Jukebox X

I was driving from one house to another on a hot day in Moreno Valley, CA last week. When my client asked what kind of music I listen to...2 interesting things about this, 1.) clients usually never want to travel in the same vehicle (so, having a client in the car is different) and 2.) asking me what kind of music I listen to can be dangerous. My iPhone is all over the place - as far as genres. Here are the first 10 songs my iPhone spits out on shuffle:

1.) Clothes Off Gym Class Heroes - Punk
2.) I Can't Go There (Acoustic) Kenny Chesney - Country
3.) Paradise City Guns 'N Roses - 80's Rock
4.) The Best of Me Jason Aldean - Country
5.) Don't Think I Don't Think About it Darius Rucker - Country
6.) Every Day Rascal Flatts - Country
7.) Be Like That 3 Doors Down - Alternative
8.) Eastside Snoop Dogg - Rap
9.) How Far Do You Wanna Go? Gloriana - Country
10.) Cry For You Jodeci - R&B

However, the type of music I listen to varies depending on the situation in my life. For example, if you happen to be in my car on Monday night between 6:45pm and 7:15pm there is a good chance you will hear You Don't Hear Me Tho' Rodney O and Joe Cooley or Goin' Back to Cali Notorious B.I.G (Puff Daddy).

By I digress, my client asked me my favorite type of music. The answer is Kenny Chesney. His music resonates with me. His lyrics are amazing and his voice is dope. Aside from Kenny Chesney...I listen to a lot of country. I like music that tells a story (I have no idea what Boom Boom Pow means...or is about, beyond a nice beat...and a catchy chorus).

So here goes my current playlist...

1.) Out Last Night Kenny Chesney

I had to start here...he is the best.

2.) Small Town USA Justin Moore

It seems like all country music singers are really proud of where the come from. Justin just makes small town life seem SO appealing.

3.) You're Not Sorry Taylor Swift

I was surprised to find out that Taylor has sold the most albums since the beginning of 2008 - 4 million and counting. Reminds me of a Chris Rock joke - he said, "the Spice Girls are just like crack, everybody is doing it and no one will admit it."

4.) American Ride Toby Keith

why buy a gallon, it's cheaper by the barrel...
spill a cup of coffee, make a million dollars

PRICELESS!

5.) L.A.X. Files The Game

One of my favorite movies growing up was Menace to Society. A great movie about growing up in the South Central LA...this song completely reminds me of that movie (not just because of the million references).

6.) Do I Luke Bryan

I like sappy...introspective love songs. I know, I know!

7.) Big Green Tractor Jason Aldean

Everytime a Jason Aldean song comes on the radio, Mac gets very excited and says, "Baba, your favorite is on". I like Aldean a lot.

8.) Animal Def Leppard

When I jump in the car, I shuffle my iPhone and this song comes on within 8 songs EVERYTIME! It brings back memories of driving to Sequoia National Forest with my family growing up. It reminds me of the music that my sister and brother listened to when I was growing up. Anyway, a tape player in the back seat of the stationwagon listening to Hysteria. I think my parents had banned that tape in our house. I was real good at following rules.

FYI - no one needs their child to get sick as they are finishing a blog post!

Jukebox IX

1.) On My Own - Les Miserables

I am not sure why I like this song so much. Maybe because Joey Potter sang it at a talent competition...and I had a major crush on her. I am not sure...anyway, the song is dope and the musical is pretty rad too. It took until the third time seeing it for me to stay awake - but we were in New York and we saw it on Broadway - amazing!

2.) He Stopped Loving Her Today - George Jones

George Jones is one of the best old school country acts there is. I have no back story for this song...but it is in my memory. Just a sad song...and I am sappy.

3.) I Wanna Talk About Me - Toby Keith

Reminds me of my friend...he is always saying that someone is talking to much (a lot of the time it is me...I talk a lot). Anyway...music is such a memory trigger for me. I can't live without it.

4.) American Soldier - Toby Keith

This song reminds me of my oldest friend Daniel. I may have mentioned him before...he surprised me (and well, his entire family) by joining the military 3 months before his 30th birthday. He has completed his pilot's license...and is in Arizona finishing up some training. Three things I am looking forward to: 1.) seeing Daniel on the 4th of July, 2.) going to Miramar for the air show in October (hopefully the Dodgers are not playing on the same day), and 3.) his wedding in October (he is engaged!).

5.) Never Felt This Way - Brian McKnight

Brian's voice is so tender. I love this song. I am a sucker for ballads...and their is no better singer than Brian.

6.) Low - Flo Rida feat. T-Pain

Hip-hop...gotta have some on the iPod. Here it is...I am getting old...so most of the time I have no idea what they are saying.

7.) You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift

Taylor is pretty hot right now. I really like her...and I think it is because she wears her emotions on her sleeve. I can relate!

8.) Out Last Night - Kenny Chesney

Hoping to work out seeing him in San Francisco in July...so I need some Kenny!

Jukebox VIII

Last Friday one of my buddies left for Arizona...he isn't off to Iraq or Afghanistan (I guess this is where the War on Terror is now going to be fought - I wonder if Obama is going to get the same backlash that Bush has gotten for Iraq over Afghanistan?)...but he has left in order to continue his service of our country. Daniel (he has been my friend since 1993) has allows been about the military. In high school, we regularly trekked over to El Toro or down to Miramar (which I have to watch Top Gun after every trip down there) to watch the air show. These are some of the best memories of my childhood...A Few Good Men is still one of my favorite movies...and part of it has to do with Daniel, his love of the military...and I think my subconscious love too. Daniel is not my only tie to the military...my brother served for 7 or 8 years...so I have deep affection for those who serve.

Therefore, most of these songs really hit home with me...they evoke all of the memories of air shows with Daniel, going to see A Few Good Men on a rainy day in February of 1994 with Daniel...they remind me of my brother...so I hope you enjoy these songs...oh, I understand that not everyone enjoys country music.

1. God Bless the USA - Lee Greenwood

The epitome of a patriotic song.

2. American Soldier - Toby Keith

I love this song...speaking about the commitment of American soldiers. My hat goes off to them...

3. Where Were You When the World Stop Turning - Alan Jackson

I talked about this song a few weeks ago.

4. Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (Angry American) - Toby Keith

Same as this one...

5. Travelin' Soldier - Dixie Chicks

A song about Vietnam. Tells the story of a young soldier who has no one trying to find someone who he can write letters to while he is gone. Pretty gut wrenching...

6. Letters From Home - John Michael Montgomery

Great song.

7. Arlington - Trace Adkins

A song about the final resting place of our fallen heroes. The 21 gun salute, the folded American Flag...Mackenzie is a huge fan of the American Flag...I am not sure where her love it comes from...but it is definitely there. Maybe it is the love that her daddy has for it...

8. Shuttin' Detroit Down - John Rich

I already talked about this song..."they are selling make believe and we don't buy that here"...GREAT line!