Dove Award Nomination for Mark Lowry and Paul Johnson!

Congratulations to Mark Lowry and Paul Johnson for receiving a Dove Award nomination on an amazing album, which I've sung the praises of in this article I wrote last year.

Read the official press release here.

Website Update

The update on my website is that I can't update anything right now. It is frustrating and totally unacceptable. So, some changes will need to be made. For those of you who read features like my monthly "Encouraging Words" newsletter, I hope to get the next issue posted in time for March but we'll have to see (of course, the best way to not miss anything there is to be an e-mail subscriber!).

Anyway, my apologies for not being up to date--it's certainly not my style but is out of my control right now. For now, please check here or at "Wendy V's Nashville Blend", or my MySpace page for current happenings and announcements.

Update to the update: OK, I have been able to update the home page...for now. But I do expect to have the website in transition sometime next week. So, keep those above links handy just in case.

Opry Classics

Well, I am having a blast. A few weeks ago I happened upon a Time-Life TV commercial that Marty Stuart was hosting (that alone would make me take notice). He was introducing a series of 8 DVDs made up of clips from old Grand Ole Opry based and other TV shows of the 60s and 70s, featuring just about any classic artist you can imagine. Being the serious collector of old TV musical clips and shows that I am, I flew online immediately and ordered the set, trusting that my tax refund would cover the cost.

Indeed, this set is a collector's dream. I've been wondering for years where those clips of Patsy Cline, where she's singing "Crazy" and other songs and wearing the pretty flowered dress I saw at the Opry Museum, came from. The answer is The Pet Milk Grand Ole Opry program and there's lots of clips from that show and others. Another thing I love about this collection is that whereever possible, they have the broadcast dates of the shows...I like knowing that sort of trivia. And oh yeah, Marty introduces each DVD. Plus, there are some bonus artist interviews with Little Jimmy Dickens, JimEd Brown, the late Porter Wagoner and others reminiscing about their Opry memories.

Now, if only they'd release some of the full episodes of these old programs (yeah, I know, I want it all)...

Happy Quirkyalone Day!

On a day when society tries to tell you it's the norm that you should be partnered, I just wanted to wish those of you who are uncoupled a Happy Quirkyalone Day. I have celebrated this alternative day for years. While I don't agree with everything found on the website, I think the basic idea makes sense.

I do believe we need to love ourselves as God loves us. It's only then when we can fully love others. So today, be yours.