Musician's Widow

Last night, I watched The Big Waste on the Food Network. If you get a chance to see it in the next week (it airs again on Jan. 14th… check listings!), take the time to stop and watch.

Sure, its another timed cooking challenge between four chefs (Bobby Flay and Michael Symon versus Anne Burrell and Alex Guarnaschelli) that Food Network seems to thrive on these days. But this special is not about the challenge itself, its a staggering look at how much food we waste in this country every day.

I watched the show with a knot in my stomach, watching perfectly good food being just thrown out because of a blemish here or there. A box full of fresh fish on its way to the dumpster because the people that ordered it no longer needed it. Sweet corn ignored because the stalks got knocked over in high winds. Perfectly good, fresh, healthy food destined to just be thrown out with the garbage.

The show has made me rethink my shopping. I am not going to buy anything that will make me sick or that will go bad before I can eat it (that’s throwing money away), but if I can curb the waste by, say, purchasing a ripe tomato to use on my salad tonight (versus letting it sit there and ultimately be thrown out) then I am going to do that. It’s at least a step in the right direction.

Meanwhile, I hope perhaps some of the food that would normally go in the trash will eventually make its way to shelters. The homeless need a healthy meal, too. Why not donate the “unsellable” fruits and vegetables to a kitchen or shelter? I hope this show might start a push for that as well.

I had no idea what to expect when I sat down to watch “The Big Waste,” but I am sure glad I took the time to watch it. I learned a lot, and I felt ashamed of wasting food myself. I am going to make changes starting now.

I’ve been an avid viewer of What Not to Wear on TLC since season 1. Yup, I even remember long-haired Wayne of season 1. I love the show, and I’ve learned so much watching it — both about style and about self confidence. More on that later…

When I say I’ve been an avid viewer, I should clarify: I WAS an avid viewer. Until TLC moved it from Friday night to Tuesday night. Now, I only see it if I just happen to stumble upon it as a repeat later in the week. (Read: never.)

Friday nights were a tradition with my Mom! We’d watch together sitting on the couch, then after I moved to Nashville we’d watch together via AIM. The mother/daughter time was a wonderful bonus to one of my favorite shows!

Then… then it moved to Tuesday night. The one night a week I can’t watch. Mom and I find other shows to watch together, but none of them are our original What Not to Wear. None stand up to the high bar we’d set with that show.

Last night, however, I was actually free and I got to tune in for two episodes back-to-back. Mom and I chatted online through the show, discussing the style, attitude and the ending reveal of each participant. I was reminded how much FUN it is, and I was also reminded why I love the show so much.

It’s not just about fashion. Anyone who thinks that has never watched an episode, never REALLY watched it. Most style issues for the participants are a result of a deeper seeded issue that has led to a lack of self confidence. Often its a case of worrying so much about everyone else that the participant forgets to take care of themselves. Granted, sometimes its a case of just not knowing any better. Whatever the reason, though, you most often see not only a change in appearance, but a change in attitude and confidence.

The show makes me want to take more care in my appearance. The show reminds me how I present myself not only can change how people interact with me, but also how I think of myself. It reminds me that when I take extra care in my day’s appearance, I often have a more productive and better day.

I wish TLC would move it back to Friday, but since that won’t be happening, I’ll just have to wait until I get another Tuesday free. I look forward to the time with Mom, and I look forward to that kick in butt to step up and take better care of myself.

My schedule is irregular enough that the only shows I watch semi-regularly are ones I don’t have to see every week to follow any sort of storyline. I have certain nights I like better than others, but if I’m not home to see something, its not a big deal.

Saturday night is one of those nights that I actually like to watch TV. Yeah, yeah, yeah… its the night to go out for most people. For me, I tend to avoid downtown Nashville on Saturdays. I prefer to go out on weeknights,so good TV is a must for me on that night.

Biography channel shows ghost story shows on Saturday nights. And I’m pretty addicted. I think I’ve seen every episode of every show they have on that night, but I don’t care. I still tune in to get that creeped out rush that you get from spooky stories.

I read ghost books as a teen, and I still get a total kick out of them. I don’t really want to meet a ghost personally (I do believe they exist, though, and I’ve had a few “weird” things happen), but hearing/reading the stories of those who HAVE? Its kind of like crack to me. It hooked.

I get that weird tingle in the back of my neck that will go down my spine, leaving me with goosebumps all over my arms. Then I go to bed and cover my head, kicking myself for watching such nonsense. But it never fails. If I am home on Saturday night, I am tuned into Bio, freaking myself out.

But, like I said, I think I’ve seen every episode they have at this point. So here it is Saturday night. I’m tuned in to Bio, and I am wondering… do any of my readers have a good ghost story to share with me??

Due to a serious lack of inspiration, I thought I’d share a short list of things I am looking forward to watching on TV. Especially because in the grand scheme of things… I really don’t watch much TV.

Today
Texas A&M vs Baylor — Battle of the Brazos

Sunday
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition — The episode where they build the school here in Nashville! Can’t wait after having driven down the interstate and I saw it being built. SO COOL!

Backstory: Rascal Flatts — I am 99% sure this is the special that SHOULD feature a few of my photos taken of the Fiddle & Steel. *happy dances in excitement*

Wednesday
Throwdown with Bobby Flay — Bobby vs. Pioneer Women. I’ve only just recently discovered PW, and I’m already in love with it. So I seriously can’t wait to see this one.

Other shows I am addicted to: (yes I said I don’t watch much TV… must you be such a stickler for details?)

Ghost Hunters — Just because its FUN

Paranormal State — Just because its FUN

Undercover Boss — Seriously, if you haven’t watched this show, you are missing out big time. Gives me so much hope!

Chopped — Because sometimes I pretend I can cook like a real chef.

What Not to Wear — Everyone woman should watch this show. Don’t roll your eyes. They make great points, make big changes for people, and I’ve learned a lot about fashion from them.

Hoarders & Intervention — Guilty pleasures that make me more aware of all sorts of things.

Pawn Stars & American Pickers — It’s like Antiques Roadshow on steroids. Or Crack. It depends on the episode.

Past all of these shows… anything is fair game. News. Family Guy. Anything. Just don’t ask me to get addicted to a show that makes me watch EVERY week to keep up with the story line. I just don’t have that kind of time or patience.

What’s on your TV-list?

I watch the CMAs these days to root for our friends who work for the artists performing on the show. However, I still get excited to see who wins the awards, even if sometimes I thoroughly disagree with the results.

So, for giggles, I thought I’d throw out there my predictions for tonight’s show.

Entertainer of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Miranda Lambert
Brad Paisley Winner!
Keith Urban
Zac Brown Band

I think Brad will take this one mostly due to his being a huge ambassador for Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry with the flood. He’s been out there in front of the cameras the most out of all of these guys this year. Though, look for Lady A to give him a run for it.

Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert Winner!
Martina McBride
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

This is Miranda’s year. Period. She’s earned it and it is time.

Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton Winner!
George Strait
Keith Urban

A lot of people have Blake as the favorite for this, which would be poetic if Miranda won. Country’s new top couple. But I just see Brad snagging this one again this year.

New Artist
Luke Bryan
Easton Corbin
Jerrod Niemann
Chris Young
Zac Brown Band Winner!

This is a tough one to call. The only TRUE *NEW* artist in here is Jerrod Neimann, so, by rights, I think it should go to him. All the rest either are on their second album or have had multiple hits on radio, where as Jerrod has had ONE that rocked the planet. I’m going to call it Zac Brown Band as the winner simply due to their huge success and popularity.

Vocal Group
Lady Antebellum Winner!
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

Nothing can stop Lady A these days… and rightfully so! These guys are the real deal with HUGE appeal across genres.

Vocal Duo
Brooks & Dunn
Joey + Rory
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland  Winner!

Brooks & Dunn will take this one for old times sake. Give it to them their last year. They’ve earned it.

Musical Event of the Year
“Bad Angel” Dierks Bentley featuring Miranda Lambert and Jamey Johnson
“Can’t You See” Zac Brown Band featuring Kid Rock
“Hillbilly Bone” Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins Winner!
“I’m Alive” Kenny Chesney with Dave Matthews
“Till The End” Alan Jackson with Lee Ann Womack

Huge success for Trace and Blake. Its consistently taken the win in other award shows, and I predict that to continue tonight.

Single of the Year
(Award goes to artist and producer)

‘A Little More Country Than That’
Easton Corbin
Producer: Carson Chamberlain

‘Hillbilly Bone’
Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins
Producer: Scott Hendricks

‘Need You Now’ Winner!
Lady Antebellum
Producers: Paul Worley and Lady Antebellum

‘The House That Built Me’
Miranda Lambert
Producers: Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke

‘White Liar’
Miranda Lambert
Producers: Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke

Single of the year will go to ‘Need You Now’ due to its wildly popular success in multiple genres and… hey, its just a really awesome song and well done. I still stop to listen to it any time I am surfing channels.

Song of the Year
(Award goes to songwriters)

‘A Little More Country Than That’
Songwriters: Rory Lee Feek, Don Poythress and Wynn Varble

‘Need You Now’
Songwriters: Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Josh Kear

‘The House That Built Me’ Winner!
Songwriters: Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin

‘Toes’
Songwriters: Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette, John Driskell Hopkins and Shawn Mullins

‘White Liar’
Songwriters: Miranda Lambert and Natalie Hemby

You can’t deny this song makes you cry. Come on. Admit it. I can’t even listen to it much of the time because it tugs at my heart so hard. And when a song does that… its the best of the best.

Music Video
(Award goes to artist and director)

‘Hillbilly Bone’
Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins
Director: Roman White

‘Need You Now’
Lady Antebellum
Director: David McClister

‘The House That Built Me’  Winner!
Miranda Lambert
Director: Trey Fanjoy

‘Water’
Brad Paisley
Director: Jim Shea

‘White Liar’
Miranda Lambert
Director: Chris Hickey

Hands down. Best video of the year. They’re all great, but this one just took it to the next level.

Album of the year
(Award goes to Artist and Producer)

Need You Now
Lady Antebellum
Paul Worley and Lady Antebellum producer
Capitol Records Nashville

Play On
Carrie Underwood
Mark Bright and Max Martin producer
19 Recordings Limited/Arista Nashville

Revolution Winner!
Miranda Lambert
Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke producer
Columbia Nashville

Twang
George Strait
Tony Brown and George Strait producer
MCA Nashville

Up On The Ridge
Dierks Bentley
Jon Randall Stewart producer
Capitol Records Nashville

I’m going with Miranda on this one. She just consistently puts out solid albums that are well produced, well thought out, and leave me wanting to listen over and over again.

Musician
Paul Frankin — Steel Guitar
Dann Huff — Guitar
Brent Mason — Guitar
Mac McAnally — Guitar Winner!
Randy Scruggs — Guitar

Not EVEN a clue. And you’d think I’d know as “musician’s widow.” I’m going with the “one of these things is not like the other” option.