July is here.  Can you believe it?  Lots of people tend to take vacation this week because of the 4th of July – picnics, parties, and lots of fireworks, celebrating 236 years of Independence.  We’re winding down our vacation this week, but at least we get to stay and celebrate with my brother and his wife, who always throw a wicked 4th of July party each year.  Hopefully I won’t be partying too hard since we’ll be hitting the road early the next morning for the first leg of our trip back to PA.  We’ll see how that goes.

This week’s Monday’s Music Moves Me theme is of course Patriotic Songs in honor of the 4th of July.  Let’s start off with a beautiful love song to our country, acknowledging the good with the bad in between a message of resilient unity, with descriptions of land stretching out to the West that hint at the glory our forefathers must have seen.  Here’s Dierks Bentley with “Home”:

Next up is a song that reminds us how lucky we are to live in a country where so much is possible.  Listening to this definitely makes me proud to be an American.  Here’s Brooks and Dunn with “Only In America”:

Next is my all-time favorite male country star whose patriotic sing-along cites ingredients that make up the American melting pot. At its core, this is really about our similarities and what brings our country together.  Here’s my boy Brad Paisley with “American Saturday Night”:

While I’m not a huge fan of hers, I do love some of her songs and music, and this next video was made to pay tribute to one of the artists favorite films, Grease (1978), and her parents’ courting days.  So we’ll go with it – here’s Miley Cyrus with “Party In The USA”:

Of course you can’t have a slew of patriotic songs without this next one.  Toby Keith got a lot of grief over writing this song, and talking about “putting a boot in your ass, it’s the American way.”  It was written after the 9/11 incident, and helps us remember that there are men dying so we can sleep at peace each night. Here he is with “Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue (The Angry American)”:

What are your plans for the 4th of July?  Enjoy your Monday!

Now on to the particulars of Monday’s Music Move’s Me:

Photobucket

I have the supreme honor and privilege of being a co-host with the inimitable Xmas Dolly and her cohorts in crime, Lorie of The Shewbridges of Celebration, Florida, Callie from JAmericanSpice, and our newest permanent fixture to the hostessing team, welcome Cathy from Cathy Kennedy’s Blog. Also for the month of July, we have the honor of welcoming back our friend Larry from Cakeblast who is generously helping out with our hosting duties.

Want to join in the fun? It’s easy – just find a tune that rocks your boat, post it and link up – don’t forget to grab Xmas Dolly…er, um, I mean her button…over at her place here. Check out Xmas Dolly’s sidebar for the random themes we sport each week – and you can always ask for a specific theme of music you like, too. Check out the other music lovahs and let’s jam!

Spotlight Dancers
INTRODUCING OUR “SPOTLIGHT COUPLE”:

 

Since I’m on the road, I wasn’t able to highlight our wonderful Spotlight Dancers here as I usually do, but they will be in the first two slots in the linky below – be sure to stop by and offer congrats for their Spotlight Dance!

 

APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!

 

Special Announcement:


Our awesome Giveaway for 5 of our lucky followers/participators is in progress!  Be sure to grab a song and play along – and head over to Xmas Dolly to see the update on our giveaway and find out how to enter on Rafflecopter.

 

Our awesome button courtesy of Kayla at The Eclectic Element

 

Now Open to ALL participants of the 4M’s.

 

 
GRAND PRIZE:

Clickit Ticket
Our sponsor ClickitTicket has agreed to give us a promo code with a value of $100 for the grand prize, to use on their site. (They sell concert, theatre, and sport tickets.)

 

To enhance our excitement here and along with the Grand Prize, our very own Stacy from Stacy Uncorked (that’s me) makes her own wine and has graciously offered to sweeten this GRAND PRIZE with her Award Winning Exotic Fruit White Zinfun – which just snagged a Gold Medal in the International Winemaker’s Competition.

 

RUNNER-UP PRIZES:

  1. $25 Gift Certificate EdenFantasys
  2. $25 Gift Certificate Plus Size Costume Center
  3. A Tee-Shirt from It’s Funny T-Shirt Time
  4. CD OF the Designated Riders. (Xmas Dolly’s husband’s band Dave donated) & a Custom Inspirational Beaded Bracelet with Charm (Winner choice between):
  • Size: 1, 2, or 3 strands
  • Colors
  • Inspirational saying from: Dream, Hope, Believe, Love, Healing, Integrity, Laugh

*Courtesy of The Eclectic Element: Handcrafted Jewelry on Etsy

The fine print:
This give-away will be for participants of Monday’s Music Moves Me. Participation on the 100th week (July 30) is mandatory. Come join in the fun!

 

The awesome Run DMT also hosts Music Monday (and graciously helps out with our hostessing every time we need it):

 

 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

15 Comments

  2. Geeze, it seems like I have been playing along forever but honestly it has been at least a year if not more.

    There have been so many themes I liked. The ’80s theme was fun because that is when I was still in high school.

    Right now, I am not sure what theme I would like to do. As you know, I am kind of eclectic. lol

    ~Naila Moon
    Naila Moon would like you to read ..Mondays Music Moves Me…July 2, 2012/Patriotic SongsMy Profile

  3. Wow, you’re definitely running with the country theme this week, huh Stacy? LOL As much as I hate to admit it, I’ve noticed that a lot of the best patriotic songs are country in origin.

    I hope you guys have a fabulous 4th celebrating with your family and a safe trip back to PA!

    Have a musical week ^.^
    Kayla would like you to read ..Mailbox Monday(7/2)My Profile

  4. Some of the best patriotic music is country. I love all of your selections! Miley Cyrus really rocks in this one and Toby Keith’s Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue is one of my favorites! Let freedom rock n’ roll! God bless the USA!!! Whoo-hoo, keep the party movin’! ^.^

  8. Great songs–really get you in a party mood for the 4th. We aren’t doing much–there isn’t much we can do with a Holiday in the middle of the week.
    VandyJ would like you to read ..It’s a New Floor!My Profile

  9. Check it out your rafflecopter is up. It worked after all. That’s fabulous! So, Cathy and Callie is going to do a Post on it too to explain what these prizes are. Very cool my friend. I just knew you’d have some pretty fabulous songs. Wow, glad to hear your vacation is going well. You make sure you drive careful with your precious cargo. Hugs and have a happy and safe fourth!
    Xmasdolly would like you to read ..MONDAY’S MUSIC MOVES ME 96TH WK. & COUNTING!My Profile

  10. I love all your picks, but especially “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.” That one gives me the chills.
    Looks like the entries are going well for this giveaway… I’m gonna tweet it and add it to my FB page today, too.
    Hope you and your family have a terrific Independence Day.
    God bless America!
    Lorie Shewbridge would like you to read ..Monday’s Music Moves Me ~ God Bless AmericaMy Profile

  13. OMG, someone posted that Miley song! True story: it just randomly showed up on my Mp3 player one day. I don’t know how, or from where.

    Happy Music Monday!
    Kim would like you to read ..Oh, say……My Profile

Comments are closed.