Gustav washes out McGraw's Swampstock
Friday, September 5, 2008 – Tim McGraw's Swampstock 2008 was postponed until next year due to the effects of Hurricane Gustav on Louisiana. The Rayville area has experienced more than 20 inches of rain over the last few days as the state has been declared a disaster area by government officials and critical resources are being directed towards relief efforts.
"It's more important for the community to focus on the clean up efforts than putting on a concert right now," said representatives of Neighbor's Keeper Foundation (NKF) who were the presenters of this year's event. "So many people in that area have been affected by the hurricane or have relatives who have been affected and we don't want to detract from the process."
"We have spoken with local officials, and Neighbor's Keeper Foundation wants to lend its support to those relief efforts," said McGraw. "Although Faith and I are personally disappointed, we understand that the priority is people's homes and livelihood in this challenging time. Our prayers are with our friends and neighbors, and God bless them."
NKF's funding for the ongoing programs in the gulf coast region include commitments for the Community Initiatives Foundation in Louisiana and continuing support to the Children's Health Fund in Mississippi.
NKF's commitment in Rayville is a $50,000 donation to Habitat for Humanity of Ouachita for restoring the Rayville community recreation facility.
Fans who purchased tickets should return to that same location for a refund during normal business hours starting Monday, Sept. 8.
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CD reviews for Tim McGraw
Southern Voice
Tim McGraw knows what works for him on a bunch of songs tending to look at the human soul and the choices one makes in life.
The sadness of Good Girls comes through loud and clear in a tail of friendship gone deadly wrong. McGraw gets ultra-introspective on If I Died Today. On the one hand, it's morbid, of course, but on the other, McGraw challenges the listener to consider how they live their lives and want to be remembered.
Forever Seventeen looks at an aging woman still trying to find »»» |
Let It Go
Tim McGraw's massive hit, "Live Like You Were Dying," is both a blessing and a curse. Although it is a tear-jerker nearly impossible to dislike, every ballad he records from now on will be compared to it - and likely pale in that comparison. Nothing here comes anywhere close to the emotional tug of "Live like You Were Dying." In fact, there aren't many "big moment" ballads at all.
But what it lacks in large showstoppers, it more than makes up for with small pleasures. »»» |
Greatest Hits Vol. 2
Tim McGraw may have taken a few stabs at co-writing with his second volume of greatest hits, but he is still mainly known for being a singer of songs. Thus, this album showcases McGraw's taste in musical material more than anything else.
Covering the years between 2001 and 2004, these 16 songs reveal how McGraw has picked a few clear-cut winners along the way. He most certainly knows his way around a tear-jerker, exemplified by "Live Like You Were Dying" and to a lesser degree "Grown Men Don't Cry. »»» |
Editorial: A fine night for Taylor Swift –
Taylor Swift's showing at the Country Music Association awards Wednesday night was no surprise. In some respects, it was invigorating to see someone who was not male and not around umpteen years like some of her male counterparts take home the biggest prize of the night, entertainer of the year. »»»
Concert Review: Radney Foster sparks a revival –
Radney Foster told fans that he came home from the University of the South one weekend early in his college career and told his parents in the wee hours of the morning that he wanted to quit college and head to Nashville to pursue a music career. His parents agreed...fortunately.
Three decades later, that resulted in Foster playing songs on this... »»»
Concert Review: Neko Case overcomes obstacles –
The opening of Neko Case's show was unusual to say the least. "I'm angry right now," said the red head. "We just had a big fight with the promoter. We're going to sing weird, but we're actually very happy to be here."
Making quite clear that she was not a happy camper, Case still channeled her musical energies... »»»
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