How do you listen to music

I never really thought about that...how you listen. I don't mean like on the radio, or ipod or stereo. I mean when you listen to music, do you listen to the whole thing? or just parts of it? That's still kind of confusing...

OK, 10+ years ago when I was watching American Idol, Keith Urban was one of the judges. He was the first musician I had ever heard talk about music. When someone would audition, he would make comments about their sound or their style and reference other musicians - like, that sounded a lot like how so and so used to sing the blues, or your style is a lot like so and so (a soul singer), etc. And I thought, wow, he's a real fan of music! Not just country music, but all music. That was interesting to me. 

Then, there's my fella. He's always talking about how a song is "well crafted" or how the bass guitar sounds or how the drums sound. I only hear the song as a whole, and the lyrics.

A couple months ago, I was listening to an interview with Vince Gill. He spoke a lot about how he listens to music, as a musician. He said; it's not normal, how I listen to music. I listen to all the pieces of a song...the bass, the rhythm guitar, the fiddle or the banjo, the drums, the piano: and I thought about my fella! That's how he listens too! I think it's because he played an instrument when he was younger. I don't think all musicians are like that though. I always like to listen to people who have a passion for their craft/career/hobby, etc.

Music and smiles

Last week, a friend of mine and I went to see Ain't Too Proud, the life of The Temptations. I love all that old Motown music. It did not disappoint. Plus, she had a great time too. Double thumbs up. This was the last show of the season. My favorite play-mate and I have season tickets for the next Broadway season. It includes; Frozen, Mama Mia, To Kill a Mockingbird, Hadestown and Tina Turner.

Have you heard the song, Till You Can't, by Cody Johnson? I'm not kidding when I say, it's the BEST cheesy song EVER!! I love it!! How about the Hardy song, Wait In The Truck? I always feel bad that I really like this song. Oh!! And the song, A Rock. It's clever. Sometimes when I'm listening to my playlist on Amazon music, I'm surprised when some of the songs pop up. Like, Crazy or Crazy Train or Dream a Little Dream or Paint It Black or Me And Mrs Jones or Uptown Funk. And I picked them all! 

The other day we were watching some show about John Williams, the composer. You know, he wrote the music to Jaws, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Lincoln, Harry Potter. Music really does make a movie sometimes. I really think about that sometimes when we're watching a movie. I really, really, really love books but I would miss music more if I didn't have it. Think about that song from your teens that always makes you smile when you hear it. Or, "your song" with your significant other. Music that makes you feel like summer. Or music that's soothing. Recently we've been listening to a lot of classical guitar. It can play all day long and I don't get tired of it. It's true, that music is healing.

Live entertainment!

I feel like I need to update my list :-)

It's getting pretty long! I hope it gets even longer.

1971 - Bobby Sherman @ Clowes Hall - my very first concert 

1972 - Liberace @ Starlight theater. I was 13, he was awesome :-)

3/19/1972 - Sonny and Cher @ The Coliseum/state fairgrounds

5/18/1972 - Sammy Davis Jr @ the Convention Center

1974 - Andy Williams w/foster Brooks @ Starlight. Andy Williams was dud

1974 - Paul Anka @ Starlight. He was so delightful!

06/1974 - The Guess Who @ The Coliseum. My 1st concert w/out a grownup!

8/3/1974 - Blue Oyster Cult @ the Convention Center/Indpls.

10/30/1974 - Odysseus w/Yul Brenner @ The Kennedy Center

10/31/1974 - J. Geils, Golden Earring, Johnny Winter @ the Coliseum

3/10/1975 - Yes, Doobie Brothers @ Market Square Arena/Indpls

12/5/1975 - Black Sabbath @ the Convention Center. I don't remember 1 lick of this concert

1975 - Edgar Winter w/Peter Frampton @ the Coliseum

1/25/1975 - Led Zeppelin @ Market Square Arena. I paid a scalper $20 for this ticket!!

1975 - Mac Davis @ the Coliseum

1975 - Doug Henning @ Clowes Hall/Butler University

10/31/1975 - Hall and Oats w/Shawn Phillips @ the Convention Center

7/21/1976 - Elton John @ MSA

2/17/1976 - Cat Stevens @ MSA

7/27/1976 - Jethro Tull @ Market Square Arena. I don't even like Jethro Tull, but it was a date

1/20/1976 - Bachman Turner Override @ MSA

4/23 & 24/1976 - Neil Diamond @MSA. SO gooood!

11/22/1976 - The Eagles @ MSA

8/30/1976 - Yes w/Kansas @ MSA

7/4/1977 - Aero Smith w/REO Speedwagon 

4/21/1978 - Aero Smith w/REO Speedwagon

7/7/1979 - The Bee Gees @ Dodger Stadium. How lucky was I ?!?!?!

4/15/1980 - The Pretenders @ UCSB

1/26/1982 - Joan Armatrading @ the Arlington Theater in Santa Barbara

10/19/1985 - Kenny Loggins @ Irvine Amphitheater

1986 - Kenny Rogers w/Sayer Brown and Lee Greenwood @ Los Angeles Forum

1986? - Smothers Brothers in Las Vegas

1987 - Alabama @ LA Forum

08/1995 - Brooks and Dunn w/Lonestar @ the State Fair Indy

8/3/1997 - Alan Jackson @ the State Fair Indy

12/1998 - Jesus Christ Superstar w/Ted Neeley @ The Murat Theater Indy. My dream!

07/2000 - Alan Jackson @ Verizon Indy. I went to this by myself.

08/2001 - Brooks and Dunn Neon Circus w/Toby Keith, Keith Urban, Montgomery Gentry and  Cledus T Judd @ Verizon

2004? - Neal McCoy @ 8 Second Saloon. What a ham he is!

10/1/2005 - Brooks and Dunn w/Big $ Rich @ Verizon Amphitheater

2005 - Lord Of the Dance @ The Murat Theater

9/15/2006 - Foreigner, Styx and David Lee Roth @ the State Fair Indy

3/14/07 - Harry Connick Jr. @ The Murat Theater

6/2/2007 - Brook and Dunn w/Alan Jackson and Jake Owen @ Chicago. Best show!

11/14/2007 - Garth Brooks in Kansas City

03/2008 - Menopause the Musical @ The Cabaret Theater 

10/2/2008 - Robin Williams @ Purdue University

01/2009 - Harry Connick Jr. @ The Murat Theater

7/20/2009 - Brooks and Dunn w/Rodney Atkins and James Otto @ Verizon

08/2009 - Brad Paisley w/Dierks Bently @ Verizon

11/22/09 - Chicago the Musical @ Clowes Hall Front row! w/Angela :-)

10/2/2010 - Guitar Masters - Eric Johnson, Andy McKee and Peppino D'Agostino @ Clowes Hall

9/2/2010 - Brooks and Dunn's last concert @ Bridgestone Arena in Nashville TN

2011 - Marvin Hamlish @ The Palladium in Carmel IN. This was part of the American Songbook series.

2011 - Debby Boone @ The Palladium in Carmel IN. This was part of the American Songbook series

3/2/2011 - Lord Of the Dance @ Clowes Hall. This show is so fantastic, I would see it every time it came here!! 

6/4/2011 - Glen Campbell @ The Palladium in Carmel IN

9/16/2011 - Earl Scruggs @ The Palladium in Carmel IN 

2011 - River Dance @ Clowes Hall. I enjoyed this but Lord of Dance is a 100 x better

2012 - Michael Feinstein @ The Palladium. This was part of the American Songbook series

1/13/2012 - Sam Bush (bluegrass) @ The Palladium

03/2012 - Lee Ritenour @ The Murat

4/15/2012 - Bill Cosby @ The Palladium w/mom.

9/26/2012 - Earth Wind and Fire @ The Murat. This was the first concert my fella has ever been to where the audience never sat down, from start to finish. It was amazing!

10/3/2012 -  Ricky Skaggs @ The Palladium. He's a great story teller

01/2013 - The Jersey Boys @ The Murat w/mom

4/16/2013 - All For the Hall; Vince Gill, Keith Urban, Montgomery Gentry, Trace Adkins, Hank  

Williams Jr., Willie Nelson, Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Rosanne Cash, 

Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock, Kris Kristofferson, Jesse Colter, Brantley Gilbert

5/10/2013 - Brad Paisley w/Brantly Gilbert @ Verizon

11/2013 - Wicked @ The Murat

1/26/2014 - Rock of Ages @ The Murat This was SO much better than the movie! 

3/4/2014 - All For the Hall; Vince Gill, Keith Urban, Brantley Gilbert, Brett Eldredge, Carrie 

Underwood, David Nail, Deanna Carter, Kacey Musgraves, Kip Moore, Lee Ann Womack, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Reba, Ronnie Milsap, Darius Rucker @ Nashville

2/6/2014 - Cats @ Beef and Boards w/mom

6/28/2014 - Journey, Steve Miller, Tower of Power @ Verizon

10/15/2014 - Jay Leno @ Clowes Hall

11/2014 - Menopause the Musical @ The Murat w/a big group of women in tow. Fun, fun night

01/2015 - The Illusionists @ The Murat w/mom and my guy

5/1/2015 - Vince Gill @ The Palladium

4/9/2016 - Garth Brooks @ KFC Center in Louisville

12/2016 - Trans Siberian Orchestra @ the Fieldhouse

4/28/2017 - The Time Jumpers w/Vince Gill @ The Palladium

8/31/2017 - Alan Jackson in Vincennes

10/7/2017 - Garth Brooks @ The Fieldhouse 

10/8/2017 - Garth Brooks @ The Fieldhouse

12/2017 - Rudolph, the Musical @ Clowes Hall man was that dorky! :-)

12/2017 - Trans Siberian Orchestra @ the Fieldhouse

4/13/2018 - Robin Trower @ The Egyptian Room at the Murat

5/18/2018 - Dennis Miller @ The Palladium

9/26/2018 - The Lion King @ The Murat. Hands down the best stage production ever. It was 

so visually stunning that I teared up!

10/20/2018 - Garth Brooks @ Notre Dame, the first ever concert there. It rained, hailed and      snowed. It was cold. It was outdoor. Whoa! It was epic!!!

12/2018 - Trans Siberian Orchestra @ the Fieldhouse

3/8/2019 - The King and I @ Clowes Hall, w/Mom. It was a nice local production :-)

10/2019 - Earth Wind & Fire Legacy Reunion @ The Palladium...SUCKED! I don't think we 

even stayed to the end. Just awful. I mean, if you're going to do cover songs of EWF, you don't have to be great like them but you better at least be good.

11/21/2019 - We Will Rock You @ The Murat. Also SUCKED!! Ok, so the music was alright 

 but the story was so lame, OMG!!

12/18/2019 - Hamilton @ The Murat. Wow!

1/20/2022 - Jesus Christ Superstar @ Clowes Hall. I love this musical so much. It's my favorite. Unfortunately, the performers in this production were pretty lackluster.

10/8/2022 - Sawyer Brown @ Brown County Music Center

10/19/2022 - Anastasia @ the Murat

10/23/2022 - Joe Satriani @ Brown County Music Center

11/16/2022 - Aladdin @ Clowes Hall

12/11/2022 - Trans Siberian Orchestra @ the Fieldhouse

2/22/23 - Hairspray @ the Murat/Old National

3/15/23 - Les Miserable @ Clowe's Hall

4/26/23 - Hamilton @ The Murat With Chuck's Daughter, in the front row! Amazing!!!

6/24/23 - Jeff Foxworthy @ Clowes Hall.

I've seen all the best comedians. I'd still like to see Seinfeld though.

I've seen all the best plays too, thanks to Chuck's daughter!

And some other great stuff too!

Looove

 I found a new channel on SiriusXM. It's channel 289, the Love channel. Oh yeah, it's awesome. Nothing but love songs all day. Yep, mm hmm, love, love, love!!

Be My Baby, Something in the way she moves, How deep is your love, When a man loves a woman, I will always love you, You make my dreams, Wild thing, Best of my love, Can't help falling in love, The first time ever I saw your face, Unchained melody, Make you feel my love, Faithfully, Endless love (or anything else by Lionel Richie!), I only have eyes for you, My girl, To love somebody, I want to know what love is, I think I love you, Love will keep us together, Don't it make my brown eyes blue, Best of my love, Love me tender, I honestly love you, I got you babe, Unforgettable, Crash into me, How sweet it is, Just the way you are...

YES! Every time I listen to this channel it makes me smile. 

Critics

Critics are funny people. I mean, how is it even possible to be an "expert" at something that's so subjective? And critics are always looking for some hidden meaning in a film...or music or book. why can't it just be a great story? I've liked some movies that critics liked, but for the most part, I stay away from anything that a critic says is fantastic. Isn't the point of entertainment to be entertained? I don't always want to be made to feel something. 

Star Wars was an amazing movie at the time. I'm sure there are at least a 100 other movies that are wildly popular with movie goes that the critics hated. That doesn't even make sense to me. The critics hated Waterworld. I thought it was very entertaining. At least it was an original idea! 

My fella and I are trying to find things to watch on Netflix and Prime video. Even an original  Netflix/Prime series is ok. Some of those are actually pretty good. The critics liked The Marvelous Mrs Maisel so I wasn't going to watch. But Chuck's daughter said it was a lot of fun, so I did. It is fun. They also liked Fleabag, which I didn't. They hate Upload but I think it's fun.

It's the same for books. In general, all the critics dislike most of Stephen King's books. Honestly, I don't even like all of them, but still. MILLIONS of people DO like them! So who the hell cares what a 100 critics think? AND, why do you need somebody to tell you if you should buy/listen/watch something anyway.

Superbowl complaints

Did you watch the Superbowl? No, I didn't. You don't even have to watch for the commercials anymore because you can see them all on YouTube! I did watch the 1/2 time show though. I've heard recently that there have been A LOT of complaints filed about it. That J.Lo and Shakira were too under-dressed and that their dancing was to sexual. I don't know. It was Latin dance and Latin music done by Latin singers. I think the camera people didn't need to show us close ups but that didn't really have anything to do with their show. I don't know. I feel like so many television shows are a lot worse! 

Shut up and sing

That's the title of a book I haven't read. I can guess what it's about though and I whole heartedly agree.

I stopped watching award shows a long time ago. Granted, it was partly because I'm no longer relevant to popular culture. But part of it was because of some entertainers attitudes. I don't want to listen to your political diatribe when you're accepting an award for a movie or album that I helped to further your career with. If I purchased your CD (or whatever) I'm responsible for your elitist lifestyle. Show some respect. I didn't plunk down my hard earned dollar because I care about what you think about religion or politics or climate change. I gave you my money because I want to be entertained so I don't have to think about all of that!! 

I loved the Dixie Chicks music. I could care less how they felt about the president. What really got me though, was when they got pissed that country music fans didn't like their opinion! Such hypocrisy. We have a right to free speech! Of course you do. But your fans don't have to like it. That's where they lost me.

It's not just their views of the world either. Sometimes it's their careers. Sean Connery says he HATED playing James Bond. Well screw you mister! James Bond made you. You shouldn't disrespect your fans like that. Jerk.

My all time favorite Country music act was Brooks and Dunn. I saw them live several times. I even traveled to Nashville to attend their final concert. I've seen recently that they're going to do a "reunion" tour.  I could've been excited, but I'm not. Ronnie Dunn spent months after they 'retired' telling anyone who would listen that he was so sick of Brooks and Dunn and he would rather stick needles in his eyes than get on stage with Brooks again. Asshole. 

Just shut up and sing.

broadway

Chuck's daughter and I have seen all the best plays!
Chicago
Menopause the Musical
Wicked
Rock of Ages
Lion King
Hamilton
Jersey Boys (she missed that one)
Plus, a couple stinkers...We Will Rock You for sure.

Rock of Ages was the most fun! Trust me when I say, the movie stunk!!
Also, Menopause the Musical was hilarious.
Lion King was the best by far.
Chicago was fun too.

As for Hamilton...it's like a civics lesson done in rap and hip hop. I don't like rap. Or hip hop. But it was ok for the story telling part. It's a great story too. I wouldn't see it again but it didn't suck. It was so exhausting though! 

I try to be open minded about new things. You know, every generation has it's 'thing'. I don't have to like it, but I get it. I appreciate that every generation needs to be different and take ownership of their own style.

Maybe someone would like to see Book of Mormon with me?

Looooooove

First of all, I just want to say...Christmas music on many channels on SiriusXM, right now!!! It's making my morning commute so lovely, I missed my turn this morning because I was happily singing along!! Happy me :-)

Next, while Amazon music lets me pick out particular songs, SiriusXM has better genre channels. For instance, this morning when I was looking through the app to see what I wanted to listen to at work, I found a 70's Love Song channel. OMG I'm dying it's so AWESOME!!!!

I'll Be There
How Deep is Your Love
You Are The Sunshine
I Honestly Love You
I'm Not in Love
Reunited
Let's Get It On
Time in a Bottle
Muskrat Love
Evergreen
Torn Between Two Lovers
Close To You
Brandy
Come and Get You Love
Let Your Love Flow
How Sweet It Is
Make It with You
Afternoon Delight
Hello Darlin'
Mandy
Best of My Love
After the Lovin'
Killing Me Softly

I love smiling!!

song lyrics

Do you have favorites lines from songs? I love some songs just because there's a chorus or 1 line in it that I love.

For instance, I love the song We Own The Night by Lady Antebellum because of this line;
We woke under a blanket, all tangled up in skin.

Or Kieth Urban's Blue, for this line; If I were a painter I wouldn't change you I would just paint you brighter.

Cat Stevens Father and Son, from the moment I could talk, I was ordered to listen.

John Lennon, Imagine, you may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one

From I hope You Dance, by Lee Ann Womack, When you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance

I love The Air That I Breath by The Hollies for this line;
Sometimes all I need is the air that I breath and to love you.

I bet you're thinking of some right now!

Really?

Forbes posted a list of the top 30 highest paid musicians last year. I don't listen to pop music but I know most of the names. There were some though, that I'd never heard of. And, there were quite a few that surprised the hell out of me! Guns N Roses?? I like Jimmy Buffett but I wouldn't have guessed he'd make the list. Same for the Eagles! Anyway, it was a fun list and you know I like lists :-)


30. Rolling Stones $39 million
29. Billy Joel $43.5 million
28. The Chainsmokers $45.5 million
27. Garth Brooks $45.5 million
26. Metallica $46 million
25. Elton John $46 million
24. Foo Fighters $47 million
23. Jennifer Lopez $47 million
22. Drake $47 million
21. Paul McCartney $47.5 million
20. Calvin Harris $48 million
19. Lady Gaga $50 million
18. Jimmy Buffett $51 million
17. Luke Bryan $52 million
16. Pink $52 million
15. Depeche Mode $53 million
14. The Eagles $56 million
13. The Weeknd $57 million
12. Kendrick Lamar $58 million
11. Beyonce' $60 million
10. Diddy $64 million
9.   Roger Waters $68 million
8.   Guns N' Roses $71 million
7.   Jay-Z $76.5 million
6.   Taylor Swift $80 million
5.   Katy Perry $83 million
4.   Bruno Mars $100 million
3.   Ed Sheeran $110 million
2.   Coldplay $115 million
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And the number 1 top earning musicain(s) of 2018 is.............U2 $118 million

music in my ears :-)

Today I'm listening to music at work, in my ears. I'm trying to finish up these reports that I HATE doing. It should only take me a couple hours every two weeks. Instead, it takes me the whole two weeks. sigh Anyway, my goal is to finish it this week, for the last quarter of 2018. Good grief. So far I'm doing pretty good! I'm listening to 80's country music. So fun. Conway Twitty, Ann Murray, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Merel, Willie, Hank Jr., The Judds, Dolly, Eddie Rabbit, Sawyer Brown, Don Williams. I started listening to country music in the 80's so this feels kinda nostalgic for me. I dig it. Just now, there was a song called Tight Fittin' Jeans, by Conway Twitty, which he couldn't record today! I was smiling the whole time. They sang about sex differently in the 80's. It wasn't so blatant. It was much more subtle. I think that made it more fun. All those innuendos, using your imagination and wondering. It's making my morning A LOT more enjoyable!

whew!

Thank heavens! The political season is finally over. It was like some crazy 24/7 soul consuming disorder. Ewwwww. Even if you weren't a news watcher, it was impossible to avoid. Ugh. Movin' on....

In October, the most wonderful husband on the planet, seriously, let me drag him up to South Bend to see Garth Brooks in concert. It was a big deal because Notre Dame has never done anything but football in their stadium. Naturally, when they decided to have concerts in the stadium, they had to think "who could fill this stadium?" because it's 85 THOUSAND seats!!! Well, who else...Garth Brooks that's who! I've seen him several times in concert so I don't have to see him again. But...it was Notre Dame. It was an inaugural concert. It was 85 THOUSAND people. Yep. Had to go. 

Notre Dame is a 3 hour drive. It was windy and cold and raining the whole way up. Walking the mile from the parking lot to the stadium, we were rained on, hailed on and sleeted on. While we were waiting inside the concourse of the stadium, it snowed. Not just flurries either. It was like a blizzard for about 15 minutes. The show was delayed 40 minutes. By the time it started it was still super windy and 42 degrees out. Oh yeah, in case you don't know, Notre Dame is an outdoor stadium. It was epic. 

The other big factor was, CBS was filming the concert, which will air on December 2nd. So, here are my likes and dislikes. Going to a concert that's being filmed, is weird. Several times during the show we, the fans, were asked to; cheer louder, clap louder, do the wave, sing it again, sing it again louder, sing it again with the emphasis on the last note, and more. While that was interesting, it made this concert my least favorite, ever. It took so much away from the performance. Part of his appeal is his genuineness, oh and haminess :-) Both of those were missing. I didn't like it. And 3 hour drive home at 11:00 at night was brutal! BUT...every time I've seen him, it's been the 2nd show or the 3rd or 4th night. This was a 1 time gig so his voice was fantastic. I've never heard him sound so great, live. It was awesome! I'm glad we went, but we are just this side of too old for epic shit. 

Live Entertainment

My man and I were talking about some of the concerts we've to, some that are coming up and the way back. It made me feel like I need to update my list!

Bobby Sherman (1970) my very first concert. thanks mom!
Andy Williams
Rod McKuen
Paul Anka
Liberace!
Sonny and Cher
Sammy Davis Jr.
The Guess Who, my first concert w/out an adult 1974
Mac Davis
Edgar Winter & Peter Frampton
Led Zeppelin, I paid a scalper $20 for that ticket
Yes & The Doobie Brothers
Yes & Kansas
Cat Stevens
Elton John
Neil Diamond, twice (1976)
Jethro Tull
Hall and Oats
J. Geils, Golden Earring, Johnny Winter
Black Sabbath & Blue Oyster Cult
BTO
Shawn Phillips
Aero Smith, 3 times
REO Speedwagon, 3 times
The Eagles
Chicago
America & 3 Dog Night
Pink Floyd
***that covers my tween and teen years***
The Bee Gees, at Dodger Stadium
Joan Armatrading
The Pretenders
Kenny Loggins
Bonnie Raiit
Alabama
Kenny Rogers w/Sawyer Brown and Lee Greenwood
***and that about covers my 20's***
Harry Connick Jr. (3 times)
Robin Trower
Guitar Masters, Eric Johnson, Andy McKee and Peppino D'Agostino
Foreigner & David Lee Roth
Yanni (3 times)
Vince gill
Neal McCoy
Ricky Skaggs
Earl Scruggs
Sam Bush
Glen Campbell
Debby Boone Marvin Hamlish
Michael Fienstien
Earth Wind and Fire
The Time Jumpers w/Vince Gill
Trace Adkins a Christmas Show
Brooks and Dunn w/Lonestar
Brook and Dunn Neon Circus w/Toby Kieth, Montgomery Gentry, Kieth Urban
Brooks and Dunn w/Big $ Rich
Brooks and Dunn w/Alan Jackson and Jake Owen
Brooks and Dunn w/Rodney Atkins and Jame Otto
Brooks and Dunn last concert
Alan Jackson, 3 times
Brad Paisley w/Dierks Bently
Brad Paisley w/Brantly Gilbert
Garth Brooks, 4 times!
We're All For The Hall 2013:
Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock, Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Tim McGraw, Rosanne Cash, Jessi Colter, Montgomery Gentry, Billy Joe Shaver and Hank William Jr.
We're All For The Hall 2014
Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Brantley Gilbert, Brett Eldredge, Carrie Underwood, David Nail, Deana Carter, Kacey Musgraves, Kip Moore, Lee Ann Womack, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Reba McEntire, Ronnie Milsap, Darius Rucker

And last but not least, musicals, comedians & magicians;
Jesus Christ Superstar w/Ted Neeley
Annie Get Your Gun w/Debbie Reynolds
Odysseus w/Yul Brenner (at the Kennedy Center)
Rock of Ages
Jersey Boys
Lord of the Dance, 3 times
River Dance
Menopause the Musical, 3 times
Chicago, the musical
Wicked
Robin Williams
Bill Cosby
Jay Leno
The Smothers Brothers
Dennis Miller
Cheech and Chong
Trans Siberian Orchestra, twice
Straight No Chaser, twice
Rudoph, the musical
Doug Henning

I've seen a lot of shows, multiple times. I should stop doing that and see other things instead. I'll keep that in mind...unless it's Garth Brooks :-)

Live Music!!!

It seemed a little like it's been a dry year for us, regarding concerts. Then, all of a sudden, BOOM! I've got several lined up! Whew. I was kind of missing it.

Last weekend was Alan Jackson. I wanted to see him once more before he gets older and not quite as good. I'm not one of those people who still wants to see their favorites when they're 70+. I'd rather have my nice memory of when they totally rocked! Also, I'm not spending a hundred dollars or more to see someone. I don't think anybody is worth that. Wait, I might amend that statement, if it were in the first 5 rows for someone whose music I LOVE...I would think about it. :-)

In October, I get to see Garth Brooks, TWICE! Pretty happy about that :-) Most likely, this will be the last chance I have for this.

In December, we get Trans Siberian Orchestra. The man in my life says, "I want to see them every time they come to our city!" Aaaaand, because I'm a fan of Christmas music, the Symphony Choir is also on the list, in December. 

Good stuff ahead!

everything old is new again

This morning I received my weekly email newsletter from Live Nation. 
I signed up for that because along with it, I get a lot of pre-sale codes for concert tickets.
Like the one I got last week for Bob Seger. I would LOVE to see him in concert...but I'm not spending $150 - $250 for a ticket. Holy crap! There must be A LOT of boomers out there who have a strong desire to relive their youth. Nah uh, not me! I'd rather eat and drink Blue Moon.

Anyway, here's a listing of the top concerts in my area this summer;

Foreigner w/Cheap Trick
Journey
Chicago & the Doobie Brothers
Boston w/Joan Jett
Hank Williams Jr & Lynyrd Skynyrd
Deep Purple and Alice Cooper
Billy Joel
Bob Seger
Styx & REO
Nickelback
Earth Wind and Fire and Chicago
John Mayer
Goo Goo Dolls
Train
Green Day
Plus some country artists.

Come on!! Alice Cooper?? The Doobie Brothers??? 
I would rather remember them when they were cool and could actually perform. You know, 40 years ago! Geez Louise!

your soundtrack

What's on the soundtrack of your life??
You know, the songs that absolutely bring back A memory or a whole time frame. The songs that just make you feel so good. I know there might be a lot of them but think about it...it will make you happy.

Stairway to Heaven                                                    
Kiss                  
Dream On                                                                   
I Honestly Love You
Long Haired Country Boy                                           
I Will Survive
Margaritaville                                                              
Lay Down Sally
Don't Mess Around with Jim                                       
I Am I Said
Afternoon Delight                                                        
I Think I Love You
Freebird                                                                      
The Time of My Life
Black Water                                                                 
Faith
Hot Stuff                                                                      
Turn The Page
Wild World                                                                   
Addicted To Love
Loco Motion                                                                
You're No Good                                     
Fallen                                                                         
Time In A Bottle  
American Woman                                                        
Sweet Dreams                                     
Candy Man                                                                  
American Pie         
White Wedding                                                            
Thriller
Hello                                                                            
Make It With You
Bohemian Rhapsody                                                   
Mama He's Crazy
Tie A Yellow Ribbon                                                    
Friends In Low Places
What's Love Got to Do With It                                     
My Maria
You've Got A Friend                                                    
Forever and Ever Amen
Where Were You                                                         
She's Always A Lady
Walk This Way                                                             
I Will Always Love You
Simply Irresistible

There are a few more, of course. These are just the ones that pop into my head. It makes me happy! I think I'll create my own playlist!! Yay for Fridays!!!

music

I haven't updated the list in a long time...

Bobby Sherman - My very first concert. Thanks Mom
The Guess Who - My first concert without any grownups!
Edgar Winter & Peter Frampton w/Golden Earring
Led Zeppelin - I paid a scalper $20 to see them
Yes - twice
Doobie Brothers
Cat Stevens
Elton John
Neil Diamond - twice
Jethro Tull
Sonny and Cher - yeah, don't laugh. They were very popular in the 70's
Mac Davis - ditto
This next group was all courtesy of my Aunt and I was a tween.
Andy Williams
Debbie Reynolds
Rod McKuen - he was a poet and a song writer
Paul Anka
Liberace - in the front row! And now that I'm older, I'll admit it...I LOVED him!! He was so blingy!!
Sammy Davis Jr. - I have the best story about this concert...when he sang "Candy Man", he was standing on stage passing out chocolate candy kisses. So I ran up and got one. I don't know, maybe I was about 13. Anyway, I put that candy kiss in my jewelry box for safe keeping. It was a treasure to me. Fast forward 3/4 years...my little brother, for some reason, looked in my jewelry box. Oh, I know you know where this is going...HE ATE IT! I was angry at him for years.
Hall and Oats
Black Sabbath - I don't actually remember this show but I do remember that I forgot most of it because of a bottle of Seagrams 7. Hey, it was the 70’s.
Kansas – twice. They were never as good as they were in their Freshman year
Blue Oyster Cult
BTO
Aero Smith - 3 times
REO Speedwagon - 3 times
Charlie Daniels
Marshall Tucker
The Pretenders
Joan Armatrading
The Bee Gees, at Dodger Stadium
The Eagles - twice
Chicago
Pink Floyd
Foreigner
J. Geils
Kenny Loggins
3 Dog Night
America
Shawn Phillips
Harry Connick Jr. – 3 times! And if I get the chance again, I’ll be there!
Yanni, twice
Then, sometime in the 80's, I became a fan of country music…
Kenny Rogers/Sawyer Brown/Lee Greenwood
Alabama
Brooks and Dunn - 5 times
Alan Jackson - 3 times
Brad Paisley - twice
Big and Rich – twice
Jake Owens
Toby Keith
Montgomery Gentry
Lone Star
Garth Brooks - dream come true for a true country fan!
Trisha Yearwood
Neal McCoy
At We’re All for The Hall 2013 – Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Montgomery Gentry, Trace Adkins, Tim McGraw, Hank Williams Jr., Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Rosanne Cash, Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow, Brantley Gilbert, Jason Aldean
At We’re All for The Hall 2014 – Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ronnie Milsap, Reba!, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Leeann Womack,  Brett Eldredge, Brantley Gilbert, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves.
I wish I could have seen;
Alice Cooper
Billy Joel
Journey - when Steve Perry was w/them
Bob Segar
Donna Summer

Update; 
Journey/Steve Miller
Earth Wind and Fire
Vince Gill
Trace Adkins
Straight No Chaser twice now
Trans Siberian Orchestra

Garth Brooks, again – YAY!

Wow!!!

As I had anticipated, Garth Brooks was FANTASTIC!! It was better than fantastic!!! Even my man really enjoyed it. He's not a huge country music fan or a big Garth Brooks fan. But he really likes him now! How can you not love an entertainer that clearly appreciates his fans and LOVES what he does?! I mean really, he did a 7:00 show that ended a little after 9:00. Then he did another show, that started at 11:15 and didn't end until 1:35AM!  That's a lot of energy right there. Here's the review in the local paper;

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/entertainment/music/2016/04/08/garth-brooks-louisville-concert/82717070/

Oh yeah, and we also went to Churchill Downs, since we were in Louisville! I love an event and history, so that was pretty cool. I had no idea Churchill Downs was so big though. I guess I didn't have any expectations and I'm not horse racing fan, so it was all a surprise to me. It's a beautiful facility for sure. 

I guess Louisville is ok. It's a bigger city than my hometown, more freeways, LOTS more people, but some things about were cool. I like how they seem to be really trying to keep a lot of the old buildings. There was one whole block that looked like a movie set because just the fronts of the buildings were up. I guess they were going to build new, behind the old fronts? It was hard to tell though what their night life was like, with 22 thousand people leaving and 22 thousand people coming, all at the same time! I didn't make me want to spend the day there or anything. I would however, go back down again for another show, if there was someone I wanted to see. (Nashville is still better!!)

If you're a real Garth Brooks fan, here's the set list!

Man Against Machine
Rodeo
Two of a Kind
Beaches of Cheyenne
The River
We Shall Be Free
Two Pina Coladas
Papa Loved Mama
Ain't Goin' Down
Unaswered prayers
If Tomorrow Never Comes
That Summer
The Thunder Rolls
Shameless
Callin' Baton Rouge
Friends In Low Places
The Dance
Encore (all accoustic)
Piano Man
Which One of Them
Sing Me Back Home (Merle Haggard)
Somewhere Other Than the Night
The Change
Wild Horses
Amarillo By Morning (George Strait)
Mom
Lonesome Dove
Night Moves (Bob Segar)
Encore (with the band)
Much Too Young 
Standing Outside the Fire
American Pie