Take Country Back would like to take this month to express gratitude for the many blessings it's been given all year round.
Gift of Time
"Time is the most precious thing you own."
Time is gifted to TCB is so many ways. Someone taking time to answer another reader's question in the newsletter. Sending in your new finds to share with others. Giving your opinions. Suggesting songs/artists/features.
We are so aware of how tasked performers are for time. There are rehearsals, concerts, shows, radio promos, television appearances, studio sessions, songwriting sessions etc. etc. We are so thankful for the artists that make themselves accessible to TCB so we in turn can share with our readers. Special thanks go out to those who took time out from their busy schedules in 2002 to spend some time chatting with us: Dale Watson, Billy Joe Shaver, Billy Ray Reynolds, R.S. Field, Johnny Sandlin, Matt Martin, Bert Newton, Allison Moorer, Leland Martin, Billy Yates, Brad Martin, Billy O'Rourke, Doug Stone, Ray Price, DB Harris, Roger Wallace, Gail Davies, Rodney Hayden and Danni Leigh.
Special thanks goes out to BJ Dee for his diligent commitment to making sure we have his picks every week for our newsletter. Thanks so much BJ for taking the time to share your awesome record collection with us, inspiring us to add a few new gems to our own!
Thank you to Bethany Brayley, Toby Tobias, Larry and Susan Sullivan, Michael Dannerbeck (Rustic Records) for sharing their memories and talents.
Gift of memories
"The heart always has room for beautiful memories."
Thank you to our legends who remain with us: To Johnny Cash for the class he's brought to country music! Thanks for sharing your 70th birthday with us! To George Jones for continuing to be just as he always has been, country. It's a little daunting sometimes to consider your un-fillable shoes. Thank you so much for continuing to make great music and hit the road touring to share it with us when most would be content to sit at their favorite fishing hole. To Merle Haggard for always speaking his mind. For being unpredictably predictable. To Loretta, Ray and the countless others who continue to touch our lives with your music.
To the legends we've lost this past year. We miss you. Waylon. Harlan. We will always remember.
Gift of music
After silence, that which
comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.
During the past year and a half in particular I believe music has come to touch most of us more deeply. It's healing power is unmatched. We are truly blessed when it comes to having people share their music with us. Not a week (almost not a day) goes by without something new coming our way. We have had the privilege of hearing the most wonderful music to pass on to you. Thank you to the artists, record labels and publicity firms.
Gift of Encouragement
"There are two kinds of people in the world, those who believe
they can and those who believe they can't... and they are both right!"
A kind word can go such a long way. We've been fortunate at TCB to only have received two unkind letters in our history (no - this is not an invitation for more ;) Every day we are blessed with letters and notes with kind, encouraging thoughts from our readership, those in the industry and those who enjoy the music as fans.
In particular I would like to take the time to thank a few people whose kind words and actions in particular made many a moment brighter: Trish Wagner, Mike Hyland, Kay Clary, Lynn Anderson, Mandy Barnett, Tommy Alverson, Chip Woodburn, Matt Martin, R.S. Field, John London, Lisa Miller, Dale Watson, Johnny Wolfe, Larry and Susan Sullivan, Brigitte London, Chuck Anderson, Clay and Alene Blaker, Diane Bowker, Mick D'Arcy, JD Faron, D Records (Don and Bud Daily and Carl Becker), Rustic Records, Michael Dannerbeck, Mark Insley (and band) and Opie Hendrix
Gift of Vision
"Start a huge, foolish project. It absolutely does not matter what anybody thinks of you."
TCB began as the vision of two people, myself and Sherry Anderson. We created TCB essentially out of frustration. For us there never was any trouble with defining what constituted real country music. It seemed to come so instinctively to us. We grew tired of the endless pop-country debates that we felt detracted more from the music, rather than supported it, so we created TCB as a haven for those who may perhaps think as we do, a place to share the great music that was being made that was being lost in the deliberations and acts that seemed to be no more than industry designed clones. We had no idea that there were so many who shared our same vision. Thank you! Knowing we're not alone keeps us going!
Gift of Commitment
"Discipline is what keeps us going when the excitement of our first beginning a task is long past."
To Kathy and Annie I offer my humblest thanks for your unwavering support of TCB. You gift each and everyone of us with your love and knowledge of country music with your writing. I know how much time and energy you spend working on reviews etc and I want you to know it hasn't gone unnoticed or unappreciated. You are both truly a Godsend.
All of us at TCB wish you and yours a season filled with love, family, friends and music
...and most of all our wish for now and always is for peace.
May you have the greatest two gifts of all on these holidays; someone to love and someone who loves you.
Laurie, Annie, Kathy, and Sherry
