Since I mentioned it, now I have to show you the photos.

OK, so I mentioned a certain World Tour concert in my last post. It was freakin' incredible people! U2 is an amazing band. I'd never seen them live before, but they have been one of my favorites since the first time I saw the video Sunday Bloody Sunday on MTV. That was, of course, when they still showed music videos on MTV.

This was a stadium tour...and I've been to several concerts before but never anything on such a large scale! Every minute of it was exciting! And singing along with nearly 70,000 other fans...it was so much fun. I have a whole new appreciation for the band and their music now.

There's a video posted that shows some highlights from the tour.

And now for the photo sharing portion of today's post.

These are from an afternoon spent in Napierville IL. the day before the concert, our day in Chi-town, followed by the awesomeness that was U2:

My brother and me at Giodorno's in Napierville. Best pizza I've ever had. Ever.

My sis and her husband Scott.
There was a guy playing showtunes on the bells at the top of this tower in Napierville. It was creepy-cool.

Grease is the word ...OR... How I Spent My Summer Vacation

My Facebook friends are undoubtedly sick and tired of my Grease postings, so if any of you happen to stop by, feel free to roll your eyes and move along.

I have always been a big fan of musicals. If it involves singing and dancing, I love it. Many of my favorite movies are adaptations of musicals.

The first live musical play I remember seeing(besides those shows at theme parks)was Little Abner my Sophomore year of high school. I was totally and completely caught up in it. The music, the dancing and the fact that it was all being done by kids I knew and walked the halls with daily was fascinating to me. And I wanted to be a part of it.

The next year the musical was Hello Dolly. I went to auditions...and then I left without trying....mortified to actually have to speak and sing in front of "people", I chickened out. Despite the fact that I was a very outgoing kid who would enter talent shows and beg for speaking parts in school plays, as a teenager, I became "backwards" as my Grandmother might say...extremely shy when it came to having to talk to or in front of people outside of my small circle of friends. I watched Hello Dolly from the audience, secretly wishing to be up on the stage singing and dancing.

In college, I went to two auditions, only to chicken out again. I actually made it up onto the stage for Bye Bye Birdie. They told me to sing and I said "I can't do that" and walked away. What did I think I was going to have to do at an audition for a MUSICAL? Sheesh.

That last audition was nearly 15 years ago. We have a very active community theater and whenever I'd hear of auditions for the latest Summer musicals, I'd always want to to go, but never would.

This summer, the theater advertised auditions for Grease. With the encouragement of a friend and my sister(who both also went to auditions). I made up my mind that I was going to audition for this play if it killed me. I was thinking "I'm 40 dang it...I can do this! I've wanted to do this since I was 16 years old and now I'm tired of worrying about embarrassing myself or what people think!"

So, I did it! I went with my sister and my friend Emily, took a number(37) and auditioned. I was terrified...but I DID IT! I felt silly reading the part of a high school student(I read w/some of the girls as both Jan and Marty) but I DID IT! I sang a wobbly, nerved out version of Happy Birthday for my audition...but I DID IT! And I survived. And I even enjoyed it! Call me corny, but I cried a little on the way home. I was just so proud of myself for FINALLY having the courage to go through with something I'd wanted to do for so long.

I got a part in the chorus(which was all I wanted...just let me sing and dance)as a teacher. Frankly, I wouldn't have cared if I didn't get a part, it was such a personal accomplishment for me to go through with an audition!

But I did get a part and I had a great time! It took up a lot of my summer vacation, but it was worth every minute! I met so many wonderful people, made some great new friends and I got to spend most of the summer with my sister. There were a couple of times when I thought "WHY did I want to do this???" like when I found out I had to wear a slip on stage in front of the entire town. However, the good far outweighed the bad! And being onstage with an audience...it was exhilarating...even for plain old Delores in the Chorus. I can't imagine what it must be like for the lead actors! So much fun...I regret not going through with it all those years ago!

And that's how I spent my summer vacation.

The performances were last weekend and I miss it so much! I miss the rehearsals and I miss the friends that I made there. I miss singing and dancing every other night! I can't stop singing the songs and frequently catch myself singing "Born to Hand Jive Baby!" At 5:30p.m. during the week, I still feel like I should be out at the Glema Mahr Center warming up my voice and dancing.

A few photos...
...new friends...That's my sister Jackie wearing our mother's wedding dress! I made my outfit...the teachers were all dressed Hawaiian style for the "Moonlight in the Tropics" prom scene.
My lil sis again (on the right) was a featured singer. She was a backup singer for the song Grease, which opened the show.
My hair was HUGE that night....and this is how it got so big!
My fellow Rydell high teacher. Shelley's hair is even bigger than mine...it was fantastic!
Opening scene/Alma Matter
Beauty School Drop Out
That's my sis in the hairdryer on the left(me pushing her)
Next summer? South Pacific!

Song for Saturday Morning

Chris Isaak is one of my favorite artists. Songwriter, singer, musician, actor...is there anything this guy can't do?

Sad thing is, he's performing at the Ryman in Nashville next month...and I'm not going. I'll just heave a big sigh, watch this video, and pretend I'm there...

Flashback Friday...How Did This Happen?

I think I must have listened to the Rebel Yell album 38,522 times in high school. I don't know what exactly it was/is that made it so appealing to me. I wasn't really into any other hard rock type of music in the 80's. But Billy Idol, I dug. I had a big Billy Idol poster over my bed, watched all the videos, knew all of his songs and whenever I was mad or upset Rebel Yell was my go to cassette tape for blasting on the boom box. So yeah, I considered myself a fan(and still do).

This is the way I prefer to think of Billy Idol.




Or like this...from the album Whiplash Smile.



Imagine my dismay when my brother recently made me aware of this. I'm afraid no amount of watching Billy's 80's videos will get this image out of my head. I hope it was his intention to do a cheesy, tongue-in-cheek kinda thing w/this. Please let that be it.

I can barely contain the excitement!

November 18th, Louisville Palace. Oh yes, I will be there!

Pickin' and Sewing

I told myself I wasn't going to get online at all today, but I can't help it...I think I need an intervention.

While on Fall Break this week, my plan is to make some aprons for my currently empty Etsy shop. And while I sew, I always have music playing. Sometimes Brian Setzer or Harry Connick jr., sometimes my beloved 80's music and often, Broadway musicals.

This morning I've strayed from the normal and have been listening to Old Crow Medicine Show.

I think what has really drawn me in about this band is that their voices remind me of the singing I heard as little girl at various Pentecostal and otherwise Un-Baptist revivals. I'm also reminded of the singing that would always occur at family reunions on my Mom's side of the family. And furthermore, I don't think it's possible to be from Kentucky and not at least appreciate bluegrass music. It's not something I listen to alot, but when I do, I usually always enjoy it.

Anyway, I dig these kids...have a listen!

Wagon Wheel


Tear it Down


OK. Back to undistracted sewing. I will not be online again until an apron is finished!

Toxic

I walked into the Music/Art room at school yesterday where the lovely and talented Southern Belle was playing a Nickel Creek CD. I was immediately reminded of this song, which I love.



And this video, which makes me giggle.

Flashback Friday

To say I was a fan of Duran Duran when I was a teenager would be an understatement.

I was CRAZY for Duran Duran.

I had every record(make that cassette) they made and listened to them constantly. If I watched the HBO (or was it Showtime?) concert once, I watched it a zillion times. My dad recorded it for me on our gigantic VCR player in 1984. I knew every dance move Simon was going to make, could play air guitar right along with JT, knew every word the guys said between songs and of course every word in every song. BTW, my awesome and most excellent brother bought me the concert CD for my birthday a few years back. I've watched it...ahem...more than once.

One of my favorites...


In 2005 I got the opportunity to see Duran Duran in concert in Indianapolis. I jumped, and I mean jumped, at the chance. My friend Trish and I made the five hour drive to and from Indy in a giddy stupor. It was a night I will never forget and quite possibly the most fun concert I've attended to date.

I'm not kidding y'all...it was like being 14 all over again! I think I actually regressed into my teenage self that night. I screamed and sang loudly and danced and acted like a teenage girl and didn't care who looked at me or if they thought I was an idiot or not. And I don't normally act like that when people are watching. Giddy and goofy doesn't even begin to describe it. It was so. much. fun.

The band was as great as ever. They sang a couple songs from the album Astronaut which was their newest release at the time, but mostly stuck to the oldies. The crowd loved it! I wasn't the only one screaming, just so you know. And yes, the boys were just as striking and handsome as they were 20+ years ago...except Andy Taylor who I always thought was the ugly one. Simon LeBon, swoonworthy as ever. I so wanted to marry him when I was a teenager.

I found this short clip from the Indy concert...not the greatest sound quality, but still. Listen carefully and I'll bet you'll hear me screaming.

Pollywog in a Bog

Oh how I loves me some Barenaked Ladies music! I was tickled to discover that they've made an album of songs for kids(and adults who've not completely grown up).



...the Jamaican flying squirrel kills me!


And another one...BNLs Ed singing "There's a Word" (from the Bathroom Sessions)

We interrupt this bloggy break for some Neil Patrick Harris geekery.

Without meaning to, it seems I've taken a bit of a bloggy break. Hopefully I'll be back to blog reading, responding to your comments and posting Europe photos this weekend. Now that I'm working again, I can't seem to do anything productive when I get home...or non-productive for that matter!

Speaking of non-productive, I DID stumble upon this.

GO.

Watch it.

Now.

While it's still fee to watch.

Neil Patrick Harris is AWESOME! Nathan Fillion is HYSTERICAL.

Best of all...it's a MUSICAL!

Flashback Friday

LOVE this song! Love the nerdy glasses and hair too.

That's Right I'm Not From Texas...

But last night I had the pleasure of seeing Lyle in concert!No, no, not that Lyle!

THIS Lyle...I wasn't really sure what to expect...I was a big fan of Lyle Lovett back in the If I Had a Boat days. Still a fan, but Lyle Lovett's music isn't exactly mainstream so I hadn't heard from him in a while. Don't get me wrong...not being mainstream is a good thing...I'm not really much of a fan of modern country radio. I learned that I COULD'VE been listening to Lovett on public radio, however. It's a shame the only public radio we get reception for is the local Pentacostal church station and a station where people get on the air and talk about all of the crap they have for sale...boat motors, weed eaters, goats, and the like...actually it may be the same station.

So ANYWAY, my brother gets us tickets to see Lyle Lovett and his Large Hair Band in Louisville last night. Folks, I was blown away. Lyle and his band were highly entertaining and the music was fantastic! Country...bluesy...a touch of bluegrass...heavy on the gospel. Amazing, really.

One of my favorite numbers from the concert...



Head to Shea's blog for even more of a rundown AND learn which 80's band now performs with Lyle Lovett! I'll give you a hint...boom boom acka lacka lacka boom...

Friday Flashback

The year, 1977. Me, a nine year old girl with a MAJOR crush on this guy.


OK, so after watching this I think I still might have a crush.

Oh the hours I spent scouring Teen Beat and Tiger Beat magazines for anything Shaun Cassidy related! And I'll tell you this, I would have done just about anything for a Shaun Cassidy satin jacket! I did have a fabulous blue satin jacket, but sadly, it was completely devoid of Shaun.

Many of Shaun Cassidy's songs have been posted on youtube and I listened to all of 'em while I was sewing on Wednesday. I must have heard them a thousand times when I was a kid because, amazingly, I still know the lyrics to nearly all of them and it's been 30 years since my Shaun Cassidy phase. On many of the songs, you can hear that distinct sound that only comes from a record playing. Aaaah! To be nine again...

Mr. Jaws & The Fonz

A couple of my bloggy friends do "Flashback Friday" posts. My love all things nostalgic and my lack of sewing projects to share as of late have convinced me to do the same. So, with a nod to Fiona and one to Domestic Chicky, I submit my first Friday Flashback.

My dad brought this record home to my two brothers and me back in the late 70's. We thought it was the most hysterical thing ever known to man and we played it non-stop.


The other one we listened to non-stop...Fonzie Favorites, an album of mostly 50's songs. But the album also had a song called "The Fonzie Slide" that for some strange and unknown reason also had "Sweathogs" from Welcome Back Kotter singing along.

Kentucky Rain

It's been raining all day here in my little corner of the Bluegrass State. Made me think of this song. I couldn't find a clip of Elvis singing the song, but I love the photos of young Elvis.

And while I'm thinking 'bout the King, this is one of my all time favorite clips of Elvis, ever.


No Memorial Day picnic or outdoor fun(like I ever have outdoor fun...snort!) for us...looks like I"ll be grilling up some burgers(REAL for me, veggie for Mark). Maybe we'll have us an indoor pic-a-nic and catch up on some movie watching.

Man, I Wish I Could Dance

When it comes to dancing, I got nothin'. No smooth moves AT ALL. This guy...he's got the moves...and they are hilarious.

And she can't even yodel!

Is anyone else utterly fascinated by yodeling? It can't be just me... can it? I think my yodel-love may be due in part to the Roger Miller records that my brothers and I used to listen to when we were kids...which contained both yodeling AND scat if I am remembering correctly.

Now if you hear the word "yodel"and only think of those marionette goats from The Sound of Music, then my friends, you are missing out. Luckily you have me to direct you to alternate yodeling goodness.

For example...

Brian Setzer has a mean yodel...in fact, I wish he'd yodel more! You can hear a teensy bit o' Brian's yodel when he performs Mystery Train and even more in his song 8-Track.


These cowboys know how to yodel.

Jewel yodels, although it gets a little freaky at the end.


This kid yodels to the animals down on the farm.

Sadly, I cannot yodel. BUT, Bonnie can! And she's gonna teach me! Here's lesson number one.

AND I found online yodeling lessons!

I'm off to practice my Hodl---oh-ooh-dees and my Hodl-eh-ee-dees so that I can someday graduate to a Ho--la--di--ho-dl-la-dee,--yo-dl-la-dee-- yo-dl-la-dee-- yo-dl-la-dee-- yo-dl-la-dee-- yo-dl-la-dee--yo.

Yes, I've visited the site and yes, I've tried yodeling. Whether you are listening to a yodel or attempting it yourself, it's fun and a little silly. In fact, I dare you to try yodeling! Just try it right now. I'll wait....

Aren't you smiling? Maybe even giggling a little bit? Wasn't that fun?

Later, Yo-de-laaa-eee-all!

Friendship Stars & NOT the High Kings...the week late post.

I forgot to share my Block of the Month last week. So, a tad late, here it is...a Friendship Star. Even though this was an easy-cheesy block, that didn't stop me from waiting till the morning of the meeting, hence going way too fast and doing a sloppy job. I must say that I am not digging these fabrics for these blocks at all anymore. I think it's the off white border that makes me not like them. These civil war repro fabrics used with a more modern block would be very nice, they're just toooooo old fashioned combined with these traditional blocks for my taste. And I like old fashioned! I wish I'd have chosen the 30's repro fabrics for this quilt.

AND last week Shea and I should have been at the High Kings concert at the Ryman in Nashville, but they went and postponed on us! We'll be waiting until September now. But never fear! I have located a youtubey that I think will lessen our longing for Irish folk singing until then. I hope ya'll enjoy it! Shea, this one's for you!

The Countdown Begins

Found out recently that the Brian Setzer Orchestra is going to be back in Nashville this Christmas! Ya'll know how I love Brian Setzer, his orchestra and the Stray Cats...I've been a fan since I got my hands on the Rant and Rave Cassette many years ago. I am extremely excited at the prospect of attending another of his awesome shows. Prospect, Smospect...We're getting tickets and I'm Going! On an unrelated yet somewhat similar note our High Kings concert got postponed till September.

Back to the topic at hand: my brothers actually saw the Stray Cats in concert back in the day. I don't know WHY I didn't go...maybe we were living in Murray & going to college at the time or something. Anyway, I've always wished I'd have gone with them.

Still, seeing Setzer live at the Ryman was absolutely one of the most exciting and entertaining nights ever! Yeah, yeah I know it's nine months away, but gosh darn it, I'm already getting geared up! SO, expect to see me posting some Stray Cats and some BSO videos. I'm gonna turn ya'll into Rockabilly fans yet!

Thought I'd start off with a video of Brian and the other Cats in the early days. Singing Be Bop a Lula. In this video, the boys appear to be mere teenagers, yet the talent is absolutely undeniable.

Dave TV...all Dave...all the time...

So today at work a scat-singing swamp fly on TV led to the mention of David Lee Roth and I've had this goofy song in head my ever since.

Wait for it....wait for it.... "homi-li-babila zeeba-la boob-a-la homi-libab-ila zeeba-la BOP!"


My brother Bryan would have got a big laugh out of seeing this video years later...and I immediately thought of him once it started playing! For you little 'Bro!