Brenda, last time Alan was in Indiana was 2010 in Ft. Wayne. I remember being excited about that show but my dad was seriously ill at the time and I had a bad 'feeling' about getting tickets. Sadly he passed away three days before the concert and we had his viewing the day of the concert. So looking back it's a good thing I didn't get tickets for that show!

Eddie

Beth, hope you had a nice birthday and thanks for all you do to keep us informed about AJ with your posts/links.

I couldn't agree more with Alan's comments. It seems like only George Strait and Alan will continue 'traditional' country music. I had hopes for Brad Paisley and a few others but they all are going for the new sound which is really 80's and 90's rock. And if that's all that radio will play who can blame them. If you're a singer/songwriter trying to make a living in Country music today you have to go with the flow. Especially if you're a new artist. Most young people today don't want to hear the 'cry in your beer' type songs. Everything changes but it's not always for the better. Just my opinion.

"If you want to make me happy pour me bourbon on the rocks, and play every sad song on the jukebox."
Alan Jackson

I certainly hope Randy makes a complete recovery and send my thoughts and prayers out to him, his loved ones and his many fans. I saw him in concert a couple years back and he put on a great show. He talked about writing songs with Alan and some concerts they did together years ago.

I had to laugh when I saw this as I have been listening to Alison Krauss and Union Station's live CD the last two days. Glad to see that AJ will be doing the new Bluegrass CD and I'm sure it will be excellent!

I was very proud of the way Alan honored George Jones. How he managed to keep it together through that song was impressive. Alan and George were close friends through the years and I thought it was a fitting tribute. Vince Gill and Patty Loveless are also to be commended on a difficult day for everyone in country music.
Eddie
"Just  playin' possum and layin' low."

There have been quite a few negative comments/complaints about the new fan club ticket procedure. I would think that someone in Alan's management would take note of this. Fans that have supported AJ for years such as Hope shouldn't be having these issues obtaining fan club seats. I don't pretend to know the inner workings concerning promoters, venues etc. but I've never understood why an artist's fan club couldn't set aside a block of tickets and sell them directly to fan club members. I'm sure there's a reason, legal or otherwise, why it's not done this way.

Thanks for the kind words. Yes, I can hear a little of Buck and Don in there but it still reminds me of George Jones.

10) "Nothing Fancy" The title captures this song well. This is just a sweet little love song that features a nice chorus. Nothin fancy indeed but very well done.

11) "Long Way To Go" The beach, margaritas and a mariachi band. What's not to love! Well, the bug I guess.

12) "Life Keeps Bringin Me Down" This song has that old time feel to it. Again, I think we all can relate to the lyrics. This one has George Jones written all over it. Great singin' and pickin'.

13) "When I saw You Leaving" Alan's dedication to his wife and her battle with her illness. The opening chords set the mood really well. This one had to be tough to sing for AJ and you can hear the emotion and earnestness in his voice. I love the way the music changes towards the end. It's like sunshine and a rainbow after a storm. Great job!

Eddie

6) "Look Her In The Eye And Lie" Alan rocks it on this one. It's got that blues guitar style goin' mixed with some nice pedal steel. This one just kind of chugs along with it's rhythm.

7) "Dixie Highway" This one features AJ and Zac Brown on vocals and has an infectious driving beat. I love the banjo intro. It also has some of the sweetest sounding slide playing by Dan Dugmore. Very much reminds me of David Lindley's playing on Jackson Browne's song "Redneck Friend". Incredible!

"She Don't Get High" What a departure from the previous song! This one is an achy love dying on the bloom type song and Alan nails it. I can't help feeling that this song also owes a lot to Alan's work with Alison Krauss. It's just wonderfully written and sung by a master of the emotionally charged love song.

9) "Her Life's A Song" This one has it all. Solid beat and melody. Anyone with daughters or granddaughters can relate to the lyrics. I really like the guitar on this one as it reminds me of the late Jesse Ed Davis's style.

1) "Gonna Come Back As A Country Song" From the opening fiddle this leaves no doubt that it's a 100% country song. It also features some awesome honky tonk piano and I love the chorus. This one reminds me of Joe Diffie.

2) " You Go Your Way" I really love this one! It sounds a lot like something George Strait would sing. It has great steel guitar on it and just a real nice melody.

3) "Everything But The Wings"  I know I'm in the minority, but I didn't care much for "Like Red On A Rose". But on this song the seeds of Alan's collaboration with Alison Krauss bear fruit! This beautiful love song that features standout fiddle playing owes much to the work done with Alison. It just sounds different from whatever a typical AJ song sounds like. Of course Alan really sells it with his vocals!

4) "Talk Is Cheap" You have to love the way this song seems to skip along with a hint of an Irish jig to it. Some great pickin' on electric guitar and the steel ain't half bad either. The fiddle after the chorus is outstanding as well.

5) "So You Don't Have To Love Me Anymore" I am a lover of 'traditional' country music and it doesn't get any better than this for me on this song. This is just an old heartbreak song sung perfectly by Alan. I absolutely love the way the steel guitar soars and fades. It really reminds me at times of Van Morrison's song "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You".

I'll take a Ft. Wayne, South Bend or Chicago show. Notre Dame just did a multi million renovation on the basketball arena including eliminating bleachers and replacing with new padded seats. Seems like AJ got tired of visiting the same old spots that were his 'bread and butter'. Just my opinion.

Hoping this song starts to gain some momentum. Our local country station used to have a link for online requests but they eliminated it. Makes it that much tougher to request AJ's new single!

I can hear that old Freight Train rollin' down the track. This sounds like an awesome album and I'm glad to see that Keith Stegall was producer. He and AJ have a magical way of creating great music!
Eddie

I heard the new single just the other day. Very nice song! The arrangement on it is interesting in that it sounds kind of like a George Strait song. And that ain't a bad thing!
Eddie