As a new year begins, I find myself taking time to reflect on the year’s past events before jumping headlong into the 12 months that lie ahead. Musically speaking, 2011 was a great year and included such notable highlights as U2’s record-breaking 360° Tour, Lady Gaga’s outlandishly engaging Monster Ball, and great albums by Adele, Panic! at the Disco, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Lady Antebellum, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert, Ronnie Dunn’s first solo record, Tori Amos’ all classical recording, a new Christmas classic by Michael Bublé, and of course Born This Way, by the aforementioned Lady Gaga.

I look forward to 2012 with great musical anticipation as I eagerly await new music releases from Snow Patrol, Tim McGraw, The Fray, Dierks Bentley, Adam Lambert, Leona Lewis, and Madonna, just to name a few. And who knows what other melodious surprises are in store for unsuspecting ears? The ever evolving and unpredictable nature of music is what makes it thrilling and keeps my iPod’s insatiable appetite endlessly salivating for a never ending supply of tasty tunes. So I fondly bid farewell to 2011 and ardently prepare to say hello to 2012.