I love a day full of surprises and that's exactly what I got today.
A few months ago I was invited to see 38 Special. (Remember them?) I wasn't exactly jumping up and down at the idea but hey, I'm game for anything. When I asked where they were playing the reply was Indian Ranch. I've heard of Indian Ranch, only a few years ago when my cousin found them on the internet. For the past few years we would check the acts that came to Indian Ranch and they seemed to be some pretty good people, big names. We had an inside joke that to play at Indian Ranch you were either on your way up or your way out. We never made a real effort to go to a show, just didn't reach out and grab me. So to committ myself to going to see a group that maybe I remembered one or two songs from and to a new-for-me venue, well, I'm not sure what I was thinking.
Even on the way there this afternoon I was apprehensive. I'm usually a non-cash carrying member of society so I made sure I had some real money on me as I didn't know if there would be a charge for parking. We arrived. A relatively short drive, much easier and quicker to get to than seeing a show at the casinos. Parking: No charge! Yay! You can pay $20.00 if you want VIP parking but really not necessary. It was easy in and easy out. Before you go into the venue you will get a bracelet, either an over 21 bracelet if you are drinking or a white bracelet for those under 21 or adults who do not wish to partake. I walked into the ampitheatre and it was love at first sight. It was a small intimate setting in the middle of the forest. Every seat is a good seat. Indian Ranch is situated on Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. No, that is not a typo that is the actual name of the lake, have fun trying to pronounce that. You can even go swimming while you are at Indian Ranch, at your own risk of course. They have a full service bar, and a concession stand that offers hamburgers, fries, chicken, meatball sandwiches and more for a very fair price. I only paid $2.00 for a bottle of water. I would pay double that at any other venue. Indian Ranch is my new favorite place for a concert. I can't wait til next season. Check out the link below for more info on Indian Ranch.
http://indianranch.com/
Falling in love with Indian Ranch was surprise number one. Surprise number two came with the opening act the Adam Ezra Group. It's not often that I attend a concert and actually become an instant fan of the opening act of whom I have never heard of. That is what happened today. The moment they walked on stage and started playing I was amazed, I immediately pulled out my phone and started following them on Twitter. As they were playing I was researching them and found that they the 2013 New England Music Awards "Band of the Year". Described as a "roots rock band" This local band from Boston is pure, raw talent with a sense of humour as you can see from the video below. A take on Charlie Daniels The Devil Went to Georgia. It's the Devil Went Up To Boston, clever and funny and a definate crowd pleaser. At the end of the performance Adam invited everyone in the audience to go to the merchandise tent to purchase a cd for $10.00. Ten dollars for a CD is a good price an even better price for a concert souvenier. But he then said if you don't have $10.00 put $5.00 in the box and "if you are down to your last dollar, keep it for yourself and take a cd anyway". That is a pure artist. Someone who believes in the power and love of music. I took $10.00 of my hard earned money and went to get a cd, instead I got three cd's and met the band. They are amazing, down to earth people. The percussionist, Turtle, is even more local, living in the next town over from me. To all my local readers you have a chance to check them out on September 13th at Linden Place in Bristol where they will be performing for the Care for Rare benefit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWVcIn7Q4Cc
Two surprises in one day. Can't get better than that can it? Yes it can. As I got ready for 38 Special to come on stage, I was thinking the next two hours are going to be long ones. I saw 38 Special back in the day, in the 80's. They opened for Eddie Money and I remember back then watching, knowing a few songs but just waiting for Eddie Money to come on, Eddie was the reason I was there. Well surprise, surprise, surprise. I knew a lot more songs than I thought and I really enjoyed these guys. With songs like Fantasy Girl, Rockin Into The Night, If I'd Been The One, Hold On Loosely, Caught up in you and more, I think I need to update my IPhone and add these to my playlist. I had forgotten about these great tunes. No frills, no thrills, no fancy laser light shows, just good old Southern Rock. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2a7qQ3FHMc
It was a really good day. I couldn't help think about something though...yesterday I took my teenage daughter to see the 1D (One Direction) movie (which I will review later). These young girls are so crazy over this boy band and this latest boy band is riding the wave. They are hot right now. I think back to my early 20's and all the bands I saw then, I never thought that 20 something years later I would still be buying tickets to bands I saw back in the 80's. I have to wonder, in 20-30 years will my daughter call me up and say "Hey Mom, I just got tickets to see One Direction" and I'll say, I didn't know they were still around and she'll say "Yeah, they're playing at Indian Ranch". Just wondering.......
So my summer concerts ended on a high note and I'm so happy that for now I still get to see some fantastic performers. Some I've grown to love in the recent years and some I grew up with, yes I'm a loyal fan. Oh, and if you are one of those bands or performers that I may have forgotten about, thanks for reminding me and taking me back....I'm impressed that you are still rockin'.
That's just my opinion.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Myrtle Beach Vacation 2013
My teenage daughter loves the beach, both kids love going to Virginia Beach (in Virginia) for vacation, we've been there a couple times so wanting to add to places they've traveled I opted for somewhere new and different that we've never been. . . Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
With the car packed we left at 2am on a Saturday morning stopping in Doswell, Virginia for an overnighter so the kids could go to Kings Dominion Amusement Park. We stayed at the Best Western right on Kings Dominion property. The hotel was old but kept the kids busy with it's pool, tennis courts, ping pong, shuffle board, and game room. There was a Denny's on site but nothing else in the area for food, you had to get in your car and drive a bit.
A day at Kings Dominion was fun for all. Even made a hard to please teen happy, plenty of rollercoasters. Some good shows as well to keep Mom happy. They had a very nice waterpark. A great start to what seemed like a promising vacation.
We arrived after midnight at the Sea Mist Resort. Being one of the last to arrive we got the worst room, our ocean view turned out to be a view of a cement wall, now I know we have pollution problems but I didn't think it was that bad. We switched rooms the next day and the room situation was better, we could see the water, had a balcony, a fridge and microwave and yes a shower curtain. The only other nice thing I can say is that the rooms were clean. The compliments end there. This place had a lot of nerve calling itself a resort. It's more like a motel with amenities. Perhaps in 1950 it was a beautiful place but I would never stay there again. I've been traveling for over 24 years and I am an admitted hotel snob but even trying to make the best of it and putting my snobbery aside, well, I would never recommend this place. It had the feel of a crack hotel and I wasn't the only one who thought so. Me, who can sleep through anything, was up at 4am most mornings because the beds were so terrible.
The main draw for staying here was the beach, I was not impressed with the beach. It was no different than any other beach I'd been too and the resident teen hated it. She says the beach back home is "way better" no shells, no rocks and no seaweed. If a 15 year old hates the beach I'd say we are in big trouble.
We did some other things aside from the beach. We went into the five million gift shops that had all the same merchandise, we went to the Ripley's Believe it or Not Aquarium, and were in and out in about 30 minutes. It was a bit of a disappointment. We went to the Ripley's Mirror Maze which took us about 15 minutes (at a slow pace) to find our way out, tried the Ripley's 5D Movie adventure and walked out after the first film. It was a very violent and agressive movie ride that even I didn't like being thrown all around while the seat belt jabbed into my thigh.
The trip wasn't a total disaster. We had some great meals and saw a great Legend's in Concert show. My 10 year old who doesn't like loudness loved that show. The "legends" were Justin Timberlake, Blues Brothers, Lady GaGa, Michael Jackson and Elvis. The teenagers with us loved Elvis and My son loved JT. He really got a thrill out of meeting the impersonators after the show. My daughter, the dancer, went right up to the dancer from the show and had a nice chat with her about how to break into the business.
The Crown Jewel and do not miss of Myrtle Beach was Broadway on The Beach. Here you will find shows, like Legends, and shops, boutiques, and plenty of restaurants. Fun activities such as ziplining and getting inside a bubble on the river.
We did have some great meals from Captain Georges Seafood buffet to my personal favorite Capriz which was an Italian restaurant where your meal was served Brazillian style, it was out of this world. Another really cool restaurant was Thorny's Steakhouse and Saloon. A TV at every booth and a delicious steak!
Always sad to see a vacation end (even one where things were not perfect) we are on our way home and have stopped in Virginia, this time staying at a Fairfield Inn....This is a great hotel; big room, comfy bed and pleasant staff (which I failed to mention earlier .... I had been looking for that famous southern hospitality all week and couldn't find it) Heading to dinner and to the Potomac Mills....will be home tomorrow night.
So in the end, if I ever came back to Myrtle Beach, I would not stay on the beach. I would stay at a much nicer hotel away from the beach and then drive over when I wanted a beach day. I think I'm all set...I think next time I get the bright idea to do a beach vacation I'll head back to Virginia Beach.
That's just my opinion.
With the car packed we left at 2am on a Saturday morning stopping in Doswell, Virginia for an overnighter so the kids could go to Kings Dominion Amusement Park. We stayed at the Best Western right on Kings Dominion property. The hotel was old but kept the kids busy with it's pool, tennis courts, ping pong, shuffle board, and game room. There was a Denny's on site but nothing else in the area for food, you had to get in your car and drive a bit.
A day at Kings Dominion was fun for all. Even made a hard to please teen happy, plenty of rollercoasters. Some good shows as well to keep Mom happy. They had a very nice waterpark. A great start to what seemed like a promising vacation.
We arrived after midnight at the Sea Mist Resort. Being one of the last to arrive we got the worst room, our ocean view turned out to be a view of a cement wall, now I know we have pollution problems but I didn't think it was that bad. We switched rooms the next day and the room situation was better, we could see the water, had a balcony, a fridge and microwave and yes a shower curtain. The only other nice thing I can say is that the rooms were clean. The compliments end there. This place had a lot of nerve calling itself a resort. It's more like a motel with amenities. Perhaps in 1950 it was a beautiful place but I would never stay there again. I've been traveling for over 24 years and I am an admitted hotel snob but even trying to make the best of it and putting my snobbery aside, well, I would never recommend this place. It had the feel of a crack hotel and I wasn't the only one who thought so. Me, who can sleep through anything, was up at 4am most mornings because the beds were so terrible.
The main draw for staying here was the beach, I was not impressed with the beach. It was no different than any other beach I'd been too and the resident teen hated it. She says the beach back home is "way better" no shells, no rocks and no seaweed. If a 15 year old hates the beach I'd say we are in big trouble.
We did some other things aside from the beach. We went into the five million gift shops that had all the same merchandise, we went to the Ripley's Believe it or Not Aquarium, and were in and out in about 30 minutes. It was a bit of a disappointment. We went to the Ripley's Mirror Maze which took us about 15 minutes (at a slow pace) to find our way out, tried the Ripley's 5D Movie adventure and walked out after the first film. It was a very violent and agressive movie ride that even I didn't like being thrown all around while the seat belt jabbed into my thigh.
The trip wasn't a total disaster. We had some great meals and saw a great Legend's in Concert show. My 10 year old who doesn't like loudness loved that show. The "legends" were Justin Timberlake, Blues Brothers, Lady GaGa, Michael Jackson and Elvis. The teenagers with us loved Elvis and My son loved JT. He really got a thrill out of meeting the impersonators after the show. My daughter, the dancer, went right up to the dancer from the show and had a nice chat with her about how to break into the business.
The Crown Jewel and do not miss of Myrtle Beach was Broadway on The Beach. Here you will find shows, like Legends, and shops, boutiques, and plenty of restaurants. Fun activities such as ziplining and getting inside a bubble on the river.
We did have some great meals from Captain Georges Seafood buffet to my personal favorite Capriz which was an Italian restaurant where your meal was served Brazillian style, it was out of this world. Another really cool restaurant was Thorny's Steakhouse and Saloon. A TV at every booth and a delicious steak!
Always sad to see a vacation end (even one where things were not perfect) we are on our way home and have stopped in Virginia, this time staying at a Fairfield Inn....This is a great hotel; big room, comfy bed and pleasant staff (which I failed to mention earlier .... I had been looking for that famous southern hospitality all week and couldn't find it) Heading to dinner and to the Potomac Mills....will be home tomorrow night.
So in the end, if I ever came back to Myrtle Beach, I would not stay on the beach. I would stay at a much nicer hotel away from the beach and then drive over when I wanted a beach day. I think I'm all set...I think next time I get the bright idea to do a beach vacation I'll head back to Virginia Beach.
That's just my opinion.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Shinedown at Mohegan Sun, May 3, 2013
It's not often that you can get full fledged rock and roll concert complete with three bands for $35.00 but that is what we got last night at the Shinedown show with Airbourne and Bush at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville CT.
We walked into the arena a few minutes late and opening act Airbourne had already started. I have one word for this band. . . LOUD. It was the loudest noise I've ever heard in my life, chest pounding, seat shaking, ear drum shattering loud. My ear still hurts today. Other concert goers I spoke with concurred....they were bad.
With a quick set change Bush was on stage. I can't honestly call myself a Bush fan, for me personally, they are one of those bands that I found myself saying, "oh, they sing this song". So not being there for Bush, I have to tell you I was pretty impressed. They put on a good show both musically and with a great light show reminicent of the light shows you'd find a great rock concert in the 80's. Lead singer Gavin Rossdale came right out into the audience singing a cover of the Beatles Come Together. That was probably my favorite part of their set. The crowd really enjoyed them.
Impressed that I didn't not have to wait very long for the next set change, it was time for the main event, they real reason I was there...SHINEDOWN. A little history between me and Shinedown: I'm a relatively new Shinedown fan. A year ago I was driving home around midnight from who knows where and had my local rock radio station on (94 HJY) and this song came on....I had never heard it before but instantly fell in love with it. For some strange reason it reminded me of something that could have been a theme song for a Sylvester Stallone movie. When I got home I Googled some of the lyrics that I could remember. "I'm on the front line don't worry I'll be fine the story is just beginning" That search resulted me finding my first favorite Shinedown song Diamond Eyes. Which in fact was from The Sly Stallone Expendables movie, so strange I would make that connection.
Always looking for new good music (and of course that is always subjective), I started looking for Shinedown songs on Youtube (gotta love the age of the internet). I became an instant fan. In fact Shinedown is the group I use the most to do my workouts to.
Back to the concert...Shinedown did not disappoint, they played all my favorites, it was like listening to my playlist on my Ipod. I'll follow you down, Someone Save Me, Diamond Eyes, Second Chance and there awesome cover of Simple Man among others. Lead Singer Brent Smith absolutely blew me away with his vocals. He has such a strong, genuine voice. It's really hard to find good Rock music these days. I expected him to come out looking like a plain old rocker, with jeans and a t-shirt. This Rock God was actually dressed up, nice, clean, unripped black pants, a shirt with vest and tie. Class act. Very interactive with the audience.
I think I actually walked away a bigger Shinedown fan than I was when I walked into the arena.
My question is this....how long am I going to have to wait to see them again? I can't wait!
Oh, and their set was pretty cool...colorful, not overpowering and fantastic lights, again, just like I used to expect back in the 80's.
That's just my opinion.
We walked into the arena a few minutes late and opening act Airbourne had already started. I have one word for this band. . . LOUD. It was the loudest noise I've ever heard in my life, chest pounding, seat shaking, ear drum shattering loud. My ear still hurts today. Other concert goers I spoke with concurred....they were bad.
With a quick set change Bush was on stage. I can't honestly call myself a Bush fan, for me personally, they are one of those bands that I found myself saying, "oh, they sing this song". So not being there for Bush, I have to tell you I was pretty impressed. They put on a good show both musically and with a great light show reminicent of the light shows you'd find a great rock concert in the 80's. Lead singer Gavin Rossdale came right out into the audience singing a cover of the Beatles Come Together. That was probably my favorite part of their set. The crowd really enjoyed them.
Impressed that I didn't not have to wait very long for the next set change, it was time for the main event, they real reason I was there...SHINEDOWN. A little history between me and Shinedown: I'm a relatively new Shinedown fan. A year ago I was driving home around midnight from who knows where and had my local rock radio station on (94 HJY) and this song came on....I had never heard it before but instantly fell in love with it. For some strange reason it reminded me of something that could have been a theme song for a Sylvester Stallone movie. When I got home I Googled some of the lyrics that I could remember. "I'm on the front line don't worry I'll be fine the story is just beginning" That search resulted me finding my first favorite Shinedown song Diamond Eyes. Which in fact was from The Sly Stallone Expendables movie, so strange I would make that connection.
Always looking for new good music (and of course that is always subjective), I started looking for Shinedown songs on Youtube (gotta love the age of the internet). I became an instant fan. In fact Shinedown is the group I use the most to do my workouts to.
Back to the concert...Shinedown did not disappoint, they played all my favorites, it was like listening to my playlist on my Ipod. I'll follow you down, Someone Save Me, Diamond Eyes, Second Chance and there awesome cover of Simple Man among others. Lead Singer Brent Smith absolutely blew me away with his vocals. He has such a strong, genuine voice. It's really hard to find good Rock music these days. I expected him to come out looking like a plain old rocker, with jeans and a t-shirt. This Rock God was actually dressed up, nice, clean, unripped black pants, a shirt with vest and tie. Class act. Very interactive with the audience.
I think I actually walked away a bigger Shinedown fan than I was when I walked into the arena.
My question is this....how long am I going to have to wait to see them again? I can't wait!
Oh, and their set was pretty cool...colorful, not overpowering and fantastic lights, again, just like I used to expect back in the 80's.
That's just my opinion.
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