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

Framing the Red

Snow!

Okay, it may not look like much to you, but to us in Alabama, six to eight inches is like the Snowpocalypse. It started around 1:30 p.m. and didn’t stop until after midnight. What made it really fun was the fact that the next day, the temperature rose to 41 degrees and everything started melting…then the temperature dropped into the 20s and all that crap froze.

But wait!

By the end of the weekend, the high will possibly be in the upper 50s, maybe even 60. Gotta love Alabama weather.

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Taken around 8:45 p.m.

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Our porch steps at 9:30 p.m.

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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

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Ryan again…

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Jude

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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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These Pictures Makes Me Smile

Yeah…that’s Jacob Lynam. I realized I hadn’t previously mentioned this show, which happened back in October. I don’t think there’s much to say about it, though, because this picture explains without words how the night went.

Oh, wait, and then there’s this one:

That totally earns another heart.

I guess I created this post for no other reason than to make up for not blogging last week.

~xoxo~

A Week Late

Happy New Year!

As the title says, I’m a week late with this, but I just didn’t have the time to blog over the holidays. There was a lot going on.

I have the most amazing little niece (related by friendship, not blood). Her name is Ivy and I just love her to pieces. Look at this face.

Ivy

Isn’t she sweet?

I spent Christmas Eve with her and the rest of my extended family. My Christmas was amazing! My brother added to my vinyl collection, buying me copies of both Avenged Sevenfold’s Waking the Fallen: Resurrected and Slash’s self-titled record.

Between Christmas and the new year, all I did was work. In fact, I worked on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. However, I did get to ring in 2015 with some friends, so I’m not complaining.

I have Almost Kings and Lynam shows to look forward to in February and March. Other than that, I’m just sailing along and enjoying life! 🙂

I hope this post finds all of you well. ❤

Merry Christmas!

The last few days have really ignited my Christmas spirit. I’ve had a lot of fun shopping for my friends and family, and a lot of fun trying to figure out what they got for me. 🙂

On Saturday, I went to a Lynam show with my brother Rick. It had been a while since we’d seen that particular band together. We had a fantastic time…even if David did take a shot at me for wearing my Alabama shirt. Ha! I even got an early Christmas present from the band: David let me hear some of the new stuff they’ve been recording. It was definitely different than what I’m used to from them, but in a good way. I love the idea of them exploring the extremes of their creativity. ❤

L to R: Mark, Jacob, and David

In other news, Almost Kings has finished the writing/preproduction stage for their new album and will begin recording in January. I AM SO EXCITED!

I hope that all of my followers have a very Merry Christmas. I’ll be back in the new year!

Music Memories: Lynam

Me with Jacob Bunton

Me with David Lynam (far right)

Both of these pictures were taken the first night I ever met Lynam–October 16, 2008. I continue to be thankful to my friend Heather for urging me to come to the show, because this was the start of a (mostly) wonderful friendship. For six years now, these guys have been a huge part of my life. I hope that never changes. ❤

Random Update on Me

I know my posts have been sporadic recently, but it’s been hectic here. I haven’t had the time or, to be honest, the access to a computer to do what I intended to do when I started this blog. However…I am hoping to sort this out soon. I’m already working on my next “Bands You Should Know,” which will feature Lynam, and I may be doing a review of the new Slash/Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators album, World on Fire (though I don’t think I need to tell you how amazing it is; it’s Slash and Myles Kennedy, for cryin’ out loud).

Hmm. I don’t think there’s anything else relevant to share, so here’s a picture that makes me happy:

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This is my beautiful kitty, Marceline. She wiggled her way beneath that mat even with my mom standing on it. As far as she was concerned, she was hidden. Ha ha! She’s adorable.

Anywho, I should be back next week with a post about Lynam!

Birthday Blog!

I am going to take a break from reviews, videos, etc., and do a post about my birthday. The topic will still be music, however, considering that the way I celebrated was back-to-back Almost Kings/Super bob shows.

My actual birthday is August 10th. As you know, that was Sunday. There is nothing to do on a Sunday. Therefore, we decided to celebrate early. August 7th, we saw Almost Kings and Super bob in Huntsville. August 8th, we saw the dynamic pairing in Birmingham.

Almost Kings killed it, as always. I don’t think I could ever be disappointed by one of their performances. There is never a dull moment. And, you know, this happened.

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Adding to the excitement was the fact that these were my first two Super bob shows. I had not even heard them before this, except one song. I can’t think of anything to say about them other than OH, MY GOD! They were so great! Very high energy and more rock-oriented than Almost Kings, it didn’t take them very long to pump up the crowds. In Birmingham, I stood on one of Almost Kings’ equipment cases to see better and just let it go! I will undoubtedly be posting another blog about Super bob soon. They definitely fall into the category of “Bands You Should Know.”

I’m going to end this blog with a few pictures. Enjoy!

Me with Ryan Yunker

Me with Ryan Yunker

Jude Buckingham and AK's Bryan Bozeman

Jude Buckingham and AK’s Bryan Bozeman

Almost Kings bassist Danny Helms

Almost Kings bassist Danny Helms

Almost Kings guitarist Ryan Yunker

Almost Kings guitarist Ryan Yunker

Super bob front man Matt Santoro

Super bob front man Matt Santoro

Me with Danny and Almost Kings drummer Kevin Compton

Me with Danny and Almost Kings drummer Kevin Compton

Ryan Yunker

Ryan Yunker

Me with Matt Santoro

Me with Matt Santoro

Me with Super bob bassist Drew Recny (left) and drummer Chris Faircloth (right)

Me with Super bob bassist Drew Recny (left) and drummer Chris Faircloth (right)

Song of the Week: “Five Foot Hurricane”

My song of the week is again from Almost Kings and naturally, the video I chose is the one from this past week when I was celebrating my birthday and vocalist Bryan Bozeman pulled me onstage. The band and my friends made my weekend one to remember!

Almost Kings–“Five Foot Hurricane,” from the album Filthy Nice (2009).