One night in the mid-1990s, I was at Bohager’s (yes I admit I was actually at Bohager’s) and heard this band playing U2′s New Year’s Day. The band was Baltimore-based Honor Among Thieves. I quickly become enamored with them. I went to their weekly Sunday night shows at The Horse You Came In On in Fells Point and their Wednesday night acoustic sets at Claddagh Pub in Caton. I became friendly with the band, especially the lead singer Mitch and guitarist Mark. Honor Among Thieves’ album Grow is simply beautiful. My favorites are Go Away and What a Mess. The band went on to become the nationally known SR-71, but they will always be Honor Among Thieves to me and represent one of the greatest periods of my life.
This blog post is part of my A to Z April Challenge about ‘My Music’ – music I love from A to Z. Thanks for stopping by. I am also blogging the A to Z Challenge on my other blog On the Road with U2 about ‘My U2′ – what I love about U2 from A to Z.
After three long years (it seems like longer), I finally saw Ryan Bingham in concert last night at Rams Head Live in Baltimore. It was well worth the wait – definitely one of the best shows I have ever been to. I have wanted to see Ryan Bingham, since I saw him and his oscar winning song The Weary Kind in the wonderful movie Crazy Heart.
Ryan Bingham
Still excited from the day before when Ryan Bingham favorited my tweet “@RamsHeadLive SO excited for @ryanbingham tomorrow!!!”, I left my house an hour before the show started, so I could be one of the first people in line. I arrived at Rams Head about five minutes before the doors were to open. There were about 10 people in line, but oddly none of them went to the stage when the doors opened. I secured my spot front and center on the rail. By 7:30, there still weren’t many people there. The upstairs was closed off because they didn’t sell enough tickets. The previous night Ryan sold out the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC. The Americans took the stage at 8pm and played for about 45 minutes. They were great. They were all in white tee shirts and rolled up jeans and slicked back hair – very 1950s.
By the time Ryan Bingham took the stage at 9:15, Rams Head Live had sort of filled up. It certainly wasn’t sold out, but the fans who were there were true music fans – true Ryan Bingham fans. Ryan walked out onto the stage in this purple-ish 1920s style shirt, suspenders, torn jeans and converse sneakers. He said he wore purple in honor of the Ravens. Ryan’s voice was even better live than on his cds – raspy and strong. Ryan played the guitar and harmonica. His new band (he is no longer with the Dead Horses) was great, especially the drummer. There was a girl bassist, which is unusual, and a fantastic guitar player. Just simple, real, rock n roll music. Yes, rock n roll. Ryan Bingham’s new album Tomorrowland is more rock n roll than country. He played my favorite new song Guess Who’s Knockin’ and it was even better than the cd – totally rocked! Ryan adjusted the lyrics when he saw the two young kids in the front row. He commented that they were the ‘coolest kids’ who had the ‘coolest parents.’ Later on Ryan signed an autograph for that 13 year old, again commenting how cool he was. Ryan introduced I Heard Em Say telling the story about how he wrote it in Memphis after visiting the National Civil Rights Museum. I wanted to shout out, “I used to work there!” but I resisted. While on stage by himself during the encore, a fan shouted out for Ryan to play Don’t Wait for Me, but Ryan said he didn’t know if he could remember it and could he have a raincheck. The crowd screamed NO, so Ryan played it – and it was wonderful! The Weary Kind was not played, but I was told by fans later that he rarely plays it. It was a fantastic show that lasted almost two hours. (Ryan Bingham played as long as U2 and he only has a few albums – just sayin) Ryan and his band played for one hour and 15 minutes, then Ryan played on stage by himself for 15 minutes, then he and the band played for 15 more minutes. The show was over way too soon at 11pm. It was truly one of the best shows I have ever seen. I immediately tweeted, “@RyanBingham just played an amazing show @RamsHeadLive” Before I got home, Ryan Bingham had favorited my tweet!
To see all my pictures of Ryan Bingham in Baltimore, please click here.
The first annual Charm City Music Festival was a great success Saturday. It was held in the open space at Harbor East in Baltimore City between Fells Point and the Inner Harbor. There were two stages and a dance tent, lots of food, many bars and even a few covered tables and chairs to escape the sun. Finally a real music festival in Baltimore! There were actually music fans travelling from other cities to Baltimore. And in a year when I did not go to the Beale Street Music Festival or Lollapalooza, it was nice to attend a local music festival.
before the music starts
I arrived about a half hour after the gates opened and a half hour before the music started, so there were not a lot of people at the festival yet. It was a beautiful day – hot in the sun, but cool in the shade. I ran into a friend of mine who was bartending, grabbed a diet pepsi, snagged my free cd of Baltimore bands and walked around for a bit. At 1pm, the first band started – and they turned out to be my favorite of the day.
Thee The The
They are a local band called Thee The The – 3 guys and a girl. The girl, Val Yumm, is the lead singer and guitarist. She rocked! Her energy reminded of my heyday of early 1990s alternative concerts I attended. Thee The The played a great set – I wish it would have been longer. I am very anxious to see them again. The next band I saw was Clear For Take Off, who are from Ellicott City. They were pretty good – alternative. They sort of reminded me of Green Day. Then I saw Loving the Lie, who I had wanted to see for a while. They are from Baltimore with a pretty big following. The lead singer Kevin Hock also works at 24-7 Entertainment who put on the Charm City Music Festival. I enjoyed their set and would like to see them again.
Kevin Hock gets close with Loving the Lie fans
All Mighty Senators were next. I enjoyed the pink drum kit and the singing drummer who was up front, but they were a bit too ska-ish for me. Unfortunately, that is where my festival experience ended because I was exhausted from staying out way too late the previous night. I had a great time though and enjoyed the bands I saw. It got really crowded later with the headlining bands Flogging Molly and Weezer, so hopefully there will be a 2nd Annual Charm City Music Festival next year.
11 years on June 22nd I was in New Jersey at the last concert of the first leg of U2‘s Elevation tour. 1 year ago on June 22nd I was in Baltimore for U2′s loudest show on the 360 tour. This year on June 22 I was again in Baltimore, but this time to see Lucero – finally! Lucero is this great band from Memphis that I never saw while I lived there for 3 years – I kept missing them even though they played just a few minutes from my house. Lucero was definitely worth the wait. It was a great show!
Lucero 6.22.12 Baltimore
I arrived at Rams Head Live in Baltimore just as the doors opened on June 22nd for Lucero. To my surprise, there was no one waiting in line to get it and the place was empty. I bought a Lucero hat and just hung out near the bar as the place filled up. Then Ben Nichols, Lucero’s lead singer, just starts walking through Rams Head, but no one really noticed him. He hung out at the merchandise window for a while and then walked all around. At 9pm Bosley took the stage. I always dread opening bands, but these guys surprised me – they were great. It was as if they just stepped out of the 1960s soul scene. So much energy and so entertaining! I will definitely be seeing them again, which will be easy because they’re from Baltimore.
Bosley
While the techs were setting up the stage for Lucero, one of them noticed my ’38104′ tee shirt and gave me a fist bump telling me “cool shirt!” 38104 is the zip code for Midtown Memphis, where I used to live. Lucero took the stage around 10:15pm. I was right in front of Ben Nichols. My neck hurt from looking up. About 45 minutes into the set, these two annoying drunks girls came up behind me and were dancing and falling into me, so I decided to move back and to the side. This actually worked out for the best because I could take video – plus it was much more comfy and cooler.
Ben Nichols
Lucero
Lucero played a great show. I am really happy I finally got to see them. Looking forward to the next time they play Baltimore.
June 15th will forever be known to me as Lisa Marie Presley Day, or LMP Day. I was lucky enough to see her perform twice in the same day and meet her. And because of Lisa, I met so many fantastic people.
me and Lisa Marie Presley
I started off my LMP Day in Annapolis at 11am. I arrived at Rams Head on Stage to find the band’s tour bus parked out front. I went inside and only one person waiting for Lisa Marie Presley’s Private Artist Showcase put on by the great radio station WRNR. I couldn’t believe there wasn’t a line of people waiting for this free, intimate performance. I won free passes to this event just by filling out a form on their website. By noon, a line had formed and we were still waiting outside. We were told that Lisa was late and we would be let in soon. I got a table right up front, and I mean literally on the stage. My knees touched the stage, which was very low. Lisa’s microphone was directly in front of me. She took the stage around 12:45, almost an hour after the show was supposed to start. When she walked out, she looked a little startled and as she sat down in front of me she said, “Wow, you’re so close!” After the opening song of Weary, she asked for the lyrics to the next song. A guy from WRNR gave me her cd to hand to her. Lisa said she doesn’t really look at them, but likes to know they’re there in case she needs them. Then she went on to say she was late because her bus was parked in Baltimore, so they had to drive her to Annapolis. She said she had no idea the two venues were so far apart – it’s at least a 30 minute drive, but more with the Sailabration traffic in Baltimore. Lisa then played Storm and Nails and closed with Over Me. I was singing right along with her on Over Me, as it is my favorite song off Storm and Grace, and Lisa spotted me singing (since I was inched from her face) and smiled at me. There was a huge applause from the 150-plus seated audience, and Lisa seemed really touched – she bowed as she left the stage.
LMP’s band’s bus outside Rams Head on Stage in Annapolis
Rams Head on Stage in Annapolis
Couldn’t believe I was going to be this close to LMP?!
After the show, I made my way to Baltimore for Lisa’s second show of the day. There was lots of traffic on Pratt Street because of the Star-Spangled Sailabration in honor of the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812 and the writing of our national anthem. The Blue angels flew right over my car while I was stuck in traffic. I finally made it to the Baltimore Soundstage, parked in a nearby garage, and had some pizza at Joe Squared down the street. After lunch, I walked down the street to see the Tall Ships and watch the Blue Angels practice. At 5:00, I made my way to the Baltimore Soundstage for Lisa Marie Presley’s show. My friend Joey showed up shortly after and Keith after him. We went inside at 7:00, and Joey and I were taken to our table front and center – the same exact spot I was in at the Annapolis show. Shortly after we were seated, I received a text from Lisa’s people saying I was chosen for a Meet and Greet after her show – so excited! The opening act was a local singer named David Tieff, who was really good. Lisa came on stage just before 9pm, she sounded wonderful, and the show was fantastic!!! Highlights for me were Over Me (my favorite song off Storm and Grace), Un-break (especially when Lisa played the drums), and Lights Out (her first single ever and represents Memphis to me).As the guys were breaking down the stage, I asked for a set list and got it. The set list for Lisa Marie Presley in Baltimore was as follows: So Long, Over Me, Weary, You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet, Soften the Blows, Forgiving, Storm of Nails, Un-Break, Storm and Grace, Lights Out.
Baltimore Soundstage
LMP’s tour bus in Baltimore
Lisa Marie Presley Baltimore 6.15.12
what Baltimore Soundstage considers a marquee
my view – same as the afternoon show
My front table and Meet and Greet bracelets
my set list Lisa Marie Presley Baltimore 6.15.12
After the show, Keith, Joey and I made our way behind the black velvet curtain to wait for our Meet and Greet – with about 30 or 40 others. We waited for everyone else to leave and then we were taken to meet Lisa Marie Presley in small groups. We were last to meet her, which was kind of cool. As always, Lisa was SO nice and SO gracious and SO beautiful! I walked up to her, shook her hand and told her it was nice to meet her – she said, “Thank you.” I asked her to autograph my set list. And she was signing it, I thanked her for playing the show in Annapolis earlier that day. She said, “It was a crazy morning!” I told her there was another Rams Head right next door to where we were. She laughed and said, “Yeah poor planning.” Then I asked if I could take my picture with her, and she of course agreed. It was extra special to me that Lisa signed my set list because the first time I ever saw Lisa Marie Presley was also in Baltimore back in 2003. I got the set list then too, and she autographed it when I met her after the show then also. Basking in our excitement over talking with Lisa Marie Presley, we waited outside the Baltimore Soundstage and in front of Lisa’s tour bus. A few minutes later, Lisa walked out surrounded by a few security guards. People on the street ran up and surrounded her. She was nice enough to stop and pose for pictures with them and sign autographs. Then some crazy woman came up behind her and grabbed her throat. Lisa said, “UGH!” and shoved her arm off of her. Then they got her safely on her tour bus. Still excited by the night’s events, we stayed on the street in front of Lisa’s tour bus. A few minutes later, a car pulled up and Lisa’s husband and musical director Michael Lockwood jumped off the bus, ran to the car and pulled out their twin girls and quickly carried them back to the tour bus.
waiting for our Meet and Greet with Lisa Marie Presley
Lisa seems excited to talk to me
Lisa signing my set list
discussing the poor planning of the day
me and Lisa Marie Presley
my autographed set list from Lisa Marie Presley in Baltimore 6.15.12
Keith and Lisa Marie Presley
crazy fan grabs Lisa’s throat
I was home before 12:30, but didn’t fall asleep until 3:30am because I was so wired from meeting Lisa Marie Presley and seeing her play two shows in the same day. I had an amazing day with Lisa Marie Presley!
So the obsession begins again! With the release of Lisa Marie Presley’s new album Storm and Grace and her upcoming tour, I am completely obsessed with Lisa Marie Presley again. I never stopped loving her, but I become completely obsessed with her when she tours. I looked back through my Lisa Marie scrapbook that I started in 2002 the first time I saw Lisa. She introduced her song Nobody Noticed It at Elvis’ 25th Anniversary concert at the Pyramid in Memphis. She didn’t sing it live, but played the recorded version with the words on the screen. That was it, I was hooked.
The next time I saw Lisa Marie Presley was in Baltimore on July 24, 2003. This was the first time I saw her in concert, and the first time I met her. Lisa opened for Chris Isaak at Pier 6. It wasn’t crowded, so I moved down to the front row – standing and singing the entire time! At the end of Lisa’s set, I asked for a set list and one of the guys gave it to me. Then I left missing Chris Isaak because I wanted to meet Lisa. I went to the parking lot and after about five minutes, Lisa came out to greet everyone. She got to me, and I handed her my set list. Lisa smiled and said, “Oh you got a set list!” I told her it was a great show, and she said thanks. Then she said, “You were the one in front singing, right?” Lisa Marie Presley noticed me!
A week later I saw Lisa Marie Presley in concert again. This time in Memphis at the Botanic Garden on August 1, 2003. Lisa again opened for Chris Isaak. I wasn’t as close as I was in Baltimore. I wasn’t standing at the stage, but I was seated at one of the front tables, but off to the side. I was about two tables away from Priscilla! It was amazing to watch Priscilla watch her daughter on stage – and in Memphis! Lisa sounded so much better than she did in Baltimore because the sound was so much better – the band did not drown out her voice this time. Lisa was so excited, and her performance was just amazing!
The next day I saw Lisa Marie Presley perform in Nashville at the historic Ryman Auditorium on August 2, 2003. I ended up staying at the same hotel as Lisa and her band. I waited near her tour bus from 4-7 before the show, but never got to speak with Lisa. I saw her walk by a few times and saw Priscilla. My seat was in the 6th row, right behind Priscilla – she beamed with pride watching her daughter perform. Everyone was forced to sit in the Ryman, but we periodically stood up and cheered and Lisa acknowledged us and Priscilla turned around and smiled at us. When I got back to my hotel room after the show, I realized that Lisa’s band was staying on my floor. We talked with them in the hallway, but we never saw Lisa.
I didn’t see Lisa Marie Presley again for another two years. She performed at the Beale Street Music Festival on May 1, 2005. I arrived at the festival just before the gates opened, but there was a long line waiting to get in. I had to run all the way to the other side of the park to the stage where Lisa was playing. I didn’t get a spot on the front rail, but three people back dead center. Luckily those three people were short, so I had a great view. And Lisa put on a great show – so much better than her first tour. She was so relaxed. Lisa played my favorites Indifferent, SOB, Lights Out, I’ll Figure It Out, and Idiot.
The next day I saw Lisa Marie Presley in Nashville at the Cannery on May 2, 2005. After waiting four hours in line, I was rewarded with a spot up front on the rail. I thought this Nashville show was even better than the show in Memphis. For the first time ever, Lisa played High Enough, which I love! She also played Now What, Road Between, and Here Today, all of which she didn’t play the previous day in Memphis. I got a set list for this Nashville show!
A few days later I saw Lisa Marie Presley at The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA on May 9, 2005. It was a seated show, and I was at a table right up front. The set list was the same as the Nashville show, except Turned to Black was played instead of High Enough. It was a great show, and Lisa talked a lot. She was really funny. Unfortunately, the meet and greet was cancelled after the show.
A few days later I saw Lisa Marie Presley at the history Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ on May 15, 2005. It was Lisa’s last official show of this leg of her tour. After waiting in line for several hours, I got a spot on the front rail all the way at the end. Lisa was sick, so she didn’t do the acoustic set of Now What and Road Between. She also didn’t play Turbulence or Indifference, but she did play High Enough and Turned to Black. It was still a great show. Priscilla was in the crowd, so Lisa sang Raven. It was amazing! Lisa kept looking at her and she and Priscilla were tearing up – as was I. During Thanks, Lisa invited some fans up on stage to sing with her. At the end of the show, Lisa Marie Presley shook my hand, looked into my eyes, and said, “Thank you!”
Two days later I saw Lisa Marie Presley perform Idiot on Good Morning America on May 17, 2005. I got up at 4am and got a cab from my hotel in New Jersey and waited on the streets in New York City until they let us in the studio at 7am. Lisa didn’t come on until 8:45am. It was only one song, but I was SO close and apparently I was on tv because my mom called to tell me she saw me singing along. After her appearance, Lisa stopped to sign autographs with her fans.
Still in New York City, two days later I saw Lisa Marie Presley at City Hall Park for a free concert. I was right up front and center on the rail. The set list was changed a bit. Lisa played I’ll Figure It Out, Sinking In, Turbulence, Lights Out, Dirty Laundry, Idiot, Here Today Gone Tomorrow – and the Ramones drummer played along on their cover.
I didn’t see Lisa Marie Presley again for over a year, but it was well worth the wait. It was my 34th birthday – October 4, 2006. Lisa performed at the Birchmere again in Alexandria, Virgina and I had been selected for a Meet and Greet after the show. For the show, I had a seat up front, but way to the left of the stage. Lisa announced my birthday during the show. She had never sounded better. She played SOB, Lights Out, Sinking In, Indifferent, Excuse Me, High Enough, Yellow to Blue, Idiot, I’ll Figure It Out, Turbulence, Thanks, Dirty Laundry, Here Today Gone Tomorrow, and a duet with Ryan Cabrera. After the show, I met Lisa Marie Presley and got my picture taken with her. She signed my cd cover and wished me a Happy Birthday. I told her she gets better every tour, and we discussed how it sucks to have seated venues and how excited we were for the Stone Pony show.
Two days later I saw Lisa Marie Presley in concert again at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ on October 6, 2006. After four long, cold, windy hours waiting in line, the doors opened and I got a great spot front and center on the rail. The crowd was great, but the sound wasn’t that good. It was the same set list as the Birchmere show, except she closed with a cover of Joan Jett’s I Hate Myself for Loving You.
Two days later I saw Lisa Marie Presley in my hometown of Baltimore at Rams Head Live on October 8, 2006. I was again front and center on the rail. Rosanne Barr opened and was hysterical. Lisa sounded amazing! The crowd wasn’t great because they weren’t really Lisa Marie Presley fans, but by the end of the show, they got into it. The set list was the same as the previous two shows except for the encore Lisa played Turned to Black and did a duet with Rosanne - Baby I Love You. There was a lot of interaction between Lisa and the audience. After the show, Lisa stopped to sign autographs and meet with her fans. This Baltimore show was my favorite of the tour.
The next day I saw Lisa Marie Presley in New York City at BB Kings on October 10, 2006. I was once again up front on the rail, but a little to the left of center. This New York crowd was amazing – everyone knew the words! The set list was the same, except instead of Yellow to Blue it was Turned to Black and she closed the show with a Joan Jett cover.
A year later I saw Lisa Marie Presley as she performed In the Ghetto in Memphis at Elvis 30th Anniversary concert on August 16, 2007. It was amazing! The crowd went wild, and Lisa sounded great!
It has been almost six years since I have seen Lisa Marie Presley in a full concert. She is touring this summer to promote her new album Storm and Grace. I am going to see her at the Soundstage in Baltimore on June 15th. I am excited to see Lisa in Baltimore because it’s my hometown, and I have seen her perform every time in Baltimore. Lisa’s Baltimore show is a seated show for $75 – well I paid $75 because I wanted a table right next to the stage. I am very excited to see Lisa Marie Presley in concert again! What a great way to start off my summer concert season!
I had a great weekend! Friday night I recuperated from Dover Downs. Saturday afternoon I was still recuperating from Dover, but with a Ledo pizza and back to back episodes of Beverly Hills 90210.
the best pizza in the world!
Then Saturday night I went to Tabitha’s gymnastics recital. Kathy and Bruce were nice enough to let me ride up with them, as well as pay for my admission. Thank you! It was a really entertaining gymnastics show. Tabitha was great! And I got to spend a little time with Keira, who is so funny! Cindy wasn’t there, so I will have to wait until Tuesday to see my best friend. I did get to catch up a little with Kurt though.
Tabitha on the trampoline
Keira
Today I went to the Ravens game with my dad – and it was freezing! Literally, freezing. It was fun though, and the Ravens won. I forgot how obnoxious football fans are, but I guess I was the obnoxious one in Nashville at the Broncos game. Four U2 songs were played at the Ravens game: It’s Christmas Baby Please Come Home, Where the Streets Have No Name, Bullet the Blue Sky, and Elevation. They also put an ad on the screen for the U2 360 show on June 22 – at which time I screamed
Ravens Stadium
the view from our seats
my ticket
I’m just going to relax tonight and tomorrow and enjoy being home. Please watch the video of my day with my dad at the Ravens game. (coming soon)
