An 8/21/2020 Release and what I liked last week

 

Last week had a good dose of releases with Miley Cyrus’ single “Midnight Sky” continuing her three-year quality music streak and a surprise EP by hard rockers Halestorm called “Reimagined,” where they covered themselves, reinterpreting their music as more acoustic, more grungy and also featuring Evanescence’s Amy Lee as a duet partner to Lzzy Hale on “Break In.”  It also featured a cover of “I Will Always Love You,” which mostly consisted of just Lzzy and a piano, and is one of my favorite covers this year, up there with the release of Chris Cornell’s version of “Patience.”  Actor/Singer Anthony Ramos, famous for playing John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in the Broadway Musical “Hamilton” and G-Team Soldier Martinez in “Godzilla; King of the Monsters,” also released a song called “Stop,” which is a fun song that sounds like it should be on the radio.  My brother was pleasantly surprised when I showed him the movie I wanted to see during our weekend had an actor from the movie he wanted Mom and I to see (and we did the following night).

 

Speaking of Hamilton, I recommend watching it on Disney+.  A lot of the issues of seeking freedom from tyranny resonate to today and encourage me to do what I can for the Biden-Harris campaign.  Remember that History has its eyes on you, so don’t throw away your chance to help end this pandemic, work for the lower and middle classes and make history for African-American and South Asian women in the United States.  If not, chances are the pandemic will continue indefinitely, the military and police will be used in organized genocide against the LGBTQ+, African American, Native American, Latin American, Muslim and Reconciling Congregation Communities in this country and the United States will die, bankrupt, by being carpet-bombed by the combined forces of the European Union, China, Canada and Japan.  This is not me merely suggesting a “worse case scenario,” this is a very real possibility with that genocidal glutton for wars we cannot afford to keep fighting in power.  And how much do you want to bet he will “executive order” away term limits if given the chance?

 

On a brighter note, here’s the top release of this week:

 

The Aquabats-Kooky, Spooky, In Stereo!  I don’t blame you if you don’t know who they are.  I didn’t know until ten years ago, when the Puppet Strong Bad (from homestarrunner.com) showed up at their Atlanta concert to sing “Pink Pants” off their then-latest album.  This sparked a working relationship between Matt Chapman (the voice one at homestarrunner.com) and the band, and when “The Aquabats Super Show” began airing on The Hub (the Channel that aired My Little Pony; Friendship is Magic and Transformers; Prime), Matt would occasionally play characters while cheap, Power Rangers-esque monsters caused havoc.  Matt’s most fondly remembered character was Carl, a wizard in a wrestling mask with a familiar voice (Strong Bad’s).  The Aquabats mostly make comedy-styled rock and roll, but it’s all original music and lyrics.

 

This is also Demi Lovato’s birthday, and she was the first artist I saw live way back in 2009 at the WaMu Theater in Seattle.  I since have seen her at the KeyArena (now renamed the Climate Pledge Arena) in Seattle and hope to have opportunities in the future to see her, her song “I Love Me” from earlier this year was great.  Happy 28^th Birthday, Demi Lovato!

Battling Depression still

Hey all,
As I mentioned on Facebook and Twitter, I've been told the Cyrus family and Rock Mafia family has become like heroin for me.  I have been instructed to take a break, which is difficult, I hate not listening to "Achy Breaky Heart," "Can't Be Tamed," "The Climb," and "Party" whenever I want.  What's worse, as I think during this break about it, I can only think how addicts can never develop a healthy relationship with their drugs, they must quit them outright and NEVER use them or go near them again.  If this has been my relationship with Miley, Demi, Billy Ray, Brandi and the others, it means I can never listen to their music again, which hurts.  Sure, The Beatles and Lynyrd Skynyrd service great music, but it pains me to not listen to all the music I like, as well as have to think of a future where I can't film a documentary about what Faith, Religion and Jesus mean to Miley Cyrus, Brandi Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez and AnnaSophia Robb.  I can only see me becoming a clerk in some local shop, and I don't want to sit on the sidelines as awesome films like the Transformers trilogy and the Avengers universe saga get made.  I also don't want to make films without the possibility of meeting people who've inspired me.  So, I keep thinking while I work and volunteer, wondering of a way out.

Battling Depression

First off I feel I should mention my Mario Sports Mix teams: Mario, Bowser, Daisy.  Daisy, Peach, White Mage.

Now that that's been said, I want to mention that my life has become pretty busy.  Between the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and looking for work, dealing with my current job at Little Caesar's, my volunteer hours at the Bellingham Railway Museum and the assorted related stuff, I get worn out very easily.  Beyond that, my anxiety kicked back up again, I spent the Trading Deadline dreading that Mariners fans would see the last of Ichiro.  With that fear passed, the anxiety and depression has zoomed towards my dreams.  My dreams, my goals have been detailed many times here, but in case you're new, I'll write it again.

201X-I move to Los Angeles, befriend Miley Cyrus, Brandi Cyrus, Codi Caraco, Demi Lovato, AnnaSophia Robb and Selena Gomez and make a documentary about them and their Spiritual lives.  For one night, Miley, Demi, Brandi, Codi and Selena make a band and perform at least the following songs, with Miley, Demi and Brandi on guitars and vocals, Codi on keyboards and vocals, Selena on drums: 

1.)    I Love Rock and Roll

2.)    Praise You in this Storm

3.)    U Got Nothing On Me

4.)    While My Guitar Gently Weeps

5.)    I Want You (She’s So Heavy)

6.)    Jesus Freak

7.)    Party

8.)    Can’t Be Tamed

9.)    Back and Forth 

10.) When I Look At You 

11.) The Climb 

Many songs from Miley, Demi, Selena, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Nirvana have also been considered by me, but it's ultimately up to them.  However, I am not immune to the news, and worry the magic Disney Channel starlet trio would break-up, or that Miley would wreck her voice.  Sadly, one of the worries has come true.  In the process of maturing, Miley has gone from beloved, to despised due to wearing skimpy outfits or experimenting in drugs (I am not endorsing drug use, anything that will kill you, quickly or slowly, isn't something I'd choose to take). Anyway, it doesn't effect the documentary, since I plan to release it directly on Youtube and not worry about corporate bigwigs trying to push an agenda (most left-wings would try to reduce the number of Christians and increase the number of Buddhists and atheists, which isn't my message (moderate/Liberal Christianity), FOX would demand Sarah Palin's presence and say gay people are evil, also not my message).  However, that does put the second part of my goals at risk.

202X-With our friendship, we visit Nintendo and obtain the rights to do a Mario Trilogy, based on the following video games:

-Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

-Super Paper Mario

-Super Smash Bros. Brawl (with the casts of Brawl, Melee and SSB4 (and Jill Valentine!)

However, as more people are saying "she's just a slutty druggie whore" and I dig in my heels, knowing Miley would voice a good Peach, Tippi and Mimi (and maybe other roles), I fear that my bold ideas are doomed to the same as most video game movies, Box Office Failure.  If the first film fails at the box office, there is no chance for a sequel, unless there's only one and it's direct to video.  My story works best as a trilogy, but I'm still scared.  Any connections to Miley, Brandy, Demi and Selena would be appreciated, as would any encouraging words.

The Crowners (my made-up supergroup) goals and hopes to do if/when it becomes reality

Pop Christianity:

A documentary that interviews Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Brandi Cyrus and Codi Carraco about their Faith and the role it plays in their lives.  It also includes interviews with Jenny and Ryan Simmons and the other members of Addison Road, as well as Billy Ray Cyrus and AnnaSophia Robb if possible.  The following questions are the ones that will be asked.

1.)    When did you decide to become a Christian?

2.)    How much a role does Faith play in your life and career?

3.)    (For Miley) Does “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Play a role in your “Radiate Love” philosophy?

4.)    Was there a time when it seemed like doubts piled up and you couldn’t get out?  What did you do about it/how did you get out?

5.)    (For Miley) Is it hard when the right wing radicals who claim to represent God are calling you evil?  What do you do?

6.)    Does your Church Background play a role in your interest in music?

7.)    Are there any career decisions you’ve had to pray on?

8.)    (For AnnaSophia and Miley) Are there movie roles you chose to take because of your Faith?  Are there roles you chose to avoid for the same reason?

9.)    What’s your favorite Gospel/Contemporary Christian song?

10.) What do you do for Lent?  Do you keep the ashes on your forehead or scrub them off?

11.) Do either you or your denomination recognize Santa Lucia day?  Do you know the song?

  It ends with a big concert featuring the supergroup, The Crowners, consisting of Miley Cyrus on guitars and vocals, Demi Lovato on guitars and vocals, Brandi Cyrus on guitars and vocals, Jon Wasleske on bass guitar and Codi Carraco on keyboards and vocals, with a currently-unknown drummer.  Addison Road may also perform if they so desire.  The setlist for The Crowners is as such:

1.)    I Love Rock and Roll (Miley on lead vocals)

2.)    Praise You in this Storm (Miley and Demi on lead vocals)

3.)    U Got Nothin On Me (Demi on lead vocals)

4.)    While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Miley on lead vocals)

5.)    I Want You (She’s So Heavy) (Miley on lead vocals)

6.)    Jesus Freak (Miley and Demi on lead vocals)

7.)    Party (Demi on lead vocals)

8.)    Can’t Be Tamed (Miley on lead vocals)

9.)    Back and Forth (Codi on lead vocals)

10.) When I Look At You (Miley on lead vocals)

11.) The Climb (Miley on lead vocals)

They may also perform any song they wish, such as “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “Rock and Roll,” “Free Bird,” “La La Land,” and any song ever written that they’ve every liked since the beginning of time.  Addison Road songs to consider are “Won’t Let Me Go” and “Don’t Wait.”

50 year rooftop anniversary:

Filmed entirely in January 2019, this would be a Fly On The Wall type of documentary in which The Crowners, or at least Miley and Demi, would rehearse, practice and ultimately perform several Beatles songs for the fiftieth anniversary of the famous rooftop concert.  It would be performed on the roof of a building between three to seven stories in length, and the recordings from the top would ultimately be sold as a new Crowners album, which would have the following tracklist:

1.)    Get Back

2.)    Don’t Let Me Down

3.)    Dig a Pony

4.)    I’ve Got a Feeling

5.)    One After 909

6.)    I Me Mine

7.)    I Want You (She’s So Heavy)

8.)    Don’t Let Me Down

9.)    Get Back

All songs would be lead-sung by me, Daniel J. Short.

Mario trilogy:

The Crowners would contribute an instrumental track for the fight scene between a giant Bowser, a giant Peach and the Axem Robo Megazord.  They would also do the backing for Selena Gomez’s cover of “We Need A Hero” for the battle between the heroes and the Axem Rangers.  We Need A Hero is a song from the original Power Rangers series.  In the second film, they’d contribute the ending songs, a re-recording of “Bigger Than Us” and a slow ballad afterwards, possibly a release of Billy Ray Cyrus’ cover of “You’ve Got a Friend” instead of a new song.  In the third movie, a song like “I Learned From You” would be played during the Mario revival scene, the original duet version may be used instead, I don’t know.

Personnel for the new recordings.

Continuing from Yesterday, Here's how I see the personnel for the new songs.

Piano, keyboard, vocals-Codi Carraco

Gibson ES-335 guitar, Gibson Les Paul guitar, Gibson Firebird guitar, Gibson SG guitar, vocals-Brandi Cyrus

Gibson Les Paul guitar, Epiphone Casino guitar, piano, vocals-Miley Cyrus

Gibson SG guitar, Gibson Les Paul guitar, Fender Telecaster guitar, Fender Stratocaster guitar, piano, vocals-Demi Lovato

Gibson Dove Acoustic guitar, vocals-Billy Ray Cyrus

Gibson EB-0 Bass, Fender Precision Bass-Jon Wasleske

Drums, vocals-Hayley Williams

I also made this picture in MS Paint.

I would love it if had the money to fly to LA, go to the Reality LA Church (where Brandi Cyrus attends worship) and through that make this documentary, but real life rarely works that way, plus I'm strapped for cash.

A happier post

Okay guys, trying to get out of the gutter with some music.  Basically, I'm releasing some ideas for my documentary, which I asked help for earlier.
How it could break down;

-Opening, introduces documentary crew.  Song: Awesome God, Rich Mullins, time; 5 mins.

-Going to the Reality LA Church, seeking the cast.  Song: Born Again, Newsboys, time; 7 mins.

-Interviewing Brandi and Miley.  Songs: Forgiveness and Love, Joan Jett Medley, Miley Cyrus. Time; 15 mins.

-Transition showing MRC playing Beatles Rock Band with Demi, Brandi and Hayley playing Yahtzee.  Songs, live Rock and Roll Music/She’s A Woman (Beatles fans, buy Anthology 2 NOW), Day Tripper, And Your Bird Can Sing, Yellow Submarine, I Feel Fine, Dig a Pony, The Beatles.  Time, 7 mins.

-Interviewing Hayley and Demi, inter-spliced with previous.  Songs, Hallelujah, That’s What You Get, Paramore.  Time, 15 mins.

-Transition to BRC and interview.  Song, Stand Still, Give My Heart to You, Billy Ray Cyrus.  Time, 15 mins.

-Interview with Carrie Underwood, Emily Osment and AnnaSophia Robb.  Songs, Jesus Take the Wheel, Carrie Underwood, You Get Me Through, Emily Osment.  Time, 15 mins.

-Further interview with MRC, Demi and Brandi, show band rehearsal, making the band for this.  Song, When I Look At You, Miley Cyrus.  Time, 7 mins.

-Highlights from Charity Concert.  Song, When I Look At You, Miley Cyrus, Lie to Me, Billy Ray Cyrus, Spotlight, Miley Cyrus, GNO, Miley Cyrus, Jesus Freak, Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato, Party, Demi Lovato, Can’t Be Tamed, Miley Cyrus, Achy Breaky Heart, Billy Ray Cyrus, The Climb, Miley Cyrus.  Time, 33 mins.

Total time, 2 hours.

Soundtrack Track Listing:

Disc 1

1.) Awesome God, Rich Mullins

2.) Born Again, Newsboys

3.) Forgiveness and Love, Miley Cyrus

4.) Joan Jett Medley (I Love Rock and Roll, Cherry Bomb, Bad Reputation) [Live], Miley Cyrus

5.) Rock and Roll Music [Live at the Budokan June 30th, 1966], The Beatles

6.) She's A Woman [Live at the Budokan June 30th, 1966], The Beatles

7.) Day Tripper, The Beatles

8.) And Your Bird Can Sing, The Beatles

9.) I Feel Fine, The Beatles

10.) Yellow Submarine, The Beatles

11.) Dig A Pony, The Beatles

12.) That's What You Get, Paramore

13.) Hallelujah, Paramore

14.) Give My Heart To You, Billy Ray Cyrus

15.) Stand Still, Billy Ray Cyrus

16.) Jesus Take the Wheel, Carrie Underwood

17.) You Get Me Through, Emily Osment

18.) When I Look At You (Rehearsal for concert), Miley Cyrus

Disc 2 (Concert for TWLOHA, order may change) 

1.)    Here We Go Again (Demi Lovato)

4.)    Praise You in this storm (Casting Crowns cover, Miley, Brandi and Hayley) 

5.)    These Four Walls (Miley Cyrus) 

6.)    Lie to me (Billy Ray Cyrus) 

7.)    U Got Nothing on Me (Demi Lovato) 

8.)    Spotlight (Miley Cyrus) 

9.)    GNO (Miley Cyrus)

2.)    We are Broken (Hayley Williams) 

3.)    When I Look At You (Miley Cyrus)

10.) Back and Forth (Frank and Derol) 

11.) While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Beatles cover, Miley) 

12.) Ready Set Don’t Go (BRC and MRC) 

13.) I Want You (She’s So Heavy) (Beatles cover, Demi and Miley) 

14.) Jesus Freak (DC Talk cover, sung by Miley and Demi) 

15.) Party  (Demi Lovato) 

16.) Can’t Be Tamed (Miley Cyrus) 

17.) Face of God (Billy Ray Cyrus) 

18.) Achy Breaky Heart (Billy Ray Cyrus)

19.) The Climb (Miley Cyrus)

Disc 3, Rehearsed covers

1.) I Love Rock and Roll, Miley Cyrus

1.) Working for MCA, Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus

3.) I Ain't the One, Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus

4.) Gimme Back My Bullets, Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus

5.) I Got the Same old Blues, Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus

6.) Double Trouble, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Brandi Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus

7.) That Smell, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Brandi Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus

8.) Simple Man, Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus

9.) Free Bird, Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus

Just seeking some outlet and releasing some data.  Any information or urges for Good luck are encouraged.  It is also hoped that Miley and Billy Ray's relationship will last through their distance (BRC has moved back to Tennessee, MRC is still in California, but might visit her father).

Some goals

-See all teams in Major League Baseball at least once.
-See every Mariners Turn Back the Clock Game.
-See Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Frank and Derol, Paramore, Billy Ray Cyrus and 1964 the Tribute whenever they come to Puget Sound area.
-Move to my own place.
-Work in film.
-Minister to Christian celebrities.
-Print my book.
-Make a spiritual film with Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato and Brandi Cyrus.
-Make a Mario-fueled video game movie trilogy.
-Be a voice actor.

Why Miley, Demi, Brandi and Billy Ray?

A question that would be on everyone’s lips and minds would be “of all the Christians in all the world, Why did you pick Miley Cyrus, her sister Brandi and Miley's friend Demi Lovato?”  It all started when I was three, as detailed in a two-year old essay about “Ready, Set, Don’t Go,” attached below. 

            For my piece of music that focused on words, I chose the #4 Country Single of 2007, Ready, Set, Don’t Go, written by Billy Ray Cyrus and Casey Beathard.  In order to understand the conceptualization process of Ready, Set, Don’t Go, a fair amount of knowledge of the life of its creator, Billy Ray Cyrus, is required.  Billy Ray Cyrus was born on August 25^th, 1961 in Flatwoods, Kentucky, the son of Little League Coach and Steel Mill Worker, later Kentucky State Legislator Ron Cyrus and grandson of Eldon Cyrus, a Pentecostal Preacher.  Billy Ray started singing with his father in the Crownsmen Gospel Quartet when he was five, and in college, decided to give up his goals of being a professional baseball player to sing and write songs for a living.  In 1992, that dream came to fruition, with his first single, “Achy Breaky Heart” topping the country charts and climbing to the #4 spot on the Pop charts, due to its unique country-pop style.  Due to the fun romp of the song, Billy Ray Cyrus’ first album, Some Gave All, spent 34 weeks atop the country charts and 17 weeks atop the Hot Billboard charts, earning Multi-Platinum honors.  Also in 1992, Billy Ray Cyrus married Tish Finley, and was blessed with a daughter, Destiny Hope Cyrus, the first child of that marriage.  Billy Ray released many more albums with Mercury Records, earning six top ten singles, three singles of the year and an album of the year.  After his album of the year, Shot Full of Love, Billy Ray Cyrus and Mercury Records parted ways and the country star went into acting, appearing as the lead in the independent film Radical Jack and having a bit appearance in David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive.  His most famous acting role was Doc, a TV show on PAX where he played Dr. Clint Cassidy, the lead role.  Billy Ray also contributed the show’s theme song and spent the years on the show living in Ontario, far from his Tennessee family.  After finishing the show and releasing his Gospel album, The Other Side, Billy Ray Cyrus decided to make one last album, go on tour one last time, then retire to spend time with his family, feeling that he was missing the childhood of his kids.  However, shortly after returning to Tennessee, Billy Ray’s daughter Destiny Hope, now nicknamed Miley for her frequent smiles, had a surprise.  Having been bitten by the acting bug on a brief visit to Ontario where she played a girl named Kylie in Doc, Miley had successfully auditioned for and gotten the lead role on the newest Disney Channel sitcom, Hannah Montana.  The Cyrus family would have to move to California and they did so, Billy Ray staying behind briefly to tie up some loose ends.  As he saw the U-Haul leaving, his family inside, Billy Ray Cyrus wrote Ready, Set, Don’t Go, and then gave it to his songwriting friend Casey Beathard to refine it.  It was then recorded for Walt Disney Records by Billy Ray Cyrus and placed as the first song on his album for Walt Disney Records, Home At Last.  As a single, the song fared well, like most of Billy Ray’s works, reaching #33 on the charts.  Billy Ray Cyrus, who had been given the role of Miley’s character’s father, performed it acoustically on Hannah Montana, then a duet version of Billy Ray Cyrus and his daughter Miley was performed on Dancing With the Stars.  This version was later released as a single, rocketing to #4 on the Country charts.  Home At Last was re-released with the duet version attached as a bonus track and the duet was also released on the compilation album Country Sings Disney.  The song also received the Most Played Song Songwriter’s Award in 2008.  Billy Ray Cyrus also sang the song at Miley’s 16^th Birthday Party in Disneyland, and the duet version was performed at the Country Music Awards in 2008, as well as the Kids’ Inaugural, a celebration of the election of President Barack Obama, with Miley singing her lyrics differently, having more soul in them.

            What makes Ready, Set, Don’t Go unique?  Well, many elements give the song a truly unique and interesting feel, making it stand apart from other Country songs, or even other Billy Ray Cyrus songs.  Unlike most tracks from Billy Ray Cyrus, the song begins with the haunting sound of a guitar tuning, briefly interrupted by two piano chords.  Soon, the acoustic guitars begin playing their chords, an electric guitar playing in the background.  The lyrics are in Native Ballad form, a form derived from Ballads in Europe, story songs with emphasis on four syllables the first line, three syllables the next, then switching between the two.  In Native Ballad form, emphasis is usually found on eight syllables, then six.  “She’s gotta do what she’s gotta do/and I’ve got to like it or not/She’s got dreams too big for this town and she needs to give them a shot, wherever they are/Looks like she’s already to leave, nothin’ left to pack/Ain’t no room for me in that car, even if she asked me to tag along/God, I’ve gotta be strong.”  The Chorus switches up the form, now using short long with emphasis on the ends of lines.  “She’s at the starting line/ of the rest of her life/ ready as she’s ever been/Got the hunger and/ stars in her eyes/the prize is hers to win/She’s waitin’ on my blessin’s ‘fore she hits that open road/oh, baby get ready, get set, don’t go.”  Unlike the Native Ballads of old, however, Billy Ray Cyrus puts passion into the words, as he always does.  The song is sung with Billy Ray’s voice seeming near heartbreak, during the choruses it almost feels as though Billy Ray Cyrus will burst into tears after singing them.  In the duet, Miley also brings passion, however, she seems fairly excited by contrast.  In the Kid’s Inaugural version, though, Miley brings the passion, but is not excited that her dreams are coming true, instead, she appears to be passionate that she has the chance to sing this song with her father again.  The most surprising things about this song are its lack of what people consider country music, the scope of instruments involved and the fade out ending.  Country Music has been traditionally identified usually as men wearing cowboy outfits, strumming on an acoustic guitar and singing about breaking up.  Billy Ray Cyrus has never been an artist like that.  Sure, he sings about breaking up and has been seen with a cowboy hat and boots, but it is rare to find a song of his without a drum set delivering the rhythm and this song continues the trend, prominent drumbeats occur from the first verse onward.  The scope of instruments in this song is much more vast than traditional country, containing electric guitars, acoustic guitars, a mandocello, drums, keyboard and other percussion.  The audio for this song also sounds crisper than most of his previous albums, something almost magical seems to hang on every note and word, maybe due to the fact that the song was recorded and released by the famous Walt Disney records, who have released amazing musical films and successful albums like their Disneymania series over the years.  The last surprise is the fade out ending.  Like some of Billy Ray Cyrus’ previous works, the song is structured as verse 1-chorus-verse 2-chorus-chorus.  After the last chorus, which ends with Billy Ray’s surprising word painting (where the lyrics match the words being said, i.e.: high if singing about moon, sky or sun) “please don’t go” which is said briefly and to the point without backup instruments, the song slowly continues with only instruments, Billy Ray repeating “she’s gotta do what she’s gotta do,” as well as calling out “don’t go.”  In the duet version, itself a surprise to the already existing song, during this part Miley repeats “let me go now, I’m ready,” and hauntingly calls back “I’ll be all right/I’ll be okay/know that I’ll be thinking of you each and every day.”

            Why did I pick Ready, Set, Don’t Go?  There lies a story almost as old as its conception.  In 1992, “Achy Breaky Heart” was everywhere, and as such, it was easy to hear.  My first recollection of hearing the song was on America’s Funniest Home Videos, then hosted by Bob Saget.  The fun combination of guitar, catchy lyrics and pop dance beat were exciting to a three-year-old as I was.  Over the years, the song was heard again at a roller-skating rink in Lynden and as the parody about electricity on Bill Nye the Science Guy.  Due to the Southern Baritone voice and fun, hip-swinging beat, I thought for years the song had been sung by Elvis Presley, and with none of Billy Ray’s other hits getting so high on the charts, plus a lack of country music in my life, there was nothing to contradict this statement.  Then, in 2006, Destiny Hope “Miley” Cyrus became a household name due to her musically fun and Full House-esque moral show Hannah Montana.  I was someone who got attracted to the show, after all, fun pop music, snappy lines, catchphrases and a guide for a good way to live your life, what more could you want in a television show?  It was then that I discovered Billy Ray Cyrus, who plays Miley’s father on the show in addition to being her father in real life, was the artist of the catchy Achy Breaky Heart from my childhood.  In December 2007, I decided to finally buy the CDs to the show, enjoying hearing the popular songs from the show in full as well as Miley’s first steps to her own career as herself.  Mileymania had hit me hard and I needed more, so I turned to her father’s album, Home At Last, where she was also singing.  The fact that the first track, the above Ready, Set, Don’t Go, was featured on Hannah Montana didn’t hurt, and the album began my now-exceedingly expansive collection of Billy Ray Cyrus albums, all started by the amazing combination of covers and original songs that is Home At Last.  Why was Ready, Set, Don’t Go singled out, then?  Several reasons.  One, I don’t know why Don Von Tress wrote Achy Breaky Heart, and the statement that a singer-songwriter had to be the author of the song eliminated it, Billy Ray Cyrus didn’t write Achy Breaky Heart, but he contributed the catchy words “Achy Breaky” after meeting a friend who was going through a divorce.  Second, Ready, Set, Don’t Go is a newer song, enabling easy track of its performances, I don’t know when Billy Ray Cyrus performed his hits “Some Gave All” or “Stand” as they are not singles.  Third, the song has both Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus.  Both artists are easily capable of producing quality work; most tracks by them received five stars on my iTunes.  However, picking a song only one had sung was difficult, so I picked their only duet single, Ready, Set, Don’t Go.  My opinions about the song are that this is one of Billy Ray Cyrus’ saddest and most passionate pieces, only his cover of Over the Rainbow later in the album and his Acoustic Version of “Some Gave All” from Time Flies pass it in the sadness factor.  Billy Ray Cyrus and Casey Beathard have constructed a masterpiece by which Billy Ray Cyrus will forever be known.  If this song doesn’t make those who only think of Billy Ray as a one-hit wonder change their minds, nothing will.  Forever, this song will remind us that we must hold onto our children as they grow up, as they will leave their parents one day.

Now, some may say “Miley’s failed as a Christian, why pick her still?  And where did Demi come from?”  I don’t know if she’s necessarily failed, I’ve read Dietrich Bonhaeffer’s works, he asked, “do we have a romanticized view of sin, or a more realistic Christian view of sin?”  All have sinned; no one is exempt, no matter how much we desire it.  Miley Ray Cyrus has been selected due to her amazing music, an internal thump from God and to say “God can forgive anyone.”  Miley does pretty well considering, as well, and I love her dedication to stopping cancer, cystic fibrosis and for people to “get their good on.”  I also loved Miley’s book, it shows a very real person who is very kind and very funny.  Demi was added through feeling the same thump, her music, her friendship to Miley and my brother’s girlfriend’s love of them both.  Brandi was included due to a dream involving all three, the same thump and an enjoyment of Frank and Derol's music.  I’ve thought many a time about using Selena Gomez instead of Miley, but what does that say?  That says only the good get forgiveness; that God picks and chooses favorites and doesn’t forgive those who fall, even if they want it.  The idea behind the band is to see a collection of Christian Pop Artists playing Gospel music, since that would be awesome.  If it’s going to happen is mainly up to those involved, but I imagine they’d be a great band, especially if they play their songs as well as Gospel/new songs (especially if the new songs are Pop, Hard Rock and CCM). 

Alternate setlists for the Crowners

Trying to be constructive about this, I made two alternate setlists.

1.)    La La Land (Demi Lovato)

2.)    Let’s Get Together (Frank and Derol)

3.)    When I Look At You (Miley Cyrus)

4.)    These Four Walls (Miley Cyrus)

5.)    Praise You in this storm (Casting Crowns cover, Miley, Demi, Codi and Brandi)

6.)    U Got Nothing on Me (Demi Lovato)

7.)    Spotlight (Miley Cyrus)

8.)    GNO (Miley Cyrus)

9.)    That’s What You Get (Hayley Williams)

10.) Back and Forth (Frank and Derol)

11.) Forgiveness and Love (Miley Cyrus)

12.) Hallelujah (Hayley Williams)

13.) Stained Glass Masquerade (Casting Crowns cover, Miley)

14.) While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Demi and Miley)

15.) Set Me Free (Casting Crowns Cover, Miley Cyrus)

16.) I Want You (She’s So Heavy) (Demi and Miley)

17.) Jesus Freak (DC Talk cover, sung by Miley and Demi)

18.) Party  (Demi Lovato)

19.) Can’t Be Tamed (Miley Cyrus)

20.) Face of God (Billy Ray Cyrus)

21.) Ready Set Don’t Go (BRC and MRC)

22.) Lie To Me (Billy Ray Cyrus)

23.) Here We Go Again (Demi Lovato)

24.) Achy Breaky Heart (Billy Ray Cyrus)

25.) The Climb (Miley Cyrus)

 

1.)    La La Land (Demi Lovato)

2.)    Let’s Get Together (Frank and Derol)

3.)    When I Look At You (Miley Cyrus)

4.)    These Four Walls (Miley Cyrus)

5.)    Praise You in this storm (Casting Crowns cover, Miley, Demi, Codi and Brandi)

6.)    U Got Nothing on Me (Demi Lovato)

7.)    Spotlight (Miley Cyrus)

8.)    GNO (Miley Cyrus)

9.)    That’s What You Get (Hayley Williams)

10.) Back and Forth (Frank and Derol)

11.) Forgiveness and Love (Miley Cyrus)

12.) Hallelujah (Hayley Williams)

13.) Stained Glass Masquerade (Casting Crowns cover, Miley)

14.) While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Demi and Miley)

15.) Set Me Free (Casting Crowns Cover, Miley Cyrus)

16.) I Want You (She’s So Heavy) (Demi and Miley)

17.) Jesus Freak (DC Talk cover, sung by Miley and Demi)

18.) Party  (Demi Lovato)

19.) Can’t Be Tamed (Miley Cyrus) 

20.) Face of God (Billy Ray Cyrus cover) 

21.) I Love Rock and Roll (Miley)

22.) Here We Go Again (Demi Lovato)

23.) Gimme Back My Bullets/Double Trouble/Free Bird (Lynyrd Skynyrd covers medley, Miley and Demi)

24.) The Climb (Miley Cyrus)