Love Newport Style! Chapter 2

Trains...check! Helicopters...check! Trucks...check!

So happy you came back for the continuing saga of my anniversary adventures in Newport.

And now please allow me to pick up where I left off...

Friday of our big weekend arrived. It's weird but I felt so excited, the kind of buzz I always feel on day 1 of a big vacation...the butterflies in the stomach just thinking about boarding an airplane to fun! Except this time, we were boarding hubby's pickup truck to travel a mere 45 miles from home.

Hubby and I packed up our suitcases and hauled them out to our pickup. We gave our dogs a cuddle and bid them adieu. (Probably the only downer part of the whole weekend...we just hate leaving them behind - and even worse knowing the hotel we were going to is "dog friendly" so any other time we could have taken them.) We pointed the truck south and headed off down the highway to the city by the sea...on Aquidneck Island...Newport!

My Friend In Time of Need

Some time ago I decided to throw my hand in the volunteer ring. Make my contribution to this world I live in. But what to do?

I found my answer in my first love. Music. No, I've never been a musician. Can't sing. Can't play a note. My only stab at the music business was filling notebooks full of lyrics. Whimsical, morose, teen angst, sometimes whiny prose. It was quite a release for my tortured teen soul. But as I matured, started a family and moved on in my life, I let go of my hold on the notebooks. To be honest, part of that was the angry realization that my dream of becoming the next Carole King would never happen. I even ceremoniously set fire to a few of the notebooks, watching the black acrid smoke lift to the sky. My dreams literally going up in smoke and falling back to the earth in ugly black ashes.

No matter how hard I tried to stay away, music continued to have a pull on me. It soothed me when I was sad, elevated my mood when I was blue. There seemed to always be a song on my playlist that would match whatever situation I found myself in. It was always an important and integral part of me.

Because of that, I wanted to give back to it as much as it had given to me.

I found a local grassroots organization that was working to preserve the music of local musicians. To honor and recognize those in our community who had contributed so much to America's music landscape. Aha!! This is it, I thought. This could be where I belong. Where I could give back. Where I could do the most good.

I spent a year helping with various projects and pitching in wherever I was needed. It also gave me a good chance to get to know the members of the board who had founded the organization. Most of them are musicians so I felt a bit out of my league. Not in their clique. But they accepted me and seemed pleased to know that I was there to help and support their mission.

Before I knew it, I was asked to be a member of the board! Quite an honor. And seal of approval. I may not be a musician, but I believe in what they're trying to do and they believed in me, too.

A few months in, and I'm having my doubts. It may take some time for them to see me as an equal on the board and not a glorified volunteer. There've been some little instances here and there which make me feel this way. I'm trying not to be paranoid.

Oh well. I'm willing to wait this out. Give it some time to see how it all plays out. I'd really like to stay on board (no pun intended), help to build the organization into a very worthy and valuable resource for my tiny state. But if my participation isn't viewed by the others as essential for its success, then I'll step down and away. What they're doing is so important, and much bigger than my ego, that I can't be selfish and be upset that I'm not wanted.

But no matter what happens, it won't change how I feel about music. It has been there for me thru thick and thin, the good and bad times, the ups and downs. My friend in time of need.

Health Care For The Music Community - Tune In & Tune Up

About a year ago I began volunteering with the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame ("RIMHOF"). RIMHOF is a "nonprofit dedicated to celebrating, honoring, and preserving the legacy of Rhode Island musicians, educators and industry professional who have made significant contributions to the national and Rhode Island music scene". I was initially partnered with one of the board members who had begun a very substantial project: constructing an online database that would keep track of all the venues state-wide that offered music performances. Within a few months, we were also including non-profit agencies and programs that pertained to music. My role slowly began to evolve and I took on more responsibilities within the community outreach program, such as keeping track of anyone who had expressed a role in volunteering for RIMHOF. I also assist with organizing quarterly meetings for the music community where they can discuss issues affecting them.

Recently, I was quite surprised and happy to be asked to join the board as an official member. I didn't hesitate to say yes! I'm very honored to be associated with a great group of people whose mission is to preserve and support Rhode Island music. All the members have spearheaded various meaningful projects, from an online archive to the community outreach program.

Which brings me to today. This weekend. And one of RIMHOF's newest projects, the health initiative, Tune In & Tune Up. Per the RIMHOF site:

TUNE IN & TUNE UP is the new health initiative of the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame. The program came about because Board members, many musicians themselves, were fed up with the lack of affordable health care options for the R.I. music community. We also fully understand how confusing and daunting it is to understand what may be available to you. If you are a professional Rhode Island musician or industry professional (soundman, engineer, roadie, tech crew etc.) OR the spouse of a musician or industry professional, sign up to become a member of the TUNE IN & TUNE UP program.

In the coming months, TUNE IN & TUNE UP will be offering seminars and workshops, soliciting retail outlets that will offer discounts to our members, and creating a web page (linked off of the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame website) which will try to help you navigate and more easily understand Rhode Island’s health care & wellness options.

A quite worthy and very important endeavor!

To support and raise awareness of the
initiative, RIMHOF will be hosting the 2-day Unity Concerts. The fundraising concerts will be held this weekend at the Ocean Mist in Matunuck (South Kingstown), RI. The concerts will feature some of the best of what RI has to offer. Household names like, John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band, Roomful of Blues and Steve Smith and the Nakeds. Up and comers like Kim Petrarca and The Brian McKenzie Band.

It's going to be a great weekend of great music!

 

To learn even more about the initiative and the concerts, visit fellow board member Herb Weiss' very informative blog post here.

I'll be heading down there momentarily to help in any way I can to make sure that this weekend is a success. Healthcare and coverage are very important to all of us in these current trying economic times, and especially vital to those who are under or uninsured. Music is so important to enriching our lives, feeding our souls. We owe it to ourselves to do what we can to keeping the music playing, keep our musicians healthy and support those special people who bless us with their musical talent.

Hope to see you at the Unity Concerts!! ♪♫♪♫

Who Would You Be? The Dream Police Want To Know!

Earlier this year I was outside on a sunny yet chilly day, trudging about 50' behind my husband as part of his "New Year's resolution 1-hour walk per day" proclamation. My iPod was blasting in my ears. Had my "work-out" playlist blaring. (It usually keeps my feet moving - albeit not as fast as my 6'2" husband with mile long legs...but I digress). 

There's some great rocking tunes with screaming guitars on my playlist but I found I really got moving during certain songs.

So as I was jogging along my mind wandered (as it sometimes does at times like those) and I started thinking about when I was younger ... I heard my first female rocker. I wanted to be the next-big-thing girl rock star. Like ... Janis Joplin. Pat Benetar. Joan Jett, Lita Ford (or any one of the Runaways). Suzi Quattro. (I'd even have settled for a semblance of the feisty Dolly Parton or Tammy Wynette.) I wanted to write great songs filled with musings, romance, conflict and angst. Like Karla Bonoff and Joni Mitchell and Loretta Lynn. Ah, dreams! And impossible fantasies.

Thought about where I am today. The vast differences in the lifestyle of my mid-life self and the rocker fantasy of my youth. What twists and turns kept me from being one thing and led me to a polar opposite life.

A good life. A happy, loving one.

I went down the home and family road. Gave up my single, waif little self and morphed into pleasingly plump Wife. Mom. And now grandmother. Set up house in urban suburbia. Graduated college after I had my kids (so I was a wee bit untraditional for some things!) Went the business route. Worked 9-5. 

And gave up my childhood dreams. Well, sort of. I still love my music. Never packed away my albums and 8-track tapes. Autographed posters and signed 8x10 framed glossies of famous performers adorn my walls. You'll still find me at concerts, though I've moved to a comfy chair in the back of the room. (These old bones aren't what they used to be!) And of course, I got involved on a local level by being on the board of directors for the RI Music Hall of Fame.

How about you? What was YOUR dream? What did you want to be when you grew up? However, if you happen to not be growed up yet ... what's your goal? Come on, you can tell me ... I won't tell anyone.

My Music - He Will Be Dave Davies

The infamous little green amp that put the rock in rock 'n roll and wonderfully changed the genre forever.

Photo Credit-Russ Fletcher (russhifi.blogspot.com)

 

David Russell Gordon Davies. Guitar virtuoso. Gifted songwriter. Founding member of the British invasion and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame quartet, the Kinks. And creator of that searing, crunchy distorted guitar chord heard round-the-world and in almost every rock song since the mid-60's.
                                                                                                 Photo Credit-Klaus Hiltscher

All the rock guitarists (and struggling wanna-be's) out there owe a lot to this pioneer. For if it wasn't for his frustration at not getting the sound he heard in his head out of that little amp that fateful day way back in the age of aquarius, where would music be? Would there be punk? Heavy metal? Dave Davies' latest retrospective homage to that music and life altering incident is included on his latest work of art, "I Will Be Me".

My Music in My Backyard - Rockin' The Blues

Mixing things up today. Gonna get a little wild and crazeee. Get ready...I'm combining 2 of my fav blog topics: Music and Backyard. Whoa! Hope I didn't lose you there...hold on...you'll be fine.

Recently I got to enjoy some good ole time rock 'n roll at a local venue I had never been to before (but have been wanting to visit after hearing some really promising reviews).

Thanks to the generosity of NBC10 WJAR-TV, I won tickets to the "Rock 'n Blues Fest" at Park Theater in Cranston, RI. The show starred rock, blues and veteran Woodstock performers and bands: 

1. Canned Heat
2. Pat Travers Band
3. Rick Derringer
4. Edgar Winter
5. Ten Years After

What a lineup! What an exciting show! And what a nice theater!

Hold my hand...its time to step inside the way-back machine...groooovy...................

Wordless Wednesday - Rockin' With BlackBerry Smoke

♫♪ Blackberry Smoke ♫♪ 
'nuff said ☺

It's All About the Hair...and Music!

What does my hair and music have in common? Curious? Yes? No? Oh, c'mon. You KNOW you want to find out...so...read on, my friend!

There are so many volunteer opportunities out there but I think I definitely found the one that suits me. I'm working with the RI Music Hall of Fame, a non-profit organization whose aim is to recognize the state's musicians and industry professionals. I love that! And if you know me, you know how much music means to me. No, I'm not a musician. Can't play a note. Can't sing either. (Though I wasted many a wish hoping and praying that I would suddenly wake up one day and find that I had become Joan Jett!)

This past Sunday was the highlight of the year for the Hall when it inducted its second class of inductees:

Sweet Suite Judy Blue Eyes - Heaven's New Angel

Yesterday a beautiful vibrant woman left this earth. Left her family. Left her friends. Way too soon.

I didn't know her as well as I would have liked. Time and space kept us apart.
Music and Collective Soul brought us together. And kept us connected.

This isn't the end of our song. Not a goodbye ... but a "so long, until we meet again".
I know we'll forever be joined by the soul ... soul sisters to be exact.

JUDITA MENGES

- MAYBE -

by Edgar Eugene Roland, Jr.

 

The sky now divides
To bring you back into the fold
Welcome home
Still my need to recognize
Any comfort you may show
Only grows
Guess I'll learn to accommodate
While my heart just sits and waits
Maybe God you found
Maybe is all that you can offer now
Where am I to take refuge
When the storms of pain release
Shelter me
This blessedness of life
Sometimes brings me to my knees
I call on thee
I have not the words to write
A Farewell to you tonight
Maybe God you found
Maybe is all that you can offer now
I know hearts are weeping
While your voice is now singing
On high, angel on high

 

 

My Cinema - Les Miserables

Sensationnel!

Everything I'd heard about "Les Miserables" is so true! The movie is trés magnifique! From the opening scene to the closing credits, I was mesmerized...hooked!

The movie stars Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Amanda Seyfried, and Russell Crowe, directed by Tom Hooper and is set in 18th century France.

Truth be told, I went to see this movie not knowing what it was about. I heard all the hoopla and buzz but never saw a production of it nor had I read the story anywhere. I  kind of liked it that way. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the epic tale unfold before my virgin eyes. And for that reason, I won't go into great detail about what the story is about in case you haven't seen it yet; don't want to spoil it for you! But I will tell you the story is captivating and superb.

Admittedly, this probably isn't seen as a manly kind of film, but guess what? Hubby accompanied me to see it! (He's such a great guy, eh? Think I'll keep him!) And....he liked it too! Maybe not as much as I did, but he thought it was very well done and he wasn't turned off like he thought he'd be with all the singing. I believe he was pleasantly surprised to find that he liked it as much as he did. (Think he went in believing he was sucking it up and being the good hubby and that it was going to be a "ho-hum" loooong movie but voila! It wasn't so bad!)

So yeah, there's lots of singing. Matter of fact, it's all singing. There's very very little spoken dialogue (a few words that were more spoken than sung). But the music and songs really keep the action moving along. Not to mention every now and then, between scenes, the screen would have a paragraph or two of information about events occurring outside the scope of the film that aren't being depicted (but are pertinent to the storyline); the words helped to pull the story into the next time period or chapter. 

I was very impressed by the singing talent in the movie. Ok, so I know Hugh Jackman, star of stage and screen, has a great set of pipes. But Anne Hathaway? Really? She has a great voice! I don't think I would have guessed it. She totally deserves the "best of" nods at the awards shows. I was surprised by Amanda Seyfried's singing talent also. But who totally surprised me was Russell Crowe. No, he's not the best singer I've ever heard; not even close. But he did impress me. His growly, gravely low timbred voice really matched well with his character. Kudos to him!

I totally recommend this movie but maybe not for the younger set. The themes are very adult and might be a bit overwhelming and frightening for the kiddos, and not sure if the amount or kind of singing will keep them interested. (This is NOT Top 40 nor Justin Beiber-like.)

I also suggest seeing the movie in an afternoon showing or, if you're waiting on the DVD release set aside a few uninterrupted hours, as it's rather long. I just couldn't bear to think of seeing this at night knowing I wouldn't get out of the theater until after midnight.

The film has already won some honors and accolades leading up to the Academy Awards. I believe it's a strong contender for the Best Picture Oscar because of its talented cast, beautiful music, artful sets and scenery, and compelling storyline. But I'm puzzled and saddened to hear that the director was not nominated. How a movie could be considered the best but not its director is beyond me. The director is the captain of the film, and without a competent and talented leader, a film would most certainly flounder and suffer. And with this film, it's very evident Tom Hooper is a master of his craft and made what could have been a difficult movie to watch quite entertaining (even for hubby!).

Great film! Go see it if you get the chance!

My Music - From the Kinks to Mumford and Sons

Those who know me know how much I love music. All kinds. But mostly Rock, Pop, Country. Been going to see live shows since I was around 10 years old...way way way long time ago. Talked my older brother into bringing me to my first big-girl show when I was 12. The Kinks. They performed at what was once called "The Providence Civic Center" (now known as "The Dunk"). Poco and Henry Gross played that night, too. Good times. Ah, how I loved the Kinks. Still do. And thankfully they're still making music, although they do so as solo artists now.

♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫

Since then, I've seen many big acts: Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Cher, Queen, Aerosmith, Shania Twain, J. Geils, Pat Benatar, Toby Keith, Sammy Hagar (w/the Waboritas, Van Halen and Chickenfoot), Heart, Blake Shelton. I've seen many before they were household names: Kiss, Journey, Zac Brown Band.

♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫

These days, while I still like the famous artists, I usually like to listen to the mostly unknown. The indie band. The singer-songwriter. The music is more raw. Shows more intimate and personal. I'm really not that enamored with the 60,000 seat arenas where I spend more time looking at the band on a big screen than straining to see the little human specks on a stage a hundred yards away. And don't get me started on the astronomical ticket prices, process and handling fees, etc.

♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫

I put out the word recently to my friends. I need some new music. I feel like my iPod is getting a bit stagnant. I need new blood. Here's a list of some new (to me, anyway) acts I'm listening and grooving to.

• Lumineers
• Crystal Bowersox
• Steve Everett
• Alabama Shakes
• Mumford and Sons

How about you? What are you listening to? Care to share some good recommendations?

Paradise How I Love Thee......Boston & Blackberry Smoke

I wrote the following last week. I was out on a date w/hubby. Went to see a band we both love and hadn't seen in quite a while....

Sigh.....out. In Boston. Paradise Rock Club to be exact. Had to walk a mile to get here. It's freeeeeezing. No parking anywhere. Grrrrrr.... but I'm here. Praise the Lord...and pass the biscuits. My Mecca. My safe place. Music. It washes all my sins away...(well, some of them anyway). definitely raises the blood pressure and sets the toes a-tappin'. Glory be! My heart is singing. Rejoicing actually. I'm about to see one of my fav bands. They may not be household names....yet. But gosh darn they're good....Blackberry Smoke....yee-haw!

Can you tell I hadn't been to a concert in a while? Argh!

TOP 10 SONGS OF 2012 - IMO

Like everyone else around the world (i.e. those who use the internationally accepted Gregorian calendar), it's time to look back at 2012 and get all misty eyed as we take a stroll down memory lane and reminisce of what was. Get the tissues out.

We're about to be inundated with the media's and everybody else's top 10, 12, 47, whatever lists. There's going to be lists like:

** Top 10 Celebrity Breakups (or makeups, divorces, stork visits, etc.) **

** Top 10 Headlines ("Mayans: World To End!" "US Falls Off Cliff! "iPhone 100...Geeks Rejoice!") **

** Top 10 Baby Names (If its in a movie, it's on a million birth certificates...can you say "Bella"?) **

I think you get my drift. So ok. I don't want to be left behind. I'll jump on this bandwagon. How's this?

TOP 10 SONGS OF 2012 - (in my opinion)

10.  Back in Time - Pitbull

9.    Brokenhearted - Karmin

8.    Legendary Child - Aerosmith

7.    Keep Your Eyes Open - Need to Breathe

6.    Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5

5.    Back to the Start - Anthony Gomes

4.    Sweetest Sin - Saints of Valory

3.    Pontoon - Little Big Town

2.    Everybody Knows She's Mine - Blackberry Smoke

1.    Already Yours - Amy Gerhartz

    ME -><- AMY

Mind you, this is not a scientific analysis or based on the Billboard charts. These are just the songs that I found myself humming along to a LOT during the past year.

And there you have it. My first stab at joining the masses.

How about you? Got a top 10 list for 2012? C'mon give it a try. Movies? Trends? Sports moments? What ya got?

Found My Dream Job on Southwest Airlines! (sort of)

Are you blessed to be able to work in your dream job? Is it everything you've wanted? Hoped for? If so, then consider yourself very VERY lucky. I'm not thinking it's the norm.

If your job is more nightmare than fantasy, do you ever stop and think about what you would rather be doing? If you could wish upon a star for the ultimate job, what would it be? Who would you be?

Me? Depending on the day of the week, where I'm sitting, who I'm talking to, my mood, the weather, etc...I could come up with lots of ideas.

I've often pictured myself as someone who works in an archive - a curator - keeper of the artifacts. Maybe at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Or the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. Ah! I would so love to be able to just be in close proximity of all that glorious history!!

But recently on a return trip from visiting my kids and grandkids in Florida, I read an article in the Southwest Airlines magazine, Spirit, about a guy named Tristan and his really really amazing job. And I want it!! (the job, not the guy....I AM a married woman, after all....)

Job Title:  Margarilla

Employer:  Margaritaville/Jimmy Buffet

Photo Credit - Jonf728 (Flickr)

Tristan can be found working the tours of that ultimate beach musician...the messiah of parrotheads everywhere...Jimmy Buffet. He also co-manages the Margaritaville brand's marketing. What? How did he get such an uber fantastic job?

How cool is that? It's like the perfect occupation for me. I qualify on many levels. Let's count the ways:

√  Margarita     (my fav cocktail, natch!)
√  Music           (duh! no question I'm a HUGE music fan not to mention a lover of
                          songs about oceans, paradise and juicy fruit!)
√  Travel          (only my number one hobby!)

Now THAT'S what I call a fantasy gig! If you read my previous post on relaxing, then you know how much I adore a good margarita. Nothing like a tall, icy glass of liquid sunshiny goodness...bring on those limes! (but hold the salt!)

Now how do I find a job like that? Wait a minute, can something like that even be called a job? It's from another latitude...with a totally different attitude than anything I've ever experienced before. 

 

Sigh...I know, I know. Fat chance. But hey, I can dream, right? So - back to the sky gazing...now where the heck is that shooting star? And can ya hand me that cheeseburger... thanks.

RI Music Hall of Fame

A few weeks ago I mentioned in a post that I was going to be volunteering with the RI Music Hall of Fame. So far I've attended a board meeting and tonight I attended a committee meeting.

I am really getting excited about this! The people I've met so far are very excited about this venture and making the Hall of Fame on par with halls in other states. I'm going to be helping with putting together a directory of all the venues in the state and perhaps even developing a blog for the Hall. The other committee members had so many great ideas, including working with schools, sponsoring performances, reaching out to the music community and archiving information about the music scene. I could have sat there for hours listening to them.

I can feel the passion they all have to make the Hall successful and a place that the people of the State of Rhode Island can be proud of. A place that tourists can visit and get a sense of the great talent that abounds in my little state. I like that the emphasis is not just on what and who has come before, it's also focused on today and the future.

Now I need to get the word out and hopefully get others involved. It's such a worthy cause and there are so many ways that people can help. And all it costs is a bit of time.

This is going to be good!

Nicholas David - Voice of Fresh Air

I'm not much of a reality show fan. I did watch 2 seasons of American Idol. And now I've been watching The Voice. I'm not one who bothers to vote. Usually the talent is good but not my thing. Too young. Too pop. Too cutesy. And I don't think I'll be following any of them after they get booted from either show. Until this year. That's when I first heard and seen Nicholas David on The Voice. And now I'm hooked. If you haven't been watching this show, tune in next week and listen to this singer/pianist. His soulful voice is amazing! Some of the songs he's performed are:

• My first, My last, My everything - Barry White
• Stand by me - Ben E. King
• She's Gone - Hall & Oates
• Power of Love - Huey Lewis & the News
• Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey Rae
• Lean On Me - Bill Withers

I found myself tearing up and giving Nicholas a standing O when he finished his gospel rendition of "Lean on Me". You can see his performances on The Voice site.

I think the show should just end right now and give this guy the winner's microphone. None of the other singers can hold a candle to him. We need someone like this in the music world these days so we can tune out the sad excuse for singers that the recording industry keeps churning out. He's a genuine talented throwback to some great singers of yesteryear yet he's a true original and a voice of fresh air.

Love this guy! Go Nicholas!

Friendship in the the 21st Century

"Winter spring summer or fall....all you got to do is call.....

and I'll be there.....you got a friend....."  James Taylor.

Let's talk friendships. In the 70's, songwriter James Taylor sang about calling a friend. Ummm, not so sure many of us do that nowadays. It's the age of texting, tweeting, facebooking (?) to reach our "friends".

And who do we consider our friends these days anyway? Are we throwing that word around too lightly? Shouldn't there be a deep profound meaning behind it? Take Facebook. We call our hundreds of connections "friends", but do they really fall into that category?

So...friendships. I'm thinking we all have some crazy ways we've met our friends. Here's mine:

Lazy Sunday with Keaton Simons

That was the billing. And it lived up to it. Cozy and warm. Like spending an afternoon catching up with a dear, old friend.

Since the first time I heard Keaton about 6 years ago, I became an instant fan. I love listening to his musical storytelling. Unfortunately, I've had to console myself with only his recordings and updates on social media as he lives and performs mostly on the other side of the country.

Research...Yes it is!

Heading to a nightclub on a Saturday night for some research...yes, you read that right .... research! It is! Honest!

Here's the scoop: As part of my reinvention I know I need to get involved with something that I'm passionate about. Something that's suited to my hobbies and skills. Something I'm a fan of. Something that'll add to my knowledge, create connections, and who knows? Perhaps it'll lead to the type of job I've dreamed of. A job I love.

I think I've found it. The Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame.

The Hall is a relatively new venture. The organization hopes to assemble a comprehensive place to honor the music of RI: the musicians, writers, composers, producers, venues.

I heard the call for volunteers and signed up. I've connected with a member of the board whose goal is to put together a website of resources and information about all the venues in the State. I love that idea and told him "I'm In!".

So, back to the research. I feel so out of the loop sometimes on what's going on in my own backyard. I need to get out there more, visit RI venues and check out the music scene. I'm starting tonight with Steve Smith and the Nakeds at Corinne's in Pawtucket. The band has been around for years and are a RI institution. But its been years since I've seen them or visited Corinne's so I'm off to do my duty (accompanyed by my obliging little sister).

Like I said, research. Work. But who said you couldn't have fun while working! Go me!

Bluesified

Welcome back to Rhode Island, Anthony Gomes!

Saw this mighty guitar virtuoso last night at local jazz/blues club/restaurant Chan's. Two of my sisters and a brother-in-law joined me. First we enjoyed a tasty dinner of chinese food and then prepared ourselves for the magic!