I Am Strong

MUSIC COMMUNITY GATHERS TO SUPPORT THE GRASCALS & DOLLY PARTON IN RAISING AWARENESS FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER

Lots of updates and changes are taking place behind the scenes of my website which is why I started doing this blog – to update what I can’t update while my wonky webpage is being worked out.  Wow!  I loves me my run-on sentences!  Several months ago, I added a video clip to my “That’s Kentertainment!” website entitled, “I Am Strong” featuring the bluegrass group The Grascals and the guest talents of Dolly Parton.  I first became aware of the immensely-talented Grascals when they were members of Dolly’s band on previous tours, and then opened up for Dolly in various cities, like here in NYC at Radio City Music Hall.

Dolly & The Grascals. Photographer: John Russell / CMA

Here’s a bit of the background behind the song:

“I AM STRONG,” was written by Grascals’ band member Jamie Johnson and his wife Susanne Mumpower-Johnson along with Jenee Fleenor after The Grascals visited the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® in Memphis and were inspired by the stories and power of the children being treated there. “I Am Strong” is powerful in its message and artistic vision and brings together vocals from all of the artists who also appear separately with The Grascals on other tracks on this CD.

You wonder where I get it from? Dad's Bday June 4, 2010

This track truly resonates with me as my Dad, Otto “Dutch” Kleiber, passed away from pancreatic cancer about a month before this song was released.  Though it was, and is, a terrible blow to my family and myself (and all those who loved my Dad) he was at least able to live a rather full life.  We can only pray that many of the children at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital get that chance as well, and buying this CD and/or making a donation separately can help these kids live the kind of lives which many seem to take for granted.  My Dad’s birthday would have been June 4th (HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!) so in honor of him (and my Mom, whose birthday is today- June 6th…HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!) and all those affected by cancer (patients and families alike) I am reposting this clip and hoping you’ll donate in any way possible.  Remember, every little bit adds up!

From the press notes:  Two versions of “I AM STRONG” have been recorded. Version 1 (above) includes award-winning, Grammy-nominated group, The Grascals, with special guest Dolly Parton.  Version 2 includes The Grascals, Dolly Parton, Randy Owen, Joe Nichols, Darryl Worley, Terri Clark, Charlie Daniels, Tom T. Hall, The Oak Ridge Boys and Steven Seagal.  The music video was directed by cancer survivor David Corlew of d. corlew films.

In honor of the children and this song, Cracker Barrel is donating a percentage of the proceeds from this CD to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  The album, The Grascals & Friends – Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin, has 13 country music songs on it that you have probably heard before, but most likely not like this.  The Grascals bring their own bluegrass style to the tunes and bring the different tracks to life with eight of their friends, including Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels and Dolly Parton.  The Grascals & Friends – Country Classics With A Bluegrass Spin is available exclusively at all Cracker Barrel locations.

Link to St. Jude Children's Hospital

Link to info on The Grascals

Link to Cracker Barrel Stores

Advertisement

I’m a-scared of Bonnie Raitt

OK, I’m not really a-scared of Bonnie Raitt.  I rather enjoy Bonnie Raitt, and not in a horror-flick kind-of-way.  But I was reminiscing with my friend Ashley tonight about the time I was in East Tennessee with my friends Angie & Susan.  We decided to visit the Forbidden Caverns located in Sevierville, TN which is Dolly Parton‘s childhood neck-of-the-woods and not too far from Dollywood.

Dolly's neck

We were getting ready to start our tour when we overheard two tour guides chatting.  One of the guides mentioned that he would often run into Dolly around town.  The other tour guide, who was a fella in his early twenties, volunteered, “‘I’d have no problem meeting Dolly Parton but if I ever ran into Bonnie Raitt I’d be so a-scared I’d probably scream mah head off, hitch-up and run in the other direction!”  Well, Susan, Angie and I thought that the notion of somebody being terrified of Bonnie Raitt was just hysterical and we did the best we could to contain our laughter, but, well, we were in a cavern, so the sound traveled rather easily and loudly.  Now every time Bonnie Raitt comes to mind, I also think of that poor guy.  I thought it might be fun to find a life-size cut-out of Ms. Raitt and return to the caverns to terrorize him, howling, “Bonnie’s gonna cut ya!”  but he really was a nice tour guide.

This got me to thinking about what Bonnie Raitt might look like these days.  I imagine she would not be the kind of gal who would go in for all sorts of fillers and plastic surgery, and that possibly her natural-aging might just be what scared the guy (since it seems every celeb of a certain age has been tinkered with).  So, I found a pic of what appears to be of her latest press photos.

I ain't a-scared-a no Bonnie Raitt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She looks amazing!  No fear here.  In fact, she looks younger than she did in 1971.

Bonnie Raitt's gonna cut ya!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whatever she’s doing, it’s fantastic.  Besides photoshopping, it must be mostly natural since us redheads with fair skin don’t fare too well with cosmetic procedures (scarring, etc.) so hopefully I’ll meet Ms. Raitt one day, check behind her ears and find out her secrets.

You know, there’s really no point to this post other than for today it gave me something to talk about (I know, I know…have a heart! It’s just a blog- not a love letter!  Besides, I can’t make you love me if you don’t…however, I am ready for the thing called love.  I’m not the only one!  And you never know when love will come sneakin’ up on you!).

OK, OK.  I’m done.  Just in the nick of time.

🙂