It's definitely a Monday.  I was a few minutes late to work today.  My computer was acting up and slowing down my normal morning routine.  Did I forget to mention that one of our stations in the building was off the air?  That certainly didn't help.  It started to feel like today was not going to be a good one.

Then I turned on the news and saw a commercial that featured a clip from this old video that I remmeber watching a while back.  It's of a woman who had a cochlear implant and was hearing things for the first time at 29-years-old.  It just warms my heart every time I see this video.  I remember when my dad had his cochlear implant put in when he was 55-years-old and his response was similar. 

If your Monday is bringing you down, this video should help get that smile back on your face.  But, it may also give you a tear or two...in a good way.

I'm much more of a flip flop guy, but occasionally I wear shoes.  As I said in our simple pleasures conversation today, if I'm going to wear shoes, I like to wear fun socks.  I just found these gems last night...

These kept my feet warm yesterday...

With new releases from Lady Antebellum and the Pistol Annies hitting stores this week, you might be surprised to hear that the best new album of the week is by a little band from Texas.

The Randy Rogers Band released their latest effort called "Trouble" and it is without a doubt the best album touching the shelves this week.  RRB is one of those acts that tears it up down in the Southwest (Texas, Oklahoma etc) but has not quite broken out around the rest of the country.  The first single off Trouble, "One More Sad Song," was released last fall and became the band's highest charting hit to date.  Unfortunately, it didn't make it up here.  I caught wind of the song but finally got a chance to give it a good listen when Trouble hit my desk this week.  Phenomenal tune. 

The current single is "Fuzzy."  It's a story that we've all experienced at one point or another as we try to piece together the events from a good night out.  It has a unique sound that we're not getting from any other artists right now.  I wish I could put my finger on it, but I just can't.  You're going to have to listen to it.  I'm not so sure it will end up being a big radio hit, though.  It's a shame, but we all can see how the landscape of country radio has changed.

There an honesty and reality in RRB's lyrics.  When they sing about things, I believe that they actually experienced them.  Does that make sense?  When Tim McGraw sings about a rough night out I don't believe it because I know he doesn't party.  He's just singing a song that someone else wrote.  When RRB sings it, I can picture the guys getting themselves into a little bit of trouble.  I like that in an artist.

Other songs on Trouble that are definitely worth a listen include, "Speak Of The Devil," which has a little bit of an indie feel to it.  It's a nice change-up.  Also, "If I Had Another Heart," got put on repeat in my stereo for a bit.  I love the line...

And I just might get over you getting over me
But the truth is I'd fall right back in love with you
Cause if I had another heart I'd let you break that one too.

Don't forget to check out, "Shotgun."  I'm not a big gun guy but it has a great energy and I love the metaphor involved. 

Truthfully, the album is filled with great music.  If you're thinking about buying a record this week, I highly suggest this one.  They didn't make it to sell singles like some other artists with new music out these days (I won't name names).  They made a truly gerat album from start to finish.

I got into a discussion the other night about who was better...Backstreet Boys or N'Sync.  This is one of those age old debates that seems to fire people up a little bit.  I'm on the outside looking in because I think New Kids On The Block are better than both of them. 

The discussion got a little heated (probably because of the margaritas involved) but the final summation was that neither of us would change our opinions.  I was arguing in favor of BSB.  A big piece of my argument is the song I Want It That Way.  Just about anyone between the agest of 25-35 can recite the chorus to that song.  I can't say the same for many N'Sync tunes.  Also, I Want It That Way has been covered thousands of times.  I'm struggling to find any good N'Sync covers.

Case in point, here's a recently produced cover of I Want It That Way.  I think these two folks, Landon Austin and Julia Sheer, do a fine job with it.  BSB 4 Lyfe!

Big release week.  New music hitting the stores from Lady Antebellum, Pistol Annies and Randy Rogers Band.  If you aren't familiar with Randy Rogers Band, do yourself a favor and check them out. Their new album "Trouble" is pretty fantastic.  I'm also excited to share with you some new music from Lucero.  They're a great band from Memphis that deserves your attention.  Overall I think this is a pretty solid show this week. 

1) Eric Church - Country Music Jesus (Live)
2) Mallary Hope - Country Loud
3) Drake White - A Cold Beer With My Name On It
4) Randy Rogers Band - Speak Of The Devil
5) Adrianna Freeman - Just A Girl
6) Lady Antebellum - Can't Stand The Rain
7) Lucero - Other Side of Lonesome
8) Trace Adkins - Come See Me
9) Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen - I Will Fall
10) Pistol Annies - Unhappily Married

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