Now You See It, Now You Don't!

ACK!!!!   I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED!!!!! 

MY CONCERT REVIEW OF DAVID LEE MURPHY & DARRYL WORLEY IN IDAHO DELETED ITSELF SOMEHOW!!!  GRRR!  >:(  

My apologies everyone!  

ROAD TRIP!!!!!

 (Today's word will be in red, and bold.)

So much to do, so little time!

Dragging the kid along, 

No matter how much he whines!

Off to Coeur d' Alene, Idaho I go

To see Darryl Worley and 

David Lee Murphy at the casino!

Just saw Darryl last Sunday,

But DLM, well, it's been

Five years, one week and four days!

So excited, just can't wait!

I know this concert is going to be great!

And when the show is through,

I'll report all the details right here for you!

Have a great weekend everyone, I'm off on my road trip!

KUPL Countryfest 2012

 (Today's word will be in red, and bold.)


Years ago KUPL began yearly listener appreciation concerts for those who tuned in to KUPL daily.  Over time the name of the program was changed to "Countryfest", and was held in locations such as Portland Meadows, and St. Helens, Oregon.

For a few years though, there's been no Countryfest; until now.  On Sunday, June 3, 2012, KUPL Countryfest took over the RoZone during Rose Festival in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Attendees began lining up as early as 8:30 am  for the afternoon/evening concert.  Gates were set to open at 3:30 pm that day, with two stages, one for local and one for national acts.   A few benches were set up to one side of the main stage, with some low bleachers on the sides as well. Those with blankets and chairs had a section by the local stage to set up their spot; for the most part though, it was standing room only for concert goers.
 
While the local acts were entertaining the crowd, KUPL also had several things going on from the main stage, between national acts.  The "Simon in the Morning" team had their "Simon Says" finals, with one winner enjoying time backstage with an artist.  TicTak was shooting t-shirts into the crowd with a t-shirt launcher; there were two people associated with the Oregon Jamboree that also tossed out t-shirts and three day passes to the audience throughout the day.

At one point, between national acts, TicTak brought a girl onstage that has been in the hospital , fighting for her life for the past few months. From her wheelchair, Alex determined which directions t-shirts should be thrown into the audience.  She had also been backstage earlier to meet Chris Cagle, and was part of a video that was being filmed that day.

 With all the activity going on between the stages, there was more going on backstage as well.  Some  KUPL listeners who won concert tickets also got a meet and greet with the artist of their choice.  A lucky few even had meet and greets with all of the artists.

Lola Montgomery had come up with the idea to have anyone who wore a red sundress to the concert be in a group photo with Kip Moore, in honor of a line from Moore's #1 hit, "Somethin' 'Bout A Truck".  Several women showed up in various styles and shades of red sundresses, and at the designated time, went backstage for the group photo.

Though there was a lot happening on the main stage, the music was still the focal point of the day.

The Ponderosa Stage was set up for local musicians, Britnee Kellogg; Kurt Van Meter; Lock, Stock & Barrel; and The Concrete Cowboys.  The local music started when the gates opened and went until 5 pm, when the first national act, newcomers Miss Willie Brown, took the Financial One main stage.

The duo,  (Amanda Watkins and Kasey Buckley), did a short, though very energetic set, including their current single, "You're All That Matters To Me"; which KUPL has been playing.  They were the perfect opening act on the main stage to get the party started.  From Miss Willie Brown, it was back to the local stage for more of the local bands. 

Casey James, from "American Idol" was the next performer to hit the main stage.

James did songs from his self-titled debut CD, including his current single, "Let's Don't Call It A Night".  Though in past performances he's leaned more towards the blues, Casey's music that evening kept more in line with the country theme.  It was also nice to be able to hear Casey's  wonderful voice so clearly; there are times when the music drowns him out, but not this night.

More local entertainment, then it was time for Jon Pardi to take the main stage.  Pardi was probably the least known of the line up that day; though by the end of his set, he'd gained more fans.

Even without the cowboy hat, Pardi easily represented more traditional country, while still having a fresh, new sound. He joked around with the audience between songs, telling different stories about the songs and the like.  Of course, his set wouldn't have been complete had he not done his current single, "Missin' You Crazy"; another tune that's been getting airplay on KUPL's overnight show.

Next up on the national stage, (after another set on the local stage), was former Trick Pony member, Heidi Newfield.

Like Miss Willie Brown, Newfield's performance was very high energy, with Heidi all over the stage the entire time.  She was very polished and professional, yet, real and down to earth at the same time.  Her voice was also as beautiful as it's always been.

Newfield did  songs from her upcoming CD, including her new single, "Why'd You Have To Be That Good".  In addition she did some songs from her Trick Pony days, as well as a cover of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues".  Following the Cash cover, Heidi launched into her first hit as a solo artist, "Johnny & June".

For a day filled with great music and performances, Heidi Newfield was probably the one who stood out the most with her set.

With the routine of local artists and activities in place, the next national musician was Kip Moore.

It was clear from the audience reaction, that Moore was the one the majority had come to see that day; at least the female attendees.

Moore didn't disappoint either.  He performed several songs, with his smooth style and voice, including his first single, "Mary Was the Marrying Kind", and his current #1 hit, "Somethin'  'Bout A Truck".  Moore did a great job during his somewhat laid back set, singing and interacting with the crowd.

More local music, then it was time for Darryl Worley to perform.

Worley was definitely even more laid back that Kip Moore before him.  He was so relaxed, singing his previous hits; telling about them and his life.  For as big as the crowd was that night, Worley made it feel like an intimate setting of friends sitting around listening to good music; there was enough energy though that no one was bored.  One of the highlights of Worley's set was when he did, "Have You Forgotten".  He changed the lyrics slightly towards the end of the tune, referencing that Osama Bin Laden is dead now.

Before the evening's headliner was to come onstage, the entire KUPL air staff was brought onstage and introduced to the audience.  Each had been introduced at some point in the day; this was just a moment to see everyone together at the same time onstage.

Then it was time for the final act of the night, headliner, Chris Cagle.

Cagle came onstage, performing many of his past hits, as well as new music he's recorded; including his latest, "Got My Country On".  His set was a great balance of energy and more settled down music.  Cagle also interacted with the audience quite a bit, sometimes being very emotional about what he was telling them.

At one point Cagle asked for Alex, (the girl he'd met earlier backstage), to come onstage with him.  TicTak came out instead, explaining that Alex had left to return to the hospital.  Cagle quickly asked if Alex was okay, and was assured yes, she had been tired and needed to return.  There was a definite look of relief when he heard this.

Over all, KUPL's Countryfest was a huge success.  Yes, as always there were a few bumps here and there; a few attendees who got a bit out of line; and the usual things that can happen at an event this size.  For the most part though, it was a fantastic day, and it's good to see Countryfest is back.  Can't wait to see what KUPL has in store for next year!

Ten Years Ago Today

Some things that happen in a person's life stay with them forever; whether they were directly involved, or not. That's the way I am about 9/11. Even though it's been 10 years, it still feels like it was yesterday. All the emotions, thoughts, everything are as raw now as ten years ago today.

I can't imagine what it's like for those who were directly, or even indirectly involved with the events that day. How raw the feelings and memories must be for them, even now.

The same question is asked every year, "where were you, and what were you doing,when the planes hit the towers"?

I was on my way to work, on the MAX, listening to KUPL. Just three days prior I learned that this really pretty glass building in Portland is the World Trade Center. For some reason I hadn't known that. I'd just always thought of it as the building with the merry-go-round in it.


Ironically, the song, "Only In America" by Brooks & Dunn, finished playing just as Amy King,(the newscaster for KUPL at the time), came on the air saying that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. At the same time, the MAX train I was on had just rounded the corner, and I could see down to where Portland's World Trade Center is. My first thought when I heard Amy say that, and looked toward the Trade Center was, "no it didn't, it looks fine". My naivety showed through at that moment, because I didn't get past Portland having a World Trade Center. I realize now that there are World Trade Centers everywhere.

On that day though, I was confused, because I didn't see any plane that had crashed into the Portland World Trade Center. I couldn't even fathom how it could have happened, since the building isn't that tall, compared to ones around it.

I kept listening to KUPL, with Lee Rogers, Jim E. Chonga, and Amy talking about what had happened. I heard them say it was New York, and finally understood. I also remember them emphasizing that there weren't a lot of clear details at that time, so they didn't want to say the plane crash was more than an accident. Then the second plane hit.

Even then, the Waking Crew stressed that despite what things appeared to be, until they had official word, they were cautioning listeners to not be overly alarmed. I kept thinking how good they were at their jobs, to stay so professional, in light of what was happening.

Throughout the day, I listened to the radio. KUPL had switched to, I think, CNN, and was broadcasting that live. For the most part, once the attacks were over, the broadcasters hashed, and rehashed all that had happened that morning. As new information came in, it was passed on to the public; but most of the day after awhile was just the same soundbites and interviews.

I kept my radio on all day, as there was no TV at work to see what was going on. For me, that was almost worse. As hard as the videos are to watch, hearing voices come out of the radio, talking about all the horrible things that had happened, and not having anything concrete to link them to was unnerving. Yet, I couldn't stop listening. For some reason, I felt that if I just kept listening, suddenly everything would make sense; it didn't, but I kept listening.

I also felt that, even though I wasn't there, I needed to hear someone on the radio say what I was thinking. There was a lot of talk about the buildings collapsing, all the paperwork, smoke, dust, everything filling the streets, etc.; yet no one was saying anything about the PEOPLE. I just kept thinking, "yes, this is REALLY bad, but they were just things, what about the people, why isn't anyone talking about the actual victims?

Finally, at some point during the day there was a soundbite of a woman who said EXACTLY what was going through my head, and how I was feeling. I have no idea who the woman was, she was just another disembodied soundbite, among the many that day; but she was MY soundbite. I latched on to it every time I heard it that day; for some reason it gave me comfort to know someone else out there felt the way I did.

Driving home from work that afternoon, I noticed something different about the traffic on I-205. At first I thought maybe I was imagining things, but eventually realized I really was seeing what I was seeing.

I-205 northbound can be a virtual parking lot most days. Add in a lot of merging traffic, and it can be hectic. On September 11, 2001 however, that wasn't happening. Instead of the usual, "try to cut someone off to get in front of them", and all, drivers were actually being courteous to each other. I remember seeing one car that I'd see almost every day on my way home. The person almost always cut someone off, just to be in front, didn't use their blinker, the whole nine yards. On that day though, this person actually not only used their blinker, they let people merge in front of them. The whole thing was kind of surreal, because so many people were actually being polite on the roadways.

Over the next few days I was either watching TV, or had my radio on, constantly searching for answers. Looking back, I don't know why I felt there had to be instant answers, I know life doesn't work that way; but I wanted them anyway. Ten years later I'm not really sure I have them even now.

I remember a couple days after the attacks, Aaron Tippin released a song, "Where the Stars and Stripes and Eagle Fly". Aaron said he'd had the song for awhile, and felt that it fit the current situation, so he released it. All proceeds from sales of the single went to help victims of the attacks.

In the grand scheme of things, I'm sure that fact is trivial; yet, it's one of the questions I still have in the back of my mind. Why, even though Aaron Tippin's song is still played on the radio, is it pretty much ignored in comparison to other 9/11 songs?

Granted, the three songs that come to mind, Alan Jackson's, "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning"; Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue"; and "Have You Forgotten", by Darryl Worley, are all powerful songs. All are deserving of recognition for their remembrance of 9/11.

Also, yes, Toby Keith, and I think Darryl Worley have gone overseas to play for the troops. However, in ten years I've never heard if any of the proceeds from these three songs has gone to help with the events of 9/11. Granted, they could have, and it didn't make the media; however, to me, I would like to know if any has.

Aaron Tippin has also made trips overseas, as well as contributing his song to 9/11; yet, as I stated earlier, his song goes pretty much unnoticed compared to Alan's, Toby's or Darryl's. I guess in the back of my mind there's this little part that's bothered by the fact that three people, even with all they've done good, are still making money off 9/11, from their songs. Yet, the one person who donated his song to the efforts is all but ignored.

I realize, this is a petty thing on my part; it is part of all the feelings I have about 9/11 though, so I'm sharing that as well.

Over all, people gather a lot of experiences during their lifetime; some good, some bad. What happened on 9/11 is something I hope no one ever has to experience again.