Giving Thanks
(alternatively titled: We've really got to do this more often!)

It's hard not to notice the arrival of America's Thanksgiving Day, - even though I live and work in Canada and we celebrated the same holiday over a month ago. Snail mail bogs down at the Customs office even more than usual, emails slow to all but a trickle, football and reruns take over the television set and press releases change from "current news items" to "favorite holiday memories."

Giving thanks is such a simple thing and yet we seldom think of doing it unless we're receive external clues. We're certainly as guilty as the rest here at TCB. So in the spirit of the season and with a renewed commitment to do this a little more often we share our list of thanks with all of you.

Friends of TCB - We've been going at it for 4 years. Amazing! Our baby picture about says it all....but we're too embarrassed to show it to you. We were unaligned and un-spellchecked but idealistic and well meaning. Thank goodness you all saw past our initial awkwardness and tentativeness. Where would we be right now without those who've supported the concept of TCB and reached into their pocketbooks to donate to the cause? Closed. We're simply still here because you were there when we needed you.

AMA/Indie/Internet Radio - Having recently ventured out a little to the other side of the PR fence I've learned many things - on the top of that list is that there still are honest-to-goodness "real people" out there in "radio land" that will spin a record just because they like it! How's that for being innovative and edgy? :)

TCB Prize Donators - TCB is a circular concept - our goal is to remove the middle man and connect the artist who's making music the way they want to make it with the fan who wants music made the way they want to hear it. This is not about going back or moving forward as much as it is about respecting  the history and those who've come before and giving a hand up to those who choose to walk in some pretty indelible footprints. There are those that go the extra mile by helping TCB give back to those who support us. They donate their albums, t-shirts, etc to help us say thank you to you so we're making sure we take the time to say an extra thank you to them.

Volunteers at TCB - Like elves in Santa's workshop they work long, hard hours for no money and little recognition. They bring you reviews, news and Opry highlights. They do updates, research and just about anything else I ask of them. They shout from the roof tops when they discover new music and do the same when there's a new project by a cherished favorite, long forgotten by mainstream. They are the oil that keeps this machine going.

Message Board and Newsletter readers/contributors - Some of you have been with us since day one and some of you have just jumped on board -- whichever camp you fit into, you're the heart of TCB. You give us solid direction and at the same time you keep us grounded when we need to be. I've said it many times and I mean it -- TCB supporters are the best bunch of folks to gather in one place anywhere on the internet. They are the most well -read, opinionated and charitable folks you'd ever want to meet. Now, some may call me a little biased but I just consider myself intuitive and astute - don't you?  :)

Indie Artists - We're talking hardcore troubadours who often work full time to support their families and their dreams. They pay their own way, set their own paths and most of all, do what they do because they love the music. If you've found your way to TCB because you're not happy with what mainstream country music has to offer - then let me reassure you - there's a wealth of great music out there to be found. We don't pretend to be the "end all, be all" in your search for real country music, but we hope we're at least an entertaining pitstop.

Songwriters - I could go on forever  but I'll just say this: Imagine country music without Merle Haggard, Billy Joe Shaver, Harlan Howard or Roger Miller. 'Nuff said.

To those who've gone before and too soon - (Waylon, Marty, Conway, Johnny, June, Roger, Paycheck etc), to those we need to cherish more (Merle, George, Billy Joe, Willie, Kris, Loretta, Kitty etc) and to those who have yet to arrive. Thank you for the memories and the heart and soul you put into your music.

Special thanks: (alphabetically of course, because you're all equally awesome!)

Annie - my partner in crime, my sounding board and my friend. We've never met face to face but we've collaborated, conspired and conversed. We've solved the music industry woes a thousand times over (if only someone would just listen). We've ranted and raved together and shared the music and so much more.  We may not always see eye to eye (do I have to say "Kid Rock"?) but we've always seen heart to heart. That counts for a lot. She brings her infamous attitude to TCB edged with a heck of a lot of heart and grace! (Oops! She may not want you to know about that heart and grace stuff, so that's just between us, ok? ;)

Billy Don - you've got the biggest heart I've seen beating. You take your knocks like a man and a your triumphs like a gentleman. You're on the top of my list of people who go the extra mile, and you do it consistently with such grace and kindness. Thank you!

Heather and Linda - talk about jumping in with both feet and supporting us any which way you could! When you get up this way -- dinner's on me!

John - for his honesty, advice, humor and always welcome sidetracks and mini novels. You bring relief from the mundane. Who would have ever thought that cynicism could be so refreshing? :)

Julie - our very first official "Friend of TCB" and one of my favorite people on the planet. She's never been anything but faithful, loyal and supportive. I'm making her sound like a beagle, but she's way taller than that :) and a lot more fun!

Kay - She was the first publicist to take TCB seriously just shortly after we opened the doors. She introduced us gently to the interviewing portion of our venture with none other than Charlie Robison. How's that for a first timer? Charlie was a sweetheart -- I don't know how all those other rumors got started :)

Larry and Susie - I'll never forget that Sunday at Ginny's --- and I didn't even have to be there in person! :) I hold my charter membership in "The Future Ex-wives of Larry" club very dear to my heart.

Martha:  for the very cool CD opener - which proves that it doesn't take a whole lot to make folks happy - sometimes it's just a thought, a kind gesture or a spontaneous act of kindness that gets us through another day.

Mike - everything about doing "good" PR I learned from you. You're a class act. Glad you're back in touch and back in business. You've helped us bring our readers some of our favorite conversations -- from Dale Watson to Ray Price and everyone in-between. Thanks for the memories Mike, we're ready to make some more!

....and to the countless others I know I've forgotten to mention...Darn! I think I hear the goodbye music starting...if only Dolly had kept her remarks shorter...anyhow --- you know who you are, and hopefully in some other way we've managed to tell you just how much we appreciate you too! Now I better make a quick exit before that darn Tim McGraw gets up on this stage and carries me off.....Geesh!   ;)

TCB