December 17, 2007 -- I'm headed back to Nashville today (connecting through Winnipeg, and Toronto), after filming the video for my next single, "First Time In A Long Time", in Regina, SK. It was an interesting week. I arrived in Regina on Wednesday afternoon, because we were scheduled to shoot the video on Thursday. When I got off the plane in Regina I got an anxious call from the director who said that our cinematographer (the guy who operates the camera), had his passport stolen on a shoot in Jamaica, and would NOT be able to make our video shoot! Tony (the director) found another cinematographer and rescheduled the location and crew, but we weren't able to shoot until Sunday. So, that left me with 3 extra days in a hotel room in Regina to contend with. I tried to make good use of the time, doing in-studio radio station visits in Regina and Moose Jaw on Friday, dividing my time between Tim Hortons and WalMart...not to mention watching the entire 3rd season of "Lost" on DVD. Anyway, I think the shoot will prove to be a great success -- the set looked really cool and we shot a ton of great-looking footage. It was, however, cold. (Even for a Canadian boy like me). It was something like 15 below (celcius) that day, windy, and we were filming on the 2nd floor of a warehouse with no heat in it. There's a lot of standing around on a video shoot, waiting for camera angles to be set up and the scene to be lit, etc,...and there I was performing in a T-shirt! Feels good to be heading back to Nashville today. The video and radio single will be out in January...can't wait for you guys to see/hear it.

September 10, 2007 -- No way. My mom just called and told me that I won SOCAN Songwriter of the Year for "Hold My Beer" (recorded by Aaron Pritchett) at the Canadian Country Music Awards tonight! (She and my dad were home watching the show on TV). I must've said, "You're kidding me!" a half a dozen times. I couldn't go to the award show this year because of Nashville-work commitments, so I was home tonight, working in my home office when I got the call. Within minutes I'm getting voicemails and text messages from my co-writers, various family members, and my pal Don Schlitz (he wrote "The Gambler") -- who was in the audience at the award show, telling me congrats and wondering where I was! Too weird. We truly, truly were not expecting to win. I've never won a CCMA Award before tonight. I won't lie -- it feels good. If anyone who voted is reading this -- thanks so much. I'll see you all soon with a brand-new album of my own!

July 14, 2007 -- Just saw the first "rough cut" of the "Good Time" video. Wow. Although I've never been all that comfortable watching myself on screen, I think it looks really good. Tony (the director) did a great job. There's definitely more "stuff" in this one than in any of my other videos -- a very cool story gets told. What happens now is I have to approve a final version, and then it gets shipped to CMT. We should have a 'video debut' date for you soon!

July 3, 2007 -- Got back late last night from Saskatoon, where we filmed the video for "Good Time", my first single from the upcoming record. I haven't talked about this much till now, but the song is a duet with my buddy Dierks Bentley. With our schedules it was a miracle they got us in the same place at the same time to do the video, but they did! We shot for 2 days, and shot more footage on this one than on any of my other videos. I think we got a lot of really cool stuff on film. (I have to give a shout-out to my friends in Vanscoy and Warman, Saskatchewan, where we shot our scenes -- thanks for all your hospitality). All in all it was a very productive trip -- I did the video, I stocked up on Tim Hortons, and I got to catch up with my friend Johnny Reid (who I ran into at the Winnipeg airport). I know I'm really going to like the look of this video when I see the finished product. We should have it out to CMT by the end of July, and the song will be out to radio shortly after that. Finally!

June 4, 2007 -- What a whirlwind the last few days have been. This past weekend I was in Merritt, BC, where, for the first time, I got to see my star on the Merritt Walk Of Stars. It looks awesome! It's featured prominently there on a major street corner between Paul Brandt and Keith Urban. CMT filmed the unveiling ceremony, and that night and the next, I performed two shows in Merritt. I also got a chance to catch up with some of the other performers there this weekend, like George Canyon and Aaron Pritchett, as well as cool new talents like the Higgins and the Divorcees (to name just a few). I arrived home from Merritt (via Vancouver, then Dallas), at 1 o'clock this morning, and then had an 8: am rehearsal for a gig tonight with Brett and Dierks. (Dierks is doing an acoustic, writers-in-the-round show at the Bluebird here in Nashville tonight. The 3 of us will be the core players and call up other co-writers of his songs -- like Jim Beavers and Tony Martin -- to join us). Anyway, should be a lot of fun, even though I've had 10 hours of sleep in the last 48. Tomorrow I'm doing a "Global Artists Showcase" as part of CMA Music Fest at a club on Lower Broadway here in Nashville. Next week I'll be mastering my new record (which is the final sonic process before manufacture). The week after that, it'll be time to shoot the video for the new single! Sleep is over-rated.

April 7, 2007 -- Well, it's the Saturday before Easter and I'm finally at home after being in the studio working on the new album for the last 6 days straight. I finally got over that bout of laryngitis I had, and got my vocals done this week. I'm tired, but I feel really good about where we are. My friend Russell Terrell came in and put background vocals on the album yesterday, and that's always my favourite part of the recording process -- with background vocals on, these 'recordings' we've been working on start to sound like 'songs'. We mix next week, and I'm looking forward to hearing the results of all of our hard work these last few months. Very cool. OK, I'm going to sleep, now...

March 15, 2007 -- Well, we are 'officially' off and running with recording the new album! (Again). On Tuesday we had our first 'tracking date', and laid down the first 5 songs for the album. The musicians played great, and Brett and I were really feeling good about the way the tracks were sounding. I was a little worried about my voice, though. I was scheduled to sing the songs we were cutting on Wednesday (yesterday), and my voice felt weak (I had been sick all last weekend). Well, I woke up yesterday morning and knew immediately I wouldn't be doing any singing. I went to the doctor and -- I have laryngitis. Nice timing -- no singing for me.
Luckily, I was able to rearrange some studio days and it's all gonna be fine, but...man! Laryngitis? Give me a break! I'll let you know what happens...

January 22, 2007 -- Alright, now it's the middle of the afternoon and I'm backstage (still on Dierks' bus) at the John Labbatt Centre in London, Ontario. Our friend Eric Church can't make the show tonight, and Dierks just called to ask if I'd mind getting up before Doc Walker and filling in for Eric. I said 'of course'! I'll be going up acoustic, just like the last time I played in London with Paul Brandt at Centennial Hall. Anyway, should be fun -- I've been holed up in Nashville lately, working on the new album, so this'll give me a chance to knock the cobwebs off in front of 3,000 people...

January 20, 2007 -- It's 4: PM and I'm sitting on Dierks Bentley's tour bus backstage in Waterloo, Iowa (near Cedar Falls). I was actually invited out on this tour by my buddy Eric Church, to write songs for his next record. (Eric is opening for Dierks on his current 'Locked & Loaded' cross-Canada tour, as are my buddies Doc Walker). Dierks didn't know I was coming out with Eric, and was surprised to find me wandering around backstage in Vancouver. He surprised the audience in Edmonton when he called me onstage to join him on "That Don't Make It Easy Loving Me", (a song on his new album the two of us wrote with Brett Beavers). That was January 11th, I've sung that song with him in every city so far, (except when I had to fly home to Nashville for a few days in the middle of the tour), and I'll sing it again tonight. A couple days ago, Dierks got the idea to add "When You Come Around" to the setlist (he said he used to ride around in his truck and sing harmony to it). We've been rehearsing "When You Come Around" during soundcheck, and for the rest of the Canadian shows, we'll sing it together onstage. I think the audience will get a kick out of it. Even though we've been friends for years and have written a bunch of songs together, Dierks and I have never shared a stage like this -- should be a lot of fun.

November 23, 2006 -- It's 10:30 AM and I just rolled in from Toronto where I attended the 17th annual SOCAN Awards. (Had to catch a 6:25 AM flight back to Nashville -- up at 4:15. 3 hours sleep -- yee-haw)! This is the third year they've honoured me with an award (this was a Country Music Award for "Lot Of Leavin' Left To Do"). What a great evening it was. Jason McCoy was the host of the show (great job, J), and The Roadhammers performed (always great -- I dig those guys. Besides, Chris Byrne is in my "Unbeatable" video...). As SOCAN (The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) represents all kinds of Canadian songwriters, there were folks there from all genres of music. Rock writers like the guys in Finger Eleven, Nickelback, and Sum 41, as well as Avril Lavigne, were honoured. It was a huge night for Jann Arden, who walked away with a literal armful of awards. On the country side, George Canyon, Gordie Sampson, Dean Tuftin, Joel Feeney and I were presented with awards. Songwriters behind hits for the Stampeders, Five Man Electrical Band, Powder Blues Band, and Sweeney Todd received SOCAN Classic Awards, and songwriting greats (and inspirations to me) Jim Vallance ("Summer of '69", "Run To You", "Cuts Like A Knife"), and Gordon Lightfoot ("Sundown", "Carefree Highway", "If You Could Read My Mind") were in the crowd. There were a lot of people there, but it still felt like a tight-knit community. Those accepting awards were real, laid-back, and humble. There has always existed a colourful, musical landscape in Canada, and sitting there in that room I was so proud to be a part of our rich, songwriting heritage.

September 26, 2006 -- Summer's gone! Good thing, too -- I was tired of the heat. Today I'm at home in Nashville, enjoying the cool(er) fall air, and going over the list of songs for my new album. I guess it's a good thing to have too many songs to choose from...but I agonize over decisions like these. To me, songs on an album are very specific snapshots of life -- they're the only windows into my world that country music fans are going to have for the next year-and-a-half -- so I want them to be the right ones. Ah, decisions, decisions. I hope to have the recording process wrapped in the next month or two, and have a new album ready for just after the first of next year. Hope you like it...

January 18, 2006 -- Had supper with George Canyon tonight...he paid.
Nice guy, that George. He's in town for a few days, writing songs for his upcoming album. We finished one, and decided to go grab something to eat. Naturally, I'm thinking 'Longhorn Steakhouse'...this is George, after all. So what did we end up eating? Sushi. Apparently, he's quite the connoisseur. I almost commented on the irony of sitting there eating raw fish with the cattle-raisin' cowboy, but thought better of it. Actually, it was really good -- had I been the one wearing a hat, it would have been off to him!

 December 2, 2005 -- Sometimes in this business you're asked to do things that may seem at first to be outside the normal scope of your daily 'artist activities', but after you do them you're very, very glad you did. Yesterday, Sony artist (and original Nashville Star winner) Buddy Jewell and I went over to the Vanderbilt Cancer Clinic at the Vanderbilt Hospital here in Nashville and sang for some of the patients as they were receiving their chemotherapy treatments. It was something our publishing company (Sony/ATV Tree Music Publishing) had set up, as part of an ongoing "Music In The Clinic" program that the hospital runs. It was awesome. We walked, just the two of us and our guitars, room to room, visiting with folks and playing them songs. The people were so appreciative of us being there. We took turns singing songs, and sang harmony on each others; Buddy sang on mine, and I jumped in on his -- songs like, "Help Pour Out The Rain (Lacey's Song)", and "Sweet Southern Comfort". We took requests, too, and played several covers. I sang Merle Haggard's, "Ramblin' Fever", and Buddy did a killer version of "El Paso" by Marty Robbins. (I couldn't believe he remembered all six minutes of it). We ended up staying a little over three hours, and as someone who has had loved ones pass away after long battles with cancer, I was really moved by the folks we had the opportunity to meet -- brave, inspiring individuals. It was a great day.

October 8, 2005 - Jason McCoy and Dierks Bentley are following me around. It's freaking me out. Last Friday night, I was backstage at the Grand Ole Opry watching Jason make his Opry debut. (He did great). The next night, I was backstage at the Opry as Dierks was inducted as a member. (He, too, did great). On Tuesday I went to see the Road Hammers play the Exit/In here in Nashville (killer show), and we ended up hanging out in the parking lot. On Thursday morning I was sitting at gate C-2 in the Nashville airport waiting on my plane to Dallas when in walks Dierks and the whole Terminally Lonesome Band. (Turns out they, too, were flying to Dallas). Odd, that. Fast forward to Saturday morning and I'm cruising through the lobby of a Marriot hotel in Calgary at eight in the morning, when I hear, "Deric Ruttan"! I turn and look, and it's McCoy, standing there fixing a cup of coffee. (Turns out the Hammers had played in town the night before). What, are these guys kidding me? Leave me alone, already!

September 16, 2005 -- Here I am sitting at my desk in Nashville, fresh in from the 2005 Canadian Country Music Awards. The awards were cool, but I swear they fly by faster and faster every year. This was my third year, and every time I go, I get to know more and more of the people who attend -- fans and industry folks alike. The highlights for me this year were getting to goof-off on camera with Dierks when we introduced Female Artist Of The year, watching the Road Hammers (I love those guys), and riding a mechanical bull with Amanda Wilkinson (more on that later...) Anyway, I should get going. It's Friday night and I have to drive into Nashville. Jimmy Rankin is in town doing some recording, and I'm gonna drop by the studio and play him 2 songs we wrote the last time he was in town. I recorded them on my last 'demo' session and Jimmy has yet to hear them -- hope he likes 'em...I'll let you know what happens!

July 31st, 2005 - Wow - what a show last night. We played the brand new Algonquin Theatre in Huntsville, Ontario, just up the road from my ol' stompin' grounds. There were people there from everywhere. A lot of family and good friends, (some that I hadn't seen in years), and fans that had traveled many hours to get there, driving in from a lot of different places (like Montreal and Indiana to name two)! We played a 90-minute show, which meant the band and I got to really dig in and play almost every song on the album (something I don't usually have the opportunity to do when I play shorter sets). While I spent the majority of the night playing with the band, thrashing my way through the songs on the record and some really fun covers (including ones by Johnny Cash, Steve Earle, and Creedence Clearwater Revival), I broke it down at one point and did a 3-song acoustic set, playing "Angelina", "Promise Broken", and "Tom & Annie". That was a highlight for me. Interesting side note, though - right near the end of "Tom & Annie", in the part of the song where it gets really quiet and intimate and we find out just what the heck is going on in the story - from out of nowhere a piece of equipment in the rafters above center-stage started to leak water - and it dripped right down, hitting me square on top of the head! I actually had to stop (talk about a vibe-buster), move my microphone a foot to the left, and resume the song. Oh, well. It made for a memorable moment. I guess that's show business. Anyway, great night!

July 5th, 2005 -- Talk about planes, trains, and automobiles. OK, maybe just planes and automobiles. I got in late last night after playing two of Canada's biggest country music festivals, Dauphin Countryfest in Dauphin, Manitoba, and Spilchen's Country Fever in Grande Prairie, Alberta. Both events were great and I want to thank everyone who worked so hard behind the scenes to make them run so smoothly. The fans, of course, were awesome! Truly great -- and I want to thank them for waiting in those long lines to meet me after the shows -- it was great to meet each and every one of you! What a whirlwind trip, though. While sitting in the Nashville airport at 6:45 AM on June 30th I ran into Jason McCoy, who was on his way to play Dauphin. I shared the plane ride out of Nashville with Paul Brandt's drummer Brett (who was on his way to Dauphin, too), and the guys in Little Texas (who were on their way to Las Vegas, Utah, and then to the festival in Grande Prairie). I rehearsed with my band in Edmonton late into the night on the 30th, flew to Winnipeg at 8: AM on July 1st, drove up to Dauphin and performed before the screaming thousands there at Countryfest. (I got a chance to catch up briefly with Paul Brandt and his band mates - Steve and Brett - backstage after my set). I slept in Dauphin that night, visited briefly with Big Kenny from Big & Rich in the parking lot of the hotel the next morning (July 2nd), before driving down to Winnipeg to catch the plane back to Edmonton. (Oh, by the way -- 'hello' to the Tim Horton's girls there in Dauphin -- great to meet you guys). When I landed in Edmonton, I immediately began the 5-hour drive up to Grande Prairie, eventually crashing (not literally -- I guess I should say sleeping), in Whitecourt, Alberta. I caught about 7 hours sleep, and then continued on up to Grande Prairie, (it's July 3rd, now) where we played for a very enthusiastic, sun-soaked crowd. We couldn't stay long, though, as I had to be on the radio in Edmonton early the next morning. So, after I had done my show and met about 300 fans, (and as Lee Roy Parnell was onstage), we left and drove back to Edmonton, getting in around 1: AM. At 7: AM the next day (OK, it's July 4th, now), I was in the lobby of the hotel where Ron (my Edmonton record label dude), picked me up to go see our friends at CFCW, and CISN. I also did an interview with Shaw TV. Then it was off quickly to the airport to catch my plane back to Nashville. Waiting to board that same plane when I arrived at the terminal was Little Texas. When we caught our connecting flight in Minneapolis, we were joined on that flight back to Nashville by the guy who plays keyboards in the Steve Miller Band, and John Kay (lead singer for Steppenwolf). What a trip. Needless to say, I slept on the plane.

June 12, 2005 -- Hey everybody -- I'm fresh in from Jamaica! Good to be back on this continent. I'd never been to Jamaica before. (Actually, I'd never been south of Florida before. I don't get off the farm much). Jamaica was a blast, and it was really good to take a 'working vacation' like that and get away for a while. CMT Canada invited me down there (along with Dierks Bentley and Doc Walker) to participate in "Spring Fling". ("Spring Fling" is something they do every year, I think, and it's a contest - fly-away vacation they do for their fans). We were there for a week, and to the contest winners, it was great to get to meet you all. I hope to see you all again at some point out on the road. Besides hanging out with the contest winners at Sandals Ochos Rios, I shot episodes of Chevy Top 20 and CMT Central, and hung out on-air with the Odd Squad from Country 105, Bruce Bowie from CISN, and Stu and Colleen from the New Country 95.3. Dierks, Doc Walker and I also performed an unplugged, guitar pull-style concert on the beach for the contest winners and other resort guests. Chris from Doc Walker had a great idea that all of us (me, Dierks, and Doc Walker), should join in and do an ensemble version of the last song of the night. We decided to do Dierks', "What Was I Thinkin'", and it was really cool -- everybody playing together, bringing the evening to a high-energy finish with a full-throttle (and all acoustic) version of "What Was I Thinkin'". Another highlight of the trip for me were the late-night acoustic jams we did back in my room on Thursday and Friday night. It was cool to hang out in such an informal setting with everybody from our 'Canadian party' that was working so hard down there, playing random songs that we all grew up listening to, way into the middle of the night. Hopefully, I'll have some pictures from the trip up on the site, soon. (Of course, anybody who reads this Journal regularly knows that 'soon' can be a relative term with me, but I'll do my best). Anyway, here I am back in Nashville, with feet firmly planted on Tennessee soil. Which reminds me, I need to go plant something...or maybe cut the grass, one or the other. See you down the road!

March 9, 2005 -- OK, so it's been a while, but at least it's not like July to December!  Let's see...it's 7:15 PM and I'm sitting at my computer.  I have to be at a studio across town in 3 hours to check some mixes of some songs (demo's) that I recorded last week.  It's cold outside.  (Let me clarify that -- it's cold outside by 'Tennessee in March' standards...everything's relative).  I'm ready for spring to hurry up and get here.  A lot of cool things have happened since my last Journal entry.  I've been feeling very creative lately, and writing and recording a lot.  I guess the biggest news is that I have a new single out at radio in Canada!  It's called, "Take The Wheel", and it's been out for about 2 weeks now.  It's the fourth single from my debut CD, and I'm glad it's out there.  I had forgotten this, but way back when my record label and I were deciding which song to release as my debut single, it was between "When You Come Around" and "Take The Wheel".  We decided to go with "When You Come Around", and I always hoped that "Take The Wheel" would be a single too, at some point.  I'm really looking forward to playing it with my band -- it's a great live song.  We shot a cool video for it (in Phoenix, Arizona), which will be shipped to CMT Canada very soon.  The other big news is that in January Dierks Bentley released a song that he, Brett Beavers and I wrote called, "Lot Of Leavin' Left To Do".  We wrote the song last summer, when Brett and I hopped a bus and headed out on the road to write with Dierks.  "Lot Of Leavin' Left To Do" was written sitting on the bus behind the stage at a Fair in Adrian, Michigan, where Dierks was doing a show with Trace Adkins.  It turned out great, and I'm really happy (obviously) that they decided to release it as the first single from his new CD, Modern Day Drifter (due out in May, I think).  They did a video, too, (which is pretty funny).  Well, I need to head over to the studio soon.  Till next time!

Dec. 10, 2004 - OK, there it is! A record for longest time between Journal entries -- 5 months!!! (Good thing I write songs more often than I write Journal entries)! 3 days ago I arrived back home to Nashville from the "This Time Around" tour with Paul Brandt. (And I must say, I got a lot of grief from fans and friends at radio alike for my lack of Journal entries of late.but I guess I can't blame 'em)! The tour was a raging success. In the 6-and-a-half weeks we were gone, we put 11,400 miles on the bus. We played 35 shows in 31 towns and cities, most of which were sold out. We played some awesome venues -- some were old, some were new, but all were filled with passionate country music fans. (In 6-and-a-half weeks we played for over 33,000 people)! I went out front and met fans personally after each of my shows on this tour. I always enjoy that part of it, and I continue to be inspired by the stories that people share with me, stories of how a particular song I've written has affected them in some way, and meant something to them, personally. Another great thing about this tour for me, was that we didn't just hit the major cities. The 'This Time Around' tour had us going into places like Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Fort Saint John, British Columbia, and Orillia, Ontario, (to name a few) - small towns that often get missed on major tours, but have fans every bit as passionate as the bigger places. It was a thrill to meet that many fans from all across Canada. Those of you who were at any of the shows know that I performed acoustically on this tour, just me and my guitar. While I usually prefer to perform with a band, there's always something cool that happens when you strip all that away and hear the songs in their raw form, as they were written - one voice and one guitar. Paul and his band and crew were all great to travel with, too. We were all soon fast friends. Paul and I have been in this business roughly the same amount of time, so we had lots of stories to share out there on the road. I mean, he and I have known each other for 2 or 3 years now, but you tend to learn a lot more about someone when you travel with them in quarters as close as a tour bus. I guess it'd be like being roommates with someone in a VERY small, VERY long, narrow one-room apartment.and not being able to leave for a month-and-a-half. Makes for some interesting conversations. We had fun, and many memories were made, both onstage and off. Well, that's it for now. Merry Christmas, everybody - see you in '05!

Monday, July 5, 2004 - Got back yesterday from two really cool gigs. One of the benefits of this job, for me, is when you get to travel around and work in some really beautiful, pristine places. On July 1st I was in Toronto doing a Canada Day show with Aaron Pritchett, Jason McCoy, Jimmy Rankin, Aaron Lines, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, and Paul Brandt. The stage was set up a stone's throw from the Lake Ontario shoreline, and the weather was perfect -- sunshine and blue skies, with sailboats out on the water. On July 2nd I flew to Colorado to play a show with Steve Azar, The Meeker Range Call Fair and Rodeo, in Meeker, Colorado. (This year marked the 119th annual Range Call by the way -- it's the oldest Rodeo in Colorado, and the 2nd or 3rd oldest in the US)! The drive up to Meeker was great -- lots of wide open spaces -- mostly sheep and cattle country. The concert took place on a Baseball Field, and the stage was set up over home plate, facing the crowd, who were seated in the infield and outfield. Behind the crowd (and facing the band) was a very picturesque mountain range. As we took the stage, the sun was just starting to set, touching down on the tops of those mountains. Beautiful. I love this job!

June 12, 2004 - I'm home in Nashville today and we're having one of those sudden, raging, spring/summer storms. Since there's lightning cracking all around me, I thought it would be a great time to work online at my computer. (I've never claimed to be the sharpest knife in the drawer...) Anyway, speaking of summer (which I guess we kind of were), I'm anxious to get out there performing -- I've got some great festivals lined up in July and August in Canada. I'm getting my band together, and for the first time in my career, I have merchandise that I'll be bringing to my shows -- 3 styles of T-shirts, hats, stickers, key chains...all the stuff my manager says I need! (I just write the songs...) Anyway, the company we hired to develop the merchandise is great, and they've done a wonderful job -- the stuff looks awesome. People will also be able to buy the merchandise not only at concerts but also through our Online Store, which is coming soon to the Site. By the way, I'm also rea*&H$#EWI#PG!?! ...whoa. That lightning was a little close. See you later.

May 11, 2004 -- It's a beautiful day in middle Tennessee. This morning I was on my way somewhere in my truck and decided to take the long way -- there and back -- because it was so nice out. May might be my favorite month in Tennessee. Getting plenty warm by day, and the nights can still be cool. Everything is so alive. Vegetation and wildlife are out in full force. The sun shines down on rolling hills and green fields. Driving the meandering two-lanes out near where I live is a great way to get away (without really getting away). Speaking of which...I'm out of here.

March 11, 2004 - Just got back to Nashville from Toronto. Had a great week in Ontario -- it's always good to get back to the old stompin' grounds. I visited some radio stations, played some gigs (including great ones at the Little Big Horn in Cambridge and the El Mocambo in Toronto), dropped by CMT Central, and taped some TV interviews, including one for CTV. Oh yeah, the band and I also performed on the Canadian Radio Music Award show, along with rock and pop acts like FeFe Dobson, Three Days Grace, and Shaye. To top it all off, I won a C.R.M.A. for Best New Group or Solo Artist (Country)! I was blown away. Who knew?

March 3, 2004 - I've had a good couple of days. Yesterday CMT Canada was in town (Nashville) and Elissa and the crew came out to my place and taped a bunch of stuff for an upcoming CMT Central special. We had a lot of fun stomping around my farm seeing what kind of trouble we could get into...should make for an interesting show! It's CRS (Country Radio Seminar) week here in Nashville, and today, I was at what's called the "Artist Taping Session". That's where artists ranging from Hank Williams Jr., to...well...me, line the walls of a convention center ballroom in little booths. Radio stations from across the country then line up in front of each artist's booth, and wait their turn in line in order to record "liners". A liner is when an artist says something like, "Hi, I'm Deric Ruttan, and you're listening to...(insert name of radio station here)." I was sitting there in my booth surrounded by other artists, most of whom (with the exception of Brian McComas) were in bands. Well, I got lonely. A radio person was just about to get a liner from Rushlow when, at the appropriate time, I leaned over and chimed in, "Hi, we're Rushlow" right along with the guys. 'That was fun,' I thought, and the guys invited me to do a few more. Eventually I decided to work my way down the line. Next up -- SHeDAISY. I traded seats with Kassidy (she said, "O.K., I'll go be Deric Ruttan for a minute"), I took her chair, and Kristyn, Kelsi and I said, "Hi, we're SHeDAISY." I thought we sounded good, but Kristyn felt that people listening might wonder why Kassidy's voice had dropped an octave. Oh, well, I thought. I'm movin' down the line, sistahs! I bypassed my label-mates Rascal Flatts (I'll come back to them), and came to my next victims -- Emerson Drive. I slapped Brad on the back and said, "I wanna be in Emerson Drive for one of these." He held the copy up for me to see, the radio guy held up the microphone, and we all said, "Hi, we're Emerson Drive." I continued to read the paragraph that followed, (as if I was Brad)...but much like the whole SHeDAISY/Kassidy thing, I think the fans who hear it might notice. The guys in Emerson Drive and I rapped about our home and native land for a while, (Tim Horton's, etc.), and then I was on to Rascal Flatts. This "being in a band" stuff is cool, I thought. Pausing briefly behind those Rascals as they were about to record their liner, I said, "Hi, we're Rascal Flatts", and just kept on walkin'. For that brief, shining moment, Rascal Flatts was a quartet. And that's how for one day of my life, I was a member of Rushlow, Emerson Drive, Rascal Flatts, and SHeDAISY...and I didn't even have to learn any new songs!

February 24, 2004 - Just wanted to let everyone know that we have just added a new feature to the site. The Official Deric Ruttan Message Board is finally up and running! Click on any of the Message Board links throughout the site to visit the Message Board and post your messages. (I was just on there and posted message #1...)

February 23, 2004 - I'm at home in Nashville today (and I'm supposed to be writing a song), but instead I'm writing this Journal entry. I'm excited about my upcoming trip to Canada. I've been nominated for a Canadian Radio Music Award (based on radio airplay) for my first single, "When You Come Around". I've been asked to perform "When You Come Around" at the taping of the award show, too, which should be really cool. (I believe 5 or 6 artists are performing -- I'm the only country artist). After that, on March the 6th, I'm performing at the El Mocambo in Toronto as part of a show sponsored by CMT during CMW. Also performing on the show are Gil Grand, The Wilkinsons, and Luther Wright and the Wrongs! Should be a fun night -- I go on at 10:PM. OK, now I really do need to go and write a song...

Monday, February 16, 2004 - Hey guys, sorry it's been a while. I knew it was time to make a journal entry when I started receiving threatening email from friends and family ("Dude -- your last entry was November...") Anyway, as those of you who are members of my online fan club already know, January and February in Nashville always seem to me to be a time of preparation. People are putting together their spring and summer touring schedules, people are writing songs and recording. Well, that's what I've been doing these last two months. Preparing for '04. My booking agents are lining up some cool gigs for the summer months, and I can't wait to get out there playing again. I've been writing a lot of songs recently, too, and recording demos of those songs. That's been a lot of fun, as I didn't spend much time at all in the studio in 2003. Some of the songs I have myself in mind to sing -- others I intend to pitch to other artists. I'm also planning a trip back to Toronto, Ontario for Canadian Music Week -- on March 6th my band and I are playing a gig at The El Macombo (I hope I spelled that right)! I think I'm also doing an interview for CTV. Anyway, there's a lot going on right now, and I know it's going to be a great year! 'Till next time!

November 20, 2003 - Got back today from a great gig last night in Rochester, NY. I played in a guitar pull with Blue County, Amy Dalley, Tracey Lawrence, Billy Currington, and Josh Turner. Man - what a crowd! 2,000 of the most enthusiastic country music fans you've ever seen! I felt very welcome and wanted, especially when I learned that a group of Rochester RuttanFans had been outside the doors of the Dome Arena (in the rain) waiting to get in since 9: 00 AM that morning (the doors didn't open 'till 7:00 PM)! They had "Welcome Deric" signs and gifts! I got to have a Meet & Greet with them before the show and thank them for waiting around all day for the concert to start (in the rain!) Two words -- Rochester Rocks!

September 29, 2003 - Some of you may have heard that the Dierks Bentley tune, "What Was I Thinkin'", (co-written by me, Dierks, and Brett Beavers), went to # 1 on the Billboard and R & R charts last week. Well, today we had the # 1 party at Sony/Tree. Unbelievable! It was good to see Dierks again - the last time I saw him was at our gig together in Phoenix.) He, Brett, and I were all on hand to accept our awards from Sony/Tree (our publisher), ASCAP and BMI. Jake the dog even made a rare appearance (but received no awards - a huge oversight if you ask me).
Having a song you created go all the way to # 1 on the charts is a rare thing for most songwriters.many writers have brilliant, successful careers and never experience it. This has been, (with the exception of the day I made my debut on the Grand Ole Opry), the biggest day of my professional life - I'm a lucky man.

September 12, 2003 - Wow, what a week! Just got back to Nashville after spending the last 10 days in Alberta at CCMA Week -- and it was quite a whirlwind. We spent 3 days on the front end of the trip as "tourists," and one day we drove west on Highway 1 through the Rockies to Kelowna, BC. I hadn't made that drive in over a decade and it was awesome...I love the mountains. There were several small forest fires burning, we could see the smoke from the road, and sometimes it obscured the views of the mountains...my prayers go out to the folks who live in those areas. From there it was back to Calgary where I spent my first CCMA Week as an artist with a song on the radio. It was bizarre to have people come up to me and know me when I didn't know them...they recognized me from the "When You Come Around" video. The week was a flurry of activity. Gigs at Fanfest, doing CMT interviews, radio interviews, performing at the Presidents Dinner and the Awards show (the shortest gig of my life...45 seconds)! It was a good week and I met a lot of great people at Fanfest, and all over Calgary over the course of the week. The day after the Awards show was a historic day in my life...my album was released in Canada! We drove up to Edmonton for the first of two Album Launch parties with Doc Walker!! I want to thank everyone who came out to Cook County Saloon for our show -- I appreciate the support! The next night we drove to Ranchman's in Calgary for another Album Launch party. Again -- great people...Alberta Rocks! Thanks to everyone who came out and bought the album -- I sold a lot more than I imagined I would. Who knew? I can't wait to go back.

On a somber note, this morning at the hotel when I got up to go to the airport, I turned on CNN. On the screen was a picture of Johnny Cash, with the word "Farewell" written underneath. Johnny Cash died today. It seems like I've been aware of Johnny Cash ever since I can remember. In 1992 I ran through the January snow in Timmins, Ontario to see him do a concert. In 1994, when the first CD in his "American Recordings" series came out, my interest in him was renewed and I became a huge fan. While I never met the man he was a great inspiration to me as a singer, a songwriter, and as a man. While I was filled with sadness this morning when I learned of his death, that feeling was almost immediately replaced by one of relief, (because I knew he had been ill and in physical pain before his death), and peace, as I was sure that Johnny was reunited with his wife, June, who passed away in May. I'm sure Johnny is happier today than he was yesterday. My prayers go out to the Cash and Carter families.

September 1, 2003 - Well, here I am writing when I need to be packing! It's almost 10:30 PM, and my plane leaves in less than 14 hours for Calgary. The CCMA Awards aren't 'til Sept. 8th (I'm performing on the show), and my album comes out in Canada on the 9th, but I'm goin' up there early to spend a few days chillin' out in the mountains before all the fun starts!

Last week we were on the road out west. Met some great, great people out there. Played a show in Dallas for The Wolf at the Dallas Market Hall (remember the Disco Ball?), and had a blast. I love Texas. Heard "When You Come Around" on the car radio as we were driving back to the hotel (it was on that day's all-request Top 20 Countdown -- it was # 15). Next up was Salinas, California. (We connected through San Francisco, and I saw Sean Penn in the airport.) On the way to the Salinas gig we rode in a Hummer limo -- that was a new one for me! Anyway, when we got to Salinas we played the Rodeo for KTOM. It was my first time ever playing a rodeo. The people were great -- I wish we could have played longer. Then, it was out of the Hummer and into a rental van to drive the 2 or 3 hours south along 101 to Santa Ynez, California to The Maverick Saloon. This was an awesome gig. Scott and I got to play for an hour, and the folks who were there were one of the best audiences I've ever had. Attentive, appreciative, and very into what I was doing. Also the countryside there is beautiful. My thanks to Krazy Country for promoting that show. The next morning we hopped a plane to Phoenix where we were booked to play a show with KNIX's Tim and Willy, and my ol' pal Dierks Bentley. Dierks and I hadn't seen each other in months (although we'd caught up on the phone a time or two), and it was a great reunion. We played songs acoustically back and forth (3 or 4 apiece) in front of a live audience, Tim and Willy did a couple, and then Dierks and I (we traded verses back and forth) sung "What Was I Thinkin'", his hit song that's out right now (that we wrote with Brett Beavers). After the show we signed some autographs, but had no time to sit and catch up as Scott and I had to haul it to the airport so as not to miss our flight back to Nashville. It was a great time! Well, that's all I got. Thanks for all your video votes and radio requests, and I'll catch you down the road!

August 18th, 2003 - Howdy! A lot has been happening. First off, I hope you guys like the new look of the site -- we finally got some pictures up in the photo gallery! In performance news, I did the Opry again the other night -- what a thrill...again! It was a surreal experience, just like my debut in July. What can top that? I also did an acoustic songwriter round with some good friends/co-writers of mine at the Bluebird Cafe here in Nashville -- had a blast, I hadn't played there in almost 3 years. On Saturday night I took my band down to Springville, Alabama (just east of Birmingham), and met a lot of great people there at "Springfest '03" (Look! A giant cow!...guess you had to be there...) I want to thank Brian Driver and WZZK for inviting us and putting on a great show. Up next are shows in Dallas, TX, Salinas, CA, Santa Ynez, CA, and Phoenix AZ (the Phoenix gig is at KNIX with my buddy, Dierks Bentley. Speaking of Dierks, his debut album comes out tomorrow -- everybody go buy it! It features a song he and I and another buddy, Brett Beavers, wrote, called "What Was I Thinkin.'" The three of us also wrote another song on his album called, "Distant Shore"...I know Dierks would thank you for pickin' up a copy!) I'm looking forward to my own album launch (in Canada), at The Cook Country Saloon in Edmonton, Alberta, September 9th. I'm bringin' my band, and we're gonna have a big time! Doc Walker is playin', too! Well, that's all I got. (Plus, I'm really tired...not enough coffee...) Hope to see some of you out there on the road. I want to thank those of you who've been calling the radio stations requesting "When You Come Around", and voting for the video online -- I appreciate your support! We have to keep it up -- I'm counting on you! Peace!

July 22, 2003 - Found out today that I've been nominated for a "Rising Star Award" by the CCMA (Canadian Country Music Association)! I truly cannot believe it. The "Rising Star Award" is for Best New Artist, and with "When You Come Around" being so new, I didn't even think about being nominated - I thought it was way too soon for me. The CCMA Awards will be broadcast September 8th, 2003, on CMT in the US, and on CBC in Canada. It is a huge honor just to be nominated, and I can't wait to go. I'm humbled, and very thankful.

July 20th, 2003 - This past weekend, July 18th and 19th, I made my debut on the Grand Ole Opry! It was a surreal, exciting, and terrifying experience! To stand on that stage where so many legends have stood.is feeling is indescribable. The first night, (Friday), I remember Little Jimmy Dickens introducing me, and I remember stepping into that famous circle of wood at center stage.and then it's basically all a blur! I came off stage after performing my two songs and fell to my knees - the emotion of that moment was so overpowering. I have more of a memory of Saturday night (just as excited, not as nervous!) It was an unforgettable experience and I want to thank the Opry again for having me. I can't wait to go back.

July 14, 2003 - Hi everyone! Just got back from doing some acoustic, in-studio listener shows at WGH in Virginia Beach, VA, and WBEE in Rochester, NY -- had a blast in both places. Some career firsts on this trip.I got asked to sign a woman's blue jeans, and I got to open for a steel drum band! (It was sort of a Caribbean-Hillbilly kind of night.) I want to thank Mark McKay at GH and Nanette at BEE for conducting great interviews, and the listeners who showed up for making us feel so welcome -- I met some great people. Thanks for all the great compliments you had for "When You Come Around"! I'm already looking forward to coming back!

July 7, 2003 - Found out today that my video jumped from 14 to 11 on CMT Canada's "Chevy Top 20". WOW! Go Canada!

July 2, 2003 - Found out today from my record label that "When You Come Around" has entered the Top Ten in Canada! Wow - they tell me that doesn't happen this fast this often - at least with a debut artist. I couldn't be happier about it. My thanks to my friends at radio across Canada, and to all the listeners who've been calling and requesting "When You Come Around" - I really appreciate it!

July 1, 2003 - Hey everybody! Happy Canada Day! I have to tell you about some great new radio stations that are now playing, "When You Come Around". They are: KZLA in Los Angeles, CA, KJUG in Tulare, CA, KKAT in Salt Lake City, UT, KIXZ in Spokane, WA, WKKT in Charlotte, NC, WNKT in Charleston, SC, WXTU in Philadelphia, PA, WNCY in Green Bay, WI, WEZL in Charleston, SC, WGH in Norfolk, VA, WIVK in Knoxville, TN, WSOC in Charlotte, NC, WKCQ in Saginaw, MI, WIRK in West Palm Beach, FL, and KXKT in Omaha, NB! Thanks for all your support, and thanks to all the listeners that have been phoning in!

June 27, 2003 - Bill (my manager) gave me some great news this morning. I've been invited to have my debut performance on the Grand Ole Opry!!! I was speechless (for a change) when he told me - it was overwhelming. What that invitation means to a new artist is beyond words. To think, 9 years ago I sat in the audience there at the Opry with my parents (before I moved to Nashville), and now I'll be performing on that stage.the same stage that countless country music legends have performed on for over 75 years.pretty incredible.

June 20, 2003 - Found out today that CMT will be adding the "When You Come Around" video next Wednesday, and they'll be featuring it in their "Hot Shot Debut" category. Very cool - GAC has been playing the video for quite some time now, as has CMT Canada - I'm so glad they like it! I personally want to extend my thanks to all the video channels for embracing my debut video - your support means a lot to me. AND a big thanks to everybody who has been requesting the video -- keep up the good work!!

June 14, 2003 - My friends, this morning I woke up at 4:30 AM on a bench in the Denver airport. Why, you ask? Because yesterday Scott and I missed our connection from Burbank back to Nashville, and were stranded in Denver! (I'll spare you the comedy of errors that was our day.) I will, however, let you in on a travel secret.the benches there in Denver (the ones just before you go through security), are remarkably comfortable! (Or maybe I was just remarkably tired.)

June 13, 2003 - Scott and I flew back out to Los Angeles to perform in 'Studio Z', on the morning show with Peter and Buzz at KZLA. Had a blast, and Peter and Buzz were great! I want to thank the listeners there at KZLA who hung out with us in-studio and also thanks to RJ and Tonya for inviting us. After we left KZLA we drove to Carl Bean House (a hospice for people living with HIV and AIDS), and did a short performance for residents there. It was a very moving experience and I was really glad we went - everybody was so appreciative of us making the time to come and play for them. R & B artist Brian McKnight performed as well.

June 11, 2003 - Found out today that this week "When You Come Around" jumped from # 35 (where it debuted) to # 19 on the Canadian Country Music Chart! I can't believe it -- I'm truly overwhelmed by the support that they're giving me.

June 10, 2003 - Yesterday my single, "When You Come Around" was released to radio here in the US. My thanks to all the stations that picked it up! They are: WCTO in Bethlehem, PA, WPUR in Atlantic City, NJ, WCAT in Elizabethtown, PA, WKXC in Augusta, GA, WGNE in Daytona Beach, FL, WFBE in Flint, MI, WWQM in Madison, WI, WGKX in Memphis, TN, KBQI in Albuquerque, NM, KRST in Albuquerque, NM, KQFC in Boise, ID, KATM in Modesto, CA, KTOM in Salinas, CA, KBUL in Reno, NV, KUBL in Salt Lake City, UT, KDRK in Spokane, WA, and KOYT in Tucson, AZ!

June 8, 2003 - Hey guys - had more great radio visits last week out west. We were in Portland, OR, Salt Lake City, UT, (where we had great on-air interviews at both KSOP and KUBL), San Diego, CA, Riverside, CA, Los Angeles, CA, and Phoenix, AZ. I love the west. I could live out there someday.

June 7, 2003 - Even though my new song "When You Come Around" doesn't come out here in the US for a couple of days, I want to thank some great radio stations for thinking enough of it to add it early to their playlists! Thanks to: KSOP in Salt Lake City, UT, WBEE in Rochester, NY, WPCV in Lakeland, FL, KXKC in Lafayette, LA, and WQHK in Fort Wayne, IN!

May 28-30, 2003 - Had some great radio station visits -- Washington DC, Baltimore, MD, Ephrata, PA, Harrisburg, PA, Cleveland, OH, and Akron, OH. I want to send out a big 'hey' and 'thanks for listening' to the listeners of WRBT in Harrisburg. I met some great folks when we did a performance at the Penn National Racetrack (I opened for the horses - they were very polite). I also want to say 'hello' and thanks to the folks in Akron for coming out and seeing me play in-studio there at WQMX. I hope you had as good a time as I did. Also thanks to the staff at WQMX for putting on a quality event.

May 16, 2003 - Off the bus and onto the plane - bound for Niagara Falls, NY for another showcase for radio. Actually, it was in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario (my home province!) We had a great showcase and a great time there at a cool Bed & Breakfast called 'The Pillar & Post'. The next morning on the way to the airport I had my first ride in a limousine, which was kind of weird. (I mean, let's face it, I would have been more comfortable in an '89 Ford truck or something.that's just more my style.)

May 12-16, 2003 - I love the road. I love the way the engine rumbles and the tires hum as you roll on down that ribbon of highway bound for parts known and unknown. This week we hit stations in Huntsville, AL, Chattanooga, TN, Augusta, GA, Greenville, SC, Charlotte, NC, Columbia, SC, Charleston, SC, Fayetteville, NC, and Raleigh, NC. We had some great food, met some great people, and had a great time on the bus. We even did an impromptu performance-and-interview on the air in Fayetteville (WKML). That was a blast.

May 11, 2003 - Flew back to Nashville, was home for about 6 hours (long enough to do laundry and call my Mom for Mother's Day), and then hopped on a bus headed for Huntsville, AL.

May 10, 2003 - New Orleans showcase - and had some more great food after, at Emeril's restaurant! The showcase was at Hotel Monaco. It has a great vibe -- I recommend it if you're ever in New Orleans.

May 9, 2003 - Flew to Dallas, TX, got off the plane for a station visit, then back on a plane to New Orleans, LA. Scott and I went out and hit some great restaurants in the French Quarter, like The Acme Oyster House, The Gumbo Shop, and Café Du Monde.

May 8, 2003 - Radio visits in Oklahoma City, OK, and Tulsa, OK. Got out of Oklahoma City 30 minutes before the tornado hit!

May 7, 2003 - Today we're in Wichita, Kansas, visiting radio stations. It's just me and my friend Scott Neubert, (who I've hired to play guitar, dobro, and sing harmony vocals for me), and my 'regional'. (My representative from my record label.) Hey - did you know Wichita has more sunny days per year than any other city in the US? The things you learn out here.

May 2, 2003 - And it begins.today we fly to Chicago, and begin my radio tour. We've got a showcase at the House Of Blues for some radio folks. I won't pretend I'm not nervous.

April 22, 2003 - Got my first look at the 'rough cut' of the video today. Trey (Fanjoy, the director) did a great job of putting it all together! It's wild how you spend 13 hours on set and shoot 12 reels of film -- all for a 3 and a half-minute song. Hopefully the video channels will like it.

April 11, 2003 - Today we filmed the video for "When You Come Around". Some cool (to me) facts about the video? It was shot at the Cadillac Lounge and The Gladstone Hotel, both on Queen Street in Toronto. My brother Matt and his band (they're called Meraudio) played my band in the video (Matt played the red electric guitar.) The actress who played my 'love interest' in the video actually had an allergic reaction during filming (not to me, I hope), and we weren't sure if she'd be able to finish all her scenes. (Sorry Melanie, couldn't resist!) It was a long day (13 hours for me, longer for the crew), but man, what a rush! There were probably between 40 and 50 people there - cast and crew combined. It was a weird feeling, to have that many people there - all for me, all to make my video happen. Surreal.