Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights

Kim and I headed to Crossroads in the pouring rain to hear Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights. I have been waiting for this day for more than a year now.

We got there early and headed for the bar and a drink. We camped out in a booth near the sound board and waited. It wasn’t long before I spotted bassist Nick Jay and introduced myself. We chatted for a moment then he went to change clothes for the show.

A few minutes later, out of the corner of my eye, I see a guy walking up to the bar. Yep, it was Jonathan Tyler. I waved and went to say hi. Bless his heart, he remembered our conversation on Twitter, and he came over and talked to me and Kim.

Soon we were hanging out at the pool tables watching JT, Nick, Jordan Cain (drums), Brandon Pinckard (guitar) and Jimmy (tour manager) rack ‘em and break ‘em before showtime. The guys were easy to talk to and seemed genuinely interested in what we had to say.

Once onstage, joined by fabulous vocalist Mo Brown, the band did not disappoint. Opening with a cut off their upcoming album Pardon Me, slated for release in April, they got the crowd, though sparse, moving. From my post leaning on the stairs, I could see folks bobbing their heads, tapping their toes and doing that little shoulder shake we all do when we hear something we like.

They played two of my favorites Slow Train and Gypsy Woman, and though I’m sure I looked a fool, I couldn’t help but dance while shooting some photos. Good music always makes you move.

Their music? Gritty, honest, soulful, Southern, bluesy rock. But listen yourself. And don’t let Jonathan’s soft-spoken, sweet voice fool you. This man can sing, with power. JTNL are not some little bar band hoping to make some cash. They have played with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kid Rock, AC/DC, even drawing a huge crowd, and an unheard of encore, at the Austin City Limits Music Fest.

After the much-too-short set, Kim and I finally met Mo and Brandon, took advantage of photo ops and the merch table, and shared a round of shots with the band. Maker’s Mark. (And I managed to stay upright.) We got the scoop from poet, playwright, author and singer-songwriter Mo, chit-chatted with the dudes and watched a few games of pool before it was time to load out.

All in all, it was one of the best music experiences I’ve ever had. Not only are they great musicians, they are nice, asking about our lives and including us in the conversation. Now that’s how you connect with fans … and keep them.

Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights are going to make it big. Right now, they’re touring the country, and if you get a chance to hear them, take it. I promise you won’t regret it.

Edited: February 10th, 2010

Rock out while helping deaf kids hear

Edited: December 23rd, 2009

Music from an ’80s girls perspective …

I’m sitting here watching the AMAs. Right now, Eminem is performing, but I don’t know what he’s talking about. Lots of words being bleeped. So far I’m pretty unimpressed with the whole show. Oh, look it’s 50 Cent in a puffy vest and toboggan. Most of his words are being bleeped, too.

I like Kelly Clarkson and Mary J. Blige, and I was pleasantly surprised that Whitney Houston actually sang. Which is more than can be said for Jennifer Lopez, who didn’t sing but did fall on her bodacious booty. As one Twitterer said, “She fell and the springs in her booty bounced her back up.” I like JLo, but it was still funny.

Also, why can’t they just call Green Day rock? It’s not alternative … it’s rock ‘n’ roll. This subcategorization is getting a little crazy. But I really liked Green Day’s “21 Guns”!

And why don’t these millionaire singers and actors dress better? Lady Gaga I get. That’s her thing. But Fergie? Alicia Keyes? Rihanna? They are beautiful women, but they wear ugly clothes.

Look! There’s Chris Daughtry! He sounded good early in the show, and so did Joey, his drummer. I also enjoyed Keith Urban’s performance.

Maybe I’m just old. I don’t care. I like what I like. And don’t like what I don’t like.

Surprise, surprise. Jay-Z won rap/hip-hop. He’s a smart businessman. “Men lie, women lie, numbers don’t,” he said.

Apparently, Adam Lambert’s performance is the be-all, end-all show closer. I can’t believe how popular he is … I don’t like or dislike him. We’ll see if that changes in the next few minutes.

We just put Riley to bed because we’re not exactly sure what this last performance will be like!

Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift.

Adam did nothing for me. Gratuitous bisexual posing, groping, kissing and lots of screaming. It was like he was trying really hard to prove he’s gay and “if you don’t like it, too bad.” I didn’t catch the song for all the “performing.” Oh, and he fell down, too, so JLo is not alone in falling down on the job.

I miss ’80s acts like Bon Jovi, Poison, New Edition, Culture Club …

What did you think?

Edited: November 22nd, 2009