I don't know how I even started reading this article, it's not like I make a regular habit of reading Nascar race recaps. I guess it was because it was on Grantland, which is kind a mix of sports & pop culture, which makes me more apt to click on links. Anyway, it took me back to my childhood, and memories I think I've shared with you in the past.
The story-within-the-story in this piece, about Morgan Shepherd becoming the oldest driver to compete in a Nascar race warmed my heart because in describing this old man (71!), Hickory Speedway is mentioned several times. I can remember seeing this guy race at Hickory, I was Charlie's age, but my dad and I would go there every Saturday night, cooler with burgers wrapped in tin foil in hand, and take our seat in the bleachers near the entrance to turn one. I think I learned to count in those bleachers; I knew every car, every number, & every driver.
Some of the drivers there in the early '80s went on to be auto racing superstars. Some of them were just locals that had a hobby. But Morgan Shepherd was always memorable. Every once in a while, it would rain, and they'd delay the race until they could get the track completely dry. Morgan would put on roller skates and skate around the track to kill time. One night, he came up in the stands, wearing his fireproof racing suit and sat down next to us. The next think I know, he's putting me on his lap and saying "Come on up here and give ol' Morgan a smile."
Won't forget that night for as long as I live.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Best of the Fest
I love that you wrote the post about your favorite songs from each of the shows we've seen so far. I was already planning something similar, though I didn't think of doing it as a blog post (sorry Kevin). I've been keeping track with a new Spotify playlist of all my favorites (hence the note-taking at the Cake show). I thought it would be fun for both of us to go back and listen to as we relax / detox after Summerfest ends.
The interesting part is that we don't seem to have ANY of the same favorites.
1. Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros - 40 Day Dream. My favorite song of theirs, Charlie's favorite, and the first song of Summerfest. That seemed like a pretty good way to kick off 11 days of fun.
2. Avett Brothers - Slight Figure of Speech. I'll listen to this song when I have the album on, but I don't ever seek it out. But I thought it rocked at the show. I'm always partial to Laundry Room, since it builds for a couple minutes to a all-out jam at the end, but that doesn't have the same effect in a giant amphitheater that it does in a place like The Riverside.
3. Fun. - One Foot. If you're going to make an album of anthems, this is a pretty good start, with all fist pumps and audience participation.
4. Grouplove - Chloe. Again, not one that I expected, but this was the point where I realized this was going to be a good show. After feeling like ES & MZ and Avett Brothers didn't really translate to the bigger venue, it was fun to see Fun. and Grouplove, whose shows are tailor-made for an event like Summerfest.
5. Cake - Sheep Go to Heaven, Goats Go to Hell. I think this might have been the song during which you went to the bathroom. I think I've only listened to this song a handful of times, two of which were at Cake concerts. It's such a goofy song, but so fun. Of course I liked the encore closers of Short Skirt/Long Jacket and The Distance, but only Cake could get an entire crowd singing along to "goats go to hell."
6. Dispatch - This was hard for me, since I don't know too many of the songs. I liked the ones I was hoping to hear (Circles Around the Sun, The General), but I think my favorite was Bats in the Belfry. I definitely need to listen to more Dispatch, and you can count on me to be ready to see them again next time they tour for 3 weeks or whatever it was.
7. JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound. Meh. They were ok, but nothing stood out. I'll just assume they played their Wilco cover (I am Trying to Break Your Heart) after we left. Or they just got high(er).
8. Silversun Pickups - Panic Switch. One of the two songs I know from this band. Listening to them after the fact, they sound much better on album versions. Apparently, all the songs ARE in English. Who knew? The best part of this show was the genuine emotion from the substitute bass player. I thought it was cool that they made a big deal our of something that the crowd would not have cared about had they not brought it up. Clearly, she'll never forget Milwaukee.
I can't believe we have four shows left, shows that have the potential to be epic!
The interesting part is that we don't seem to have ANY of the same favorites.
1. Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros - 40 Day Dream. My favorite song of theirs, Charlie's favorite, and the first song of Summerfest. That seemed like a pretty good way to kick off 11 days of fun.
2. Avett Brothers - Slight Figure of Speech. I'll listen to this song when I have the album on, but I don't ever seek it out. But I thought it rocked at the show. I'm always partial to Laundry Room, since it builds for a couple minutes to a all-out jam at the end, but that doesn't have the same effect in a giant amphitheater that it does in a place like The Riverside.
3. Fun. - One Foot. If you're going to make an album of anthems, this is a pretty good start, with all fist pumps and audience participation.
4. Grouplove - Chloe. Again, not one that I expected, but this was the point where I realized this was going to be a good show. After feeling like ES & MZ and Avett Brothers didn't really translate to the bigger venue, it was fun to see Fun. and Grouplove, whose shows are tailor-made for an event like Summerfest.
5. Cake - Sheep Go to Heaven, Goats Go to Hell. I think this might have been the song during which you went to the bathroom. I think I've only listened to this song a handful of times, two of which were at Cake concerts. It's such a goofy song, but so fun. Of course I liked the encore closers of Short Skirt/Long Jacket and The Distance, but only Cake could get an entire crowd singing along to "goats go to hell."
6. Dispatch - This was hard for me, since I don't know too many of the songs. I liked the ones I was hoping to hear (Circles Around the Sun, The General), but I think my favorite was Bats in the Belfry. I definitely need to listen to more Dispatch, and you can count on me to be ready to see them again next time they tour for 3 weeks or whatever it was.
7. JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound. Meh. They were ok, but nothing stood out. I'll just assume they played their Wilco cover (I am Trying to Break Your Heart) after we left. Or they just got high(er).
8. Silversun Pickups - Panic Switch. One of the two songs I know from this band. Listening to them after the fact, they sound much better on album versions. Apparently, all the songs ARE in English. Who knew? The best part of this show was the genuine emotion from the substitute bass player. I thought it was cool that they made a big deal our of something that the crowd would not have cared about had they not brought it up. Clearly, she'll never forget Milwaukee.
I can't believe we have four shows left, shows that have the potential to be epic!
And then there are the things that get saved as drafts...
So when I went to post about favorite concert songs (I should link it here like fancy bloggers do), this question was in my saved drafts from a couple of months ago. Perhaps you remember the conversation...
I kinda like that it has sat for awhile.
How will I know when the things you do because you love me become a job for you?
I kinda like that it has sat for awhile.
How will I know when the things you do because you love me become a job for you?
Favorite songs
So while blogging is on my mind...
Happysigh.blogspot.com is not available by the way :(
These are my favorite concert songs from the past week. In order of wow:
1. Avett Brothers Paul Newman Vs. the Demons - which seriously is crazy because I ASSURE you I had NO idea what that song was called prior to looking it up for this post. Which means listening to it on the CD didn't ever compel me to tap that little home button in order to find out what the song was called. I don't even know what it's about. But it totally still sticks in my head as being a shocker-wow-powerful live performance. Can't get it out of my head. Want. it. again.
2. Dispatch, I think I HAVE to say Out Loud - even though it wasn't absolutely everything I imagined it would be live (and trust me, I've imagined it a lot), it was LIVE. Total dream come true. There were a couple of other REALLY great songs - my heart was so happy to be there.
3. Cake, I don't even know what song it was, but you sang, and that was my favorite.
4. My second favorite song at the Cake show (behind whichever one it was that you sang) was Never There. But I'm still sad they didn't do I Will Survive. So they can suck it because this list is about my favorites, not my second favorites.
5. Fun., Why am I the One. Which isn't a bad song by any means, but I never would have expected it to be my favorite in concert. I got the feeling others liked it too, which probably made it that much more good.
6. ES and the MZ, Home. Because I was like, hey do you know this cool song that sounds a lot like these two, it's so cute. Oh wait, that IS these two! sweet!
7. Grouplove, I remember that it was fun to hear Tongue Tied, but honestly that show doesn't stand out as much as I would like it to. I must have still been under some sort of Fireworks + Avett Brothers spell.
What were your favorites?
Happysigh.blogspot.com is not available by the way :(
These are my favorite concert songs from the past week. In order of wow:
1. Avett Brothers Paul Newman Vs. the Demons - which seriously is crazy because I ASSURE you I had NO idea what that song was called prior to looking it up for this post. Which means listening to it on the CD didn't ever compel me to tap that little home button in order to find out what the song was called. I don't even know what it's about. But it totally still sticks in my head as being a shocker-wow-powerful live performance. Can't get it out of my head. Want. it. again.
2. Dispatch, I think I HAVE to say Out Loud - even though it wasn't absolutely everything I imagined it would be live (and trust me, I've imagined it a lot), it was LIVE. Total dream come true. There were a couple of other REALLY great songs - my heart was so happy to be there.
3. Cake, I don't even know what song it was, but you sang, and that was my favorite.
4. My second favorite song at the Cake show (behind whichever one it was that you sang) was Never There. But I'm still sad they didn't do I Will Survive. So they can suck it because this list is about my favorites, not my second favorites.
5. Fun., Why am I the One. Which isn't a bad song by any means, but I never would have expected it to be my favorite in concert. I got the feeling others liked it too, which probably made it that much more good.
6. ES and the MZ, Home. Because I was like, hey do you know this cool song that sounds a lot like these two, it's so cute. Oh wait, that IS these two! sweet!
7. Grouplove, I remember that it was fun to hear Tongue Tied, but honestly that show doesn't stand out as much as I would like it to. I must have still been under some sort of Fireworks + Avett Brothers spell.
What were your favorites?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)