Trent Willmon fans have a new way to hear their man’s voice. Trent has narrated a book written and illustrated by his mother, Billie Willmon Jenkin. The Knock-Kneed Cowboy: A Tale of Being “Just Right” … Just As We Are is a story of self-acceptance that Ms. Jenkin wrote for her sons when they were children. It was recently self-published. Says Trent’s mom, “Most people’s beliefs about their worth come from others’ opinions of them. I was determined that kids know that they don’t have to let others’ ideas about them become their own. I see the book as an adventure in self-acceptance and I’m delighted that Trent agreed to record this book. Even kids who are not terrific readers will be motivated to read along with Trent and will grasp exactly what I intended for them to.” Trent explains the story, “Casey is a knock-kneed cowboy who wants to be bow-legged like all his peers. When the book starts out, you think it’s just for elementary-school kids. But as you read on, you realize it’s a parable about all of us who feel ‘different.’ It’s a message – and a fun tale – for all ages.”
They say the apple doesn’t far fall from the tree; well, apples are falling from the Adkins tree. Trace Adkins daughter, Mackenzie, is getting her first taste of performing in a stage production of the Wizard of Oz in Tennessee. Ten-year-old Mackenzie is one of twelve students from the Franklin, TN, Ann Carroll School of Dance who are performing in the musical. She is a member of the school’s “Song and Dance Company” and will be playing the part of a Munchkin.
TONIGHTLyric Street recording artist and former American Idol Josh Gracin takes the stage at the Southern New Mexico State Fair. The show is at 10pm. The Cadillac Kings open at 9 pm. The concert is included in fair admission.
Josh Gracin is best known for his 4th place finish on the second season of American Idol. Remember this?
Since 2003, Josh has had measurable success in country music. His 2004 debut album, Josh Gracin, sold Gold and produced two Top 5 singles “I Want To Live” and “Stay With Me (Brass Bed)” and the Number One “Nothin’ To Lose.” Three more singles were released in anticipation of the second album, the third of which became the Top 10 title song “We Weren’t Crazy,” an autobiographical tune that chronicles Josh's early years with his wife, Ann Marie. Finally released in the spring of 2008, We Weren’t Crazy debuted at #4 on the Billboard Country Album Sales Chart. The current single “Unbelievable (Ann Marie)” is the 4th release from the album.
Expect tonight’s show to be full of hits and a variety of Josh’s favorite performance songs. As to the type of show that he performs, Josh says, “Every show I do, I see how strongly crowds respond to uptempo songs, I can’t wait to play these new songs to more people, because I’ve already seen how people react to them. I like to use the whole stage, running back and forth when performing, and this album gives me the material to get the job done.”
Stay tuned this afternoon because The Country Station should have a chance to talk to Josh Gracin while he’s in town, and you never know what may become of that! In the meantime, here’s your video-of-the-day preview to get you warmed up for showtime:
Now let’s take a walk down memory lane...
Country Music Through The Years at The Southern New Mexico State Fair:
2007 – Bucky Covington
2006 – Trent Willmon 2005 – Keith Anderson 2004 – Asleep At The Wheel and Blue County 2003 – Pinmonkey and Emerson Drive 2002 – Chris Cagle 2001 – Trick PonyHave a Feel Good Friday .... and be sure to check back for the Josh Gracin pictures.
Happy Half Off Wednesday. If you're feeling for a taste of the Mediterranean, better hurry. Risotto's MedRim Bistro is Half Off beginning at 6 am, while supplies last. Go ahead and click back over to the main page to do your shopping, and then come on back for some fun and games.
Happy Birthday to Neal McCoy. It's the big 5-0 today!
To celebrate with Neal, how about a video of "Billy's Got His Beer Goggles On." For a little more diversion on this Half Off Wednesday, you may want to try your hand at Trent Willmon’sFishin’ Game. Click HERE to play. Admittedly, your humble Blog Mouse wasted way too much time playing the game instead of writing. So be warned! Once you start, you, too, may just find yourself on a mission to figure out how to make that little character reel in the fish! Once the game was finally figured out, and you discount the old boots and Trent Willmon CD’s that were “caught,” high score fish count was 7 in two minutes! Whoo Hoo! Beat THAT virtual fisher people! (You probably will. Your blog mouse is not real good at games. LOL) Write or comment and let us know your high score.
As far as country music updates, Taylor Swift popped up again today. It seems one of her new songs called “Change” is going to be used during NBC’s coverage of the Olympics. The Olympics begin in China a week from Friday. And here’s a tidbit from the rumor file. The gossip is that Taylor Swift and Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers were spotted at a suburban Nashville shopping village last week. Sources said the two 18-year-old stars were "not holding hands" but were sitting "very close" and "appeared to be on a date." Taylor's publicist says it was not a date and that Taylor is friends with all three of the famous brothers. Taylor recently joined the pop-star brothers on their tour stops in both Dallas and Anaheim, Calif. She has also filmed a performance for the upcoming Jonas Brothers concert movie.
And finally, a DVR alert. Watch for Blake Shelton on The Today Show on NBC this Friday, August 1st. And then on August 18th, you’ll again see Blake performing “Home” on The Early Show on CBS.
Trent Willmon fans have a new way to hear their man’s voice. Trent has narrated a book written and illustrated by his mother, Billie Willmon Jenkin. The Knock-Kneed Cowboy: A Tale of Being “Just Right” … Just As We Are is a story of self-acceptance that Ms. Jenkin wrote for her sons when they were children. It was recently self-published. Says Trent’s mom, “Most people’s beliefs about their worth come from others’ opinions of them. I was determined that kids know that they don’t have to let others’ ideas about them become their own. I see the book as an adventure in self-acceptance and I’m delighted that Trent agreed to record this book. Even kids who are not terrific readers will be motivated to read along with Trent and will grasp exactly what I intended for them to.” Trent explains the story, “Casey is a knock-kneed cowboy who wants to be bow-legged like all his peers. When the book starts out, you think it’s just for elementary-school kids. But as you read on, you realize it’s a parable about all of us who feel ‘different.’ It’s a message – and a fun tale – for all ages.”
They say the apple doesn’t far fall from the tree; well, apples are falling from the Adkins tree. Trace Adkins daughter, Mackenzie, is getting her first taste of performing in a stage production of the Wizard of Oz in Tennessee. Ten-year-old Mackenzie is one of twelve students from the Franklin, TN, Ann Carroll School of Dance who are performing in the musical. She is a member of the school’s “Song and Dance Company” and will be playing the part of a Munchkin.
Have a Feel Good Friday .... and be sure to check back for the Josh Gracin pictures.
