Last night I had the opportunity to attend a fundraising event for the Mesquite ISD in Mesquite, TX.  The event was great and seemed to be a success.

The evening started out with a galla event auctioning off various items. I wasn’t going to be found down there bidding on items that frankly I can’t afford (although I really wish I could… well don’t we all) but I could be found in a suite upstairs. Resistol Arena is one of my favorite places to go – well they have rodeos there so how would I not love it.

Martina McBride came out and sang a heck of a show. Man she’s got pipes! It kind of amazed me. Don’t get me wrong, I grew up listening to her music (“Independence Day”, “Wild Angels”) but sometimes these artists are so in their prime and then the radio starts to focus more on the “new”, “new country” artists you don’t hear so much about them anymore, only their latest hits and you kind of forget about their hits in the past. Martina McBride did an overwhelming job of reminding me of this and bringing it all back. Did I mention she has a set of pipes?

The show lasted probably an hour and a half. She was humble, kind, and man that lady can sing and carry a note from here to the moon. She sang some a lot of her hits (besides the two stated above) “Love’s the Only House”, “When God Fearin’ Women Get the Blues”, “Valentine”, “Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong”, “This One’s for the Girls” and ended the show with “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”. She also brought back two classic country tunes from her “Timeless” album, including a Ray Price number. She has an amazing career.

You can’t help but feel a little star struck when you are listening to an artist that has accomplished while sitting in an intimate venue. Just last Sunday she was seen signing on the Grammy’s with Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera, Yolanda Adams and Florence Welch and this morning we watched her sing the National Anthem at the Daytona 500. Here I was thinking to myself… ‘Yea – we just saw her perform a little over 12 hours ago?!’ Kind of crazy.

If you enjoy country music (not just the current pop / Texas country) you will enjoy her show. She brings you back to the country that you remember a few years ago and even brings in the classic country that makes you remember why you love country so much – its the roots of the music. She has after all been a rock in country music for the past 17 years. She will make you sing, dance and sit back with the one you love and really appreciate life (and wish you had a set of choppers like she does).

For more info: http://martinamcbride.com/

If you haven’t heard of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals by now you’re missing out. They’re currently at the peak of their career and only on the rise. Most recently they were featured on a VH1 special to support the troops and since their fame has skyrocketed and have appeared on numerous late night shows promoting their self titled album.

To give you a sense as to what I’m talking about, in October they opened for Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings at the Palladium in Dallas. They didn’t sell out, there was a good fan base (including the old man who kept yelling “Shake it Gracie!) but the majority of the folks were there for Sharon Jones. Last night, GNP headlined a show at the House of Blues in Dallas – sold out. The place was packed and the show was killer (I did look for the old man, I’m sure he was there somewhere).

Hailing from Vermont, they are the ultimate jam band with funk, class and soul. They have stone cold talent, they’ve been around for a while. GPN has been quoted as “… Rock and Roll Porn”…its appropriate along with this quote from Almost Famous “I get people off. I look for the guy who isn’t getting off, and I make him get off.” – Jeff Bebe, the only difference is that they don’t look for that one person, they do that for the entire crowd.

GPN brings energy, fire and sass to the stage. You can’t help but move to their tunes. They grab your attention, mesmerize you – you are part of their vibe. Grace’s grainy / copper pipes will blow your mind. You will hear their blues, soulful, 60’s rock and roll influences. She is a modern day Tina Turner-Heidi Klum look alike, dancing wildly on stage in her short dresses and high heels. You will leave the show wishing you had the ability to dance in those shoes without falling on your ass and envious of her and Catherine Popper’s legs. She’s come a ways from playing in her jeans and flannel shirts from back in their hay days.

I appreciate artists a lot more when they write their own songs. I appreciate them even more when they sound just as good (or better) live as they do on their records. As the case with GPN. Grace Potter has written or co-written every song on their self titled album not to mention past albums. The songs bring you back to a relationship you had and make you realize the important things in life. “Paris”, “Medicine”, “Hot Summer Night” and “One Short Night” (my personal favorite) connect with their listeners, make you move to the beats and wish that it just won’t stop.

Last night’s show was pretty wicked. Where do I start? The sexy Scott Tournet (lead guitar) sang Kenny Chesney’s part on “You and Tequila”, that left at least me wishing to hear his voice a little more often. Catherine Popper (bass) she has an incredible musical history and her voice harmonizes so well with Grace its a perfect fit. Matt Burr (drums) the man loves those drums and his hair and style brings you back thinking you must be somewhere around Woodstock. Finally Benny Yurco (guitar), well I fell in love with you last night. If you want to see someone play the shit out the guitar, its Benny Yurco. For the encore he came out and played the intro the “Crazy on You” by Heart and completely blew the crowd away. GPN finished the show with “Medicine” which left the crowd wanting more a whole lot sooner than later.

If you want to catch a show, get in line early because so doesn’t everyone else. GPN shows are selling out all over the country and its well worth catching.

Side Note: Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights opened the show for GPN. Granted I missed the first part of their show but they were right on and a perfect opener for this band. They are an electifying southern rock and roll band who are well on their way to success.