Gospel Brunch Time

I've wanted to go to a gospel brunch for-ev-er.

For a while, I thought we might attend one at the House of Blues in Dallas, but those were offered less frequently over the years and it didn't feel right to miss a service with our own church family to attend a brunch downtown.

Kelly and I booked a trip to Austin and gospel brunch at Stubb's a couple of years ago, but my grandfather became ill and we cancelled that trip to spend time with family instead. (A choice I would make again in a heartbeat...it's just weird to me to so clearly remember what all was cancelled that weekend.)

Anyway, time passes on and we finally made our trip to Austin (as you have read over the past few days) and that long-awaited gospel brunch at Stubb's.

Great food, though we both agreed that the barbeque wasn't our favorite (ironic, since that is how Stubb's started).

Really great music.

The Bells of Joy

Kelly said it best:

Church is happening up in here, with a nice groove.

Definitely an experience that was worth the wait.

It's a Christmas Tradition: Behold the Lamb

Marathon or no marathon, we had an important concert to attend Saturday night.

I had to tell Kelly that three times Saturday. (I had to tell myself that at least five times.)

Anytime Andrew Peterson comes to Dallas with his annual Behold the Lamb tour, we make it a point to go. That album is my first and last listen of the Christmas season, along with several listens in between.

The genius of this tour is its structure - and I'm not just talking about the straight-through playing of the album in the second half. That is, of course, wonderful. Special. Emotional.

But the first half is collegial. A collection of singer-songwriters assembled for the tour - obviously friends, but also fans of one another's music. There's something so amazing about watching a songwriter sing his/her own songs. And to watch other songwriters participating in the performance - performing and, at the same time, enjoying and appreciating the moment just as the audience is.

Kelly and I have discovered wonderful new (to us) artists through this tour: Jason Gray and after last night, Ellie Holcomb.

Brad Paisley: Up Close and Personal. Sort Of.

Last year, we tried to see Brad Paisley in concert with our friends.

Instead, this happened:

This year, we tried to Brad Paisley in concert again. And it was wonderful.

Great friends:

 Great seats:

Like, really great seats - third row, next to the catwalk and steps from the stage.

Though I may have thrown an elbow (or more) to keep interlopers from blocking my view and also to get the attention of people who literally ran over my feet to rush the stage.

It was worth it. I did pray for forgiveness - though I also hope they learned their lesson.

I'd say we definitely had a redemption concert experience.

Holiday Wrap Up: Part 3

Ok, last holiday-related post:

The Boy and I, because of multiple reasons, didn't really feel very holiday-ish this year. Lotsa drama, plus The Boy's DI...it was hard to feel in the mood.

Shopping was done at the last minute (very atypical for me). Decorations were only partially hung. We didn't drive to look at lights and I never bought a peppermint mocha from Starbucks (or a peppermint hot chocolate for that matter).

We were walking a very fine line into Grinch-land.

Then a week before Christmas, we attended Michael W. Smith's Christmas concert at Dallas' Meyerson Symphony Hall. We go every year, but it's fair to say that if I hadn't purchased tickets in September, we would have opted out of this year's event.

But we had tickets, so we went. And....something happened.

Unlike previous year's, there wasn't a backup musical act. No "modern" instruments or special guests. The concert was Michael W. Smith, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and a local church choir.

The music was simple, pure, majestic and holy. Instead of holly jolly, the music was holy holy.

Somehow the we-didn't-want-to-go-to-concert reset our Christmas spirit. Perhaps, like the Grinch, our hearts grew three sizes that day?

We Love Coldplay

Coldplay is a polarizing band - I get that. Either you like them or you don't.

I love the band. I think they are great. I've noticed that many people that I like also like Coldplay. Coincidence? I think not.

Anyway.

One of the things I like about the band (outside of their music) is that they are absolute marketing masters. They have perfected the art of engaging their fans. By following the Roadie 42 blog (which I do), you learn how songs are written, albums assembled, tours designed, setlists crafted and the like.

It's like a ring-side seat to the experience of being a musician, without the requirement of being musically gifted.

I'm trying to figure out how to apply their fan-engagement mastery for my firm's clients and prospects. I'm not joking.

Anyway, when Coldplay came to town on June 22nd, it didn't matter that we were leaving on a long roadtrip vacation early the next morning. We were there.

And Coldplay didn't disappoint. The nearly two-hour set was amazing, while confetti canons, balloons and RFD-controlled wristbands made the audience part of the show.

Thank you, Coldplay, for a great vacation kick-off.

This Wasn't On My List, But It Should Have Been

Have you ever thought about all of the things you wish you could do in life, but know that you probably never will?

I have a list like that and every now and then I get surprised by actually doing something that I never thought I would do. Things like climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, learning to speak another language, walking through the Kremlin and meeting a world-famous film director.

Add to that list: Seeing A Prairie Home Companion live.

Seriously. I've been listening to that show for more years than I can remember. The opening theme music brings back memories of riding in the back seat while my dad was driving and exploring the back roads around my university town.

I love that show. I love that show so much that I've made The Boy into a fan of the show as well, or at least the part of it that can be podcasted each week (Tales from Lake Wobegon).

You can imagine how excited I was when our friend sent a message saying that the show would be live in Shreveport, Louisiana, and would I like to go?

Would I like to go?!? Are you kidding?!? YES!!!

I think my actual message said yesyesyesyesyesyesPLEASE.

This past Saturday, the four of us headed to the historic Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport. And, as often happens when you get to do something that you never thought you'd get to do, everyone ends up getting more than they expected.

We all were amazed to be in the home of the Louisiana Hayride. Slightly faded from its original glory years, it was still a beautiful building.

'Twould be nice if all the seats had a seat.
Fortunately, we were able to relocate!

Did you know this is where Elvis made his national debut - and performances there turned him into a star? We didn't.

Did you know that local boy, James Burton, became a world-famous Hall-of-Fame session guitarist - playing with Ricky Nelson and Elvis, along with more famous performers than I care to type - is from Shreveport? Or that he's still alive and dedicated to keeping music in schools? We didn't.

So the history lovers in the group (all of us really, but one professionally) were amazed at the venue and the Prairie Home Companion lovers were enthralled by the show and the music lovers were in awe of the musical history and royalty (of sorts) in the room.

It's fascinating to be a part of a live radio show - seeing the red "On Air" flash on next to the stage. Things that I've seen in theater productions and movies to refer to radio's golden age...here it came to life. The performers moved constantly and seamlessly from sketch to song to interview and back. Non-stop, high-level, wonderfully entertaining for over two hours.

And then. AND THEN.

We wandered the halls for a bit after the show, looking at photos of those who'd performed at the Hayride. I headed back to the main floor of the auditorium, wanting to do a bit of gaping at the Art Deco architecture.

Instead I met Garrison Keillor.

I met him. I got his autograph. We talked to each other and he teased me, flipping a paper up and down in front of the camera as The Boy took our photo (which is why it's a bit blurry but I wouldn't have it any other way). It was like spending time with my Grandpa - and I miss him so much that poor Garrison almost got a massive hug from just pure joy at meeting him and pure gratefulness to be around that gentle teasing personality for an evening one more time.

And then again.

Heading out of the building we stumbled across James Burton. The Boy nearly shoved me over to him and had me get an autograph...it meant so much to him to have an opportunity to hear a few of his stories about days gone by. Autograph in hand, and a big smile for The Boy's camera, we headed back to Texas.

It was a night I'll never forget. I didn't put this on my 101 List, but if I had a Million and One List, Saturday certain would have been on it in multiple spots.

I'm so glad that life often gives us more than we could ever ask or hope for.

Getting Organized (Musically Speaking)

Do you know what you can do with a free afternoon?

You can finally organize your iTunes playlists so they make sense to you. I have no illusions that my playlists make any sense to anyone else, but they now work very well for me.

It's about time.

Peponi (Coldplay...Swahili Style)

We love Coldplay. A lot. {Concert review here.}

But we also really love this cover of Coldplay's Paradise and think you will, too:

Music, Glorious Music

On a whim, I stopped in at a local Dallas church to listen to a cello concert this weekend. It was part of a salon-style Performing Arts concert series.

Over the course of an hour and half (give or take some), the principal cellist of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Christopher Adkins, led us on an exhilarating and emotional ride. He was accompanied by noted concert pianist Stephen Nielson - a beautiful performer as well.

Yes, I love classical music. And the cello, when played well, can make me cry.

I should have put Listening to Cello Music on my 50 Things that Bring Me Joy list. Because it does. Every time.

My Favorite Album...Live

I love Andrew Peterson's album, Behold the Lamb. It's everything that Christmas music should be - beautiful narrative, a story of a story and amazing musicality. I listen to this album all year long (really), but it's especially meaningful during the Christmas and Easter seasons.

We make every effort to attend the album's annual Christmas tour. Andrew Peterson (singer/songwriter/album crafter) puts together an amazing ensemble of other singers/songwriters to perform the album live.

The first half of the concert is an opportunity to hear each of these remarkable musicians perform songs of their own creation (two each). It's the most cooperative musical experience - each artist playing instruments and/or singing backup for the others. Wonderful, wonderful stuff.

When I say these musicians are remarkable - I mean it. They even have two guys who play the hammered dulcimer.

After a short intermission, the group gathers to perform Behold the Lamb straight through. I can't even begin to capture the wonder of the album, the storyline and the deep emotional and spiritual impact it has. This is Christmas music - the story of the nativity, starting at the beginning of time, and ending at the stable in Bethlehem.

Do yourself a favor. Buy the album. Listen to it once. Then again - and again and again and again. It will quickly become your new favorite Christmas album, as it is mine.

But Wait, There's More

Just when you thought it was safe to check something off of your 101 List....this lands in your email inbox:

Wonder what The Boy would say if I showed him this great deal?

It's a Miracle!

Doctor Miracle, that is - an opera. An opera that I went to see, by myself because The Boy said he'd rather die than watch an opera.

Actually, he said many things - some hysterically funny - but none that are suitable for public consumption via this blog. He's a very naughty Boy.

I'd toyed with the idea of going to see a live broadcast of The Met at a local movie theater (two birds with one stone - see an opera, go to the movies by myself). Then I saw that the Dallas Opera was offering a family-friendly short opera to introduce people to the medium. For $5, I could see a 45-minute production, sung in English, at the new Winspear Opera House.

{When The Boy saw the $5 charge come through our bank account, he merely said, Well, I certainly wouldn't pay more than $5 to see an opera. That's why he wasn't invited to go with me.}

Last weekend, I headed to the AT&T Performing Arts Center. Being able to enjoy a performance of any sort in the Winspear Opera House was worth the $5 - worth far more than that, actually.

The opera was easy to follow and quite amusing. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but opera is basically musical theater with more emphasis on vibrato and less emphasis on acting than a show on Broadway.

Amusing or not, I have to say that I prefer every-man musical theater. Give me Les Miserable over La Traviata, Oliver! over Don Giovanni.

But I did come home and warn The Boy that I'd likely be singing a line from Doctor Miracle on brunch mornings: Make! Way! For the OME-LET!

He just looked at me and said I hope we don't eat omelets very often.

That's not a very loving thing to say, is it?!?

Unintended Consequences

Sometimes when you are running on the local park trails, listening to your Makes Me Wanna Sing Out Loud iPod playlist, you may find yourself singing out loud.

PS - it's really cool when you run out from under the tree canopy and into the first light of day just as Gloria Estefan belts Coming-out-of-the-dark.

PPS - does anyone else get a mental picture of the music video when a-ha starts singing Take On Me?

Flashback Friday

Speaking of trigger events, I recently stumbled upon two videos that take me back 15 years to my time in Kenya.

The Swahili/English pop sensation of 1997:



The quick-to-learn tourist Swahili jingle:



Enjoy! (Man, does this ever make me want to hop on a plane...)

How to Get Great Concert Seats

We like country music. Technically, we like many different music styles, one of which is country. And even just writing that seems weird to me because I never liked country music until I married The Boy. And he didn't like country music until he married me.

Weird indeed.

Anyway, one of the artists that we really enjoy is Brad Paisley. Knowing he was a featured artist, my parents (and sisters) tried to convince The Boy and I to come to Kansas for The Country Stampede - a four-day country music festival. It was expensive. And lasted four days. And required a 16-hour round-trip drive.

We passed. But we were sad about it.

Then we learned that Brad Paisley would be coming to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, playing in a stadium just 30 minutes from our house. We immediately felt better about saying no to the Country Stampede and began making plans to see Brad in Texas.

In the midst of doing pre-ticket sale research, I learned that there was a relatively sure-fire way to get good seats: Join the Brad Paisley Fan Club. I figured that since I was a fan anyway, it was worth the $18 to join the fan club at a basic membership level for an opportunity to purchase tickets several weeks before they went on sale to the general public. As well, fan club members are offered tickets were at a very affordable rate, with no processing fees.

After joining the fan club, I learned that I wouldn't know what my seats were until we picked them up at the stadium. Other club members assured us that we'd be happy with the seats - usually the first 2-20 rows and close to the stage.

{Why, you might ask, were our tickets not distributed prior to the concert? Simple: so club members wouldn't profiteer by reselling the seats.}

Tickets were purchased on the first day of club member sales in early June, then we waited and waited until Concert Day arrived...along with 104F weather. Ugh. (Did I mention this was an outdoor concert?!?)

We picked up our seats and saw that we were in Section C, row 2. At first we thought that meant we were in the second row. Whoo-hoo!!! We walked in and took a peek at the stadium seating plan at guest services. They told us that Section C was at the back of the floor section. Not-so-whoo-hoo.

We resigned ourselves to be happy with getting tickets at a good price, even if they weren't close to the stage. We headed to the floor level, where event workers directed us to our section.

It was, in fact, on the SECOND ROW:

Not only the second row...but also right next to the catwalk:

Blake Shelton!

This is what concert close looks like...that's Blake Shelton rocking out behind me:

Two hours in and make up already sweated off.

Gratuitous shot of The Boy:

Just because he's cute.
And too excited to smile much.

Confession: I was really excited to see Blake Shelton up-close-and-personal, but I went completely nuts when Brad Paisley rocked out inches away from me.


I swear: The camera isn't on zoom.


If you haven't listened to his music, go straight to iTunes. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. (reference)

Brad played several guitars throughout the concert. This blue sparkly guitar was The Boy's favorite, so I'm including a photo of it for him:

This one's for you, babe!

Totally, totally, totally rocking concert.

Moral of the story: Investigate a little before you buy concert tickets. You may end up with the best seats in the house for 1/3 the price of tickets for sale through concert promoters.

Second moral of the story: Brad Paisley is excellent at fan management. That's the kind of marketing strategy this marketing gal can appreciate!!

Speaking of Liking My Stuff...

My oldest friend - ok, she's not really my oldest friend, because that would mean that I am old - my friend for the longest period of time is just about the greatest independent musician that I know.

For the record, I've known Elaine since we were in grade school together. We acted in plays, went trick-or-treating, had slumber parties and birthday parties and even, in a fit of madness, helped her brother scrape paint off a historic home for his Eagle Scout project.

{Now that I think about it, The Boy should probably have some words with Flip over that project. It's likely the reason I can't pass an old piece of furniture without thinking about some restoration/paint project.}

Many years later, Elaine has blossomed into a wonderful artist. And like any modern independent artist worth her salt, she has an official Facebook fan page.

She sent me a note last week asking for my help. She's declared October: Facebook Friend Fest. Her goal is to reach 1,000 fans on her Facebook page by October 31st.

Will you help her?

If you're interested, visit her fan page, take a listen to her music and LIKE her!

Love you, friend!

Not Exactly What We Expected

In the midst of the Hayley madness, The Niece is experiencing a bit of her own madness. It's end of term...time to turn in final projects, offer final performances, attend banquets, study for final exams and complete assignments that have been put off for far-to0-long.

This week, we tackled one such assignment: attend a classical music performance and write a report summarizing the event. I offered to help her, limiting my help to attending the performance with her (not writing the report, of course!).

Off we headed to the Eisemann Center for Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel. It's an interesting concept: gifted pianist performs pieces related to a particular topic and/or composer, interspersing lecture on the topic and/or composer throughout the performance.

Great idea, huh?

Anyway, we arrived at the Eisemann and found the venue teeming with people. We were surprised to see so many folks turn out for a piano performance but hey, who were we to judge? After all, we were there for the performance as well. And, like I said, lecture+performance is a great idea.

We'd planned to buy our tickets when we arrived. We headed off to the ticket booth. While waiting our turn, a man approached us and asked if we were attending that night's event.

Yes, I said.

I won four tickets from the local radio station, said the man. I was only able to use two. I'd be happy to give you my extra tickets.

Great! we replied. (Lecture+performance+free tickets=winner deal!)

He melted back into the crowd and we headed to our auditorium. Just before reaching the attendant, we glanced at our tickets and saw:


I glanced at The Niece.

Correct me if I'm wrong, I said. But I don't think Karl Rove is performing Chopin, do you?

Ummm, no, she said.

So off we headed to the ticket booth to buy tickets for our performance:

No wonder there were so many people at the Eisemann. And that also explains the protesters outside - I'd wondered what grudge those folks held against Chopin nearly 200 years since his death!

The Music of Christmas

Hands down, my favorite music genre is Christmas. Even though we have a huge collection of Christmas CDs, I would buy a new album (or two or three) every year if I could.

Blame my dad. Each year we'd pick up the newest Happy Holidays! Christmas album from True Value. The album was a compilation of Christmas tunes from a wide variety of artists - country, rock, instrumental, the gamut. I loved those albums. We'd also make sure to purchase the newest Christmas album from Mannheim Steamroller.

I have a few simple rules for the music of the season:

1. Thou shalt not listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving
2. Thou shalt begin the Christmas music season with Michael W. Smith's Christmas.
3. Thou shalt put thy Christmas iPod playlist on shuffle.
4. Thou shalt listen to Christmas music while looking at holiday lights, grocery shopping, present shopping, commuting to and from work, and cleaning the house.
5. Thou shalt end the Christmas music season with Michael W. Smith's Christmas.

Even though it pains me to admit it, I do have some favorite Christmas albums.

Please don't tell the other albums, I don't want them to be jealous. Really, I love you all! I just have a special fondness for a few.


Christmas by Michael W. Smith

This album starts and ends our holiday music listening season. From the opening notes of The Overture through the gorgeous closing of Silent Night, this album puts you in a deeply reflective and religious mood. Just the right tone for the holiday season.

Behold the Lamb of God by Andrew Peterson

This is actually the only Christmas album I own that I can, and do, listen to all year long. It's not so much a celebration of Christmas as it is a celebration of God's overall plan. You'll well up during Deliver Us and chuckle through Matthew's Begats on the road to Behold the Lamb of God. This album is lyrical storytelling at its very best.

Christmas Portrait by The Carpenters

I love this album because of Karen Carpenter's voice. Her version of Ave Maria is my absolute favorite. And listening to this album will always remind me of my mom.



What are your favorite Christmas albums?