Thought It Was Summer Already

Will it be a "Dive Bar" summer? That song flashed up some pretty good memories when the topic was raised this week. A dive bar in Montgomery is where I heard my first local Country band. It was a smoke-filled, booze-soaked, adult-filled place. The band was playing "I'm Lying Here With Linda On My Mind." It was an eye opening evening. "Silver Wings" is another song from that night. It was a classic introduction to what I would be seeing in some sort or another for many years to come.

It was adult-themed songs for adults. People who had seen life a little and maybe knew some heartbreak. Some great music came from that era.

These days it's more puppy love than Lying with Linda. The dive bar of today might be serving a local beer and a latte. But that was then and this is now!

Did I hear a few more female voices in the last week on the radio? Might just have been the times I tuned in. The news has been very female-driven this week ... Let's begin:

Carrie Underwood getting sued for the Sunday Night football song. Federal court NYC and the game is on. These things happen, cases can be dismissed, settled out of court, etc. ... Just ask everyone from Brian Wilson to the Ghostbusters theme writers. Mistakes are made. Sometimes we never know what happens. May the best song win!

Runaway June and Trisha Yearwood have songs getting some traction. Shania Twain heads for Vegas residency again. Planet Hollywood this time starting in December.

Then there's the Maren Morris Playboy thing. Yes, Dolly did the cover back in 1978. Marilyn Monroe did it for the first one in 1953. Dolly said no in 2014. Sad times and things had changed. Maren did more than Dolly did, while still tame in the photo shoot department. The interview was plain-spoken and unfiltered. Playboy was part of the sexual revolution of the '50s and '60s. It was iconic while always somewhat controversial. People actually read the magazine for the featured Q&A interviews, the reviews and yes, the pictures. It's not relevant in 2019,and this got them tons of publicity in the today's world. A winner for Playboy.

Tanya Tucker getting some publicity as she hangs with Brandi Carlisle at Bonnaroo. Miranda probably made the news doing something ... I can't remember.

Taylor Swift is not in the Country world these days but she still keeps a Nashville fire burning. TS taking some hits this week from some hip magazines on the LGBTQ-themed video of "Calm Down." The flack was, at the least to me, surprising. I'm sure she meant only to support but funny how things can get twisted around. Fame is a difficult bedmate.

Summer is oddly placed on the American calendar. Shouldn't it be Memorial Day to Labor Day? December is Winter and March is Spring. I'll write my representative.

Summer songs aren't what they used to be. "Dive Bar" is a tune in the right direction. We need some good outdoor fun music. Get out and see a live concert this Summer. The Frontier Days in Wyoming sure sounds fun. I would sit under the Big Sky to see Rascal Flatts and Clint Black. Much to do and many seats to fill before Fall.