And that's another, Cougar, First "Chance"

Sometime early in the Summer of 2011, Chance received two calls in the same day from an old fling.  Nahhh, it wasn't one of those un-welcomed kinda awkward, silent calls you'd expect.  It was good news... no, make that great news!  See, Chance moved from Missoula, MT to Pullman, WA straight out of high school to attend the closest Pac-10  (now Pac-12) school and compete for Washington State University's perennial powerhouse of a track team.  She beckoned him, lured him in and has held a place in his heart since graduating 10 years ago.   Well, "she" called.  And when your first love calls, you can't help but pick up the phone and see what she wants and how she's doin'... right?!

But before we get to that, we need a little context to the story...

Summer 2010.  Chance is on a Southwest Airlines flight makin' a stop in Boise before heading onto Seattle to meet up with Blake Shelton for a week's worth of shows up n' down the coast of Washington State and Oregon.  He's still tryin' to comprehend the CMT win, the CMT Studio 330 session (recorded with Reba McEntire and Steel Magnolia), tour dates with Dwight Yoakam, Jamie O'Neal, Grand Funk Railroad and all the dates (including Blake, Luke Bryan, CCR, Lynyrd Skynyrd and .38 Special) yet to come.  On that flight sat a girl who struck up a conversation with him talkin' of her internship at the capital in Boise for the summer, until she returned back to WSU in the Fall (see where this is heading?).

Anyway, that girl... let's call her DB (to protect her identity) happen to also be finishing her Masters and working for the WSU Athletic Department after completing her scholarship in swimming the year prior.  She asked what "what do you do?"  Chance, still not accustomed to sayin'... "well, I sing for a livin'" told her he was a former high school math teacher who just happened to be in the right place at the right time recently and ended up out on tour with some of her favorite acts (luck of the draw, she was a country fan).  They made introductions, realized they were both Cougar Alumni and chatted about Pullman and athletic careers for a bit.  DB got off the plane, Chance went onto Seattle, tour schedule got busy... add another new friend on the new career path.

Skip ahead to Fall of 2010.  Chance gets an email from DB... actually DB's boss (then Director of Marketing) in the WSU Athletic Dept inquiring about shows and what it would take (logistics-wise) to get him back to his stomping grounds.  Emails bounce back n' forth, ground work is laid, and the picture starts to take shape.

Now, back to Summer of 2011 and the "tw0-call" day.  The editor of WSU's Alumni Magazine calls asking if he can do a review and write an article on former All-American Javelin Thrower, now country singer, Chance McKinney.  On the same day, WSU Director of Marketing calls asking if Chance would be interested in performing at some point during the upcoming football season.  Not bad, the ol' fling still has a little interest... umm how 'bout yes, and yes.

So, here's the result of a 45-minute SWA flight sittin' next to a former WSU Alum...

October 15th, 2011.  Homecoming Weekend.  WSU v. Stanford.  Chance McKinney and the CrossWire boys will be performing at the Pre-Game Rally as the Cougs try to knock of the #4 nationally ranked Cardinal of Stanford.  CMCW will do a pre-game show in Hollingbery Fieldhouse from 2:30 - 4:00pm and then Chance has a little surprise at halftime for the 35,000+ fans there ready to support the Cougars of Washington State!

Think Pullman is ready for a little "Industrialized Country?"  Think WSU and Chance have a nice little recipe for success in the future?  Yeah, that's what we think too!

Congratulations to the 2011 CMT Award Nominees

The final nominees in each of the 2011 CMT MUSIC AWARDS categories include: VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director. Final nominees announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com during the show.

• Jason Aldean– “My Kinda Party”
• Kenny Chesney– “The Boys Of Fall”
• Lady Antebellum– “Hello World”
• Miranda Lambert– “The House That Built Me”
• Rascal Flatts– “Why Wait”
• Sugarland– “Stuck Like Glue”
• Taylor Swift– “Mine”
• The Band Perry– “If I Die Young”
• Carrie Underwood– “Undo It”
• Zac Brown Band– “Colder Weather”

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist

• Jason Aldean– “My Kinda Party”
• Kenny Chesney– “The Boys Of Fall”
• Toby Keith– “Bullets In The Gun”
• Blake Shelton– “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking”
• Keith Urban– “Without You”

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist

• Sara Evans– “A Little Bit Stronger”
• Miranda Lambert– “The House That Built Me”
• Reba – “Turn On The Radio”
• Taylor Swift– “Mine”
• Carrie Underwood– “Undo It”

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video by a group; awarded to the artists

• Lady Antebellum– “Hello World”
• Little Big Town– “Little White Church”
• Rascal Flatts– “Why Wait”
• The Band Perry– “If I Die Young”
• Zac Brown Band– “Colder Weather”

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists

• Steel Magnolia– “Last Night Again”
• Sugarland– “Stuck Like Glue”
• The Civil Wars– “Barton Hollow”
• The JaneDear Girls– “Wildflower”
• Thompson Square– “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”

USAWEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female, or group/duo)

• Lee Brice– “Love Like Crazy”
• Aaron Lewis – “Country Boy”
• Jerrod Niemann– “Lover, Lover”
• The Band Perry– “If I Die Young”
• Thompson Square– “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”

COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists; awarded to the artists (individual, group or duo)

• Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson– “Don’t You Wanna Stay”
• Justin Bieberfeat. Rascal Flatts – “That Should Be Me”
• Kid Rock feat. Sheryl Crow– “Collide”
• Aaron Lewis feat. George Jones and Charlie Daniels– “Country Boy”
• Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert and Sheryl Crow– “Coal Miner’s Daughter”

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

• Martina McBride and Train– “A Broken Wing” from CMT CROSSROADS: TRAIN AND MARTINA MCBRIDE
• Reba– “If I Were A Boy” from UNPLUGGED: REBA
• Darius Rucker and Adele– “Need You Now” from 2010 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR
• Keith Urban and John Mayer– “Sweet Thing” from CMT CROSSROADS: JOHN MAYER AND KEITH URBAN
• Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett– “Margaritaville” from CMT CROSSROADS: JIMMY BUFFETT AND ZAC BROWN BAND

BEST WEB VIDEO OF THE YEAR (New for 2011) Best video created primarily for internet streaming; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

• Jason Aldean–“My Kinda Party” (Live From The CMT Webcast)
• Luke Bryan–“It’s A Shore Thing”
• Lady Antebellum–“Stars Tonight”
• Blake Shelton–“Kiss My Country Ass”
• Taylor Swift–“Mine” (Live from the Speak Now Album Release Party)

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR Best video director of the year; awarded to the director for his or her body of work from the past year

• Deaton Flanigen (award eligible videos include: Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow’s “Collide” and the JaneDear Girl’s “Wildflower”)
• Trey Fanjoy (award eligible videos include: Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” and Blake Shelton’s “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking”)
• Chris Hicky (award eligible videos include: Carrie Underwood’s “Undo It” and Keith Urban’s “Without You”)
• David McClister (award eligible videos include: The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” and LeAnn Rimes’ “Swingin’”)
• Roman White (award eligible videos include: Lady Antebellum’s “Hello World” and Kellie Pickler’s “Makin’ Me Fall In Love Again”)