Being thankful.

I went out for a run today. Beaut of a day at nearly 60 degrees. Zero wind (amazingly) here in the little Kansas town where I am spending the Thanksgiving holiday. And for that, I shall start my thankfulness list.

I am gratified, beholden, and often overwhelmed for:

~ to start, only fair to say: no wind to make my slow but steady paced run a little less painful today
~ my hubby who gives unconditional love and teaches me to give it back
~ being raised by parents who knew enough to teach me important stuff and let me learn the rest
~ healthy family and friends
~ our dearest mates across the pond
~ being given the gift of awareness, both self- and universal-
~ knowing when to keep my mouth shut
~ the 3 fuzzy creatures who are my only children at this point
~ knowing how to listen
~ knowing how lucky I have been
~ a great grandmother (Granny Irene) who let me drink coffee at age 5
~ a creamy breve with lots of froth
~ the peeps at great local coffeehouse who put incredible designs on top of aforementioned coffee froth
~ my creative side
~ the people who demonstrate grace, so that I can learn to have that quality more often
~ knowing the significance and lessons learned by growing up on a farm/going to school in a small town
~ knowing that I would grown most by leaving the farm and the small town I went to school in
~ being blessed with straight teeth
~ mentors throughout my life who I'll not forget
~ reaching a new career threshold
~ knowing how to cook and being motivated to do it well
~ having tried yoga and knowing that I will begin it again
~ knowing I will always find a way
~ great sugar cookies
~ online shopping
~ experiences with great live music
~ having experienced life in Italy
~ having run and finished a marathon
~ DVRs
~ freedom
~ every day given to me
~ knowing that thankfulness is about giving more and wanting less

Give thanks. And pass it on.

music. makes the people. come together. yeah.

So I've been thinking of this list I once compiled. Of every live performance I'd taken in - plus the venue to boot! And somehow I managed to leave this archive of information on a hard drive in a farmhouse somewhere in middle America. Perhaps seems trivial but this is a historical piece of my life that I now must recount. And that pisses me off...because it will in fact be a miracle if I can remember all this shit. But here goes, in no particular order, and sure as shit won't be alphabetized..

UB40 - Ames IA - my very first concert. attended with best friend from high school. some guys in our row bought us wine coolers. totally f'ing cool. think i was 16.

Bon Jovi - Ames IA - this was the show where he wore the sequined Superman jean jacket. Oh what a night.

Jimmy Buffet - Denver CO - went while in college, and I might add that I was not into it AT ALL. dragged there by my college boyfriend. if i'd only known how cool it was to have this experience then?! WTF? why was i such a dumbass by a) staying with college boyfriend (aka HS sweetheart) and b) why didn't I know how cool J. Buffet was then?

U2 - Denver CO - saw them on the Zoo Tour. Mile High Stadium, 10th row center. Fucking unforgettable. Paid $130 per ticket and took 2 girlfriends with me. We arrived at our unbelievable seats and broke down in tears because we were so close. Bono was a breath away from me. Cut to 2001 (if memory serves), and I saw them in Kansas City at Kemper. Stood our asses out in the cold for hours in order to get a good landing spot in the GA sec-shion, right at the tip of the heart-shaped catwalk. It fucking rocked. Bono and Edge were running amuck so close to me I could almost breathe their breath. Another cut to 2005, and my hub and I roadtripped it to St. Louis where we dinnered with some girlfriends who also had tickets to the show, drank until pleasantly buzzed, went to the show (Vertigo tour), and again fell in love all over again with my Irish lads. It doesn't get much better than these guys...

George Michael - Denver CO - went w/ college girlfriend. This was the tour where he cut all the hair off. It rocked. We swore we'd leave if he'd shaved his head and didn't come out in jeans. Neither happened, and we stayed like it was our last night on Earth, by golly.

The Bodeans - Denver CO - don't remember much. Not sure who I went with or why I was there? Never been a big fan..

Dishwalla - Denver CO - had a girlfriend who was linked up to the guitar player by several degrees of separation. We partied with them one new year's eve. Before they'd really sorta "made it" with their semi-hit, Counting Blue Cars. Backstage with them before/after the show was cool. We thought we were rock stars, even tho' we couldn't have been farther from that stature.

The Samples - Denver CO..Kansas City, MO - love 'em. Their sound takes me right back to Colorado. Grass roots, distinct sound. If you smoke pot, I'm sure the music really sends ya. I don't, so I just dance and swing my head from side to side.

HORDE festival - Denver CO - from what I remember, we saw...Blues Traveler, Sheryl Crow (she was on the 2nd stage, looong before she had hit it big), and many others. Too bad I wasn't sober enough to recall much, okay MOST of it.

Dave Matthews Band OPENING for Big Head Todd & the Monsters - Fort Collins CO - yeah, you read it right. DMB absoutely showed up BHT&TM. It was a night to go on record. This was on the brink of DMB rise to unpredicted/unimaginable fame.

Del Amitri - Boulder CO - went with dear friend and her boyfriend (now hubby). JJ + CS. Awww. Fond memories for sure.

The Getaway People opening for Semisonic - Des Moines IA - had a little snack at McDonald's before the show (because that's what sounds good when you've been drinking a few hours), and we sat adjacent to the drummer and guitarist for Semisonic. They are a good Midwestern band with roots in MinneSOHtah. Always loved them, but where did they disappear to?

R.E.M. - Denver CO - i had so much Ouzo before this show, it's a miracle I didn't die of alcohol poisoning right out on the green of Fiddler's Green. Christ. All I remember is that I was supposed to meet a bunch of friends out there. Somehow I wandered around...met guys sitting in the "GA" green who went to the School of Mines, and they knew my ex's brother...too bad I can barely recall Michael Stipe's talented ass being on stage. Youth + alcohol = blowing a good concert.

Donald Fagan - Denver CO - I attended with an old man who thought he might be able to date me. So he asked me to go see this show, and I was wondering who the hell Donald Fagan was. Little did I know my extensive music knowledge would get me miles beyond my 20-something age. I knew Steely Dan songs like the back of my hand! Singing along like a songbird!

Bonnie Raitt - Las Vegas NV - when I was a clothing rep for Quiksilver/Roxy, someone had gotten a big block of tickets. Saw her at the MGM Grand, and GRAND she was. What a talented lady. and to think that my roommate my last 2 years of college loved her, and I just couldn't appreciate the music at that point. Ahh, amazing what a few years and some exposure to the real world will do for one's musical tastes.

Willy Porter - Kansas City MO - at a small venue, The Grand Emporium. It was a great show.

Glen Phillips - Kansas City MO - saw him at The Hurricane. What a powerhouse for a little guy. I mean little in height. I felt like a giant when I met him. So genuine. So smart. Lyrically, one of the best songwriters in my book. Toad the Wet Sprocket songs give me chills for all the memories tied to those songs I remember so well. Living near Wash Park and living with Lainy. Ahhh memories.

Sarah McLaghlan - Ames IA - candles everywhere and it was her "Surfacing" tour. Theatrial. Beautiful. She embodies what I hope to achieve. Like some kind of calm, peace, knowing she's made it, balanced, and her spirit radiates the room.

Greg Brown - Ames IA - at the M Shop (or Maintenance Shop, for those who spell it out). Met Greg's father at this show. It was magical, and couple years later - his father passed away. I think Greg Brown changed my life when I saw him. Music took on a whole new meaning for me after seeing him perform here. I went on to see Greg do another 2 shows in Kansas City as well as Lawrence, KS. He's a god. Seriously.

Shawn Mullins - Overland Park KS - at Fox & Hound. A concert sponsored by a new station (at the time) called The Buzz. It was a strange venue, but Shawn put on a great show. It was Dec 2000. How do I remember this stuff?

Dave Matthews Band - Bonner Springs KS - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. My hubb, then boyfriend, took me to the show. That night he told me he loved me...therefore, DMB always holds a special place in my heart for this reason. Particularly the "where are you going" tune.

Sting - Morrison CO - Red Rocks Amphitheater. Had diarrhea that morning. Drank a bottle of Pepto. Made it out to the parking lot just in time to wait enough hours both in the parking lot and then on the stairsteps in order to score the 7th row of "stone seating" in the venue. It was the "Soul Cages" tour. God, it was worth every swig of that Pepto, too.

Sonia Dada - Denver CO - saw them downtown and it was more people on stage than I've ever seen with any other show. Ever. Must've been 20+ musicians up there. Great music, great band.

Harry Connick Jr. - Morrison CO - Red Rocks again. My girlfriend Becky and I showed up late. We were pretty much pointed out when we walked in because the show had started. Harry basically acknowledged us. Being late paid off that time.

Patty Griffin - Des Moines IA - opened for Lucinda Williams. Patty was amazing and I remember crying during her show. She sang a song, "Mary." It made me think of my Grandma Mary...and 4 months later, my Grandma passed. It was eerie the foreshadowing this song had on the months that awaited me.. Patty has deserved more fame and attention than she has so far received.

Lucinda Williams - Des Moines IA - so real, such a great enterainer because you knew she was on stage doing what she loved. Her drummer had passed away just a week or two before the show in Des Moines, so she was very introspective and somewhat melancholy which meant she talked a lot between songs. Fantastic show.

Our Lady Peace - Kansas City MO - saw them with my hubby at the Beaumont Club. Another band who really didn't get the mileage they deserved. Great songwriting. A very worthy live band.

The Black Crowes - San Francisco CA - one of my all-time faves. The venue, the city, the whole night added up to magical. It's one I'll never forget.

Mudhoney - San Francisco CA - up close & personal type of show. Small venue. Had no idea about any of their music. Weird show but impressive. I felt so grungey and Pacific Northwesty after seeing them. Righteous.

Annie Lennox - Bonner Springs KS - she shared a show with Sting and blew us away!! Annie has the goods. Always has. Always will.

Sheryl Crow - Quad Cities IA/IL..Bonner Springs KS - I love Sheryl!! Her shows have always been incredible! Many times of my life are marked by songs from various Sheryl albums. She rocks.

Train - Kansas City MO - at the Uptown Theater. Pat Monahan is a little angel with songwriting capabilities that always move me. He's such a lover, an emotional artiste. Darling. And on stage, he won me over again, and again, and again.

Madonna - Los Angeles CA + Chicago IL - Reinvent Yourself tour in LA + the Confessions tour in Chicago. Both incredible. More impressed with the Confessions tour. She is my hero -er- lucky star or should I just say: QUEEN, and I've loved her since I was 12 years old.

Coldplay - Kansas City KS + Bonner Springs KS - and they rock. I predict they have the staying power of U2. Lyrically and vocally.

Todd Snider - Ames IA - the strangest musician I've ever had the pleasure of witnessing on stage.

Elton John - Kansas City MO - even though we sat behind the stage (free tickets, what's a girl to do?) it was unforgettable. He is barnone of my top 10 artists to love forever. I only wish I could have had the honor to see him in his younger years - his heyday.

Bryan Adams - Kansas City KS - saw him in 2005. Though many years after his peak, he still had it. Truly he did. Every song was just like I'd hoped it would sound.

Def Leppard - Kansas City KS - this is who Bryan Adams opened for in '05. It was hotter than hell. I believe August, if memory servies. Must've been 100 in the crowd we stood in for these shows. But it was great fun. Def Leppard still had it. Pyrotechnics and all.

Matchbox 20 - Bonner Springs KS - girls night out to the show. A great fall night concert. Don't remember a ton from this one.

Tonic - Ames IA - an outdoor concert. Even got to meet them backstage because The Nadas (who I managed) played on the 2nd stage at this event...but sadly, Tonic were a bunch of a-holes. Had a hard time liking any of their music thereafter.

Joan Jett - Ames IA - same concert as above. She was kick ass. Just like I'd knew she'd be.

Vertical Horizon - Omaha NE - saw them at an outdoor venue. Though such a quick rise & fall, I always liked this band and thought they had great potential. Still get flashbacks when listnening to their CD.

Ben Folds - Kansas City MO - saw him in the pouring rain in our City Market but despite rain was a great show. My hubby loves him, and since seeing him live - way more respect than I had before.

Barenaked Ladies - Kansas City MO - saw them in the City Market as well. These guys have never been a band I've collected every CD from, but a respectable live show.

Blue Merle - Kansas City MO - no longer a band due to breaking up. I thought their first release was worthy of notice and lovely combination of strings, vocals, keyboards - sorta folksy, bluesy, and just a nice sound. One that I'll be enjoying on the Bose lifestyle from now on..

Aerosmith - Bonner Springs KS - saw them Oct 06, and they were thoroughly impressive! Steven Tyler at age 59, rocks the house. LOVED the show and like a schoolgirl found myself clawing my way to the end of the catwalk (our seats were only a few away from it) so I could get an upclose glimpse of Steven. I did. And I screamed like a schoolgirl too.

Motley Crue - Bonner Springs KS - they were the first act on the shared bill with Aerosmith from above show. Way too many pyrotechnics and "c'mon mutherfuckers" + not enough gettin' on with the show. Tommy Lee was fairly quiet behind his set o'drums tho' did come out for a mashing with the 2 stripper-esque girls who roamed the stage at various times. Glad I got to see them. Only wish I'd done it 10 years ago.

Journey - Bonner Springs KS - albeit not in the form I'd wished (with Steve Perry) -it was still a pretty impressive show. All the other band members are original save the lead signer. And yes, I know Steve Perry was key. But I was satisfied to see these guys rock out. Which I happily saw from the 5th row :)

Duran Duran - Kansas City MO - finally saw my Fab Five. Can I tell you how much I loved them during my middle school years? Really was obsessed, I think. Anyway, it was a hoot to see them and to look around at the crowd. My age mostly, and we were all little fanatics 20+ years ago. I enjoyed every song and sang nearly every goddamn word too.

Norah Jones - Kansas City MO - saw Norah on her first tour out after her first release was out and blowing up. She seemed fairly uncertain of herself at times which made it all the more real. Totally talented and could listen to her music all day long. She's got the goods.

The Pat McGee Band - Omaha NE - a folksy band out of Virginia. Check them out! www.patmcgeeband.com

Dazy Head Mazy - too many places to remember, but probably saw them in Minneapolis - a fun, energetic band hailing from Minnesota. I just remember a song called Not Raven. It still sorta haunts me. www.dazyheadmazy.com

G.B. Leighton - Minneapolis MN + Las Vegas NV - great midwestern band with great original songwriting. Hail from Minnesota. www.gbleighton.com

Jack Ingram - Minneapolis MN - saw him at The Fine Line. Rootsy rock but maybe actually classified as the country music genre. The nicest guy and musically talented too. What more can a girl ask for? www.jackingram.net

The Shore - Kansas City MO - this band opened for Blue Merle, and lo -n- behold I'd heard a couple of their songs on our digital music station on cable TV. So was able to talk with a couple of the guys at their merch table. Totally California guys and adorable. Bought their CD complete with an autograph of a couple of the band members (hi, i'm a groupie), and still listen to the CD over & over. www.theshoremusic.com

The Nadas - everywhere you can imagine - the band I managed and cut me teeth on when learning the ropes of what it took to become a real salesperson and a real business person living on the income derived from gigs. Yeah. I can't believe it either. This shit was some of the most consuming, difficult, balls-to-the-wall work I've done. But I did it and loved every minute of it. They are still playing for a living after starting about a dozen years ago. God bless their souls. www.thenadas.com

more additions that I forgot!...
Pat Benatar - Kansas City MO - just saw her. Summer '06. 'Twas a girl's night out and we sang along with all the songs. Pat has class. Pat has intensity. Pat has IT. Was a primo show that I'm really glad to have enjoyed from a close 20 feet from her majesty.

Melissa Etheridge - Kansas City MO - also just saw Melissa on tour. Fall '06. Went with a dear friend who so generously awarded me with a free ticket to join her. Melissa was so cool, so impassioned, so eloquent. With a groundedness that I've never thought more real in any public performer than I did in Melissa. A Kansas girl who truly demonstrates and speaks to the fact she hasn't forgotten where she came from. And I like that.

++STOP THE PRESSES++ There's a couple MORE!
Brandi Carlisle - Kansas City MO - great newcomer onto the music scene. Strong girl, strong lyrics, bolts 'em out like a singer/songwriter should. Love her. Even got her autograph in a crowded lobby in between shows.

Bruce Willis - Kansas City MO - riiiight. Ever seen a drunk man try to play harmonica and sing when he's really an actor? Don't if you can help it.

BUT WAIT...THERE'S MORE...

B.B.King - Eastern Iowa sometime in Summer 1998 - and one of the bands I was managing at the time opened for Mr. King. I watched from the VIP section up front, at this outdoor show. What a musician this man is. A legend.

The Police - reunited for their 2007 tour - Denver, CO. FRONT ROW BAYYBBEEE!! That's right. My hubby got us tickets in row #1. Fucking righteous. I nearly peed in my pants when we walked in and saw where we'd be watching the show. Sting stood on our side of the stage, too. Even better. I even got an eyebrow raise from Sting, and we were so damn close it was NOT my imagination that those eyebrows raising were directed right at me!! I'll never forget this one..I get goosebumps recounting it.

There's (still) more for sure. I will add as my brain pulls out the fond memories and blows the dust off 'em. Remember...SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MUSIC SCENE!!


“When people hear good music, it makes them homesick for something they never had, and never will have.” ~ Edgar Watson Howe