Stormy Speaks

Stormy Weather is opry.com's exclusive columnist. A veteran, though self-described "young and trendy music industry insider," Stormy takes readers along as she moves gracefully within Nashville’s elite inner circles and shares her own first-hand observations, take-no-prisoners opinions and juicy commentary on the movers and shakers inside Music City's illustrious entertainment industry. Read it from Stormy like you won't read it anywhere else.

Stormy’s Country Musical Year in Review 

Stormy’s mailbox is overflowing with Christmas cards, parties are in full swing, and prime parking spaces are virtually impossible to find at the mall--this can only mean one thing--Christmas is just days away!

This time of year tends to find Stormy reflecting on the highlights of yet another year covering the in and outs and ups and downs of the country music extravaganza that is her life.

As Stormy paused in front of the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa, pen in hand, she jotted down just a few things that made this year special. These are a few of Stormy’s favorite things, if you will.

Call Stormy crazy but she went to her iPod to see which tune was the most played … and the winner is … LeeAnn Womack’s “Call Me Crazy.” Stormy loves a good song that clearly states with little or no need for interpretation that it is O-V-E-R. Finished. Stick a fork in us, we’re done.

Stormy also has a special place in her heart for her favorite new group and double Grammy Award nominee Lady Antebellum. It should be noted that the group’s debut single, “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” came in a super-close second to LeeAnn’s “Last Call” on the iPod most-played list. Still, this cute-as-a-bug trio comes in first on the new favorites list. Is that Charles Kelley not the super-cutest thing you’ve ever laid eyes on? Do you think he’d get the wrong impression if Stormy called us a cab right now? And Stormy’s going to need that adorable blue-fringe dress that Hillary Scott wears in the new “Lookin’ for a Good Time” video. That song’s title says so much with just five little words! Stormy’s blushing, isn’t she?

What would Stormy’s list be without a favorite album of 2008? The first word in “Loveless” is “love” and that describes how Stormy feels about Patty Loveless’ Sleepless Nights. And Stormy knows a thing or two about a sleepless night, and she’s got a soft spot in her heart for “Why Baby Why” and “He Thinks I Still Care.” Patty just fires one country classic after another. Patty’s singing in the background right now as Stormy types this little country roundup. Of course, Stormy will have to take a break and grab a tissue for “There Goes My Everything.” That song just cuts her to the core.

You know Stormy has a favorite video. She could have gone with the Sin City-themed “Last Name” by Miss Carrie Underwood. Or maybe the lavish “Love Story” from Miss Taylor Swift with Bettie Lou’s favorite guest star, Justin Gaston. However, Stormy is a sentimental fool when you get right down to it. And Stormy’s selection for best video goes to . . . “Waitin’ on a Woman” by Brad Paisley featuring the very best special guest, Andy Griffith. Not only is it Stormy’s very favorite video, but Bettie Lou would have surely flung something at her had she not chosen this one. Not that Bettie Lou tries to influences Stormy’s choices in any way. Stormy just isn’t as adept at dodging flying shoes as some people are.

Brad also is the mastermind behind the song Stormy most wishes she had written: “Letter to Me.” It’s sheer genius. From the hidden Skoal can to failing algebra to a promise to see him in the mirror when he’s an old man, it’s practically perfect in every way.

It wouldn’t be Stormy’s end-of-the-year wrap-up if she didn’t share with you a major shocker. Yes, it finally happened. Kenny Chesney, with just mere days left in 2008, has released a song that Stormy absolutely loves. Having dipped into the well that is one of Music City’s most insightful writers, Mac McAnally, Stormy is already about as far “Down the Road” as a girl can get.

Of course you’re wondering who Stormy’s got her eye on in 2009. Well, let’s see … the Zac Brown Band. Oh, yes, Stormy can sing every single word of “Chicken Fried.” And sometimes when she forgets to make changes in gender references, Stormy gets some odd looks in the grocery story aisles. It matters not to Stormy because she loves a pair of jeans that fit just right, and she loves the Zac Brown Band. What does a girl have to do to get a free bumper sticker around here?

All of this reminiscing makes a girl a little misty . . . Stormy’s will be back in just two weeks, on the eve of New Year’s Eve, to dish all the latest news before she dons that little black dress to ring in 2009. You won’t want 2008 to fade into your memory without one more informy from Stormy. See you then!