Alicia's View On All Things Music

Saturday, June 1, 2013

And those were the days....

For whatever reason, I’m feeling extra nostalgic today. As you know from previous blogs, I’m always thinking about the glory days, so this isn’t much of a stretch for me. Even so, I’m not sure what’s brought on this extra yearning for those carefree days of youth. Perhaps it’s the recent turmoil in my professional life, or maybe it’s the fact that my daughter is nearing her 21^st birthday and an empty nest will be my reality soon. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where this flood of emotion and sentiment is coming from. As usual, though, music is attached in some form or fashion to all of the memories consuming my thoughts.

Back in the day, I was never without a blank VCR and/or cassette tape in my possession. It seemed that I was always taping something music related, whether I was going to miss the original airing or just wanted to have the tape to listen to or watch over, and over, and over again! In today’s world, the DVR has replaced the trusty ole VCR and mine has been very busy of late. As fate would have it, first up on the list of recordings to view today was Rachael Ray’s show paying tribute to our beloved 80’s! With special guests including Mark Goodman, Nina Blackwood, Martha Quinn and Alan Hunter, the original VJ’s of MTV (sadly without J.J. Jackson, RIP), Huey Lewis and Colin Quinn, I got a good blast from the past for sure. Remember those days of watching MTV and actually hearing music and seeing music videos? Thus the “M” in MTV….ok, I’ll stop before I get on my soapbox.

With my nostalgia kicking into high gear, I went digging through the old keepsake boxes. Rather quickly, I found a book of memories from my senior year in high school. Tucked within those pages are mementos of an incredibly fun-loving and music-filled time. Almost as if it was seeking me out instead of the other way around, the book literally fell open to the page where I had taped several concert tickets of my favorite bands…..Whitesnake, Aerosmith…and of course Bon Jovi! While the yellowed tape indicated the years that have passed, it still seems like yesterday.

On the page titled "Favorite Memories".....further details not to be provided! LOL

Right at the top of the page was a card that literally made me laugh out loud. It was a “baseball card” with Bon Jovi’s picture on the front, and info about the band on the back. The laughter is because I immediately remembered how I had put together a full 10 minute speech for my final grade in speech class literally off the paragraph on the back of that card. Yeah, when it comes to great music from a great band, I tend to have mouth-runeth-overith! Hey it worked for an “A”…don’t judge. ;)

In keeping with the tone of the day, I’m headed to the old VCR tapes. It seems only fitting that I pop the ole “Slippery When Wet” tape in. As I do…another thought comes to mind. Many people have been chatting recently about how Bon Jovi has kept going all these years, still touring, etc. While there have been recent stories in the media suggesting strife within the ranks, I’m choosing to believe it’s all ca-ca (Spanish for…well…look it up!). And, if you ask me…I don’t have to ponder their longevity for very long. It’s because they’ve created an impressive, both in number and substance, catalog of songs while staying true to themselves and remaining loyal to their fans. Remember the “Pizza Parlor Jury?” How many bands invite a group of kids into the studio to help choose the songs for an album?? Unheard of I tell ya, and we love em for it!

Now......a few favorites. Enjoy!!

“Only Lonely” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfIu7hf5nqc

1989 MTV VMAs “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “Wanted Dead or Alive”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBtriuI2BqA

“Never Say Goodbye” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifm00JEjSeo

“Lay Your Hands On Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhjSzibOIH4

“Livin On A Prayer” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDK9QqIzhwk

"Born To Be My Baby” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahf2B_eZUc4

"Runaway" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s86K-p089R8

And of course…

“You Give Love A Bad Name” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrZHPOeOxQQ

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Coming Full Circle...A Night to Remember with Survivor

As we stepped off the elevator, we were greeted by a sign advertising events to be held at the Hollywood Casino Toledo. Almost as if we planned it, the picture we most wanted to see popped up. Yep…we were in the right place. A night of music with Survivor was on!

We made our way to the stage. Everything was set up and ready to go. The excitement was building, and we couldn’t wait for the show to start! Then we noticed it. There were four microphones across the front of the stage. We immediately did a head count….”there’s Billy, Jimi, Frankie…..why are there 4 mics?” Almost as quickly as we asked it, I looked across the room to see the answer. Turns out founding member Frankie Sullivan had a little surprise for us. None other than Dave Bickler was walking in with the band! The original voice of Eye of the Tiger is back! What a massive treat we were in for! To have both Dave and Jimi Jamison sharing lead, singing all the fan favorites….well we were almost speechless.

The band sounded amazing, as always. Every time I hear them play I’m immediately transported back in time….almost 30 years ago…..when the DJ could bring an immediate smile to my face with High On You coming across the radio airwaves. As they launched into several songs from that highly successful album, Vital Signs, I was again smiling ear to ear. Dave and Jimi smiled, shook hands, and even embraced while trading lyrics and rockin the house! Along with Frankie on guitar, Marc Droubay on drums, Billy Ozzello on bass and Walter Ino on keyboards/guitar, the guys did not disappoint.

The crowd could be heard singing along, and loving every minute of it. Jimi made sure to give a couple fans the opportunity of a lifetime by lowering his mic and encouraging them to belt out a few lyrics. A couple gladly obliged….while one other looked like a deer in the headlights. I can relate. ;)

Frankie never ceases to amaze with his stellar guitar skills and energetic stage presence. Jamming with Billy and Walter….doesn’t get any better than that!

If you’re looking for a high energy show with a band that is timeless, this is the concert for you! Nothing like shedding the stress and worries of the day and Rockin into the Night with this legendary band.

Songs on the set list, in no particular order:

Feels Like Love

I Can’t Hold Back

Somewhere in America

Rebel Girl

Summer Nights

Eye of the Tiger

High on You

The Search is Over

Rockin into the Night

Poor Man’s Son

Take You on a Saturday

It’s the Singer, Not the Song

First Night

Can’t Give It Up

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Could there be any better night....Aw Naw!

Outside an intimate venue in the Poconos, a line stretched for blocks. They were anxiously waiting for the doors to open at the Sherman Theater. When the time came, the mad dash was on as legions of fans rushed to get the “primo” spots in front of the stage. RCA recording artist Chris Young had drawn quite the crowd!

The happy chatter and excitement of the concert goers filled the venue. Opening act, Ayla Brown, impressed with some original tunes along with some cover songs, including an extremely well done version of Miranda Lambert’s, The House That Built Me.

Then….it was time. Young hit the stage and stirred the crowd into a frenzy with his fun loving song, Save Water Drink Beer. To the fans delight, he asked for their help in singing part of the chorus by splitting the crowd in half….the right side belting out “Save Water” and the left “Drink Beer.” Playing with the crowd, he teased that the “Save Water” side is always upset with him because they want to be the “Drink Beer” side. Somehow the “Drink Beer” side always seems to be the loudest…go figure!

Undoubtedly one of the loudest “pops” of the night came when the band hit the first few notes of Gettin You Home. The crowd danced and sang along, word for word, at the tops of their lungs. A visibly appreciative Chris gushed with gratitude for the fans support and for giving him that first #1 single.

Pulling from his early catalog of songs, he treated the crowd with Drinkin’ Me Lonely, the song he penned and performed on Nashville Star, the country version of American Idol, which he won in 2006.

Serving on the Board of Directors of Stars for Stripes, a non-profit organization that provides entertainment for internationally deployed US military, our armed forces are close to Chris’ heart. A touching moment came when he paid tribute to members of our military with an acoustic performance of “The Dashboard.” He also playfully explained that his ex-Marine sister threatened to kick his bleep if he didn’t include that song in every show. He said she couldn’t really hurt him, though, because he’s bigger than her! I don’t know Chris…..a Marine? Might wanna play nice big brother.

He also gave the crowd a glimpse into his upcoming new album (no release date as of yet). What appears to be his next single, “Aw Naw,” is a departure from the traditional sound Chris has become known for. Judging from the crowd’s reaction, the fun lyrics and catchy tempo were welcomed with open arms. In the words of a fan behind me, “That was the best song of the night!” That’s saying something when you’re referring to an artist who’s had 5 consecutive #1 hits, with a 6^th in his sights with “I Can Take It From There.” Impressive indeed!

The last song on the set list was his fastest rising single to date, Tomorrow. Again the crowd happily sang along…enjoying every second. Then, almost before Chris and the band could leave the stage, the crowd was clamoring for an encore. Happy to oblige, they spun around and made their way back on stage!

In Chris’ own words, "Music is why I'm here and it's something I can't live without. It's what I'm built to do." We couldn’t agree more!

Links:

Save Water Drink Beer http://youtu.be/YI68djBj2cc

Gettin You Home http://youtu.be/ZWP7ZtVLPd4

Drinkin’ Me Lonely http://youtu.be/GMbs-NAdREM

The Dashboard http://youtu.be/8OIcCXQBaKU

Aw Naw https://soundcloud.com/chris_young_music/aw-naw-edit

I Can Take It From There http://youtu.be/FVP0u985X0Q

Tomorrow http://youtu.be/ETVjll5eR88

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Jesse and Noah Bellamy.......Continuing the Legacy

Continuing the legacy….Jesse and Noah Bellamy are doing just that but on their own terms. The sons/nephews of one of the most successful brother duos in country music history, The Bellamy Brothers, are forging a path distinctive to their own musical tastes while also paying homage to their lineage.

This fourth generation brother duo has essentially thrown out the genre limits rulebook and is instead concentrating on delivering projects true to their diverse influences while also remaining true to themselves.

I had the pleasure of chatting with this talented songwriting and multi instrumentalist duo who gave some insight into their music, their passion for their craft, and their desire to remain authentic.

AV: Let’s start with a question I’m sure you’ve been asked a zillion times….what’s it like to follow in the footsteps of your famous musical family, your dad and uncle, The Bellamy Brothers? Has it been difficult to forge your own path?

J&N: We definitely got an inside look at what it's like to be a touring band as well as learning our way around the studio and a little bit about running an independent label. As far as forging our own path, it's worked in different ways in different situations at different times. There's always a certain amount of bias against second generation artists which is a little silly because most musicians, I know, come from several generations anyway. I guess the perception is that they haven't paid there dues, but I think we've been doing this for long enough that people are beginning to realize we've paid our dues.

AV: How did you approach your family about pursuing your own music career? What was their reaction? What advice did they give you?

J&N: It wasn't a clear decisive moment when we decided it was going to be a career. We just started a band in middle school and kept going. As far as advice, we're still getting it. It's evolving as we all watch the music business evolve.

AV: Your debut project with Smith Music Group in 2006, Nowhere Revisited, produced a hit single on the Texas Music Charts with “Daddy’s Got A Shotgun.” What was it like to see your song hit the charts for the first time? This tune definitely takes a departure from traditional country. It, well, …..rocks! Tell us about the production.

J&N: We were courting a deal with a major label, so we were really trying to make a hit country record. When that deal didn't work out, we put it out with Smith and it did very well in Texas. It was the first time we'd worked with the A-team session players in Nashville. It was really exciting to work with Eddie Bayers and Micheal Rhodes. I remember driving to a gig in Waxahachie hearing the intro faintly on the radio and going “Wait a minute I know this.” and turning it up to full blast!

AV: In contrast, you make a return to a more traditional sound with another song from Nowhere

Revisited, “You’re the World,” which was co-written by Jesse and David Bellamy. Who initiated the

writing session? Had either of you written with your dad before? Describe the experience.

J&N: We wrote several songs together around that time. I don't exactly remember what order they came in. Dad had the idea and I remember the toughest part was finding usable words that rhyme with “world.” It was recorded by Wenche Hartmann a folk singer in Denmark and did pretty well there.

AV: There’s a song on your second album, Landfall, called “Tryin to Keep It Real.” For musicians, there seems to always be that struggle to stay true to yourselves artistically while also putting out material that will have commercial success. How have you dealt with that?

J&N: By remaining as independent as possible.

AV: You took a different approach with your third album, Driven Back. For one thing, it’s self-produced and independently released. Describe the other differences. What led to the changes?

J&N: With the previous records, there was always the assumption we would take them to a label at some point to try and land a deal. With this record, knowing we weren't going to go that route freed us up to do whatever we wanted.

AV: The song “The Homer Bellamy Centennial Blue Yodel” from Driven Back pays homage to your grandfather. Describe the sound. Describe how this song came to be.

J&N: It started out as something just to share on Facebook, for what would have been his 100th birthday. We wrote it in the style of a Jimmie Rodgers and tried to make it sound like the kinds of bands he played in growing up. We really liked the way it turned out and it was an element that was way different from anything else we had on the album so we decided to include it. It's become a fan favorite live!

AV: When you start a new project, what are your main objectives? Are there “must haves” or themes on the agenda or do you let spontaneity reign?

J&N: It can vary and one usually leads to the other. For example we just contributed a couple of tracks to an album for Switzerland, our dad and uncle are producing, and it was more specific what those tracks needed to be because of the type of album it is. From there we started messing around with a couple other things that hopefully develop into the the next Jesse and Noah project.

AV: What’s up next for you?

J&N: We've got some shows coming up around Nashville. I think we're headed to Switzerland in June to promote the aforementioned Swiss album. The title of that album, by the way, is “Bellamy Brothers & Friends” and will include guest artists from the USA and Switzerland: Kris Kristofferson, Carlene Carter, Crystal Gayle, Tanya Tucker, Gola, Oesch Die Dritten, Peter Reber, Nina Reber, to name a few. We're still booking gigs to promote "Driven Back" and just waiting to see what opportunities present themselves next.

Be sure to follow Jesse and Noah at:

website www.jesseandnoah.com

Friday, March 22, 2013

Joshua Adams....Rock Hard and "Everything Will Be Alright"

With rock vocals that reach out and demand attention, Joshua Adams is making his mark on the music scene. Joshua is building a loyal fan base by creating music with lyrics that everyone can relate to….and, oh yeah, that rocks! Anchored by vocal ability rarely heard today, his self-penned songs provide both the hardest edge and the softest melodies. Possessing all the goods….the drive, the look, the talent, he is well on his way to paving the road to a long-lasting career.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Joshua. He not only gives us some insight into his musical journey so far, but also provides a glimpse of what’s coming in the near future.

AV: Where did you grow up? Do you have a musical family?

JA: I was born in Brooklyn, NY and I grew up in a small, but historic town called Saint Augustine in northeast Florida. It's famous for being “The Oldest European Settlement in the United States”, being founded in 1565 by the Spanish. It's a quiet town, but nice place to
grow up. I’m not really from a musical family, although my parents have always been
supportive of me and my musical path. My younger brother is in the corporate world up in
NYC and my older brother is a screenwriter/film director.

AV: How did you come to know music was your future?

JA: Some of my earliest memories are enjoying music and dancing around the house to it. It wasn't until I was around 12 or 13 when I was inspired to learn how to play the guitar. Soon after that I was writing and singing my own songs.

AV: Who were your musical influences growing up?

JA: I've been asked this question a lot lately and the more I think about it, the more my influences point to Michael Jackson and Van Halen. Eddie Van Halen is the reason I wanted to start playing the guitar and Michael Jackson was always an inspiring performer.

AV: You’ve played over 250 shows during the past couple years. Tell us about those experiences….favorite moments, surprises, etc.

JA: The road always provides countless stories, both good and bad, so I'm not sure where to begin. I can say that throughout all the show dates, I was consistently asked about my hair and how I keep it so healthy. I'm typically pretty professional on the road, so most of the “funny” stories have been directly related to musicians and band members I've used over the years. Most of my favorite moments from touring usually come from fans enjoying the show or expressing how my songs have touched them personally.

AV: Along with your incredible vocal ability, you’ve also become known for your dancing on stage. Any professional dance training?

JA: I've never really taken any dance training, however I did go to a few modern / hip hop dance classes in high school because I liked a girl in the classes. I even dragged one of my friends with me.

AV: Love that!

AV: Who have you worked with, both on stage and in the studio?

JA: I've been lucky to be able to work with some great talent and hope to work with many more
talented artists in the future. Some great talent along the way have been Teddy Gentry of Alabama, Jason Scheff of Chicago, Mark Slaughter, hit writer Don Rollins, hit writer
Jennifer Adan, and many others.

AV: Describe your sound. Do you write your own songs?

JA: My sound could probably be labeled as Alternative Rock with Pop and Dance influences.
My entire new album is full of songs solely written by me. I'm also doing all of the programming, playing all the instruments, and engineering the release.

AV: You’re entered in a contest called the VeeWall Vocals video contest with your single, “I Promise You.” Tell us about that.

JA: The VeeWall Vocals contest is a song/video contest where the winner gets a prize of $100,000. It's based on daily fan voting and runs until April 29^th. I don't normally enter contests like this one, however I saw it as an opportunity to raise money for a great cause. Anyone interested in watching my video entry and voting can find “I Promise You” at
http://www.veewall.com/vocals/video/joshuaadams

AV: What prompted you to commit your contest winnings to breast cancer research among other charities?

JA: Many of my fans and friends have been directly affected by breast cancer and I've always
wanted to contribute to the cause. If I win the VeeWall contest, I'll be contributing to a few other charities as well.

AV: What’s coming up next for you?

JA: I'll be releasing the full album both online and as a hard copy this May. I’m also in the
process of setting up performance dates. I'm always looking to make new fans and friends through social media and at live show dates.

A huge thank you to Joshua for taking the time to chat. We are definitely looking forward to the release of his new album along with those tour dates!

For booking information, email booking@atomsbomb.com

Be sure to check out Joshua’s tunes on:

Reverbnation http://www.reverbnation.com/joshuaadams

Youtube http://www.youtube.com/officialjoshuaadams

Follow Joshua at:

Website www.joshuaadamsmusic.com

Facebook Official Joshua Adams

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialJoshuaAdams?fref=ts

Twitter @joshuaadamsrock

https://twitter.com/JoshuaAdamsRock

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Thompson Square...Country Duo Magic

Thompson Square, country music’s new power duo, is on quite a run. Husband and wife team, Keifer and Shawna Thompson, who met at a songwriting competition in Nashville, are proving that determination and hard work do in fact pay off.

After pounding the pavement and paying their dues for 15 years, their recent ascent to the top of the country music duo scene is quite impressive. Radio airplay magic came in the form of their first #1 Platinum single, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not.” The song became the iTunes Country Song of the Year for 2011, as well as the Most Played Song At Country Radio in 2011 (Mediabase).

As if that wasn’t impressive enough, what happened next is nothing short of amazing….and much deserved! The awards and accolades started flooding in:

American Country Awards Single of the Year by a Group

American Country Awards Single of the Year by a New Artist

American Country Awards Music Video of the Year by a New Artist

………..all for Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not

Grammy Nomination for Best Country Song

Grammy Nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance of the Year

American Music Award Nomination for New Artist of the Year

Perhaps the most impressive of all…the 2012 Academy of Country Music’s Vocal Duo of the Year. They are the first new duo in 20 years to win this category!

On the heels of their massive success, Thompson Square is set to release their 2^nd CD, “Just Feels Good,” on Stoney Creek Records March 26^th. The first single, If I Didn’t Have You, written by Keifer, Shawna, Jason Sellers and Paul Jenkins, is already breaking career sales records.

The future is certainly looking bright indeed for this talented pair. Be sure to catch them on tour in a town near you. They are out with Luke Bryan on his Dirt Road Diaries Tour through October 2013. In the meantime, enjoy the songs that helped put them on the map.

Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not http://youtu.be/FDUOcHg5ijg

I Got You http://youtu.be/F5yNYMp7DPQ

Glass http://youtu.be/tPd1GIwjRFM

If I Didn’t Have You http://youtu.be/UptgRHX4JsI

Pictures courtesy of www.thompsonsquare.com

For more information and updates….follow Thompson Square at:

Website http://www.thompsonsquare.com/

Twitter @thompsonsquare

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thompsonsquare?fref=ts

MySpace http://www.myspace.com/thompsonsquare

YouTube http://www.youtube.com/thompsonsquare

Tumblr http://thompsonsquare.tumblr.com/

Pinterest http://pinterest.com/thompsonsquare/

Instagram http://instagram.com/thompsonsquare