With the announcement of the seven show Country Mega Ticket today at Cruzan Amphitheatre, this year promises more country music locally than ever!

Following some incredibly satisfying entertainment at the South Florida Fair — I saw Luke Bryan, David Nail and Chris Young — we have a brand new festival at Cruzan and the South Florida Fairgrounds.

The first- even WIRK Rib Round-Up kicks off the season on March 6, promising sweet and spicy ribs and extra-tasty entertainment.

Billy Currington is the biggest name on the bill. His second Billboard No. 1, People Are Crazy, topped the chart last summer. Also performing: Vero Beach’s Jake Owen, Darryl Worley, American Idol’s Josh Gracin and newcomer Josh Thompson.
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Here’s a surprise:

Toby Keith wants to make you mad.

Keith just released an animated music video for his current single, American Ride, a rocking uptempo portrait of America, and not the most flattering picture.

He says he “loves the American ride,” but the video is highly critical of a plethora of American “virtues,” including watching “Desperate Housewives,” immigration, Wall Street, the Presidency — both Bushes’ and Obama’s — beauty queens, plastic surgery, gas prices. The list goes on.

The video is animated using a process like Flash cartoon animation, similar to the popular JibJab ‘toons.

Here’s the link on CMT:

Keith doesn’t care who he offends — he’s an equal opportunity offender. Of course, anyone who disagrees or criticizes him is a “hater.”

I’m all for music that addresses social problems or protests the state of affairs — I grew up in the late 60s when that was popular. I knew the words to Where Have All the Flowers Gone by the time I was 8.

But this video doesn’t seem to have much of a point. Like I’m not sure if he’s against the ozone buring, or whether he thinks it’s just hype.

I’m actually a little surprised the video made it past the censors.

I’m also sure this will be one of those you-either-love-it-or -you-hate-it videos, not unlike Keith.

But at least you’ll feel alive!

A kinder, gentler Toby Keith?

No drinking, fighting or political songs?

It’s true he’s released three consecutive love songs (”She Never Cried in Front of Me”, “God Love Her” and “Lost You Anyway”) to country radio, but don’t worry.

He says “America’s Toughest Tour” with Trace Adkins, coming to Cruzan Amphitheatre on Saturday, will live up to its name.

“We’re back on track,” Keith said from his tour bus. “My next single, American Ride, is an up-tempo hard and heavy hitter,” but fans will have to wait until October for the new album.

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If Trace Adkins is remembered for “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk”, his tribute to the female derriere, that’s OK, he says.

“Hey, I just hope they remember me for something.”

But that would be a tremendous oversimplification of an artist who has more layers than a wedding cake.

His 10th album, X, released in November, may be his best work. It shows his depth, musically, emotionally, lyrically and vocally.

From “Muddy Water”, the gospel-tinged up-tempo first single, to the hilarious “Marry for Money”, to the super-serious ballad “Till the Last Shot’s Fired,” where he’s joined by the West Point Cadet Glee Club, it’s a rocky ride.

Listen to Janis’ interview with Trace Adkins:

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