I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend.  Ours was pretty low key aside from me cooking a ginormous feast that we all enjoyed.  I love Thanksgiving leftovers – for some reason, as leftovers go, those particular ones don’t seem to be redundant.  Probably because you can transform them into a variety of yummy treats.

Since it’s Monday, so you know what that means – time for some musical fun. This week’s theme was chosen by one of our Spotlight Dancers, Kayla from The Eclectic Element who suggested Songs That Inspire Us.  Such an inspirational theme, don’t you think?

Of course my biggest inspiration is someone you’ve all grown to know and love over the years of reading me:

So naturally my song selections are mostly geared with her in mind.  Let’s start off with an artist who’s always been a favorite of mine – pretty much all of her songs are worth playing over and over. 

This particular song has always been an inspiration, especially since it was released not too long after my little miracle, Princess Nagger was born.  I get misty-eyed every time I listen to it. 

Here’s Martina McBride with “In My Daughter’s Eyes”:

Next up is an artist who has been an inspiration for a very long time – quite a few of her songs have been belted out by me many many times whenever I’ve needed to vent or be inspired.  Fans of hers will know what I mean.  

One of her newest songs is a direct celebration of motherhood – it’s a song that speaks of angels and keepers, wardens and warriors, mixing imagery of care and protection. It’s full of the positive effects motherhood has on the rest of her life and the opportunity it affords to set aside the old angst.

Here’s Alanis Morissette with “Guardian”:

Next up is an artist who shined on American Idol’s eighth season.  Some may know his heart wrenching back story of losing his wife just four weeks before he auditioned.  She underwent routine surgery for congenital heart disease (her third surgery), but she died from complications. 

She was a huge fan of American Idol and had encouraged him to audition, so he did so in her honor.  While he didn’t win, he did win the hearts of many, and his first single is very inspirational. 

Here’s Danny Gokey with “My Best Days Are Ahead Of Me”:

Next is an artist I’ve been a fan of for quite awhile, and even more so after he appeared on Celebrity Apprentice, which showed what an amazingly nice guy he truly is.  He’s survived many hardships throughout his life – as a youth, he was in an automobile accident in which his 1955 pickup truck hit a bus head-on. Both his arms, a leg, and some ribs were broken and his nose was partially torn off.

Later, while he was attending Louisiana Tech playing defensive end for the Bulldogs football team, he suffered a severe knee injury and had to give up football.  He took up work on an oil rig where he lost the pinky finger on his left hand in an accident while using a knife to open a bucket, and asked doctors to reattach the finger at an angle so that he could continue to play guitar.  That’s dedication. 

Even later he survived being shot by his ex-wife during a heated argument in 1994.  She apparently stuck a .38 under his arm. The bullet went through both his lungs and heart. He feels the reason he’s still around is that he lived close to a medical center, where he was able to get help right away.  He never did press charges because he didn’t believe she meant to do it, and considered their divorce closure enough.  I thought I was accident prone, but he’s the king.

Here’s Trace Adkins with “Just Fishin'”:

Last, but certainly not least, is another favorite former American Idol contestant (and winner of the first season).  The song is a representation of her journey from winning the inaugural season of American Idol in 2002 to where she is headed as both an artist and an empowered woman; and is celebrated as a song of strength for her fans, friends and family who had supported her throughout the years.

The song was praised by critics for its uplifting theme and her vocal performance.  She debuted the first televised performance of the song on the 2012 American Music Awards.

Here’s Kelly Clarkson with “Catch My Breath”:

 

What songs inspire you? Enjoy your Monday!

 

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

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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, Cathy from Cathy Kennedy’s Blog, and for the month of November, our Honorary Co-Conductor is the lovely Lucy from Lucy’s Reality.

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 DANCER”:

 

 

APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!

 

The awesome Run DMT also hosts Music Monday (who graciously helps out with our hostessing every time we need it, and who I had the privilege of meeting in person at BlogHer – she’s even more adorable than I imagined):

More Monday Hops – hop along, won’t you?

The Things We Find InsideSuper Sunday Sync

12 Comments

  1. I can’t listen to that Martina song without crying.

    Those are some truly inspiring picks and stories too. I had hadn’t heard of Trace Adkins or his roller coaster life story, but that is truly amazing. That song by Danny is fun, but Kelly Clarkson will always be my favorite American Idol. She rocks.
    Run DMT would like you to read ..Little BoxesMy Profile

  2. Wow,Trace Adkins what a story and that song had me tearing up. Just loved your songs and Kelly’s new song is great!!
    Have a great Monday 🙂

  3. All of these are really great songs and so inspirational. Love the strong woman, but WOW!! I did not know that Trace Adkins had gone through so much in his life. Surely there was an awesome plan for his life to have survived so much.
    Rorybore would like you to read ..4M: So InspiringMy Profile

  4. Awww That’s so pretty! I’ve heard that one before in my daughter’s eyes. It’s beautiful. Great choice! Alanis Morissette is still rockin’ in my book & hasn’t changed one bit (hmm wonder how old she is now). Haven’t heard Danny Gokey’s new song thanks for sharing. I sure hope his luck changes & of course Just fishin’ is too cute. I’ve heard that one before! Great choice for today for sure & then Kelly Clarkson. Man, she really shed those pounds. Good for her. She looks a 100X better. Haven’t heard this song, but sorry it doesn’t thrill me like her others. It’s just okay, but YOU STILL ROCK MAMA! FABULOUS AS USUAL!
    Xmasdolly would like you to read ..MONDAY’S MUSIC INSPIRES ME!My Profile

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