Stormy Speaks

Stormy Weather is opry.com's exclusive columnist. A veteran, though self-described "young and trendy music industry insider," Stormy takes readers along as she moves gracefully within Nashville’s elite inner circles and shares her own first-hand observations, take-no-prisoners opinions and juicy commentary on the movers and shakers inside Music City's illustrious entertainment industry. Read it from Stormy like you won't read it anywhere else.

Be sure to stop back by every other Tuesday for the latest installment of Stormy Speaks.

Carrie Comes Home, Vote 4 Brad, and Country Musings  

Call her your American Idol or your All-American Girl, but most definitely call her the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry ... Miss Carrie Underwood! Oh, you know you’re a big deal when the all-time biggest selling artist in country music, Mr. Garth Brooks, hops on his private plane and flies in to induct a fellow Okie. When you’re welcomed into country music’s most esteemed family by singing a duet with another fellow Oklahoman Vince Gill, indeed you have arrived. You can be sure that everyone knows your “last name,” that’s for certain. Oh, how far our little girl has come since she first stood in the warm glow of the Opry’s spotlight on June 10, 2005. Nearly three years and millions of albums later, we can now call Carrie our very own. Stormy is already counting down the days until Miss Underwood’s June 3, 2008, Opry return.

Meanwhile, Stormy is immersed in the May 2008 issue of InStyle magazine, featuring our little cover girl Carrie! Lookout, because Stormy is determined to steal every one of Carrie’s “get-glam secrets,” all just in time for this Sunday’s Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. It goes without typing that Stormy has already cast her online vote for Entertainer of the Year ... for the Opry’s own Mr. Brad Paisley! If you haven’t voted for your favorite, you can do so at voteacm.com, right up until the last hour of the live show. Get excited! Not only is BP country music’s quintessential guy and talented triple threat with his sensational singing, great guitar playing and prolific songwriting, but BP’s a self-proclaimed shoe fanatic! Who knew? Stormy’s heart just melted when she heard BP’s latest single, “I’m Still a Guy,” where he sings “I’ve still got a pair.” BP’s the real deal—entertainment superstar, dad, seller of 10 million albums and a lover of shoes! That Kimberly Williams-Paisley is one lucky woman! There’s absolutely no doubt in Stormy’s mind that BP should be proclaimed Entertainer of the Year on Sunday night. And, if “Online” wins in the Video of the Year category, Stormy will surely come out of her Jimmy Choos! Not only is it one of Stormy’s favorite videos of all time, but it also features Stormy’s new best girlfriend Maureen McCormick, a.k.a. Marsha Brady. Stormy recently met Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!, and she’s simply fabulous. And she loves country music, too! Sunday will find Stormy in Sin City, cheering for BP and Marsha!

Of course, fans and mere strangers alike have been waiting for Stormy to weigh in on lots of newsmakers and heartbreakers of recent weeks, so here goes. I absolutely can’t wait for Mr. Achy Breaky Billy Ray Cyrus to host Nashville Star! As always, I will be your source for all the scoop behind the scenes. Will it be a boy or girl for Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban? Stormy confidently predicts a girl for this Aussie pair for whom her parents will select a staunchly traditional name. Will Kenny Chesney reconsider rising from a hydraulic-powered lift to open his shows? Not even for a minute. Do be on the lookout, though, for a new t-shirt at the merch table that says “Forget the Tractor. She Thinks My Black & Blue Foot Is Sexy.” Which will be the better seller, Tim McGraw’s new fragrance or his new corn chips? Easy one: the chips; it’s all about the snacks. Not nearly enough men can be swayed by savvy marketing to believe that they can attract a Faith Hill look-a-like if only they smell more like Tim McGraw.