Wow. This month FLEW by. And it was a month filled with lots of cool, new memories including: A return trip to our beloved Charleston, SC; Annabel’s first Father-Daughter Dance; the kids started private swimming lessons; I hung out with Taylor Swift; and then it all ended with a bang: Daniel fell during his final T-Ball game and received another lovely blue bump on his forehead. (The April curse strikes again!) So, Bye Bye Bye, April! It’s gonna be May! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)
I am sometimes embarrassed by the amount of blessings in my life. With everything going on in our world, all the latest tragic events and deep heartache, it’s always front and center in my mind. I AM BLESSED. I’m blessed to spend so much time with my family. I’m blessed that my husband loves his job (and that he HAS a job.) I’m blessed to have great friends. I’m blessed to experience new things and travel and enjoy life.
Well, this weekend was no exception because I was able to hang out with one of my favorite singers/songwriters/ musicians, Taylor Swift. My husband is a morning radio host so we have amazing opportunities to meet some of our favorite artists and musicians. I have always loved Taylor. (I have written about her over 15 times on PopMommy.com.) She is a sincere and genuine person, a great role model for little girls (including my Annabel), and a super smart cookie for writing all of her own music AND managing a tour of over 200 people and a fleet of stage trucks and tour buses. Her mom, Andrea Swift (also known by fans as Mama Swift), told me that she was so proud of her daughter’s ability to really manage and take control of the entire RED tour. And this is a tour that will finish up in the US and then go overseas to New Zealand, Australia, Europe, etc. Andrea Swift spends time backstage with all the fans and she is also the leader of a backstage tour where I had the chance to see all of the secret pop up doors, costume change areas, and get up and close personal with one sparkling red piano.
Taylor decorated backstage like a cool lounge hangout called “Club Red.” It had funky decor and lots of snacks and Diet Coke (her latest sponsorship opportunity.) When she came out to the meet-and-greet area, she was very casual and laid back as always. I met her once before and she was exactly the same way. She gives you a hug and wants to know who you are and what songs you like. I told Taylor that I loved “I Almost Do” off her new album, RED. I asked if she would be singing it in the show that night. She told me that she has an acoustic set that is on a second stage and she would play it there since I requested it. Really? I kept saying. Really? That would be so cool. Then we talked a little about her latest Disney World trip. Talking to Taylor is like catching up with an old friend. She signed a magazine for my daughter Annabel. She then took a big group photo with all the radio peeps and said she had to get ready for the concert by “changing my dress and putting on a little more makeup.”
The RED show was a huge production from start to finish with amazing stage dancers, fireworks, and jumbo screens to watch Taylor from every possible angle. There were so many cool costume changes and set changes. She engaged the crowd and her voice sounded great. She even made her huge hit, “You Belong With Me” into a 50’s do-wop version . But the BEST part of the night (for me) was when she kept her promise and played “I Almost Do.” AND, before she played it, she gave me a little secret shout-out. I’m the “lovely girl” from the meet-and-greet. Thank you, Taylor, for an incredible night. And YOU are truly the loveliest girl of all.
Luuuuke! He did it! Luke Bryan, one of my favorite country cuties, won ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR at last night’s ACM Awards in Las Vegas. I think everyone was surprised. And why have I not seen him live in concert yet? I must remedy that ASAP.
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Luke was also the co-host of the evening with his good buddy, Blake Shelton.
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They did a great job, but I was too distracted by Luke’s black jeans and white teeth. He really should do an Italian salad dressing commercial. Right? It would be HUGE!
Hee. Luke was so emotional when he won the big prize that he was choking back tears. He was staring at his wife in the audience and it was adorable. And wedding rings are always sexy. He’s just going to get more popular now, so I might have some trouble getting those concert tickets.
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My girl Taylor did not win any awards, but she looked gorgeous as usual in some awesome gown changes. My favorite was the one she wore when she sang her brand new duet with Tim McGraw called “Highway Don’t Care.” Keith Urban also plays guitar on the single. It’s a great song and Tim can never do wrong in my book either. He looks yummy in that gray suit.
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Miranda Lambert was the big winner last night with three ACMs and she is always so sweet and sincere when she accepts any award. She deserves all the success. The song she cowrote with hubbie Blake Shelton, “Over You,” is just heartbreaking. And I was excited to see my man John Mayer make an appearance with Brad Paisley. He played guitar and sang a little bit. It’s one of the first times we’ve heard him since his throat surgery last year. I loved his new neck jewelry and I was happy to see him without his signature hat. Lookin’ good, JM!
Finally, props to Hunter Hayes who is becoming the Justin Bieber of the country world. Well, Justin Bieber without the nudity and club hopping. Hunter has a huge hit with “Wanted” right now and he introduced us to his new song, “I Want Crazy” and then sang along with R&B icon Stevie Wonder on “Sir Duke.” He’s going to be the one to watch at next year’s award show, for sure.
