"Music is the soundtrack to our lives."

If I were to have "a thing," going to concerts would be my thing. I've always been surrounded by music. My mother was a renowned actress in Cleveland when she was younger. Her voice was stellar. And my dad... well, my dad is cool too. His input consisted of the oldies. He introduced me to Elvis Presley, Smokey Robinson, and The Temptations.

My first concert was a rock n' roll show in Cleveland called the Moondog Coronation Ball. It was started by Alan Freed (if I remember correctly) many years ago, and consisted of many of rock n' roll's "greats." Lou Christie singing "two faces have I" in his falsetto started the show, and to end the show, symmetrically, was Frankie Valli. I remember the beat of "Grease" pulsing inside my body. I was hooked.

I don't know how many of us still purchase physical albums, but I know I'll never stop. My CD collection is gigantic. My collection of 45rpm vinyls is kept in our jukebox in the basement. My 33rpm vinyl collection is growing lol with all the repressing that's supposed to occur over the next 5 years, I'm hoping to expand it greatly!

Back to the concerts though...


The summer of 2003 was my "rebirth" in live music. My girlfriend at the time won tickets on the radio to see a rising band I'd never heard of called Coldplay. So I went, and enjoyed myself greatly! I recognized the one song "Clocks" from an HBO promotional commercial. But other than that, it was all new. After the show we went backstage and met the band. Very nice British guys indeed. The lead singer Chris signed my ticket stub and laughed at the fact we were wearing the same shirt. It was fun.


Then, 11 days later... on June 21st... I saw Dave Matthews Band for the first time. That day changed my life. From tailgating with my best friends to the opening band M.O.E. who were joined by Dave Matthews himself on the song "The Weight" by The Band ("take a load of fannie, take a load for free") to the first chords of Don't Drink the Water, I could feel myself being altered in a way I didn't fully understand. More on this band later on...


8 nights after DMB I again joined friends downtown on the lake to see another artist I had never heard of before. Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals... but I was surprised to learn it was a dual concert, with a second artist sharing the stage before Ben Harper. So I was graced with the sounds of both Ben Harper and Jack Johnson in the same night. Not to mention their support act was Robert Randolph and the Family Band... a band I would see another 4 or 5 times down the road.


After the sun rose and set only 3 more times I again found myself downtown. This time I was indoors, in a tiny little venue called The Odeon. One of the most fun concerts I've ever been to. Guster. The drummer didn't have sticks!! He used his hands!!! HAHA I thought it was hysterical... but only for about a minute, cuz his greatness was simply awesome. Their encore was down unplugged, and the audience was huddled tightly as bristles on a toothbrush against the stage to listen to the gentle acoustic jam.


The very next night my father graced me with tickets to see Smokey Robinson. The night was jam-packed with all the best oldies. I learned, also, that Smokey wrote many songs performed by other groups... ie, My Girl. Meeting Smokey after his show was one of the highlights of my life... even if he was wearing a bright purple sequined shirt and silver pants. Peace Love & Soul.


Finally a break in the music. 30 whole days!!

Aerosmith and KISS... one concert. The "Hottest Band In The World" went first. And after blowing 25,000 people away with their GREATEST hits I was actually believing there was absolutely NO way Aerosmith could out-do KISS. Have you ever believed something to be true... and then you were proven wrong... but it made you feel better to have been proven wrong?? Yeah, me neither... until that night. Aerosmith, from behind a big curtain with their "wings" logo gracing the front of it, burst into Same Old Song And Dance. Brian Kramer's two big drum hits and Hamilton and Whitford backing up Joe Perry's ridiculous guitar hits as the curtain exploded outwards and down to the stage was only outshined by Steven Tyler's stage-presence. This show, is in my top 5.


Over the next 6 years (up to today) I would see Dave Matthews Band a total of 23 times. Each one being an incredible experience of its own. Been dating Jess for 11 months (today actually) and she's already seen 'em 3 times with me! Greatest touring band in the world right now. Their music touches me in ways only The Beatles can. My mother saw them... the Beatles. She was in class, in like 8th grade or something, and the girl in front of her turned around and said, "my dad bought me tickets to see The Beatles tonight, but I have no one to go with me. Would you like to come?" My mom thought for all of about 45 milliseconds before accepting the tickets with extreme excitement... my mom is lucky. I myself have only seen ONE of The Beatles live in concert. Ringo... ahh what a show. HAHA just kidding. I saw Paul McCartney with my girlfriend Jess, only a week and a half ago in Piedmont Park in Atlanta. 40,000 people screaming and singing EVERY word to EVERY song (minus the 4 new ones). Midway into the set the heavens opened up and the rain came down as hard as a tropical storm, which only fueled the dancing.

my girl Jess and the Paul McCartney stage

But I'm getting ahead of myself... I skipped over 5 glorious music years!! Although, this is getting to be pretty long, so I'll paraphrase 04-09, giving recognition to the concerts that deserve it, skipping DMB and the all-time single greatest concert I've ever been to, Sir Paul.

NOTE* when i mention "top 5" it doesn't include DMB, because they're a whole different list ;)

Rascal Flatts - saw them twice, 2005 and 2008. Was better the second time around w/ my sis.
Eric Clapton - the first time I saw him was number 4 in my top 5. "Badge" live is $$
Neil Diamond - #5 in my top 5 for sure. Went with my boy Adam. "Desiree!!!"
Crosby Stills Nash & Young - twice with my dad... twice incredible shows. tied for 3rd.
O.A.R. - great jam band for college kids. seen 'em a bunch, always fun to sing along
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones - they didn't play "Sinister Minister" =( but they did play "Puffy" =)
Kenny Chesney - best part was when Uncle Cracker came out and they did "Follow Me" haha
Tim Reynolds - saw him twice in Athens. met him once. awesome guy.
Mike Genovese - opened for TR, have become good friends with him. great tunes. look him up.
Vanilla Ice - ... I experienced Vanilla Ice do "Ninja Rap" and "Ice Ice Baby" live... life is complete.
The Police - 2nd greatest concert I've ever been to. "Message In a Bottle" -> "Synchronicity II"
Dashboard Confessional - twice. once acoustic, once full band. got a pick, drumstick, & setlist.
Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd cover band, they did "The Wall" in its entirety =) AWESOME



So there, in a nutshell, are my favorite concerts. Music affects me in ways I can't really describe.

"Music is the soundtrack to our lives." - Dave Clark