Guess Who's Back, Back Again?

 I'm back!

          After (almost) a one year break from this music blog, I'm back to attending and writing about my live show experiences.  Since last year, I have tasted the bitterness of failure and the sweetness of victory!  I took the Florida Bar Exam in July of 2012 and did not pass.  The day I found out was filled with tears, Entenmann's chocolate donuts and some seriously sappy movies.  The kind of movies you can only watch when you are feeling low and for some reason only want to feel lower.  I can't remember what movies I watched, I only remember it feeling slightly inappropriate to be crying so hard in the middle of the afternoon.  As if crying like that is reserved for 3:00AM on the bathroom floor. 
 
          However, the next day I peeled myself out of bed and vowed to get it right the second time around.  "I will pass the Florida Bar Exam in February 2013!"  That's exactly what I did!  I sequestered myself in Islamorada from November to February (mostly in pj's without a brush through my hair).  Some days I would study from the time I woke up, until the time I went to bed, having never seen the outside the whole day.  Sounds pretty attractive huh?  In the last week of February I sat for the exam.  I gorged myself on the free brie and snacks from Marriott's concierge lounge, littered my hotel room with study materials and powered through those hellish 2 days.  On April 15th, I got the good news that I would never have to experience that ordeal again.  I was finally able to say, "I passed."  The beautiful thing about the whole experience was the outpouring of love, encouragement, strength, and positivity I received from my family and friends.  We may have our own bodies, but if we are lucky in life, we don't live alone.  There is nothing like a strong support group to get you through the tough times.  Sometimes you need someone who loves you to remind you exactly what you're capable of. 

         If we are even luckier in life we will experience some great moments highlighted by some great music.  It brings me great joy to say that I will be leaving for my 8th annual Bonnaroo trip in 2 weeks time.  We officially have 10 of us going.  It's the most people we've had camping since our first year in 2006!  The music at Bonnaroo is incredible, but it's not the same unless you have people to share it with.  See my old post about Bonnaroo here.  http://www.ajourneythroughmusic.blogspot.com/2011/09/6-year-bonnaroo-vet.html

 
          The lineup for Bonnaroo 2013 can be found at www.bonnaroo.com.  As always it is extensive as it is eclectic.  For now I will focus on the three main headliners, Paul McCartney, Mumford and Sons and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
 
          PAUL MCCARTNEY!!!  I'm going to see a real life Beatle live in person!!!  Holy crap!  I apologize. But seriously?  A Beatle!  I am convinced that 'Hey Jude' will be an experience filled with goosebumps and tears.  There something spiritual about a song like that being sung by 80,000 people in unison.   
 

          Mumford and Sons is a band I've only recently discovered.  In the last year or so, I've heard their songs here and there.  I saw them perform on TV.  I was intrigued.  I liked them.  Then it happened.  I saw their documentary, 'Road to Redrocks.'  That was it.  That was my "ah ha" moment with them.  I believe I will have a long smoldering love affair with Mumford and Sons.  Their music is vibrant, alive and passionate.  I think seeing their performance on the farm this year is going to be one for the history books.  I imagine myself dancing in a beautiful circle with my nearest and dearest with flowers in my hair!
 

          Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.  Sounds so formal doesn't it?  I mean, for a guy I know on a first name basis.  Tom has been there for some of the happiest moments of my life.  He was there at my very first Bonnaroo.  Me and 80,000 of my friends belted out the words to, 'You don't know how it feels,' 'Free fallin,' and 'I won't back down,' like it was our last night on Earth.  It was one of the most memorable shows I have ever experienced.  For some reason it felt like I understood his lyrics for the first time.  I had been a huge fan for years.  But seeing him on the farm,  really connected us.  It didn't hurt that he brought the legendary Stevie Nicks on stage with him for a few songs.  Incredible.  This year he is closing out the festival.  He is the very last performance on Sunday night.  I couldn't think of a better way to say goodbye to another year at Bonnaroo.
 

          I head out for this year's Bonnaroo with a clear mind, with love in my heart, gratitude, and 10 of my closest friends.

          Don't forget to follow me on Twitter! https://twitter.com/journythrumusic I will be tweeting from this year's Bonnaroo!

Helpful links:

www.bonnaroo.com
www.paulmccartney.com
www.mumfordandsons.com
www.tompetty.com