Another year has flown by since my last blog. So much has happened in a year! I've been thinking of doing a little more blogging, mostly just for myself to get thoughts out. I've had a few friends tell me that I should write about favorite eating establishments, and new music that I'm listening to and have discovered. Music is an easy one for me, outside of God and my wife, it's my passion. Here's a few things I've been listening to lately.
Slash's new record has been pretty constant in the rotation. If you're a fan of straight up "no holds barred" R&R with pretty killer production, this one is for you. The record is 14 songs with 13 different load vocalists including Ozzy, Chris Cornell, Kid Rock, Adam Levine (Maroon5) and oddly enough Fergie. The Fergie track "Beautiful Dangerous" is smokin'. I'm not a Fergie fan usually either, but she kills this song. With Lala no longer around, I must resort to youtube for a sample of the song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LF94LgYDMQ
The Bird and the Bee have released a new record called "Interpreting the Masters, a tribute to Hall and Oates". Growing up in the 80's, you couldn't turn on the radio without hearing one of the many hits from Hall and Oates. I can still remember being in first grade hearing "You Make My Dreams" and loving it. I was hooked from that point on. Now some almost 30 years later, The Bird and The Bee releases a covers record of 8 Hall & Oates favorites, and one new song with mentions to Hall & Oates hits. Check out this cover.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUl8DC_yQ6g
There are quite a few more that I'm loving including the new Hanson release, but thought these 2 would be a good diverse start :)
Also lookout for the new Maroon5 single and album coming soon. Produced by Mutt Lange, it sounds great!
Day In The Life..
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Wow..it's been a while!
So here it is June 16th, 6 mos after my last post. My how time flies.
Quite a few things have happened over these 6 mos. In Jan., I started a new company with 3 friends called The Caliber Group. We combined our respective management roster's together to form one company. We're still in the process of signing new acts and building the company.
Secondly, in Feb. we moved into our first house! It wasn't like we were looking to buy, we just happened to take a drive one cloudy Jan day to the metropolis of Spring Hill TN and happened upon a neighborhood and decided to look. Next thing you know, 3 weeks later we are applying for a mortgage. One month later, we moved in. We love our new home, having room to spread out and finding things we forgot we had. I especially love our bonus room (leather couch, flat screen TV, stereo and the XBOX 360), it's heaven.
Third, in March Bonnie and I decided to adopt..another dog. As I type this, Carly the Cavalier (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) sits in lap antsy as can be, climbing on the keyboard making me correct typo's as she hits keys. This is Bonnie's first puppy, so she's getting to learn about the joys of puppy pee and just how much energy a now 4 month old puppy really has. Bonnie has also taught her 3 tricks. Buddy the big brother loves his sister, he says it keeps him young.
Finally and most importantly, in May we celebrated our one year anniversary on May 10th. We celebrated by taking a trip to Sanibel Island FL for a week. It was an amazing trip filled with rest, food, sun, naps, yahtzee, naps, scrabble, Law and Order Marathons (I think we watched 15 that week), alligators, naps, great food, bicycle rides and so much more.
It's hard to believe that a year has flown by. I can honestly say it was the best year of my life spending 365 days with my best friend and the love of my life. Some say the first year of marriage is the toughest, I only knew it as paradise. We learned so much about each other, about marriage and about love. I'm thankful that we went into the marriage as prepared as we could be with:
1. Being surrounded by amazing parents who portrayed great marriages
2. Amazing pre-marital counseling by Tom Tyndall at our church, Crosspoint Community
3. Realistic expectations that not everything would be exactly the way we wanted
The summer is ahead of us and lot's to do. Bonnie just got a new promotion (Woohoo!). She'll start traveling next week for her job. Her first trip is a rough one...to Boca Raton FL. In August we'll go to Las Vegas to celebrate our friend Brittany's 21st bday party.
Thanks for reading, I'll try not to wait so long next time!
Quite a few things have happened over these 6 mos. In Jan., I started a new company with 3 friends called The Caliber Group. We combined our respective management roster's together to form one company. We're still in the process of signing new acts and building the company.
Secondly, in Feb. we moved into our first house! It wasn't like we were looking to buy, we just happened to take a drive one cloudy Jan day to the metropolis of Spring Hill TN and happened upon a neighborhood and decided to look. Next thing you know, 3 weeks later we are applying for a mortgage. One month later, we moved in. We love our new home, having room to spread out and finding things we forgot we had. I especially love our bonus room (leather couch, flat screen TV, stereo and the XBOX 360), it's heaven.
Third, in March Bonnie and I decided to adopt..another dog. As I type this, Carly the Cavalier (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) sits in lap antsy as can be, climbing on the keyboard making me correct typo's as she hits keys. This is Bonnie's first puppy, so she's getting to learn about the joys of puppy pee and just how much energy a now 4 month old puppy really has. Bonnie has also taught her 3 tricks. Buddy the big brother loves his sister, he says it keeps him young.
Finally and most importantly, in May we celebrated our one year anniversary on May 10th. We celebrated by taking a trip to Sanibel Island FL for a week. It was an amazing trip filled with rest, food, sun, naps, yahtzee, naps, scrabble, Law and Order Marathons (I think we watched 15 that week), alligators, naps, great food, bicycle rides and so much more.
It's hard to believe that a year has flown by. I can honestly say it was the best year of my life spending 365 days with my best friend and the love of my life. Some say the first year of marriage is the toughest, I only knew it as paradise. We learned so much about each other, about marriage and about love. I'm thankful that we went into the marriage as prepared as we could be with:
1. Being surrounded by amazing parents who portrayed great marriages
2. Amazing pre-marital counseling by Tom Tyndall at our church, Crosspoint Community
3. Realistic expectations that not everything would be exactly the way we wanted
The summer is ahead of us and lot's to do. Bonnie just got a new promotion (Woohoo!). She'll start traveling next week for her job. Her first trip is a rough one...to Boca Raton FL. In August we'll go to Las Vegas to celebrate our friend Brittany's 21st bday party.
Thanks for reading, I'll try not to wait so long next time!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Songs that I liked this year..
Here's a list of some of the songs I feel rose to the top this year.
Eric Hutchinson- Rock N' Roll
AC/DC- Rock N' Roll Train
Britney Spears- Womanizer
David Archuletta- Crush
Eagles- Too Busy Being Fabulous
Jason Mraz- I'm Yours
Leona Lewis- Bleeding Love
Guns N' Roses- Chinese Democracy
Lincoln Brewster- Today Is The Day
Matt Nathanson- Come on Get Higher
Natasha Bedingfield- Pocketful Of Sunshine
Nickelback- Gotta Be Somebody
Kings Of Leon- Use Somebody
Pink- So What
Snow Patrol- Take Back The City
Also, I left out one of my album picks for the year:
King's Of Leon
Only By The Night
Up until this record, I never really got into them. With this record, a friend of mine told me I should really take a listen to them, and I'm stoked that I did. "Only By The Night" has been a staple album in my collection this year. It's the perfect fall/ winter record. Memorable melodies that swim in your head and hooks that grab you early on.
Favorites: Sex on Fire, Revelry, Manhattan, Use Somebody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCZfJ5ai07U
Eric Hutchinson- Rock N' Roll
AC/DC- Rock N' Roll Train
Britney Spears- Womanizer
David Archuletta- Crush
Eagles- Too Busy Being Fabulous
Jason Mraz- I'm Yours
Leona Lewis- Bleeding Love
Guns N' Roses- Chinese Democracy
Lincoln Brewster- Today Is The Day
Matt Nathanson- Come on Get Higher
Natasha Bedingfield- Pocketful Of Sunshine
Nickelback- Gotta Be Somebody
Kings Of Leon- Use Somebody
Pink- So What
Snow Patrol- Take Back The City
Also, I left out one of my album picks for the year:
King's Of Leon
Only By The Night
Up until this record, I never really got into them. With this record, a friend of mine told me I should really take a listen to them, and I'm stoked that I did. "Only By The Night" has been a staple album in my collection this year. It's the perfect fall/ winter record. Memorable melodies that swim in your head and hooks that grab you early on.
Favorites: Sex on Fire, Revelry, Manhattan, Use Somebody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCZfJ5ai07U
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Look back at the year in music
As we near the end of the year, I thought I'd take a second to look back on some key releases for 2008.
Favorites:
ROCK
Extreme- Saudades De Rock
I spent my high school years wearing out the first three Extreme records. Everyone who listened to any radio during that time got barraged with the songs "More Than Words" and "Hole Hearted". My favorite became the III Sides to Every Story album, which I would wear out through the years. This album didn't sell quite as well as the others, with only "Rest In Peace" receiving minor "hit" status.
When I first heard about a new Extreme record, I was both excited and a little skeptical. Luckily, the band didn't let me down. Opening with the song "Star" (first single and video), the record held my attention. The more I listened to it, the more I couldn't get it out of my player. It stays true to who Extreme is, yet bringing a modern element to it (even a country tinged tune). I was lucky enough to see them live in August 2008 in Atlanta with King's X, easily one of the best shows I've seen in a long time.
Favorite cuts: Comfortably Dumb, Learn To Love, Take Us Alive
AC/DC "Black Ice"
Every red blooded American male can attest to riding down the road with the windows down and the stereo cranked up to 10 listening to "You Shook Me All Night Long" and "Back in Black". Odds are good if you like rock music, then you own "Back In Black", in fact worldwide sales of the record have reached over 42 million. Even listening to that album in 2008, one can hear the timeless production and songs that it contains.
Fast forward to 2008. AC/DC released "Black Ice" exclusively at Wal Mart. First week sales saw right at 800,000 sold, with first day sales at 193,000. In this day and age, that's a big accomplishment. Immediately when you push play on this disc and the opening chords of the first single "Rock 'N Roll Train" come blaring out, you know it's still the AC/DC you love, the AC/DC you grew up with. The album doesn't let up from that point till the end. All songs are driving mid-up tempo rockers without a ballad. Brendan O'brien's (Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilot's, Bruce Springsteen) production only enhances the art that AC/DC created.
Favorite cuts: Rock 'N Roll Train, Skies On Fire, Spoilin' For A Fight.
POP
Britney Spears "Circus"
Britney Spears first single "... Baby One More Time" hit # 1 out of the gate in October 1998. I actually had a chance to meet her briefly during this time, and from the few minutes I was around her, I found her to be likable and humble. Now over 83 million albums sold worldwide, movies and scandals galore, she's back.
I went into listening to "Circus" with skepticism, having not been a big fan of her last record "Blackout". I knew early on that I liked "Womanizer" (which took a few listens to grow on me), but would this be the only hit on the record? Through the first listen, it became apparent that Britney and the writers were able to capture what her life has been about the past year. "Circus" saw her pairing back up with Max Martin again on the possibly controversial "If U Seek Amy" which is one of the stronger songs on the record.
Favorite cuts: Womanizer, Shattered Glass, Out From Under, If U Seek Amy.
Christian:
Anberlin "New Surrender"
I didn't discover Anberlin until I heard a few cuts from their "Never Take Friendship Personal" record. Immediately I connected to the pop hooks, crunching guitars and the singable melodies. I had the chance to catch the band on their "Cities" tour last year, and left the show very impressed.
2008 saw Anberlin leaving their long time label home Tooth And Nail, and joining up with Universal Republic and releasing "New Surrender". The record is a little more "pop" leaning than the previous releases. After spending a few weeks with only "New Surrender" in my player, I had time to dissect the record. Most of the record is from a relationship perpective, including a re-recording of "Feel Good Drag" from "NTFP".
Favorite cuts: Breaking, Blame Me Blame Me, Breathe
DecembeRadio "Satisfied"
This one holds a special place for me. I helped "discover" this band in 2004 while visiting my friends Scotty Wilbanks at his home studio. He introduced me to 3 "good ole boys" from Virginia that he was producing, and let me hear some rough tracks of their demo. I chased Scotty down for 6-7 months to get a copy of this demo, finally finding one at the GMA convention in 2005. Immediately I went back to the label I was working with (Slanted) and told them we had to sign this band. After months of negotiations, we finally signed DecembeRadio. We released their debut album in 2006. Just months after the release, we found out this record was nominated for a Grammy award in the best Rock/ Gospel category. This afforded me my dream of attending the Grammy awards and the parties that surround it.
2008 brought their sophmore release, "Satisfied". The band once again delivered a "pedal to the metal roll down the windows and crank it up" record. One listen to the title track and you'll be hooked. They even ventured down the pop/country road with "Be Alright". Great job Dradio and Scotty! "I'm Glad I saw the Light, Hank Williams got it right!"
Favorite Cuts: Satisfy, Be Alright, Gasoline, Look For Me (should be a massive hit).
Honorable Mention:
After Edmund "Hello"
This is another record that is close to my heart, as they are another band I helped to "discover". This record was slated to be out in 2007, but the label allowed for more set up and touring and delayed it until Jan 2008. This record is so far outside the Christian bubble it isn't funny. If you like cookie cutter Christian albums, this one isn't for you. Similar to Coldplay, Keane, Snow Patrol with hints of Pink Floyd, don't miss it. It's Grammy Nominated this year!
Country:
Taylor Swift "Fearless"
On the first listen to "Love Story" I was sold. Then when Amazon ran it on their $3.99 special, I knew I couldn't go wrong. I'm glad I picked it up. This is one of those records that we'll be hearing singles from for quite a while.
Favorites: Love Story, White Horse, Fifteen
Phil Stacey "Phil Stacey"
After being a fan of his from American Idol, I was excited to hear this record. I received an advance copy in March this year and couldn't get it out of my CD player. I then had a chance to have lunch with him in April and was very impressed with his heart and what he was about. Unfortunately, the record didn't do well at all, which is a shame.
Favorites: It's Who You Know, If You Didn't Love Me, Looking Like Love.
Favorites:
ROCK
Extreme- Saudades De Rock
I spent my high school years wearing out the first three Extreme records. Everyone who listened to any radio during that time got barraged with the songs "More Than Words" and "Hole Hearted". My favorite became the III Sides to Every Story album, which I would wear out through the years. This album didn't sell quite as well as the others, with only "Rest In Peace" receiving minor "hit" status.
When I first heard about a new Extreme record, I was both excited and a little skeptical. Luckily, the band didn't let me down. Opening with the song "Star" (first single and video), the record held my attention. The more I listened to it, the more I couldn't get it out of my player. It stays true to who Extreme is, yet bringing a modern element to it (even a country tinged tune). I was lucky enough to see them live in August 2008 in Atlanta with King's X, easily one of the best shows I've seen in a long time.
Favorite cuts: Comfortably Dumb, Learn To Love, Take Us Alive
AC/DC "Black Ice"
Every red blooded American male can attest to riding down the road with the windows down and the stereo cranked up to 10 listening to "You Shook Me All Night Long" and "Back in Black". Odds are good if you like rock music, then you own "Back In Black", in fact worldwide sales of the record have reached over 42 million. Even listening to that album in 2008, one can hear the timeless production and songs that it contains.
Fast forward to 2008. AC/DC released "Black Ice" exclusively at Wal Mart. First week sales saw right at 800,000 sold, with first day sales at 193,000. In this day and age, that's a big accomplishment. Immediately when you push play on this disc and the opening chords of the first single "Rock 'N Roll Train" come blaring out, you know it's still the AC/DC you love, the AC/DC you grew up with. The album doesn't let up from that point till the end. All songs are driving mid-up tempo rockers without a ballad. Brendan O'brien's (Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilot's, Bruce Springsteen) production only enhances the art that AC/DC created.
Favorite cuts: Rock 'N Roll Train, Skies On Fire, Spoilin' For A Fight.
POP
Britney Spears "Circus"
Britney Spears first single "... Baby One More Time" hit # 1 out of the gate in October 1998. I actually had a chance to meet her briefly during this time, and from the few minutes I was around her, I found her to be likable and humble. Now over 83 million albums sold worldwide, movies and scandals galore, she's back.
I went into listening to "Circus" with skepticism, having not been a big fan of her last record "Blackout". I knew early on that I liked "Womanizer" (which took a few listens to grow on me), but would this be the only hit on the record? Through the first listen, it became apparent that Britney and the writers were able to capture what her life has been about the past year. "Circus" saw her pairing back up with Max Martin again on the possibly controversial "If U Seek Amy" which is one of the stronger songs on the record.
Favorite cuts: Womanizer, Shattered Glass, Out From Under, If U Seek Amy.
Christian:
Anberlin "New Surrender"
I didn't discover Anberlin until I heard a few cuts from their "Never Take Friendship Personal" record. Immediately I connected to the pop hooks, crunching guitars and the singable melodies. I had the chance to catch the band on their "Cities" tour last year, and left the show very impressed.
2008 saw Anberlin leaving their long time label home Tooth And Nail, and joining up with Universal Republic and releasing "New Surrender". The record is a little more "pop" leaning than the previous releases. After spending a few weeks with only "New Surrender" in my player, I had time to dissect the record. Most of the record is from a relationship perpective, including a re-recording of "Feel Good Drag" from "NTFP".
Favorite cuts: Breaking, Blame Me Blame Me, Breathe
DecembeRadio "Satisfied"
This one holds a special place for me. I helped "discover" this band in 2004 while visiting my friends Scotty Wilbanks at his home studio. He introduced me to 3 "good ole boys" from Virginia that he was producing, and let me hear some rough tracks of their demo. I chased Scotty down for 6-7 months to get a copy of this demo, finally finding one at the GMA convention in 2005. Immediately I went back to the label I was working with (Slanted) and told them we had to sign this band. After months of negotiations, we finally signed DecembeRadio. We released their debut album in 2006. Just months after the release, we found out this record was nominated for a Grammy award in the best Rock/ Gospel category. This afforded me my dream of attending the Grammy awards and the parties that surround it.
2008 brought their sophmore release, "Satisfied". The band once again delivered a "pedal to the metal roll down the windows and crank it up" record. One listen to the title track and you'll be hooked. They even ventured down the pop/country road with "Be Alright". Great job Dradio and Scotty! "I'm Glad I saw the Light, Hank Williams got it right!"
Favorite Cuts: Satisfy, Be Alright, Gasoline, Look For Me (should be a massive hit).
Honorable Mention:
After Edmund "Hello"
This is another record that is close to my heart, as they are another band I helped to "discover". This record was slated to be out in 2007, but the label allowed for more set up and touring and delayed it until Jan 2008. This record is so far outside the Christian bubble it isn't funny. If you like cookie cutter Christian albums, this one isn't for you. Similar to Coldplay, Keane, Snow Patrol with hints of Pink Floyd, don't miss it. It's Grammy Nominated this year!
Country:
Taylor Swift "Fearless"
On the first listen to "Love Story" I was sold. Then when Amazon ran it on their $3.99 special, I knew I couldn't go wrong. I'm glad I picked it up. This is one of those records that we'll be hearing singles from for quite a while.
Favorites: Love Story, White Horse, Fifteen
Phil Stacey "Phil Stacey"
After being a fan of his from American Idol, I was excited to hear this record. I received an advance copy in March this year and couldn't get it out of my CD player. I then had a chance to have lunch with him in April and was very impressed with his heart and what he was about. Unfortunately, the record didn't do well at all, which is a shame.
Favorites: It's Who You Know, If You Didn't Love Me, Looking Like Love.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Presidential Race
As I sit and watch the tail end of the election results, Obama is winning 207-138. For most of the day I've been almost in a state of depression about the election.
Tonight, as I took time away from watching the results and took a shower, I began to pray about it. The Lord really spoke to me during this time. He reminded me of a sermon I heard from Pastor Johnny Hunt at First Baptist Woodstock where I attended for many years. Johnny preached that we are instructed from the Bible to pray for our President and leaders of the country.
1 Timothy 2 :1-3 "The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live"
As much as it's in my flesh now to complain, and mope, I know I need to be obedient and pray for Obama as he takes on the leadership of this great nation of ours. It's been "easy" over these past 8 years as President Bush has been in office, a President that has been outspoken about his faith in Christ. Now, as Obama takes office we will begin to learn more about him and his spiritual walk. As Christians, it's our duty to pray for him daily.
Thoughts?
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
My Bday Weekend
My amazing wife Bonnie surprised me with the best birthday gift this past weekend. For those of you who know me, know that I'm a huge Auburn fan. (Yes, even in years like this one where they aren't doing as well as expected.)
On Friday Oct 10th, we departed Franklin and headed to a bed and breakfast/ lodge outside of Auburn. Then Saturday, we went to Auburn. We got in around 11 AM, and spent the day going in all the Auburn stores, spending time on campus, going to Tiger Walk and to the game. She got us tickets on the 35 yard line, about 11 rows up. Needless to say, this was an amazing gift. After the Auburn game, we made a trip to see my parents in Newnan GA for my mom's bday.
Thanks Bonnie for an amazing weekend. I'm blessed to have you in my life.
For my birthday, I was lucky enough to have many of my good friends join us for dinner and bowling, thanks everyone!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Eagles concert
Had the chance to see The Eagles last night here in Nashville. I must say it was one of the best sounding shows from a mix viewpoint that I've heard. Everything was A+, from production, songs etc. Here's the setlist if you're one of those who cares about that :)
Set 1
How Long
Busy Being Fabulous
I Don't Want To Hear Anymore
Guilty Of The Crime
Hotel California
Peaceful Easy Feelin'
I Can't Tell You Why
Witchy Woman
Lyin' Eyes
Boys Of Summer
In The City
The Long Run
Set 2
No More Walks In the Woods
Waiting In The Weeds
No More Cloudy Days
Love Will Keep Us Alive
Take It To The Limit
Long Road Out of Eden
Somebody
Walk Away
One Of These Nights
Life's Been Good
Dirty Laundry
Rocky Mountain Way
Heartache Tonight
Life In The Fast Lane
ENCORE
Take It Easy
Desperado
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