Fun in Texas

On Saturday morning the Hubster was reading the local paper when I heard him holler from the kitchen in disappointment. It turned out the Bellamy Brothers were playing just 50 miles up the road in Texas that night and he would have wanted to go. I told him to call the venue, so he did and we got the second to last pair of tickets for the show.

So Saturday night turned into a great date night unexpectedly. We both smartened up, had dinner at the best steakhouse in our area and then saw a world class act in a smalltown venue.

What a great show and we were just a few rows back to enjoy it. The Bellamy Brothers have had many hits over the years but perhaps the most famous are Redneck Girl, If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me and their most famous song, Let Your Love Flow.

They were great entertainment but best of all it was just down the road for us, and living where we do that's a rare treat believe me.

My 'Cougar' moment!

Regular visitors may remember my worship for Adam Lambert last year on American Idol. So when he announced he was coming to OKC with his tour, they're was never any doubt I was going!

I share my adoration with great friend and fellow work colleague Mandy, and the thought of this concert kept us going through the craziness of preparing for the new school year! We had one helluva week leading up to our big night out and the perfect remedy proved to be screaming at the 'Glambert'!

And he did not disappoint, the venue was packed full, small and standing only, so we ended up pretty close and ready to party.

Apart from 'the voice', Glambert is known for re-inventing 'guy-liner' and the black finger nail polish. So in honour of our 'Idol' we both went very much overboard with the 'slap' and donned appropriate nail wear!

The rest of the night was spent in awe of his voice, beauty, overt sexuality (trust me on this, we may not be his type, but there were ALOT of swooning women around us!) and general greatness in all things. This man is going to be a megastar; his charisma just oozes out of every pore, his voice is incredible and he can he sing and perform with the very best.

We loved the old style use of multi coloured lasers, the many typically Glambert costume changes and liberal use of glitter! If you liked him on AI and he comes near you on tour, then go and you will be blown away by his amazing concert.

As for the Hubster - well he chauffered us into OKC bless him, went off to eat, shopped at Pro Bass, enjoyed street music and then endured 3 hours home, with us two wittering on about how hot Adam Lambert is like a couple of teens!

Sadly neither of our very macho Okie Hubsters will entertain the thought of leather pants, despite both having the necessary physique!

I can still scream like a teen!

And on Friday August 6th, one of my bestfriends and I will be doing just that when we get to see 'Glambert' aka. Adam Lambert in concert in OKC!

We were both huge fans from the moment he stepped on the AI stage and have been praying for a date in OKC on his national tour. Well our prayers were answered and we are going to seriously 'rock out' judging by his latest video.......
 

Unsurprisingly our respective Hubsters are not interested in watching us scream and dance like teens for a couple of hours. We may not be Glambert's type, but that hasn't stopped us both developing a bit of a crush!

To say we are slightly excited would be an understatement!

Something I just realised I miss!

The other day I was in my car listening to the radio, when an advert came on with a great song from my youth playing in the background. It made me smile, it made me sing-a-long and even groove in my seat - and then I realised this is something I really miss for the first time.

You see where I am now, the only radio stations are either country or rock genres, neither of which I followed when I lived in the UK. So I have no history with the music I hear daily. I am no longer in a situation where a song I grew up hearing or loving will unexpectedly play and brighten my day.

It kind of made me sad to realise I am missing out on these little moments of pleasure and it will be years before I'll get to that point with country music. Although there is the odd exception with a couple of Dolly Parton tracks which were big back home too. But I'm not going be singing along to Duran Duran, The Beatles, Abba or Soul to Soul unexpectedly out here! And I lose the spontaneity factor, which is half the pleasure, with a CD.

The only answer I can see is either Sirius or XM, but I'm not ready to pay monthly for satellite radio just yet.

I'm just a 'Country' Gal!

One thing this Brit Gal has completely embraced, is the love for Country music here in the USA. Back in the UK Country music is miniscule and most Brits still associate it with Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. As I was leaving Keith Urban (Nicole Kidman's hubby) was starting to breakthrough onto the radio, but I have no idea if he ever took off?

I was already developing a love for it before I moved here during visits, it helped that the Hubster plays and sings in a country band. But he tends to be traditional country, and I'm 'new' country, we have however both come to respect the others preference.

Very early on I found Brad Paisley and he singlehandedly turned me into the country fan I am today. I loved the catchy tunes, but more than anything his autobiographical and often funny or touching lyrics. Nobody else touches a nerve or the funny bone like Brad does with his lyrics. And as a fellow lead guitarist, the Hubster likes and respects him for his amazing guitar skills. I have even turned my bestfriend back in the UK into a Brad fan too and had to mail her his new album this year.

I joined Brad's fan club in 2006 and later that year we got the opportunity to see him live in OKC. And being a member of his fan club we got the best seats in the house and yes that really is how close I was to him! I could have literally reached out and touched him, they were the best concert tickets I have ever had. The Hubster now uses one of Brad's guitar picks when he plays, thanks to a lucky catch!

Brad is one heck of a live performer and I have been to well over 70 big name concerts in my life, but he's right up there with the best of them. He also happens to get some of the best support acts along too, and last time it was Carrie Underwood and boy what a voice from such a tiny lady! This time we will get Miranda Lambert.

I have been waiting (impatiently) since 2006 for Brad to return to OKC, and last week finally I got the presale email once again. We are now the happy owners of two more fan club seats for the OKC show on January 8th, and I am already counting down the days! We are booked into the hotel right next to the venue in Bricktown for ease and I am 'raring' to go.

In the meantime I'll be cheering him on at the CMA's where he is host and a 7 time nominee. I may just be one of his unlikeliest fans, but he certainly made a convert out of this Brit former R&B and Hip-Hop fan!

My World - How many Brits?!

In this piccie half of us are British! In fact my local town had it's very own British Invasion, when our numbers were trebled this weekend! Ross and I knew we were going to be in town, but what we didn't expect was to literally bump into another visiting Brit in the park! Debbie was there with a local to see Ross and his band play, a band helper handed her a pin, she spoke and the helper said "hey we've got one of our own that talks like you over there"!

Then I show up and hilarity ensues as we all swap notes, stories, email and laughter at the coincidence. Remember, I am not in some big city, this is seriously smalltown, off the tourist trail America and the chances are slim to nothing of this happening! We were making such a scene, that the local radio DJ who teases me mercilessly on air about my accent, wandered over thinking it was a family reunion!

So above left to right we have: Pam, a local who coincidentally is the neice by marriage of one of my dearest friends here, and who I did not know before this meeting. Then Debbie (Brit) who met Pam on a cruise in the Bahama's 10 years ago and comes to visit every few years. Then Pam (again), who is the Okie that met and married my Brit friend. Then Ross (Brit) who lives in Okieland too and I met online in an Immigration community 5+ years ago. Then yours truly and the Hubster.

There followed a fun evening listening to the band play excellent Blues with a Rock slant, as we visited and danced. Ross is a superb guitarist and plays gigs regularly around the OKC area, we loved getting to see him perform.

The Okie spouses amongst us were also getting on famously and the Hubster and Pam took a 2-stepping turn around the floor.

Pam & I also found much common ground and a firm friendship was formed. It turns out we have the opposing Thyroid auto-immune diseases in common, something we wish we didn't share, but a great conversation topic! The fun continued into Sunday, when Ross & Pam came to our home for Sunday lunch before heading home.

So three Brits in an unlikely venue, and the second Brit friend I have who is married to an Okie named Pam - mine is a very Small My World this week!

To join in the fun go to My World Tuesday

Saturday happenings

Well finally we are getting to the most perfect time of year for our weather. Out from the oppressive 90-110 degree days and into the 80's, much more my kind of weather. This makes everything much more enjoyable and do-able in NW Okieland!

Today is busy. I have cleaned the house, done the washing, coloured my hair and it's just 12:30pm. Now we are watching the Formula One qualifying from Spa in Belgium and cheering on Lewis & Jenson.

But the big happening of the day, is another Brit expat' is coming to town with his Okie wife. He is a skilled guitarist and is playing at an open air Blues concert tonight by the lake, in our nearest 'big' town. We met a number of years ago on an internet Visa advice site and have stayed in touch since. So yes I am going to meet yet another friend I met online and a Brit to boot!

We are off soon to meet for a late lunch and I am so looking forward to a good chat with a fellow Brit. Then later we are off to lounge in the park and watch his band, and the weather looks like it will be perfection for a night of open air entertainment.

Should be a great Saturday.

My generations Elvis - RIP

It was hard to believe when I first heard the news today shouted across a public restroom, Michael Jackson is dead.

My very first memories of music are of 'I Want You Back' and 'ABC' in 1969 when I was just 3 yrs old, I have always adored his music, it's been the soundtrack of my life. He was 7 yrs older, so his music has just always been there and I am very sad watching the early footage of 'Jacko' tonight.

He may have done some bizarre things over the years, although I always doubted the child abuse myself. But his legacy will be the wonderful music and images of his amazing dancing he leaves behind. 'Off the Wall', 'Thriller' and 'Bad' are still favourite albums that always lift my mood and make me want to dance.

In 1988 I was lucky enough to see him at Wembley Stadium on the 'Bad' tour and it's a night I have never forgotten. Over the years I have seen about 70 top name concerts at huge London venues and some of the legendary names like Madonna, Elton John, George Michael, Tina Turner, Usher, R Kelly, Bon Jovi, Genesis, Rod Stewart, Jay-Z and the amazing Queen. But Michael stood out right at the top of that pile, as a live performer he was unsurpassed, only Freddie Mercury was an equal.

I remember watching the world premiere showing of the 'Thriller' video on MTV and being amazed. Then trying to emulate the moves, especially that cool walking thing with your shoulders with the hands in front! Seeing him Moonwalk on the 'Billie Jean' video, which is my all time fave Jacko track. This would be closely followed by 'Black or White', 'I Want You Back', 'Don't Stop', then 'Thriller' or 'Beat It' - there are almost too many to name in any kind of order!

The hubster and I were in agreement tonight that this is right up there with the untimely deaths of Elvis, Diana and John Lennon, we'll remember where we were when we heard the news. Why do celebrities who are legends in their actual lifetimes, die too soon?!

So what's your favourite Michael Jackson track and were you ever lucky enough to see him live too?

We were also so sad to hear that Farrah Fawcett, one very classy lady, lost her long painful and very brave battle with cancer. What a very sad day this has been.

Continuing my one woman campaign...

to get Robbie Williams recognition here in the USA.

On the last video, a few of you requested that the next one be from his award winning 2001 'Swing When You're Winning' concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London, so here you are.

Robbie dedicated both the concert and the album that followed, to his mum & dad who love this music and inspired him growing up. If you watch right to the end you will see his proud mum in the audience. This was one of his biggest ever successes and brought him a legion of new fans, including my mum and grandma!

The whole concert was swing favourites and really showcased him for the first time as not just a boy band superstar, but an all round superstar. I have the album of this concert and it's still a great fave of mine years later.

As the song ends you get to see the vulnerable, emotional Robbie that many adore back home. Enjoy!

My World - Saturday night country style

Our Saturday night was definitely an event for my full quill Ostrich Cowboy boots to make an appearance, as we went rural.

Our friends Jack & Peggy hold this event every year for their square dancing clubs graduation. The Hubster and his band are always invited to provide the musical entertainment early in the evening, so we headed out to their Oklahoma Centennial Farm on a perfect evening.

They have a really beautiful home, with many standout features, including this original Red Barn. Later in the evening everyone heads upstairs in the barn and they give out their awards and square dance the night away. It is just magical inside and I will save those piccies for another week.

The farm is a couple of miles off road and surrounded by some stunning countryside in all directions. If it wasn't for the frequent snake episodes Peggy has, I'd love to live here.

The Hubster and his band "Oklahoma Wind', play old style traditional country music (Merle Haggard, Gene Watson, Hank Williams, George Jones, Johnny Cash etc.) and have been together many years, playing a few regular gigs each month. The Hubster is the lead guitarist and vocalist, he does a great job and always makes me proud.

So as the sausages sizzled on the grill and the guests carried in homemade gastronomic delights, other guests danced to the music in the sunset.

Last year the farmhouse nearly burned down, some of you may remember me relating the tale of how Peggy came to win the stunning 1980 Corvette in the picture above. Basically the garage which was feet from the homestead burned to the ground in the middle of the night, when their vehicle caught fire inside. In a lovely twist of fate, just two months later Peggy won the Corvette in a national prize draw!

If you look behind the old schoolhouse bell, you can see where the siding on the homestead melted from the heat of the fire. Apart from the garage, this was the worst of the damage which was a blessing, as their home is filled with many treasures.

Jack believes in supplying his guests with every comfort and although the ladies get the use of the inside facilities. the men get their own precious Outhouse!

This was the view from the upstairs window of the Barn, looking back towards the party. It was quite the idyllic rural scene, with this view, the sun slowly setting, the smell of the grill and the Hubsters singing floating up to me on the breeze.

To join in the fun go to My World Tuesday

Feeling right at home!

Well who knew I could feel so at home on a freezing 23 degree night in rural NW Okieland! Tonight the Hubster and I had a date night out to see the Liverpool Legends (click link to see them in action), a Beatles tribute act put together by George Harrison's sister.

They have a show in Branson, MO 9 months of the year and have won the Best Show/Group in Branson for the last 2 years (out of 140 shows!). They are amazingly good and the resemblances to the actual Beatles are uncanny.

They play and sing totally live, and have got the voices, mannerisms and sound of The Beatles absolutely spot-on. It was one heck of a great night out and I am a little hoarse from all the singing. The Hubster and I are both big Beatles fans and boy did we have fun! In fact they were the first thing we chatted about online, that fateful day we met in the Backgammon room.

Isn't it amazing though how Beatles lyrics just seem to be programmed into your brain. I hadn't heard or sang many of those songs in awhile, but there I was knowing every word and singing my heart out. Even 40 years later, it's still hard to beat the catchiness of a Beatles classic!

I think my fave slow track is 'Something' and fast track is 'Eight Days a Week' - what's your fave Beatles track?

Thank you ABC!

For filling my Sunday evening with nostalgia, wonderful music, great acting, humour and Kleenex! Did I ever tell you I adore The Sound of Music, it just makes me so happy I'm an emotional wreck by the end!

My 12 loves of Christmas # 11

Surprises!

We are all often surprised with Christmas gifts, acts of kindness, visitors, phone calls, cards and other fun things. It just seems the surprise ratio goes up around this time and they're usually all good.

I had one of my own making today. Our local radio station ran a Christmas CD giveaway, just call in and win, for the first callers. Well I tried during the first round and failed, but the second time around I was the first caller through!!

I was so thrilled and won the new Faith Hill, Joy to the World album. It made my morning totally and was totally surprising, especially as this is only the 3rd thing I've ever won!

Anyone else going to watch the CMA's?

So it's Country Music's biggest night....when ABC is filled to the brim with supersized blonde highlights, hair, boobs, boots, hats, heels, sequins, eyeshadow and a few ego's too!

As a Brit' I find the whole spectacle absolutely compulsive viewing. Until I got here I thought Dolly Parton was a one-off, now I know otherwise, as it seems many of today's female Country stars have boarded her beauty bus. Having seen Carrie Underwood 'live' from within 5ft, I can confirm that apart from the boobs, she is an identikit Dolly! I will add though, in case of any doubt, I adore Dolly she's a total legend.

Can you spot the 'real' Dolly amongst these Country superstars!? ;-)

Before I moved here, I was very much an R&B, Hip-Hop, Motown kinda girl. But living in Okieland you have no choice but to get into Country Music. And so these days I love Sugarland, Josh Turner, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and Blake Shelton.

If you're a European and reading this you probably think she can't be serious. But trust me you have no comprehension of how huge Country Music is in the USA. It by far out sells all other genres and alot of the 'new' country stars are seriously 'cool' and have the biggest tours. This is not Tammy Wynette and Kenny Rogers (but he's still huge, although unrecognisable after 2 facelifts too many!) ballads, it's hip, modern country music.

I am a paid up member of the Brad Paisley Fan Club, so tonight is a big night in our house, as he hosts the CMA's. He's well known for the practical jokes he plays with co-stars on stage, so watch out for some odd happenings!

Off to eat home-made Cottage Pie and kick back for the fun....

Sheer indulgence pour moi and genius!

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Credit to Stevyn for posting this and making my week. Not only do I love this piece of 80's pop nostalgia brilliantly re-worked, but I had a very serious crush for donkeys years on Morten Harket the lead singer of A-HA! He's TTP (Total Top Totty).

So I just had to have this on here, as I kept sneaking off to Stevyn's for another viewing ;-) I'm betting there's a few other ladies out there who had similar crushes on Mr Harket! Oh and I googled him and if it's possible, he looks even better now at 49 - ain't that just typical of a man!

BJ Murphy in PA

First of all thank you for being the 100th person to sign my Guestbook :-)

And yes I really do miss the Eurovision Song Contest, especially Uncle Terry's dulcet tones and dry humour. It's just one of those peculiarly European wonders that you have to see to believe.

The voting used to be entertaining but from what I hear it's now gone beyond a joke, to making a farce of the whole thing. I heard even Terry threw a hissy fit this year and said he may not do it again. Something about all the Eastern block countries voting for each other, so that nobody else stood a chance!

I still remember Abba winning and no-one will ever top that :-)

Am I the only one?

Who doesn't understand why restaurants and bars have TV's on the wall with the sound muted, and then music playing in the background!?

Actually I know I am not the only one, as the hubster and I regularly comment on this when eating out.

I am sorry but what exactly is the point of this strange practice. And it's not just in the USA, I have seen this in pretty much every country I have been in.

I mean if what's on TV is worth watching then lets get to watch it with sound. If the restaurant likes to set it's ambience with music, then why have the distraction of a muted TV!? I find it even more bizarre when a music channel is showing on the TV and it's muted.

I am sorry but to us it's just crazy. But we also suspect it's a trend they all follow thinking 'how cool are we' having flatscreen plasma's all over the place! Or then again is there some strange law that doesn't allow them to have the sound on?

Happy 50th Madge

Madonna reached a big milestone this weekend with her half century, yet she still continues to be 'the' musical icon and breakdown barriers for women. Many people berated her image and said she had no talent, but her longevity and unbeaten record sales have proven them all wrong.

It's 24 years since she burst into the public's awareness with 'Like a Virgin' and her ability to maintain success in one of the toughest industries and re-invent herself for new generations is still amazing.

Happy Birthday Madge, here's to the next 50, I have a feeling you'll still be as flexible and glamourous at 90!

It's finally arrived way out here!

As you know I am at least 100 miles from what most of you call civilisation - a Mall! So no big surprise then it's taken 3 weeks since the release for Mamma Mia to finally make it to our local cinema. The poor hubster has been praying for it I think, having been hounded by me every Friday to find out if it's on yet.

So it's a date night for us tomorrow, dinner somewhere nice followed by THE movie of the summer and possibly some public embarressment! Because one thing I know for sure is I won't still still and silent through this movie, having been up singing and dancing when I saw it in the West End in London. Thankfully I know a couple of colleagues and friends who plan on going tomorrow too and may well join me in a sing-a-long!

Expect the review Sunday, although we already know what I'm gonna say right ;-)

Those embarrassing tunes I just lurve!

I’ve been tagged again, this time from Life is a University. And I know I said I didn't want anymore tags for awhile, but oh this one is FUN! So after scouring my extremely eclectic music on my iPod and not finding this too hard to complete - here goes:

The rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog
2. Share 5 songs you are embarrassed to admit to others that you like and tell why.
3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post.

Song #1: 'In da Club - 50 Cent' = "Go Shorty it's ya birthday, we're gonna party like it's ya birthday" I think this was 50's first single in the UK and it's just so darned catchy, I even have it as a ringtone on my phone, guaranteed to get me moving everytime and reveal my love of hip-hop generally!

Song #2: 'Time to say Goodbye - Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman' = Okay I will admit I am a closet Andrea Bocelli fan, I just adore his voice. Sarah Brightman on the other hand I remember better from 'Starship Trooper' fame in the 80's! But when you put these two together they made seriously beautiful and uplifting music on this song and I adore it, in fact it can even reduce me to tears!

Song #3: 'How Deep is your Love - The BeeGees' = Some of you may remember I have owned up to my BeeGees love before and this is without doubt my fave of their many hits. It's just so romantic and melodic, I love it.

Song #4: 'That's Amore - Dean Martin' = "When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie, that's Amore" how could you not adore a song with a line like that, I ask you!? I am a total sucker for the old 50's musicals and alot of the music from that time too.

Song #5: 'Gettin Jiggy Wit It - Will Smith' = Will is 'da man' and I have always loved him, he's just so uber-cool and nice. I adore this song, the moment it starts I smile and start grooving, in fact I am right now as it plays in the background.

So if you think that's quite a mix, all I can say is you should see my iPod it literally covers Snoop Dogg, Doris Day, Madonna, U2, Abba, Coldplay, Shakira, Beatles, Andrea, Earth Wind & Fire, Beyonce, The Gorillaz, Tina, Brad Paisley, R Kelly and about everyone else inbetween. Basically I love music end of story and I love all kinds.

So...in case you didnt know - you're now tagged and I especially picked you guys as I think you will have very entertaining lists! (instructions above)

Pam
Brad
Roland
Daryl
Willow
Stevyn
Rhea

Cant wait to hear what you list!