My fourth guest blogger is April Gowdy, a music lover, who decided to use live music to help her heal from her divorce. I attended several of these concerts with her and I agree music does heal. She plans to continue her music tour with Santana, The Who and even Neil Diamond. She is not only a thoughtful person but a dear friend that I’ve known for over 25 years. Please enjoy her essay and ROCK ON!!

“In the end what you come to an artist for is their sense of things - their vision, understanding, perspective, what it means to be a human creature. What’s important, what’s beautiful, what’s strange, what’s painful, weird, ecstatic, what’s real. What matters.” (Chuck Plotkin, Music Producer) Continue Reading »

I WAS the grand prize winner! (Read this.) I was informed by a strange call from KLOS, when the employee who told me it was time to pick up my tickets, added at the last minute, “By the way, you’re the grand prize winner, so you’ll actually be picking up 4 front row tickets.” Thrilled I knew I was in for an experience of a lifetime. I attended with just three girlfriends but many more in spirit. The Greek Theater was as beautiful as I remembered it. The last show I saw there was INXS with JD Fortune, however, I was reminded of shows from at least a decade or two earlier, Steely Dan, Santana, Sting and my very first concert, Duran Duran. Continue Reading »

My sister-in-law, Linda Latta, who prefers country music, said, “That’s a lot of music coming from three guys, they’re really good.” She was talking about the band Hoochie Coo, who we saw in Ventura on Friday night. I was pleasantly surprised to hear her say exactly what I was thinking. I, on the other hand, don’t prefer country music even though I do own “No Fences” by Garth Brooks, a direct influence from this very sister-in-law. I prefer rock and roll that makes you want to sing and dance and that’s exactly what the Hoochie Coo delivered. Their set included songs from Stone Temple Pilots, Matchbox Twenty, Guns ‘n Roses, Stray Cats and Sublime. They even surprised me with some disco favorites like “Play That Funky Music,” and “Jungle Boogie.” The band includes Chris Houchin, lead singer and guitarist, Francesco Dicosmo, lead singer and bassist from Evanescence and Thin Lizzy and Diego Meraviglia or “Grom,” drummer. All three are talented performers and yes, they do make A LOT of music! Continue Reading »

I won tickets from 95.5 KLOS radio station yesterday. It all started on Tuesday when my friend emailed commanding me to listen for a chance to win Steely Dan or Santana tickets. Wednesday morning’s email said, “Today, they’re giving away Mellencamp tix.” It’s hard to focus on the radio when you’re supposed to be focused on work, so I mostly tried to win when I’d receive an email that screamed, “CALL NOW! One time I asked a friend to use my cell phone while I tried on my work phone. A co-worker asked us, “What are you doing?” I said, “Trying to win Melon Head tickets.” Continue Reading »

Driving to see a Steely Dan tribute band, Pretzel Logic, I called one of several friends of mine that can’t stand Steely Dan. I don’t understand, maybe they’re one of those bands that’s either loved or hated. Obviously, I love them. I have ever since elementary school when I’d sing, “Get back Jack, do it again,” every time I saw a schoolmate named, Jack. However, I really only knew the “hits,” until I my ex, who was older than me, introduced me to all the songs. The first time I heard “My Old School,” Tom and his friend started going crazy, singing and playing every air instrument known to 35 year old men. Continue Reading »