It isn't hard to believe that this young country star is an all age favorite in the country scene. But here at fancountry.com it's loud and clear. He has had more views than any of our nearly 1000 artists since our launch late last summer.
I had the chance to speak with Jason and he is the most down to earth person you'd ever want to meet and is just lapping up all of the good things since his the success of his first album.
I'm officially challenging the fancountry.com members to push him over the 10,000 edge over the next month! Let's see just how many Jason fans there really are out there!
You go gang!
2008-05-27T20:04:00.002-04:00
You know I've been watching soap opera's since college and whilst I watched up to six at one time in my older age I've cut back to just 1, The Young & Restless. I might add the six was cause my room mate was a soap junkie.
Well last Friday I owe her a big thank you as she introduced me to soaps. I now know why I've stayed loyal. I mean what better choice than Trace Adkins who's on a hot streak right now with his latest #1 single "Ć¯ou're Gonna Miss This", The 1st Celebrity Apprentice stint and now heating up the screen on the Y & R, awesome. I love the Phyllis and Nicholas storyline and their ties to country music. Call me crazy or just call me restless you can put that boy Trace up on any screen, add some of his baritone and I'm sure I'm not the only one sighing.
Have a great week!
SD
2008-05-06T21:12:00.003-04:00
I have been Flatts fan since the beginning however not such a fan of their live performances. OK call me a critic, when I've seen em in concert a while back, performing on award shows and even at the CMA Music festival was very disappointed.
Well, disappointed NO MORE..., glad they got rid of the old sound guy (grin) I recently had a chance to attend one of the "Feels So Good" tour dates and was absolutely blown away. Don't know what they did but the sound, production, fan friendliness was absolutely outstanding. Really digging their stuff, sound, anecdotes and just everything.
And, to boot (pardon the punn) she had on great ones, was an absolute sweetie. A modern day Dolly! Love love love her!
Overall have to say the Flatts and Keith Urban are top dogs in my mind for concerts so far this past year! Absolutely awesome and found I even converted some non-country friends (yep I have a few) to the genre!!!!!!!
Go country! Rock on!
Have a super one!
SD
2008-02-28T11:30:00.003-05:00
You know I absolutely love country music fans. Our passion and loyalty to our favorites surpass most other genres. I've become email buddies with one of Halfway to Hazard's biggest fans, Jennifer, and thought it would be great to blog on a fans experience. So here's what Jennifer wrote about her new favorite group, check em out :
OK hold on to your hat..........this might take a while!!!! lol!!!
Well, my love affair with Halfway to Hazard actually BEGAN with Tim McGraw's anual SwampStock held in Rayville, LA. in November 2006. The guys were there as guests of Tim's Charity Softball game. They were known as The Redneck Rockstars at that time. The guys were introduced by Tim and were only able to sing two songs. and HONESTLY they didn't quite grab my attention that day! I look back and want to just CRY for missing the opportunity to really listen to them then!
Tim and Faith had their S2SII tour last year and I was lucky enough to be able to meet some friends of mine in California for the last two stops on the tour. I flew from Austin, TX to L.A. that Thursday......August 9th. We toured Beverly Hills and did the whole Walk of Fame thing, saw Tim's Star and heard that TIM would be at the Viper Room introducing the guys from Halfway to Hazard there that night! Well, we FLEW over to the Viper Room with the HOPES of seeing Tim. We talked the door guy into letting us all in...........ALL SEVEN OF US! Well, we found out that Tim had actually already left for the end of the tour wrap party. We contemplated leaving the Viper Room and then decided that since we were already there........we might as well just stay! OMGGGGGG!!!! I AM SO GLAD WE DID!!!!!
It started out by us getting in to this VIP invitation ONLY gig. The Viper Room is known to ONLY host "harder" music than what they housed that night!!! It was a DIVE! But, it was pretty kewl being in the place that was the last stop in the life of River Phoenix! Anyway..............we got in and claimed our spot at the front of the stage. Chad and David were walking around meeting people and signing autographs. Their tour manager, Tim Bolin was passing out demos for their upcoming album that was set to be released the following week. So, we got a few and went up to Chad and David and had them autograph them for us. They were SOOOOO sweet! it was so nice to meet them. I told them I was from Texas and they were very humbled that we came in to see them!
Well, the show started and OOMMMMMGGGGGGGG WE WERE BLOWN AWAY! It was an AMAZING show!!!! They were getting footage for their "Countrified" video so we were able to be in a few lil' seconds of the video. It's actually the back of our heads but NONE THE LESS..........it is us! lol!!!
Well, after the show we went out front and the guys came out and talked to us and took pics with us. They asked if we were gonna be at the show the following night and we told them YES that we'd actually be at the shows both Friday AND Saturday night. They asked us if we had PRE PARTY passes (which the only way you're SUPPOSE to be able to get them is through the fanclub lottery drawing) but we told them no that we were not chosen from the lottery and so the guys put us down on the list as THEIR special guests! They are so amazing!!!! Here is a pic of all of us outside of the Viper Room!
OK...................sooooooo the next day we drove to Anaheim and got checked into our rooms. we were VERY hesitant that the guys had actually put us down on the PreParty list. But, we sent a few of our troops over to the Pond to check out the box office to get our "passes".............and LOW AND BEHOLD they were there!
So................we went to preparty and the guys noticed us RIGHT OFF the bat! they said that we had partied the night before at The Viper Room! it was pretty cool having them call us out like that!
Well, we went to the show and when the boys were out we were screaming at the TOPS of our lungs. Because we're all Tim McGraw fanclub members........we all were able to get floor seats........and the guys saw us right off the bat! They waved and pointed and winked to us. Yea.........makes the ol' heart skip a beat!
So............after the show we were outside and saw David. He talked to us and thanked us for yelling for them. Chad's parents were in town so he was hanging out with them after the show.
We went back to the last night of the show as well. The guys were so amazing! They had the crowd eating out of the palms of their hands! It was SO cool!!!!
OK............that was my FIRST California trip! lol!!! I TOLD YOU THIS MIGHT TAKE A WHILE!
So, I go back to Texas still SWOONING over these Hazard boys! My husband just LAUGHED at me because I went with Tim McGraw in my tunnel vision and come home and all I was talking about was Halfway to Hazard!!!!
We all INSTANTLY joined in on the Halfway to Hazard UNOFFICIAL fanclub and started calling ourselves "The Daisies". That place was a morgue until we all joined in! I think there was like 15 posts back in August and there are about 1100 now! lol!!!! We've had a lot to talk about !!!! And the coolest thing is..........the guys log on to their boards and chat with us too! They log in AT LEAST every day!
Well, I followed up with going to Houston to see the guys the following month.......in October. I set up a meet and greet for them and was able to meet them and hang out with them. I got to know them that night and have been friends with them ever since!
2008-02-28T11:23:00.003-05:00
 Observations and Opinions from a Freethinking Roughneck
As most of you know I am a huge Trace Adkins fan, so like the loyal Trace fan would, I pre-ordered the book and proceeded to read what Trace really thinks. While I thought I had a pretty good idea in of where I thought he might think on a number of topics there were definate surprises to be read. I found myself sharing some of his stronger views while differing in others. What is most enjoyable about the book is the mix of Trace's candor, passion, strength, sense of humor, humility and national pride. I actually found my self laughing out loud at some points throughout the book. While entertaining and you can call me old fashion, I look forward to reading a more indepth biography on Trace at some point in the not too distant future.
Have a super week!
2007-12-31T13:20:00.000-05:00
I must be loosing my mind. I could have sworn I'd made a few entries since I realized it has been almost two months since I've been here. OMG, well let's catch up. I've got a lot to talk about!
How did I do on my picks for the November CMA's. Let's Check it out.
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR - Carrie Underwood (correct) MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR - Brad Paisley (correct) HORIZON AWARD - Taylor Swift (correct) VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR - Emerson Drive (wrong, Rascal Flatts) VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR - Brooks & Dunn (wrong, Sugarland) SINGLE OF THE YEAR - Before He Cheats (correct) SONG OF THE YEAR - Stupid Boy (wrong, Give it away) MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR - Find Out Who Your Friends Are (correct) MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR - Online (correct)
Seven of Eleven, not too shabby. Wish I'd do that well in my football pool. Let's face it my Emerson Drive was driven by my love of their #1 Moments, still think Sugarland may be a little early for the duo and while I am a huge George Strait fan continue to be disappointed that the membership continues to give what feels like honorary status. There is a lot of great talent in the ranks of country music and I feel there have been some especially overlooked this past year. What do you think?
Have a great day!
Sue
2007-12-31T12:52:00.000-05:00
 It's been a crazy year, with plenty of music, drama (yes involving fans and artists, yep you) and great entertainment. Wonder who's gonna take home the hardware this year? I must say I'm disappointed by the oversight of some incredible talent out there who've had particularly great years including Trace Adkins as Joe Nichol's says "What's a Guy Gotta Do?" (grin) to name only one of many (subtle Trace fan here).
After much time and thought on the 2007 nominees the list below represents whom I predict are going to be the winners. Now don't go placing any bets or anything! I wouldn't want to be held responsible or anything. After all this is a first for me, actually taking that frightful leap and writing it down to see how well I do and what other country fanatics like me might be thinking? Let's see how well I do?
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR - Kenny Chesney
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR - Carrie Underwood
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR - Brad Paisley
HORIZON AWARD - Taylor Swift
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR - Emerson Drive
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR - Brooks & Dunn
SINGLE OF THE YEAR - Before He Cheats
ALBUM OF THE YEAR - Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing
SONG OF THE YEAR - Stupid Boy
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR - Find Out Who Your Friends Are
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR - Online
Enjoy the show!
Sue
2007-10-27T14:17:00.000-04:00
 Last week I went to the Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn concert and it was absolutely awesome! Jason Michael Carroll opened up for them. He's a sweetie too. (more to follow later on that)
I also managed to snag a M & G as they are called in the biz to meet & greet Brooks & Dunn. You know theses things are funny in that how much time you actually get to interact with the artist varies depending on how many people are in that little room. Not too surprisingly this had the most people (approx 50) than have been to any that I've been to and that's because they like to see as many folks as they can.
I don't care who you are, it's a little intimidating and you feel a little star struck. Be careful cause too star structedness can lead to "just being stupid" when you really don't want to be. I've had a few of those which I may elaborate more at another time on. But I behaved with Brooks and Dunn. I introduced myself and told them how great it was to get a chance to meet them and that I am a big fan. I then decided to go out on a limb (not a stupid one, a cute one) and asked Kix for a hug, to which he smiled and very kindly obliged. Thought I'd be pushing to ask Ronnie too so I restrained myself.
Now I ask you, ah....is there anything better than a hug?
Have a great week!
Sue
2007-10-03T13:27:00.000-04:00
Some fans really need to give their heads a shake.
I can't tell you how discouraged I was when I read this past week about the fans selling pre-order codes meant for Fan Club members off on ebay and others on pre-sales concert tickets in the wake of the next leg of the Keith Urban tour announcements.
Now, I don't consider myself naive, I do like to think the best of people. It's behavior like this that sells out all the others who value the perks & benefits of being a Fan Club member of an artist or favorite country radio station.
I've been a Fan Club member of a number of artists for many years and highly value the opportunity to get dibs on upcoming concerts in my area. And, while sometimes the time frames can be limited the opportunity is alive and well worth it! Besides what better way to support your favorite artists.
It's this kind of stuff that ruins it for the rest of us.
Keep it country!
Sue
2007-09-26T09:58:00.000-04:00
 It’s All About Him – Finding The Love of My Life, is a must read for all Alan Jackson fans, now Denise Jackson fans, as well as those who live by the adage “behind every good man stands a great woman”. Having been a longtime fan of Alan Jackson and his music, I have been equally impressed and admiring of he and his wife Denise’s ability to survive a very competitive, public, sometimes lest forgiving world of music and entertainment as a couple.
I began my read on the day the book arrived. Reading it from cover to cover from forward to end, I was unable to put it down, finishing it in one long sitting. It touched on all the emotions throughout the book; ranging from grief to laughter. Given, we’re about the same age and have several girlfriends who have been faced with similar situations it was easy to relate to Denise’s experience.
So often, strong women find themselves falling into a; be it willingly or unwillingly, knowingly or unknowingly passive submission into what they believe their mates want them to be, believe, do, choose rather than maintaining their own identities, usually that which is what made them special in the first place. I think, with all the demands on women today it just feels easier, that’s one less thing to think about during the everyday timetable of family life. Before you know it, something is no longer quite right but you can’t or are not willing to identify it. Denise was forced to and captures it wonderfully in her open, honest and direct style, which is so refreshing.
Committed to the rediscovery of her faith in God serve her well in finding her inner strength to work on that which she can control, herself and her part in rebuilding her relationship with her husband, that she could not imagine being without. In the end it is her love of God and Alan that perseveres.
While faith is the cornerstone for Denise in her book, let us not forget it’s Denise’s courage, strength, hope, grace that really make it “ALL ABOUT HER”!
Have a great week!
Sue
2007-09-13T21:03:00.000-04:00
Hey I know that sometimes schedule conflicts happen, however I was extremely disappointed by Canada's home town girl Terri Clark's "no show" at the CCMA awards held in Regina, Saskatchewan this past Monday. Particularly, in light of the fact she was a couple hour plane ride away in Toronto, Ontario and was not there to accept her award. I'm sure all her fan club members who support her were disappointed too!
Hope you all are having a good week!
Sue
2007-09-13T20:57:00.000-04:00
School is not the only thing kicking off in the fall. The Awards for Country Music kick off too beginning with the CCMA - Canadian Country Music Association to be held on Monday, September 6th from the Brandt Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan The CCMA Awards will be aired live at 8pm ET (9pm AST and 9:30 NF) on CBC TV with encore airings on CMT Canada. The broadcast will also be carried in the U.S. on television network Great American Country
(GAC) and in Australia on CMC (Country Music Channel).
Following soon after of course Country's biggest night the “The 41st Annual CMA Awards” to be be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 7 (8:00-11:00 PM ET/delayed PT) on ABC Television Network. CMA
So mark your calendars and program you TIVO or PVR's (in Canada) to see who takes home the goods.
Best of luck to everyone!
Sue
2007-08-30T16:12:00.000-04:00
While I'm not naive enough to think that some fans don't attempt and some are successful to taking their desire to touch their favorite country artist, there are some lines that I think should not be crossed.
Louisiana episodes of two such incidents during the Tim McGraw & Faith Hill concert this past week was unbelievable to me. Picture this, you are out somewhere with your spouse and someone grabs your boob, how does that make you feel? Now think about that while 50,000 or so people are watching and just waiting to see how you react. Sure you may work in a profession that puts you in the public eye, but what gives people the inclination or the right? I'm stunned. I think therapy might help?
Then the second incident where a fan took the ring right of his finger while he was shaking hands with the fans, I believe it's called theft and while I don't know about you I know if I lost my wedding ring is one thing, I'd feel bad enough, but if someone stole it right off my finger, I don't know what I'd do.
Message to both of those fans,,, fans like you ruin it for the rest of us. Stop it!
Cheers!
Sue
2007-08-03T08:55:00.000-04:00
Alan Jackson has been a long time favourite of mine! Since the days of "Here in the Real World" to the current "A Woman's Love". He never ceases to deliver exceptional music. While he's a man of few words his songs say it all!
I've seen him in concert easily the more than any artist, hard to quantify but I'm sure it's been more than 100 times. Been to a few Fan Club parties, shame he doens't do em anymore but glad I got to see him in that setting. He's actually quite funny and very humble.
You know they kid him about how he doesn't move around much on stage, but let's face, who needs to when you've got the catalogue of material and presence he does on stage. Besides it's easier on us ladies eyes when he stays still (grin), right girls?
Hope all is well out there in FanCountry!
2007-07-17T11:58:00.000-04:00
Wouldn't it be cool if we could see just how many country music fans there are out there on the world wide web looking for country music? What if each of us told two friends, who told two friends, who told two friends about fancountry.com, the new country music website for country music fans. How long do we think it would it take to make fancountry.com the most visited country music fan site?
Right now the only way the news is getting out is by word of mouth and our group is growing.
How about a challenge? You up for it? How far away do country music fans get to?
What if I challenged you, the ultimate country music fan to see how fast and far you can get the word out on the new country music fan site? What could we do in a day, a week, a month, a year? And how would we country music fans celebrate?
I really want to know what country music fans everywhere are thinkin and sharin.
Have a great day!
Sue
2007-07-11T12:33:00.000-04:00
I can't say enough about the Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Soul2Soul Tour II. Sometime a follow up tour doesn't live up to expectations, however in this case it absolutely exceeded my expectations and was twice the show as the previous one. As a fan, I left the concert feeling excited, entertained and even appreciated. Tim and Faith really get the fan impact on the success of each and both of their careers.
The new stage set up is absolutely awesome and Tim and Faith use it to the fullest. It reaches out into all areas of the venue. They spent the entire show reaching out in someway either through physical touch, eye contact, rallying and gratitude.
Quite honestly, while front row are always preferable, it really didn't matter where you sat the vantage points were all very good.
While Tim and Faith followers can be critical I really think that hat's off and the current tour credit should go where credit is due.
Absolutely awesome show & production! Worth the money!
Chief Fan: DON'T MISS OUT - A MUST SEE (5 STAR)
2007-06-27T16:04:00.001-04:00
Back earlier this week from CMA Music Festival (alias Fan Fair), a name which will never die as long as the attendees, namely country music FANS from around the world make their way to "Music City" USA in early June each year.
The numbers grow each year depending on how attendance is calculated. However, I can vouch for the fact that since I began going, in the year 2000 where the attendance was around 25,000 the attendance has reached somewhere above the 150,000 range. Unbelievable!
But make no mistake it is a FAN affair. So while the folks at CMA continue to push Music Festival, the fans, the artists, the hosts & anybody else that frequents the yearly event cling dearly to the name Fan Fair because that's what it's all about, the FANS.
Maybe it all starts with a SONG, but it ends with you, the FAN!
Hope you are enjoying our site! Tell all your friends about it! Even those who are not die hard! Who knows we may make converts out of them yet! (grin)
Have a great week!
Sue
2007-06-15T21:09:00.001-04:00
Hi there, I'm Sue DiPoce and I am the Chief Fan of Fan Country Inc. I can't believe today is finally here! www.fancountry.com is actually a reality today. So welcome to my dream! I quit my day job as an HR Executive more than a year ago to develop an online website and community for Country Music Fans around the world. Where did this love of the music come from? No, I'm not a singer, songwriter, picker, but I'm a grinner and have been giving this thought for a long time. I grew up in the technology world and given where the internet is going in terms of sharing and creating niches of information, why not a place for Country Music Fans? As a fan, one of the things that drove me crazy in the information world is that I have to go to multiple sites to find out information on any of my favourite artists. What if I could go to one place and pull all of those places in on any particular artist? Cool eh? Well that's what we're building and we need you the fans to make it even better. We want you to be involved and we want to hear what you are thinking! We want www.fancountry.com to be your online Home for all Things Country!
As Chief Fan, it's my job to ensure your web experience at Fan Country is a positive and fun one! I will be contributing to a weekly BLOG on relative subject matter or opinions and would welcome hearing your perspective so please feel free to comment and write back. Do be sure and check it out!
A dream like this is not possible without the support of family & friends. I would like to send out a big hug and thank you to all of my friends and family for your belief in the dream! You know who you are!
As for you our new friends, I look forward to meeting you online or out and about, whichever comes first! Have a great day!
Sue
2007-06-08T16:12:00.000-04:00
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