Articles By: Tomi L. Wiley

Tomi (pronounced Tommy) is a newspaper editor, a staff writer for Wilson Living magazine, a freelance writer and editor, blogger, social media student and is on the board of directors for the Tennessee Writers Alliance. She is the editor of The Tennessee Writer, the TWA’s quarterly newsletter, and a coordinator for TWA events such as writer’s conferences and the Southern Festival of Books in Nashville. She has been writing full-time since 2003. She is the single mother of The Dude, age 4, and Goose, a clueless Lab/Chow mix farm dog. Check out Tomi’s blog, Media, Motherhood & Mayhem, at http://twiley3ms.blogspot.com, or follow her on Twitter: twitter.com/twiley1012. The nicest thing I’ve ever done…. Well, I’m a liberal, and tend to trust people until I’m turning in circles trying to get the knife out of my back, and I believe in karma, so I do lots of nice things. I have a “Life is Good” sticker on the back of my car, and I believe that wholeheartedly because I believe life is exactly what you make of it. There is a homeless man who lives in his van in the back corner of the Burger King parking lot next door. He asked where I got that sticker because he wanted one – because he believes that life is good, too. So on a recent trip to Myrtle Beach, SC, I stopped in a Life is Good shop and picked up a sticker for him. He wanted to pay me back for it but didn’t have any money. I patted his arm and said that knowing he thinks life is good is enough payment for me – even homeless he still has a super attitude, he still does odd jobs and keeps himself presentable, and he still thinks life is good. It was a nice gesture on my part to get him the sticker, but knowing there are people like him in this world makes all the difference to me, nice deed or not. Favorite band 10 years ago, favorite band today…. Hmm… I dare say they may still be the same: Bare Naked Ladies and Dave Matthews. I also dig Bush, Radiohead, Diana Krall, Keith Urban, swing music and jazz. I’m kind of all over the place when it comes to music. I roll with the flow, baby. Roll with the flow. (And sometimes with peanut butter. I really dig peanut butter.)

CMT Awards: From a local’s point of view

I won’t say I wasn’t star-struck, because that would be a lie. But I was star-struck from a distance, across the span of an arena, separated by a hundred yards of teeming, screaming fans. And I was star-struck in a way that only happens when you know you might see one of these people any given day...

June 12th, 2010 | Features, News | Read More

Rascal Flatts to launch new summer tour in June

One of country music’s most popular and awarded bands has teamed up with one of the country’s favorite retailers to present a concert tour like no other, including two hot, current singers as opening acts. Rascal Flatts, the decade’s top-selling and most awarded group in country music, will launch...

April 28th, 2010 | Tours | Read More

Wildhorse Saloon House Band Competition story

The first night of competition of the World-Famous Wildhorse Saloon House Band Search Competition was all about energy—the crowd brought it, and each band brought it. The audience really got into the competition, as they crowded the dance floor and cheered for their favorite performers. Five amazing...

April 16th, 2010 | Contests, Features | Read More

Free Charlie Daniels Ringtone Now Available at GEICO Website

Fans of legendary fiddler Charlie Daniels can now download a free ringtone of the music heard in Daniels’ popular GEICO commercial at www.geico.com or www.charliedaniels.com. The ringtone features the electrifying fiddle solo Daniels plays in the restaurant during the commercial. The ad is one of...

April 14th, 2010 | Contests | Read More

Johnny Cash Project

Johnny Cash moved, connected with, and inspired people all over the world through both his music and his personal life: his personal battles and demons, his unlikely rise to fame, and his lifelong love for June Carter Cash. Now you can use that inspiration as part of an artistic project that connects...

April 7th, 2010 | News | Read More

Change is Good: Ponderosa Stomp Announces a New Season

…and the First Round of Headliners for a Tremendous 2010 There is much to celebrate as the 9th Annual Ponderosa Stomp Festival kicks into action in 2010 with a new fall weekend to present another rocket-fueled cavalcade of American music stars. After eight years of spring events, fans are marking...

April 7th, 2010 | Tours | Read More

Josh Turner Interview: Keeping the Important Things in Focus: Josh Turner on Letterman, Love and Happiness

With the hectic success of a number one hit, a date on a national television show and an upcoming tour opening for Alan Jackson, country baritone Josh Turner’s philosophy for the moment is actually pretty simple: focus on love and happiness. “At the moment I’m just trying to help people forget...

March 17th, 2010 | Features, Interviews | Read More

Dolly Parton opens first retail store in Nashville March 12

She’s an icon, whether it’s for her singing, her movies, or her… curves. And now country music queen Dolly Parton has opened her first-ever retail store in Nashville, Dolly Parton’s Trinkets & Treasures, and plans to be on hand and in person for the official grand opening and pink ribbon...

March 15th, 2010 | Contests | Read More

Bret Michaels teams up with Miley Cyrus on new single

You may know him best as the lead vocalist for Poison, or maybe as a reality TV star on “Rock of Love,” or even as a solo artist, having just released the single “Nothing to Lose.” But now Michaels is tapping into his melodic prowess and knack for writing epic ballads to deliver a song that...

March 11th, 2010 | Features, News | Read More

Brad Paisley To Be First Musical Guest When Jay Leno Returns To “the Tonight Show” March 1

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 22, 2010) The guest line-up for Jay Leno’s first show back as “The Tonight Show” was just released and Brad Paisley will be the musical guest – along with Jamie Foxx and Olympic Gold medal Skier Lindsey Vonn. “The Tonight Show” airs weeknights at 11:35pm ET on...

February 23rd, 2010 | News | Read More

Levon Helm Documentary to premiere at 2010 SXSW Festival!

Ain’t In It For My Health: A Film About Levon Helm, directed by Jacob Hatley, finds the musician thrust into the spotlight after a Grammy nomination and increasing popularity, but he is also now forced to confront the dark times after The Band’s demise. He’s haunted by throat cancer, bankruptcy,...

February 17th, 2010 | Features, News | Read More

Josh Turner on Letterman

Hey Josh Turner fans – did you catch him on The Dave Letterman show? If you didn’t, you can see it here. If you did, come on over and comment on the clip!

February 15th, 2010 | Features, News | Read More

Luke Bryan premieres “Rain is a Good Thing” video exclusively on iTunes February 9

Nashville, TN (February 8, 2010) – Capitol Records Nashville recording artist and ACM “Top New Vocal Soloist” nominee will premiere his new video “Rain Is A Good Thing” on iTunes beginning February 9. The video, directed by award-winning director Shaun Silva, was shot back in October at Bryan’s...

February 8th, 2010 | Features, News, Release Dates | Read More

Chart-toppers named as performers for New Faces of Country Music Show

Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. announced recently the performers slated for the CRS 2010 New Faces of Country Music Show to be held Friday, February 26. Some popular and hit-making names top the list of performers this year, including Randy Houser (Universal South), Chris Young (RCA), Justin Moore...

January 21st, 2010 | Features, News, Release Dates | Read More

Dierks & Patty create “A Beautiful World”

One of the hottest names in country music has teamed up with a folk legend, and the result is nothing short of, well, beautiful: Dierks Bentley and Patty Griffin seem right at home and natural in the video for “A Beautiful World.” The video, simply shot and authentic, matches the organic and easy...

December 11th, 2009 | Contests | Read More

Christmas in Canaan

Billy Ray Cyrus, of “Achy Breaky Heart” and Miley Cyrus fame, will star in the Hallmark Channel original movie “Christmas in Canaan,” debuting on Saturday, December 12, at 8 p.m. EST. He has written and will perform a new original song, “We’ll Get By Somehow (We Always Do)” for the movie. In...

December 10th, 2009 | News | Read More

Alt-country’s Farmer Jason earns second Emmy nod

Alt-country legend and 30 year entertainment industry veteran Jason Ringenberg, or Farmer Jason, as he’s known to his fans, earned his second Emmy nomination for Best Children’s Program Mid South Region recently. The nominations were announced at a BMI reception in Nashville late November. “I...

December 9th, 2009 | News | Read More

Music City Walk of Fame

Some legendary names in country music were inducted into the Music City Walk of fame, presented by Gibson Guitar, this month. The seventh class of inductees was recognized officially with the unveiling of commemorative sidewalk markers on Sunday, November 8, in the Hall of Fame Park in downtown Nashville....

December 3rd, 2009 | Contests, Features | Read More

Atkins and Beason

Country music artist Rodney Atkins recently presented “Chevy Salutes America’s Heroes” contest winner Master Sgt. Bubba Beason of the US Air Force with a 2010 Chevy Equinox, just in time for Veteran’s Day. Beason and his family were presented with the new vehicle on ABC’s Good Morning America....

December 2nd, 2009 | Contests | Read More

Cayamo 2010: A Journey Through Song

What’s better than a five-day cruise from Miami to Belize and Costa Maya? A cruise that includes performances by Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris, Brandi Carlile, John Hiatt, Steve Earl! All aboard for Cayamo 2010: A Journey Through Song, an experience by Sixthman. The cruise leaves Miami on February 21...

November 7th, 2009 | Features, Tours | Read More