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.
