Proud Dad moment - Jonathan featured in Video from San Antonio

Another proud dad moment. Jonathan was featured in a short "on the road" video from DCI Fan Network while he's (Emily, too!) touring, rehearsing and performing with Pacific Crest.  He'll be marching in the center of your screen.

Proud Dad moment - Jonathan featured in Video from San Antonio

Sounds of the Eagles outside | The News-Sentinel - Fort Wayne IN

Although the music of the Eagles spans many years, the tribute band Hotel California: Salute to the Eagles will cover the early classics to the later hits during its Friday concert at Foellinger Outdoor Theatre.

The group is one of two noted tribute bands — the other is The Music of ABBA: ARRIVAL from Sweden — playing at the theater this weekend.

Songs played at the Hotel California concert will include “Heartache Tonight,” “Desperado” and, of course, “Hotel California.” Besides the big hits, there will also be “crowd pleaser favorites, but not necessarily radio hits,” said George Dickinson, a band member.

“If they love a good live show, they'll really have a good time,” Dickinson said.

The concert has some interactivity between the band and the crowd, he said, and “people will be pleasantly surprised how powerful it (the concert) is.”

Those who know the lyrics and music of the Eagles will be drawn into the concert based on familiarity, he said.

“The first 15 minutes you're going to hear hit songs,” he said.

The five band members of Hotel California are multitalented and play several instruments, some authentic from the Eagles time period as well as real acoustic instruments.

“We use those talents to bring the Eagles to life,” he said.

The sound quality of the band is better than what the Eagles had because of improvements in sound over the years, Dickinson said.

The band Hotel California was founded in 1982. The five members perform at 150-200 high-profile events every year.

The performance at Foellinger Theatre is part of the theater's summer concert and movie series.

Take a chance?

Foellinger Outdoor Theatre will welcome highly popular tribute bands back to back this weekend. Here is the information about the Saturday evening show:

What: The Music of ABBA: ARRIVAL from Sweden, which includes original band members from ABBA, will perform a concert of classic ABBA hits, such as “Dancing Queen.”

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: Foellinger Theatre, in Franke Park off Sherman Boulevard

Cost: $15 in advance, $20 day of show. Tickets available online at www.fortwayneparks.org, then click on facilities, Foellinger Theatre, concert and movie series, then to “ABBA” to purchase tickets. Or call the Parks and Recreation Department at 427-6000 or go to the office at 705 E. State Blvd.

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via news-sentinel.com

See you in Indiana! ~ Steve

Sounds of the Eagles outside | The News-Sentinel - Fort Wayne IN

The Walk To Indy - Go Emily and Jonathan!

Here's a short montage of a documentary that is being shot of Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps. while they currently travel the country.  My kids are a part of this and currently on the road!  So proud of them!

The Walk To Indy - Go Emily and Jonathan!

Texica or "Monotony Is What You Make Of It" - Video

Another bit of footage from the road.  I was listening to some African music in iTunes while making the day-long trek on I-10 east across Texas.  "Diama  Don" by Issa Bagayogo just fit the mood so well.  I'm sure you've heard it, right? ;-)

Another way to look at it is simply using the most-helpful storage power of YouTube and thereby freeing up space on my hard drive.

Texica or "Monotony Is What You Make Of It" - Video

On being inches away from Picasso and others

A quick photo before melting in the 102 degree NYC heat

Reflecting on my recent visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, it reminded me of a game I used to play with the kids that used as playing pieces little cardboard squares with tiny prints of world famous paintings.  They were merely just that - nice, little cardboard replicas.

Well, it was a different story being just inches away from such works of art. Suddenly, this was the real thing, close enough to touch (though I dare not!!) .  It gave me the chills.   I Never thought I would enjoy it so much!

"Good artists borrow, great artists steal" ~ Picasso

The majority of the time I spent in the special Picasso exhibit and paid for the audio headphone tour (which I highly recommend-I got tired of reading, especially because it was really crowded and hence distracting) (Did you just see that?  The beginnings of art-snobbish-ness).  When it came closing time, there was sooo much I DIDN'T see!

I'm definitely going back and when I get home I'm going to have to pay a visit to some of those museums in LA.

Do you enjoy art musems?  Can't stand'em?  Share your thoughts below.

On being inches away from Picasso and others

Where Were You When Michael Jackson Died?

Big news on the large-screen downstairs in the band house today.  The anniversary of Michael Jackson's death.

I remember where I was when I learned of his passing because I happen to be working this week at the same exact place as last year when I heard the news - backstage at Disney World - EPCOT.  We get 30, 15, 10, and 5 minutes calls to show time and it was during one of these we heard something like, "Gentlemen, 10 minutes to show, 10 minutes to show....and Michael Jackson has died."

That was a little jarring!

Just finished recently during our run with the "New Kid in Town" show an insightful book of interviews Michael Jackson did some eight years ago with the hopes of eventually publishing in book form.



Rabbi Shmuley Boteach makes a case that a spiritual healing was in order to keep Michael from walking down the path that his over-powering fame was taking him.  I would agree.  I highly admire his talent.  It's heart-breaking he chose the path he did.

Where Were You When Michael Jackson Died?

Dan Fogelberg - Coincidental Friend?

My #1 or #2 favorite artist.  Dan was a very good friend of the Eagles AND had the same artist management.  (Hmmmm...coincidence?  I'm play in an Eagles tribute band) ?

He sadly passed away from cancer.  I got a chance to meet him years ago because of a friend who had a brother involved in the design and building of the new (at the time) Record Plant Studios in Hollywood.  There was a party I was invited to at the old Record Plant before they tore it down.  (This is where he recorded some of all his great albums AND....AND....where the "Hotel California" album was recorded, I might add!)

He was standing in the back watching the jam that was going on, and I recognized him right off the bat!  I knew he had recently shaved off his trademark beard.  Shook his hand-what a thrill to meet one of your "idols"!

As a side note, got to see up close Stephen Stills and Joe Walsh jam together that night.

Found this posted video from way back when.  Not one of his many hits - great song though.  You probably have to be a real fan to get to the very-extended, rockin' guitar solo at the end of the song.  (I didn't know he played a Les Paul on this one)

Dan Fogelberg - Coincidental Friend?