Citizen Cope (Solo Acoustic) St. Pete

This was my first show in quite a while that I went to by myself. Of course knowing me I'm no introvert and quickly made a few friends. You must do this if you are a "single" at a concert especially when you've snagged a primo front row spot.

One of the gals that I met was on her own as well. We chatted about how it's quite enjoyable to go to a show by yourself sometimes. No worries, no going with someone to the restroom, only have to buy drinks for one etc...

Yes, it also makes being up front very easy! This was my 3rd time seeing Clarence. The first two times was with the full band behind him.

Up close and personal for solo acoustic was absolutely phenomenal. His presence and playing brought up a well of feelings from the gut of everyone in the crowd. You could see the emotion as he poured from his soul to all of us who were present.

See the full gallery on Posterous

This was what my new found friend had to say when she heard "Holdin' On." - "I wanna treat you like you wanna be treated". I'm such a girl :) & that song...I know just what he's saying. The lines surrounding those lovely lines let me get it.

I have a friend who explains it well when you feel the emotion like this at a show. You feel it in the bottom of your lungs, it pushes up, and then you catch your breath.

 It was a special night. Those of us in the front who were a little more vocal than others (eehhhmm) did ask for our song. I asked for "D'Artagnan's Theme" and he obliged. He looked right at me and started the first few cords and nodded.

Here's some of my choices from Citizen Cope, though in the music widget they are with the whole band; Enjoy!

My Saving Grace on a Sunday Night

There's nothing like going to a great concert. Even when that concert is on a Sunday evening and you dread your alarm before you even leave for the show.

The sister and I headed to Grace Potter & the Nocturnals with gleaming eyes and ready ears. This was to be my sister's first time seeing her live, and oh did she bring it! A very descriptive blog about this can be found here from Radio Potato!

It was a night where two friends also had their experience with Grace for the first time. It makes me feel so good when folks actually take my music opinions seriously and on top of it have their minds blown!

See the full gallery on Posterous

The Nocturnals came out first to start the rocking, really envoking the musical muse for the evening! Then with a sparkley little black dress came my generation's most phenomenal female rocker! Yes, she is truly a Diva! I've described her as the perfect mix between Grace Slick and Jannis Joplin. I say this because I grew up in a house where those were my father's two favorite female rockers.

 

 

Now if any one knows please let me know if she's ever covered "Crazy On You" before? That was the encore and it was insane!

Part of what made the night so special was that I got the set-list from off of her organ (kudos to the stagehand for that one)! And though I didn't get to meet her, the manager did get her to sign it for me = Boo Freakin' Ya!!

Thoughts, opinions, who's going to the next concert with me?

~bbryon

Speedweeks...they're here!

Since November there's been something missing. The sound of V8 engines alive on Sunday (or Saturday night). Many changes have occurred over the NASCAR offseason. For three months all I've had has been "The Morning Drive" on Sirius radio, of which Pete Pistone is a co-host.

Some of the changes include the drivers' having to pick which division they will drive for championship points in. This means they must declare whether they will be racing for points at the Sprint Cup level, Nationwide level, or Camping World Truck level. The point system at the Sprint Cup level has gone from a confusing system to a less confusing one. In which 1st place gets 43pts, 2nd 42 pts, etc... I will not try and tell you about bonus points here.

Another change specifically for the Daytona 500 this year is the fact that the track has been re-paved. I work in Daytona Beach and I've seen since mid July the track go through the overhaul of re-paving. Sometimes during lunch I would drive by the backstretch to see the equipment that is used for such a massive project. It's also been pretty impressive to walk outside my office and the the cars testing on the new asphalt since the completion of the re-pave.

Last year's 500 was simply breathtaking; at least the big finish helped everyone get past the pothole issue.

This year the Daytona 500 will be momentous, not only because the track has just been re-paved (which should make for great racing), but also because it marks the 10 year anniversary of Dale Earnhardt's death at this race in 2001.

Rebecca Gladden has written "Three Drivers Could Deliver Momentous Daytona 500 win." Though I'm sure the other 40 will have something to say about it. The Preseason top 30 from SceneDaily.com is here. One of the writers Kenny Bruce is a must follow.

All of this being said; it was said best by a caller that was on The Morning Drive this past Monday. "I don't give a care about the rule changes, the speculation, the point system, or the changes to the cars. At this point I only care about going racing!" < My sentiment exactly!

Because no matter that I am personally a part of Jr. Nation, I love racing. I love the thrill of being at the tracks when I can be. I love that it is a community, not so much different than "Deadheads" or motorcyclists (of which I'm also a part of). I love the smell and the sound. I love listening to the drivers' channels at home on satellite radio during each race.

What do you love about NASCAR? What do you hate or despise? Maybe you don't like that I support a sport that you consider (insert negative vibe here)? Got a prediction of whether Jimmie Johnson will continue as champion or your pick as to who will dethrone him?

~bbryon

 

 

Adventures on Dec. 30 & 31

I set out for CT & NY for my holiday vacation. My parents along with my sister & I all meet to be with our family that resides in those two states. This year my sister, and two other friends would also be venturing on a phishing trip.

We got tickets for Phish at Madison Square Garden for two of the three night run; December 30 & 31. Now we did end up with extras because of the Phish lottery system. My sister & I are inherently lucky so we had 4 extras to each night. The benefactors of our luck were: @dopeburger, @TylerCurtis & @ohkeepahblog.

Unfortunately, I never got to meet up with Justin (@ohkeepahblog), but he assured me he had a phenomenal show. We did meet up with Pete & Tyler before the first show on the 30th; so it was cool to have a Phish tweet-up!

My sis & I had never been to MSG so it was amazing to see how intimate the show can be for 20k people.

See the full gallery on posterous

Let me just say the energy on the 30th made it the best Phish show I've seen (single event, because let's be honest Big Cypress was unforgettable)! MSG was just pulsing; the start of the New Years run, NYC, phans, it all = AWESOMENESS! So after the first set on the first night, we were all just trying to catch our breath. That's when my friend Caleb says, "Your mind has just been blown. While you recover please enjoy set two."

Here's 40 seconds of Golgi Apparatus to show you what I'm talking about:

Click here to download:

MOV00065.3gp (396 KB)

I had a great 2010! I ended it & started 2011 with all the pomp & circumstance anyone could ask for! I've grown, found new meaning in things/life/friends, & have generally just had a blast. Without a doubt Tweezer Reprise will always be my favorite encore!

We just completely enjoyed ourselves into 2011!

Click here to download:

MOV00081.3gp (241 KB)

How about you? Were you there? If not how was your NYE celebration?

A Decade of Fun & Adventure

As I started this decade; I will end it in similar fashion; seeing Phish for New Year's Eve. Though this time instead of being sorrounded by patchouli and BO in a field on an Indian reservation it will be in Madison Square Garden.

When this decade started I was a young whipper snapper with wide eyes heading off on adventures pursuing a life of youthful exuberance. Now much the same just three decades into life and enjoying the ride.

A friend of mine asked me the other day what would I tell my former younger self.  I really had to think about this. My whole life has been quite fun and interesting, and I think I've learned a lot. Though maybe this is self-sexest talk, but I don't feel my basic make-up changed since about 16. Music, hockey, the ladies, food, drink, basically good times with good people (not necessarily in that order). Just more responsibility and "big boy" pants. But let's focus on just this past decade.

I've spent more money on concerts (the list is long but distinguished) and sporting events (mainly hockey and college football) than I would care to admit.  But the experience and the good times far out-weigh the cost of going to a festival like Rothbury or seeing the John Butler Trio in a small venue.

I ride a motorcycle and have traveled out of state on it. Next year my father and I are planning a trip; just the two of us guys.

I've loved and lost; and have opened myself up again.  Truly I've gone through this and I am hopefully better person for it.

I really try and be the best me possible; sometimes the best me is a cocky SOB < ::leads to friends throwing dumbells down in your living room and storming out::  Yet, I can control only my actions and so my reputation is quite a positive one when I do check in on it. 

As far as shit my dad actually says "that'll build character" and "be excellent" (yes he liked Bill and Ted like the rest of us).Though at one time I did have in my posession 3 copies of "Bio Dome" (that's for another time).

I'm a pretty lucky and blessed guy (with a hint of boyish charm). So what would I tell me you ask? After much talk with my friend and mulling over the bad, good, and great that I've experienced (because let's face it life can be pretty tough and yet still so fulfilling), this is what I would say:

"Keep doing what you love, keep finding passion in whatever you do. You're going to be just fine. Maybe bumped, bruised, and scraped, but you're going to enjoy yourself."

So now I ask any and all who happen upon this post: "What would you tell your former self of a decade ago?"

Lightning home-opener = Awesomeness

Let me be clear that you may know me as, and yes I am a Devils fan. However, if a guy can have a second choice mine is the Tampa Bay Lightning. Particularly because my parents moved us to FL from NY when I was just a boy. My father took my whole family to an inaugural season game. So there will always be a special place in my heart for the Bolts.

If you don't know the story, the Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2004. What an accomplishment for a team below the Mason-Dixon line. And then the next year the lock-out happened. The energy was sucked right out of the city by the bay.

So this year's motto "Bring It Back!" & "All In!" Obviously meaning the Stanley Cup not another screw up CBA debacle. They must be "All In" this year. There's no way to explain how you had a 50 + goal scorer in Stamkos who tied Sidney Crosby last year for most in the NHL and not make the playoffs.

Tampa Bay is buzzing this year for hockey and the addition of Stevie Y helped. Simon Gagne has been added to the roster this year which helps solidify the Bolts' veteran core.

I was there on opening night against the Chicago Blackhawks  Atlanta Thrashers. It was just electric walking up and into the St. Pete Times Forum. The whole area around the stadium was just oozing with excitement for a hockey game (yes, in FL).

As I got to my seat, I was able to watch the end of the warm-up skate. I thought to myself, boys let's take it off the paper and make it reality on the ice. Marty St. Louis, Vinny, and Stamkos are the core. Now there's a new GM in town with Yzerman. In all honesty this team is quite capable of reclaiming Lord Stanley's Cup, maybe not this season, but very soon.

The lights went down:

 

 

 

Tampa took the game 5-3. Now they did blow a 4-0 lead in the 2nd & that is in part because of who Atlanta acquired in the off season, namely ex-Cup winning Blackhawks. However, the core that must lead the Bolts all had great games. Especially Stamkos who got 2 goals opening night. This is an example of what the Lightning need every game. This is what Tampa and the state of FL need to keep hockey on the minds of all of us who live here. Hey, I got my 10 game weekend tickets (2 tix to 10 games), at a bargain price and it's probably the best entertainment purchase I've made for myself. Nothing beats hockey live.

Phish with a side of Phun

I haven't seen Phish live since New Year's Eve 2003. I attended three of the four shows (29, 30, & 31). So it's been a while. My best friend and my sister where at those shows with me. Side note: my first show was Big Cypress! 10th anniversary this year!

Needless to say, when my sister called the other evening with absolute excitedawesomeness in her voice that she had gotten the lotto for Phish's NYE at Madison Square Garden this year; I promptly checked my email. There it was confirmation that I also won so we got our tickets to the 30th & 31st this year!!!!!!

So not only will I be seeing one of my favorite bands for my 8th & 9th Phish show, I will be seeing them on the 10yr anniversary of my first Phish experience! The really cool part is again my sister and best friend will be joining me; and I will have a very special awesome friend with me that has never experienced a Phish NYE! The candor, the excitement, and basic carnival atmosphere!

CHEESECAKE!!!!!

Without further adu here's the setlist & Grooveshark widget (songs are not the actual performance but you'll get the idea! Also for the 2nd set I didn't make it Chalkdust > Slave > Chalkdust, so Slave to the traffic light ends the set) from the last show I was at December 31, 2003: