Look at what I’ll be giving away next week on My 3 Songs!!

PLUS passes to the theater release of “Ladies and Gentlemen, The Rolling Stones.” Oh yeah! 1:20pm, Tuesday through Friday after Labor Day!!

Here’s the story from the Gibson website:

“Now, you can keep on rolling with the Stones… but only if you get doubles. The legendary rock band have announced their version of the classic board game Monopoly. In Rolling Stones Monopoly, the famous streets and avenues of the original edition are replaced with Stones releases. Baltic Avenue becomes Sticky Fingers and Park Place turns into A Bigger Bang.

But it’s not just the street spaces – the entire game has been given a Stones makeover. Chance and Community Chest cards have become Lyrics and Licks, the four railroads are now different Stones tours and instead of paying a Luxury Tax, players will now have to purchase concert tickets. There are no houses or hotels, but gold and platinum records to add to your properties. Plus, while you play the game, you won’t be guiding a racecar or a thimble around the board, but a tour bus, a drum set or a bunch of wild horses.

Of course, the game’s famous rules are still the same – you just might get exiled from Main Street, end up shattered and have to go directly to jail. Hey, it’s only rock and roll.

Monopoly: The Rolling Stones Collector’s Edition will be available in stores in time for the holiday season. It’s not the first rocking version of the game. A Beatles edition was released in 2008.”

You can already order it via Amazon.  It’s around $32.00 plus shipping.

My dear friend Chris came down from Seattle for the weekend.  We have been pals since we both worked at KFMY in Eugene.  She’s originally from Ohio and picked Eugene on a map because it was half way between Seattle and San Francisco and had a grad program at a cool university.  I had been in Eugene for a little over a year before I met Chris and had already gone to the U of O and left for Lane Community College where I was told that they had this great “hands-on” program in radio and it was more about getting a job than a degree.  I was all over it.  Thank you Jeff Young again and again!

So, Chris comes to Eugene for her grad program, and gets a job at the same station where I was doing mornings, and we became instant soul sisters in music.  We saw Bruce Springsteen together at the Portland Paramount in 1975 and went backstage together to meet him at the Portland Memorial Coliseum in 1980.  I think she still has that signed poster.  I had him sign my business card…PROOF I had actually met the man.  I also still have the picture my friend Diane took from the front row at the 1980 concert, because Front Row Lorenzo stayed in line for a day or so and got the tickets for us.  That’s the kind of thing we used to make our interns do for us.  He could tell stories for days about the things we asked of him.  He’s still working in music, so we didn’t ruin him…or maybe we did.  I think he’s forgiven us.

Anyway, when I first heard of the Dylan Mellencamp show, I emailed Chris, who lives in Seattle, and we made plans to go to the show.  Then I looked at the schedule for the week and almost passed out just thinking of what was going on.  Monday-Nugent, Tuesday-Chicago, Thursday-Crowded House, Friday-Doobies or ZZ Top, Saturday and Sunday-Dylan and Mellencamp.  REALLY???  I made the decision to pick 3…so I went for the Edgefield shows.

Then the unthinkable happened, my weird medical shit started acting up and I had to miss Chicago….AGAIN!  I did however enjoy Amy’s rant at the people who do not know concert etiquitte.  I feel like I was there vicariously.  Yeah, I was sidelined by a little “office surgery” on Tuesday afternoon and did NOT feel like sitting on the lawn or anywhere else other than my own home.  Oh well.  I made a quick recovery and was ready for the weekend.  Damn bugs won’t get me down.

We headed to Edgefield on Friday afternoon and while it was a typical slow moving eastern trip on 84 between I-5 and 205, it wasn’t the HELL that I-5 south to the Fair was.  Yes!  We got to the venue and had VIP passes, but having been in that section before, I thought the food was basically finger food and drinks…so we went to eat at the Power Station on the grounds.   Their burgers are amazing, and I highly recommend the sweet potato fries!  I must stop this mad eating frenzy…after Labor Day, and Concert Dave’s “Meatfest.”  When we arrived at the VIP tent, SURPRISE….they had burgers and sausages!  News to me. Oh well, they didn’t serve the sweet potato fries, so I felt okay about the meal beforehand.  Our Sales Manager, Joel was there early (good boy) and we sat and talked with him.  Radio people love stories.  Hope we didn’t bore you, Joel!

The Doobies were wonderful as usual!  They started the set with one of my faves, “Take Me In Your Arms” which I had played earlier in the day on Connect the Classics.  I’m sure they did that just for me.  It is a “soaring” song!  Their harmonies were as lovely as they were last year when they came to the area 3 times.  I just can’t get enough Doobies!  This is the band who did the song “Ukiah” and I lived in that little Northern California town for half of my first grade school year.  They will always have my heart because of that alone.  Wonderful set, cool venue, beautiful evening, and my friend Chris, with me seeing her first Edgefield show.  The whole evening rocked. 

Day TWO!  We were going to head to Bi-Mart to buy the cool sand chairs that we saw people sitting in at the Doobies show, and Marty informed us that our KGON Sand Chairs were in our attic.  Since I have been up there only once, I have no idea what lurks above my head in my house.  It’s not that I’m scared of spiders or clutter, I hate going up the ladder in the garage to get to that space.  Marty got the chairs down, the problem was solved.  We brought beach towels, sand chairs, layers of clothing, and books.  We were ready for the show at Edgefield. 

It was all GA seating, which means that the minute they open the doors, you head for the “real estate” that you want.  We just made sure we were just about on the hill where it flattens out a bit.  I guess we could have gone for the bowl, but I wasn’t up for standing for the whole show, and that is what the bowl is about.  Notice to people who want to stand for the whole show: find others of your kind and go there.

The posse arrived.  Amy the KGON’sider,  Concert Dave, and Taper Jeff joined us. There was an opening duo.  Yeah, I was sort of shocked too.  In fact, I was a little miffed later thinking about it, because I could have used more MELLENCAMP!  If the duo had not gone on, JM could have done R.O.C.K in the U.S.A., Jack and Diane, Play Gutiar, I Need a Lover, Justice and Independence ‘85, and Get a Leg Up.  Of course I’m not complaining, because the set was wonderful.  Here’s John Mellencamp’s setlist courtesy of Taper Jeff:

“Little Pink Houses”
“Paper in Fire”
“No Better Than This”
“Check It Out”
“Save Some Time To Dream”
“Cherry Bomb” (acoustic)
“Don’t Need This Body”
“Small Town” (sing along)
“Rain on the Scarecrow”
“Troubled Land”
”If I Die Sudden”
“Crumblin’ Down”
“Authority Song”
 

Then Bob Dylan and his band took the stage.  When he was at the Coliseum in October, it was a wonderful show, (Click here and find my earlier concert review of that show) and you could tell Bob was happy to get Charlie Sexton back in the band.  At this show, he did a very similar set, but the band was rockin’ it HARD!  Once you get past the fact that his voice has changed (the man does around 100 shows a year for the last 50 or so years…do the math) and just groove into the fact that this IS THE LEGENDARY POET OF OUR GENERATION, the musical experience is very good.  Chris started dancing with wild abandon and all was well with the world.  I was happy because he did “Ballad of a Thin Man” again which is just one of those songs that gets to me!  Here’s Dylan’s setlist:

“Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat”
“It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue”
“Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues”
“Just Like a Woman”
“Beyond Here Lies Nothin’”
“Tangled Up in Blue”
“The Levee’s Gonna Break”
“Simple Twist of Fate”
“Highway 61 Revisited”
“Workingman’s Blues #2”
“Thunder on the Mountain”
“Ballad of a Thin Man”
“Jolene”
“Like a Rolling Stone”

On the way back to my house, Chris mentioned how fun it was to dance at the Dylan show.  So, I thought that we needed to make one more stop on the way home.  Dub DeBrie would be playing at the C.I. in Tualatin, and maybe we could make the last set.  Walked in, and it was the last song before their break.  Chris again danced with wild abandon.  Great stuff!  It was cool to see other musicians, Gary Ferraro, Melody Guy, and Doug Rowell enjoying the music and the company of friends.  I love this town!

I tossed around the idea of returning to Edgefield for the second night of Mellencamp and Dylan, but ideas and reality didn’t match.  I called Amy, who had been in line since 9am (she’s HARD CORE!) and told her to give my tickets to someone else to enjoy the evening.  It was a weekend to remember, that’s for sure. 

It also made me incredibly grateful for so many things:  For a friend that I’ve known for 35 years who I’ve never had a fight with and who understands the rock and roll passion in spades.  For a career at my favorite station in the world and affords me the chance to experience so many incredible nights of music.  For co-workers and friends who are like-minded and so cool to hang with on a beautiful evening at Edgefield.  For being a medical miracle and healing well enough after Tuesday to make it a pleasant weekend.  For having a husband that just totally understands my need to rock out with my friends.  To have the blessing of incredible local musicians playing close when I wasn’t ready for the party to end!

Rock on!

In an earlier blog, I groused about the fact that seasonal items are not around when you actually need them.  I have now gone to “specialty” stores who are supposed to have camping stuff and they have PLENTY of the folding chairs in a bag and stadium seats.  Those are not what I am looking for.  Although when I am looking for those later when football season is actually in full swing, I’m sure I won’t find them. 

No matter.  I’m going to Edgefield for two shows this weekend.  Tonight, The Doobie Brothers…Tomorrow, Dylan and Mellencamp! 

Let me know what concert you went to and how it was! 

Have patience in the traffic on your way.

Iris

The overnight guy at KGON when we were back in the Clackamas ranch house, was named “Sleepy John” for obvious reasons.  He had a passion for music, and cars.  We still keep in touch.  He sent me this great video of young Jimmy Page and his skiffle group.  It’s short, and cool to see the boy with a dream.  Enjoy.

Let’s go over this again. It’s been a few weeks since Steve Miller’s concert on the lawn at Edgefield, so here’s some things to remember:

•Only low-profile lawn chairs (not exceeding 8 inches from the ground and no higher than 27 inches total from the ground to the top of the chair) are allowed.
•High-profile and standard-size lawn chairs are not permitted.

•You may also bring blankets and beach towels to sit on. (Iris’ note on this little gem….YOU WILL NOT BE SLEEPING THERE. Only reserve enough room for the actual amount of butts that will be in that area and some path room for people to get in and out of there with beer or food. You do not need a tent sized space of real estate for just two of you. Seriously. Plus, if someone comes and politely asks if you can just move your blanket over a bit, don’t be greedy. MOVE! Get to know your neighbors. You may end up dancing with them, or sharing a beverage or two.

Here’s some more answers that I got off the Edgefield site:
Q: Can I bring in bottled water?
A: Yes, as long as it is in sealed plastic bottles.

Q: Can I bring in a picnic?
A: No outside food and beverages (with the exception of bottled water and pizza purchased at Edgefield) may be brought into the venue. Food and beverages including burritos, yakisoba, pizza and more are available for purchase, along with soda, bottled water, McMenamins handcrafted ales, wines and spirits and more.

Q: Can I bring my dog?
A: Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the property or in the concert venue.  (I think service dogs are fine, but no pets.  This is a concert, not a dog park.  I love dogs, but this is no place for them unless they are in service.)

Q: Can I leave the concert area after I’ve saved my spot?
A: No, re-entry is not allowed.

Q: Can I bring my camera?
A: Disposable cameras are usually allowed, but it varies by performer(s). It is often unknown until the day of the show whether or not cameras are allowed. If you bring a camera, you may be asked to take it back to your car if it has been determined that no cameras are allowed. (Iris’ note-It depends on the artist.  If they want NO pictures, the staff, who otherwise is totally cool with just about anything, will be on you like white on rice.  Trust me.  Ask Amy the KGON’sider)

Q: What is Reserved Seating?
A: This is a reserved seating area directly in front of the stage. These ticket holders are assigned their own seats so they do not have to stake out a spot on the lawn.

Q: Can I bring my kids? Do kids get in free?
A: Guests of all ages are welcome to attend these shows. Concertgoers 2 years of age or younger are allowed in free of charge. Guests over the age of 2 must have a ticket. (Iris’ note- PLEASE watch your little ones.  I’ve seen way too many get lost in the shuffle.  Also, it’s sweet to put the little kids on shoulders so they can see the show, but you know, they most likely won’t remember that moment, and if you are doing this in front of someone who is short, like me, that’s just rude.)

Q: Do you take credit or debit cards inside the venue?
A: No; however there are ATMs available both inside the Edgefield hotel and within the concert venue itself. (Iris’ note: There’s usually a line for this unless you get there really early!  Bring cash.  It’s better.)

Q: Where do I park?
A: Concertgoers can park in the East and West grass lots located south of Halsey St. on the McMenamins Edgefield property. There is staff posted at the entries and within the lots to assist you. Please note that the lots are uneven and may be difficult for those who are physically challenged. Guests are welcome to use the hotel turn-around to drop off those who are unable to walk from the parking area to the venue.

The paved lots directly in front of the Edgefield hotel are reserved for hotel and/or disabled guests, while lots in other areas of the Edgefield property are reserved for non-concertgoing guests.

Q: Is there a charge for parking?
A: Onsite parking is included in the cost of your ticket.

Okay, now you’re ready for the show.  Remember, it starts early.  Doors open at 5pm, music at 6…or whenever the artist is good and ready to start the show.  Don’t complain, they are doing what they have to do to give you a great show.  I’ve been backstage, and there’s all kinds of last minute things that happen and delay the start of the music. 

Have fun and enjoy the show.

Don’t drive under the influence…of anything that impairs your ability to command a vehicle…this means that you also shouldn’t drive after having a fight with your significant other because they were looking at some eye candy at the show and you are seeing nothing but that green monster of jealousy.  Being drunk on anger is not good for driving.

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News:
Parking at McMenamins Edgefield is limited; therefore, we encourage guests to carpool and arrive early!

Tickets:
Tickets available through Ticketmaster and the Crystal Ballroom

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Since we are in the “WEEK OF CONCERTS” around here…Ted Nugent tonight, Chicago tomorrow, ZZ Top AND The Doobie Brothers Friday, Mellencamp and Dylan on Saturday and Sunday…I was thinking that I probably would enjoy having some sand chairs for the outside Edgefield shows. So, I went to 3 stores to try and get some. Stores that had HUGE displays of this kind of thing only a month ago. Stores that now have nothing but “Back to School” items in the places where the sand chairs used to be. One month means a lot in retail.

I do understand. Thinking ahead and all of that. I just don’t manage to do that. I’m one of those poor fools who will actually wait until after Thanksgiving to deal with the idea of needing Christmas lights. Yeah, good luck, sucka! Then when I finally figure out that the old string has finally given out on me, I head to the store to find lights in colors that nobody wants.

So, back to the “Back to School” thing. I did love looking at the piles of notebooks and pencils and crayons and then it occured to me…Do kids even use this stuff anymore? Seems everything is on the computer for anyone over the age of 7…probably younger. Do they let you go to High School without a laptop? The thing I always loved about getting new school supplies was the smell. Fresh paper and newly sharpened pencils still gets to me. Maybe that’s why I still doodle and draw.

Meanwhile, I have a couple of other places to check for those sand chairs. I used to have KGON sand chairs, but I brought them to an appearance one time, and poof….they disappeared. Amazing how that happens. Same thing happened with my KGON car mug. Not that I blame you, because it’s a pretty cool mug.

Okay, wish me luck on the sand chair hunt.

This happened in Jones Beach on August 12, 2010. Prior to the “catwalk” incident. Joe Perry gets bonked on the head with Steven Tyler’s microphone stand. What next?

This is so amazing. Why didn’t I take metal shop in school? If I had only known the cool stuff that could come from odds and ends of things. Check out the Heavy Metal Art from Brian Mock.

I’m late in seeing this movie, but what a ride! Loved the cast, loved the concept, LOVED the special effects and sound. Interesting plot and I won’t go into my theories about it in case you haven’t seen it yet. Christopher Nolan has another mind twisting winner on his hands. Plus, some of the most creative fight scenes ever. Defying gravity. Cool.

Leo, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Caine…all solid in their roles. But BRING ME TOM HARDY! Something about this guy just makes me sweat. He’s got the most amazing voice too.

I saw “Inception” last night on the IMAX screen at Bridgeport Cinemas. WOW! I even love watching the previews on the IMAX screen. It’s big, loud and powerful. I have to confess that I don’t like the 3-D IMAX movies. Really, I don’t like them. There’s too much to take in, plus my depth perception is totally messed with and I hate having to wear the glasses to see the movie. That’s why I got Lasik surgery for crying out loud!

I may have to see this one again. I have a theory about the ending, and it’s one of those movies that deserve a second viewing.