I love Facebook.  I love the fact that I can keep up with friends’ day-to-day activities when our busy lives keep us from getting in touch.  I love that I’m back in touch with people that I went to high school and college with.  What I don’t love is when someone you’re not real acquainted with sends you a friend request, and although you don’t want to ignore them and risk offending them, you don’t really want them all up in your bidness either.  So what do you do??  You go ahead and accept their friend request, then hide all your status updates from them!  I know, I know…it’s sort of a backhanded friend acceptance, but it’s better than ignoring them completely.   They never have to know, and if you become closer to them, you can always change the settings.  Click here to find out how.

xoxoxo
-Charley

Back in the spring, Blake Shelton (or his record company, but I’ll give Blake all the credit) came up with the great idea to release his new music in “Six Packs” – six-song EP’s* instead of the usual 10-14 song LP’s* – so he could get his music finished and released faster.  No more waiting years between new music packages!  I, and many others, loved the idea, as shown by the success of his first Six Pack – Hillbilly Bone. Blake is releasing a 2nd Six Pack on August 10th that includes his current single and title track, “All About Tonight”.  To get you all excited about the release, he has posted weekly features every Tuesday on his Facebook page, counting down his “Top Six” in different categories.  I love this guy’s sense of humor…

You can pre-order All About Tonight and get an exclusive bundle with poster, key chain, and T-shirt (if you so desire) by clicking here.

Enjoy!
xoxo
-Charley

*for those of you too young to remember music on vinyl – back in the day, music was released as either a Single: one song on each side of the record, an EP (extended play): 2 – 4 songs on each side (hence the “six pack”) or an LP (long playing): 5 or more songs on each side.  Ask your parents.

I know it seems like the kids just started Summer vacation, but it won’t be long before it’s Back-to-School time! (Is that sighs of relief from parents everywhere I hear?? LOL) Sadly, not every family can afford the school supplies their kids need for their optimum education.  That’s why Kellie Pickler is among the celebrities helping Staples raise money for school supplies for needy children.

Here’s the info from Mediapost.com:

In conjunction with DoSomething.org, Staples is bringing the national school drive program online and mobile in a new way for the brand.

The effort kicks off July 6 and runs through Sept. 18. “Give-Back Pack”  www.staplesgivebackpack.com) features country music star Kellie Pickler, TV star/singer Drake Bell and pop music star Jason Derulo as “pack leaders.”

Fans can go online to pick their pack leader and gain exclusive content to their celebrities as well as tips for planning their own Do Something 101 drives. With every member who signs up to join their pack, the celebrities will donate $1 to Do Something 101, up to $5,000 per pack. At the end of the program, select winners will have a chance to meet their favorite star and receive special autographed merchandise.

Also new in 2010, Staples has made it easy for parents to get involved through a new text-to-donate campaign. By texting NOTEBOOK to 20222, they can donate $5 directly to the Do Something 101 campaign. Funds raised will be dispersed to the beneficiary organizations already matched to Staples stores.

Go here to see Kellie’s PSA and join her pack!

xoxo
-Charley

According to this article in US News and World Report, it could actually be more affordable to live in today’s world and have nicer things than we had 10 years ago.  In relation to inflation rates, the prices of many household items such as TV’s, furniture, paint, decor, appliances, and even music have stayed the same or gone down in the past 10 years!  Whooo!  Of course, you can still always get your favorite Country music FREE right here on the Wolf…that’s one thing that will never change

xoxo
-Charley

By now, you’ve heard about the devastating floods that rocked Nashville and its surrounding areas at the beginning of May.  Many people lost their homes and possessions, and some of Nashville’s historic landmarks were severely damaged by the water.  If you would like to help, you can make a donation AND show your support with a cool T-shirt!  Nashville Flood Tees were designed by a group of artists and designers who wanted to use their talents to help the victims of the flood. There are 10 designs to choose from, and 100% of the proceeds go to Cross Point Church, Grace Church Nashville, United Way Wlliamson County & MusiCares.
I got the brown “Umbrella” style (a similar blue one has been seen on Kellie Pickler) and I heard Brad Paisley has the brown “H2O” style. I’m sure we’ll see it a lot on his H2O Summer Tour!!

xoxo
-Charley

In radio, we are privileged to see many new artists before they are set free on the rest of the world.  Record labels will bring their artists by for a visit, and the artist will play a few songs acoustically for anyone in the station that can take a few minutes to give them an audience.  In the past few months, I have seen more talent in these little artist previews than you’d find in Giants Stadium at an American Idol audition!!  A few you should check out:  Chris Janson, Ash Bowers, Blaine Larson, and this guy, Jerrod Niemann.  Not only does he look darn good on camera, but he is part of the “Traler Park” songwriting group that includes Jamey Johnson & Randy Houser (look for them in cameos at the end of the official video here ), and he sang ALL 9 parts (high, low, everything!) on this song!!  Yep, he’s definitely a new favorite of mine

xoxo
-Charley

“This grand opening is shaping up to be the can’t-miss-event of the year for Charlotte,” said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “First we announced Love And Theft for the 7p.m. concert and now Lee Brice. He is a talented artist who will definitely put on a great show for our guests. This concert will be the highlight of our afternoon schedule and a prefect after-school activity. Families can stop by to enjoy Lee’s music, meet NASCAR drivers, participate in kid-friendly activities and tour the NASCAR Hall of Fame.”

Opening ceremonies begin at 9 a.m. EDT. The one-hour ceremony will culminate with NASCAR celebrities, elected officials and other dignitaries officially opening the interactive venue. The opening ceremony will be followed by free outdoor activities from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. In addition to Lee Brice and Love And Theft, other activities will include NASCAR celebrities, question-and-answer sessions, strolling entertainment, and food vendors.

The star of the show that day will be the NASCAR Hall of Fame itself. Tickets to enter the high-tech, interactive attraction are on sale now and can be purchased at www.NASCARHall.com or by calling 877-231-2010. Tickets are $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and military, $12.95 for children 5-12, and free for children younger than 5. Memberships provide unlimited entry for one year and start at $25 for children and $50 for adults. Group discounts, facility rentals and sponsorships also are available by calling 704-654-4400.

Schedule of Events 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Facility Hours NASCAR Hall of Fame Ticket Required 9-10 a.m. Opening Ceremony Ceremonial Plaza Free; No Ticket Required 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Outdoor Activities Ceremonial Plaza Free; No Ticket Required 2 p.m. Lee Brice Concert Ceremonial Plaza Free; No Ticket Required 7 p.m. Love And Theft Concert Ceremonial Plaza Free; No Ticket Required

All Ceremonial Plaza activities that day are free to the public. The Ceremonial Plaza faces Martin Luther King Boulevard between Caldwell and Brevard. Guests are encouraged to use the Charlotte Area Transit System.

About NASCAR Hall of Fame
Opening May 11, 2010 in uptown Charlotte, N.C., the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, includes artifacts, interactive exhibits, 275-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Media Group-operated broadcast studio. The five-acre site also includes a privately developed 19-story office tower and 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center, highlighted by a 40,000 square-foot ballroom. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. www.NASCARHall.com

The Acadamy of Country Music is allowing fans to vote in the categories of Top New Male Vocalist, Top New Female Vocalist, and Top New Group.  The winners of those awards will all be put into the Top New Artist category, which will also be decided by fan votes.  Luke Bryan is nominated in the “Male” category, and has gathered some of his country friends to create a clever campaign video and it’s hilarious!!  Click here to see the video…does he have your vote??

xoxo
-Charley

Article taken from www.dalejr.com:

RANDLEMAN, N.C. (March 1, 2010) – Victory Junction kicked off their “Keeping the Dream Alive” campaign today by announcing that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will join the elite list of Victory Junction Founders, as he commits to donate $1,000,000 to build and maintain The Dale Jr. Corral and Amphitheatre at the Randleman, N.C. camp for children with serious illnesses.

Victory Junction began with a dream, Adam Petty’s Dream. His passion for helping children drove him to think of new ways to directly change the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. During a Nationwide Series practice session in 2000, tragically, Adam lost his life…but not his dream. Adam’s dream now lives on in the lives of over 13,000 children and families that have suffered from over two dozen diseases such as cancer, hemophilia, spina bifida, physical disabilities and sickle cell.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is keeping Adam’s dream alive.  On March 27, 2010, during The Dale Jr. Foundation Physical Disabilities Weekend at Victory Junction, Dale Jr. will join the Victory Junction family as a Founder and will break ground on a one-of-a-kind project, The Dale Jr. Corral and Amphitheatre.  Eighty-eight members of The JR Nation Crew, The Official Fan Club of Dale Jr., will be randomly selected to be special guests for this private ground breaking ceremony.  To become a part of the FREE JR Nation Crew fan club and be eligible to attend, go to www.dalejr.com

“There are many reasons why we wanted to get involved with Victory Junction and build this amphitheatre, and it starts with the tremendous impact the camp has on these kids.  It’s incredible how one week changes lives,” said Earnhardt Jr.  “Just as important to me is my friendship with Kyle and Pattie Petty, and the memory of my buddy, Adam Petty.  Adam and I met each other at an early age, and from that point on our lives and careers were virtually parallel.  He was as genuine as they get and a great friend.  If I can play a small part in helping Kyle and Pattie keep his dream alive, it doesn’t require a second thought.”

This unique, interactive & accessible outdoor amphitheatre will provide campers, the opportunity to sing a song, act in a play, tell a joke, play an instrument, watch a movie or even get their face pictured on an old, western “Wanted” poster along with the infamous outlaw, “Junior.”

“Pattie and I are extremely humbled by Jr.’s kindness and generosity. We’ve known Jr. since he was a kid and it means the world to us that he is honoring our son, Adam, by helping change the lives of these kids,” said Kyle Petty. ”Adam is definitely smiling.”

Victory Junction is extremely proud and humbled by the generosity and hard work of all of the individuals who not only believed in Adam’s dream, but helped make it a reality. Now it is time to keep that dream alive. You, too, can join Dale Jr. and Victory Junction in their mission to help this very deserving group of children.

Go to http://www.victoryjunction.org/ to donate toward the project and to learn about Victory Junction’s new Dream Team Challenge. Sign up as a crew chief, start your own Dream Team and join us in honoring the young man who had the vision to make us all feel our hearts race!

About The Dale Jr. Foundation
The Dale Jr. Foundation is a charity dedicated to giving underprivileged individuals with a focus on youth, the resources to improve their confidence and education, and the opportunity to achieve extraordinary goals. For more information, visit http://www.thedalejrfoundation.org/.

About Victory Junction
Victory Junction is a year-round camping environment for children, ages six to 16, with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. Founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in honor of their son Adam, the camp is located in Randleman, N.C. with a second location opening soon in Kansas City, Kan. Victory Junction offers programs for 24 disease groups and maintains strong relationships with 30 partner hospitals. Victory Junction’s mission is to provide life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a safe and medically-sound environment. As a not-for-profit organization, the camp operates solely through the support of generous donors to provide this experience at no charge to children and their families. For more information, visit http://www.victoryjunction.org/.

One of the best things about living in NC is that the “country” is just down the road.  We don’t have to travel hours outside the city to appreciate the beauty of God’s hand.  This video looks like it could have been shot just around the corner.  Absolutely gorgeous!