I'll See You Around...

You all know that one moment that you hear a band and you know that one day they are going to be a big deal.  I know I am not the only one.  I have been to my fair share of concerts this year and after the first time seeing this band I instantly had to see them again.  I was in luck, they were coming back to my home state.

Jacob Davis & The _______

I have blogged about this guy and his band 2 posts back but when you are this good you get more than one entry. 

Jacob, Teddy, Caleb, Babs and Kevin opened for Old Dominion at one of my personal venues, The Brewhouse in Rome, GA.  If you have never been to The Brewhouse or Rome for that matter I highly recommend you making a trip. If it wasn't for the fact that it is 3 hours away that place may be my second home. 

The night started off with the front row being entirely taken up my The Jacob Davis Squad.  I honestly can not think of a better way to show Jacob how much we love them but to be all in matching shirts.  It's a little difficult for a bunch of adults to dress in the same shirt at a concert but the love we all share for these guys trumped the hesitation.

 I mean how cute are we? Even Flat Erica made it!

(Non squad shirt is Caleb's wife Tori)

The guys started with my favorite song 'Whiskeysippi'  followed by the songs on Jacob's EP 'See You Around', 'James Brown', 'With My Eyes Closed' and more. 

Not only did he slay his originals he also nailed covers of Sam Hunt's 'We Are Tonight' and Taylor Swift 'Red' and in case you didn't know these guys LOVE Taylor Swift. 

I also see a pattern that Jacob's favorite color is Red. :)

Jacob and Kevin 

Brian aka 'Babs'

Caleb

Teddy and Kevin

The response from everyone around was very heartwarming.  People were requesting CD's to hear more! They just couldn't get enough.  Below is a video of some of the show, thank you Jennifer Ritchie for making this:

Jacob Davis Live at The Brewhouse in Rome GA

I have posted some videos on my YouTube from the show at The Foundry and I have one more to post from this show.

I personally think the coolest part of the night was right near the end of Old Dominions set Matthew wanted 'To Thank Jacob Davis for letting us borrow your squad tonight'.

They still talk about us! 

After you read this and want a CD please let me know and I will get them sent out to you!

These are some of the kindest gentlemen that I have met, please do yourself a huge favor and check them out:

Jacob Davis Music

Jacob Davis on Twitter

All about that squad life

These guys are some of the best guys to have the opportunity to help and support.  They are ever so grateful and as much as you appreciate us being there for you, we appreciate you being there for us and giving us your gift of musically talent.  

xo, 

Robin

A flying flip flop and Frankie Ballard

There is one thing that can be said for my town.  

We are a Music Town!

I live just a tad bit north of Athens, GA but I consider this home.  I am there more than any other place.  Now this isn't Nashville but if you are like me and aren't in or within a few hours driving time you have the alternatives.  

In the past few months we have had: Michael Ray, Chase Rice, Jacob Davis, Cale Dodds, Jana Kramer, Seth Ennis.  We have CMT Instant Jams featuring Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean plays UGA, there is Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt.  You will sometimes have members of R.E.M. and Widespread Panic hop on stage.  Heck we have had Marilyn Manson and Blackberry Smoke. 

This town is by far one of the most diverse musically that I have been in personally. 

This past week Frankie Ballard was in town.  You know you always give a great first impression when you go to shake his hand in a Meet and Greet when you trip and your flip flop goes flying.  Well this makes for a more unforgettable meeting right?

Frankie was such a sweet heart, him and his manager wanted to make sure I was okay and they tried to "catch" me.  Haha thanks guys!

I thanked for coming to Athens and told him how excited for the show I was.  Maybe a little fan girl inside but I played it cool.

(The glare on my glasses makes it look like I have white tape, nerd glasses.  It's a glare ;) )

I have never seen Frankie live before but I have heard so many great things.  

I don't care too much for the opening act (I know, what??) so I will just skip that. 




Frankie and his band got up on stage and just lit it on fire.  It was so cool to see such a different show than the typical ones that I have been seeing.  The guy can play a guitar and not only that the guy can play the drums.






He actually started with the songs that people know from the radio.

Sunshine and Whiskey
Young and Crazy
Helluva Life

He threw in some Johnny Cash "A Boy named Sue"

His guitar player even took the mic while Frankie took the drums and played The Wallflowers "One Headlight".

I loved it.  

The only down fall of the entire night was that I am 5' 2" and all the tall people decided they needed to be front row so I could see mainly from the neck up on him.

The show was incredible.  He is definitely an act that I will see again and again. 

Like I said in Athens, Thanks for coming and spending the night with us!

xo, 
Robin

'You Draw My Attention and You Frame It'

Stories. Who loves to hear well written stories? 

My favorite kinds of stories are the ones accompanied by song.

Just about 3 years ago I met a singer/songwriter from Cedartown, Ga and since then I have had the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing storytellers.  This past Tuesday was no exception.

Have you ever been to a show and before it even begins the singer makes their way around the crowd to introduce themselves? 

Yea me neither.

I was introduced to Jacob Davis by Jennifer Solorzano about 6 months ago.  While I have never met Jennifer and only know her through social media, one thing for sure we have the same taste in music.  Since learning about Jacob I have heard nothing but the nicest stories of the way Jacob, Teddy, Caleb, Brian (Babs) and Kevin are interacting and making everyone feel apart of the journey here from the start...

...wait a minute, let me put my shades on cause his future is awfully bright!

Jacob Davis is a singer/song writer from Shreveport, LA.  He went to LSU and majored in Geology and began to play around Baton Rouge.  He wanted to pursue a career in the oil and gas company and after a few months in he knew he needed to head to Nashville.  I don't know about you but after you see a few of the videos you will see why I am glad he did.

Jacob and the __________ came to The Foundry in Athens this past Tuesday.  Like I mentioned before Jacob came around and introduced himself to the crowd.  I also got to talk to Teddy briefly before they hit the stage.  They were so kind, after about a few seconds I felt that I had known them for a while.  They are really appreciative of the squad and all the work we are doing to help them live their dream.

The guys hit the stage, the crowd size on on the small side that night, but for me it meant an intimate show. 

This was the first time I have ever had the opportunity to see them, they got up there and made it seem like the room was full.  (Sorry about the small crowd size, guys)

Jacob describes his songwriting, since he is from Louisiana, as swampy bluesy. It is very clear in the song Whiskeysippi.  It's hard to describe the sound of that song but it is easily one of my favorites.  There is a video below of it.  Take a listen!! 

His songwriting tells stories, his lyrics are catchy.  

~ You draw my attention and you frame it (James Brown)

~Tonight I am going to be Maker's Mark Twain (Whiskeysippi) 

how clever are those 2 lines?  

These guys played for a good 2 hours, the first hour was full band, followed by about 45 minutes of a writer's round taking requests from the crowd and then back to full band for the last few songs.

Here are a few videos:

(Full Band)

(Crazy, Something To Remember You By and Detours)

The guys took a small break in between the different sets, Jake ( can I call you that, that cool ;) ) came over to ask how the show was going and to chit chat.  This is where I found out he was a geology major and he found out I sell and ship granite monuments. What a small world!

There is only 1 other artist that I know of who does this (Cale Dodds).  

Acoustic

(Something To Remember You By which is currently on SXM The Highway) 

There was even some Jacob less time where Teddy took the mic with Brian and covered Ryan Adams:

What is a night of a small crowd without pick throwing to no one, sorry Teddy had to.

Through out the entire show there was a lot of interaction with us, I honestly felt like I have known y'all for years by the end of the night.  

Seriously though, I hope that you are feeling the love and the passion that the guys have for music from the videos and that I am putting it across well.

These guys are some of the nicest guys that I have met out of Nashville in the last 3 years.I hope that after reading this post you will go and check him out on all of his social medias:

Twitter: @JacobdavisMusic
Instagram: @JacobDavisMusic
Facebook: Jacob Davis Music

You can buy his current single on iTunes that is currently being played on SXM The Highway:

Something To Remember You By

You can also go follow the band on twitter:

Teddy Christenberry

Brian Campbell

Caleb Allensworth

Kevin Schuck

and I am including this one because it's cute even if it's blurry

Make sure to check out some of my new favorites!  Be sure to check Jacob's website for tour dates.

xo, 
Robin

When there is tragedy, there is light

I got the worst call at exactly 3:36 a.m. Friday September 11, 2015.

It was my dad and he called to tell me my grandpa had a heart attack and he didn't make it.  Um, no. I was just with him 7 hours previously, he was laughing, he was telling dirty jokes, he was grandpa.  This CANT be!

He was our family rock, he can't be gone.  He went in for observation.  He had his first of several heart attacks in 1976 and they gave him 5 years to live, 39 years later I guess the doctor was wrong.  My grandpa was the man every boy now a days should want to grow up to be.  He was handsome, kind, loving, humorous, did I mention the best? 

He was always up for a party and he didn't mind if we dressed him up from the ages of 3 to 30.  

It has been almost 3 weeks and I still think I am going to go over to my parents house and see him standing there, can we please rewind back to the night of Sept 10th?  Please?  He wasn't in the best of health when he moved here back in June, I am ever so grateful that despite the fact that I have recently bought my own house, I was over at my mom's house every night just to see him.  I literally still have boxes all over.  I would not trade these last 3 months for all the money, land and riches in the world! 

Love you Grandpa and I hope I made you proud!

In only hours after we left the funeral home that day I got an email from The Foundry in Athens.  I didn't remember when I first opened the email but I had sent them an email about this new band out of Nashville and that I would LOVE to see them play and for him to check him out.

Well he checked him out and he was sending me an email letting me know he had booked Stella James and they would be playing here at the end of the month. 

As soon as I found out I was hit with an internal conflict.  I was extremely happy and one of the worst times in my families life.  I like to think that this was my grandpa's way of comforting me.  I know this sounds crazy but music is healing.  Music is my form of therapy.  It is the only thing that is consistently there when I need it.   It is my refuge.  It has helped me through the loss of my aunt 2 years prior, through my emotionally and verbally abusive salesman (even though there are still physical and emotional damage that I am working through).

Anyways back to where this was going.  

I was super excited to see Stella James coming to my town, and it felt like I helped bring them here which was pretty stinking cool in my book.  

The day finally got here which seemed to take FOREVER.  I got to The Foundry and they were sound checking so I snuck upstairs to watch.  All I could think of is if this is how sound check sounds tonight is going to be AMAZING!

The opening act was a sweet little girl from Georgia named Sarah Elizabeth, she sang a couple covers and they a few originals.  One of her songs is really catchy about living on the lake called 'Lights Out', you can actually take a listen here and if you want to buy it off iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/lights-out-single/id1038403686

Next was STELLA JAMES!

Sarah Davidson, Rachel Bradshaw and Ty Graham.

I saw them a few months ago at Whiskey Jam and they were great! 

I am not sure if it was the mixture of the acoustics at The Foundry or what but when they hit that first note in Stella, I almost hit the floor.  I wanted to jump up and down and scream.    I have been listening to their demos for a good 6 months that they released for free on their website (www.stellajamesband.com)

They sang Stella, Red Flag, Songbird, Highway and more that are not on their demos. 

One song hit me hard, (forgive me if I get the name wrong) The Ballad of Boot Leg Kelly, it talks about how Boot Leg Kelly is no longer with us but playing for the angels.  That is all I got out of it trying to hold back all of the tears that instantaneously.  I got chills, I got tears, I got it all. 

Another song that I loved is called Redemption Road, the story about being lost then found then lost and then found again was just great in this song.  I have had a rough year, sure it was great with the shows and all but home life was hetic.  Momma was gone to Florida for almost a year taking care of my Grandpa, I was helping keep momma's house a float.  This song truly was a reminder that you will have these ups and downs.  You're reaching for something, someone.   Truly incredible.

Not only are these people brilliant songwriters and have voices that grab your attention without letting go, they are very sweet and humble people.  

I highly recommend after you read this, go check them out on every social media platform.  

I can see them going very far in this business.  

Y'all can definitely count on me being at all the shows that I can be. 

Facebook: Stella James Band

Twitter: Stella James

 Rachel Bradshaw

Ty Graham

Sarah Davidson

Instagram: Stella // James

Rachel Bradshaw

Ty Graham

Sarah Davidson

Make sure you download their Acoustic demos on their website and also from Sound Cloud (www.stellahamesband.com , Stella // James Sound Cloud)

Thanks for a great night!

xo, Robin

Move or Move On...

I just bought a house!!

Well I closed on it a little over a month ago.  It is a super cute house, I love it!  The only problem right now is I am by myself.  No room mates just me...and my dog...

You would think, oh so awesome to live by yourself and it is by if you are anything like me you hear everything, you over think everything.

So far at the house I had to fix a "small" problem according to the inspector, the AC backed up and the gutters were never cleaned like they said they were.  I have a little bit of things to do in the basement because of moisture and the dehumidifier not being ran in the 2.5 months the house sat empty.  

I overthink everything so where the above things don't seem so bad they drive me crazy.  :)

I do love the house though and it is my biggest accomplishment to date!!

With all the craziness of the house I have been to a couple of concerts.  I saw Cale at the end of August but within the past week I have seen Jana Kramer at The Hedges on Broad (www.hedgesonbroad.com) and Michael Ray at The Georgia Theatre (www.georgiatheatre.com).

I have never seen Jana Kramer live before and I am a huge fan of One Tree Hill.  So when I saw she was coming to Athens I knew I had to go see her but in unlike fashion I waited until the last minute to get tickets and barely made it!

She was super cute being pregnant and holding on to her baby bump.  

She sang 'Why You Wanna', 'I Got the Boy'.  She even broke out into some Alanis Morrisette 'Ironic', which was amazing and she killed it! 

Her opening act was Colby Dee, I have never seen or heard of her before but like true Robin-fashion I go for the headliner and end up loving the opening act.  I loved her!  I did not know any of her songs but her cover of Gavin Degraw was on point! I am definitely a new fan.  Go check her out here: www.ColbyDee.Com

Because my life is another a picture, another city, another stage....

Last night I got to see Michael Ray play the Georgia Theatre.  

I love this venue.  It holds a special place in my heart, this is where I found Sam for the first time. 

Carrying on...

Michael headlined a concert to benefit UGA Miracle, which is an organization for the Children's Miracle Network.  

I have been to about 5 opening act shows for Michael but have never actually seen him headline.  He has a great energy on the stage.  I love to see him get into the music.  He played everything from George Strait to Fall Out Boy to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers to Johnny Cash.

I have to admit before last night I never heard the song Real Men Love Jesus or Somewhere South, but those easily have become 2 of my favorites.

Last night was a good night and I definitely intend to see more!

A concert in Athens is never complete without a Selfie with Ray Drew #GoDawgs

xo, Robin

Music Monday, New Tunes Tuesday...

Do you ever stumble upon a singer or a band and want the whole entire world to know about them?  

I am always on the hunt for new music. 

I like the big names, they are fun and always on the radio.  My absolute favorite music are the unknown names.  The artists still trying to get their names out there.  

The past couple years from following my favorite Georgia boy across the south east I have gotten to also meet and hear some of the best new artists.  

First, Stella James!

They are a group of 2 female singers and 1 male.

Sarah Davidson, Rachel Bradshaw and Ty Graham.

They first release their demo called 'Acoustic Demo Vol.1' earlier this year.  They followed the same path as Sam did and released it for FREE on their website and you can still download it here: www.stellajamesband.com.  

They put out Volume 2 at the end of August.

Stella James is what the Bro country driven genre needs to balance and bring back story telling to the Country genre without the typical tailgate and tan line lyrics.  While Stella James doesn't want to categorize themselves,  Nashville is where they need to be ;)

Stella James is one of my favorites.

I got to see them at Whiskey Jam and they are great!

Go check them out!

Next, Filmore!

I have known Tyler for a little over a year! 

I first met him when he played back up for Brett Young at a Gulf Coast Jam contest in Athens. 

At the time he was working on a project with John Gurney (pictured above in the floral) on a mixtape for The Lookout.  

I highly recommend this mixtape, it is FREE just like Stella James' on www.thelookout.com

I got know and interview these guys while I was in Nashville in October.  You can learn about them here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emZXmSAmdoQ

Tyler is now on his own and set to release some new music by the end of the year.  Tyler has the finger on the pulse of where the Country genre is heading and there is a tease of one of his songs 'I Got It' on his website www.tylerfilmore.com which is one of my favorites.

I saw him play at The Listening Room on one of my last few days in Nashville during CMA Fest.  He played Speechless which has easily become another one of my favorites.

New music is definitely something I am always looking for, if you are like me and are always looking for the next big thing, check out both of these acts! You will love them as much as me.

xo,

Robin

Concerts and events are meant to happen in a way that changes your life...

I have blogged about this guy before but another one won't hurt, right?

This weekend I was able to travel 3 hours southwest to Columbus, GA where another one of my favorites played his hometown.  

I first met Cale Dodds when he opened for Sam Hunt at the Brewhouse in Rome, GA. 

It was only him and Ryan played acoustic, originally it was supposed to be Michael Ray but at the last minute was a switch up. He did a great job and was very entertaining!  

I didn't know any of his songs so I just stood and watched.

I continued to follow but not super close at first, I saw him again a couple of months later when he opened for, surprise, Sam Hunt.  Again it was just him and Ryan acoustic and he had the same energy he had the last time.  I was able to talk to him and all I really remember was how nice and genuine he was.  

Again, I was following him but not super close.  I can kind of kick myself for not paying attention like I should have then.

He finally came to Athens Sept. 27th! 

I am not sure why Athens is not booked as much, this city is a music city.  The B52s and R.E.M. are from here.

I got to see the show and of course me being the concert goer I am I had another show right after this one that I had to book it across town to get to. 

Cale was great, I didn't like how no one got up to dance or go up to the stage.  I was by myself so I stayed sitting by the table.  This time it was a full band and they killed it.  I didn't know that Cale had a brother until now.  Again, I followed him but not super close.  At the end of the show he came over to talk and hand out koozies.  In classic Cale manners he apologized for being sweaty. ha!

I told him I would be at Sam's CD release parties and to look for me! 

A few months later to my surprise at the Greenville CD release party he was walking through the venue after doors open and came up to say hi because he remembered me, but not my name but I was in Athens.  

This guy is one of the nicest guys I have ever met.  

I continued to go to shows, there is one thing about Cale...No matter how many people are in that crowd, he puts on a show.  There were so many people there at the CD release party that only went because of Sam.  I do know for a fact, after he opened for Sam at all 3 of his CD release party for Montevallo he made new fans!

The best thing about music and going to these live shows is you will find the same people going back for more and more.  I can't speak for everyone but I try to be friendly and make friends with people in line, people standing next to me.  The reason is we love the same thing, we are going and spending our time and money with the same entertainment.  I am use to going to shows and not knowing anyone but in the last 3 years have made some great friends.

Back to where this blog started, I went down to Columbus and met up with a few people I "officially" met at the Macon show, Stefanie, Marie and Kevin! 

It was such a great weekend...the common denominator being Cale.

We went White Water Rafting on the Chattahoochee River, where I thought I was going to die a few times. 

The show was apart of Country's Midnight Express, it's a 5k for the blind that has been done for the last 35 years and Cale has played the last 10 years! I got to meet his mom Lindi (who is a super sweet lady, I see where he gets it)  as well as other Cale fans Natalie, Mikaili and her family. Such nice welcoming people. I am newer to the little Cale family and they were all great. 

Rain....I do not like rain....especially when I am standing out in it for a concert.  

It rained and poured all night.  It would slack up but then start right after Cale would sing a song about rain.  

The rain didn't stop the crowd or the guys from having so much fun!

It was cold and rainy but it was still an amazing time.  

Cale only has an EP out called Wild & Reckless right now but has cowritten a song with Michael Hobby from A Thousand Horses called (This ain't no) Drunk Dial.  (Which is a favorite).  You can get his EP on iTunes here: 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wild-and-reckless-ep/id873177736

He has also cowrote a song called "Night We Won't Forget" that is on Jess Moskaluke debut studio album.  The song is currently #17 on the Canadian Country charts. 

You can listen and download it here:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/cheap-wine-and-cigarettes/id840734684?i=840734695

Cale is an amazing singer/songwriter that has a bright future in front of him.

He is also one of the nicest people I have ever met.  

Go check him out! He could definitely be the next Sam Hunt and you will want to be able to say you saw him from the beginning.

www.CaleDodds.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/caledodds

Instagram: www.instagram.com/caledodds

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caledodds?fref=ts

Thank you guys for a great weekend! Hope to see you guys sooner than later!

Just like with Sam I am very fortunate to call Cale a friend.  

Thank you Marie and Kevin for your hospitality!

(Pre rain)

(Post Rain)

xo, 

Robin