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.

Country’s Latest Fashions, Food & News!

Stormy just got the bad news from her mortgage broker. It appears Stormy didn’t qualify for the $5.7 million loan she was looking for to purchase Kenny Chesney’s 7,000-square-foot house in Key West, Fla. Real estate bummer! Seems the locals let the cat out of the bag about their new neighbor, and Kenny has opted to sell his new digs before he even moves in. Perhaps they think his tractor’s just a little too sexy, no? Double disappointment for the folks in Key West since neither Kenny nor Stormy will be baking Key Lime pies for the neighborhood potlucks.

Singer, songwriter, and now actress Taylor Swift takes to the road this year in her first headlining tour. This is one busy lady, 52 cities in 38 states and provinces in the U.S. and Canada. And all in a mere six months! Stormy once visited six bars in 52 minutes with 38 friends, but that’s another story entirely. Stormy is thrilled to learn that tickets to Taylor’s concerts will be as low as $20. Cool! Oh, and she also has her own line of five different cotton sundresses that will be available exclusively at Wal-Mart. At just $14 a dress, Stormy finds these frocks Taylor-made for her recession-challenged fashion budget. Now, if Stormy does the math correctly, she can attend a Taylor Swift concert and look smashing in a new dress, all for just $34. That’s fearless!

Not to be outdone, Toby Keith is unveiling his TK Steelman line of clothing which features long-sleeved shirts, sleeveless shirts, t-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, jeans, cowboy hats, baseball caps, bandanas, belts, and the all-important must-have fashion accessory, the leather wrist strap. The collection’s big reveal takes place in Las Vegas on Feb. 18; no word yet if Toby will take to the catwalk. It shouldn’t be too long before you, too, can dress like Toby. Or, as the line is being touted, “country sexy.” Next time you guys are in the mood for “a little less talk and a lot more action,” Toby’s got just the outfit for you.

Stormy got all kinds of excited when she heard that Brad Paisley is country music’s newest coverboy. She was on her way to the local bookstore, headed straight for GQ when she learned it wasn’t GQ at all. Instead, Brad is on the cover of the March issue of Guitar Player magazine. Maybe she’ll get a subscription. It gives a whole new meaning to “pick” up a copy, right? On the positive side, when this nine-page feature story hits the newsstands, here’s betting it’s less of a wait in line for Guitar Player than GQ. Stormy can probably get a great deal on a new amp. Everybody needs a new amp.

Thanks to the folks over at Entertainment Weekly, that font of knowledge that is Stormy’s idea of scholarly reading. Cute-as-a-button Billy Currington takes the mag’s pop culture personality test. Well, we all know that he has a personality, and so much more, but readers learn that Billy loves the movie The Notebook, and he doesn’t know how to add ringtones to his cell phone. Oh, he’s a man after Stormy’s heart. Billy loves a good chick flick, and he’s not afraid to admit he’s technically challenged. Stormy would love to give him some “Good Directions.”

This is hot! KC Masterpiece Barbecue Sauce and Kingsford Charcoal will sponsor Keith Urban’s Escape Together World Tour. Keith is set to sizzle in 50 cities across the U. S. this summer. The barbeque sauce and charcoal folks have even created two new recipes to commemorate the occasion: Seasoned Mustard Drumsticks with Peach Molasses Glaze and Grilled Sweet Potato Steaks with Maple Pecan Butter. Oh, Stormy can hear Keith and Nicole at home now. “Nicole, what’s for dinner?” “Oh, Keith, I thought I’d make those seasoned mustard drumsticks with peach molasses glaze.” To which Keith responds, “Oh, honey, I love your drumsticks, yes, I do.” It’s a “sweet thing,” you just know it is.

All this talk about food has made Stormy hungry. She’s heading out, hitting the bookstore, going to look for a sundress, maybe some new drumsticks to get the party started. See you back here in two weeks!