Kris sitings have been a little few and far between over most of the summer and fall, but with good reason! I think Kris and all the fans will soon be seeing one bright light at the end of the tunnel!  The cd is COMING SOON!   We miss you when your out and about Kris, but know that you are working your fanny off… all for us! :) 

The cd, “Times like These” is progressing, and in preparation of the cd, and to tide over the fans a bit - because we are chomping at the bit LOL, Kris has released a 5-song EP, entitled “American Rock”.  You can get the cd for only $8 per copy (there’s a 10% discount if you order more than one) from CDBaby.  What a GREAT gift for the upcoming holidays for you and ALL your friends!  What kind of friend would you be if you didn’t share this AMAZING musician with all you know?! 

Speaking of the holidays, and some great gift items…. go check out all the Kris Bell merchandise at the his Cafe Press store, including the Fire Eagle logo.  It’s been updated to match the cover of the “American Rock”  EP. 

Be sure and check out Kris’ MySpace, his site, and the fan site for all kind of information, including pictures from his Redding show (October 3rd) that benefited the Old Shasta firefighters, as well as updated information as we get ready to start the new year with a new cd, and and a great year for Kris Bell and every fan he has out there!  THAT number is growing, and will be even more over the next few months, I predict!

One more thing!  Let’s help Kris out!  102.9 BUZZ is a rock radio station in Nashville.  Kris has submitted his music to them, and we need to make sure it gets played and heard!  Call the request line at 615-737-1029, or email AlJon (aljon@1029thebuzz.com) or send a message to the station’s MySpace.  Let’s get Kris’ music heard!!!

So…. as you can see… Kris has been a bit busy!  Kudos to Kris for all the work, and for the fans who are out there supporting him in all kinds of ways!  One of my favorite journeys of life, is this ride of being a fan of the up-and-coming, amazing musician Kris Bell!  2008 was a blast…. 2009 is gonna be unreal!
B2B

Anyone who was at Kris Bell’s Redding, California, show, or has seen the videos, KNOWS that Kris and the boys were on fire.  Ironic, considering that the show was a benefit to help support the old Shasta Firefighters who fought the wildfires in the Shasta/Redding area, huh?

I’m kind of at a loss to describe the show.  The venue itself was gorgeous–a renovated theater that had an art deco vibe, with painted ceilings and comfy seats.  Of course, I spent very little time actually IN that seat.  I mean, it IS a Kris Bell show.  Kris, Coop, Shane, and new guy Craig Smoot ran through a set list mixing original songs like “Living for Tomorrow” and “I Know the Sun Will Call” with covers like “Too Rolling Stoned” and, of course, “Freebird.” 

Considering how little time the guys had to rehearse together, I thought they did amazingly well, pulling together music and vocals into a cohesive and spellbinding performance.  Of course, I always expect this at a KB show.  The thing that stood out for me as different this time was the blending of the vocals.  The addition of Craig’s high harmonies pushed the sound to a new level, and Coop’s lower harmonies have never sounded better.  It’s such a little thing, but if not done right, it can ruin a performance.  Done right, it enhances the performance tangibly. 

Here is the video for “I Know the Sun Will Call,” a song which has some great vocals, and even better guitar work.  Enjoy!

One last thing–Kris debuted a new T-shirt design at this show.  It’s now available at his CafePress store.  Check it out.  Oh, and if you need it, here are some coupon codes to enhance the purchasing process.

$5 off $40 purchase:  Coupon code Cabin5off40, exp 10/31/08
$10 off $75 purchase:  Coupon code Cabin10off75, exp 10/31/08
$20 off $100 purchase:  Coupon code CABIN20100, exp 10/31/08
$30 off $125 purchase:  Coupon code CABIN30125, exp 10/31/08
$50 off $175 purchase:  Coupon code Cabin50off175, exp 10/31/08
Free Shipping off $40 purchase:  Coupon code Cabinship4, exp 10/31/08

that a GREAT time was had by all last Friday at the Kris Bell show!  Head to the fan site to see pix ( hugs Laura) and video (hugs Sharon).  No more pouting if you didn’t get to be there…. LOL!  I, for one, am hoping and praying for some more shows in the near future!  Keep an eye out!
B2B

Next week, Kris and the band will be performing a benefit in Redding, Califormia.  If you can, be there!  The cause is wonderful, and it will be a full force Kris Bell show!!!   What more can you ask for?!  Check Kris’ MySpace page, the fan site, or previous blogs here to get the information.  I know a few of the fans are headed that way… I am soooooo glad to hear it!  We always want Kris to have new people hear him…. new people hearing equals new fans for Kris, no doubt.  But love it for us oldies to be there for him too!  Supporting him and enjoying the music.

Switching gears now…LOL…

I can not be the only one that gets this way, but… I have been drifting down memory lane a bit lately.  Rewatching videos, looking at pix of previous gigs AGAIN, and just remembering.  Good times with good friends…. and great music from one very special musician.  The memories make me smile.  For those of you who read this blog regularly, you know each of the admin has their own blogging style  (BTW:  I have to say.. off topic:  I love reading the blogs the others do!!  I want to see more… )  ok, back on topic again LOL… I am the EMO blogger LOL!  Everything I feel is there…. k… so here it is… I am missing, Missing, MISSING seeing Kris and the boys play!  It has been too long.. ok it has been around 3 months ROTFL… but in my book, that is TOO long!  And in my self-defense … LOL… IT FEELS LIKE MUCH LONGER!!!  At the moment, there are no live Kris Bell music opportunities in my immediate future, so… just gotta relive the memories.  Thank God…. and our favorite photographers and videographers who take care of us from as many concerts as they can… oh yeah, and Kris and the other guys LOL… that we have great memories to enjoy!  I pulled out one of my pix from January 26, 2008 at the French Quarter Cafe in Nashville for you to enjoy.  You haven’t seen it…. it’s been in hiding in my external hard drive…. it’s not great, but it is one of those lovely memories.

Kris, I am patiently waiting for a show I can get to… no pressure LOL!  Have a great time with family, friends, and fans next week!  I’ll be there in spirit (and hopefully via cell cert LOL).  I know it is going to be a wonderful, amazing, and unforgettable evening for all involved.

B2B

No, not the Fleetwood Mac album from the 70’s.  That was “Rumours” with a U.  I’m talking stuff we don’t have truly confirmed, but that seem to be pretty reliable.  There are two pieces of information that can be found on Kris Bell’s Sonicbids page that I find rather curious, mostly because they seem like pretty important pieces of information.

First, if you read carefully, you’ll find in Kris’ bio that, hmmm, his CD is now due out in the Fall.  While I’m not gonna hold my breath (sorry, Kris, but history speaks for itself LOL!), I will continue to look forward to this long-awaited CD.  In addition, it will be “released on the independent label, Big Head Rebel Records.”  All I can say is:  Bring on the Fall!

Second, if you scroll down a bit on the bio page, Kris lists his band members.  There’s Kris, of course, and familiar names Coop and Shane, but then, what’s this?  “Craig Smoot-Guitar”?  Who the heck is that?  Well, a little Googling gave up his MySpace page and a bit of information.  Seems he’s a Huntsville native (or at least he went to high school and college there), and, depending on how recently he’s updated his MySpace, he’s currently playing with 3 bands (not including Kris’ band).  Looks like he likes to keep busy.

So, now I have a few questions.

1. October 3 is technically in the Fall.  Will I be able to purchase a Kris Bell CD at his Redding, CA, show?
2. Will New Guy actually be adding a 4th band to his list of current gigs?
3. Will New Guy be joining Kris in Redding on October 3?
4. What is the meaning of life?

I figure we’ll get a few answers in the next month.  That last one?  Well, I figure that’s up to each of us to figure out on our own.

For the terminally curious, like me, here’s a pic of New Guy Craig Smoot, taken in 2007, playing with Black Label.

Hmmmm…  Smootylicious
(No, I didn’t make that up.  That’s his MySpace addy:
www.myspace.com/smootylicious )