Alright I've been a total slacker with writing to you, sorry.  Things have been going terrific, my wife and daughter are doing splendid.  Alaina is in 2nd grade and excelling, Sarina has been the best thing that ever happened to me, a perfect friend, wife and soulmate.  Our family has grown, we have Jules (the boxer) and the 2 cats (Jena and Bear), now we have another cat, Prince (a Persian) and puppy, Toby (a Boston Terrier).

In case you missed the announcement for Country Music Fest, you'll get to see from free, Jimmy Wayne, Richie McDonald (Former lead singer of Lonestar), Jason Michael Carroll and Randy Houser.  Plus we have a lot in the cooker for concerts this summer.  What does that mean for you...you will definitely be seeing a bunch of big stars coming to the Mid-Michigan area...stay tuned.

Have you noticed that country music is really starting to pick up momentum, the talent pool has really become unbeatable.  You have guys like Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean and Blake Shelton catapulting into superstardom.  Artists like Gary Allan and Eric Church who work their asses off finally getting recognition.  Of course, you have the new batch like Taylor Swift, Zac Brown Band and Lady Antebellum who are taking country music to a whole new level!  Mark my words, 2010 WILL be one of the best years if you're a country music fan, what do you think...Until next time.

JR 

Hey Folks,

It's been quite a long time since I blogged on the website.  You figure with Twitter and Facebook, there are plenty of outlets to blog and keep folks up to date on what you've been up to, so if you want to follow me on Twitter or Facebook (search "John Richards"), feel free.  I'm going to use this forum to review new CD's that have just hit the store that I think are worth purchasing, enjoy:

This weeks review is Justin Moore's self-titled debut album, after a lengthy dicussion with Justin about the album title ( He thought it should be called "How I Got To Be This Way", the first track on the album), it seems fitting it's called "Justin Moore", he's here and ready to kick butt.  He wrote 9 of the 10 songs on the album, showcasing he's phenomenal songwriting abilities and his versatility as a singer.  The dude can sing, well!

The first track, "How I Got To Be This Way", great tune, it's a "this is how I got here" type song.  It's interesting how throughout the entire album Justin keeps to an autobiographical theme.

#2-Small Town USA, no words are necessary here, the song is pushing Top 5, it's a SMASH,  you love it!!

#6-I Could Kick Your A** , I'll admit, this isn't a song for the kiddos but I loved it.  Justin actually released this song about a year and a half ago, I think programmers were afraid to play it because it said "ass" in the title, trust me when I say, turn it up really loud, without the kids in the car.

#7-Back That Thing Up, here is another song Justin (the only song he did not write, it was written by Randy Houser) released before "Small Town", this is the fine wine song, it got better with age...what I mean is the song is so diverse, it has the country twang in it, Justin showcases his "rapping" skills a little bit and it's just a fun song all around.  Plus, the innuendos in the song...WOW!

#9-Grandpa, The only true ballad on the disc.  This song is so real and personal, you'd be crazy not to feel something.  It gave me chills.  I would not be suprised if this is the next single to hit 98FM KCQ!

#10-Hank It, this is a fitting tribute to Justin's hero, Bocephus. The melody of the tune is just like "Country Boy Can Survive", with a Justin twist.  HANK IT, CRANK IT, SPANK IT AND YOU'LL LOVE IT...FOR SURE!

If you want an in your face, entertaining, real CD that you'll enjoy for many, many years.  Go get Justin Moore's "Justin Moore" CD, you'll thank me!  I give this CD a 9 out of 10!

Until next time,

John

So it's been a long time since I blogged, sue me, I've been busy!  Country music had a killer year for CD releases, I couldn't honestly say there was a poor release for all of '08.  Here is what think was the cream of the crop of 2008:

1. Darius Rucker "Learn To Live" - I think I was like everybody else, the dude from Hootie and The Blowfish wants to make country music, huh?!  Daarius stopped by the station earlier this year, he played me a couple of his songs acoustically and they were awesome!!!  Not only that Darius is a hell of guy, you're goin' far my friend!  What to listen to: ALL OF IT, seriously I have not found one bad song!

2. Billy Currington "Little Bit Of Everything" - The title says it all, there is everything on this album.  Billy took care of some personal issues last year and is back sounding awesome.  What to listen to: I Shall Return, People Are Crazy.

3. Jamey Johnson "That Lonesome Song" - Jamey's debut song "The Dollar", eh...he took some time off to write monster hits for Trace Adkins and George Strait, also wrote and recorded this album, a total gem, if it doesn't get nominated or win some awards next year, that would be a crime!  What to listen to: Angel, In Color.

4. Gary Allan "Living Hard" - I've been a fan of Gary Allan for a few years now, and this new CD brings something to country music, traditonal, yet has that rockin' edge, great road trip CD.  What to listen to: Like It's A Bad Thing, We Touched The Sun.

5. Blake Shelton "Startin' Fires" - To me, Blake is a guy ready to make it as an official superstar next year, he's consistently put out great records and singles and he's hilarious, check out his YouTube page if you have a minute.  What to listen to: Bear Skin Rug (w/ Miranda Lambert).

Have a great holiday season.  My life has been wonderful, I got married to the woman of my dreams this year and I love my wife and step-daughter more than anything, I am so thankful to all great people I get to work with and I appreciate ALL the listeners in Mid-Michigan.  You make this job so rewarding, I'm looking forward to seeing and talking to you in 2009!

JR

Hmmm, Tuesday and I'm already looking forward to the weekend, Johnny has been a a really busy boy, with no sign of a slow down.  My family is doing really well.  Alaina is still excelling in 1st grade, they have a program in her class where she has to write down all the books she read throughout the week, and I thought "What a great idea, literacy is a huge problem, so why not help fix it by ensuring the kids are reading."  Sarina is under the weather, she went to the doctor the other day and she's in an early stage of a bronchial infection, so keep my wife in your thoughts that she gets better. You also want to keep the Q-Crew's Ed Combs in your thoughts, he got a sports injury this past weekend playing softball.  Get well soon dude.

A huge thank you to you for making the KCQ 1 Nite Stand at the Westown another success, 500 people packed the house and Emerson Drive blew the roof off the place.  In the next couple of days, I'll be putting the interviews I did with Keith Anderson (back in September) and Billy Currington (last week), I'm not what you call computer literate, soon though.  This Fall and Winter we have so many cool things planned for you, stay tuned and until next time...GOOD NIGHT NOW!

JR

P.S. Leave you comments darn it! 

Wow first day of fall in Mid-Michigan, if feels more like late spring, but I won't complain, it's gorgeous outside.  A lot has happened since I last blogged, personally, professionally and throughout Mid-Michigan, here are some random thoughts:

-Married life is awesome, anyone in a relationship knows it takes a lot of work, you have to compromise.  Change your way of thinking, you don't have to change who you are as a person, because that's who they fell in love with.  I need to be more honest and open with my wife, it's effected relationships in my past, I won't let it happen to my marriage. I have thrown my pride out the window, really worked and recieved help on my flaws to build the foundation of Sarina's and my relationship, even stronger than it is now, I want to be with her for the rest of my life...and then some.

-Alaina is in 1st grade, she really is excelling.  I am so proud of her, good job kiddo, I love you very much, Bean!

-A friend of mine, at least I still consider him a friend, lost his job.  He taught me a lot with my first gig in radio, a mentor of sorts, he had my back and I will always be thankful for that.  So, Eric, you are one of the most talented dudes I know, people keep telling you'll land on your feet.  I say, keep flying, the sky is the limit for you and Carson!

-GAS PRICES SUCK! (I know, obvious)

-There is still so much to do around the house and so little warm weather left.

-Become part of the KCQ Music Panel, pick the music you WANT to hear on 98FM KCQ, go to www.radiotraks.com/wkcq

-If you're 21 or older, get your tickets now for the KCQ 1 Nite Stand to see CMA nominated group of the year Emerson Drive at the Westown in Bay City.  They are ONLY $20 and $15 get them at Lucky's Pub (next door to the Westown) or at www.thewestown.com there are on 500 available, show is Thursday, October 9th.

That should do it, please leave a comment if you want, until next time...GOOD NIGHT NOW!!!

JR