Blog posts

• 

  Mar 23, 06:20 PM

  End of West Coast Run, Ward's face, Empty Apartments, shortest ever!!!

  Ward is taking up all the dang room today on our flight home from Vegas. I can't get mad simply because every time I start to say something, I see him do this fish type twitch with his mouth in his sleep. It's pretty hilarious.
  
  So I've been on some radio runs before, actually several, but for some reason this latest one really took a toll on me. I guess there are various reasons to why it seemed like such a long week, but nevertheless we're headed home, and it seemed to be an overall success.
  
  I'll be going home to an empty house this afternoon. Catherine's job has taken her down to Florida for the week, so I'll be flying solo with the exception of when I'm in Iowa Wednesday and Thursday.
  
  So what we learned this week on the road is not to assume that a specific city will be a blast. We didn't get as much time in Seattle as I had wished, and so we got to Spokane feeling the need to make up for the night before. I can honestly say we saw more of Spokane than any city I've been in thus far, simply because we couldn't quite find a spot that we felt truly comfortable due to it being Gonzaga's spring break. I ended up calling it an early night with the hopes that San Francisco couldn't fail. I will say that San Francisco is everything I thought it'd be. It's simply one of the cleanest and more beautiful cities I've ever had the privilege of visiting. I couldn't keep from wishing Catherine was along side of me, but I suppose Ward and Eric weren't a bad second choice.
  
  We ate at a well-known Thai place that I can't even begin to remember how to spell. We sat at the bar and Ward and I both had a soft shell crab dish that was pretty remarkable. I was sad to not do China Town since I have such a love for Chinese food, but I was more than impressed with our choice. I'd never had Thai food, but it was really unique and different than anything I've really had before, and I figured that place was as good as any to try it.
  
  After our extra late dinner, we set out to see as much of San Francisco as possible, and boy did we ever. Marlene informed us that San Francisco was only about 7 miles wide, and so we could almost walk in a circle and see everything. I suppose that was in the back of our minds, cause we literally walked for miles and miles. We stopped in a few places before finding ourselves in the worst possible section of the city. I started to notice police cars at every intersection, and so we collectively agreed to ask a policeman where it was we should go. He quickly said anywhere but where we were, so we found a cab right away, which probably saved us from some eventual problems. We eventually found ourselves in the Marina district, which was more our scene, but unfortunately the night was more or less over by then. I suppose we at least now know where to go when we're back in the Bay area.
  
  We ended the week with a show last night in Sacramento. I really don't know how else to explain the show other than that it was only for women, and so we played for literally 2000 women in a hotel reception hall. It was truly a unique experience. Though not all engaged like myself, we're all three more or less taken, so we couldn't help but laugh at the timing of such a show. I mentioned in the show that I felt like a little boy again, or like a freshman starting high school again. After the show we signed and took pictures for over an hour. I'd say at least 500 people stayed around, so I was completely exhausted by the time I got back to my room. I barely had the energy to call Catherine before passing out. I will say I'm glad I didn't stay up to celebrate the end of the week. Usually Ward and I have a pact that we close out the week with a bang, but having Eric out gave me the chance to slip off the bed.
  
  Thank you to all who stuck around last night. Taking pictures and signing autographs is such a surreal part of what I do. The fact that someone would want such things causes me to continually blush I'm sure.
  
  I really felt like we were dialed in last night. Eric adds so much to it. I just love sitting back and doing Turning Home with just him on piano. It reminds of when I was a kid and my father would accompany me in talent shows and choir concerts...
  
  Check in with later on down the road. Iowa's next!!!
• 

  Mar 10, 09:23 AM

  The Longest Blog Ever Written - My Trip To Seattle!!!

  I’m slowly getting famous, or least my blogs are, this according to the infamous Autumn House. One of a hundred flattering things I heard this past week during CRS (Country Radio Seminar). Thanks to all of you!!!
  
  I’m in the Nashville airport about to board a flight to Kansas City, and then catch another plane to Seattle. To say I’m stoked about spending tonight in Seattle would be like saying The Bachelor didn’t come across as a jerk this past Monday night. In other words, it’d be a huge understatement.
  
  I’ll be spending this flight listening to the new U2 cd.
  
  I’m sitting on the floor opposite of my gate cause this seems to be the only side with electric outlets, and the sun is burning through the windows, so I’m hiding behind a row of chairs. The flight from KC to Seattle will be a long one, so I will need 100% battery if I’m going to let my computer keep me entertained.
  
  It’s funny how I can remember to bring that extra shirt or pair of underwear, but I couldn’t think to bring a DVD! Unreal!!!
  
  The Nashville airport has their act together. I was entirely too early today for my flight. I got here an hour and a half early and there was no one at my gate. The new security gates move quickly, so I think I’ll be getting here a little later in the future.
  
  I often watch the people getting off the arriving plane I’m about to board, and wonder what it is they’re about to do in my city.
  
  I’m flying all Southwest this week. That has me smiling, though I have to lug my guitar around the airports all week, and it gets heavy after a day or so…
  
  If I’m really one of the first 20 to board my flight from KC to Seattle, I’m going to pee on myself. Something tells me that plane will come from somewhere else with people already on it. I learned this last year going to Seattle!
  
  If anyone needs me tomorrow about 8am west coast time, I’ll be at the Pike Place Market in Seattle watching them throw the fish around like Ward and I did last year.
  
  K, this will be it until I’m on the plane at 10,000 feet, when they say it’s safe to turn our stuff on…
  
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  My bad Miss Flight Attendant, I wasn’t aware it was a one-time option to request a beverage! I mean what in the heck; forgive me for trying to take a short nap!
  
  So they say it’s raining in the KC area, and though I in no way want any part of flying thru thunderstorms, I really want to make it to Seattle tonight. I mean no offense to KC, but the airport isn’t exactly in a prime location, and I’d rather not eat from the Holiday Inn restaurant menu. Depending on how close the Seattle Westin is to all the downtown excitement, I have my night and morning already planned out, and I don’t like to break plans of any sort.
  
  I’ve got a Yankee fan right to my left, and if there were a picture definition of what a Yankee fan looks like, this guy would be the chosen one.
  
  I’m not exactly sure how old Bono is from U2, but he sings like an 18 year old energized Irishmen.
  
  FYI: I got my beverage, and it’s an ice-cold cup of orange juice.
  
  The sky is the strangest looking thing right now from high above the clouds. It’s like we’re driving right atop a sheet of white road, and the road runs right off the sides into the brightest blue you’ve ever seen.
  
  How about those North Carolina Tar heels? A lot of you began wearing me out when they lost a few games, but I’m looking pretty smart this afternoon.
  
  A few people have mentioned that I should turn these blogs into a book, and I eventually would love to do so.
  
  This Latino male flight attendant has an Oakland Raider key ring. He must live a painful life each year from August to December!
  
  It’s suddenly about 32 degrees on the plane, as if we’re flying over Antarctica, and yes, I know that wouldn’t matter, but it’s borderline hypothermia level in here.
  
  Is it Hyperthermia or Hypothermia? I haven’t a clue, but I took a guess anyways.
  
  If there were Internet on flights, I would kiss every person on this plane twice.
  
  Suddenly, my blue sky has disappeared.
  
  I cannot see how people sleep sitting up in these seats. Heck, I can barely sleep in the Heavenly Beds in the Westin hotels, much less in an above average beach chair. Everyone around me is sleeping as if they haven’t slept in weeks, and I’m not talking naps, these folks are OUT!
  
  I can remember stealing my Swiss Army backpack from EJ Bernas when he was still living in Dallas, and I thought I was so cool trucking around the airports with that new fancy bag. I felt like a 20-year rich kid walking around the Pepperdine University campus. Well I don’t feel so cool now, mainly because the lady beside me who happens to be my mother’s age, but yet has shorter hair than me, and a 1983 Ohio State sweatshirt on, has the same dang bag.
  
  I keep waiting for someone on this plane to walk up, tap me on the shoulder and say, “Hey David, Ryan Adams really isn’t engaged to Mandy Moore, that was all a joke.”
  
  It’s less than 50 degrees on this plane, I’m almost sure of it, and I’m not at all happy about it. Try sitting still with no sun in 50 degree weather, it might as well be 19!!!
  
  Do they sell coffee on planes, or better yet give it away; well I’m about to find out?
  
  We are landing, I’ve flown enough to sense it, and guess what, I’m right! Before I could even finish that sentence, the pilot came on and said “ding, ding, ding, and yes David you are correct”! Not really, but he did say we were approaching KC!
  
  Peace out until I get 10,000 feet over Kansas (yuck)!
  
  You got 4 more hours of me people! This will be the longest ever!!!
  
  
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Yo, Yo, Yo!!! So I’m back up in the sky, and geez and I’m over the turbulence. On the way up, and on the way down it felt almost as bad as taking off in Birmingham two weeks back. I must have had about 100 of the smoothest flights ever the last few years, cause I’ve been experiencing a whole different level of lack of comfort the past few weeks.
  
  So it’s a mixture of folks on this flight. A few kids, a few elders, and a few young adults like myself. I’m about to find the best cheap sushi in Seattle when I get to my hotel, and pray they’re still open. If you’d have told me back in 1996 that’d I’d be on a plane headed for Seattle craving –
  
  Time-Out
  
  I’m looking at the most unreal thing I’ve ever seen. I opened my windows and I can see where the sun is still lighting the earth. It’s like total darkness and then a tiny bit of reddish purple, then a bit of Carolina Blue (holla holla), and then it goes back to dark. Holy cow this is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever witnessed in my 29 plus years. I’m speechless!!!
  I don’t even know if I can do anything but stare at this.
  
  K, back from the time-out, and I’ll try to pick up where I left off. I never thought I’d ever be craving raw fish, but at the moment I’m starving, and I figure Seattle’s got to be one of the best places in North America to eat sushi.
  
  So I realized I had my camera and jumped up to take a picture of the sky, and guess what, the battery’s is dead. I’m a smart kid I tell you!!!
  
  I feel awful at the moment, really sick inside…
  
  If someone can explain to me in college dropout terms how I’m flying 40,000 feet in the air, please do so, cause I never lose the fascination…
  
  Ladies, the key to a man’s heart is a short bread cookie, or at least my key is! I’m going to start flying out west more often cause the snacks are way better…
  
  The guy beside me copied my orange juice request. I’ve always been a trendsetter.
  
  Those short bread cookies just literally got dominated!
  
  Okay, this flight has taken a turn for maybe the best ever! Not only did we get short bread cookies (I’m about to asked for seconds), but also the dude just handed me a whole orange juice without me even asking. I mean I always have to ask for extra. Who needs first class? Southwest Airlines is the absolute way to go. I don’t care if they don’t fly where I got to go now; I’m flying to the closest spot (except for Islip in Jersey), and then driving the rest. I flew into Islip once, and that’s a long drive to NYC, it’s better to just fly on into New York.
  
  I’ve got 3 more hours of flying, and I’m coming to grips with the fact that my battery don’t have a chance in hell of lasting 3 more hours with 20% gone already. That depresses me!!!
  
  So let’s get to the serious issue at hand! Has anyone bought Catherine and I a wedding gift? I mean we’re registered at both Macy’s and Target, so surely you all can find something on there to give us… I think you all should put some money together and get me that Playstation 3 that I personally selected. I’ll be happy with a towel, or maybe one of the picture frames from Target. Ahh, just a thought I suppose!!!
  
  I really should have broken this into two blogs. Some of you are probably bored by now, but guess what, so am I, so you’ll have to suffer!!!
  
  I just misspelled broke!!! I’m really something!!!
  
  I wonder what the pilots are up there doing. I bet they’re just sitting up there talking about their wives and kids, when in reality, they could be explaining to me how the hell we’re 40,000 feet in the air. 9/11 was awful for obvious reasons, but its little things like that that I bet happened all the time. Maybe not a 29-year-old singer, but I bet little kids went into the cockpit all the time. Thanks Osama!
  
  Osama isn’t in spellcheck and nor should he ever be.
  
  I can remember feeling so naïve when 9/11 happened. I had never flown before, and was completely clueless how something so surreal could ever happen. It seemed like a movie to a small town kid from Missouri. I still can’t imagine what it’s like for those who lost loved ones that day. I flew into NYC six months to the day it happened, and I felt the biggest pit in my stomach as we flew around the city. I felt that same pit while telling that story over again,
  
  Time usually flies by while blogging, that isn’t the case on this Monday night somewhere over the Dakota’s.
  
  6 Pages! Can you handle anymore? I suppose we’ll see.
  
  I’ve sort of run out of things to say. I think the 9/11 references kind of killed my buzz so to speak. I’ll let the computer sleep for a bit and see if I’m re-inspired later.
  
  TWO MORE HOURS!!! HORSE MANUER!
  
  I’m seriously about to come out of this seat. I just ran back to the back bathroom and hung out in the bathroom for what I thought was a good 5 to 10 minutes. It was 3!
  
  You guys are stuck with me for a good bit longer now! Sorry!!!
  
  Why would you sleep on this flight if Seattle were your home? Won’t you just be wired when you get home and it’s actually time to sleep? Some people confuse me.
  
  Southwest is losing some corn on this flight. I counted 8 people with rows completely to themselves more or less comatose. I don’t think there’s a single row completely filled unless it’s a family of 3!
  
  I reached down to pick my jacket up and realized one sleeve is soaked in something that doesn’t particularly smell like water. Oh well, what can you do?
  
  I want Chinese food. It’s my favorite food of all. If I had one last meal, I’d make it my mother’s steak and gravy with her homemade Mac and Cheese, but other than that, I’d have crab wontons and beef fried rice. I love a lot of the other Chinese dishes, but I can’t spell them, so let’s just leave it at what I said.
  
  I’d love to one-day do an album of Ryan Adams covers.
  
  That whole picture perfect sundown skyline is long gone. It’s plain dark as heck now…
  
  I’m so bored. I’ve chewed about all the skin around my fingernails off. That’s what I normally do when I’m nervous, but I suppose it’s spread to when I’m bored now.
  
  The guy beside me is playing a video game on his I-phone with what looks to be his Kroger card, or Sun Tan City card, or whatever little key chain card he might have. They probably don’t have Sun Tan City’s in Seattle, but if they do, I may be due for a lay tomorrow if it’s as cold as they’ve predicted.
  
  It’s times like these when I wish Catherine were here. She talks so much that it’s never boring. She’d probably know exactly what kind of card this guy’s playing with cause she would’ve asked him 30 minutes ago. That woman doesn’t know a stranger. She’d talk to a tree if the branches would just move back and forth.
  
  Only you die hards will have made it this far, and quite frankly, I even question you’re faithfulness. I would’ve tapped out a while ago, probably when I started asking for gifts.
  
  We’re now approaching 8 pages, which has got to be the longest blog by any new country artist from the last 3 decades. I’m probably safe for this decade, and I’m pretty sure they didn’t blog back in the Merle Haggard days.
  
  Okay, now this guy has put down his “Kroger Card” and begun reading a book that I’m going to take a wild guess and say is in Japanese! Wow, as if I didn’t know the guy was smarter than me before, now he just had to rub it in my face. What a jerk… I bet he can’t sing “Boys of Summer” by Don Henley, or say he’s label-mates with George Strait.
  
  I may have just broken my seat. I’m completely out of my zone tonight.
  
  I may not write another blog for 2 years after this one. My computer may explode if I hit save again on this thing....
• 

  Mar 04, 09:09 AM

  Flying, Dallas, JC Penny, Red Light, UCLA Baseball

  Flying, Dallas, JC Penny, Red Light, UCLA Baseball
  Well my first flight of 2009 is the worst of my life. The only thing keeping me even remotely calm is the podcast from Kairos Brentwood on my ipod. I was excited to be going to Dallas, but I wasn’t this dang excited. To say this ride is bumpy would be to say I don’t have self-diagnosed A.D.D.
  
  Pardon me while I put my computer up and continue praying!!!
  
  It’s flights like this one that cause me to reflect back on the Hudson River U.S Air landing. I was at the Green Hills YMCA when I noticed several people gathering in front of the TV’s about 40 or 50 feet in front of me. I automatically knew something serious had to have happened, so I quickly ended my run and walked up to see what was going on. I watched most of the television coverage for the next few hours at home, feeling somewhat uneasy knowing I would soon begin flying again. If I ever run across that pilot during any of my future travels, I will give him the biggest hug.
  
  Kings of Leon – Closer
  
  This song is a ballad I suppose, and yet it makes me wish there were 5 miles of open road ahead in which to run.
  
  My teeth hurt a bit today. I’m not sure what that’s about, but they’re definitely more sensitive than normal.
  
  There are about 50 junior high aged girls on my flight headed to Dallas for a cheerleading competition. I leaned over to the lady beside me and said, “This would be pretty nice if I was 15 years younger.” I’m not sure she thought it was funny, but I was simply making conversation.
  
  Ipod isn’t in spellcheck, and neither is spellcheck, which is even more odd to me.
  
  I’m sad to be missing church Sunday. I really enjoy our Pastor in Nashville. I don’t always know what he’s talking about, but he talks in such a calm and passionate way, that I always feel good hearing it.
  
  I’m hungry, and something tells me EJ will have eaten by the time I land.
  
  Blogs are the single fastest way to kill time while flying. Movies are second, and listening to music is a distant third.
  
  Blog is also absent from spellcheck.
  
  When I look across the sky from my exit row window seat, I can’t help but wish there was a way to walk on top of the clouds.
  
  “But before I make my way into the crowd, could I share one last kiss while we’re still in the clouds”
  
  Clouds – David Nail
  
  I wrote that line during one of my genius moments.
  
  I’m about to play some shows in March, and though they’re all acoustic shows as of now, I’m going to have my keyboard player Eric Kinney out with me, and that has me overjoyed.
  
  I listen to “Notion” by Kings of Leon and think of little Ryan Fisher, and thoughts such as these could bring a smile to the devils face.
  
  It looks as if the flight is smoothing out, and it seems as though I’m not the only one who’s been “holding it”.
  
  So I guess Monday we’ll see who wins The Bachelor. I’ve never seen the show until this year, and I suppose this years an exception only because now I’m more or less married. My bet is on Melissa, only because I have some pretty strong sources who tell me this, and also in the preview, it shows him proposing to a brunette, and Molly ain’t no brunette!!!
  
  Some lady is yelling at me that I have to postpone this for a bit, so I’ll check in later….
  
  So it’s Sunday night and I’m flying home from Dallas via Houston. While in Houston I noticed at least four or five college baseball teams. UCLA were at the gate across from me and stood out the most by far. They were all dressed in baby blue Adidas jumpsuits with matching white shoes. I have to say they looked pretty sharp. My curiosity got the best of me, and so I looked up whom they played in Houston, and found there was a tournament at Minute Maid Park where the Astros play. Rice University went unbeaten the article said, so I’m assuming they’re loaded again.
  
  Dallas wore me out. I’m not used to staying out so late these days. Whoever decided 2pm game times were a good idea evidently didn’t realize how long it made the days. I got to see my buddy Marty Turco both days. Marty has a new baby boy who I’d not seen yet, so it was great to see him finally have another man in the house.
  
  Last night EJ and I met up with our good friend Brooke Fendrick (former head of marketing for the Dallas Stars) at the hotel after. Brooke got married this past year, and moved back to Waco, so her being back in Dallas for the night was a pleasant added surprise.
  
  Well I excited to be almost home. I’m going to sleep hard and long tonight. Red Light seems to be doing great. I’m still not paying attention to its existence, other than to talk about finding or recording the song.
  
  Dallas is flashy, and I may have interest in some of the finer luxury’s this world has to offer, but whenever I’m there, I realize I’m still very much a small town kid from southeast Missouri. The other day some guys from the label played a joke on me regarding a possible endorsement with JC Penny, and they were assuming I’d be a bit uneasy do it’s “lack” of premeire clothing. Little did they know that JC Penny is my mother’s favorite store, so I was excited in a way due to the fact that I’d then most likely be able to hook her up.
  
  K, I’m sensing this lady is about to tell me to put my computer up, so I’m not going to give her the chance. Peace out.
  
  Please keep requesting Red Light wherever it is you live!!! Oh and it’s on itunes as well… You guys are awesome!!! 3/4/2009
• 

  Feb 04, 09:12 AM

  Commercials, Church, Mary Melinda, Tom Ford, and a singing lady

  Is anybody else sick of these freecreditreport.com commercials? I mean if I see anymore of them, I may jump off my apartment balcony. I can’t imagine that guy having a future other than being the “freecreditreport.com guy,” and that is extremely sad.
  
  Is it awful to admit that I’m hooked on “The Bachelor?” I’m sorry, I would never go on a TV show to find a wife, but I can’t help but really like this guy. I do have to add that the two girls from Missouri were absolutely nut jobs, and it was no surprise to see them quickly eliminated. Catherine and I are both rooting hard for Stephanie, the widow from Alabama.
  
  Speaking of Catherine, one of her best friends from college has come to visit this weekend. Mary Melinda is one of the sweetest young women I’ve met, and I know Catherine’s thrilled to spend a few days together. Catherine got called in to J Crew tonight for a few hours, so Mary Mel and I walked around the mall drinking coffee and trying on t-shirts until she got off.
  
  Spent an hour this afternoon in Posh (a local Nashville boutique) talking with Rodney Atkins. Rodney and I met in Detroit over 6 years ago, but I think this was the longest we had ever spoke. Rodney’s an easy guy to root for, he’s about as low key and down to earth as you’ll ever see, and I sincerely enjoyed our conversation.
  
  Today was a good day. I felt better than I’ve felt in two weeks, and I think I’m on the down hill side of my tooth/teeth debacle.
  
  Have you ever wanted something so bad that you couldn’t get it out of your head? Well I saw something today that I can’t get out of my head, and that scares me.
  
  Let’s pause for a few random thoughts.
  
  I could not live without my MacBook!
  If I hear anything else about this Joe Torre book, my ears will fall off!
  I’m slowly becoming a coffee addict, and I like it extra bold, and extra black.
  
  I’m looking forward to getting back out on the road. I really enjoy traveling. There’s something still very exciting about getting dropped off at the airport on route to somewhere that in all likelihood I haven’t spent much time. I love to sit and watch people in airports and wonder what they do and where they’re going. I mean every single person has a different story, and I love stories. Even on the verge of 30, I feel like there’s so much I haven’t done or seen, and much of my education has come from people I’ve met through work, but I always yearn for as much as one is willing to share. You’ll see that a lot of people have the same experiences, but yet they all react differently, and it’s always very interesting to hear exactly why they chose what they chose.
  
  Tonight I got a text from Bo Martinovich, a good friend of mine who works Midwest promotion for Sony Music. He was in Lexington, KY, standing next to Joe Don Rooney, who I met 6 to 8 months after I came back to Nashville the second time in the fall of 1999. Rascal Flatts had just signed to Lyric Street when I met Joe Don and Jay Demarcus at The Fiddle and Steel Guitar Bar one weekday night. I haven’t seen Joe Don in a couple of years, but he had some real nice things to say tonight via Bo, and it reminded me just how lucky I’ve been these last nine years.
  
  I’m looking forward to church on Sunday. I love our church, and though Catherine and I plan to go more than we actually do, I always leave with the most unexplainably wonderful feeling.
  
  Catherine and I hope to move to Jackson, Tennessee this year if everything goes the way we hope and pray. It’s closer to both our families, and much cheaper than Nashville. The real estate here in Nashville is absurd, and as sad as I will be to be away from my friends, I know Catherine will feel much better about being a little closer to most of hers. I look forward to getting married and starting a family, and I’ve never been too excited about doing it in a city the size of Nashville. As small as Nashville can seem to be at times, it’s still 100 times bigger than where I was born and raised, and I think there’s something very endearing about that small town way of life, and so I feel Jackson is somewhere in the middle.
  
  I learned the hard way this week that there’s such a thing as taking antibiotics for too long.
  
  I haven’t sang in weeks, which is longer than probably any point in my life, and it’s really odd to think how new it will feel when I’m healthy enough to start back.
  
  If I have any advice for you men out there, it’s to go to your local Sephora and purchase a bottle of Tom Ford cologne. It will make your quality of life with the lady/ladies shoot through the roof.
  
  Someday I will hopefully endorse Loews hotels. They all look beautiful on the Internet, and the one in Philly is one of my all-time favorites.
  
  I hate the Yankees, but Mickey Mantle’s restaurant in Oklahoma City is about as good as it gets…
  
  I’m getting very sleepy, but feeling good has been a rarity of late, and so I feel the need to soak up as much as I can, since the mornings seem to always be the roughest.
  
  I would love to have a small condo on the beach someday decorated with only items from Restoration Hardware. There’s something very simple, classy, and crisp about their stuff.
  
  Joe Torre seems somewhat condescending/defensive tonight on Larry King Live.
  
  I’m starting to realize that I say “uh” entirely too much in interviews.
  
  Okay, my eyes are starting to shut on their own.
  
  Peace out, The fat lady is at the top of her lungs…
  
  
  P.S. And she's singing Red Light!!!!

  2/4/2009
• 

  Feb 03, 09:14 AM

  25 Random Things (you may or may not know)

  1. As much as I try not to be vain or a pretty boy, I'm a snob for expensive facial cleansers and lotions.
  
  2. I had the stolen base record for most in a season when I graduated Kennett High School.
  
  3. I was a PIKE at Arkansas State University the year and a half I was there.
  
  4. The first two kids I ever remember meeting in my life are still my best friends today.
  
  5. I have severe undiagnosed A.D.D.
  
  6. I had a cousin who pitched for the Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, Anaheim Angels, and Oakland Athletics.
  
  7. I once sat next to Sharon Stone at a CMA afterparty for over an hour.
  
  8. I got a record deal 8 months into my second move to Nashville.
  
  9. My favorite movie is Good Will Hunting, and I've watched it over 50 times easily.
  
  10. One of my biggest goals in life has been to be on the cover of GQ.
  
  11. I know more about sports than any 5 people I know with the exception of my father.
  
  12. I sincerely think my future wife is one of the most beautiful women in the world including models and celebrities.
  
  13. ESPN is my drug of choice.
  
  14. I have a sudden fascination with dentistry, though I wish like hell my teeth weren't the reason for the sudden obsession.
  
  15. Is my lucky number.
  
  16. Kurt Warner is truly one of the greatest people in the world.
  
  17. I will be rooting extremely hard for the Arizona Cardinals in Sunday's Super Bowl.
  
  18. Even if it's on the streets, I will live in Columbia, Missouri someday.
  
  19. I love authentic Major League Baseball team hats.
  
  20. I love beanies even more.
  
  21. I haven't shaved with a straight razor in years, long before five o'clock shadows were cool.
  
  22. If I could be anywhere right this moment, it would be walking the streets of NYC with my future wife.
  
  23. Somehow I've managed to become friends with several professional athletes.
  
  24. My dream car is a drive-able 1968 Ford F-100 Ranger
  
  25. Baseball is still very much America's Pastime in my opinion...
  
  
  I stole this idea from Keri (Tucker) French... I always give props to the originators!!!
• 

  Jan 12, 10:57 AM

  Red Light, Red Light, Red Light, Red Light, and other randon Red Lights

  Is there anything worse than watching the Florida Gators win?I’m training for the Music City Marathon!There will be a Mrs. David Nail in 2009!Words cannot express how disappointed I am with the UNC Tarheels.Peter’s Sushi in Brentwood, TN. is slowly working its way into the upper levels of my rotation.I’m fortunate to have friends in really high places!I’m fortunate in general!It’s feast of famine for me in 2009!The above are simply a half dozen or so random thoughts as I sit waiting for my pain meds to begin working.Today I woke up with half of my back left tooth missing from my first experience with a chewy candy that’s name has suddenly escaped me. I now have an awkwardly somewhat severe pain in the back of my jaw/mouth. At 2pm this afternoon I had a root canal done, and I must say I felt nothing but the numbing shots, but now some 9 hours later, I’m still up debating if I can take another pill. A thought just reminded me how much pain I’m not really in.My Christmas was bittersweet. It was mine and Catherine’s first together, but much of it was spent at a hospital in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. I got a call the Thursday before Christmas about my Granddaddy, who it turns out, was on the verge of a massive heart attack. There are few things I’ve learned to be certain in my now 29 years of living. No matter how many birthdays I have, I will very much remain a Momma’s Boy, Pat Monahan is the greatest male singer I’ve ever heard live, and Lawson Brents is the strongest man I have ever known. Lawson happens to be my mother’s father, and at 81, made open heart surgery look as easy as the cotton fields he used to pick by hand as a young man. I’ve always said I hope to grow up and make a Michael Jordan size impact on the world, but a Lawson Brents would be just as big.I’m wearing a University of Buffalo baseball shirt at the moment.I really wanted to run today.Moments don’t define people, lifetimes do.A lifetime is not a sprint, it’s a marathon!It’s not how badly one stumbles, but how quickly one gets up!Only God can judge, everyone else is simply opinion!Michael Jordan is human, but barely.If Catherine says “I will love you no matter what,” does that mean I have to stay in shape forever?The lady upstairs doesn’t walk at all like a lady!If I could go back in time and do anything, I would have invented NIKE!If I could do anything now, it would be to own the New York Knicks. I’m not a fan, but something tells me it would allow me the chance to have a pretty nice place in Manhattan.I would draft only North Carolina players, and I’d make the playoffs yearly. Doubt me?C Rasheed WallacePF Antwan JamisonSF Marvin WilliamsSG Vince Carter PG Raymond FeltonBench – Jerry Stackhouse, Sean May, JR Smith (committed but went straight to draft), Brandon Wright, Brendan Haywood, Reyshawn Terry, Rashad McCants.Coaches – Larry Brown and George KarlGM – Mitch KupchakI’m finally getting sleepy. That took entirely too much of the little energy I had left. It’s more dentist work for me tomorrow.Red Light !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• 

  Dec 17, 10:59 AM

  Brett Dennen, Catherine, Christmas, 2008!!!

  Jake, I'm now obsessed with Brett Dennen!!! I suppose there's nothing like a random start to my last blog of 2008. What a year it's been! This time last year I was in Chicago filming the video for "I'm About To Come Alive," freezing my butt off, but enjoying one of my favorite cites. It does and doesn't seem like it's been a year since that four-day weekend in the windy city…
  
  A lot has happened this year. I went to Vegas for the first and then second time. Spent a few weeks in California, which is always a big deal for this small town kid who grew up thinking Bonanza was a fine dining experience. I met my future wife. I got a puppy for an entire seven days before finding it a more suitable place to grow up. I had too many amazing dinners in too many amazing cites to count. I had two best friends get married to amazing women. I made some great new friends in Dallas, Texas, one of which now calls Tampa, Florida home. I had a couple of Philly cheese steaks and swam in the Pacific Ocean. I drove up into the mountains east of Bakersfield, California and found that Starsbucks' truly are everywhere. I sat in disbelief and watched Philip Fulmer get run out of Knoxville, Tennessee. I sat and watched my Missouri Tigers break my heart on four separate Saturdays.
  
  As you can see I had quite a year. As I sat and watched my friend Rick Brantley play tonight in Nashville, I found myself looking back on just how many wonderful memories I have of 2008.
  
  10 years ago I sat in my father's office in my childhood home back in Kennett, Missouri and wrote a song that was very much a fictional story about me meeting a girl in Memphis and falling in love in a mere 24 hour span. I never dreamed that 10 years later I'd meet a young girl from the home of Elvis and be in the midst of planning a wedding next summer. Love is the most amazing thing I think we will ever experience in our lifetimes. There is no plan or rules you can follow. Last April I got off a plane from San Diego and headed to the Tin Roof like I had a hundred Saturdays before, only to meet someone who has forever changed my life. I always knew it would take a extremely special lady, seeing as I'm the son of the most wonderful woman I've ever known, but Catherine is everything I know my mother prayed I'd find in a wife, and I knew it very quickly after meeting her that night.
  
  I've never been a betting man, but if I had the money, I'd bet my life that North Carolina will go undefeated this year. I enjoy doing a lot of things, but watching the Tarheels play basketball is at the top these days. I would love to have a house someday in Chapel Hill, for it's without a doubt the most beautiful place I've seen.
  
  Tennessee needs to simply let Tyler Smith take over this game tonight with Marquette, or they're going to lose two in row. It's 48-48 with 10 minutes to go…
  
  I want a new suit, and I mean a REALLY nice one!
  
  The Killers, Brett Dennen, Brendan James, and Augustana are just four of the new acts on each of my three ipods.
  
  Red Light!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  Jimmy Valvano's speech is just as moving and important as any I've heard…
  
  I wouldn't want to be the President of this country for any amount of money.
  
  Christmas is underrated and New Year's Eve very much the opposite.
  
  Hello Miss Dean, I hope this one lives up to your expectations.
  
  J Crew is an underrated store.
  
  I love jackets and think they're as much or more important than good jeans.
  
  Actually, designer jeans are the drug of choice for my generation.
  
  I'm afraid Vandy has little chance against BC in the Music City Bowl.
  
  BBQ is the drug of choice for me personally.
  
  I play Gibson guitars and usually wear V-neck t-shirts!
  
  I wish I were in Little Rock tonight with two friends and my favorite curly haired kid.
  
  My niece is beautiful.
  
  I'm Blessed!!!
  
  I hate the word lucky, but I can't help but believe I've been it many times!
  
  GQ is losing its luster.
  
  Have a very Merry Xmas everyone, for I hope 2009 is an amazing one for all of us.
• 

  Nov 25 2008, 11:01 AM

  I’m Bad, CMA’s, Random, Kennett, Turkey, Ward G!!!

  So I know it's been awhile again, and last time I assured you I'd be better at checking in, but the last 30 or so days have been crazy for a lot of different reasons. I'm sitting in my father's office bored and yet somehow inspired to do something creative. I've had some really big things happen in my life the last few months, and so I suppose I've disconnected somewhat, but as 2008 comes to a close, it simply reminds me that my world is going to crank up with the start of 2009.

  I've been co-writing a lot lately, which I have to admit is something I've never truly loved to do, but I've been lucky to find a few guys (Barry Dean, Tom Douglas, and Jaime O'Hara) that I've really meshed with both personally and creatively. Ward and I wrote a cool song that we've been playing together whenever the moment presents itself. I went in and recorded three new tunes that once again reminded me how much I love the studio. I started sitting in with Ward down at his usual gig at TR2 in Franklin, and found just how much I miss playing the small/intimate venues. I suppose I just dig playing along such a good pal. I'm so proud of how far Ward's come since I met him five or six years ago. He's really finding himself as a singer and writer, and I guess I feel like he's my little brother who I can't help but try and guide along as best as I can.

  Thanksgiving could not have come at a better time for me. The last few months have been a whirlwind, and it just feels nice to be home away from the interstates, malls, and hustle that come with a city even as small as Nashville. As Catherine and I pulled off of I-40 this afternoon, I said that I wished we could have beaten the 5'oclock traffic in Kennett. She asked "There's 5 o'clock traffic in Kennett", I just laughed and said "Nope!" Truth be told, the only time I've ever seen traffic in Kennett was when the Wendy's opened about 3 or 4 years ago. You would've thought people around here had never had a Frosty before!!!

  Okay, my body is weak and tired from a flag football tournament this past weekend, and Ray Lamontagne has mellowed me to a slight coma, so it's off to bed for now. Something tells me I'll have plenty of time this week to return to this very seat and provide you with the exciting details that are the Nail/Brents family gatherings...
• 

  Oct 20 2008, 11:02 AM

  Kennett, 9 Years, Kristen Hall, Ebay, Car Salesmen, Tampa Bay Rays

  Okay, Okay! So I realize my blogs are becoming fewer and far between, and though I most likely don't have any legit reasons, I assure you I'm going to try and do better.

  I've been in Nashville now for 9 years. Someday it seems like a couple, and some it feels like fifteen. Over the course of the past nine years I'm sure I've come back home to Missouri and average of 6 to 8 times a year. Now that may seem like a lot, but it is only 3 or so hours away, so it's not at all hard to make a quick trip or two without any real significant reason. In all those trips, I can't recall a time where I've done as little as I have the past 3 days. I had been at Catherine for a few weeks about slipping away one weekend, but it seemed like one of us always had something keeping us from doing so. I really needed a few days away from the city that's become my home over the past 9 years. It's odd when I think about it, but I've spent almost a third of my life in Nashville, and obviously all of my real adult life. I often complain about Nashville being too driven by the music business, and not having a large variety of people, but I'm learning that I've simply allowed myself to only see that specific side more times than not. I guess the moral to this specific rant is that coming home allowed me some time to reflect on the past 9 years of my life. I've seen so many sides, both ups, downs, and in between, but deep down I feel like I'm where I'm suppose to be, and doing what I was born to do.

  I cannot even begin to describe the level of hurt I feel in my heart for what my Missouri Tigers have put me through the past two weeks. That step to powerhouse level is obviously the hardest to take.

  I've learned that when you find that person that drives you crazy, and yet you can't seem to be away from them, you'll do a crazy thing like wear matching Cardinals shirts on a random Sunday afternoon.

  I love the fall. The coolness of the autumn breeze. The feel of Friday night high school football. The stars seem to shine brighter in small towns.

  Some people say it's absurd to take sports as serious as I tend to, however I seem to think passion is a trademark quality.

  It's looking more and more like a Democratic victory.

  I'm pretty sure my Grandparents have been married 60 plus years. People should strive for that instead of big houses and high level jobs. I think the world would hate us Americans a lot less.

  I think I will go into a month long celebration in the Cardinals can somehow get Jake Peavy.

  Add in my favorite Edgar Renteria and I'll call it a winter.

  I made 400 bucks on Ebay this week, and now I'm officially addicted.

  I'm very much a truck guy, but gas is so bad, I test drove a Honda Civic this past week. How hot is that?

  I miss airports, I haven't flown in a month!

  I don't get how people find comfort in eating terrible foods. I feel awful when I eat unhealthy!!!

  There's something about playing along side Ward!

  Calling Jordan Pettit!!! Can we be friends again?

  The Beatles will forever be the greatest artist/band of all time, and it's simply not debatable. No one has ever been as relevant for as long. If someone were to ask me to describe timeless, I'd say The Beatles. I think I've found a new "favorite" Beatle song every year of my life. I'm still very high on "Ticket To Ride", but there are a few closing the gap.

  New Ryan Adams record coming out Tuesday!!!

  I think home girl who quit Sugarland and is now suing (I just heard about this somehow, and I'm on the same record label) is out of her flipping mind. I'm no lawyer, but if there are no signed papers, I could defend this case. You quit, we explode, and you want to be paid as an equal third member? How about if it had ended after the second single, and the two remaining members wanted to go down and play Tuesdays at Tootsies, would you be suing for their tips? I think not!!! That's a travesty. I'd have a hard time not slapping her around if I was Jennifer. I mean I can't even fathom. Sounds like someone is having a real severe case of "I made the wrong (bleeping) decision"!

  I'm going to leave you with a few fun facts.

  I like the Rays over the Phillies in 6 games. The Phillies will win one of Cole Hamels starts, and then steal another, but I've seen enough sports to know that sometimes it's just meant to be, and the Rays are simply that team this year.

  I think Texas will lose before, but still play in the Big 12 Championship game, and most likely beat my Missouri Tigers again.

  I think car salesmen should all be beaten up before starting work each Monday.

  Why would a guy sell a car if he was to "Not make any money off this deal"?

  I'm tired of biting my fingers!!!

  I think God has a sense of humor, and he often gets a big kick out of me.

  Find me the "finest" Italian eatery in the U.S., and I'll take you to Jonesboro, Arkansas, and a place as good as any I've ever been to...

  Who needs drugs when there is coffee at every corner?

  People who hate sarcasm probably ask stupid questions!!! Peace out...
• 

  Sep 22 2008, 11:03 AM

  One of my finer, Mizzou, Sarah Palin, Celebs, Tin Roof investing

  Well if you're in need of a sermon/book/rant of randomness, you are very much in luck. I'm bored, suffering very badly from writer's block, missing Charlie a bit, and stuck in my apartment because of the gas crisis that has most of middle Tennessee freaking out.
  
  Let me start by saying this first day of the fall season in Nashville is one of the most beautiful I can recall in my now nine years of living here. It's somewhere in the mid 80's without a single cloud in the sky.
  
  I'm sure to be all over the map today.
  
  How about my boy Jay Cutler and the start to his now 3rd season in the NFL? I was never much of a Denver Broncos fan until I got to know Jay a bit, but now I find myself tracking his stats every Sunday when the Broncos game isn't shown here in town. I have to say Jay is one of the most regular guy/celebrity NFL starting quarterbacks you'll ever meet. I would think that both my Tennessee Titans (despite being 3-0), and the Arizona Cardinals would like to have their selections of both Vince Young and Matt Leinart back. Jay is making them both looking pretty foolish these days.
  
  I've now grown extremely fond of blackberries. Pineapple had become my fruit of choice this past year, but since Catherine convinced me we just HAD to get both a blender and juicer, a blackberry smoothie has become the highlight of my day.
  
  Loud neighbors are annoying. Our upstairs neighbors not only have the loudest feet ever, they walk faster than anyone ever should walk in their homes. It's as if they're on a shopping spree racing around to beat the buzzer. I'm a fast walker. I'm always ready to get where it is I'm going, but these guys are at home, where they're supposed to be relaxing. I think they rearrange their furniture every Saturday as well. It's just constant movement that I simply can't comprehend.
  
  Ever since Catherine and I decided we'd most likely spend the rest of our lives together, she decided to bug me daily about purchasing a golden doodle puppy. I would always let her give her spill about how adorable they were, how they didn't shed, and how it'd be the best thing for us to prepare for raising kids (as if that's right around the corner). Now I'm sure most of you guys know that when you find that person that reminds you everyday just how lucky you are to have them in your life, they can pretty much talk you into anything. Last Sunday night Catherine got back from Memphis and we were sitting in the living room watching the Sunday night NFL game when she ran across the classifieds in the local Green Hills paper. The next thing I know, I'm driving to Lebanon, TN Monday night to see (once you see it, you know you ain't getting out of there without buying it) this 7-week-old Chocolate Lab puppy. Somewhere in Kennett, MO right now my Dad is saying, "Please no". By 9:30pm I was home building a metal crate for our new addition. Charlie was a fine puppy. Actually, he was a beautiful little thing whom I'm actually missing quite a bit this afternoon. The thing about my Catherine is that I can sit her down and say, "Babe, let's think of the pro's and con's to this, and it doesn't matter what the situation, she can always think of like 15 more pro's than con's. Well, we had Charlie exactly 7 days. We got about 80 percent of our investment back by selling him to a young family of 5 from Fairview who live out in the country and seemed really excited about bringing him home. Catherine was very supportive. I think we both realized that this was a bit more work, and a little less play than we had imagined, but nevertheless, it was still very hard to watch that couple hold him knowing we most likely wouldn't again. Thank you so much Amanda for being such a savior. It wasn't about getting our investment. It was about finding somewhere he could really thrive, and you guys by far seemed like the best fit. It was hard, and way harder for Catherine. She came home to find a couple pieces of dog food and got pretty emotional. She put is nametag with the food in a plastic bag and said we were going to keep it for the next Charlie. She's pretty pitiful when she's upset. So we had a baby for a week, and it was up and down, but you never remember the downs.
  
  Today's a day when I wish I had a desk outside on the porch. About a week ago Catherine was driving home and called me to tell me she'd found me an 11-dollar chair at an antique store. I automatically knew there was a catch, but I've learned to pick my battles. I got home and she asked if I had seen it, I said "yea I've seen it, but I think it may be a bit wobbly for me", and she laughed and said, "Yea, I got it for me, I got to find you a bigger one". She think she's learned how to work me, but that pretty face of hers don't make the rules…
  
  I'm really happy for Vanderbilt, REAL happy! There you go Jordan Pettit!!!
  
  I'm over the presidential stuff. I can't even get into it. I do think our fine free country is quickly becoming the laughingstock of the world.
  
  Sarah Palin can't be Vice-President because her town in Alaska made women pay for rape exams. I mean seriously, does that mean she sucks as a leader. I give up. The media will drive this election. I don't think women should have to pay for a rape exam, but I don't think that defines someone's ability to help run a country. It's like Bill Clinton. He cheated on his wife, so I guess that meant his ability to oversee the national budget was totally affected. I give up.
  
  I really just want to see Vanderbilt go undefeated in football, that's all I truly care about today, that and this hilarious video on Nashville's gas situation.
  
  I even want Vandy to beat Tennessee. I've come to the end of my wits about the situation at UT. I have my own opinions, mainly the lack of developing players. If you were to match up the last 5 recruiting classes of UT with those of Mizzou, they wouldn't even be close, but if you look at Mizzou's roster, it's littered with 2 and 3 star recruits who've developed into legitimate NFL prospects. I never thought I'd see the day when Missouri football would stand way above a program like UT, but that day has come, and to be honest, they aren't even close.
  
  What has our country come to? We care about the dumbest things, things with so little or no importance. I go to Wal-Mart and can't stand to look at the magazine covers that liter the checkout lines. Magazines that I grew up wishing to be in, some I have been in, paying millions of dollars for pictures of people's babies, or reporting affairs. We've become a society that cheers other people's failures. We want to see marriages break up so that we feel better about our own crappy marriages. It's sick, really sick.
  
  We have people who are celebs that have no real reason to be, the Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton's of the world, who were born into money, who have access to clothes and parties, and have droves of camera's reporting their every move. And why, it isn't because I need to know what they're doing. Obviously it's because millions do, and that's disgusting to me…
  
  I watched part of the last game at Yankee Stadium, which I enjoyed just from the historic fact, but also since there's no way they're making the playoffs. They mentioned a few names like Mickey Mantle and Reggie Jackson (who I met as a kid and was a real jerk), and I thought to myself how they are two guys who given the microscope that celebs must now live under, would certainly be looked at differently. In the 50's and 60's, the entire city of New York worked together to keep Mantle's alcoholism, womanizing, and other partying under wraps. Today, he would be front-page news daily, and not for being one of the most gifted five tool players in history (which he was).
  
  We've done a 180, and instead of protecting our heroes, we want to bring all stars down to the most human level possible. We once wanted our stars to be stars. We wanted them to dress better, to look better, to date prettier women/men, to eat nicer places and to keep in the best possible shape. Now, we want to show when they've gained a few pounds, show them when they run out for coffee with no makeup, or show them when they walk out of a club too intoxicated, though millions do the same each and every night. I'm not saying it's right, but just because we have gifted people who entertain us via sport, or music or movie, why should we hold them to a different standard? I don't walk into my father's college classroom and pick apart his lesson plan, or the shirt/slacks he's wearing. It's a joke!
  
  On a happier note, here's a few random thought to end this long and winding blog!
  
  I think people underestimate Chase Daniel's ability as an NFL prospect.
  
  I think every kid should strive to go to Vanderbilt, not because of the athletics, but because I think it turns out some of the finest young people in the country.
  If I had a million dollars, I'd retire, buy a Prius and move to Columbia Missouri!
  
  Albert Pujols will retire as the greatest pure hitter Major League baseball has ever seen.
  
  Don't sleep on Houston Nutt and Ole Miss.
  
  It's true what they say about Ole Miss girls!
  
  I'm ready for hockey season.
  
  I'm proud of my patchwork St. Louis Cardinals.
  
  I despise biased and lackluster sports reporting,
  
  If I had two million dollars, I would still do the above, but with the other million, I'd invest in Tin Roof's in St. Louis, Columbia, and Kansas City!
  
  I think cheap t-shirts are cool, but cheap jeans are a no-no!
  
  I hate wearing socks with shoes, even if my feet stink afterwards.
  
  The church across the street plays bagpipes at the oddest hours.
  
  I miss Charlie, he'd be eating in about 20 minutes.
  
  Dogs are the most surefire way to start a conversation.
  
  I saw a Great Dane on the run the other night big enough to kill a grown man if it had chosen to.
  
  Fiji water is overrated.
  
  Watched the end of the movie John Q. the other day and got extremely emotional. That Denzel Washington guy is pretty decent.
  
  USC will win the National Championship by two touchdowns, and I don't mean South Carolina.
  
  The Corner Pub Club sandwich is making a strong case for 1 on my list these days!
  
  God Bless!