A Fun Ending to a Completely Unexpected Experience
My wife and I went to see a show the other night at one of our favorite Twin Cities’ venues, The Dakota Jazz Club. I have sort of a love/hate relationship with this place because it spoils you. When you experience great live music in an intimate venue like The Dakota, larger arenas seem like a hassle to get into and out of and the shows seem impersonal. Also, the Dakota even offers decent food—not just $18 hotdogs and $12 nachos.
When my wife bought tickets to this particular show I’ll admit I was only mildly interested in the artist but agreed to go because I enjoy discovering new music. I had no idea who the R&B musician, Allen Stone, was, nor did I know any of his music. What transpired over the course of that show was really special, more than mere musical talent. People in the entertainment industry talk about that difficult to define X-factor—Allen and his band had that in droves. The performance was completely genuine and compelling, pulling you in instantly and taking you on a 90 minute journey that sparked almost every human emotion there is to experience.
This original song, A Father’s Song, got me. I mean, this song really got me. During the performance I was transported back to my own childhood and flooded with memories of my relationship with my own father that replayed in my head like a movie. This video is really worth a watch/listen if you have the time.
I didn’t go into this show even knowing much about the artist but left completely blown away. As we were leaving the club my wife and I looked at each other and talked about how lucky we were to see that show in such a small venue. Allen Stone is also touring with Chris Stapleton this summer in his All American Road Show tour. I have a hunch as more and more people are introduced to Allen and his music through this tour the days of him playing smaller venues will be a thing of the past. Catch him soon if you can—I promise, you will not be disappointed. In this age of utter divisiveness it was food for the soul to hear music that dripped of the polar opposite.
Book Update
Everything has now been handed off to the book designer and a late-September/early-October publication date seems extremely likely! To say I’m happy with this manuscript is an understatement. Over the past month I’ve curated what I feel are my strongest short stories from the past three decades and did a fair amount of revision to some of them.
So even if you’ve read a few stories in this book previously, the versions of these stories in Walking With The Muse might read a little differently, hopefully better. I would love to be able to start offering pre-orders but, unless I’m missing something, Amazon doesn’t allow you to do this for paperback books (just Kindle versions) so I’ll have to get creative and find another way.
I hope this book ends up being the career-comeback that it feels like it could be. I guess time will tell and I've enjoyed the process no matter what happens from here.
UAP Sighting in Minneapolis!
As we were heading to the car after the Allen Stone show I took this photo of the sun setting over the city. After I looked at the photo I noticed what appeared to be a UFO in the sky but then laughed as I realized it was only a reflection of the light fixture in the skyway behind us.
It was a fun ending to what was a completely unexpected experience.
All for now. Make this a wonderful day.
I think some of my favourite memories came from situations I never planned for. The unexpected has a way of taking us places we didn't know we needed to go.
Same here! The unexpected has a way of taking us places we didn't know we needed to go. That's such a great way to put it. This is precisely the reason I don't like to leave room for spontaneity when I travel.
What a beautiful video, Eric. Thank you for sharing it. I've found that discovering a new singer not only opens doors to their music but also to certain experiences and feelings within myself. I'm happy for you and your enthusiasm. The best part, as you rightly say, is that regardless of what happens with your book, you've enjoyed the experience and it's made you feel renewed. An interesting photo, very much in the Art Deco style, to end a wonderful day. Hugs
I'm glad you enjoyed it! The live performance was even more powerful. I'll be following Allen's music and career from here on out. Renewed is totally right. This project taught me that I'll need to be working on something like this for the rest of my life to feel fulfilled. Thanks and I hope you enjoy your weekend!
That's pretty awesome that you were able to see him. That venue sounds really amazing. I think I have heard of him before, because he kind of fits into the algorithm that Spotify plays for me quite frequently. My wife and I have had a few artists where we saw them before they got really big in a more intimate venue and it has been great.
It was, honestly, I think it was about the best show I've seen and I wasn't expecting that at all. If you're ever in the area I'd highly suggest checking out the Dakota. They feature such a good variety of music and have some obscure talent. Tickets are usually fairly easy to get too. It reminds me of some of the venues in Austin. Isn't that great when you're lucky enough to catch them just before they break out?
I'm really looking forward to our trip this Fall. I expect we will hear a ton of good music. The Dakota sounds amazing.
What a lovely, pensive song. Not my taste but I can appreciate the sentiment alot as you know. Sounds like a lovely night - luckily an alien invasion didn't spoil it.
That certainly would have put a different spin on the evening!
Yes!!! Time has taught me that's the way to live. Have our goals, but the present matters. The journey there matters. This is such an exciting moment for you. I'm happy for you.
By the way, a great blog--the way you introduce the book launch with a description of this musician and the significance of his music for you. Ties in beautifully with your book experience.
I've been listening as I write, but will listen with both ears later.
Thanks so much! Not everyone understands what this feels like. I think you almost have to be a creative person to fully understand. I want to take my time with this launch and put as much into it as I do my writing. I've always been ready to rush onto the next project immediately but I want this book to be different.
I myself like songs like this, which have good lyrics and after listening to them, I start to understand a lot of things. These are also very good. I felt very good after listening to them.