in iconic #Håkan sailor suits singing his lyrics?" Crazy good! #magiskt https://t.co/148WSxYGid— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) February 7, 2019
😘— Call Me Cilia (@CallMeCilia) February 14, 2019
@LindaZachrison Tix 4 @zaralarsson🎤 May 11 #DC show @930Club go on sale TODAY! Also great = opening is awesome @astridsofficial🎤! 😘 I may go -will be visiting sister in #MD, seeing niece's @GHSLaxGirls🥍matches.— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) March 1, 2019
No Zara shows in #FL -of course!☹️ @fredrikstrage @CallMeCilia🎤
@CallMeCilia Can't explain it but after listening to it a few hundred times over 3 yrs, suddenly, @astridsofficial's 'Paper Thin' = my earworm. 😊— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) April 19, 2019
In my head while walking around, in traffic, @ checkout lines.
Naturally, can't help humming/singing it.😎 https://t.co/wDUVj0GREZ
@CallMeCilia #EddaMagnason😍-perfect 4 a melancholy day:— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) March 6, 2019
"I lived happily here with you and my cats
a life of sin and without care to be saved
Reconciled with my character, because I never have
been able to say no to anything..."
-Her smile reminds me of U https://t.co/85byOUYEqk
@CallMeCilia Since 'Monica Z' never played in #SoFL in '13, closest I cld come to #EddaMagnason singing #MonicaZetterlund = her @svtallsang LIVE on my TV via my desktop, w/some 🍕+ 🍺! Used this video on my blog -was 1 of most popular ever. @LindaZachrison https://t.co/4LFJ7XRMJL— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) March 6, 2019
😁— Call Me Cilia (@CallMeCilia) March 12, 2019
@CallMeCilia Good news 4 U in #STHLM, not 4 me here in #SoFL🌴🏖️— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) March 13, 2019
.@MiriamBryant🎤 + Guests to perform every Tues.-Sat. night in April @ #Strandvägen1 restaurant in #Stockholm -w/hints of things to come from upcoming albums? 😍
Wish I cld see MB w/U! 😢 https://t.co/Fshn9s5ORE
@saraevansmusic @jilljohnsons @fredrikstrage @CallMeCilia— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) April 1, 2019
1/2 #Nashville MT @JeffreyBrown @NewsHour Shunned by country radio, female artists in #Nashville are looking to break through in #CountryMusic. https://t.co/k8Lp6CiUpK
2/2 #Nashville MT @LauraSanthanam @NewsHour - How female musicians amplify each other when #CountryMusic industry won’t. https://t.co/zeQW5zCe1y— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) April 1, 2019
3/3 #Nashville - #RebaMcEntire sits down with @IAmAmnaNawaz for a revealing chat about the changes she'd like to see in #CountryMusic, how she achieved career success and why she’s now going back to her roots. https://t.co/YiZqPMJK8F— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) April 1, 2019
@CallMeCilia So jealous of U right now! Saw @MiriamBryant's Insta page, saw her photo w/Sven Bertil Taube. They're singing in 5 minutes @ #Strandvägen1. https://t.co/3rgIs3aHrg— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) April 3, 2019
Still get chills when she sang his "Ett sista glas" @SaMycketBattre. 😘😘😘😘https://t.co/IovUiVsV7N
@fredrikstrage MT @LilEdit @latimesent "As a music enthusiast, Stewart advocated for lesser known, unjustly dismissed or overlooked music by artists... and in doing so helped reframe cultural conversations..."— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) April 13, 2019
RIP, Gary Stewart. 🎤🎹🎸🥁🎤https://t.co/Ce2NciXhe5 @CallMeCilia
@fredrikstrage "Like many execs of a certain age, Stewart entered the music business first as a customer looking for records, desperate for information...— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) April 13, 2019
“We all knew Gary as a nerdy 17-year-old...
He came into our store one day and never left,” recalled Foos. 😊 @CallMeCilia
@saraevansmusic Sometimes, @KaceyMusgraves seems too good to be true! 😊🎤🎸— HallandaleBeachBlog (@hbbtruth) April 17, 2019
"After being told that "sometimes you just gotta do things you’re not proud of," by a prominent industry player Musgraves responded "that’s where me and you are very different.” https://t.co/MYxJ1Uk0MF
At least a dozen blog posts about topics of great interest to people in #HollywoodFL, #HallandaleBeach and #SoFL have already been written will be dropping in the coming days and weeks as I've been waiting for just the right moment.
Well, knock-knock, next week it'll be time to answer the door!
Dave
Twitter: @hbbtruth, https:// twitter.com/hbbtruth/with_ replies
Instagram: https://www. instagram.com/hbbtruth/
Travel Massive: https:// travelmassive.com/dbsmith
Snapchat: SoBeHoosier