'Bike Racks, Barbers & Big Duets' Recap

Bringing Up Bates "Bike Racks, Barbers & Big Duets!"

• Lawson and Nathan head to Mount Airy, North Carolina, to prepare for Lawson’s show. Mount Airy is Andy Griffith’s hometown and considered to be the inspiration for the Mayberry of The Andy Griffith Show.
• Lawson is invited to be a guest on a local radio program. “Live anything is really something I’ve really been trying to adjust to and get better at,” he admits. “When it’s life…you can’t take it back. You can’t hit the edit button.”
• Nathan and Lawson take a tour of the town in an old squad car. They also visit a replica of Andy Griffith’s office.
• Back at home, Gil and the other boys set out to turn a big log into a bike rack. Bikes are constantly left out in the Bates’ yard, and they are often run over.
• Everyone is extremely impressed by the finished product, and they are equally as impressed that the Bates started and finished a project in the same day.
• “That was the most genius thing I have ever seen,” says Tori.
• When the rest of the family makes it to Mount Airy, it’s crunch time. Emily Ann Roberts arrives, and the sound check begins. Fans begin lining up outside the historic Earle Theatre.
• “I think Lawson’s stage presence has just improved so much,” says Nathan. “It’s remarkable how much better Lawson has become.
• Lawson is pleased with the way the evening turns out. “Overall, I think the concert was a blast,” he says.

Season 5 Premiere Recap

Bringing Up Bates "Summer Lovin', Guitar Strummin and a Surprise a Comin'"...

• The Bates head to The Wilds overnight camp in North Carolina to pick up Jackson, Warden, and Isaiah. This is the first time any Bates kids have gone to sleepaway camp without the rest of the clan. Bobby Smith, Tori's boyfriend, is a counselor at the camp.
• Tori gives an update on her relationship with Bobby: "We've been together for about a year now, like officially, unofficially, like technically but not technically. We're together but we're not together. It's confusing. We're gonna get married."
• "Bobby was interested in a courtship," shares Gil. "I said, 'Well you need to get to know each other a little more before we really move into something more official.' So it looks like they're moving in that direction, and we'll see what happens." 
• Bobby lives in Tampa, Florida, and also goes to school in Florida, while Tori lives and attends school near Knoxville, Tennessee.  
• "I think every parent wants to see their children happy," says Kelly. "And of course if Bobby's anywhere nearby...Tori is bubbling over, so as a parent, I'll be anxious to see where her future is leading over the next few months.
• Bobby gives the Bates a tour of the camp. The first stop is the giant swing. "I saw the cables, I saw the spring, I saw that thing, and I knew, this is something my wife would never do," states Gil. The kids know their mom will never agree to ride if she knows how it works, so they don't tell her. She goes into it thinking it's a calm, romantic ride.
• When Kelly realizes what's happening, it's too late. "What are y'all doing to me?" she shouts. "This is not a ride, this is a torture contraption!" The Bates mom screams the entire time. 
• Next stop is the lake, which features jumping platforms, a giant blob, and ziplines. 
• Back in Tennessee, Lawson is preparing for a short concert tour to showcase his new CD. He heads to the studio to record vocals, accompanied by Kelly and Josie. "My mom is my number one supporter, and I appreciate all of her encouragement," says Lawson. The first song is a duet with Emily Ann Roberts. 
• "When you see your child strive for something, you can't help but be proud as a mom," says Kelly, beaming.
• Later, Gil, Lawson, Nathan, and Carlin help Trace practice for his Dixie Stampede audition. In addition to trick riding, Trace is going to have to learn showmanship and dancing. 
• Dancing is something the Bates have never done. Kelly says her son might have to take some lessons. "Dancing is not in my comfort zone," admits Trace. 
• "I don't think I ever dreamed I would see the day when my mom would be encouraging anyone in my family to take dance lessons," says Zach, smiling. "We're all starting to realize that there are extremes with everything, but what's your heart? Are you wanting to do this in a good, uplifting, and appropriate way, or is this more in a negative connotation?"
• "We never really danced as a family, probably because a lot of the teenage dancing gets a little bit too close for comfort for Gil...," says Kelly. The Bates parents admit they are having to reevaluate now that the kids are growing up.
• "[Trace] kind of was the shy one, but he's coming out of this box, and he's finding out who he is on his own without following in his brothers' shadows," says Kelly.
• At Zach and Whitney's house, the family of four enjoys time together on one of Zach's days off. He is in law enforcement and works 12-hour shifts, which is difficult for his wife and kids. They head over to Gil and Kelly's house for a family day with the whole clan (minus the Websters--or so everyone thinks--and Keilens).
• After everyone arrives, longtime friend Mrs. Dingus surprises the family with a visit. She is carrying flowers and a basket of gifts. The Bates automatically assume someone is pregnant. The kids are even asking Mom if she's expecting. Everyone gathers around, and Mrs. Dingus passes out the gifts. Inside are two of Alyssa and John's maternity photos. They are expecting a baby girl whose name will be Lexi Mae. The family is shocked. They run outside to greet the Websters.
• "I don't think there's any...emotional word to capture what you feel like when you find out you're going to have a new granddaughter," says Gil.

Giveaway: Lawson Bates' New CD

With less than one week until the release of Lawson Bates' new album, "What Country Means to Me," we have a giveaway for y'all! Lawson dropped by our house last week to give us a handful of CDs to raffle off to our readers.

(Check out our October 27th post to find out how to buy "I'll Love Again," Lawson's single featuring Emily Ann Roberts from The Voice.)

Follow the directions on the widget below to enter to win this giveaway.

Recap: 'Bates Dish It Out"

Bringing Up Bates "Bates Dish It Out"

• Zach and Chad work together to make a little bed for Bradley. “…The man has never-ending talents,” says Tori of Chad. “He’s amazing.”
• Lawson joins his producer, Andy Leftwich, at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville to continue work on his upcoming album. “I’m always nervous going into the studio,” admits Lawson. “There’s so much going into it. You want to make sure you’re getting what you want out of it.”
• “I think Lawson is seeing his music career really starting to grow,” shares Kelly. “Yes it requires talent…but I think a large majority of it is knowing the right people, being at the right place at the right time.” Stay tuned for details on Lawson's fall tour.
• Emily Ann Roberts, who recently scored second place on The Voice, joins Lawson in the recording studio. The two vocalists give viewers a sneak peek of one of the duets they are performing together. Surprisingly, it's a heartbreak song. 
• Trace: “Why do you do a breakup song when you should be doing a love song or something?”
• Lawson: “Hey, you sing about what’s real to you.”
• Nathan: “All that he’s ever known is breakups, so that’s what’s real to him.”
• “I feel really, really blessed to be a part of this,” shares Emily Ann. “I’m really thankful that Lawson invited me to be on his record. I think it’s going to be incredible.” 
• According to Callie, “Emily Ann has a voice like an angel.”
• Back in East Tennessee, everyone heads out the door to eat lunch at Austin’s Steak and Homestyle Buffet, an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord. Gil and Kelly say it has been a while since their family has been to a buffet.
• “The kids going to a buffet is like turning a child loose in a candy store,” explains Gil. “A moment on the lips, forever on the hips."
• Most of the family members eat way too much, but not Tori. “You know what Tori did?” says Carlin. “Tori felt great afterwards ‘cause she walks in the buffet and what does she get at a buffet? A SALAD! So then, she started eating her big salad, so then I felt bad, so I had to get me a salad. So I ate that plus everything else, and so then I really felt bad.” 

The song playing in the background towards the end of the episode is "Bring A Little Joy," performed by Jasmine Ash.