MUSIC: "Pray For You"

I have an unhealthy obsession with vengeful break-up songs. Usually such songs are written and performed by a female artist against some guy who wronged her in love. Face it, it's difficult for a male artist to successfully convey this sense of being wronged without coming across as unnecessarily violent or just being a cry-baby. (In the country music genre, for example, I can't see Tim McGraw or Gary Allen having any success with the Dixie Chicks' "Goodbye Earl" or Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats.")

Newcomers Jaron and the Long Road to Love perform this feat with fantastic finesse and grit in their single "Pray For You". Formerly of the early 2000's pop duo, Evan & Jaron, the later of the twin brothers has ventured back to his folk roots with a country album due later this month, Getting Dressed In The Dark. The lead single finds the crushed guy in a quasi-spiritual state, reflecting on how the preacher tells him "we must not condemn," and to "let the good Lord do His job; you just pray for them." With this, the remainder of the song consists of a long list of biting things on his prayer list for this girl who breaks hearts.

"I pray your birthday comes and nobody calls,
I pray you're flying high when your engine stalls,
I pray all of your dreams never come true.
But most of all, I pray for you."

Wouldn't it be nice if all ex's cared so much?

Sergio del Limonar

MUSIC: ACM Victories!!!

The Academy of Country Music (ACM) held its 45th annual awards show last night in Las Vegas, and wouldn't you know it? A whole bunch of our own ZONINO!ed artists and songs were not only nominated, but WON! Maybe the academy is fan of ZONINO! after all...

Congratulations to winners:

- Miranda Lambert for Album of the Year (Revolution), Video of the Year ("White Liar"), and Top Female Performer of the Year.

- Lady Antebellum for Record of the Year (Need You Now), Song of the Year ("Need You Now"), and Top Vocal Group of the Year.

- Carrie Underwood for the Triple Crown Award and the coveted Entertainer of the Year.

MUSIC: "Cowboy Casanova"

Carrie Underwood is a genius. The first single, "Cowboy Casanova," from her third studio album,Play On, is a catchy country-pop confection typical of Underwood's previously released and wildly popular hits. This song becomes ZONINO!-worthy, however, because of it's video.

The song, a man-bashing anthem about a guy who uses and loses women like it's going out of style, will appeal to Underwood's female fan base without a problem. In the video, Underwood tries like an Oklahoma tumble weed catching a good breeze to appeal to the guys. Placing the video in the brothels of either the wild west or the French Quarter of New Olreans and sporting classy yet sexy period costumes inspired by the 1920's and '30's, Underwood and her troupe of fellow dancers choreograph their way through the catchy tune, all the while this said "casanova" lurks about in the shadows.

Bravo, Carrie! Looks like a great start to another year of well deserved awards for you!

Sergio del Limonar