Country Mike Blog

Country Weekend

Mike Sudhalter  |  September 10, 2007

Well, Sunday was a busy day. It marked the first full slate of NFL games and the KNCI Country in the Park concert in Sacramento.

I missed both.

As much as I love country music, I had professional and family obligations that kept me at home. I guess that's a sign of maturing, knowing that you won't sacrifice everything for the genre you love. A few years ago, I would have driven through a blizzard to see George Strait, Tim McGraw or Toby Keith.

Sunday wasn't a complete failure, country music-wise. I searched the clearence racks at my local music store and bought 11 albums for $10. And there were some good ones - Allison Moorer's debut, the Tribute to Tradition compilation that I never got around to buying and Clay Walker's self-titled album.

As many of you know, I'm a big fan of the late Chris LeDoux, and itunes has over 500 LeDoux songs (some are the same, just on different albums). I'm particularly appreciative of the former rodeo champion's early stuff, and I put a wanted list of about 50 LeDoux tunes. I'm not going to buy them all at once though.

Jerry Kilgore is No. 1 on the charts of Country Music People magazine with his new song, "Loaded and Empty".

The new Kenny Chesney album is released on Tuesday. Two questions - will KC outsell rappers 50 Cent and Kanye West? And will he veer further away from the honky-tonk of his early years. My guesses are maybe and yes, respectively.

Finally, if you're like me and it's not always easy to get away to a concert, you might want to check out Concerts in Your Home. Among the artists who could perform in your living room are Rachel Proctor (remember "Me and Emily?).

Here's a video for one of my favorite songs, a very inspirational one called "Live Until I Die" by Clay Walker.