Chris has been gone for a few years now.

Did the Cowboy singer die with him?

Where are they?
Not on radio. Not in the press. Not anywhere I've seen.

I'm sure they exist. I hear rumors that they're still out there.

Surely Chris wasn't alone in his desire to share real western tales to a starved audience that stretches far beyond those who actually grab the reigns and ride.

The word "Western" was removed from the old term "Country & Western" years ago.

"Western" music continued to live on thanks to artists like Chris, Michael Martin Murphy and numerous others.

But today, Is the Western life-style dead in music?

Does anyone care?

Yes.

In the time I've talked with fans from Washington State to Florida, Maryland to San Diego, a similar comment keeps coming around.

"What happened to Country music? It used to be about (fill in the blank)".

The blanks are filled with every common stereotype of "Western" Country music.

It's cool to make Country contemporary by including pop-culture, current events and stories from today's life. But there's a fantasy out there that still exists for a huge number of music fans.
And fantasy is still a driving force in music.
Like movies, music can take us somewhere we've never been.

It doesn't just have to be about everyday life.
Everyday life gone-by isn't so bad either.
Everyday life we've never lived is liberating.

Chris represented - as Jeffrey Steele wrote about and Tim McGraw sings- "The Cowboy in us all."

Someone PLEASE step up and take the reigns.

George Strait is the king. He's got the credentials. He rides, he runs a ranch, he sings about it- rather, he used to.

Who's next?

It's time for someone to step up to the plate.

And please.....radio.....welcome him or her with wide open arms the size of the western sky itself.

I keep waiting for that song, that moment, that magical merging of the audio and the visual it creates in my mind to bring me back to a place i've never been- a lifestyle I've never lived.

It's Hard to say I miss something I've never experienced. But I do.

I want it back again.

storme

Posted by Storme Warren at 10:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I Hung out with Michael Peterson tonight.

Remember him?
Sing it with me....
"You're the reason whhhhyyyyyy, I drink, swear, steal and lie".

Since his platinum selling run as an award winning "newcomer" in Country, Michael kind of drifted into the slow-lane of the mainsteam super-highway of music.

He retreated into a life of song-writing and soul-searching.

Now, he seems to have found his calling.

Not that he doesn't want a few more radio hits. Who doesn't?
But Michael has created a great opportunity, not only for himself but for anyone who comes to see him play over the next few months.

He teamed up with the U.S. Army and a slew of other sponsors to create the "My Real Life- Strong for America" tour.

It's not just a night at a club then off to the next city.

Michael camps out in a town for entire week.
He meets with community officials. He speaks to schools.
Simply put, he brings a message with his music when he comes to town.

He wants kids to reach their full potential.

Michael, raised in Washington state, created a name for himself as motivational speaker on the High-School assembly circuit.

Nashville called his name, and he answered the call.

Music became his priority.

An award running run including a few hits like "Drink, Swear, Steal and Lie" and he became the 'new' buzz of Music City.

But something was missing.

The connection was gone.

He grew his career speaking and performing for people. Talking to people. Inspiring People.

As a Country star, life can become somewhat insular.
A weird reality for those who haven't experienced it.
Ask any superstar and they'll tell you the same thing.

The bigger you are, the more isolated you feel.

Michael had lost that personal connection. Sure he still met fans, performed hundreds of concerts and appeared anywhere he was asked.
But the root of who he was as person was shoved into the background.

He likes helping people. He likes communicating one-on-one .

Long story short, it took fading away from the spotlight for Michael to regain the vital and very "real" need to connect with people.

The word "Real" is in quotes because that is the focus of his new venture.

Michael has returned to his pre-star vocation of speaking to High-School kids.
Real kids.
Not necessarily fans. Just kids.

His message is simple - "Your life is yours to live. Make it the best it can be."

Michael just may have created the ultimate marriage of celebrity, passion, communication and goodwill.

Armed with those tools, he is sharing his message to kids via a unique tour.

If you're a parent, school official or just someone who wants to help inspire the youth of America to shed negativity, this is a great opportunity.

I left the tour's first stop in Knoxville, Tennessee as a renewed person.

It's not brain surgery. It's nothing revolutionary.
It's just a wake-up call.

Ignore obstacles. Forget the past. Look to the future. Discover what's "Real".

A simple message shared in a fun week of community involvement.

Hopefully someone out there will read this, call to book Michael and his "Real Life Tour" and maybe....just maybe.... a few kids will become inspired.

It may not change the world. But compared to the influences governing our children's lives these days, it's not a bad step.

check out:
myreallifetour.com

-storme

Posted by Storme Warren at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yes! It's true.
Country Music Across America is heading to Sydney and to Thredbo!!!
March 6th -17th.
Can't wait to meet our Aussie friends.
See you then!

storme

Posted by Storme Warren at 01:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Thanks for being patient with me as I continue to take long pauses in blogging.

Quick note.

New radio show called GAC Nights is on the air! Tune-in in your town or check out kscs.com to listen over the web. We're just getting it going and so far it's been a blast!!

Just finished our Valentine show and I'll be back Friday (2-15) and Monday (2-18).

Suzanne Alexander is the regular host and I usually hang out as her side-kick. But for a few days the show is all mine. Be afraid!!!

It will probably be the last time they make this mistake to let me host so... tune in!

Another quick programming note....

Saturday (2-16), GAC will debut a one-hour special on the USO and our recent tour to Iraq.
Kellie Pickler: My USO Diary airs at 9pm EST on GAC.
If the only image of Kellie Pickler you have is the one from "Smarter Than a 5th Grader" , this special should prove she is not only Smarter than a 5th grader, she's now more worldly than one as well.

The USO was gracious enough to invite us along for the life-changing journey to Baghdad.
We only hope we were able to honor the troops and the USO with the respect and admiration they deserve.

As for Kellie? Well.....just tune in to see for yourself.
You'll be surprised.

And lastly....my lame excuse for not blogging regurlary....

I keep forgetting my password. Sorry....it's the truth.

Keep in touch. I'll keep trying to do the same!

Storme

Posted by Storme Warren at 01:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)