What's new "Nashville"

Okay, so we're on season 3 of the ABC drama "Nashville." Living in Nashville, I've been a fan since the first show. In the beginning, the show focused on the country music scene. Then it became a soap opera with a few songs thrown in. While the characters and actors on this show are terrific, I have a few complaints.

First of all, this is not a weekly show. I'm not sure how ABC expects ratings if you tune in on Wednesday night and there's no "Nashville." We haven't heard if there will be a season 4 -- but you can't get people hooked on a show when there's no show!

Second of all, I honestly hate the short story lines. They bring in a new character and they are gone before developing a story line. I enjoyed the character Terry (played by Mykelti Williamson), even downloaded the song "Carry On". As soon as Scarlett (played superbly by Clare Bowen) duetted with him -- Terry's gone. I also remember a bedroom scene with Juliette and some "assistant" (see, he wasn't even on the screen enough for me to remember the character's name). I could go on and on and on about these short story lines.

Third - the whole "Previously on Nashville" at the beginning of the show completely confuses a new viewer. Perhaps it will compel them to visit the previous seasons -- I hope so.

But let's get on to what I really love about the show. Rayna and Deacon. Everyone wants to see these two together and happy (nobody more than Maddie, the daughter they share). Connie Britton plays a strong character but she's made some mistakes along the way -- mainly falling in love (?) with Luke Wheeler (played by Will Chase). That was a total disaster and took up more than a few shows! So, can we get Rayna and Deacon together finally. At this point, Deacon needs a liver transplant so who knows how much time he has left. Charles Esten is terrific in that character. The writers have given his character very emotional story lines.

Juliette Barnes and Avery -- I just love Hayden Panettiere and Jonathan Jackson. They've provided us with great comic relief! Now if Juliette can just deliver that baby and settle down those hormones. We need to have more of Juliette singing! Get that girl back out on stage! It's okay that the writers have turned her from a huge witch to a sweet character. I've loved both sides of Juliette! Avery has a heart of gold and when he falls in love, he really falls deeply in love.

I hated seeing Chaley Rose (she played Zoey) leave the show. While some viewers did not like her character, I enjoyed her interactions with Gunnar (played by Sam Palladio) and Avery and I thought ZAG was a great band. Now Scarlett (Clare Bowen) has taken Zoey's spot and that band is just as good.

Can we please skip the Mayor of Nashville -- Teddy Conrad (played by Eric Close). That poor man has been given the worst story lines in the history of TV. The whole marriage to Peggy (played by Kimberly Williams-Paisley) was a sham. And the pig's blood? Come on! Does that really happen in real life? I guess the writers thought so. Now we have Teddy dilly-dallying with a hooker who is being monitored by the FBI. The sad part is every time I watch Teddy, I think of our real Mayor, Karl Dean. I smell a downfall -- for Teddy.

The whole Layla / Will Lexington relationship -- oh stab me in the heart! I love Layla (played by Aubrey Peeples). Her character has been treated like dirt from the very beginning, but she's finally coming out of her shyness and being much more assertive! Good girl! It's about time. Will (played by Chris Carmack), on the other hand, needs to chill out a little bit. For a couple of seasons, he's been terrified that word will get out that he's gay! Who cares? Not me! There have been several country music artists who have come out of the closet -- not that I think it's even necessary or important. What matters is who the person is inside -- their heart and soul. Will has a kind heart and I'm really hoping things work out for his character because I hate seeing him so tormented week after week.

Jeff (I hate you but I can't stop watching you) Fordham (played by Oliver Hudson) has finally gotten his just reward! It was hard to take Jeff seriously in the beginning when I enjoyed watching Oliver on "Rules of Engagement" where he played a guy with little intelligence. I think we all wanted to see Jeff fall at the hands of Rayna -- but I truly do not like the fact Layla has latched onto him -- or is it the other way around?

Gunnar -- oh Gunnar! The whole Micah ordeal -- the heartbreak of finding out he's your nephew and not your son. This was not an enjoyable story line for me at all. I would have much preferred Zoey staying on the show. Now, will Gunnar rise to the top with another great song? Or will SAG (Scarlett/Avery/Gunnar) -- oh wait, they've named themselves The Triple X's -- rise to the top of the charts.

Sadie (played by Laura Benanti) is a victim of domestic abuse and can't seem to escape her ex-husband who comes to Nashville wanting his share of her success. While the topic is relevant and I'm sure the plot is not going to end well for Sadie (or the ex), I'd much prefer this beautiful lady sing songs and find success at Highway 65 Records.

There are minor characters -- all played brilliantly -- Bucky, Raina's former manager and new A&R man for her Highway 65 record label (played by David Alford); Juliette's manager Glenn (played by Ed Armatrudo); and Juliette's assistant, Emily (played by Kourtney Hansen). I certainly miss Tandy (played by Judith Hoag) and Lamar (played by Powers Boothe).

Last but not least, there's Maddie and Daphne Conrad (played by sisters Lennon and Maisy Stella). These girls are so talented and we've watched Maddie turn into a typical, defying at times, teenager. My face breaks into a smile each and every time they appear in a scene -- especially when they sing. These girls are stars!!! I hope Maddie gets her wish that her mom (Rayna) and dad (Deacon) reunite -- permanently this time.

The show "Nashville" captivates me. Is the city of Nashville portrayed well on the show? I guess as well as the show "Dallas" portrayed the city of Dallas. I'm just happy the city of Nashville has captivated the hearts of some of the actors who now call Music City their home.

Adam Lambert Conquers Nashville

I think Nashvillians were somewhat surprised when it was announced Adam Lambert was bringing his Glam Nation tour to the Mother Church of country music -- The Ryman Auditorium. After all, some felt Adam had butchered Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" during Grand Ole Opry week on Season 8 of American Idol. Simon Cowell didn't care for the version (Simon does not like country music, period). Simon told Adam, "I would never go to Nashville if I were you, Adam, because I think there are a lot of people throwing their television sets out the window at this point."

Fast forward 16 months and Adam Lambert is in Nashville for his first visit ever to Music City and is set to perform for a sold-out audience on the very stage where Johnny Cash had many times performed that song. Not only that, but "Ring of Fire" was a part of Adam's song list for the show.

Tickets for Adam's shows have sold quickly, but my wonderful husband went to the Ryman box office and was able to secure third row seats for the show. I was excited. 107.5 The River, a local Top 40 radio station that plays Adam's music several times daily, was giving away a chance to meet Adam up close and personal with his appearance at their radio station.

I called and called and called and usually got busy signals but got through several times only to be told I was not caller #7. That changed the afternoon before the concert when I was caller #7. I was going to actually get to meet Adam Lambert.

At the radio station, Adam answered questions, signed autographs, and posed for pictures with each of us. He was so personable, addressing each person with a "Hi there. What's your name?" What struck me, however, was how gorgeous he is up close and how when you are next to him, his focus is entirely on you.

Showtime ...........

Adam's show is not a just a concert. It's a magical, musical journey. It's Adam's vision for a show he has always wanted to do for his fans.

Adam makes a grand entrance at the top of stairs bathed in purple lighting, wearing a purple top hat, purple long coat, and lots of glitter opening with "Voodoo." Lasers came out when he sang "Down The Rabbit Hole" and he pranced back and forth along the stage shaking hands with the audience. Then came "Ring of Fire." The audience went crazy. There was no need to worry how the song was going to go over for Adam's fans. It was incredible.

Adam was now back at the top of the stairs, top hat gone, jacket gone, for "Fever" (my favorite song off the album). The dancers joined him and it was great to see some choreography -- Adam can dance, too (is there no end to this man's talent?). He donned a beautiful dark embroidered coat for "Sleepwalker." Song co-writer, Aimee Mayo, was in the audience and it had to be surreal hearing Adam perform her song live.

The acoustic section of the show includes the hit single "Whataya Want From Me," "Soaked" and "Aftermath." I love the song "Soaked" and his voice on the song reverberated through the old wood of the Ryman and was absolutely crystal clear.

After a costume change, Adam was back for "Sure Fire Winners," my least favorite song on the album, but it became new to me after watching him perform it live.

Adam donned another purple coat and grabbed a cane for "Strut," another highly choreographed number with his dancers. "Music Again" was next. By this time, people had moved up and were blocking the aisles and arms were being raised over their heads and it was a little hard to see and enjoy the song. Security moved them back and, by then, the start of "If I Had You" was playing and I knew it was the beginning of the end of the show.

The new single is one of my favorites off the album. The song is a great pick-me-up and you can't help but groove to the beat. Adam introduced his incredible band members, giving them a chance to shine solo, then went into the song. He then introduced his four talented dancers who each got their chance to shine, before having the audience sing along.

After what seemed like an eternity, Adam and the band were back for the encore which consisted of "Mad World" and the HOT acoustic version of "Whole Lotta Love." I don't know if Adam realized when he decided to perform this slowed-down version at Fantasy Springs back in February that the song would take on a life of its own. It has.

It takes a while after the show has ended to fully take in the experience Adam just gave you. I've never witnessed a performance like that -- one in which you are taken on a journey which has been acted out and sung on stage with background visuals which totally transport you to another place in time.

Adam Lambert is a visionary. He knew what he wanted from American Idol. He knew what he wanted for his debut album, and he knew what he wanted for this tour. What he has created for his fans is nothing short of spectacular.

Iridescent jewels

I love this time of the year when the Ruby-throated hummingbirds return to our yard. We've been feeding them since I noticed one was flying around our red thistle feeder and I realized it was a hummingbird and not a butterfly.

This past year, my interest in these beauties increased via webcams on UStream. I was priviledged to watch several hummingbird babies fledge. You cannot imagine how obsessed you become over these creatures. I first found Phoebe's nest after she had lost her first baby, Storm. Sassy was in the nest but not thriving. After 31 days, she was taken to rehab where she died the following day. Surely watching these new lives would not end in tragedy. Several other cams came online and my real first experience was with Buzzie Bea and Zipper and Velcro.

You can't convince me these babies do not have personalities. Watching them thrive and get bigger each day and turn into true individuals. We didn't know whether they were male or female but I pretended Zipper was a male and Velcro was his baby sister.

Hummingbirds are extremely tiny creatures, but these cams propel them into mighty giants. Watching the mother sit on the nest and lay her eggs, then begin to feed the baby/babies up to 40 times a day. Finally, the babies get too big for the nest, the mother can no longer sit on the nest, and the babies have to start sleeping alone, unprotected. Watching these babies go from resembling black ants with orange beaks to getting their beautiful green-colored feathers in just three weeks is such a transformation.

Zipper and Velcro fledged successfully, but not before some interesting interaction between the siblings. Zipper fledged first in the early evening. Normally, hummingbirds do not return to the nest once they fledge. Velcro was happy to have the nest to herself as they would spend hours jockeying for position on the nest as well as pestering the daylights out of each other or nuzzling together.

Next morning, two hummingbird babies were in the nest! Zippy returned! His mission for the day was to get Velcro to fledge. He would leave the nest, come back. He would fly on a lower branch and call to her. Velcro would look down at the ground as if it say, "But, Zippy, if I can't fly, it will be a long way down." Watching Zipper stand on the edge of the nest, flap his wings, fly away from the nest, fly back to the nest as if to say, "Vel, this is how it's done." Finally, Velcro took off only to return an hour later and spend the night in the nest. Mommy's mission the next day was to make sure Velcro took off and did not return, with Buzzie Bea protecting the nest if Vel tried to get back in it.

However, not all hummingbirds exhibit such personalities. Some siblings ignore each other completely. Some fledge together. Most do not. Eggs are laid 48 hours apart. They usually hatch 24 to 36 hours apart, so one baby has a lot of catching up to do. (Watching the egg hatch is nail-biting as it's quite a struggle for them to get out.) The older bird usually fledges first.

Thanks to these wonderful people with the ability to spot a nest the size of half of a walnut and secure a cam to broadcast to the world, I was able also see Pooh and Pixie, Gordon and George, Duke and Binky, Hope and Hoku, Emma, and Opal.

Sadly, there are as many tragic endings as there are successful fledges which is why hummingbirds must produce several clutches each year. Phoebe especially had a couple of rough patches when her eggs turned out to not be viable. Another clutch was destroyed after a crow ate her eggs. Hope and Hoku were frightened out of their nest by a crow. Our cam owner found Hoku on the ground and returned him to the nest to later fledge. Hope was seen later at a feeder. The last nest I was watching produced Opal, who seemed to vanish after just two weeks.

Watching nature up close like this is really amazing and it's something you and I would never get to witness on our own. These mothers and babies have no idea the eyes of the world are on them. We can watch the fierce protecting of the babies by the mother. Phoebe fighting off a lizard near her eggs, Buzzie Bea spreading her wings and protecting her babies as the hot California sun beat down on them.

The best part was feeling the stress completely leave by body as I'm watching these gems. And it's made me have a new appreciation for the male and female hummers at my feeders this year. Is there a little bitty nest somewhere that I need to find and hook up a cam for others to see? I'm still looking.

Nashvillians Are Survivors

I know I haven't posted on this blog since last June but sometimes you simply have to let the world stop and puts words to computer screen and heap a bunch of praise on some very deserving people.

While rain was predicted on May 1 and 2, 2010, nobody ever predicted that over 13-1/2 inches would fall on the City of Nashville, Tennessee. Our house is close to Mill Creek but not in the area where it floods. Water from the higher street next to ours drains down our backyard and it was gushing pretty good for hours and hours both days; however, we were spared any damage. Unfortunately for some other people, that wasn't the case.

My thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost their homes, cars, possessions, and especially family members. Their lives have been forever changed by this event. I am most proud of the people of Nashville.

When the rains came down, local TV stations yanked their regular programming and stayed on the air 24/7, commercial free, to give us the latest updates. Fox 17's studios were in an area with mandatory evacuation orders due to a levee which was about to be breached. A skeleton crew decided to stay and make sure the news continued as water was approaching the back of their building.

The Office of Emergency Management has done an amazing job. This was not Hurricane Katrina where you had days of advance notice. Water rose fast and furious in parts of Nashville. I watched Interstate 24 flood near my home. I drive that road every weekday from work. I saw the portable classroom float down the road and then disintegrate before my very eyes. At the time, we were thinking it was a mobile home with people inside. We watched as the water came up over the tops of the cars and saw vehicles stopping on the other side of the interstate making sure everyone got out of the cars -- the concrete barrier being the dike holding back the high water from the westbound lanes of the interstate.

Nashville police officers took on 12-hour shifts. Firefighters worked endlessly to rescue people from those homes overcome by the flood waters. Neighbors helped neighbors using boats, inflatable rafts -- whatever they could to help out. The National Guard was called out to assist in rescues. And the rains had not yet stopped.

Mayor Karl Dean was our leader who gave frequent updates. The heads of his agencies were at these press conferences to answer questions. If you had access to TV or radio, you were kept informed. But the Cumberland River overflowed and downtown Nashville was underwater from Riverfront Park to Sixth Avenue. Honky tonk clubs were silenced. The Gaylord Opryland Hotel was under water. Opry Mills mall was under water. The Grand Ole Opry House flooded; however, the Opry show continued on two days later at the War Memorial Auditorium with a star-studded cast.

One of the hardest hit residential areas of Nashville was Bellevue in West Nashville. Multiple subdivisions flooded. Antioch residents near Mill Creek saw the water reach the rooftops. A road I travel to get to work is still closed as I write this. The flood waters took out one of Nashville's water treatment plants forcing residents to rely on our second plant which was in imminate danger of being flooded. Residents were asked to use half the water they would normally use. I'm finding it's not that difficult to do. Our second water treatment plant was spared and is producing 85 million gallons of drinking water per day. Nashville and Brentwood residents use over 100 million gallons a day.

Nashville utility companies (water, electric and gas) are waiving reconnection fees, late charges and giving affected homeowners additional time to pay their bill. Our Department of Public Works will be picking up items damaged in the flood: appliances and metals, construction and demolition debris, household trash (including carpet), and vegetation (brush and limbs).

I read on a blog today "where are the country music stars? Why aren't they helping." Many of them have suffered losses as well. Country music superstar Kenny Chesney's house completely flooded and will have to be demolished and rebuilt. Jeannie Seely lives on the Cumberland River and lost her house and her car. Country music artists never help out to get the recognition. I hate to start naming names because I know I'll leave someone out, but concert benefits are being planned. Vince Gill and WSMV-TV put together a two-night telethon with celebs like Tennessee Titans' coach Jeff Fisher and Nashville Predators' coach Barry Trotz answering the phones. Others helping out included Phil Vassar, Buddy Jewell, Chuck Wicks, Billy Dean, Steve Warriner, Lorrie Morgan, Bo Bice, Amy Grant, Keith Urban, Lee Roy Parnell, Bryan White, Troy Gentry, Steven Curtis Chapman, Naomi Judd, Darius Rucker, Lonestar, Alison Krauss.

Kellie Pickler tweeted asking for volunteers to help out her friends whose home had suffered damage. Keith Urban (who lost much of his equipment he had stored at a warehouse downtown) was going to help clean up the Country Music Hall of Fame. I saw where Jake Owens and Elizabeth Cook performed at impromptu benefits. New pop sensation, Ke$ha, will return to her hometown to perform a benefit concert. There will be more to come, I'm sure. Other Nashville celebrities had donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the relief efforts.

Tennessee is known as the Volunteer State and thousands of residents have stepped in to help. Lives will not return to normal for a very long time. Nashville has never experienced something like this before and (hopefully) will never, ever again. So I salute our local government officials who had their hands on just what was happening and what was going to be needed in the aftermath. Hats off to our law enforcement officers who have protected life and property, our firefighters who many times risked their own lives to reach residents to save their lives. I thank our local TV and radio stations -- that put Nashvillians first and foremost. The Tennessean newspaper's coverage was amazing, not only covering the events from the flood, but giving residents information on what to do and where to turn.

But most of all, I salute the incredible residents of Nashville -- those who waded through chest-deep water to get to safety, those brave residents who helped their neighbors evacuate and even deliver a baby. And those thousands of volunteers who continue to hand out food, water and help with the clean-up. You all are true heroes.

Michael Jackson - So Tragic

The initial shock at losing the King of Pop at age 50 felt reminiscent of losing Elvis Presley -- the King of Rock and Roll -- at the age of 42. The comparisons are many. Both had been at the top of the music world. Both transformed the music world. Both were forced to be recluses due to their popularity. Were their deaths similar?

Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley and Jackson's ex-wife, wrote of how Michaek himself felt he might meet a similar fate. Elvis' death was attributed to a heart attack; Jackson's was cardiac arrest. Yes, young people die every day due to heart conditions, but how big of a role has prescription drugs played?

It's sad thinking the untimely deaths of these icons could have been avoided. Elvis' physician faced criminal prosecution (he was acquitted) and lost his medical license. Anna Nicole Smith's companion, Howard K. Stern, and her physicians, Dr. Sandeep Kapoor and Dr. Khristine Eroshevich, are facing charges of conspiring to furnish drugs to Smith (which contributed to her death).

We've heard that Michael Jackson's physician may have been with him at the time of Michael's collapse and is rumored to have injected him with medication an hour prior. There is a good chance toxicology reports will turn up combinations of prescription drugs in Jackson's system -- the probability that they contributed to his cardiac arrest will more than likely be evident.

So the question lingers -- why. Why do these celebrities get hooked on prescription drugs. Why do they abuse them and why are doctors allowed to enable them to continue doing so? Could Jackson's physician end up facing criminal charges?

We lost Elvis, Anna Nicole, and Michael much too early. Sadder still is the fact their deaths left their young children without a parent. It just seems so senseless. So avoidable. So tragic.

Adam Lambert - Superstar

Adam Lambert did not win American Idol. Am I shocked that the best singer did not win America's #1 singing competition? NO! Reality TV is not about the best at anything. It's a popularity contest. American Idol has, for eight years, sought out the best undiscovered singer in the U.S. This year, they didn't get it right!

Never before has a contestant like Adam Lambert performed on the Idol stage. Adam has the look, the persona, the charisma, the showmanship, and the VOICE! There is no question Adam possessed a voice with such range, with such substance, with such heart and soul; and week after week, he sang circles around the competition.

But now, Adam Lambert is a STAR! He proved it every Tuesday night with performances that ran the gamut of musical genres. Adam dared to be different. He brought everything he had to the table. If he was going to win American Idol, he was going to win it HIS way.

Each week, there was that element of surprise with Adam from song choice, wardrobe, style, entrance and, to me, he never disappointed. The judges praised is vocal prowess, because Adam was GREAT each and every week.

Does it matter Adam came in second? Absolutely not! Ask Chris Daughtry if he's still upset he finished 4th in Season 5? I think his sold-out concerts and selling over 5,000,000 copies of his debut album with the band Daughtry answers that question (in fact, it's doubtful that, as the winner, American Idol would have allowed him to record the album as a band).

Let's face it -- the world now knows Adam Lambert. The record contract is a gimme. Fame and fortune is guaranteed because you can't stop talent like that. Adam will sell boatloads of albums. He'll sell a slew of concert tickets. There are so many possibilities awaiting him and he doesn't have to carry that crown "Winner of American Idol" or sing the winner's song a million times over the next year.

I became a fan the second I saw Adam walk into that room in San Francisco and audition with "Bohemian Rapsody" He came full circle ending his stint on American Idol singing with Queen. How ironic!

Adam knows he has the fans. He feels the love. He has the heart and the ambition. And he will never be that struggling actor / singer ever again. Anybody remember the movie "The Idolmaker"? Do you see the similiarities between Caesare and Adam Lambert?

American Idol is just a TV show that's a springboard for bigger and better things for those who are fortunate enough to perform on its stage. Adam Lambert kicked open the door and he's now taking names ......

Your Idol bubble has burst, Adam Lambert. Your journey has just begun. Welcome to Superstardom.

Guest Wish List for Season 2 of The Marty Stuart Show

While Season 1 of The Marty Stuart Show is in reruns, I've been thinking about guests for Season 2. My wish list includes

1. Travis Tritt - I'm surprised he was not on Season 1
2. George Jones - George is a "must" guest
3. Loretta Lynn - Ditto for Loretta
4. Randy Travis - We don't get to see Randy enough these days
5. Pam Tillis - Pam is such a great singer
6. Merle Haggard - He's Merle Haggard for gosh sakes
7. Willie Nelson - This is a BIG wish but Willie belongs on the show
8. Ricky Skaggs - Gotta have some great bluegrass
9. Ralph Stanley - Ditto on the bluegrass
10. Rodney Crowell - Would REALLY love to see him on the show
11. Crystal Gayle - We don't see Crystal often enough either
12. Tanya Tucker - She's good enough for the Late Night Jam.
13. Bill Anderson - Incredible singer/songwriter
14. Elizabeth Cook - Fairly unknown, but pure country
15. Carlene Carter - She's BACK!!!
16. John Conlee - Still one of the great voices in country music
17. Hank Wiliams, Jr. - He'd be good.
18. Jeannie Seely - Still has a great voice.
19. Asleep At The Wheel - Gotta have some Texas swing.
20. Patty Loveless - Heavenly voice.
21. Martina McBride - Another great voice.
22. Trisha Yearwood - Strong voice and she could bring Garth.
23. Jack Greene - We still need to see and hear the legends
24. Keith Urban - I think this could actually happen.

Now I'll sit back and see how many of these great country artists actually make an appearance on Season 2.

Later,