Sunday Drive: Welcome to the Future

In 2009 and again in 2011, President and Mrs. Obama hosted a series of concerts in the East Room of the White House, each one showcasing a different genre of contemporary American music.  In the July 2009 concert, country star Brad Paisley debuted his new single "Welcome to the Future," which your Head Trucker thinks ought to be counted one of the all-time great country songs:  full of hope, optimism, love of country and of our fellow human beings.  

The song and video together constitute a brilliant work of homegrown American art - celebrated in the White House by a decent and dignified President, and not for his own glory.  At that time, we still had hope, the country was still holding together, and the misty future seemed a green and pleasant land.

But here in this gray, grim, and ghastly future, this performance makes me weep for our country and the world - for several reasons.  Do I really have to explain why?

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When I Get Where I'm Going

 The Lessons for Monday in Holy Week

Brad Paisley sings his #1 hit from 2005, with harmony by Dolly Parton.  Some famous faces appear in the video, also.

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Sunday Drive: Brad Paisley, In the Garden

An old favorite hymn, in memory of those I love but see no longer:

Sunday Drive: In the Garden

This was my mama's favorite.  She would have turned 89 this month, strange to think.  I'm glad she is in a better place than this rough old world.

Sunday Drive: When We All Get to Heaven

An old familiar Gospel tune, updated by Brad Paisley on his 2005 album, 5th Gear:

Lovelight: Oh Love

No pictures needed, really: just close your eyes and listen.

Really listen.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Good night guys, and sweet dreams.

Sunday Drive: When I Get Where I'm Going

That's Dolly Parton singing with Brad on the chorus of this tune.

Afternoon Drive: 2010! Welcome to the Future

Wherever we were going, well, we're here . . . .

I try not to repeat myself on music videos. But I just can't think of anything more fitting for today's afternoon drive than Brad Paisley's "Welcome to the Future."

I love the song, and watching the video makes me tear up, fellas: in a world full of disappointment and woe, Paisley's song shows the hope and optimism that are so much a part of the American spirit - together, we can change what's wrong, we can make things better, we can do anything we set our minds to.

Yes we can.



Happy New Year to all my Truckbuddies, sure hope it's a good one for all you guys - happy, prosperous, and fun. See you down the road.

Sunday Drive: Farther Along

An old favorite in these parts.  Memories of sitting in a wooden pew, everybody in their go-to-meeting clothes, a comforting arm wrapped around a sleepy little boy, paper fans waving all around imprinted with pictures of Gethsemane, the sweet, faint scent of lavender sachet and waxed wood, the reverent silence of a summer Sunday morning, and the prospect of fried chicken and dinner on the ground . . . . memories from the dawn of a little boy's life, when God was in His heaven, and all was well with the world.

Welcome to the Future: Reprise

Sometimes once just isn't enough.  Here's Brad Paisley performing "Welcome to the Future" in the East Room of the White House, after reminiscing about how it felt to be in Times Square on Election Night, 2008, "when the world turned on a dime, it seemed."

You go, Brad.  God, I love this song . . . for all kinds of reasons.



Bonus:  Watch the President introduce Brad with a paean to country music - which he says he's a fan of, too.

Afternoon Drive: Welcome to the Future

Hey, glory, glory, hallelujah

Welcome to the future

Wherever we were going, we're here . . .

Okay guys, this you have to see.  I posted the song above so you can listen, but you gotta go watch the actual video, which I can't embed here. 

Kickstart your weekend with this rocking new song from country stud Brad Paisley.  This ain't your daddy's country music - it's powerful, I think you'll like it.

I'll confess - it made me shed a few tears.  But they're happy ones.  Go watch, you'll understand.

Just goes to show, not all us country boys are as redneck as some people might think.  But you knew that, right?

It's a new day in America for all kinds of folks, thank God.  The future is here - so go on, live your life and enjoy it.

Have a good one, fellas, see you down the road.

Offered in memory of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. -

and all the others

Sunday Drive: Farther Along

Sunday Drive: In the Garden

For my darling Mama - gone to her rest 15 years ago today.