::thegreatestmj's blog

I've never been one to mince words, or give praise when it wasn't due. Sure this is an FM Music Live blog, but I'm not a biased blogger. I'm probably one of the toughest critics of the players in the Michael Martin band, as well as one to praise them, if they earn it. It has been a long strange trip, but knowing where they've been helps you appreciate where they are now.

I am trying something new of live blogging my thoughts about musical experiences as they happen... its new.
Anyways I love Folly Moon. Its all the good things I loved about Docs. With none of the bullshit that either pissed me off or was just that beyond gross or frightening... most of that stuff still lives, but I swear its in Explorer 1... I know this because I cleaned it out once. I love Folly.

The grand opening was really not all the pomp and circumstance that I was hoping for... it was more. But the occasion was quietly rang in with Doc Peterson and Phil Dunn. It was busy the entire time I was there.... wine flowed like water, I had to try the burger special... really good, but there was a little too much bun for the burger IMO... but a DCB would be pretty perfect... with PICKLES. Good lord who has burgers without pickles? Only Mike Martin... There Will Be Pickles.

Phil Dunn cracks me up with his improvised songs... he sang about me... of course I was a little annoyed... it breaks my photographic concentration...

Excellent bluesy classic awesome music. I looove saxaphone and trumpet.
Headed down to be here now around 930 for Leon, the Ostler, Fossil Generation and Masons case... my phone is dying so I am gonna save this and finish it later.

I did promise to finish this blog, so I'm taking the time to do so right now! I must say that the Band Leon has a unique quirky sound with a female lead singer and what sounded like a keyboard dominated accompaniment. It blended so well with the vocals that it was hard not to love them. I don't know if they have a CD out, or downloadable music, but I would definitely reccomend checking out their next show!

I first burst back into the Muncie Scene in 2009... I didn't give Doc's a second thought. I went there 1 time back when a cute dude named Nick was bartending, there was a weird Karaoke guy with a huge love of Boys 2 Men duets, and bitches thought it was OK to just pic up a mic and get on stage and sing somebody else's song.

What can’t I say, and what can I say about the inaugural FM Music Travel’s Trip to Fort Myers Beach Florida… To be corny I could say, It was the Best of Times, and it was the Worst of Times. I feel like the worst of times was just me personally, and not anybody else… just ask about the comedy that I ended up doing and horrifying some parents… but I think that I horrified just about as many as liked it. I did get many compliments, and for some strangers who have never heard my set before that was pretty exciting.

My musical tastes and focus has shifted to this amazing band with original rocking soulful lyrics, which are equally voiced by its principal members, Stephen Hopkins, Travis Deardorff, and Grady Ray.

These really talented awesome group of guys are working their asses off trying to finish school, work a real job, and bring amazing music to the masses every single time they can.

I really appreciate and applaud these efforts, not only because the music is good, but because it's also one of those amazing memorable cloying tunes that roots into your brain... but it's more awesome and less deadly than an alien, or flesh eating bacteria or you know other stuff that roots in your brain, like memories of a horrid ex, or witnessing a murder.

I think if you have a horrible ex or have been witness to violence, you need some When, Not If songs to kick the ever loving shit out of that horrible stuff and replace it with some groovalicious Grady Bass beats, some Zac, and that blend of Travis and Stephen on lead and rhythm guitar. I don't know who between those two actually qualifies as lead and rhythm... because during a show it's almost like musical chairs... if chairs were their instruments. Stephen picks up the bass and plays so that Grady can get weird with the micraphone and sing... not just sing but SING... and dance, and groove, and gets a little funky and down.
I'm pretty biased towards bass players who sing... plus bands of photogenic cute boys with fun personalities, and truly good people, with not only smarts, but talent, it's hard to not LOVE THEM... and have a huge crush on Grady.

I love Stephen and Travis equally as much, though... Stephen for his funky fun outfits, and high energy, and super nice grateful personality towards fans.
Travis and his sunglasses always warrants a smile at every show... he has just as much energy as Grady and Stephen, but he likes to tuck himself in the corner of Doc's stage and rip up that guitar...
I was pretty excited that he came out of the corner at the birthday bash show, featuring Seth Scales on Bongos/ other drum percussion. I don't know what the big drums are called... but it was a fantastic sound.

Drums are so essential to the sound of WNI... their current drummer Zac is uber talented in that respect... the first time I heard WNI they didn't have a drummer, and I didn't like them as well, but with the addition of Zac it just brings everything together full circle.

I have found myself humming it's Snowing in March... on several occasions... thats all that I know of the song because I haven't yet been able to snag any of their songs in electronic format, but I am so excited to report to my readers that they are busting their asses in the studio right now, and WE NEED TO HELP THEM!

Please please please donate to this wonderful group of young men trying to make their way in this world... proving that hard work truly makes the difference between When and If.
Fuck If... make it happen When you want it to... make it happen NOW. Go Donate. Even $1 will help.
with $5 you get a free digital download of their CD.

At least go youtube stalk them and give them a listen. PROMISE ME YOU WILL DO THAT!

GO NOW.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1495642149/when-not-if-reber-recording

It's been awhile. I realize that sometimes life gets in the way of being able to articulate listening to music to just enjoy it, and making listening to music work.

Most of my time has been spent really behind my sweet Canon 60D snapping amazing photos of many of the shows that I go to at Docs Music hall and well occasionally other venues.

Ok so the FM team is a little sleep deprived, but we have logged many miles in order to enjoy a fantastic concert with Rich Hardesty, and partay on the beach.

Ben is spinning his I pod and guiding us at the Helm of Explorer I and our fearless leader is passed the eff out.
He looks adorable though like a little kid when he is asleep.

I managed to lose my glasses, in the van.

I logged 400 miles in my leg of the journey... I am a good driver, despite being both blonde and a girl. Pretty sure I done fucked the gas mileage because we had some awesome dance music going for a little bit and my lead foot takes over.

Just a note I flipping HATE driving through construction, mountain downgrades, and curves... and especially hate them at night and I did all three at once. Thank you Tennessee.

I was reminded of a childhood nostalgia, when we passed a Shoneys restaurant.

I absolutely adore my travelling companions. So much fun.

I am seeing that the future FM Music Live trips are gonna be a blast.

Stay tuned for more from the road.

I am certain, that indeed instead of horrifying Mike, that I myself have been horrified.
It' is gonna be one hell of a trip people. Mike Martin, Sexy Bruce, Heather Lynn Hoover, Ben Fuchs, and two unusally lucky women that we haven't picked up yet are on the road to Fort Myers Florida.

So far so good, we had a change of drivers while people were going down the road, and generally getting to know each other.

We are safe and obeying all speed limit laws at least while Bruce is driving. I tend to have a bit of a lead foot.

We have broken into the Kinky and Orgy liqueors, with 7-up. Let me just say that stuff is tasty.

Heather brought yummy salsa, and we're on our way.

I'll check back in a little later with ya'll. We're just about to Fishers to pick up the contest winners.

Rich Hardesty got a head start on us this morning at about 3 am.

If anybody is looking for something fun to do wh ile yo're missing sexy bruce, check out the Pirates of the road Losing September videos on Youtube.

MJ Out.

The familiar Willie Nelson tune rplays back in my head as I am bouncing up and down waiting for the band van to pick me up at my house. :) I have settled all my things i the office, even troubleshooting an issue via text message while at the bank cashing in my Christmas money. Even last night at karaoke i could see the excitement building while talking shop with Ben Fuchs regarding video production and camera coverage.

I am super excited to be a part of what FM Music is doing. They arent grassroots by any means, but growing with each day. It seems that they are recruiting more and more bright minds excited about music and with the ability to put in hard work to achieve goals.

Plus people like me who love music, and are fortunate enough to also like writing, thus sharing it with the interwebz.

I have heard that since my blog has been used as a promotional tool that there has been an increase in downloads of shows done by Tonal Caravan which is fantastic news! I am hopeful that other musicians chronicled in my adventures in bandlands are as fortunate :)

I am off to Florida to see the fabulous Rich Hardesty and party like it is 1999 with Heather Lynn Hoover, Michael Martin, and severall others! Keep checking back to see what adventures are in store, and have a safe and happy new year! May your world be filled with mAny beautiful melodies, and strike a chord somewhere in your life.

~Michelle

I am at a very metal Christmas, which seems to be held in a gym at a daycare... It is a new venue opening up called the B.A.T. Look for more coming up from them on facebook.... lots of talent booked at this show... but I only caught 2 of the bands on the line-up Above all Nations, and Ampheon.