Old 97's/Those Darlins - Southgate House, Newport, KY

I am assuming that everyone who reads this knows me, as I can't imagine that anyone would stumble across this rambling blog and actually read. So, you all know that I spent some time in my late teens and early twenties around live music. For a lot of years I saw 5 - 7 live shows a week... so, I can honestly say I have seen my fair share of live bands. Having made that perfectly clear, I also have to make clear that this was one of the best shows I have ever seen.

This was my first trip to Southgate House and I was impressed. It is an old historic house that was built around 1814 and has a crazy long history regarding its former owners and their impact on Kentucky. My favorite is that it was once the home of John Thompson, inventor of the Tommy Gun. I am totally anti-guns and all that violence jazz, but if you are going to lay claim to the invention of a gun, the Tommy Gun is the way to go. Okay, enough with the history lesson. This place sounded fantastic. The Ballroom has a great laid back feel and it is exactly the kind of place you want to see a band like the Old 97's (if you can't see them at the Bottleneck in Lawrence, KS).

Those Darlins from Murfreesboro, TN went on about 8:30 and they were exactly what an opening band should be. I have been having a hard time finding an appropriate description, they are reminiscent of old school chick pop punk with a bit of that country twang. I know I am not doing them justice, but they absolutely got the crowd going. They were so good that I am sure if they were being followed by a lesser band than the Old 97's, the crowd would have walked out. I am saying this with the utmost sincerity, if you ever have a chance to see this band, run, don't walk to the venue. They are that good.

When Old 97's took the stage I actually had a flash back. Although they have aged a bit (as we all have), you would never know it. They are just as energetic as always and I was blown away, as I always have been, by their mere presence. This band knows how to pump up a crowd like the best of them. They played a nice mix of old and new songs which made an old school fan like myself very happy. The only down side for me (which is nowhere near a real downside) is that they played a lot of songs off Fight Songs. This seemed to rile up the crowd and most of the folks were singing along (as if it is possible to not sing along to Murder (or a Heart Attack) or Jagged), but it is my least favorite of the albums... please note that being my least favorite Old 97's album is a lot like being my least favorite piece of chocolate, I still love it.

The last time I worked an Old 97's show at the Bottleneck (again, over 10 years ago), one of my friends told me that he had recently been to a show in St. Louis. He told me that the encore consisted of Rhett, a guitar, and Question. I spent the rest of that night hoping it would happen at the Bottleneck, needless to say it didn't... in fact, they didn't even play the song. Since that night I have always been a little jealous of that friend... wishing I would have been witness to Rhett, a guitar and... oh you get the picture. After the show at the Southgate House, my jealousy has faded a bit. Although I didn't get exactly what he described, they did play Question this time, so I finally got to see it live. Rhett somehow managed to break two strings during the song... if you know this song at all, you know how much talent it would take to accomplish such a feat. The point... he was rocking! They all were!

I have a slight confession to make, while I am not at all the front row kind of gal, somehow that is where I ended up for this show. So, I was lucky enough to be surrounded by some interesting fans. You know, the ones that drive around and see multiple shows in one tour. In fact, the couple next to me told me they had already seen them 4 times on this tour (I am hoping she included the January shows in the "this tour" definition). Anyway, as Rhett rocked through the night, he had a bit of an issue with his fingers, from an earlier tweet I knew it was one of those Rock Star guitar playing injuries. At some point during the show, the injury caused him to request some tape to cover his wounded digits. During the first song of the encore, which was Rhett, a guitar, but not Question, he ripped off the bandage and threw it on the ground. The second that bandage hit the ground the girl next to me (Miss. Four Shows This Tour) had her eye on the prize. A few songs later when the band exited the stage for the final time, there was a mad dash for this tape that had once covered Rhett's bleeding finger... please realize when I say a mad dash, I was not among the girls dashing. In fact, Jon and I were backing away with a mixture of disgust and awe upon our faces. Disgust because, well you know, it was a used bloody piece of tape. Awe because there are actually people who would dash for a used bloody piece of tape and finally agree to split said used bloody piece of tape (did I mention it was a used, bloody piece of tape?) and not be absolutely humiliated.

Regardless of the crazy fans fighting for bloody tape, and a number of broken strings, this show was fantastic. It was well worth the wait, but I am not going to wait another ten years to see them again.

If you want to add Those Darlins to your music catalogue you can do so at iTunes, http://www.borders.com/ or at Amazon (although I really wish you wouldn't get it at Amazon). And if you do not have the complete Old 97's catalogue (especially Hitchhike to Rhome), run right out and fill in the gaps at any of the above mentioned places (again, preferably not Amazon).

And finally, if you have the chance to see either of these bands live... do yourself a favor, get there early and stay until the last note is played. There is not a moment that should be missed from either of these bands.

Just a last little note... The Old 97's, Rhett Miller and Those Darlins are all on Twitter and Facebook... If you are one of those twitter followers (as I am) or Facebook people (again, me) you should Follow Them/Like them. You can follow me if you want, but I don't really tweet and I only recently realized that at least half of them have something to do with Old 97's, which is a humiliation all its own.

No Reading Wednesday this week...

Tonight Jon and I are going to see the Old 97's at the Southgate House in Newport, KY. I have not seen them in 10 years and can't wait.




I found this on YouTube and it is one of my favorite Old 97's songs from my absolute favorite Old 97's album, Hitchhike to Rhome. As I have mentioned in previous posts, this album is one my three go to albums (and probably my favorite of those three). If I am having a bad day, I'm stressed, on a long drive or just want music in the background, this is it.

I can honestly say that there are few musicians I like to watch more than these Texas boys.

I am sad, so very sad...

I am sad. I am very sad.

I am sad because last week Borders filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

I am sad because one of the exhibits of that document included a list of 200 Borders stores that will be closing.

I am sad because thousands of smart, intelligent, knowledgeable booksellers will be losing their jobs as soon as the liquidation of the stores is complete.

I am sad because these people will have a very hard time finding another job as a bookseller due to the reduction of brick-and-mortar bookstores.

I am sad because my children, everyone's children, will not have the access to books that they did last week.

I am sad for new authors trying to break into the business because the loss of 200 stores will impact the first print run and result in a lower advance.

I am sad for readers who will not have as many places to discover their next favorite book.

I am sad because during the first weekend of liquidation bookscan numbers for publishers as much as doubled. Sales at the closing stores are 20% off, 20%... People were lined up outside of closing stores before they opened for 20% off. They can get 40% off NYT Bestsellers and popular paperbacks everyday at every Borders. Even better, for a mere $20.00 a year, they can always get 40% off Hardcover Bestsellers, 20% off select Hardcovers and 10% off almost everything else in the store EVERYDAY. On top of that, had they shopped with the same ferocity before, they may have saved some local booksellers their jobs.

I am sad because Borders has been a significant part of my life since the day my husband became the Inventory Manager of the new Borders Superstore in Olathe, KS 12 years ago. I can't possibly count the number of Borders stores I have visited over the last 12 years. We would plan trips around visiting Borders stores, sometimes going out of our way. I love Borders and it is difficult to watch something you love struggle.

I am sad because something I love is at risk of disappearing right before my eyes. Not Borders, although as I have mentioned I do love Borders, but books. Is it possible that books will go the same way as music? Is it possible that someday people will think of books as unnecessary, even burdensome?

I am sad because my job security is questionable at best.

I am sad because it is possible that the few authors who are scraping by will have to cut back on the number of books they write. Speculation is that with 200 fewer Borders, profits for publishers and authors will decrease by 10%. We saw musicians struggle with the decline of album sales, but they had tours and merchandise that helped make up the difference. They still had a way to survive as musicians. Authors don't have that same luxury. They tour and sign books for people to buy at bookstores, without bookstores they won't even have that.

If you have any thoughts at all about books, brick-and-mortar, author's or Borders... please share. I would love to hear them, but please be gentle... after all I am sad.

What a weekend...

Have you ever had one of those weekends that just pile crap on top of crap? Well, for me this was that weekend.

It all started last week when Eli came down with a mystery fever. It wasn't strep, it wasn't the flu, but everyone, everywhere has it and it will just work itself out. Finally, on Friday, he went the whole day without a fever (since Monday night).

Saturday we headed out onto the town. We tried City BBQ for the first time, and it was the best bbq I have had since leaving Kansas. If there are any other Kansas transplants out there, you understand how impossible it is to find good bbq, but we finally stumbled across an acceptable substitute and it only took us 10 years. That was the only good thing that happened this weekend... the only good thing.

Later that day, I stopped by my local Borders, which is among the 200 closing. I stood at the door, in shock, watching the customers lined up across the store for a mere 20% discount. It was one of the saddest things I have seen in a very long time.

The next day, Izzy laid down on the couch and didn't move all morning, she then didn't eat her lunch because she "wasn't hungry." Izzy is always hungry, so we knew something was wrong. Sure enough her fever was up to 102.2. I hate this winter and I hate strep throat. It turns out that a round of penicillin wasn't enough to kill Izzy's strep and she was back at the doctor yesterday with another positive strep test. On we go to a stronger antibiotic, which will hopefully kill this blasted bacteria.

We then were visited by a local arborist who informed us that our big pine tree in front of our house was dead and needed removal. He also felt that we should trim some of those pesky branches that broke off during the ice storm. Apparently, it isn't advisable to keep the branches held up by a thin sheet of bark over your roof. Something absurd about spring storms and roof damage. So, we let them take those down as well.

Of course, while the neighborhood arborists are removing our tree and limbs, Jon is in the kids bathroom replacing the toilet. It seems that a 3, 5 and 8 year old can be a bit mean to them over time which can lead to death (of the toilet, not the kids).

Then on Monday (which in my world was part of the weekend because the kids didn't have school), Emmy hurt her arm. We have no idea how she hurt her arm, we just know that she was extremely uncomfortable. The blood curdling screams every time her arm moved was the biggest clue that something was a bit off. Rain falling outside, Jon and Izzy already at the doctor getting Izzy's strep test, I run a screaming Emmy and an extremely helpful Eli to the doctor... sending a text on the way for Jon and Izzy to wait for us. Turns out Emmy had dislocated her elbow and it had to be manipulated back into the joint. It wasn't a very pleasant experience and I wouldn't recommend you try it yourself, but the doctor did a great job and Emmy was moving her arm around instantly, good as new. However, we were told that once it happens, it can happen again easily. So, the rest of my life will be spent yelling at the older kids to not pull on Emmy's arm.

It is now Tuesday, which means the weekend is over. Clearly this means things will get better... I mean, they have to... right?!?

Reading Wednesday - Chaos Walking Trilogy

The Knife of Never Letting Go, the first book in the Chaos Walking Triology, had to fight hard to make me a fan. I read the first 5 pages of that book so many times it is pathetic. Each time I would shrug and set it back down, opting for one of my other awaiting novels. Then, one day, I had to clean my office. I will do anything to avoid cleaning my office, anything... even read a book that's opening passage is "The first thing you find out when yer dog learns to talk is that dogs don't got nothing much to say. About anything." That night, in the heat of procrastination, I read page 6 and I was hooked. Todd and Manchee, the communicative dog had won me over.

Patrick Ness has taken a classic coming of age story and given it new life. Todd, a young boy, on the cusp of becoming a man, is forced to leave everything he has ever known. In the process he meets, for the first time ever, a girl and vows to protect her. However, we learn very shortly after the introduction of Viola that she is more than capable of taking care of herself, and is as integral to Todd's survival as he is to hers. The reader will share in the struggles of these two children, as they discover the secrets of Todd's home.

As the trilogy continues with The Ask and Answer and Monsters of Men, we watch as Todd and Viola struggle to do what is right verses what is easy. By the end of the series Todd and Viola have been forced to grow up and through that process they learn that good and evil is not so black and white. The shades of gray are the circumstances a person is placed in and their reactions. Todd struggles with his inner demons and learns that even good people have the capacity to do evil, hateful things. However, the one thing that remains true through the entire book is that we will all do everything necessary to protect the ones we love, even at our own expense.

It is easy to see that the younger readers will fall in love with Todd. My Mommy's mind hopes that my son will find the strength of character to become a man as good as Todd.

While it may be difficult to get past the first 5 pages (and a talking dog), I implore you to try. These books have everything a reader could hope for in a solid YA Science Fiction trilogy.

Visit your local Borders or Borders.com to get your copy today. For you e-book enthusiasts, you can download both The Knife of Never Letting Go and The Ask and The Answer for only $7.79 and Monsters of Men for only $11.09 at the Borders E-Book store.

Please see me after class...

Today, after Emmy's class at Preschool, I was asked to stay behind. The teachers led me into the room and closed the door behind us.

"Emmy, can you tell your mommy what happened today?"

Emmy shakes her head.

"Would you like me to tell your mommy what happened today?"

Emmy shakes her head again.

"Well, one of us has to tell your mommy what happened today."

Emmy shakes her head again.

After a few minutes I learned that my darling little girl was told to go to time out for talking in circle time and decided that she didn't want to do that, so her response to her teacher was a very simple, "No".

I am very sure this will not be my last time to have a sit down talk with teachers about my darling Emmy's defiant behavior. I have so much to look forward to over the next 15 years.

Strep is in the house...

When I was 5 years old my mother, the nurse, sent me to school for a week with pneumonia. While I don't remember having pneumonia or even feeling sick, I do remember to remind my mom of this failure as much as possible.

Saturday night Izzy started running a low grade fever. In and of itself, not a big deal, especially for Izzy. She is my kid that can run a 104 degree fever and not even seem sick. So, I gave her some acetaminophin and had her lay down. A few hours later she told me her throat hurt, so I gave her popsicle. By bed time, her throat hurt, her head hurt and she was super congested. Uh Oh, I thought, she has a cold.

Sunday morning she didn't feel much better, so I gave her some more acetaminophin and sent her back to bed.

Monday, I called the doctor, but not for the right reason. "Izzy has been fighting a number of viruses this year, so she has missed a lot of school. She is running a fever today and had to stay home. Is it possible for me to get a Doctor's note?" the pathetic mom says to the nurse. After a bit of conversation the nurse replies "Well, it is always up to you whether your child is seen or not. However, it sounds a lot like strep, which is going around. I would suggest she come in for a throat culture." Of course, I acquiesce, begrudgingly. Monday night, I take Izzy out into the cold of the night to a doctors appointment, I was 100 percent sure she didn't need.

From my mommy's mind to yours... listen to the nurse at your Doctors office. Oh and never, ever remind another mom of a failure. It will undoubtedly come back to haunt you.

Sorry Mom!

Who defines your family?

Zach Wahls from Iowa has a very compelling point. We define our family structure internally regardless of the states position on marriage. Is it really a good idea to make hate okay? It is happening everyday, all over the country. Parents are sitting around the dinner table having conversations, teaching hate... when did this become okay?

R.I.P. The White Stripes

I confess, I am a White Stripes fan. I find Jack White to be in the category of musical genius. I know there are people who disagree, but I just shrug and think they clearly have no idea what they are talking about.

I remember the first time I heard The White Stripes. They were on the Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, and Jon and I thought they were a little strange. However, we kept hearing really great things about them, so we decided to give White Blood Cells a try. We bought it at Borders in Rapid City, SD over Christmas in 2001 and I fell in love. To this day, it is one of my three "go to" albums for constant listening (the others being Hitchhike to Rhome by Old 97's and I and Love and You by the Avett Brothers). I was, however, skeptical of a band with only two people. There is something about this that just seemed wrong.

I am a strong believer that a band is only as good as their live show. It didn't seem possible that two people could perform all of the songs on the album. Then, in May of 2002, I was lucky enough to see The White Stripes live and I fell even more in love with them. It was astonishing to see Jack White in action. The man is amazing. That was the day Jack White became a genius in my mind, leaving us mere mortals way behind.

Even the kids love The White Stripes. I always smile when I hear Emmy singing along to their music. Which of course, she hears all day long on PBS Kids. Seriously, how many bands can say that one of their songs is used in a PBS Kids identification spot?

Yesterday, The White Stripes officially announced that they have decided to go their separate ways. While we can still get our Jack White fix with the Raconteurs or The Dead Weather, it is a sad time for White Stripes fans.

Yo Gabba Gabba

I have always loved Yo Gabba Gabba. The first time I saw it I thought "finally a show for children that parents can enjoy" (and I mean really enjoy not just live through). The Decemberists, who I love, have a song in the upcoming season. I have tried desperately to add this video to no avail, so you will just have to make due with this link (to see the video click on continue reading at the end of the section). Thank you Pitchfork for sharing... if you are on Twitter, you should follow @pitchforkmedia for all kinds of fun music news.

I can honestly say that the day Emmy told me Yo Gabba Gabba was a baby show and she didn't want to watch it anymore was among the saddest in my life. I miss you Yo Gabba Gabba.

Reading Wednesday - Charles Jessold, Considered as a Murderer

If we have ever had a conversation about books or music, then you have heard me talk about Wesley Stace aka John Wesley Harding. If not, you should know... I love him.

His music, although not typically my taste, has a very special place in my heart. His voice is strong and clean and his lyrics are storytelling at it's finest. His live shows are amazing! If you ever have a chance to see John Wesley Harding, I strongly suggest you do. Not only does he interact with the audience on stage, you will find him selling cd's at the end of the night. Usually providing lively conversation while signing autographs.

I remember the first time I heard that Wesley Stace was writing a book, I was crazy excited. I couldn't fathom a better person to tell me a story. Misfortune is still among my favorites. Stace was able to weave this story in the most intricate of manners. The gamut of emtions felt while reading this story was unbearable. I was literally awed as I turned the last page. I have said for years that it is among my favorite endings to a book, ever. If you have not read Misfortune, I highly recommend it.

Yesterday, Stace released his third novel, Charles Jessold, Considered as a Murderer. Below is some sort of silly interview that someone, somewhere thinks is clever... I am not one of those people. Although I have been told that Eugene Mirman is funny, I don't think this video is a good example. Regardless, I plan to run out tonight and buy this novel at my local Borders and hope you will do the same.

Oh and if you are at all curious, Stace's second novel, By George, is also fantastic.

If you have never read, or heard, anything by Wesley Stace, you must do so immediately. I am sure your life will be even more full once you allow this creative genius in.

February 1st, 2003 - 8 years later

8 years ago today, after completing it's 113th mission, the space shuttle Columbia broke into pieces during it's decent over Texas. All 7 crew members perished.

Please take a moment to remember those who lost their lives and the people who love them.