This year I’m not going to even try to sum it all up in a thorough review with a clever theme, make list of highlights, or post a collection of videos and pictures. What I have done, after 6 years, is just now figured out that I can expand the archive list over there on the left sidebar to show more than the last few months (duh!). So you can all skim through the year yourselves if you’d like. (I bet you’ll be surprised at how much went on – I am.)

What I’d really like at the end of this crazy year is to hear from all of you. What stood out for you in 2011, good and bad? Which Bo song, performance, or experience was your favorite? What surprised you this year, and what do you hope for in 2012? You know, write my blog for me, please, because I’m too loaded down with Christmas cookies, birthday cake, and catching up on Downton Abbey to do it myself.

I’ll start with one moment that really spoke to me this year –

Bo Bice performing Crimson Red, White & Blue @ Bama Rising from satinsummer on Vimeo

It’s at least half of Bo’s dreamspace all at once – up on stage in the state he loves, playing with people he admires, giving all he’s got to help others in need. It’s Bo singing in front of the kind of crowd he deserves, getting back the kind of love he gives out. And it’s so much of my experience with Bo – straining to connect with him through the static of a cellcert, jumping to a conclusion about something only half-heard, and in the end falling in love all over again with his voice, his passion, and his poetry.

Okay, make that sexy as hell. I’ve stared at all of those pictures for longer than I’d care to admit. Still – this is starting to get into Zoolander territory. Bo’s a joyful guy. He practically glows with life. His shows are great fun. Can’t we get an official smile now and then?

He’d buy it! Am I right?

BikerChick – thanks for the find. Bo – see what you’re missing? Time to get back to Wisconsin!)

That prince of a guy Glenn Parker weighs in again on the bar fight he shared with Kevin Bo a year ago Easter.

Parker also had an interesting run-in in 2006 with former American Idol contestant Bo Bice. Reportedly, Bice punched the 6-5, 300-pound Parker. But Parker is able to laugh about the event now.

“I was trying to be myself and be quiet on an Easter Sunday and ran into a buzz saw of a personality, seemed to want to pick on the biggest guy in the bar.

I still find it really, really hard to believe that Buck Fifty Bo would take on a 300 pound former NFL offensive lineman for absolutely no reason whatsoever, but hey — I guess stupider things have been done in bars. I guess. Maybe. But I also think it’s at least possible that it wasn’t quite as unprovoked as Glenn portrays it.

Bo’s hinted now and then at his side of the story, first in pictures…

Then in song…

Late one night in New York City
Situation wasn’t pretty
I made the papers the next day
Can’t believe a damn thing they say

Now my baby’s callin’ me
Up from Nashville Tennessee
Asking me what have I done
I said I’m just having fun

But he’s never really come clean with any details. Then Friday night he started storytelling in the middle of I Love The Road, and it seemed like he was finally going to spill…

Okay, this time you can’t really see him, but you can hear him.

Wait, what? That’s it? C’mon Bo, it was New York City, not Vegas. You can tell us.

Am I the only peep who’s been spending an awful lot of time checking Bo’s websites for any sign of the Different Shades of Blue video? I know it’s out there, somewhere, and I want it. I haven’t been able to figure out how he could combine fan videos of happy, hyped-up shows with the melancholy storyline, and the curiosity is killing me. Bo’s been saying that it’s done and it’s coming soon for a few weeks now. He told us to look for it, so I’m looking. And looking. And looking. C’mon Bo – please don’t keep-a me waiting.

Even though I’m so tired, I’ve been passing the empty hours voting for You Take Yourself With You on CMT Pure’s 12 Pack Countdown. It’s made the list 14 weeks in a row – let’s not stop now.

Vote!

I didn’t hear who wrote this one with Bo, but it’s a fun switchup from the soulful ballads he’s been favoring lately. I bet this’ll be a good time with the band.

Save us, Bo! How about some news? A show? Perhaps a nice video blog?

Well alrighty, then – “Happy Daytona 500 Weekend from Bo Bice!”

That was fun. What should we ask for next?

It’s gotten pretty dull here at BFB. I haven’t had much except countdowns to blog about for weeks – it’s to the point where I’d enjoy an in-depth discussion about long hair vs short hair. Save us, Bo! How about some news? A show? Perhaps a nice video blog?

2010 goes down as the year Bo got his groove back, the year he became “a river, not a pond.” He’s talked often this year about how happy he is, and how much he loves what he gets to do. But we don’t have to hear him say it – we can see it in his face.

It was a year of changes and fresh starts – new baby, new label, new album, new genre, new management, new look. Yet in the midst of all this upheaval, 2010 was also a year where Bo seems to have found his footing. There isn’t room to go over everything that’s gone on this year – take a spin through the blogs and the forums, and you’ll be amazed. A few bends in the river really stand out for me…

Poet with a pen
Longtime fans all know how important it’s always been to Bo to be accepted as legitimate songwriter (one who plays his own instruments!). Finally, he seems to be getting there. Bo’s not scribbling away in a drafty garret with only the pigeons and a couple old buddies for company anymore. These days there’s a steady stream of cowriters through Bo’s studio, from music students to established hitmakers. Writers are calling him to collaborate. His newest songs are also some of his best – moody, rich, and evocative.

Bo’s writing also got the attention of people who know it when they hear it. He was invited to take part in Tin Pan South, the country’s biggest songwriter’s festival, and he’s since become a good friend and frequent guest at other NSAI events.

There’s No Place Like Home
Bo’s lived in Nashville for 5 years, but he seemed to feel it was more his address than his home. No more. Bo made a place for himself in Nashville’s music community this year. For the first time, I think he did more shows in town than on the road. Benefit performances for kids and schools and soldiers and flood relief. Church programs. Telethons. Industry events. Songwriter’s rounds. Jam sessions with buddies.

Name a spot in Nashville with a mic and a bar, and Bo’s probably played it this year. Peeps who travelled to town for CMA Fest and Tin Pan South say that local eyes light up when his name is mentioned. There’s no doubt this sense of belonging has been good for Bo’s soul. I think done a lot for his career, too.

Here are two of my favorite local performances:

Bo, Bart Walker, and Vince Gill (!!) raising money for flood victims. Bo donated all of his proceeds from Long Road Back to the cause.

Bo and Idol pal Melinda Doolittle duet on PTL.

Foot in the Door

There’s a crazy notion you hear a lot that country music is easier to break into than other genres, that you can make it there when you can’t make anywhere else. Do not believe it. Country music has at least as many cliques and insiders and snobs and good old boy networks and hoops as pop or rock. Country radio demands just as much money and influence and quid pro quo for spins. Ask anyone who’s tried to succeed in country music, and they’ll curl your hair with stories of how Nashville can chew you up into a million pieces.

It’s not easy. It hasn’t been easy for Bo. He gets skeptical looks and “Since when?” comments from country fans. He took himself to radio gigs from California to Florida to Maine, often for little more than a spin and a sandwich. Sometimes he didn’t even get the sandwich. It’s not clear how well Bo’s going to do in country music. But he got his foot in the door this year. You Take Yourself With You spent a few weeks on the Billboard country chart. The video’s been near the top of GAC’s Top 20 countdown for a few months (you did vote today, didn’t you?). Bo’s sat in with and opened for well-known country acts. He’s was part of the media blitz for the CMA Awards and he was once again a fixture at the CMA fest. And earlier this month, he made his Grand Ole Opry debut. On second thought, maybe he’s even gotten both feet in the door.

It really has been a fun year to be peep. What was your favorite moment – Bo leaping around the stage after he won $50,000 for flood relief on Don’t Forget The Lyrics? The tears in his eyes when he stepped in front of the mic at the Ryman? The sound of his voice booming through a stadium of idol hopefuls? Bo’s home studio concert? Sneaking a touch of Teh Hair at a peep party?

Many thanks to all the peeps, especially everyone here at BFB, for sharing your pictures, videos, recaps, opinions and ideas this year. Much love!

We’ve all found some interesting ways to celebrate your birthday the last 5 years –

In 2005, RCA released Brown Skin Girl, your collaboration with Carlos Santana.

In 2006, you were laying low, recovering from surgery, but we made do with puppies

In 2007, Witness started a fast climb to #1 on the VH1 video countdown.

In 2008, you celebrated with the troops in Baghdad.

Last year, the Noble Things soundtrack was posted on itunes and Amazon, and we all ran over to buy your track.

I don’t know what you’ve got planned for your birthday this year, Bo. Your peeps will be watching and voting for You Take Yourself With You on GAC’s Top 20 Countdown. We’ll also be looking for your episode of Don’t Forget The Lyrics to start airing on FOX affiliates today. More than a few of us will probably raise a drink or two in your general direction.

Party on, Bo. We love you.