Howdy Country Bumpkins!
Gosh I still can’t believe that it’s November already ya’ll! And almost the middle of the month ta’ boot! The only thing that really cinches-the-stitches in it for me is that the temperatures have dropped dramatically, with the exception of the southern tip of Florida and south Texas, which are both still glistening warmly in the 80’s. Lucky duckies! The beloved Nashville by the way is a toasty 51 degrees at 9am on this fine Sunday mornin’. Brrr…a couple more weeks and it’ll be colder than a well digger’s arse!
Well, as we glide into another bountiful harvest-time with Thanksgiving drawing near, I often reflect back on family and loved ones that have made this holiday so very special. Whatever your favorite memories are, big or small, this year get ready to cook up another memorable meal with all the fixin’s!
But first, a little country news for ya…
If you’ve never ridden in a stagecoach, well get ready now, ‘cause this is gonna be a bumpy ride!
2ND ANNUAL STAGECOACH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2008
Set to take place over the course of the May 3rd and 4th weekend next year in Indio, CA. Tickets will be goin’ on sale November 16th at 10am. Better get ‘em while there hot ‘cause they’ll be gone faster than flapjacks!
Chock full of ‘country cowtown’, the lineup includes Rascal Flatts ~ Tim McGraw ~ Big & Rich ~ Carrie Underwood ~ Dierks Bentley ~ Gretchen Wilson ~ Taylor Swift ~ Dwight Yoakam ~ George Jones ~ Trace Adkins ~ Earl Scruggs and countless others spread across four performance areas, plus a special one-night performance only by The Judds. This will be a not-to-miss event!
If you’re livin’ and breathin’ you’ll be soakin’ up all the country croonin’ you can, as the festival spans across music genres from country, bluegrass, folk, roots rock and alternative country. YEEHAW!!!
RADIO ROYALTY RUCKUS
Texas twanger Lyle Lovett is set to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee this Tuesday as the music industry ramps up its push for royalty-over-radio broadcasts. Lovett will be testifying in support of the royalty for the MusicFirst Coalition (the letters in ‘First” standing for – Fairness in Radio Starting Today), which is comprised of artist groups including the American Federation of Musicians, the Recording Industry Association of America, SoundExchange, the Recording Artists Coalition and the American Association of Independent Music. Most music industry folks think that allowing broadcasters to escape paying performance royalties is unfair, and broadcasters are arguing that the promotional value gained by playing music on the radio, more than offsets any royalty that performers and record labels would receive. But, by bringing in Lyle Lovett, he’ll be giving this issue a recognizable face, one with which commands respect and hopes to achieve a favorable outcome.
IMUS SHMYMUS
If ya’ll get the RFD-TV channel on satellite, you’ll soon be getting a disturbing dose of Don Imus. The station that focuses on rural America, will simulcast the shock jock’s ‘crabby patty’ weekday radio show called ‘Imus in the Morning.’ By doing this dastardly deed, it is expected to increase RFD-TV’s coverage from 30 million to more than 50 million households by the end of ’08, helping them cross over and excel their network into more urban markets.
For those who haven’t the foggiest…the network is generally home to farmland-related programming including country and polka music shows, and is the closest thing to The Nashville Network (formerly TNN), which started in 2000, and showcased syndicated Southern-themed shows like ‘Dallas’ and ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’, along with country music, horse racing and the great ol’ outdoors. The Nashville Network later become known as Spike TV which then moved from Nashville to New York, subsequently dropping its rural-themed programming.
In 2000, RFD-TV (which stands for Rural Free Delivery) was launched on Dish Network to approximately 4 million homes. Then, a public interest channel from Dallas, mostly with agricultural and equine content, it moved from Dallas to Nashville in 2004 to further expand its programming. As they continue to bring new shows onboard, the network assures that the new content will not change the format of the station.
Ya’ know, I never really got Don Imus. I just don’t get him at all. I happen to really like RFD-TV and will still continue to watch their network programming, but Don Imus I can do without.
CASH CADILLAC SHOWS CANCELLED
Roseanne Cash had to cancel the last four shows of her “Black Cadillac’ tour to undergo brain surgery for a rare (but benign) condition. Expected to make a full recovery, she’ll be returning to the studio to complete her debut recording for Manhattan Records, whom she signed on with earlier this year. She’s expected to resume her live performance tour in Spring 2008 and is working on a book; which is to be published in early 2009. Roseanne lives in New York and was to have undergone surgery at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Please keep the sweet Ms. Cash in your hearts and send positive thoughts her way for a speedy recovery.
GETTING BACK ON THE THANKSGIVING TRACK
So Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day is what ya’ll generally know as the traditional North American holiday in these parts, of which marks the conclusion of the harvest season. During the socializing or grazing (as I like to call it!), family and friends are usually inclined to talk about what they are thankful for or exchange stories about their experiences during the past year of which have caused them to feel grateful.
Take a moment to ponder just that this week, and jot some of them down. Even though the holiday is just one day out of the year, it’s nice to recognize them and be thankful for each and every one throughout all 365 days. You may even tack your list underneath a refrigerator magnet or keep it close to you at all times. Wherever it lives, may your list be long and your memories magical!
SIDE DISH SAVVY
In these weeks leading up to Thanksgiving (I believe there’s just two!), I’ll be posting double-header side dish recipes in each of my postings, so that your glorious bird, or whatever your favorite protein star-of-the-show that day happens to be, won’t be so lonely!
First off, instead of just regular white mashed potatoes, I’ve got a more rustic recipe if your taste buds are calling out for something similar along those lines, but with more flavor and pizzazz ya’ll! It’s a delicious butternut squash casserole recipe, baked with maple syrup, butter, and a simple pecan and brown sugar topping. I bet you can’t wait to dig into this one!
BROWN SUGAR BUTTERNUT SQUASH
1 medium butternut squash
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1 to 2 teaspoons brown sugar
Cinnamon (to taste)
Salt (to taste)
Take a large saucepan and pour approximately 1-1/2 inches of water inside. Cover and heat on high heat as you will be getting it up to a boil. While that’s on the stove, cut into the butternut squash and remove the seeds and pulp. Next, cut the squash into 1-1/2-inch pieces and place in a vegetable steamer. When the water comes to a boil in the saucepan, place the vegetable steamer and squash inside the saucepan. Cover, turn the heat down to medium and steam for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until tender. Afterwards, remove the squash from the pan and let cool slightly. Here comes the yummy part! Remove the peel from the squash, put the squash into a bowl and mash with the butter and maple syrup. Stir in a little cinnamon and a dash of salt to taste. Transfer the squash mixture into a buttered 1-quart casserole dish, combine pecans & brown sugar and sprinkle over the squash. Bake at 350° for about 25 to 30 minutes until delicious bubbly goodness drives you crazy! Serves 4.
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Alrighty ya’ll, for this next dish, instead of making the same ol’ green bean casserole with cream of mushroom soup and those crispy fried onions on top, I’ve decided on a simpler and tastier twist on the green bean side dish. This dish is so easy! It combines crispy bacon, sweet onions, green beans and a bit of sugar. Doesn’t that just tickle your tummy-bone?
CRISPY BACON BEANS
6 slices bacon
2 medium sweet onions, sliced
1 lb. green beans
2 tablespoons sugar
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt & pepper (to taste)
In a large skillet, sauté the slices of bacon on medium heat until brown and crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside on a paper towel to remove the excess oil. Next, add a little olive oil into the saucepan and put in the sliced sweet onions. Add the sugar and toss in the green beans. Stir and sauté until desired tenderness. Crumble the crispy bacon into the pan and season with salt and pepper and enjoy. Tastes so good it’ll make your tapeworm stand up and bark! Serves 4. Woof!
I hope ya’ll are havin’ fun planning your special day-of-thanks delights! That’s gonna do it for now…
Tune in next week, when there’ll be lots more cookin’ and a whole mess a’ country here at Country Music Kitchens!
Until next time, keep it crazy, keep it cool, but most of all, keep it Country!
Yee-Haw to your Grandma!
Toodleloo!
Michele