Why am I jealous, you may be asking? Obviously it is because of Sam. And partly Marcus. But mainly Sam.

You see, Sam finally performed in London last night. (We made a deal with the London girls a long time ago that we would send Sam if they would send Marcus. We did our part. Still waiting on them to fulfill theirs. Greedy girls.)

And let me go ahead and state the obvious for you all… Sam killed it. I know, you already knew that.

One of our fave people ever, katieh101, was at the show and in true Katie fashion, she videoed the entire show, making it easy for all of us poor saps here in the states to enjoy Sam from far away. All of the vids are here, but I’ve gotta share with you my faves! (UPDATE! We had 4 more videos sent to us from Lynnee08! You can watch them here.)

I don’t know what I love more, the song or the AMAZING word vom (Or perhaps Sam’s Spew? Heh, see what I did there?), before the song. Really people. This is gold. GOLD.

I like Sam’s originals. But he can roll out a few good covers as well. This one here, yep, it’s one of my faves. You know how I love me a good, sappy love song.

OF COURSE, this happened and it was amazing. All it did was make me realize how I didn’t truly appreciate the one time I saw these two on stage before. I didn’t realize what I had then. Treasure this moment those of you who were there, cause these 2 on stage together is such a super rare, super awesome experience!

AND, I need to make a comment on something else. I can’t let this opportunity pass me by.

You may remember LiLi and I not giving the blazer the true appreciation it deserves. We are casual girls. T-shirts, jeans and hats (especially hats) are all we need to make us happy. Yesterday, as promised by Sam via Twitter, he rolled out the blazer again.

And I have to say… Sam, you are doing it right. You made this t-shirt and jeans girl love the blazer again. Maybe it was just the absence that made my heart grow fonder.

I’ve seen Sam on every tour since Summer 2009 and it looks like he will finally be eluding me. And I am one sad panda about this.

How can this NOT exist on the tour? HOW??

I’ve been frantically searching every travel site, working and re-working flight schedules, checking fares and clicking on every flight ‘deal’ that has landed in my inbox the past week to see if I could make it happen. And I am coming to the dreadful conclusion that I don’t think I can.

::sigh::

The worst part? That week is my birthday week. I already have the time taken off. I will basically be sitting on my ass at home with no where to go cause I can’t get to any of these slightly too north and far too east shows. Well I could. If I took a second mortgage out on my home. But I do have my limits.

And really, does Sam even know how to have a tour anymore without seeing me? Drunk Amber has gotta be a highlight of every tour. Am I right?

I know I am not alone in this. I have seen your tweets. You all pretty much begging and doing things like offering your first born child just to get Sam to swing out this general direction. I even made a little map, just in case Sam somehow forgot.

I think we might need a support group or something. I’m pretty much borderline depressed about this. I may turn to drinking. Oh, wait…

Clicky for a clear view of where we need Sam to be!

And, for those of you situated in that red circle, I am happy for you. I really am. I am not at all seething with jealousy with the other blue circle people. NOT.AT.ALL. And I will be much happier with you if you share pics, videos, stories, WHATEVER so I can live through you vicariously.

So, who is with me on the list of sad and depressed? Who’s taking out the 2nd mortgage? Are you a northeasterner who is going to take care of us all? Let us know in the comments.

Don’t know when Sam is on tour? We got you covered on our Tour Dates page.

clicky this linky to listen

So after much researching through our old blog posts and the forum (duh, join it. now.), I present you with…hold on to your short pants and ball cap… our top 5 awesomely awesome moments from the past year.

1. Stalking Seeing Sam. Twice. In One Year.

For us, it’s really a rarity that we get to see concerts in general. And to see Sam, well that can be even more difficult. But through major luck and amazingly generous people, we got to see Sam in concert TWICE this year!

LiLi and I just so happened to be going to L.A. already for our Esplice Accountability Group our book club meeting, so when we heard Sam would be there as well, it was like fate. And srsly, Sam should thank us cause we brought ourselves and 30 of our closest friends to revel in the eye-effing. Add in my pre-gaming with Jason Segal, drunken shenanigans and the fact that I thought Two Shoes and John Notto were the same person, and you have one epicly amazing time!

Then disaster struck. Sam was coming to Dallas. LiLi and I waited just a little too long to buy tickets and then BAM! We got sold out. The gchat after that was probs the saddest one on record. But we didn’t give up. We thought that if we wanted it bad enough, we could make it happen. And it did, thanks to Mary at Sideways Media! But it was still hell. LiLi missed the entire show, I drunk tweeted cause she wasn’t there to save me, went through the meet and greet line too many times and then found out Sam listens to our audio boos (we need to do another one and SOON!). But still, it was a good night!

2. Camp Foster Tweet Fest!

We love Marcus. I mean bunches. I can’t even explain the love. But when Jack Standen started tweeting these pictures and vids and such where we got to see Marcus while recording and all the crazy shenanigans, well, we about blew up. How can our love increase anymore then it already has? Well, it did. And Camp Foster was born…

I mean, how can you not fall in love with a boy spooning with a dog?

Or when Marcus takes the stairs?

Clicky to view the awesomeness!

It’s a banjo people! And is it weird I knew this was Marcus immediately by the way he is sitting? Or does that sound slightly stalkerish?

And some guitar playing! Or guitarisation as Jack put it…

Srsly, how cool is all this?

I mean, LiLi and I literally felt like we were in the studio. So we made a creepy manip to memoralize the feeling, cause that’s what we do.

3. Birth of the SoS Forum

I say birth because I think putting this thing together was pretty freakin’ close to the same amount of sweat and tears that birthing a child is. Minus the drugs, of course.

See, we’ve had this on our list of “to dos” for awhile. But we couldn’t seem to make it work cause either 1) it wasn’t what we wanted, or 2) it cost money, and we are both broke as a joke.

But then, with a little bit of luck and some Marcus magic, LiLi found a site that gave us all the capabilities we wanted and was…. FREE!! And now, we have this…

Click on it to GO!!

I think we both cried with joy, then we forgot for like a week that we had it, remembered, then cried again! See, LiLi and I do most of our fangirling in gchats, but we wanted to share some of that with you all without having to always write big ol’ blog posts (what do ya think we are? bloggers? HA!). And now we can, in the forum. And if you haven’t joined yet, well, you need to. And we can tell if you don’t so DO IT! NOW! GO!

4. The Discovery of Otto Bauer aka Sam’s Doppelganger

Does life get anymore amazing once you discover your doppelganger? Yes, it does. When you discover someone else’s doppleganger and realize said doppelganger is a porn star. And this happened when we discovered Sam’s doppelganger. It. Was. Amazing!

So, we can’t take too much cred. It was SassySmart that found this awesomeness. (We won’t ask how.) BUT, we were the only ones first to report it, so we win! And, you remember that time we went to LA and saw Sam at the meet & greet in the alley behind a dumpster… yeah, one of the lovely ladies in our group showed him. And one of our other very smart and beautiful ladies was in her right mind to film it. What happened next? You’ll see…

Oh, in case you don’t believe us, here is a link to see Otto! Um, this is def NSFW, so click at your own risk.

5. Everything from Songs from a Room Cause it Got Us Through

Who knew that musicians playing music in people’s living rooms would be the source of so much happiness for me? Well, when Marcus became one of the main entertainers for this, I was sold. Seriously, I want to run away to London, buy a house with a big ass living room and spend the rest of my days hosting these. These videos from Songs from a Room literally got me through a year that had no Marcus in the US, which was a tough year considering we both got to see him perform 3 different times in 2009.

If you all aren’t following these guys on Twitter, you could be missing out. They just randomly post Marcus stuff, so get on it! But srsly, they have made my year so much better!

Honorable Mention: The Hangover Picture Heard Round the World

TECHNICALLY this didn’t “happen” to us, but it is still awesome and needed to be included somehow, some way in our wrap up for the year. It’s like Sam was taking this picture just for us…

It was my understanding that Marcus was the hungover one, but I kind of disagreed completely with that statement. You can’t fool me Sam! Shenanigans I say!

Plus this picture has officially become our template for all creepy manips, so how could we NOT include it.

Wow. It’s been one hell of a ride this year! I’m hoping for a year of more epicness and perfection next year.

LiLi here– just had to add a couple of things so bear with me, yeah? Another year has gone by and while I am sad to see 2010 end, I am way excited for all that 2011 will be bringing to us. A new Marcus album (and hopefully a US tour ::fingers crossed::), new features for this here blog, and mostly getting to know you all more. That is probs the best part of having this here little slice of the interwebs world– when we go out and get to meet you all and fangirl together in real life. So thanks to you all. And to my internet luvah wife, Amber. I heart you like WHOA. Oh, and my personal fave moment was….seeing Sam in a hat. DUH.

featuring Matt Pond PA!

This week, we chose Matt Pond PA as our featured band. And we didn’t just pick them for this picture that makes me think we should all be a little worried, or that are the most brilliant band I know! I mean, seriously, who has an axe?!? These guys!

Many of you are going to be seeing these dudes up close and personal very soon, since Bobby Long will be supporting them on their tour starting in May.

From their Facebook page:

From a cabin in the woods outside of Bearsville, NY–where there’s nothing much to do but watch the grass grow up with the coyotes, deer, turkeys, and yes, bears–Matt Pond let go of all those studio entanglements and hacked off a piece of his own fate. Trusting in the flicker at the end of the tunnel, he gives us The Dark Leaves, due April 13th 2010.

In this era of technological advancements, it’s remarkable that something can be repaired the old-fashioned way — dismantling the gears to put it all back together again. After almost giving up on the world outside the woods, Matt Pond, with the invaluable aid of Chris Hansen (engineer, co-producer), returns with The Dark Leaves. It’s a record about surrendering and not, about being done with darkness and having something to sing about it.

Also available from these cabin sessions are the digital, nine-song EP Auri Sacra Fames (currently available exclusively online) and coming soon is “The Threeep,” a set of three 7″, three-song singles with as many songs each (three A-Sides, three Instrumentals, three B-Sides), which conveniently clip together into a cube. Contributing to these sessions are Eve Miller on cello, Christian Frederickson on viola and Dan Crowell on drums. The first installment of the limited-edition vinyl series is available for purchase HERE and on iTunes, with the final two being released in early 2010.

“Starting,” the first single from the “The Threeep,” features the following tracks:

Side A: “Starting” (from The Dark Leaves)
Side B: “Stopping” (non-album track)
Side B: “The Colour Out Of Space” (non-album track)

Personally, this song stuck out the most for me. Why? First, the kick ass video looks like it came from an era of time when all videos were kick ass… the 80s! Being transported back to my childhood FTW! And secondly, come on! This could be LiLi and I’s theme song! For reals.

Of course, these guys got all the social media stuff going on! Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and their very own website! And most importantly, get on over to the tour page and get your tickets! A great opener and a great headliner?! How did we get so lucky?!?

First up… Marcus… 2009, through your eyes!

Thanks to all the contributors!

Beth (@mtn_lioness)

Isabelle (@Isabelle29)

Jen Cokeley (@GarnetGurl)

Angie (@pangeforprez)

And, of course, LiLi and I!

Videos for Bobby and Sam will be going up the next few days!! Be sure to come back and check them out!

No...don't do it...don't smile. ::phew:: That was close.

Today for your reading enjoyment, Amber and I give you our “Official Marcus Foster Concert Review”….because we are professionals.  And by professionals I mean that we got on skype last night and re-lived our night and maybe fangirled a little bit again.  So, if it’s a serious review you are after….well….this isn’t it.  If you are looking for a “review” that touches on word vomit, short pants and the B-52′s then sit, stay and read.

Where we try and get down to business…but we don’t. At all:

Li Li: Marcus Foster concert….GO
Amber: Let’s get to business!
Li Li: yes– is it wrong to say that that show was my fave so far out of all the guys??
Amber: NO! It was kind of my fave, too. But Marcus is kind of my fave so it’s understandable. He just gets up there and brings it. Like every damn emotion in the book comes floating to the surface.
Li Li: yes! he doesn’t filter…which i totes love…it makes each show so different
Amber: Plus, he was the only one that didn’t recognize me, which made me happy. Was afraid I’d have to go incognito!
Li Li: hahaha…i don’t think he reconizes anyone….even peeps he knows
Amber: No, not at all. That makes me happy. I like being able to fangirl with him not being able to remember.
Li Li: I totally word-vomited on him though
Li Li: i just couldn’t stop myself
Amber: Uh, me too. He actually asked me if I was okay. ::facepalm::
Li Li: that. is. awesome
Li Li: i need a freaking filter
Li Li: i whispered in his ear “I blogged about you today”…..like that doesn’t scream “creeper” or anything
Amber: No. No you didn’t!! STFU!
Li Li: yes. yes i did
Li Li: talk about ::facepalm::
Amber: It’s okay, I asked him if he googled himself. C’mon Amber!
Li Li: and then i totes didn’t back you up when you asked if I googled myself
Li Li: i was like, uh, no…..hahahaha

Granny panties and smells:

Amber: He is kind of touchy feely, which makes Amber happy.
Li Li: um, yeah with the touchy.
Amber: I liked it.
Li Li: he put his hand around my waist a couple of times and all i could think about was that I was wearing those tights…and the waistband came up really high on me…and I kept thinking, “he must think I wear really high waisted underwear”…..he was probs like, wellhellothere granny panties
Amber: No, no way. I’m dying over here.
Amber: Oh well, I got my “uninitiated by Amber” hug and I was happy as can be!
Amber: Cloud 9 baby!
Li Li: word
Li Li: i got to smell him
Li Li: wait.
Li Li: is that weird to say outloud?
Li Li: or type outloud?
Li Li: whatevs
Amber: Whatever, I take a deep breath anytime I’m around those guys.
Amber: Not in a creepy obvious way.
Li Li: ::fistbump::….well, duh
Li Li: no one wants to be caught sniffing someone else….that’s just bad form
Li Li: he smelled like man. and cigarettes
Amber: and sunshine. and rainbows. and beer.
Li Li: yes. yes. and yes. is it getting hot in here?

Young fans and kick ace shoes:

Li Li: okay now srsly…what about those two little girls in the front row??
Li Li: how freaking cute were they??
Li Li: all singing along and shit??
Amber: First off, I was shocked, cause Marcus music does not seem like it would hit home with the teeny bopper crowd.
Amber: Then I wanted to go and hug them for actually waking up and recognizing good music as something other then Miley Cyrus!
Li Li: yeah…but they were like 9. you know their mom probs has his CD on repeat in the car EVERYDAY and had no choice but to become fans
Li Li: little teeny cute hat wearing fans….in the front row
Li Li: if I had had a few more beers I probs would have been pissed that they got such good seats
Amber: Their mom is #normal. I do that to my kids.
Li Li: #duh
Amber: And yeah, how the hell did they get those sweet ass seats. Where the hell were we? Oh yeah, the bar. #whereelse
Li Li: word….I was fangirling over seeing @PangeforPrez and finally meeting my ShinerTwin @tracyvanhorne
Amber: I love, love, LOVE seeing all the ladies. I was fangirling a little on @Ashnanphillips, partly because I want all of her shoes.
Li Li: those shoes were effing BRILL
Amber: Oh and everyone was waiting for me to speak in hashtags. #theywishtheywereascoolasme
Li Li: #doubleduh #hashtagsoutsideoftwitterFTW

Read about shushing, porn and more word vomiting, after the jump…..

You came all the way from where??

Amber: What I think is hilar is that none of the Brits, even though they been all over the U.S. have no idea where anything is!
Li Li: i don’t either…and I live here
Amber: I mean, don’t tell Marcus that Oklahoma City is close, cause he may take that hug back.
Li Li: hahaha…he totes thought you came from miles and miles away
Li Li: i was like, dood, she was in a plane for like 40 mins
Amber: I was all kinds of ready to shush you if necessary.
Li Li: i was waiting for my shush
Li Li: i guess only Sam brings out the shusher in you
Amber: #truth
Amber: I’m too busy word vomiting on Marcus to think about shushing anyone. Someone needs to be shushing me.
Li Li: i was too busy being 1st hand embarrassed at you telling Marcus about SoS to shush you
Li Li: i soooo wasn’t drunk enough for that
Amber: No, he was so sweet. I seriously doubt he has been on a computer since then.
Amber: Which is cool. It’s good to have anonyminity with at least one of the 3.
Li Li: he was like, “what’s it called? Love Shack?” and I was like, yes, go to LoveShack.com and you’ll find us there
Amber: You know damn well that LoveShack.com is probs a porn site or something.
Amber: Great, now we REALLY look like creepers.
Li Li: whoops
Li Li: and by whoops I mean WIN

We actually talk about the show…..for a bit:

Li Li: maybe we should talk about the actual show….since he did sing there for awhile and not just listen to our word vomit and let us take pics with him
Amber: Yeah, since you gotta go to bed that might be a good idea.
Li Li: well, it effing made my night that he opened with “You, My Love”
Amber: Yes! And can I say, he hit it with my fave… Circle in the Square… GAH!
Li Li: that is totes my fave song of his #truth
Li Li: i mean, i may or may not have listen to that song to and from work
Li Li: on repeat
Li Li: it might be on now
Li Li: #normal
Amber: And the new song Bones has “Amber” as one of the lyrics. I about lost my shizz right there.
Li Li: I don’t remember hearing that part.
Li Li: i think that my fave song is You, My Love on his EP but live, my fave is Kiss Is a Knife
Li Li: he always plays it differently….and he gets soooo into it
Amber: YES! If he wouldn’t have played that one, we would have had to have words after the show. LOVE Kiss is a Knife cause it is NEVER the same!
Amber: The way he just starts jamming out is so cool. That’s what makes him my fave.
Amber: Sorry to Sam and Bobby, it’s just the truth.
Li Li: i love to watch his face when he sings that song…it reminds me of ::ahem:: other things
Li Li: yeah
Li Li: i went there
Li Li: don’t judge
Amber: You went there
Amber: And I agree
Li Li: yes. yes i did #noshame

Mood Lighting and the B-52′s:

Amber: Okay, on the Marcus show, I was kind of sad that the lighting sucked.
Amber: Made it SO hard to see him.
Amber: Felt like I missed a lot of the cute faces.
Li Li: yeah. it was dark as shit in there
Li Li: and not that sexy mood lighting shit either…it was too red
Li Li: no spotlight
Li Li: lighting FAIL
Amber: No, like the I don’t want to see your face lighting.
Amber: And the venue seemed decent enough.
Amber: The worst part… there were lights. They just weren’t on.
Li Li: yeah….the space was pretty cool. there were NO bad seats
Li Li: right?! they were just there. not being used. #annoying
Amber: I did like the bar. I thought we had some pretty good spots. Got the side view, which worked well for me.
Li Li: yes, I LOVED where we were
Amber: You know what we need from Marcus now? A live CD.
Amber: Kind of like Bobby has.
Li Li: and yes….totes agree
Li Li: let’s bring that up in a post. he’s bound to see it when he goes to LoveShack.com
Amber: LMFAO… LoveShack… what are we? The B-52s?!?
Li Li: LOL….TIN ROOF…..RUSTED

Deal breakers, aka man-pris and where Amber comes out as “easy”:

Amber: I do have to say one negative thing…
Li Li: uh-oh….what??
Amber: Imma need Marcus to buy his pants about an inch longer….just sayin’.
Li Li: OHDANG!!!!!!!!!!
Li Li: you totes went THERE
Li Li: but…i agree
Amber: See, I’m a girl. I notice these things.
Li Li: shush…i won’t tell, if you don’t
Amber: Please don’t. He could have been wearing man-pris or jorts and I’d have been happy!
Li Li: um…man-pris??
Li Li: that’s a deal breaker for me
Li Li: i don’t care how well you sing
Li Li: or how soft your hair looks
Li Li: i’m out
Amber: I’m too easy I guess.
Amber: TWSS
Li Li: hahaha…you beat me
Amber: #twinners
Li Li: i mean, let’s be honest here…he knows they are too short
Li Li: we wouldn’t be breaking secret new info here
Li Li: they were probs $2 at the salvation army
Amber: Probs got them when he hit the Salvation Army earlier this year. Remember the tweet.
Li Li: oh yeah
Li Li: good membering
Li Li: hahaha….member-ing….sounds dirty
Amber: YES! Love it!

So, there you have it….our Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy on Marcus’ show in Dallas.  What did you think of our review? Were you at the show? Any thoughts, comments, fan-girly confessions about the show?  Tell us about it!

I have to say, I’ve never been to The Conservatory in my life, and even with all the fair warning I was giving regarding the state of the place, it was crazy. A true dive if you will. BUT, if there was one really amazing thing about it, other then the “charm,” it was the fact that there really were no bad “seats.” It was a very intimate setting, which I did enjoy. (By the way, Phil LOVED the place! I think if he could, he would have married it! Or at least moved in and called it home.)

This is not my first time to see Bobby, but I think it was the most fun! He told great stories (as always), took crowd requests and just generally seemed to be having an amazing time! The crowd was a pretty good size for a Monday of all days, and they were fierce! Everyone there was clearly into the music and provided a really great atmosphere for all.

Once Bobby started, he made a comment that our crowd made him not want to stop playing, and for awhile there, I thought he might be right. He played all my faves, including, Left to Lie, Dead and Done, Two Years Old, In the Frost and Bounty of Mary Jane. I was on freakin’ cloud nine the entire time. I swear, I was smiling a big huge goofy ass grin the entire time. Couldn’t help it, I was just so excited that not only did I have the opportunity to see Bobby again, but that I could actually go home and sleep in my own bed afterwards! SCORE!

That's me and Bobby!!

The concert was over, and even though it was late and a Monday, Bobby of course made every effort to meet the fans! I think the best thing about meet and greets with the guys is that it’s not just a quick autograph and a move along like cattle. The guys, Bobby included, actually take a moment to speak to everyone, sign anything and everything you got and take a picture!

The best part of the night… getting praise from Phil and Bobby about the site! I think I can speak for both myself and LiLi when I say this, but when we started the site, we had no idea that outside of our little crew, anyone would come to it. More importantly, we never expected to be on the radar with any of the guys, and we appreciate everything from them. Our goal with this site has not only been to try and promote the guys a little more, but to also have fun with it and maybe, every once and awhile, be a little bit snarky. We can’t help it. It just comes out that way.

And also, Bobby (and Sam too, cause I know you are reading this!), you are freakin’ me out by recognizing me all the time, too! Kind of excited to see Marcus this week, but I swear if he says he recognizes me as well, I may have to go a little more incognito! (Just kidding!)

Okay, so this isn’t REALLY a concert review. More me fangirling like an idiot in writing. But I think the overall theme is this… It was a BLAST for everyone and I think I can say quite safely that Bobby will be back to Oklahoma! (Right Phil? RIGHT?!?)

Bobby – Thanks for not listening to all the NY or LA peeps who said you couldn’t pull a crowd in Oklahoma. It is clear that you proved them wrong! Well done!! (By the way, I think you could play in a barn in the middle of Timbuktu and pull a crowd. Just sayin’.)

Got a couple more pictures below!! Check them out!! All pictures are taken by the insanely talented Jenn aka Garnet Gurl!!

So, what concerts have you seen of the guys lately?!? Send us your pics, video or your own personal fan encounter to shackofsoul@hotmail.com! We’d love to hear from you!!

Go see Bobby on tour!! Check for a date near you right here!

Go see Marcus on tour!! Check for a date near you right here!

Want to see Sam? Well, you’re gonna have to wait! Follow ShackofSoul on Twitter for alerts on new tour date announcements!

First batch are from our good friend, PokerStarlight (who I get to meet this weekend!). These pics are from Sam Bradley & The Men’s performance in Atlanta on Nov. 10. Great pics babe!!

Digging the sweater!!

More pictures after the jump!

Personally, I love these really "intense face" shots! And the lights provide a cool background!

Looking for some divine intervention? LOL

Another nice shot! Love the smile!

Play it Sammy, PLAY IT!

Sam with the Men! Who is he pointing too?!?

Sam singing sans guitar!

Is that water, or maybe a little something else? Shhh... we won't tell!

And from Mtn_lioness, who made the Sam show in Chicago on Nov. 12, we have a few more pictures and she had some nice words about him:

My friend and I went to Sam’s show in Chicago last night and had the pleasure of talking to him for quite a while as well. We were so impressed with his stage presence and charm! We look forward to seeing him live again sometime. His music is great, but his music live transcends greatness!

I love how he seems to be glowing. Hilarious.

Sam with all the Men. The blue smoke is killer looking!

A little bit fuzzy, but the smile is too good not too share!!

So, you going to see the guys on tour! We’d love to see your pics and hear your stories. Send them on over to shackofsoul@hotmail.com and we’ll try and get them posted!! Oh, and if you are seeing Sam this Saturday in Dallas, be sure to come and say hi to LiLi and me. We’ll be the ones by the bar!

Pic by myria101

are there!

Apparently Donna was at Sam’s concert at the Mercy Lounge in Nashville and she writes an incredible record of her time:

Red and blue lights sparkle around the stage like the moons that weren’t outside tonight. Elizabeth and the Catapults are the first to perform. They’re quite good – folksy and rock’n’roll and I enjoy them. After 30 minutes or so, they tell the audience that Sam Bradley and the Men will perform next and that they’re great. I already know this. My new friends smile in anticipation. They trust what I tell them.

Mark Kerry on drums wearing his signature eyeglasses, Jeff Riedlinger on bass wearing a dark v-neck sweater, and Dave Meszaros in a white t-shirt on lead guitar, gather on stage and set up their equipment. And, then Sam comes out with his guitar. Wearing a grey, red and white striped woolen shirt that’s as soft as a baby blanket, he smiles, takes center stage and begins playing. Sam’s personality is pure sunshine. He is a troubadour of the anodyne. His lyrics and voice are soothing, relieving the pain in one’s heart. He sings some of the fans’ favorites like Too Far Gone, Wide Open, Sea Blue, Whiskey and a wonderful new jazzy blues song written by Mark Kerry, his percussionist.

As Sam sings Wide Open, I am immediately transported into my other worlds – ancient worlds – where I am wandering through medieval lands. I gather my long skirts around my ankles and run through dark passageways made of stone until I burst out of a tunnel’s end into a crisp, beautiful twilight. He stands there, tall, blonde and gallant. I fall into his wide open arms and breathe a sigh. “It is good to see you again, my love,” I whisper to him.

Sam’s voice comes back to me in song. My new friends lean over and in my ear tell me they love Sam. “I know,” I say quietly. Sam’s voice is smooth as ice and as melodic as a meditation. After each song, the audience screams and woo-hoos. Sam giggles, smiles and exudes a happiness that not many performers ever express. He talks to the audience between songs, thanking his band mates, thanking Nashville. He thanks Justin Nozuka, the “next” performer for the opportunity to be on the road with him. Sam says he loves Nashville and in fact, has moved to Nashville and the audience claps and yells for him again. Sam makes the crowd feel as though he’s your friend and they embrace him as a neighbor in Nashville. But, it’s not just Nashvillians at this event. People have driven from the north and south to hear Sam Bradley and his band.

Sam’s intelligence permeates his songs. His wisdom shines through his personality as he dances with his guitar and looks into the souls of his audience. His band mates smile and never once falter in their support of Sam.

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