The Crazy Thing About Kids Songs

It is unreal to me how "Kids Songs" appeal to kids! I cannot figure out why kids like to hear terrible music and singers over GREAT music and singers (ie. my/adult music). It's practically soothing to them! We have a couple of really really bad (as in annoying) kids CDs, so bad Ross can't stand them for a minute. And of course, those are the 2 that the boys MAKE us play.

It is rather amazing how they do the trick though. If we're in the car for a long time or late at night, just stick one of those CDs in, and it practically puts the boys in a trance. It's hilarious (yet annoying). :)

Luckily today I got the deal of the year! I went to Family Christian Bookstores and found a great CHRISTMAS VeggieTales CD... as I was checking out the clerk told me about a great deal they had, and only had 4 left of- I ended up with 1 VeggieTales DVD, 2 CDs, and 1 VeggieTales cookie cutter all for under $20! (great for part of the boys B-day gifts!). I was so excited. For some reason, the silly VeggieTales voice are WAY better to me than typical Kid CDs.

Do you have any recommendations of good Kid CDs? Especially worship or Scripture memory ones?

Rebel

I feel like "I'm In Rebellion" lately! (note that is the title track on this CD). So we like to be culturally diverse in our family, especially when it comes to music. The hottest CD in our family right now (besides the new Israel CD!) is the latest LaCrae Rebel CD.

Here's the reason I'm rebelling. It all started one day a few weeks ago when the boys were both in bad moods. We were on our way to the park, and the weather was beautiful outside. I usually turn the music up when they start getting fussy to hopefully distract them enough and get them listening to music. Well, this CD happen to be in and so I cranked it up and the car was thumping....

All of a sudden I realized there was a big buzzing bug in the car so I rolled down the windows to get it to fly out, all the wind made the boys start laughing hysterically so I kept them down... therefore I had to turn the music up louder.

I wasn't even thinking of how this looked.... we pulled up to a stop light with THUMPING music and the windows down and 2 little white boys and 1 white mama in the car... looked over at the car next to me and saw a rather small car full of rather large brothas next to me- all I can say is they got quite a laugh from us. :) Eli was in the back waving his arms in the air and Aiden was trying to copy what he was hearing. (I must get this on video soon!) When LaCrae starts rapping really fast (on track #2) Aiden thinks it sounds like he's screaming and rubbing his arm across his mouth. And I was just entertaining it all.

... so it's become a tradition now with me and my 2 boys to blast this CD and drive around town with the windows down. This has now become one of the highlights of a car drive through Tally.... if you see us on the road, make sure you watch for a show!

Suggestions Please!

I got an iTunes gift card for my birthday over a month ago from some great friends and just can't figure out what is worth using it for. I have gotten so out of the loop music wise since I have a toddler now and we mainly listen to VeggieTales and Bible songs on CD.

What songs are on your top 10 right now?  What is a must download? I like all types of music... except twangy country. :)

GET THIS ALBUM!

Arize Live, Featuring Jon Owens is now available on iTunes! I HIGHLY recommend this CD! 

My husband played acoustic guitar on it, and co-wrote the song, Fire Burns (Arise). 

If you can do ANYTHING, please go download the song FIRE BURNS! It is worth it! You will love it! 

Also, please leave a comment about the Album on iTunes, and rate it... the more buzz it gets, the more iTunes will promote it! 

I absolutely love this CD, and can't get enough of it. Jon Owens is a close friend and the Worship Leader at our church in Tallahassee. It's great stuff. You will like it! Oh, and my sister-in-law, the rock star (Shelby) also sang on the album, leading God of the Ages and co-wrote Jesus, Jesus. 

ENJOY!

Goodbye American Idol

American Idol has now come to an end for the 7th Season...how much longer will they go on? I say end it on a high note. But I am just excited that because American Idol comes to an end, my favorite reality show will begin- So You Think You Can Dance! I am not a huge TV watcher, I swear, but I do have a few shows that I enjoy from time to time...and that one is the best! You can't fake it on that show, you gotta be good or you go home (and because I only wish I could be as cool as those dancers).

Back to American Idol....Congrats to David Cook. I think he was a good candidate to win this year. He seems like a nice guy, and I like the fact that he was going to support his brother in the tryouts, but got persuaded to audition by the American Idol staff...and ended up winning! (He stole my idea from when I went with Shelby! HA!) You know the other David is going to make it too though, especially with is teenie-bopper following!


I added his best re-make he did (he was probably the most creative and musically talented). This is the "Billy Jean" song.

Yeah, We're Related!

I just have to brag on my sister-in-law for a moment. She is coming out with a CD that I know each and every one of you would love! I know many of you loyal blog readers of mine (ha!) read my husband's blog too, but incase you don't here's a link to his recent blog sharing about Shelby, my sis-in-law, and her amazing music abilities. Click here for that: Ross' Blog.

If you want to see her site to hear a sample of her music, click here: Shelby's MySpace

But yeah, I am proud to say we are related... she's one amazing woman and I think she is on the brink of breakthrough in the music industry like she's always dreamed. I encourage you to go and check her out and when she makes it big you can say- I knew her before she was known! 

And I know many of you readers are music reps and big wigs that can sign her, so just make sure I get a shout out of royalties or something like that for introducing you to this star! 

Oh yeah, and my kids call her "Aunt Burnie" so I am putting my two cents in now to what I want her stage name or 1st album to be!

American Idol Update

It's been a while since I last updated my American Idol opinion. Let me make a disclaimer...I am pretending to know what I am talking about here, I have no room to speak because I have no singing voice what so ever...so this is purely for fun. I'm sure each contestant is a nice person, so don't take it as anything personal, this is just my turn to play critic. :)

We are down to 6 contestants and here is my review on each, in order from least to most favorite.

Brook White. Cute girl, seems to have a sweet personality. I hope she does well in life, but sadly to say I think this is her week to go. She messed up pretty bad tonight. Had to ask the band to stop and start back over, and if I'm not mistaken has done that before on this show. I acutally liked her a lot at the beginning because she plays instruments, but the last few weeks have been rough on her.


Jason Castro. I just want to know how long it took him to grow out those dreads! He seems like a nice kid, but can only play one style, soft music with an acoustic guitar. He lacks in the strength of voice department.



David Archuleta. Not a fan of this boy. He's only 16. I would have the age limit at 18, that is just too young for this competition for my taste. I bet this kid gets all the teeny-bopper votes. One thing that bugs me about this guy is that he has already had his 15 mintues of fame on star search a few years ago, yet he has this "I don't know what I'm doing on stage" act of innocence. (I'm harsh on this kid, I know) I know a lot of you out there like him, I just gotta say I don't agree. Not a horrible voice, but definitely not my favorite.

Syesha Mercado. Representing Florida here! She has actually grown on me throughout the competition. She really impressed me with the Mariah Carey week. That is when she rose in my stock. I think she's cute and has a good personality. I don't mind her being in my top 3. Her and Brooke switched in my ranking today.

David Cook. A few weeks ago I feel like he came out of no where. I wasn't really paying attention to him, but one night he re-arranged a song that was pretty amazing and that changed my view of him. After tonight with Andrew Lloyd Webber music he impressed me with his ability to adapt to different genres.



Carly Smithson. I picked her out from the tryouts as a favorite and she has made my top. David Cook is pretty close up there, but she seems like a cool girl. Despite the fact that she is from Ireland and this is American Idol, I will give her a fair chance since she married into America (and she has a sweet accent). I have enjoyed most of her songs, and think she does a good job of picking the right song for her, she was getting weak for a few weeks but I am happy to say she is back on top for me. Go Carly!

So there you have it, my American Idol review. Of course I think Shelby Middleton should have won years ago, but hey I'll settle with this for now. Just wait, she will have her day!

American Idol 101

For those of you who know me, know that I am a fan of American Idol. (Nothing like my sister-in-law, Shelby, though, she is the expert on American Idol). Anywho my passion for this show began back in 2004 when I went to the Orlando Auditions with Shelby. That was quite the experience (I'll share stories later if you are interested). And some how the judges must have been on crack because Shelby didn't make it, but it's their loss, and one day they will kick themselves because she will blow all the American Idol winners out of the water in record sales combined.

So about the show. Can you believe it is Season 7?! That is just crazy. How and When will they end the show? I don't think people will stop watching or voting, always looking for that next William Hung or Sunjaya. I am still stuck a few seasons back baffled at the fact that people like Taylor Hicks, and Fantasia made it. (I still stand by my Rueben vote, even though he has dropped off the face of the earth and can now be found doing some ghetto Musical on tour through Tally. But they do have their successes when you look at Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

So about season 7, tonight began the top 24 and the guys went. I see no hopefuls in this group. The only person that looks like a possibility is the one who sang last, Michael Johns, who isn't even American. But that is my pick for tonight and who I am calling to be the top guy. Let's hope the females pick it up tomorrow! Otherwise I will be disappointed in season 7 (which should be the prefect season).

A Word for this Generation

The following lyrics are to one of my favorite songs. It is by Bethany Dillon, written when she was like 15! It's pretty prophetic and exactly what my hearts cry has been this last year, especially for our campus. Literally every time I put this song on in my car and turn the volume up I inevitably start uncontrollably crying! So much so the last time I had to call Ross to get him to calm me down so I could see the road! haha. (that type of thing is not normal for me either) If you get a chance I encourage you to listen to it and pray for young people around the world. It's those last 2 stanzas that get me every time!

"A Voice Calling Out" by Bethany Dillon (Revolutionaries CD)

I hear a voice calling out
I hear a voice in this wilderness
Where darkness has reigned for so long
Ground is being taken

The trumpet sounds
And Your glory touches the ground
And we all stand in awe
Who is this?
This glory far beyond us
I hear a voice

I hear a drum beating
heaven's drawing near
The sky will open
Your people are being healed
I hear a voice

[chorus:]
Heaven's battle cry
Rise
See the sun light what was hidden
Heaven's heart beat
See is moving
What was a whisper is now
A voice calling out

I see a generation rising up
No longer accepting lies
Running to the battlefield
And losing their lives

I see a generation rising up
No longer accepting lies
As a band of worshipers run to the battlefield
They're finding their lives
I hear a voice

Music Recommendations

I just had to share with you 2 CDs that I cannot stop listening to! They are the Hillsongs United: United We Stand and the Hillsongs United: All of the Above.

So if you haven't heard them yet please go take a sneak peak at iTunes or amazon.com. I encourage you to buy the CDs if you don't have them! They have such powerful words and it just makes it so easy to get in God's presence when you listen to them.

My favorite worship songs right now are:
on the United We Stand CD- From the Inside Out, Came to the Rescue and None but Jesus.
on the All of the Above CD- Lead Me to the Cross and Hosanna

There are some great praise songs on there too that get you all pumped up. :)

What are you listening to lately that you can't stop? Please share!!