Standing Ovation Performances
Kissin' on Bourbon by Thomas Mac, featuring Clara Park
Nobody In His Right Mind Would've Left Her
A special introduction to
Wish It Was Me
Performed by Gunnar Latham
(Cowritten by Gunnar)
Released 01/03/2025
Intro by Gene Johns
It is my intention to not only present to you a genuine country music song but to create a scene in your mind that “sets the stage” for you to experience the magic of authentic country music.
Imagine you are sitting at a small round table for two, with your loved one, in a room just big enough to hold another thirty or so tables for two. There is a sawdust dance floor in front of a slightly elevated stage at the front of the room.
It’s a small venue with limited seating for an intimate performance by a genuine country music artist, Gunnar Latham. Every table for two has its assigned guests seated. Everyone has been served an adult beverage or a soft drink of their choice. The flickering “No Smoking” neon sign, with its white, pink, and blue neon lights, is turned on.
The stage is dimly lit, with the band's instruments already on stage. The crowded room, full of excitement and chatter, continues to warm up as the crowd ignores the band taking their place on stage.
Suddenly, without notice, the drummer begins to play a soft, steady, rhythmic beat. Shortly thereafter, the steel guitar joins in as other band members add the sounds of their stringed instruments to a two-step melody that settles the crowd.
Out of the darkness above, a spotlight lights up the microphone stand at the front of the stage. As the band continues to play the enchanting melody, accompanied by the haunting sound of the steel guitar, the crowd becomes quiet.
Then, the sound of boots walking across the wood floor of the stage announces the arrival of Gunnar and his guitar. He walks out to the front of the stage and takes his place behind the microphone.
With his guitar in hand and his black cowboy hat tilted slightly down over his forehead, Gunnar begins to play his rhythm guitar in harmony with the band. He looks down for a moment and then raises his head to look out over the audience. Then he begins his serenade, “First thing you do every morning is press your lips to your coffee cup. I wish it was me. I wish it was me.”
Several couples get up and make their way to the dance floor. The couples on the dance floor embrace their partner as Gunnar continues his serenade,
“And every evening when the sun goes down and you’re cold, you grab your blanket and you hold it close. I wish it was me. I wish it was me.”
That is my introduction to this week’s Essie Country’s 21st Century Real Country Music Song of the Week. This song is truly exceptional, a country music masterpiece. I want it to be more than just a three-minute review of my choice for song of the week. I want it to be an event you won’t soon forget.
I selected Gunnar’s song, “Wish It Was Me,” because the lyrics, the musicality, and the vocal performance of “Wish It Was Me” make this song and performance truly authentic country music at its finest. It is a song and performance worthy of national attention. However, in today’s pop, hip-hop, and fake country music world, it’s too country and was overlooked by the executives, producers, and radio program managers of the country music industry. Shame on them.
When you click on the video below to experience Gunnar’s genuine country music performance of this superbly written country music song, “Wish It Was Me,” close your eyes and imagine you are in that small, crowded room, on the dance floor with your partner, enjoying the magic of the moment.