Mumford & Sons Concert

A couple weeks ago I had the awesome privilege of seeing Mumford & Sons live. For those of you who love Mumford--you know how hard it is to actually see these guys in person. Well, my boyfriend somehow pulled off getting us tickets to their show in Camden, NJ. Not only did I get to catch them live, but the only things separating me with the stage, were a girl, a security guard, and a camera. That's it. We were up close and personal to Marcus and the band. And it was ah-maz-ing. Of course with general admission we had to get there super early, it was snowing and freezing. Once you got your spot there was really no going to the bathroom or to get a drink. Trust me, I went to get a drink and almost didn't make it back to my spot. But in the end it was worth it. The two openers were Haim -- three sisters from California, and Ben Howard -- he's from England and was so talented. Since seeing them I've become huge fans of both acts. I think my favorite part of the night was the last encore. Mumford came back out and played The Cave, then brought every performer back on the stage for a grand finale of Bruce Springsteen's Atlantic City--also performed by The Band and one of my favorite songs ever! I couldn't have asked for a better show.

Haim

Ben Howard

Marcus Mumford

(Pictures all taken with my iPhone)

Farm Aid 2012

The Venue - Hershey Park Stadium.

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals.

Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds.

Neil Young & Crazy Horse.

Gah did I love Farm Aid. This was my first time going and I can't wait to go again. The day was long, super hot, then cold, beer and food lines were long--seriously like the wait was way over an hour, but in the end it was all worth it. The music was amazing and the atmosphere was perfect.

We drove out to Lancaster on Friday morning and spent the night at my friend Kaitlyn's house. We had a great dinner at the Lancaster Brewing Company and went to a couple local bars. The next morning we drove the short drive to Hershey Park. There was this "Homegrown Village" right at the entrance--this had local food, farmers, various farmers organizations, and other fun activities and workshops. Kev and I both thought it would be a bit bigger than it was, but it was still a good way to pass the time before the concert. There was food and beer inside the venue, but not enough.

The day started with some smaller bands I've never heard of, then Lucas Nelson played (son of Willie), Pati Young (wife of Neil), Jamey Johnson, Grace Potter, Jack Johnson, Kenny Chesney, then the four men of Farm Aid, Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Willie Nelson. They were all amazing in different ways. I've never seen Dave play solo before and just with Tim Reynolds--talk about a guitar god. John Mellencamp's voice was raspy, so he didn't sound the best, but when he played 'Pink Houses' no one seemed to care. Neil Young was so surprisingly with it--not that I was expecting some old man to be up there, but he looked and sounded unreal. He did his own thing and must have said "I want to love you" into the mic at least 32 times, but come on, it's Neil Young. Willie was a little off while he was onstage with the others, but when it was his time, he rocked it. He played all his signature songs and an old gospel hymn as the finale.

All-in-all, I'd go again. Kev and I talked throughout the day on what we would do differently next time; like tailgate, not go in as early, bring a backpack with essentials, and try to get a big group to go--not that we didn't have a great time with the two of us, but a group would be fun!

What's Happening.

I've had a busy couple weeks. Last Saturday was my ZTA big sister's bridal shower and bachelorette party, the Friday before was my cousin's bachelorette party, Sunday and Monday I tried to relax and word a bit in the yard. This past weekend I had my first two concerts for work! They both went awesome. Steve Moakler was on Friday and Joan Osborne was on Sunday. I got to talk to Steve and his band and met Joan and her pretty little daughter, Nadine. My sister actually got to babysit her while Joan was on stage! The entire experience was exactly what I thought it would be like. Being surrounded by so many talented musicians, singers, and even the management was both overwhelming and amazing at the same time. My job is seriously awesome, and up until this point it's just been a bunch of planning and organizing. Now I finally get to see all my hard work pay off and come to life! Two concerts this weekend with a sorority sister's wedding in between! I can't wait!

Steve Moakler.

Little blurry--Joan Osborne singing "What if God was One of Us."

I also tried out a new recipe on Saturday--fresh salmon cakes. It was so easy and delicious--fresh salmon, peas, and cooked potatoes mixed together, dipped in egg and coated with panko bread crumbs. Not much to it, but so good--and I only cooked them in a small amount of oil, so it's still healthy too! For sides I made baked potatoes with garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper and bacon brussel sprouts! I decided to go all out and make some dessert while I was at. For the dessert I turned on the grill to medium heat, took a sheet of foil and created four mounds each with a table spoon of brown sugar, table spoon of butter, a pineapple ring, maraschino cherry and a piece of angel food cake. Wrap it all up in to a packet and put it on the grill for about 12 minutes. When it's done, you'll have the easiest pineapple upside down cake you'll ever eat!

Tune Tuesday

So a big chunk of my job is working with local and national artists.

This guy, James Vincent McMorrow, is amazing.

He is from Ireland and is flying all the way out here to perform on

Sunday, July 15 at Hartwood Acres as part of our 2012 Summer Concert Series.

I'm pretty bummed because we have two events that night and I think I'll have to work the other one

(it's in the Great Hall at Heinz Field, so it's not too bad).

This is one of his biggest songs, "We Don't Eat." Enjoy!

PS. If you're in the Pittsburgh area, here is a listing of all of our summer concerts: http://www.alleghenycounty.us/summer/index.aspx.

Lots of cool acts--Joan Osborne, Eden's Edge, Delta Spirit, Lucinda Williams,

Toad the Wet Sprocket, Trombone Shorty and more. And they're all FREE!

Levon Helm

There is no way around it, rock and roll would not have been the same without Levon Helm. He was a true artist who wanted nothing more than to play good music and make people happy. I think it's safe to say he did just that. When I found out that Levon was sick--not the normal sick stuff, but the "last stages of his battle with cancer" stuff, I immediately felt like my heart was breaking into pieces. I had just seen this man and his band in Woodstock, NY not even five months ago. I knew he suffered from throat cancer and various other problems that come about when your 71, but I always thought Levon would pull through. I had plans to go to Woodstock again and attend another legendary Midnight Ramble. I wanted to stand in the balcony of his barn and look down on the greatest singer/drummer of all time. I can only hope that his friends and family will continue to carry on the Rambles in honor of him.

Levon passed away five days ago--and I cannot shake this feeling of sadness. There have been very few artists that I have an attachment with who have passed away while I was of the age to really get it. Sure there have been some incredibly talented artists who were taken away too soon, but none of them had the affect on me that Levon had. I was 13 when George Harrison lost his battle with cancer, and it was the age that I was really just starting to love The Beatles--so it was sad, but it wasn't until after he died that I really formed by bond with the band. Levon was the first artist who I saw live who passed away. When I was at that Ramble I knew I could never experience anything else like it. The Band's music just got to me. I respected them and appreciated them for who they became. They were honest, hard working men and I truly believe the greatest of them all was Levon. After that Ramble I felt like I knew him. Like he was an old friend who asked me to come to his house for some food, drinks and music. 

The Facebook and Twitter posts from musicians, fans, and his friends and family continued to bring tears to my eyes. There has been an overwhelming amount of articles written about him and his influence on music. Even though he was not a fan of "The Last Waltz," I couldn't help but to watch it last night. Watching him singing and drumming--you can't help but to get a smile on your face. Mainly because he's smiling the entire time! You could see the love and passion for music just oozing out of him. I remember reading that he loved the drummers spot--you could see the band and the fans and watch the reaction from both. He sure knew how to hold down the back beat and make people dance. 

Looking back on what Levon's accomplished in life makes his passing just a bit easier. He had success from a young age, then continued on until his 70s by making his own music with The Levon Helm Band--all three albums won a Grammy award. His Rambles were the essence of rock and roll. I truly believe I chose to attend the best Ramble there's ever been. When I first heard Dawes I immediately thought "thank you." Thank you for reminding me that real music does exist. When I saw Dawes was opening up for Levon I knew that was it--this was the Ramble I needed to go to. To my surprise, along with Dawes I also got Jackson Browne, Jimmy Vivino, Donald Fagen, and Garth Hudson! At only 23 years of age I got to witness 2 out of the 3 living members of The Band sing together! What an honor and privilege for a music fan. That memory will be with me forever. 

Levon's passing shook the music community. But it's safe to say that the tributes, thoughts and love for his music will never go away. We were lucky to have such a great man around for so long. He will live on forever through his music. So don't stop listening, and certainly don't stop dancing when you hear that beat. Take a load off, Levon.

The Weight.

Atlantic City.

Evangeline.

Here is my post on my visit to the site of Woodstock and to Levon's Midnight Ramble.

Tune Tuesday

Prepare yourself now. Allen Stone is singing "Unaware" live from his mother's

living room and my goodness is it unreal. I hope this guy gets to Pittsburgh soon because

it's been a while since I've felt this way the first time I hear a new song by a new artist.

Keep doing your thing, Allen.