It was a joyous occasion at the Tierra Verde Country Club in Arlington, Texas yesterday as Texas singer/songwriter Charla Corn married her love of three and a half years and strongman competitor Bryan Barrett of Kennedale,Texas. The two love birds met in 2009 in Mount Pleasant, Texas after a concert that Charla had performed at the area fair.

Growing up in Farwell, Texas, on the outskirts of Clovis, New Mexico, Charla dreamed of what her future husband would be like. "I have waited a long time for God to send me a good man. Bryan was well worth the wait." That long awaited day started with Charla and Bryan worrying if they were even going to get to have the wedding they’d been planning. Weekend weather put a big scare into the outdoor wedding, but the good Lord above saw fit to part the clouds, calm the storms, and allow the grounds to dry in time for the wedding. Once it was decided that the wedding would go as planned, the bride and groom began to get ready for the day with their bridesmaids/groomsmen as Kim and David Hayes of Kim Hayes Photography took pictures.

The wedding was very small and intimate, with just over 100 of the couples’ family and closest friends in attendance. The ceremony was one that not only the couple will remember, but the guests will too. As guests arrived, they were greeted by a golf cart that escorted all guests to where the ceremony was held. The gorgeous dress that Charla was wearing has a very interesting background. As most girls do, Charla had already done a lot of planning for her special day long before she met Bryan. “My dress was actually purchased 6 years ago from David's Bridal after my mother, Gwen Corn, had been diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer.  She battled and beat it after a difficult 5 years.  However, during that time she and I selected this special dress together because no one was sure she would make it through, and I wanted that special moment with her.  I only had to wait 6 years to find my Mr. Right to finally get to wear it!  It has hung in my childhood closet in Farwell, Texas since 2006” says Charla, who got the vintage shabby chick-themed wedding of her dreams.





 

Charla and Bryan wanted something that was unique to them. And they definitely displayed their unique style in the wedding. As the special guests were being seated and groomsmen were lining up at the alter, Charla’s brother, Clayton Corn, along with close friend Steve Helms,  performed Lyle Lovette's song "South Texas Girl" but changed the words to "West Texas Girl.” Before walking down the isle, Charla and her father, Edward Corn, pulled up in a shiny black 1954 Chevy Pick-Up truck with red wheels, built by House of Hotrods and provided by Arlington City Councilman Robert Rivera. As the singing came to an end and the crowd began to get excited with anticipation, the legendary Dolly Parton’s voice boomed throughout Tierra Verde, singing “Sweet By And By” as Charla walked down the isle with her father, arm in arm. The Rev. Steve Carter, of Calvary Baptist Church in Brownwood, Texas performed the ceremony. Rev. Carter was Charla’s childhood youth pastor when she attended Sandia Baptist Church in Clovis, New Mexico. The ceremony was beautiful with a little bit of a curly twist. When Rev. Carter asked for the rings, Charla's Shih Tzu, Wranger, came running down the isle bringing the rings for the couple. The crowd gasped in awe at the sight of Charla’s little buddy running down the isle. Through tears of joy and happiness, Charla sang Rebecca Lynn Howard’s song “Jesus, Daddy, and You." After being named Mr. And Mrs. Bryan Barrett following their first kiss, the handsome groom swooped Charla off her feet revealing cowboy boots by Bodacious Boots and carried her down the isle to the Bob Marley tune “Stir It Up.” 





 

The reception was nothing short of a big bash, Texas-style. Food galore as guests and wedding party members were treated to a buffet with Bourbon Chicken, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Sauteed Mixed Vegetables with Caesar Salad. Needless to say, no one went home hungry after this party. The Bride’s cake was absolutely breath-taking; a four-tear Italian Cream Cake with Cream Cheese Butter Cream Icing, dressed with peach and ivory Juliet roses. The grooms’ cake was nothing short of fantastic as well; a chocolate cake with peanut butter icing that featured Bryan’s interest in Strongman competitions. Several memorable moments during the reception included a video called “A Love Story” which was produced by Eddy Puckett from Serenade Video and Corner Wedding Chapel. Mr. Puckett was also the videographer of the wedding. Charla, after changing from her wedding dress into a second dress that was ivory lace with and open back and plunging neck line that hugged the hips with a mermaid cut that matched her wedding dress, had nearly every woman in the place crying as she danced with her father to the song “I’ll Be Your Water” by Keb’ Mo’. The most memorable dance, though, came when the couple shared their first dance together as husband and wife to “Saved By Love,” sung by an artist that both say is one of the best artists in all of country music…Chris Knight. Groomsman Ross Shreves had everyone laughing during his heart-felt toast, remembering times he’d spent with Bryan and all the good times they’d spent since high school and how much he has come to love Charla just as much as anyone. Maid of Honor Hannah Garber spoke after Shreves and aided the water works as tears flowed while she gave her heart-warming toast about her and Charla’s close friendship and how happy she was that Charla had found such a good man in Bryan Barrett. At the end of the night, sparklers were passed out and everyone waved them in the air as the new Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Barrett raced out to the 1954 Chevy Pick-Up truck and drove away.





 

All in all it was a wedding fit for Hollywood, but could have only been pulled off in Texas. Bryan and Charla would like to thank the following for all their help in putting the wedding together and making it so successful and such an amazing day that they will remember for the rest of their lives:

Photographer – Kim and David Hayes of Kim Hayes Photography in Ft. Worth,Texas

Videographer – Eddy Puckett of Serenade Video and Corner Wedding Chapel.

Florist - Kim May

Dance Floor Rental - Confetti's Party RentalsEnnis,Texas

Bride Cake - Teryn Wicker

Groom Cake - Creme de la Creme

DJ - Jared Darter of 95.9 The Ranch in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Hair Stylist - Erica Perry

Bodacious Boots - Brittany Malone www.bodaciousbootco.com

Betsy Cathey-Charla Corn Music

If you are like me, when you first heard of the group, the Eli Young Band, you honestly thought that was the lead singer's name.

Well as we all have come to realize...it's not. The boys from Denton, Texas came up with the name because the lead singer is Mike Eli and the lead guitarist is James Young to form the Eli Young Band. But have you ever wondered if there was an actual man out there who's name was Eli Young? Check out the following video.

It's live stock show and rodeo time in Texas, but in Houston they do it just a little bit bigger than the rest of us.

The 80th Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo is coming up, February 28th-March 18th. Some the biggest names in country music have played the Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo, including great Texans like George Strait. This year is no different. Held at Reliant Stadium, home of the NFL's Houston Texans, the show has seen record crowds. In 2011, 2,262,834 visitors came through the gates, breaking the attendence record for the event. On March 19, 2011 the single day record was broken when 150,948 visitors came to the show.

If you are planning to attend this year's show, here are a few things you might want to remember. Doors open daily at 8am. Make sure to visit www.hlsr.com for all details. The musical line up this year is completely out of this world. You can purchase tickets on the Show's website as well. The following is this year's concert line up:

Tuesday, February 28-Alabama

Wednesday, February 29-Kid Rock

Thursday, March 1-Lady Antebellum

Friday, March 2-John Legend

Saturday, March 3-Luke Bryan

Sunday, March 4-Big Time Rush

Monday, March 5-Eli Young Band

Tuesday, March 6-Enrique Iglesias

Wednesday, March 7-Blake Shelton

Thursday, March 8-ZZ Top

Friday, March 9-Reba

Saturday, March 10-Chris Young

Monday, March 12-Zac Brown Band

Tuesday, March 13-Miranda Lambert

Wednesday, March 14-The Band Perry

Thursday, March 15-Jason Aldean

Friday, March 16-Train

Saturday, March 17-Brad Paisley

Sunday, March 18-Alan Jackson

Hello everyone and Happy Valentine's Day to each and everyone of y'all. I'm sure y'all have heard over and over all day and, maybe even the last week or so love song after love song on the radio. And that's definitely understandable.

But if you are like me, you're significant other isn't with you today. My girlfriend lives three hours away and it's kind of hard to be away from her on Valentine's Day. Well I have a small gift for her and for all of you in the same boat I am today. Charla Corn has an awesome song about missing someone. It's one of my favorite songs of hers. It's called "Don't Mind Missing You." Recently, Charla went into the studios with our friends at Mount Vernon Sessions and recorded a video for this song. So for all of you who are away from your loved one on this Valentine's Day, I give to you this video. Enjoy Charla Corn's "Don't Mind Missing You." And to my girlfriend, I love you and miss you.

One of the things that the Texas Red Dirt Roads is all about is giving up-and-coming artists a chance to get their name out to the fans and give them an opportunity to succeed doing what they love…making music. I am happy today to try my best to do that for an up and coming guy who I’ve actually known for some time now…Ransom Rhodes.

Ransom and I went to high school together in Godley, Texas. He played in a band that won several FFA competitions. I always knew Ransom was talented, but back then I had no idea that he would continue with his music. Not too long ago, I got re-connected with Ransom and was completely surprised and blown away at just how good he has gotten as a musician, artist, and song writer. Ransom won a competition that The Sound of Texas 95.9 The Ranch in Ft.Worth, Texas puts on every year. It’s for singers and songwriters to compete in with the winner getting a chance to open for a big act at the station’s summer concert series at the 8.0 Bar in Sundance Square in downtown Ft. Worth. Ransom got the opportunity to open for Charlie Robison and that’s where I got to hear how much he has grown as an artist. I sat down recently with Ransom and did a little Q&A so that the TXRDR fans can get to know this up and coming artist. I highly recommend you go and see him whenever you get a chance. And I’m not just saying that because he is my friend…I’m saying that because I believe you will really, really like the sound that comes from Ransom Rhodes.

TXRDR: When were you first introduced to music?  

Ransom Rhodes: My Mom is a great singer so I’ve learned a lot from her growing up and my dad taught me my 1st three chords D C and G when I was 12 years of age. With those three chords you can play a ton of songs until you figure out what works for you. Growing up in the 80s I had lots of great country artists and some of the best in my opinion to learn from.

TXRDR: Who are your biggest musical influences? 

Ransom Rhodes: Steve Warner, Keith Whitley, and Restless Heart

TXRDR: When people come see you in concert, what do you want them to be saying when they leave?

Ransom Rhodes: When does he play next?

TXRDR: How long have you been playing music and how did you get started? 

Ransom Rhodes: I’ve been playing for 15 years and I started out dressing up in my dads boots and jeans when I was about five, singing to George Straight while the guitar came years later.

TXRDR: Talk about the band you had in high school and how that helped or hindered your style of music that you play today. 

Ransom Rhodes: When I was a sophomore in high school, three friends and me put a country cover band together and ended up winning lots of competitions…the end result was us opening for Pat Green inHouston in front of 12,000 people. It was the 1st time I got to experience a crowd of that magitude. Just the sound of their screams made me want to get to that point where all those people would show up to see me perform someday.

TXRDR: If there was one venue and one artist you could open up for, who and where would it be and why? 

Ransom Rhodes: I would love to play Billy Bobs with Clay Walker. That guy has had some great accomplishments and overall just pure country. I love it.

TXRDR: Where do you see yourself and your band in 5 years?

Ransom Rhodes: Hopefully I would like to be playing music 4 or 5 nights a week and be able to take care of my family with what I love doing…playing music with great friends.

Like I said, I’ve known Ransom Rhodes since high school. This guy is one of the most talented guys I’ve ever met…and if you’ve seen some of my articles you know I’ve met some really cool and talented people. Click here to find out more about Ransom Rhodes and his music. You won’t be disappointed.