The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend A Broken Heart

  First let me start off by saying this is not only a very hard post for me to write but it is very emotional on a 

whole different level. As a bratty 14 year old I would mess with my mom and cousin because every Saturday 

they would watch the "One Night Only" concert and to annoy them I would try and blast Mariah Carey over top of the big screen TV. I also know and understand that this is dangerous because these guys were not just music artist. Barry, Robin and Maurice are music legends and they have broke so many records while continuing to write hit after hit. They also had their  ups and downs just like all family however theirs was played out in the media. You also knew when they were not on the same page because they would release a solo album/song. 

     With this being said I am going to do a video/podcast and maybe a live video on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter since I am finally getting the courage to talk about these amazing humans. Please keep watch on our social media's for an update and to when you can hear our thoughts/impressions about the documentary The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend A Broken Heart and we will answer questions and listening to your feedback as we are VERY new to this.

      ~Debbie~

Meet Aaron Simmons

Courtesy Of Aaron Simmons

    Okay all of my Country Music fans! Here is a new gem for ya coming out of Minnesota. Meet Aaron Simmons! He just signed with Highway 14 records/32South label Group in Iowa. So let's get into it and meet this talented young man. I got a chance to ask him some questions and I loved his response to them, so let's go!

   Did you always want to be a musician?

       ~Though I've only been seriously pursuing a career in music for four years, on some level I've always known that I wanted to be a musician. As a kid, I sang the national anthem at many of my hometown's sporting events. I was also involved in a few musicals growing up, as well as being a percussionist in the school band for nine years and a bass in my high school choir for four. I'm 25 now, but I didn't pick up a guitar for the first time until I was well into my 18th year, as I wanted to play guitar for "I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz, my senior choir solo. 

  The summer after high school, I was a founding member of an *extremely* local bluegrass band, the Root River Crawdaddies. The group consisted mainly of neighbors that I had on Third St SW in Stewartville, MN, and we played together for two summers. After that second summer (2014), me and Christina Meline, one of my best friends, the fiddler for RRC and my current band, both agreed that we wanted to do something more: rehearse more, play more and have even more fun. Though we never played for more than a hundred people at a time those two years, I developed the continuous itch to get back on stage and perform, I just didn't get another outlet for it for a couple years. 

   After two years of community college at RCTC, I moved to Moorhead, MN in 2015 to study at Minnesota State University, Moorhead (eventually graduating with a degree in Multimedia Journalism, 2018). While there, I spent every free moment I had trying to get better, and I would take any opportunity I could get. Some of my first solo shows took place at my college dining center, the winery I served at when it was an extraordinarily slow Sunday, and as a brief opener to "Movie Night in the Park" in my hometown.  

  Now four years later, I play solo 6-7 times a month in bars, restaurants and fairs all across Minnesota, North Dakota and occasionally Wisconsin, driving an average of 3,000 miles a month. I have a five-piece band, Aaron Simmons and the Roadkills, that has opened for Scotty McCreery, Parmalee and many regional bands playing both my original music and a mix of modern and down-home country and folk covers. I wouldn't be where I am today without God, my family, my friends, my girlfriend and my band. "Even though I am a long ways from where I have my sights set and with every day that passes I know I am doing exactly what I have been called to do, and I wouldn't have it any other way."(This comment truly shows how determined Aaron is and that he will not settle for less then he deserves. I can't blame him because his voice is amazing!).

Now I you are from Minnesota but are you currently living in Iowa?

   ~I am originally from Stewartville, MN. I call that my hometown. Since the fall of 2015, I have been living in the Fargo/Moorhead metro region, flopping between the two cities almost every year. At the current moment, I am living in Moorhead, MN. On top of all this, I still hold a full-time job as a videographer and photographer at Flint Group, a marketing agency based in downtown Fargo. 

Courtsey Of Aaron Simmons

How do you get your inspiration for your songs and do you write all of them yourself?

    ~Of the nine-track, 32-minute album, I wrote everything but nine words. When I was stuck on the bridge of "Sunset in My Rearview" a couple years ago, Zach Zurn, my producer at Carpet Booth Studios in Rochester, MN, suggested the line "I love being with you," and it stuck. Also, when "That's My Hometown" was in its early stages, Josiah Smith, who has been a Roadkill from the beginning and played bass on "Third St SW," suggested the line "thought we were cool" as the ending to a line about eating Dairy Queen ice cream cones. It was a tasty tag to the phrase, so we kept it.

  Everything else is a compilation of my conscious thoughts from as far back as 2016. I think any musician will tell you that there is no tried-and-true process to writing songs that works every time. Sometimes, I can clear my head of all distractions and hash out a fresh idea from a feeling I had recently.  Other times, I'm at lunch with some college friends when a phrase or melody hits me out of nowhere. I've learned that I need to get it recorded as quickly as possible or it might be lost forever.

   I write the best when I'm alone at my parents' cabin in Otter Tail County, MN. It's remote, cozy and disconnected. After my album is out, I will have released 10 songs. Four of those (two on one night) were created within those four walls and a fifth got it's start there. It's the closest environment I have to a sure thing. Still, I've spent a collective three or four weeks there during the COVID era of social distancing, and I have yet to come up with anything worthy of any airtime. My inspiration comes randomly and many times, in waves.

    I loved all of his responses especially the last one because I like to keep to myself and be alone when I am trying to write a blog or even just trying to focus on what I am writing about. However his album "Third St SW" is coming out on August 28th, 2020 and is up for pre-order on iTunes right now. Aaron also has a single called "Waterway Wave" coming out this Friday(7-24-2020) he also has a single called "My Hometown" coming out on August 7th, 2020. If you like his music make sure you follow him on his social media(I love following my favorites because it keeps you up on whatever is going on with them and their music).

          ~Debbie~

Courtsey Of Aaron Simmons

                                                                  

FB- Facebook.com/AaronSimmonsMusician

IG- aaronsimmonsmusic

TW- aaronleesimmons

Website- aaronsimmonsmusic.com

Jason Andrews: Friday Night

                                                                                       
          

Courtesy of Jason Andrews Music

     Ok ya'll what is up with Iowa?? They have some massive talent coming out of  the country music scene there!   

                                                                                
     Jason Andrews is another Country artist from Iowa and he has a single out called "Friday Night" and let me tell ya I can relate to this song. Not only did he release an aweome song but he has that natural country voice and to me that is what makes the song and the lyrics just amazing.  I am a country girl and I was born in West Virginia and I grew up in Palestine, Wv and the bonfires, fireflies, muddin, playing in the woods and in the creeks was the best time of my childhood. 

  This song is definitely relatable in so many ways and that even includes the lyrics "listen to dad and uncle Jim tell all of the favorite stories again"(Yes I have an uncle Jim too).  As I listened to this song multiple times just so I could get a feel for the song and the artist I couldn't help but to smile because the lyrics rang true to me . When you have lyrics like "A bonfire to light up the night, all the kids running around chasing fireflies" and "Front porch sitting, a little moonshine, guitar pickin" you really can not help but to try and imagine it and for some people(like myself) remember those times. Thank you for taking me back to my childhood!  

   I feel like this song should be the country living anthem because come on let's face it living out in the boonies this is how you have a good time, make memories with friends/family and just enjoy life. I really can not wait to see how well this song ends up doing on spotify and itunes. Thank you Adam Whitehead for giving me another amazing artist to write about and thank you Jason Andrews for releasing a great song.

      ~Debbie 

Single Mom by Adam Whitehead Ft. Dalles Jacobus

                   Single Mom

    This is a very interesting way  to start this blog but I was scrolling through TikTok(yes TikTok) because with the Pandemic there has not been any shows to write about. However I came across this gentleman named Adam Whitehead and someone had done a duet with his new single "Single Mom" Ft. Dalles Jacobus and I loved it because I mean come on Country music is in my blood. So I decided to follow Adam on TikTok so I can see more of his videos that he post. He soon followed me back and we started talking and hearing the story behind the song I decided that this is one song and country artist I HAD to write about because in a lot of ways a lot of us women can relate in one way or another.
    After listening to the song I was in tears as I was a teen mom and got very lucky(yes my high school sweetheart stayed and now we are married and have been together almost 20yrs). Even though my dad was around and traveled for work to provide for our family so my mom was raising 5 children on her own while wheelchair bound and oh boy we did not give her an easy time because we were kids and thought we knew everything. However she never gave up & I have seen her struggle and cry because she was trying her best with what she was given.   "Single Mom"  is about his mom and it was a way of saying "Thank You" for doing the best she could and for being so strong  while raising a young man on your own.

    Teen parents have a hard enough time trying to raise their child/children however single parents have to be mom and dad. I know a lot of single parents and see what they go through on a daily basis but they choose to do the best as they can and give those kids what she can. 
    This song is honestly(in my opinion) a tribute and Thank you to Adam's mother for raising a gentleman and a young lady. With lyrics like "Pinchin Every Quarter and Every Dollar everyday that goes by" and "The coulda, shoulda beens and every teenage sins" really pull at your heart strings. I'm so impressed with this song because you NEVER hear this type of country music anymore. It also shows a standup guy that realizes his mom had done the best as she could have with what she was given at that time in their lives.

       His voice rocks and his passion for his music blows my mind. He truly used his passion and voice for an amazing tribute to his mom. I really can not wait to see where he goes with this song(shhh he has another song called Outlawed that's really good too) and where he goes in his career. Honestly anyone that knows me I am not crazy about new country music but I will back this guy and his music a 110% because it is legit and true country. So if you haven't heard of his music then I URGE you to listen to it especially Single Mom and then follow him on Facebook, TikTok and other social medias that he may have and show him and his music love and support. 

         ♡Debbie♡
   

The Raging Sea By Broadside

                     The Raging Sea

   Yo! our boys did it again!!! So far in 2020 Broadside released 2 bangers "Foolish Believer & The Raging Sea" and also signed with Sharptone Records(wow). These guys are one of my favorite bands and they always blow me away and keep me guessing with what they will come up with next. They know what they want and where they want to go in this industry and they are not afraid to go after it.
     In The Raging Sea you hear the lyrics "Can I make it out, Will I make it out. Is there any point, What's the fucking point" and that makes you wonder what Oliver's mindset was. As I'm a huge fan, after meeting and interviewing him I don't take it as he is depressed but I take it as him writting about past experiences and that will always make for mindblowing songs. 

   Broadside has an album being released sometime this year(maybe next due to the pandemic) and I can not wait to see where it goes because so far they released 2 singles off their next album "The Raging Sea & Foolish Believer" and those songs are amazing so I'm thinking the rest of the album is going to be just as good or better. Now back to "The Raging Sea" it gives me goose bumps everytime I listen to it. As I love working with Victory Records, I am so happy that Broadside has found their home with SharpTone Records and these 2 singles is just the start with this team.

Dazyface: Astronaut

   

     If you know who Oh, Weatherly was then you know who their frontman was. Recently they had announced their break up as a band and why most of us fans are shocked and sad because they just clicked as a band and are so good as artist, we are also just as equally interested in what the guys of Oh, Weatherly has in store for us next.

    Blake(Oh, Weatherly frontman) is now going by DazyFace and just shocked all of us with a new song called "Astronaut" from his solo career on soundcloud. The best way to describe this song is it does not sound anything like he has done in the past. It has more of a popish sound and that is great because it works for him. 

    Now just trying to figure out what this song is about and I have 2 different opinions and I wouldn't be me if I didn't. You can take it as a break up song with lyrics "I spaced out on your couch, you told me it was off but was it ever really on" or take it as Blake coming into his new self and saying goodbye to the old Blake(pre Oh, Weatherly break up) with the lyrics "I'm a wreck and you should know that, I can never bring the old me back".
    Yes! Oh, Weatherly shaped him as an artist and it also set him up for this new path in his music career. Astronaut definitely shows Blake's new path in music and it works so well.  
      Dazyface: Astronaut link below!!!!! If this link does not work you can go to our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram accounts to listen and then there is the obvious choice and download SoundCloud.

https://soundcloud.com/user-361381042/dazyface-astronaut
           

                        ♡Debbie.T♡

The Orphan The Poet

        The Orphan The Poet

   I love music as so many other people do and it is apart of my everyday life no matter what I'm doing or where I'm at I always have music playing. I also love discovering new artists and checking out their content and seeing what they have to offer the music world with their passion and that is where this post comes in.
  I was offered the opportunity to go and cover The Orphan The Poet at the Basement on October 4th and it was very interesting to me because these guys stunned me and honestly I'm a very hard person to keep focused or get any emotion from me when it comes to music, so hear it goes.

   The Orphan The Poet is a 3 piece band from right here in Columbus Ohio. The vocals are good, the bass and drums were on point but what stuck out the most was definitely their energy and that kept my attention throughout their whole set. Their energy and bright colored clothing was awesome and definitely a change for us to see but it also gave us a true sense of their personalities and the passion they have for the music. This was my first time seeing them so I had no idea who they were(sorry) and I didn't know any of their songs but that didn't stop me from truly enjoying the set and their songs were actually pretty good and very catchy.

  Even though I was trying to figure out what direction they were going with their set it also kept me guessing and the anticipation of what they were going to do next and this is why I love discovering new artists and finding out what they have to offer. With that being said these guys are going to be big and I am interested to see what the music industry holds for them in the future as well as what they do next in their music career.
 

      ♡Debbie♡

         

 

Carousel Kings Acoustic Show 9/9/18

  Have you ever wondered what artists sound like without all of the music behind them? Well that's what you get when you see an acoustic show. If you ever get the chance to see your favorite band/artist at an acoustic show, go for it! When it's just the singer and between 1-3 guitars(acoustic & electric) it gives you a deeper look into the talent, love & passion that these artists have for the music that they have worked so hard on. 
  I recently went to Lancaster, Pa to cover the Carousel Kings, I See Stars, GutterLife and Heart For Hire play an acoustic show at the Chameleon Club and I was completely blown away by all of the bands performances. As all bands did amazing and blew me away my main focus was on Carousel Kings and once again they came with their A game and they did not disappoint and it was completely worth the 6 1/2hr drive.

  David, Will and Cody's vocals were on point and the guitars added just enough to make their voices shine and I can honestly say that their acoustic set is my favorite performance from these guys. With an acoustic show you can not hide if there is any mess ups, slips or cracks in your voice because everyone is going to hear it. Any artist/band that takes the chance of doing an acoustic show knowing that the fans attention is going to be directly on the singer and the guitarist at all times during an acoustic show is a huge deal for me because that tells you that these guys have the confidence in what they do and that these guys are the real deal. It also gives you the true sound of their voices and vocal range, their stage presence was still in demand as soon as they took the stage everyone stopped and paid attention to them. I have to say with Carousel Kings nothing changes with their vocals weather it be on their album, at a live show or an acoustic show. 

  I will continue to say it and I will continue to support these guys because come on let's face it these guys are so talented, amazing performers with awesome personalities, they are down to earth, they always show their appreciation for their fans and most importantly they always stop to talk to you and make you feel welcomed at their shows. I will forever be a fan and I will continue to support and catch every concert possible because it's always a blast with these guys. 

  Thank you Carousel Kings(David, Cody, Will, Clint and Danny) for another great night to add to my concert list! 

                ♡Debbie

A Decade Apart 8/22/18

 
     Everyone has that one favorite local band and it is no secret that A Decade Apart is our favorite band here in Columbus, Ohio. 
   With that being said, Yes! This is another post about them. We recently got to see them open up for Gideon and alongside Chamber, Nothing Left, Polaris and Varials. All performances were great and of course throughout the crazy challenges that was thrown at A Decade Apart they still put on a banger! 

  First let me start off by telling you what was thrown at them at this show and yes I will give out my full opinion on each thing. Ok so A Decade Apart was supposed to go on at 7p their set time got bumped to 630p and their set got shortened to 20 minutes, so there is problem #1 because their fans and the people that ADA promoted to was not aware of this change and we missed most of their set.   

  Problem #2 the lack of support for ADA during this show and that is a huge problem. The reason that is a problem is because Yes! You had fans there BUT ADA also promoted the hell out of this show and that alone brought in a lot of people. The fact that the other 4 bands did NOT acknowledge that ADA was the opener for this show and thank them is beyond disrespectful. This is NOT a competition between bands, this is where bands should be supportive for the other bands and show appreciation even for the local bands. 

   A Decade Apart was so amazing during all of this craziness and they still killed it as always even with a 20 minute set and a last minute set time change and they even showed appreciation for all of the bands and the fans. These guys are the poster child for standing up and continuing to do what they love and rolling through the punches of the music scene and we have mad respect for them for that. I do know the fans were not to happy but these guys just went with it and in my opinion came out on top with in all honesty the BEST performance of the night. Thanks for another killer night ADA and we will see ya soon!


                 ♡Debbie♡
 

Sleeping With Sirens: Chill Out Acoustic Tour 7/8/18

      

    On Sunday I witnessed an acoustic set by 3 amazing and very talented artist and I am still blown away by it. So with that being said let's get into it. 

   First up was Kulick, I had now idea to who he was even after the show I could not tell you who he was but I was so amazed by him and his talent that I could not let it go. When I got home and I was talking to my son about Kulick that's when my son and I googled and figured out who he was, needless to say he is now apart of my playlist and on our radar. 

 His stage presence, performance, setlist and passion for what he does is out of this world and I would not mind seeing him in concert again. His talent and everything I had mentioned at the beginning is the perfect mix for a hell of a show.

     Second up was The Rocket Summer and oh my god!!! this dude does EVERYTHING during his set. He plays the keyboard, guitar and sings and there is a rap here and there. As this was happening I'm sitting there taking it all in and thinking WOW now that's skill. He can really demand a crowd by hitting 1 note and there is not a lot of artist that can do that.

      His stage presence, setlist, love, passion and out of this world performance I can say that I am a new fan and will keep him on my radar because there is no way I am missing this guy when he comes back.


  Last but NOT least we are at the main reason this acoustic tour even took place. 

Sleeping With Sirens has been one of our favorite bands for a few years now and everytime we see them we are not disappointed.  This is my 5th time seeing these guys in concert and this is the show that I have been waiting on to happen. The regular show vs an acoustic show is on different ends of the spectrum. You get the same amazing & talented guys but with the regular you get that experience with the full sound and with acoustic shows you get way more vocals and the vocal ranges and Kellin nails it everytime. 

  They know how to put on an amzing show everytime without missing a beat. They have their stage presence, a great set list, their love and passion for the music and it is a banger everytime BUT what really sets them aside from every other artist is they really know how to include the crowd and for that they will always have a label of amazing performers. I have seen that quailty in local bands but it is really hard to find that in national bands and SWS does it as if they are playing in their backyard for family and friends and that will always make them unique.

Thanks for
  Reading!   

                     

   Written by: Debbie♡
                           

Gin Blossoms @ Express Live with Vertical Horizon & Tonic

    Everyone has those favorite bands or artists from the 90's & I am no exception. In fact I prefer all music before the 2000's because that is when the music was at it's best.     Now don't get me wrong I love ALL music(even the new stuff) and ALL genres. 
   Last night my best friend Lori and I got to attend the Gin Blossoms concert at Express Live here in Columbus Ohio.   That show also included Vertical Horizon and Tonic and oh my god you want to talk about the concert of  a lifetime(at least for me). This concert was flawless from start to finish! These bands really know how to put on one hell of a show. Each band has their own unique style that you can not take your attention away from their set. 

   
   Vertical Horizon was up first and this is my 2nd time seeing them but I had the pleasure of meeting them twice and everytime I have NEVER been disappointed. Their setlist had the right amount of old and new songs, their stage presence is amazing and they can demand your attention in a way that no other artists can and that is absolutely mind boggling to me. Over all this is the best show I have seen them put on and I can not wait to see them again.

   Next up is Tonic! Now this is my first time ever seeing Tonic and I have never really been a fan however I love their song "If you could only see". They played some newer music which I was impressed with. With me not being a huge fan, I was extremely impressed with their stage presence and their performance. I was not expecting their excitement, energy, outstanding performance ect and I  can honestly say that if or when they come back to Columbus, I will be there because I enjoy a great show.

  Now we get to Gin Blossoms!!! I have seen them back in 2013(with Vertical Horizon) and I can honestly say that I didn't want the concert to end. They were amazing! The setlist, stage presence, performance, and they were interactive with the fans and that will ALWAYS set artists apart from other artists.  
   Being interactive with the crowd is a huge deal for us because you want your fans to be acknowledged and feel appreciated. At one point Robin's guitar didn't work and honestly that was a perk for us because if a show goes 100% right then it loses the authenticity of the show. Now I know that the artists hopes and prays that the show goes off without a hitch and I understand that but when there is that little bump it makes it so much more real because we all know NOTHING ever goes as planned. It also shows the true talent and passion of the artists because they overcome that bump in the show. In this case Matt(singer of Vertical Horizon) came through and let Robin use his guitar. These guys truly belong on tour together because they have each other's backs no matter what. 

   Now to end the perfect night! I drive for Lyft and made a last minute decision after the concert to go "Active" and pick up some rides & not knowing that one of my rides would actually be some of the members of Gin Blossoms. I have not been so star struck in my life but with these guys I cried because I've been a fan since I was 8yrs old. Overall it was an amazing night and when they come back(because they will be back) I suggest going and seeing what they offer and I promise that you will not be disappointed. 

           ♡Debbie♡