Click Image to Enlarge

What’s up, Kris Bell fans?  This week, we’re talkin’ live music and blogs galore.  First up, LIVE MUSIC!  On Tuesday, February 7, Kris and the boys will be playing Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta.  I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard fantastic things about the venue, so if you’re in the area, head out and get your rock on Tuesday night.  Tickets are $12 at the door.

On Sunday, February 19, Kris will be playing The Warehouse in Clarksville, Tennessee, along with several other bands, to raise money for Mikey’s Miracle Foundation.  Doors open at 4 pm.  More details are sure to come.  For more shows, see the list of shows on the right hand side of the blog.

The last couple of weeks have also brought a few new music blogs featuring Kris.  Check out Boomerocity’s blog with information on how things are going in the studio and Kris’ views on the state of the music industry today.   For a Q&A where Kris talks about his inspirations and how he feels about musicians doing cover tunes, be sure to read the Creative Spotlights’ blog.  For something a little different, be sure to click through to Uncle Shag’s blog on Longtown Sound.  Unc features the music of indie artists, and this past Wednesday, Kris was one of the featured artists.  Take a listen to the whole show.  You’re sure to find something you like (besides Kris, of course!).

As always, check out our regular features on Facebook.  To avoid missing a thing, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and do the same for Kris too.  Links to all of our sites are to the right of the blog.

Video of the Week

Photo of the Week

Merch of the Week

click image to enlarge

First, let’s exercise our right to vote – not for politicians, but for fantastic music!  Kris is in the running for a contest where the grand prize is to play the Hard Rock in London!  If your Facebook says you live within 100 miles of the Nashville area, you can VOTE by downloading Kris’ song “I Know the Sun Will Call.”  If your Facebook doesn’t say you’re from within 100 miles of Nashville, you can still download the song.  This is a great way to get to know a classic Kris song – for FREE!

Next, come out and see Kris and the band perform LIVE in Atlanta next Tuesday, February 7, at Smith’s Olde Bar.  Kris is opening for Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes in the Music Room.  Get your advance tickets for $10 at Smith’s Olde Bar website, or pay $12 day of show. Doors open at  8pm; show starts around 9 pm.

Kris has also been spending time in the studio this week, working on his upcoming EP.  He gave us a sneak peek into the mixing of one of the new songs on the EP, “Hereafter.”  Check out the video HERE.

Finally, today, Irish Nancy of NashvilleRock.org, wrote a blog announcing the Kris Bell Band as her 2011 Live Act of the Year!  She has all kinds of nice things to say about Kris and the boys, and she even gave a special shout out to us here at Rebel Bell.  Thanks, Nancy!

Check out our regular features on Facebook.  To avoid missing a thing, Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and do the same for Kris too.  Links to all of our sites are to the right of the blog.

Video of the Week

Photo of the Week

Merch of the Week

The show itself rocked!  The weather at the Heart of Lake Cumberland Springfest, in Monticello, KY, was cool and damp, but Kris quickly heated up the crowd of about 1000 (which had probably doubled by the time they wrapped up, in preparation for Molly Hatchet), running through his best stuff–”Will I Believe” and “What Song Is It” flowed seamlessly into “Whipping Post” (complete with a John “Pookie” Cooper bass solo).  When Kris introduced “This Cross” as a song he wrote for his parents, the connection continued.  The big hit of the night, though, was that little ditty Kris likes to call “You Can Take It All.”  The crowd hooted and hollered as the boys ripped through one of the band’s best songs to date.

The Kris Bell Band closed the night with a cover song, Blackfoot‘s “Highway Song,” which, if I had been there, would have reminded me of that show in Iowa when Kris fronted Blackfoot when they opened for Molly Hatchet. The dueling guitars were out of this world! As the rain came pouring down, no one felt dampness, with the fire being built on stage. I have video, which will be posted in the forum sometime this week. The lens got a little wet, but I think it’s passable Keep checking back!

Want to experience the magic yourself?  You have two opportunities this week–both in Madison, Alabama, at the Alabama State H.O.G. Rally.  You can catch them on stage at the Rocket Harley Davidson dealership from 6-9 pm on Thursday night and 5-8 pm on Saturday.  You can bet the guitars will be screaming louder than any Harley Davidson motorcycle on the lot.  Get there if you can!

While Kris didn’t have any gigs this past week, the Kris Bell machine didn’t stop working.  Last week, Kris debuted all new merchandise at his Cafe Press store.  Check it out!  Show your support by buying an iPhone case or a t-shirt.  Send a pic of yourself using/wearing one of the new items, and we might just add YOU to one of our blogs!

May is looking like a busy busy month for Kris Bell Band, with 6 shows scheduled.  He starts the month in Woodlawn, TN, at Mike-Fest 2011 on May 7.  Not sure who Mike is (LOL!), but I’m sure the KBB will represent!  On May 12, Kris plays the first of two shows at the Rocket City Harley Davidson in Madison, AL.  The band will be performing from 5 – 8 pm (yep, THREE HOURS!!!), and with Harleys all around, I bet the boys will turn it on and TURN IT UP!

On May 14, Kris and the boys will be hitting Monticello, Kentucky for the Heart of Lake Cumberland Spring Fest 2011.  Oh yeah, and here’s the kicker.  THEY’RE OPENING FOR MOLLY HATCHET!  How cool is THAT???  Kris hits the stage at 8 pm, but the festival starts at 10 am with craft vendors and lots of festival food.  Get there early and wander around.  Hopefully by then, all this rain will be past us and we’ll embark on a great evening of fun and entertainment.

On May 15, the band will head down to Huntsville, AL, to play “Music for Meds,” which will benefit The Community Free Clinic of Huntsville.  Doors open at 5 pm.  On May 19, the KBB will head back to Madison, AL, for their second appearance at the Rocket City Harley Davidson.  This time, they’ll be playing the Alabama H.O.G. State Rally Kickoff, from 6 – 9 pm.  That’s right–Rocket City loves Kris and the guys so much they asked them to come back and play another THREE HOURS of music!

Last but not least, Kris will be playing an acoustic set in Tullahoma, TN, on May 27, at London’s Sports Bar.  Join Kris as he helps us celebrate the start of the Memorial Day weekend.  Kris will play from 9:30 pm – Midnight, so come out, relax, and enjoy a great night of acoustic Kris.

It’s great to see so much stuff happening in the land of Kris and the KBB.  If you want to keep up more than once a week when we blog, please check out the new Rebel Bell Facebook page.  We’ll be posting show dates, promoting Kris merch, uploading pix and vids – pretty much all Kris, all the time!  Head on over and LIKE the page, and start getting info sent directly to your news feed today!

To close out today’s blog, I thought I’d share another of the videos taken by Rebel Bell social media expert Patti LeGrand at the Rivers & Spires festival from last weekend.  This is a new song called “I Hope You’re Proud.”  LOVE it!  Hope you do too!

Included are 12 images created by Pilar Vasquez (aka Pily) and Laura Haines.

The new year is coming, so don’t miss out on keeping track of every life event, including maybe a Kris show or two.  Click the image above for access to this and other Kris Bell merchandise!