In addition to that weekend, the Kris Bell Band will be playing a number of big shows:  Kingsport, Tennessee, opening for the Pat Travers Band at Conley’s Overlook on July 6, and Arthur, Nebraska, opening for Shooter Jennings at the Sandhills Summer Jam on July 13.  In and around these shows are many others – in Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, and Nebraska.  The band will be keeping VERY busy in the months to come.

While you’re waiting for the boys to get to your neck of the woods, you can help give the gift of Kris’ music to those listening to Nebraska’s ROCK 100 FM.  Call toll free to 866-535-1007 and request Kris’ tunes!

See you this Summer!

Tomorrow night, Kris and the boys will be heading to Kingsport, TN, to rock the Dam Bar at Conley’s Overlook.  Joining them will be special guests Gold Rush and Steve Hayes and The Hurricanes.  Show starts at 9 pm.  Not sure what the cover will be, but I’m sure it will be reasonable

And finally, SATURDAY!  The Kris Bell Band opens for Skinny Molly and the MONSTERS OF SOUTHERN ROCK!  This show will be electric – not only featuring Kris and the boys, but the MOSR also feature former and/or founding members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, the original Blackfoot, and Molly Hatchet!  Gah!  Can’t wait for this one to go down!  It all takes place in Maryville, TN, at The Shed.  Outstanding venue for such an epic lineup!  Tickets are $15.

And if you missed it, Kris did an interview with Artie Kornfeld, the original Woodstock promoter, on The Artie Kornfeld Spirit Show Tuesday night.  It was a fantastic interview and one we’re glad will be archived shortly.  We’ll be sure to include the archive link in next week’s blog, and it will also be added to our links to the right of the page.  Be sure to check it out!

• Texas, possibly in September
• Chicago
• Alabama
• Somerset, KY, May 19 at Cruisers Showcase
• Janesville, WI
• Nebraska, July 13, for Sandhills Summer Jam
• Ohio, July 29, for HogJam  <—-I am THRILLED for this one!!!
• Madisonville, KY

And to close off the list, Kris said, “Up into August, we have a lot of hold dates for gigs.  A lot of hold dates.  Stuff that’s pending, hasn’t been quite confirmed yet, all the way into October.  I guess the best answer for that is just to keep an eye on the schedule on the website.”  And that website?  Check out www.KrisBellMusic.com!

Now, for the other questions:

Me:  When’s the EP coming out?
Kris:  Depending on studio time, hopefully in a month.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Cause every month I can say “a month.” I don’t give an exact month, I just say “a month.” I didn’t say a month from NOW.  I just said a month.  “A month.”  That could be any month.  (laughs)

Me:  What is your favorite song to play live?
Kris:  All of them.  They’re all fun to play.  “Hereafter” is really fun to play.  It’s become I think a big song.  “I Hope You’re Proud” is really fun to play.  There’s not a song where I say “I don’t wanna play it.”

Me:  And your least favorite song to play?
Kris:  I don’t really have one.  It’s just there are some old songs we don’t get to play.  It’s not because we don’t like them.  I think a lot of the style has changed.  If we’re doing shorter sets, it doesn’t fit well to put “Letter of Goodbye” in with “Bad Mutha” and “I Hope You’re Proud.”  It’s still a cool song that we get requests for still.

Me:  Finally, a question on everyone’s mind:  Toilet paper roll:  over or under?
Kris:  Over.  Definitely over.  I just don’t–over.  That’s it.

And yes, that’s it.  Thanks to everyone who submitted a question (or two or four).  We are hoping to do this kind of thing on a more regular basis.  For those whose questions weren’t answered yet, never fear.  I still have them and might just pull them out in the future.

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!