Countryfest videos, an AboutCountry "vote-in" tomorrow, and more...

Aaron Crisler of Music City Update was on hand for Bucky Covington's guest appearance on Good Morning America, where Bucky posed for this fun shot with GMA's Sam Champion during CMA Fest in June. Click here for more beautiful Nashville event photos by Mr. Crisler, including a newly-posted exclusive Keith Anderson story and gallery. Photo by Aaron Crisler/ Music City Update.com

Vote, request, call, email--supporting Bucky's rise to the top can definitely keep us busy at times, but the results of all that support speak for themselves. Bucky's single, "A Different World" is a Top Nine and rising hit as of this evening (and a CMT Power Picks champion today, too), and at post-time, his album was tied for first place at the exceedingly popular AboutCountry Awards poll, where it's nominated for "Album of the Year" honors. (Feel free to hit that link and get in a vote or two!)

But every so often, it's good to take a quick break and remember why we're doing all this. Way back when Bucky hit the small stage in the Idol semifinals, it was already clear that there was something infinitely memorable and cool about that voice--and we knew we'd want to hear it again and again. After his "Wave on Wave" performance, I started up this blog in March '06 with this wish: "I really, really want a Bucky Covington CD to listen to while the green and gray highway streaks by me on a hot summer morning, on the way to something good. I want to pack up a bunch of friends and go hear him sing his ol' heart out and cheer him on. I want him to have a solid singing career as long as he wants to keep doing this."

I'm here to tell y'all--it feels really, really, really good to get what you want. Every call we made during Idol, every mouse click poll pick since, every "Top X at X" vote and phoned-in request (and some of those DJs are intimidating, let's be honest!) adds up to something truly important. Bucky and the band are out there working hard and winning hearts on the road, and with such dedicated fans supporting him in concert and online, that solid singing career is off to a fine, fine start.

For proof, check out these two fun (if slightly fuzzy) newly posted videos of Bucky's turn at the WGNA Countryfest last weekend--here's part one and part two. Sounds like a very good time was had by all--including Bucky! (And for a bit of bonus goodness, check out Lisa/letusjudge's beautiful video of Bucky's "Hometown" at the Zellwood concert in May, also freshly posted at YouTube.)

Tomorrow at noon, we'll have the first AboutCountry poll "vote in" right here--think of it as a Power Picks matchup with four challengers instead of one. How many votes can we rack up in an hour's time? That's the question tomorrow--stop in at 12 noon ET and give Bucky a round of poll-style applause.

And if you happen to be within earshot of Lia, The Big Time with Whitney Allen, Danny Wright All Night or After Midnite tonight, why not call, email, request Bucky and share "A Different World" with your fellow listeners? (If your local country station doesn't carry any of the above, just ask your friendly neighborhood DJ to play Bucky's single.)

Remember, After Midnite has a Bucky Covington contest all this week. You could win roundtrip coach airfare for two to Fort Worth, TX, two night's hotel accomodations, two tickets to see Bucky in concert, and two tickets for a meet and greet with Bucky. Head to the After Midnite contest page for full details and rules, and good luck--hope you'll be partying at Billy Bob's with Bucky this fall. Sweet dreams!--Winnie