Bo just knocked it out of the Grand Ole Opry. He started with a favorite from his first album, Valley of Angels, and followed it up with what will likely be the first single from the next one, Everything. Years and genres apart, original vs cover, but they fit together beautifully. Well done, Bo!

Bo started off this week singing the national anthem before the start of the Gator Bowl, and he’ll finish it by taking the stage at the Grand Ole Opry. Nice work if you can get it!

I haven’t found any video of the anthem, but we’ll all be able to listen to the Opry broadcast on Saturday – it streams online and on the radio. Here’s the schedule (central time):

7:00 – 7:30
Jimmy Dickens
Jeannie Seely
Andy Gibson

7:30 – 8:00
Mike Snider
George Hamilton IV
Connie Smith
Bo Bice

8:00 – 8:15
INTERMISSION

8:15 – 8:45
John Conlee
Jean Shepard
Edens Edge
Opry Square Dancers

8:45 – 9:15
Riders In The Sky
Bobby Osborne &
The Rocky Top X-Press
Doyle Dykes

Sometimes the performers get shifted around at the last minute, so tune in early just to be sure.

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?

Last Friday night, for the first time in five years, southern rock’s legendary Marshall Tucker Band barreled into Nashville, spawning a crowd of thousands, as well as a few familiar faces at the Music City BBQ Fest. [...]

Halfway through the show, much to the audience’s delight, Bo Bice of “American Idol” fame made a surprise appearance, joining the band on-stage and taking lead vocals on the classic “Fire On The Mountain.”

“Jammin’ with my heroes never gets old! I’m grateful to Doug Gray for asking me to grace the stage with the Marshall Tucker Band,” says Bice.

Look at that face!

photo by Caitrin Collins

Still no news, but is this a gorgeous photo or what?

Had awesome time today saw Bo Bice in concert sweet guy :) I’m definitely a Bo fan now

got my pic with him said he loved my jeans loll and watched him sing so cooooool. I was surprised how little he was but he was Soooo adorable!

He signed my daughter and her friends baseballs and called them sweetheart he was Soooo nice…lolll my daughter and her friend were smitten they love him now :D

the man ” Bo Bice ” at Dell diamond!! One of the coolest guys I’ve met!!!

There’s just something about a man in uniform.

Thanks to allyk for the pictures!

We all know Bo loves his guitars and will always have room for one more in his studio. But he picked up a new one this week that takes love and guitars to a whole new level. Last year Bo heard about Woodshop Rocks, a program at a middle school in California that teaches kids how to make guitars. Kids + guitars = Bo was all over that.

Turns out, Woodshop Rocks is a program at Roseville’s Buljan Middle School designed to teach seventh to 12th grade students the value of hard work, one guitar at a time. With woodshop programs getting cut all over the country, it’s refreshing to see a program like this survive, especially one that challenges students in an area that interests and motivates them. Not only do the students learn about woodworking, but math, science and, most importantly, life skills.

Bice contacted program leader Duane Calkins, and soon after student Brittany Brazil began helping design Bice’s brand-spanking-new guitar in the shape of — you guessed it — Alabama. The design includes the images of a number of Alabama music legends, plus the opening notes to “Sweet Home Alabama” on the neck.

I was lucky enough to be there when he played the guitar in concert for the very first time, and I can tell you there wasn’t a dry eye in the room after he told the story, and not a single ass still in a chair after he ripped into Sweet Home Alabama.

Gorgeous!

This is Bo with his own dog, Sally, but we’re told that all but one of the shelter dogs who appeared at the Dinner with Your Dog event have also found homes, which is great news.

Photo by ClaudiaKayPhoto.

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!