Shaman’s Harvest, Tremonti, and Black Stone Cherry — A Night to Remember

Last Thursday, I went to see Shaman’s Harvest, Tremonti, and Black Stone Cherry in Birmingham. I’m not even going to try to explain how amazing the show was. Just…if you ever get the chance to see any of these bands, GO!!!!!!!!

After their set, Tremonti did a meet & greet at their merch table. Unfortunately, they were supposed to be out when Black Stone Cherry took the stage. They didn’t leave at the appointed time; however, we were ONE person away from them when security told them they had to go to the bus. No lie, I almost burst into tears. I love Mark Tremonti and I’ve wanted to meet him for a while and I was SO close…

While I was still struggling not to cry, a guy we’d been talking to before the show walked up. His name was Wade and he had tweeted Mark earlier in the week, asking if he would play his PRS at the show–and Mark said yes. He played the guy’s guitar for one song and announced to the crowd that it was Wade’s. (Legit, right?????) So Wade looks at me and asks if I got to meet Mark. I replied no and explained what happened. “Well,” Wade says, “you’d probably have luck if you went to the buses. They’re right around the corner. If Mark sees you out there, he’ll definitely talk to you. He’s a really cool guy.”

Second chances, for the win!!!!!!!!

My brother decided to stay inside and watch Black Stone Cherry because A) he’d never seen them before, and B) he didn’t believe that I’d have any luck outside.

I went out there. I found the buses. I froze my ass off for about twenty minutes, jumping every time a door opened. Finally, finally, the door to the venue opens and I glance up and I see him. Mark fucking Tremonti, carrying a guitar and looking like the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever laid eyes on. I very softly called “Mark?” He looked straight at me and I waved and he waved back and I said “Can I…? Can I climb over the barrier?” And he said “Yeah. Come on.”

*DEAD*

I trampled some flowers to get to him. Lol. He tried to shake my hand and I threw my arms around his middle and hugged him and it was so glorious. I lamented the fact that there was no one there to take a picture and he goes “It’s okay. We can selfie it.”

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Sorry it’s so blurry, but the only lighting back there were the streetlamps.

We talked for about twenty minutes, then I asked for another picture, closer to the light this time. Instead, we grabbed some guy who was beside Black Stone Cherry’s bus and we got these.

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I joked we were going to have about twenty pictures together and he assured me it was fine and waited for me to make sure I was happy with them. ❤

My brother came outside after that, because I texted him and told him that Mark Tremonti said hello (which he did), but Mark was already on the bus and he never came back off. We did meet three members of Black Stone Cherry and two more members of Tremonti, though.

Black Stone Cherry

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Eric [Tremonti]

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Tanner [Tremonti]

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Another Night With [Almost] Royalty

By this point, y’all know how much I love Almost Kings and you’ve either checked them out or you haven’t. So this blog is simply going to be a lot of pictures, and a video, from this past weekend. 🙂 Enjoy!

Watch this video first. Trust me. It will change your life. Oh, and this one, too.

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Ryan and Danny

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Music & Family

Music has always been a big thing in my family. Ever since I can remember, we’ve been going to shows together. I know for a fact that my parents took me to shows while I was still in a stroller, and I can clearly remember seeing Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers for the first time…when I was six.

For years, my brother and I tagged along with Mom and Dad, watching classic rock acts of which they were fans. Now, however, we are much older and we have begun carrying our parents to shows. Well, our mom, at any rate. Dad isn’t very sociable anymore.

I am a huge fan of local acts, as everyone who follows this blog has surely realized. I hang out at shows so much that I’m recognized by bands, staff at the venues, etc. I made it my mission to introduce my mom to that world (she didn’t frequent the local scene when she was younger). I was most insistent that she attend a Lynam show with me, for they are the band that I am closest to. She has now seen them four or five times, and she adores vocalist/guitarist Jacob Bunton almost as much as I do.

Anyway, a little over a week ago, she and I hit a Lynam show. My brother joined us after work. I had the best time with two of my family members there. Jacob even gave my mom a shout-out from the stage.

And now, pictures!

Mom, Jacob, and me

David Lynam and me

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These Self-Proclaimed Princes

Last Thursday, I went to see Almost Kings in Madison. Insert everything I’ve ever said about them into this post and you will be able to almost imagine how epic my night was.

I will never get over this band. I’m impressed by the fact that these four men give 200% at every show, both on and off the stage. They are the kindest, most wonderful and talented people, and I hope they know how much happiness they have brought to my life. Seriously, I can’t say it enough: if you ever have a chance to see them, take it! You won’t regret it!

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Ryan and Danny

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Kevin

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Jude and Boze

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God I Love These Nights

This past Friday, Jesse and I went to see Almost Kings in Birmingham. It was a truly epic evening. I had not seen the band or my friends that were there in five months, and believe me when I say it was quite a reunion! 🙂 I had missed all of those sweet faces so much! ❤

Almost Kings opened their set with a new song…which is cool, except now I’m dying for the new album…and from the word “Go,” all four of them gave 110%. In case I haven’t mentioned it lately, Almost Kings are some of the best performers out there. It’s not possible to be bored during their shows–or afterward, when hanging out with them. I can’t wait to do it again in March.

In closing, I have to add that it made my night being able to play part of Mark Tremonti’s solo album All I Was for Ryan. Is that lame? Maybe. I don’t care, though. Sharing music with someone is the best.

And, of course, here are some pictures from the evening:

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Me, Jesse, Kendra, and Alicia

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Jesse ❤

Me, Kevin, and Jesse

Kevin, Me, and Jesse

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Jude and Ryan

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Ryan again…

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Danny, Kevin, and Ryan

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Jude

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Danny

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Boze

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This was our “serious” pose

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“Awkward prom dance”

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Kevin