What Do You Think?

Scan Provided by: Misty

Artist: Toby Keith

Album: Shock’n Y’all

Release Year: 2003

Stars (out of five): 4

Country rebel Toby Keith is at it again with his smash hit, Shock’n Y’all. With hits such as his ode to the bar (I Love This Bar), a little number about a hot girl who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty (Whiskey Girl), and his second salute to those fighting for our future (American Soldier) there’s no way any Toby fan can’t like this album. Regardless of what type of music you like this album will appeal to you. This is filed under one of the best Toby albums of all time. Though it is a little different than How Do You Like Me Now?!? or Pull My Chain, Shock is a must-have for any music fan. What I like most about the album is Toby really shows his flavor and shows the “I Don’t Give A What” attitude we’ve all grown to love. You can’t call yourself a Toby fan if you don’t own this album.

Review brought to you courtesy of Misty

When Jimmy Wayne's first single "Stay Gone" (off his self-titled album) came out… I was amazed! His voice makes the song real. Singing means something to him, and he made that shine through. I related to that song, but really, who couldn't? If you have ever been in a relationship, and it ended badly, you could!

I didn't know anything about him, but I rushed out and bought his album when it hit stores. I was surprised what I found on his album… songs that he wrote from his horrible childhood, and songs of love, and abuse.

Song's like "Are You Ever Gonna Love Me?" and "I Love You This Much" are talking about his biological father. He has only seen his biological father for 5 minutes, and that was when he was a small child. Wayne's stepfather was very abusive towards his mother, and nearly stabbed her to death.

Then there are songs on the album like "Trespassin’," "You Are" and "Just A Dream" that take another turn. "You Are" is a very beautiful song. It's a song of telling your girlfriend just how much she really means to you.Guys, this is the song to serenade your girl with! "Just A Dream" is a reality song on what to do if the person you loved wasn't there anymore. Jimmy sings about having a dream that someone, whom he loved wasn't there, and he tells about what he would do if they were to go away.

"Paper Angels" is a song which will make you stop and think about families who don't have money for Christmas.If this song isn't from the heart of a caring man, then I don't know what is!

"The Rabbit" talks about a woman who is in an abusive relationship. You’ve always heard the saying "What goes around comes around", and that is what happens to the woman's abusive husband.

There are more songs on the album that are just plain awesome like the few I have mentioned.

What I like and dislike about the Album:

Likes: The album itself is wonderful for his first album. It's very heavy, and it's straight to the point. Every song on this album has something to do with his past, and that's something country music needs a lot more of.

Dislikes: This album is fantastic, and I couldn't think of a better first album, but Jimmy, a little more upbeat songs on the next album!

All and all I give the album 2 thumbs up! Jimmy is going to go very far in his music career! This album will affect you in many different ways; Spiritually, and emotionally! This is definitely an album that you must have in your CD collection!!--Brandi Stone

Encounters

Brian McComas is one-of-a-kind!

I was able to see Brian McComas perform live Philippi, WVa. And I was lucky enough to get front row seats! (YAY!) ~ So I was set!! I arrived at the venue just as the show was starting and he was singing already ~ he was so incredible to see in person! I just love his voice and his stage personality ~ the way he connects with his audience is just unreal!

After about a 1.5 hr show, he came out for an encore and then on to the meet and greets! I was talking on the phone to one of my friends while I was standing in the meet and greet line. She was supposed to come with me and had an appt come up at the last minute. I asked her to hold on and told Brian that one of my friends, who is a big fan of his, was supposed to come from about 4 or 5 hrs away to see him tonight and at the last minute couldnt come. I said that she was on the cell phone and would he please say hi to her. He said sure! How sweet is that?? He is just PRECIOUS!!! :) And he talked to her for a few minutes while I showed the guy helping with his meet and greets how to use my digital camera. Then, being that we were in the hills of WV, he lost cell phone signal and got cut off from her. But he said to me "please tell your friend that I DIDNT hang up on her ~ that I got cut off, ok?" Awwww! How sweet again!!

For a first time meeting him ~ he made quite an impression!! And then I got a picture with him and then the guy taking the picture said ~ wait a minute you had your eyes closed! So YAY! another picture with Brian! I was so up for that! ;) And after the 2nd one, Brian said "Can I see the picture?" and when I showed him, he said "Cool! We look so happy, dont we?!!" How PRECIOUS!!

So it was a great concert, an awesome meet and greet and a truely one-of-a-kind guy! Anytime you get the chance ~ go see see Brian McComas live!! You will be glad you did!

Jill
Fairmont, WV





The "As The World Turns" Fan Club Luncheon

The 2004 Fan Club Luncheon for fans of 'As The World Turns' was a blast. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that the luncheon would've turned out as perfect as it did. I got to meet some of my favorite actors, and people that I used to not really care about very much I grew to love, and looked forward to seeing their characters on 'As The World Turns' (or, ATWT, as we fans call it).
~Kasey

For the complete encounter, please click here: ATWT Fan Club Luncheon



Lorrie Morgan made a dream come true!



Left to right: Rob, Lorrie, and April



When I was a kid I dreamed of meeting someone as famous as Lorrie Morgan. In-fact I dreamed of meeting her. When I was 10 years old seeing her in concert, listening to her sing her hits, such as Dear Me, Five Minutes, and Something in Red. I never in my heart thought I would ever get the chance to meet her. Nevertheless on November 22, 2003, my childhood dream came true! It was during the time of year where they have the Opry at the Ryman on the weekend and I knew she was performing that night. I told my friends and my mom, you guys, I know it's cold but I have to meet her. I was very excited, and a nervous wreck all at the same time! We saw her walking down the world famous Ryman Alley where we were standing, and my friend Rob (who is also pictured) looked at me and said, "April if you're going to meet her, you got to get down there." So I handed my camera off to my mom. I got over to her, and I was able to talk, I couldn't believe it. I ask her if we could take a picture with her, I think she could tell I was nervous, she ignored the people around her telling us to keep moving, she stopped in her tracks, put her arm around me, and said "sure we can sweetie," and smiled at me. I fought back the tears of joy as Mom took the picture and before Lorrie walked away she patted my back three times. This was a night I'll never forget and the night I realized that dreams really do come true!

April Amis
Newport, KY.









Lucky Fan meets two stars of Dawson's Creek

James Van Der Beek
I went to see James in his play in NYC called "Rain Dance" last May. He was really good in the play, but the story was a little boring. Anyway afterwards, I waited outside for him because I had gotten him flowers. He came right out and was SO sweet. I was the only fan there so he was able to stay and talk with me and my mom for a little bit. He took pictures and signed autographs. He kept thanking us for coming to see the play and was saying that he hopes we enjoyed it. He's so much cuter in person, and his eyes just sparkle! :)



Joshua Jackson
I was on vacation in Wilmington, NC (where Dawson's Creek was filmed) and I saw all the cameras and trucks down the street so I started to walk towards them. And guess who was walking straight towards me?? None other than the fabulous Joshua Jackson! I totally flipped out and threw my camera at my dad.

In what seemed like forever we finally reached each other. He actually stopped at me seeing that I was a huge fan. I asked him for his autograph and he said sure, as I was pulling out my picture from my bag I dropped EVERYTHING! He started laughing at me, and while he picked up all my stuff I just stared in amazement!

I gave him the picture to sign and a pen to use and he started to sign the picture. It wasn't even 2 seconds before he said....umm, your pen is leaking here! AHH! My pen leaked ALL over his hands, so my dad gave him a tissue to wipe up (which I have by the way) and I apologized, he said not to worry about it.

I then asked him for a hug and he said, of course...come here! And he grabbed me into him. AHH! I was in heaven. I actually got to hug THE Joshua Jackson. It was amazing, he is such a sweet guy. We talked for a little bit after that, he was just asking me questions like where I'm from and stuff. We said our good-byes and I watched him walk down the street, it felt like a dream!



-Kristie

***Seasons 1, 2 and 3 are now available on DVD and be sure to catch Dawson's Creek on TBS(check your local listing)***

Meredith falls for Shiloh
Friends of mine have been raving about Shiloh for the longest time. I had the chance to see them in March at Cowboy Country in Long Beach, CA, but I didn't really know their music or anything about them. When I found out they were playing at InCahoots in Fullerton, CA I jumped at the chance to go. When I walked in, my friend introduced me to Brian. He was in the middle of talking to someone when I went over to say hi, but he immediately stopped what he was doing to meet a new fan. We chatted for a minute then took a picture.



Once the show was over I met the rest of the guys. All of them were more than happy to talk to me and take pictures. Brian, Carson, Minor, Joe, and Fitz are possibly the sweetest guys I have ever met. They really make an effort to get to know all of the fans that come out to their shows. Later when I was talking to Brian again, I was surprised that he remembered my name. All of them meet so many people on a regular basis that I would think it would be hard to match names to faces. The way they treat their fans, its as if they've known them all for years. They truly are a great group of guys and I definately look forward to seeing them again.



~Meredith Benton Long Beach, CA


A JC Chasez Encounter
A couple friends of mine, Jenna and Lindsey, went down to Los Angeles for our Senior Trip after we graduated *well Lindz was year younger but she came along anyways* . We were staying with my aunt and uncle and one day, June 17, 2003, we bought a star map so that we could go look for celebrity homes.

We were specifically looking for Justin Timberlake's because we knew the general area. After a whole day of searching through the hills, we decided to swing by Mel's Diner on Sunset Blvd. I have a few friends who had met JC Chasez there a few months before so we decided to give it a shot and see if by any chance, he was there. We really didn't think he would be there but no hurt in looking. We walk in and I immediately glance to the back corner and I notice this hair. I was staring a lil bit and then Lindsey goes..."I need to use the bathroom, someone come with me." and in order to get to the bathroom, you have to pass by the back corner so I was down to go and check the scene a lil bit.

We are at the door and this hair turns to the side and guess who it is...JC Chasez! I was like "OMG! *and did a lil running skipping thing back to Jenna* and I was like "OMG! It's JC!" She is on the phone with Julianna at the time and Julianna is one of the girls who met him there before and she was like "ARE YOU SERIOUS!" So I was totally bopper. Anyways, we walk up to him before he even ordered and I was crying like a true bopper and I said "Can we get a picture with you!?" and he was like "Sure, but hold on a second" good thing he did say that too because Jenna realizes that she left the camera in the car. She runs out the door without the keys so I have to chase after her and toss her the keys...it was like a relay or something.

Anyways, she comes back and we go back up to him. We took our pix with him and it was a bopper moment of joy. Jenna was like "So have you seen Justin's concert yet?" and he said "No actually, I am going tonight" and we were like "So are we!" so yeah, to make a long story short, we said thanks and went on with our merry lives. When he was leaving, Jenna waved and he pointed and did a head nod...it was HOT.

A couple girls came up to us and were like "I guess you guys are fans" and we were like "Oh yeah!" Anyways...it was a great day. JC made the whole trip worth while and it remains one of the most memorable encounters of my life.-Stephanie



A Shiloh Encounter
Thank you soooooo much for the article on Shiloh!! I am a HUGE fan!! Those guys are the real deal! Sooooooo talented!

I saw them perform for the first time April 2nd when they opened for Kenny Rogers in Atlantic City. And I went to the shows the next two nights after that. I am on their street team so I helped sell the merchandise at the shows. Attached is a photo of me with Shiloh after the show on April 3rd. I have more photos, but I don't have a scanner.

My friends had seen Shiloh several times before that and told me they were better live than on their album. I couldn't believe it because I LOVE their album.......but they were right! The guys blew me away! Each one of them can sing on his own, but put them together and WOW!! They have great energy and know how to get the audience involved. And meeting them.....well, they are just the sweetest, funniest, coolest guys ever!

I wish I could go to Fan Fair, but I am in PA. I am hoping Shiloh will do more shows with Kenny Rogers. But also hoping they do more shows on their own!

Keep up the good magazine! And thank you so much for the Shiloh photos and article!! Kary