Four Concerts In Nine Days

Summer and live music go hand in hand like apple pie and ice cream or baseball and beer. For someone who's seen over 200 live shows, the idea of live music never gets old for me. I always get chills when the audience sings the lyrics back to the artist or when lighters (now cell phones) light up the night sky. The next nine days will be heaven for me because it's four concerts in a span of 216 hours!

The journey starts tomorrow night at one of my favorite venues, the Hollywood Bowl. Tucked up on the hill close to the 101 Freeway, the Bowl feels miles away from the chaos of Los Angeles. On Saturday the legendary venue will host country darling Dolly Parton. Not sure what to expect, but I know it will be FUN!

Next stop the Canyon Club and country new comers Thompson Square on Thursday July 28. Known for their hit "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not," friends have had nothing but good things to say about this husband and wife duo. It's rare that I don't know an artist's material before I see them live, but I'm always looking for new music and hope my friends did not steer me wrong.

The third stop, finds me in Irvine at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater on Saturday July 30 for the most anticipated of the four shows- Sheryl Crow & Kid Rock!!!! I first saw Sheryl as a freshman in college and probably 20+ times since, she's my fav hands down. I've also seen Kid Rock twice (at country festivals) and he puts on a hell of a show. Everyone knows there hit duet "Picture" and  there new song "Collide" is good too. I'm thinking one set of her, one set of him and then one set together, doing covers of classic rock and country hits ( witnessing Sheryl belting out "Feel Like Making Love" at sound check is still one of my favorite musical moments of all time).

"Collide"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoFHIhAW4W0

"Picture"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKFx0MMqb48

Last, but not least is Melissa Etheridge on Sunday July 30 at the OC Fair. Now the fair in and of itself would be enough reason for the hour plus drive, but add to it one of America's top singer-songwriters and it's a no brainer. I've only seen her once, at the Tower Theater in Philly 11 years ago when I was worked for WRDX(I'm always a taker on freebies). WOW, what a performer and storyteller. I've always said I'd see her again at some point because she was THAT good. The albums following Yes I Am never lived up to the commerical success of the 1993 juggernaut, but her work since has been just as good, if not better.

So Dolly, Thompson Square, Sheryl/Rock & Melissa here I come!

Riding Shotgun For Today's Adventures- ADELE

Just picked up Adele's EP from the iTunes Festival in London- WOW. Not like I should be surprised, love her and she does an amazing cover of "I Can't Make You Love Me" and gets the crowd going with "Rolling in the Deep."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvoe9efyfzo