Mark Tremonti

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

May 27, 2015 — Leave a comment

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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Song of the Week: “Another Heart”

May 18, 2015 — Leave a comment

How could I not make this the song of the week when I’m going to see Tremonti in three days???? Guys, I am dying over here while counting down the moments to this show. I have seen Alter Bridge twice, which is great, but I totally adore Tremonti’s solo work. Plus, he’s opening for Black Stone Cherry. Definitely a win-win.

Tremonti — “Another Heart,” from the album Cauterize (2015).

New Tremonti Stuff Is Here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

April 7, 2015 — Leave a comment

I am so excited about the new Tremonti Project albums, Cauterize and Dust. It is disappointing that the former will not be released until June 9th (I was hoping for early May, so I could hear it before I see them), but I’m sure it will be well worth the wait. Currently, there is no set date for Dust, though Tremonti has said it will likely be within a year of Cauterize.

Here is the first single from Cauterize, entitled “Another Heart.” Turn it up!!!!! \m/

Song of the Week: “Leave It Alone”

February 4, 2015 — Leave a comment

Legitimately, I should just do an “Album of the Week” instead, because I would highly recommend that everyone listen to All I Was from beginning to end. I borrowed it from my brother and it hasn’t left my CD player in a week. He’s not getting it back until I have my own copy (currently on its way to my house, thanks to Amazon.com).

However, I will stick to the “Song of the Week” thing and give y’all my favorite track

Mark Tremonti — “Leave It Alone,” from the album All I Was (2012).

Review: Monster Truck & Alter Bridge @ The Tabernacle

April 22, 2014 — Leave a comment

This past Saturday–April 19th–I was in Atlanta, Georgia, for the Alter Bridge show. I was accompanied by two of my favorite people, my brother Rick and my friend Jesse. I was fortunate enough to make my way through the mob to the front. Two very kind Alter Bridge fans let me squeeze in beside them, right on the barrier. Needless to say, I refused to move for the rest of the evening.

The opening act, a band that hailed from Canada called Monster Truck, was really good. They were a mix of rock and blues. All I could think was “If Led Zeppelin and all the Southern rock bands had a baby, this would be it.” Ha! Seriously, though, their guitarist was super enthusiastic and the band was a lot of fun. They set the tone for the evening–high energy rock & roll–and the fans showed them a ton of respect as they filed off the stage.

When Alter Bridge came out roughly thirty minutes later, the noise was tremendous! They tore straight into “Addicted to Pain” and from that moment, it was a case of nonstop greatness. My favorite thing about it was the fact that the crowd was made up mostly of hardcore Alter Bridge fans, the kind that sing every single word. There is nothing more magical than hearing a crowd of 2000+ belting out “Broken Wings,” “Open Your Eyes,” and “Rise Today.” It was obvious that vocalist/guitarist Myles Kennedy, guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Phillips were feeding off the audience’s energy and adoration. It is also apparent that the four of them truly love what they do, and that always adds to the experience for the fans. Alter Bridge put on one hell of a show, and Myles stopped to give the fans a heartfelt thanks more than once, saying that if it wasn’t for us, the band wouldn’t be celebrating its ten-year anniversary.

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From L to R: bassist Brian Marshall, vocalist/guitarist Myles Kennedy, and guitarist Mark Tremonti

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Myles Kennedy grinning at me during “Rise Today.”

Highlights from the show were “Blackbird,” Myles instructing the audience to sing “Happy Birthday” to Tremonti, who had turned 40 the previous day, and the guitar dual between Myles and Tremonti, which led straight into the final song of the evening, “Rise Today.” A personal highlight was receiving a pick from Myles…that pretty much made my night.

Alter Bridge is easily one of the best bands I’ve ever seen in concert. If you haven’t made it out for a show yet, you should seriously remedy that immediately. I guarantee that you will have the time of your life.

Song of the Week: Blackbird

April 3, 2014 — Video — 1 Comment

I figured since I’m going to see them in a couple of weeks, I should honor them on my blog.

Alter Bridge–“Blackbird” from the album of the same name, performed live at Wembley. Y’all can’t possibly imagine how much I love that Myles plays the riff of “Blackbird” by The Beatles at the opening.