Daytona

Paul Schadt

One down... a whole bunch to go... I don't know why everyone was complaining about how long it took to run the 500...

I always enjoy breaks like that because you get driver interviews and sometimes get to see sides of drivers you don't usually get in those short little 30 second interviews before the race or after a wreck... glad Jamie won... he might not be your favorite driver but he's a real good guy and deserves to have some good things happen to him... you sold on Danika yet?... we'll see how she does this weekend... hey, Juniors in the top 5 in points!... it's the beard... PS

Love Don't Let Me Down

Cathy Martindale

Well, another snowy day of filming for the crew of "Love Don't Let Me Down" here in Nashville. It's a new movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow and our very own Tim McGraw, whose career is TaylorSwiftHOT! Know anyone who HASN'T seen The Blindside?

As an extra on the new movie and Tim's Southern Voice video, I get to see him from another point of view... and, it's cool, really cool to see him open up a new career that fits him so well. Y'know, he's conquered several goals, so far... the singing, the writing, the producing, the acting. Hmmmm.... can that political thingy be too far away now?

Pants On the Ground

Cathy Martindale

Looks like the phenomena of American Idol's old guy audition of PANTS ON THE GROUND is kickin' it country, too. The original song by "General" Larry Platt..... was done as a joke and judge Simon Cowell scowled that he had a "horrible feeling this will be a huge hit." Even Brett Favre got his Viking teammates singing it after victory over the Cowboys.

Well, the internet made it so, and even country music is taking off on the song about too much cheekage (is that a word?)... Some of you might just remember that it was COUNTRY MUSIC that first had "pants on the ground"... remember STRINGBEAN on the old Hee Haw and Grand Ole Opry? He couldn't keep 'em up!

And... just Google it "country" and you'll find all kinds of versions... "pants on the ground... giddy-up"... lol... here's some of the lyrics... "With the gold in your mouth, hat turned sideways, pants hit the ground, call yourself a cool cat, lookin' like a fool, walkin' downtown with your pants on the ground..." ...Pull them britches up now... it's too cold outside!!

Off Season

Paul Schadt

Another month and we'll be in Daytona..... off season is flying by..... saw Dale Jr the other day with Danica Patrick..... they make a pretty couple..... but I think it's only business..... Don't know how she'll do but I've got a good feeling about Jr this year.....

If you want to check in with Jimmy Wayne who called in on the show and is walking half way across the US go to Jimmywayne.com..... the CMS Media Tour starts next week so check back and I'll give you the low down..... PS

Tough Trade

Cathy Martindale

A little showbiz news from Music Row. The holidays got so busy with, well, shopping, parties and family stuff... that I didn't have a chance to tell you some good news. I was cast as one of Sam Shepard's ex-wives in a new TV Drama called Tough Trade that'll be filmed in Nashville.

We shot the pilot in December at the old Nascar Cafe where I used to record my half of Racing Country. Long days and night... 16, 18 hour days, but it was pure fun. Plus, I got to talk to my buddy Trace Adkins every day and he's chompin' at the bit to come back on our show and tell everybody what he's been up to (about 6'6" I'd say). He plays my ex-husband's body guard and does a verrry believable acting job.

Sam Shepard, Cary Elwes, and Lucas Black star in this show that's about a legendary, dysfunctional country music dynasty that's having a bunch of struggles. Just got word that the show's been picked up..... Stay tuned.....

Christmas

Cathy Martindale

Here's a couple of familiar faces for the holidays... Trisha Yearwood just filmed a PBS TV special at her old alma mater here in Nashville... look for Christmas at Belmont on Dec. 23rd..... and... Wynonna Judd and her children hop aboard the Santa Train which takes them to 14 stops in small rural towns in Kentucky and Tennessee...

...They're visiting needy families and handing out 15 tons of gifts and food to Appalachians. The GAC network caught it all on tape and it's airing now thru Christmas.

Oh, and the annual Christmas 4kids bus tour, where artists let fans tour their buses for a fee... it all goes to help needy kids get Christmas presents... some of the buses this year include Keith Anderson, Daryl Worley, Randy Houser, and Gretchen Wilson... this is the one day of the year they make sure to have their beds made!

There's several artists around town involved in charity and it just makes you feel good to know they're not just a voice and a face... they've got big hearts in country music.

Four in a Row

Paul Schadt

Well Jimmie did it again..... 4 in a row..... new record..... wow, will it ever stop?.... probably not..... I predict at least 5 or 6 more..... in a row.....

How about Rick Hendrick?.... nice guys do finish first..... how proud must he be of the organization he has put together..... it would be fun to be in Vegas this weekend..... is there a 48 on the roulette wheel?.... I don't play much..... PS

Only Time Will Tell

Paul Schadt

Well it took all year and we're finally here..... will Jimmie get the crown..... will Mark come from behind and do the unthinkable..... will we see pay backs from debts some charged thru the season..... will we have a first time winner.....

Will Rick Hendrick get another championship..... that one's a yes..... as for Jimmie it looks like number 4 in a row..... as for Mark second not so bad..... and the pay backs..... probably..... first time winner..... maybe.....

It's been fun and I'm sorry to see it all wrap up but the guys need a break and it's always exciting to look toward next season..... will we find out if Digger and DW's hair are one in the same..... only time will tell..... PS

Miss CMA Entertainer of the Year

Cathy Martindale

When I first saw her at age 15... standing on the stage of Nashville's old Planet Hollywood during a press conference, I thought, hmmm... she looks like she really doesn't want to be here...

...tall and gawky with her head down most of the time during label president Scott Borchetta's introductions of his new label and cast of characters... turns out, she's the one who REALLY belonged there... Miss CMA Entertainer of the Year winner.

She's an old soul, I quickly found out, and a kid who could catch on fast. One of her old high school math teachers told me the other day that, even in high school, Taylor could be gone out of town for two weeks taking her music out to the fans, and then come right back to school and immediately catch up on Algebra and other subjects that are hard for most people.

By the way, hundreds of those high schoolers who were surrounding her at the CMA awards were bused in from her old high school earlier that afternoon as a part of a field trip at the invitation of Tator Tot, as Kellie Pickler calls her. She may write about those kids from high school but she's definitely givin'em some love, too! ...one of those guys holding up an "I love Taylor" sign had put his phone number on the sign... and had almost a thousand texts and calls on his cell by the next morning!

One Race Could Change Things

Paul Schadt

If there is one race that could change things this is probably it..... Super Speedway..... Talladega..... 200mph..... on the edge..... any second the big one could happen.....

Hopefully it won't..... but it will be interesting to see what happens between Juan Pablo and Jeff Gordon..... you don't want too much banging for the fun of it at that place..... and how about AJ..... pulled for DWI..... I'm sure the King is anything but happy..... wonder if he'll still drive the number 43 next season..... PS