I have to agree with you about Big Kenny. He’s most definitely the yang to John Rich’s yin. When all the political stuff came from Rich’s mouth, Kenny was off working for change in Darfur. The fact that the duo was even on the Dafur benefit album was because of Kenny.

I like Big and Rich more because of Kenny than John Rich, even if I think Rich has the ability to be a greater singer. I just think that Big Kenny’s the better person.

Spepard’s vocals seem oblivious to the fact that there’s an interesting contrast between Shepard’s claim that “I’m the only one that can set myself free” and her choice to celebrate her decision to end the marriage by drinking alcohol. So many people try to find freedom or comfort or love in alcohol that one wonders if Shepard has really set herself free. The idea that Shepard hasn’t really “set herself free” is given credence by the fact that she tells her husband that she hopes “you miss me every second that I’m gone.” If she was really free of this marriage, why would she care about this?

I really want to like this song; its great when something a bit more “traditional” comes out of a major label. And there is a certain charm to the fact that she is taking the demise of her marriage in such stride. She sees the end of a marriage as the start of new possibilities, and she makes you want to root for her as she pursues a better life and takes control.

A for the demise of albums hopefully Dierks is a bit premature. The 10 to 13 song album concept dates back to the introduction of the 33.3 rpm LP album back in the early 1950’s where physical limitations keep each side of an LP to about 15-20 minutes of play time. That concept was so ingrained when CDs were introduced in 1982 with much longer playing spans (60-70 minutes) that only the playback media form changed, not the album concept itself.

Now thanks to iPods (and all other MP3 players) and downloadable songs that can be purchased (or stolen) individually, the album concept is old school for all these young’uns that don’t have a sentimental attachment to the album concept. I prefer both physical CDs and full albums, but I’m a dinosaur and the mass market for music sales is with young folks decades younger than myself. I think such short sighted goals will only hasten the demise of the big Nashville labels…….

But I hope the album remains viable because some music can only be made via album, music like Marty Stuart’s “The Pilgrim” or Willie Nelson’s “Red Headed Stranger.” The death of an album might not be a big loss to the George Strait fan, but it would be to the Marty Stuart fan.

As for the video, that’s a creative way to handle things if you have a very short story in your head or a limited amount of usable footage.

And about Shelton giving Lambert a pony for Christmas - that kinda hard hitting stuff is why I keep coming back. Thanks for the update. Now, giving away any free stuff for making me read that?