Brad Paisley mentioned today (at his fan club concert at the Ryman), that Vince had joined them (Brad, Little Jimmy Dickens and Bill Anderson), as the newest member of the Kung Pao Buckaroo's on Brad's newest album '5th Gear'. This is always a really cute addition to each of Brad's albums. I'm sure that it will only be better with Vince joining them this time!!! Not sure when the new album will come out...think it's in the next month or two.

Also, for those of you with XM radio, starting next Tuesday on channel 10, on Bill Anderson's show, he will have a whole hour with the Kung Pao Buckaroos..which does include Vince. Should be well worth listening to!!!

Just thought I would pass this along to everyone.

Fan Fair has been a blast for us so far. Was nice to see Vince at the Station Inn as part of the house band on Monday night. The place was packed. Vince was his usual jolly self. I talked with him only very briefly about him about his position as a 'Part-Time Jumper'...he said it was a 'great gig' ...!!! The Time Jumpers is a great swing band. If you happen to be in Nashville on a Monday night, stop in at the Station Inn and see the Time Jumpers. You won't be sorry...

Tomorrow we'll be at the City of Hope softball game...we'll be pulling for the Opry team, of course!!!

I think Brad's new CD will be out on June 19.

Thanks Becky. Glad you are having a good time.

No problem, Mandy. Thanks for the info on the release date of Brad's new album. I was planning to buy it anyway, but now it's a must have!!!

Btw, Bruce got some great pix of Vince during the softball game yesterday. He doesn't have them posted yet...but I'm sure he'll have them up within the week. Opry team won this year...close game...score was 10 to 9, I think.

Haven't seen too many fellow fan club members so far this year at fan fair. Did see Pam & Jennifer at Chely's benefit on Tuesday, saw Joyce at Sara Evans fc party on Wednesday and was able to talk with Janet at the artist entrance of the softball game yesterday. Our busy time is ending just as the week is kicking into high gear. We'll be going to the afternoon matinee Opry at the Ryman tomorrow afternoon and then home on Sunday.

Did anyone buy Brad's new cd? It's good, and the Kung Pow Buckaroo song, "Bigger Fish to Fry" is cute! Vince is too funny, and the song is very tongue in cheek. Check it out! I'm still trying to decide which song is my favorite, but I like "Letter to Me" and "Better than This" are both early standouts as being worth listening to twice in a row. Even though Brad can tend to be a "Celebrity" sometimes, I still love him *almost* as much as I do Vince!

Hey Mary,

Bruce picked up the cd for us on Tuesday and I've listened to almost all of it now. I absolutely love 'Letter To Me' as well. We heard that song for the first time at Brad's fan club concert at the Ryman during fan fair week. The song makes me cry. I suppose there is alot we would say if we could send a letter back to ourselves when we were 17. 'Better Than This' is wonderful as well. You can really tell where Brad is in his life with the songs on this cd. 'Bigger Fish To Fry' is really cute. I've only listened to it once, but I was a little saddened that I didn't hear Vince that much on the song. I'll need to listen to it again a few times to see if I can pick out more than just Vince's voice on the song. Overall, the cd is great...love Brad's version of 'When We All Get To Heaven'. That's always been a favorite hymn of mine.

We missed seeing you during fan fair, Mary. Hope you had a good time with the limited amount of time you had in town.

I heard a brief clip of "Bigger Fish to Fry" on the Barnes and Nobel site- heard Vince's voice first, then Little Jimmy's, followed by Bill Anderson. I could also pick out Vince's voice when they all sang together.

That's what I get for skipping around on the album. I've listened to the whole cd now and there is a small clip of Vince's introduction as the newest Kung Pao Buckaroo. It's really cute. 'Bigger Fish To Fry' is a really great song. I'm glad they chose to have them all sing on this song in addition to the voice tracks, like they have done on Brad's cds in the past. Sounds like they were all having a blast!!!

I'd give the whole album a 8 1/2 out of 10. There are a few songs that I would likely skip over. But overall, there is some great songs and some really good guitar pickin' on this album.

Becky, you're funny! How could you miss Vince??!! I thought it was cute the way he said "More caloric friendly"...and the whole "No Show" thing was funny also. Overall, I really like the cd. Not sure I'll ever like Brad's new stuff as much as I do the old stuff. I still love the WNP cd, and listen to it often. I did listen to 5th Gear front to back about three times on my trips across the state over the weekend, and Brad's humor just kills me every time. He's so funny, and I love listening to him laugh--like he does on the "Bigger Fish" song. The guitar stuff is not always my favorite (don't overly care for a major jam) unless it's Brad or Vince. I think it's just something in the peace you see written all over their faces when they are just lost in the moment, playing to their hearts content. Brad's band just shines on Speed Racer, and they are pretty amazing live during the "jam sessions."

I had a great time in Nashville, even on my limited schedule there. Never a dull moment!!!

How does BRAD came up with the name and how did VINCE got chosen to be part of the team?

I don't know where the name ever came from, but it used to be Bill Anderson, Little Jimmy Dickens, George Jones and Brad. They've been on the last few cd's as the Grand Ole Opry Theater presents "Kung Pao Buckaroos" and have had this running gig. Brad is very dedicated to honoring the Opry and his membership there. He also spends a lot of time with Little Jimmy. Last time, it also featured Dolly Parton. This cd, the 'recap' starts with them looking for George, making reference to his "No Show" nickname, then the galloping horse, and Vince's voice offering to be part of the "Kung Pao Mountain Boys" as he calls them! Then Little Jimmy gives a disclaimer that they are "now Possum free" and they launch into the very funny "Bigger Fish to Fry' song.

I know Vince also sang on Brad's last cd, doing bgv for "Hold Me in Your Arms"...and with both of them being such amazing guitar players, it only makes sense for them to work together again! Vince and Brad would be my dream tour---throw in Steve Azar, let each of them play for about three hours each (or more!) and I'd follow them around the country!

This is one of my very favorite of Brad's albums. I guess I should go back and pick up the older ones sometimes. I love the funny banter of the Kung Pao Buckaroos. I've always thought that Little Jimmy is just such a sweetheart!!! He tickles me...I could listen to him tell the same jokes over and over at the Opry and never fail to laugh at them !!!

I could kick myself that I missed the Bill Anderson XM radio special that all the Kung Pao Buckaroos were on. I wonder if it will be re-aired sometime??? If anyone knows, let me know about it...