And if that’s not enough, check out this week’s VIDEO OF THE WEEK, posted Tuesday on our Facebook page.  Rock n roll!

I’m in a little drought for seeing live music currently, so I’ve been looking for new music to listen to.  I got to thinking about why I thought a musician was good or not good.  It’s really all subjective.  I mean, Justin Bieber has sold MILLIONS of CD’s, and yet I really can’t tell why.  But obviously someone loves his music.

For me, there’s a combination of things that attract me to a certain band.  Obviously, when you see a band live, you get a full feel for what they’re like – not just the music, but the full-on presentation of the product.  Energy.  If band members just stand there looking like they’d rather be at home watching Wheel of Fortune, no matter how good they are, I’m not likely to buy the band’s music or seek them out again.  But if a band looks like they’re enjoying themselves, into the music, it draws my attention.

Then comes the music.  I like rock music.  I even like some heavy metal music.  But as soon as the singer starts screaming lyrics, I’m done.  I’ve often said that I’d love heavy metal music if there was a mute button for the lead singer.  Loud guitars, intense rhythms, driving bass lines – all grab my attention.  But I get enough screaming from the voices in my head (haha).  I don’t need screaming from the guy on stage.

So what do you think?  What is it about certain types of music that makes you want more?  Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

But before you do, let me tell you…

WHAT’S UP with Kris?

Kris has a bunch of gigs coming up.  Most notably are a couple of unique shows.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game…
First is the Nashville Sounds game on April 19.  The Nashville Sounds is the local minor league baseball team, and Kris and the boys will be out rockin’ the crowds before the game begins.  How cool is that!

Rock n Roll Monster…
Second are two shows the band will be playing the first weekend in May with the Monsters of Southern Rock tour.  Kris starts the weekend on 5/3 playing an acoustic show in Gatlinburg at the Hard Rock.  Then he moves on to Kingsport and Maryville, Tennessee, to rock the shows with those Monsters of Southern Rock, featuring founding and former members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet and Blackfoot!  That opening weekend in May is not to be missed.  Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, March 14: 
Darwin’s Pub (Austin, TX) – Red Gorilla Music Fest

Kris, Coop, Shane and Bryan started off the set with “What Song is It?” and then proceeded to rock through 7 songs… ending with….yes, they really did… “Freebird”!  The whole set was driven and rockin’ with songs that I have enjoyed over the last year or so.  I loved watching the guys do their thing!  It’s always an awesome sight, especially when it has been a while since I have been to a show.  I also loved watching (when I could take my eyes off the stage LOL) people who had never seen Kris play watch in enjoyment and awe.  Those people were movin’!  I talked to a lady afterwards – THAT was fun:  sharing Kris’ website so she could keep up with him now too – and she said “Freebird” is her favorite song and that it drug her in.  She was amazed!  A nice moment for me is when Kris’ sister leaned over to me and said, “I am just so proud of him!”  We are too!  Every step of the way! 

Friday, March 16:
Half-Moon Grill (Tyler, TX)

A road trip across Texas for another show was well worth it!  No surprise. More time with friends – both old and new – and 3 sets of great music!  The first two sets were combinations of covers and KB songs.  I have to say I had never heard “Wanted Dead or Alive” or “Simple Man” done by the guys live….and I LOVED them!  A little “Texas Flood” blues was amazing… and oh yeah, the NEW song!  “The Scarecrow”.  They are still working on it, but I have to say THUMBS UP!  Can’t wait to hear more of it.  Thanks Bryan (and Ruby) for getting that one started!  Ohhhh….second set ended with “Too Rolling Stoned”.  Always a winner!  3rd set.  Oh my!  Set list was the same as the one from Austin (with “This Cross” added in) and it was just amazing!  You know… they just keep getting better and better!   I love all the music, and have had some particular favorites along this journey, and even though I have heard the song before… after this week, I have to add “Hereafter” to my list!  I have no words, but I just can’t get it out of my head!  A good memory from this one was as we talked to Kris’ brother after the show.  He told Laura how much he appreciated the photos and videos from all the shows.  It was apparent how special they are to him and the other family members.  Kris’ family is very, very proud of what he accomplished… and it was so very nice to share that with them.

Final Thoughts

The shows were amazing for me.  So glad I got to attend.  Thanks Laura and Jacci for a great road trip.  Thanks Fran, Bill and Aubry for being so welcoming.  Thanks Kris, Coop, Shane, Bryan and Shelly for heading to Texas and doing what you do!  The rest of you:  Get to the next show you can! 

Keep an eye out for pictures and possibly a video from both these great shows at Rebel Bell.

“See” you soon!
Lisa

Then, NEXT WEEK, Kris, Shane and Coop will be reunited with old friend Heath Clark to play a show or two in Texas.  Heath will be joining them on stage for SURE in Austin, at the Red Gorilla Music Fest at Darwin’s Pub, on March 14.  Show starts at 9:30 pm, with no cover.  I personally am looking forward to seeing the guys on stage together again.  Rumor has it (but I make no promises) that Heath may also be joining them for their show on Friday, March 16, in Tyler, TX, at the Half-Moon Grill.  Doors open at 8 pm, but there’s no info on cover.

I know I posted this on our Facebook page last week as our Photo of the Week, but as Jackie said, it really reflects what a Kris Bell Band show is like – loud, chaotic, a little earth-tilting.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.  Want to see it bigger?  Just click the image.

Have a great week and hope to see you Friday at Hard Rock Nashville!