Teaser for Carnival of Madness/Rockstock IV August 27, 2011

Sarah, Myles Kennedy, and me, late Saturday night

Last Saturday night, Sarah, myself and two new friends (Nate and Katie) had the unexpected and delightful opportunity to spend a great deal of time backstage talking to Alter Bridge--primarily Myles and his wife Selena.

It has been hard to sort out everything that happened that day so that I might write it down, but I have finally begun the process. I may have said I was a writer, but I never said I was fast. It's a story that deserves full justice, and I intend to do my best to ensure that it gets it.

Short version? It was the best night of my life.

More to come... Pictures and some main details on FB and Twitter so far...


Wait for it...
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Carnival of Madness/Rock the Ranch 2011

Hell hath no fury like Mother Nature

I promise to post the full story of the day (and night) that was Rock on the Ranch a.k.a. Carnival of Madness, held in Twin Lakes, WI this Saturday the 13th. It was an 18 hour day with no dull moments so as soon as the novel is drafted, I will post it.

But a couple of Thank you's can't wait:

First: Our new rail buddies Tony and Nicki. Not only did they stand with us during the Day of Reckoning downpour, but Tony also performed the most chivalrous (if not particularly wise) act on my behalf that I've ever seen: He put his own ass on the line to prevent mine from getting kicked over defending my spot on the rail following the deluge. It was unrequested, unexpected, quite necessary (my big mouth got me in too deep too fast), and greatly appreciated.

Second: Our new favorite security man, Josh. It was Josh who witnessed the entire near-altercation from "Stage Hill" and had Tony's (and my) back in case things did go further south than they did. Without his reassurance, I'm fairly certain my sister Sarah would have leapt on the DA (drunken asshole) like a pissed-off flying monkey.

Third: Fellow hardcore Alter Bridge fan Steve Porter, who got some great pictures I hope to borrow. We had a camera, but we were saving it for Alter Bridge (specifically for the signing booth, or simply finding them after the show, which didn't happen). When they came on, they were so backlit our pictures all looked like we were shooting The Holy Trinity--just beams of lights. Steve had a much better angle for pictures, probably a better camera, and a friend who was allowed up near the stage. A winning combination.

Fourth: My sister, Sarah, who stepped in every single time my well-being was threatened by DA's, ran every food and water run, and acted as my social conduit to everyone we met, including some of our most important new friends, security. She was soaked to the bone by noon and her teeth chattered so loud it was difficult to hear Nonpoint, but she stood by me as I waited another hour after Alter Bridge left the stage, trying to figure out how to get from A to B, so to speak. Only after 13 hours did she admit that she was absolutely freezing and would like to go--but would stay, if I wanted. She denied it all day not just because of how much she loves Myles Kennedy, but because of how much he means to me. That was not lost on me.

Fifth: My devoted Tweeps, who were "with" me on Twitter all day giving support and worrying on our behalf. Friends ranging from the West Coast to North Dakota to Poland backed us up and made sure that, just in case Myles missed any of my hundred tweets, he might see theirs. That we did not find Alter Bridge last night was NOT for lack of assistance! ♥

Sixth: Alter Bridge, for playing in unsafe and fairly shitty conditions. And specifically Myles, who acknowledged Sarah and me so openly that the people around us were wondering who THEY had to sleep with to get those smiles and shout-outs. And all because we were holding a sopping wet, deflated balloon in the shape of a pug? I can see how by-standers might have been confused. But Myles, once again, made all the "adventure" worth it by showering love from the stage. Those are the moments I live for.

Pugsly being introduced to Alter Bridge Friday night.

To be continued...

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Why I love Huskies but will never own one

Do not attempt to drink any beverages as you watch this or you risk a very messy snort. The subtitles are priceless. Mishka (the black one) even has her own YouTube channel! The brown one is her sister, Laika.

What about now?
No. Read more!

Chris Cornell Kids' Videos--2011 and 2010

Video montages I made of Chris Cornell's children for Father's Day 2011, and 2010 below. Inspired by Vicky Cornell's mother, Toni Karayiannis, and mega-fan Rose Hurt, among many others!



First Video, 2010 (I was still learning):

Because there is nothing more precious than the bond between Chris and his kids!

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Jimmy Dietrich - The Early Years

Well it's about damn time I stopped making videos of unobtainable rock stars long enough to make one of my all-time favorite rock star, my dad, Jim Dietrich. This montage attempts to show the origins of Jim's true creative genius, and I only hope it can shed some light on what makes this man rock and roll!

Jimmy Dietrich from Nancy Dietrich on Vimeo.

Screw YouTube--Long live Vimeo!! Read more!

You Can't Keep Me Here -- Eddie Vedder

The setting for this video is so stunning and dramatic it is easy to overlook the lyrics to this powerful personal anthem. It's not kosher, but I'm not Jewish, and I think this and Myles Kennedy's "Summergirl" would make much better funereal songs than the normal boring hymns. Just my opinion. And no, I'm not planning on going anywhere soon, but people do think about these things, and I'm not the only one.

That said, enjoy this gorgeous video for Eddie's new song. I only wish we were going wherever this was shot to hear his concert this Saturday evening instead of Minneapolis.



"Can't Keep" by Eddie Vedder

I wanna shake
I wanna wind out
I wanna leave
This mind and shout

I've lived
All these lives
Like an ocean
In disguise
I won't live forever
You can't keep
Me here

I wanna race
With the sundown
I want a last breath
That I don't let out

Forgive
Every being
The bad feelings
It's just me

I won't wait
For answers
Oh you can't keep
Me here

I wanna rise
And say a goodnight
I wanna take
A look on the other side

I've lived
All these lives
It's been wonder
Full at night (?)
I won't live forever
You can't keep
Me here

These boys have always been able to capture what I'm feeling. And that's why I love them so. Read more!

I Don't Need No Stinkin' Cake

All I need is Myles Kennedy for my birthday, and Cornell friend Denise Fitz delivered with this fan video she found. It was made by Danish Superfan Sascha Andersen who, I suspect, has met Myles Kennedy more than his poor wife has ;)



Thanks, Sascha!!



It opens with my favorite moment from the 2009 Amsterdam show, shots of him playing Travelin' Riverside Blues, Hallelujah, and playing something shirtless (I sort of blacked out). Shows his fan devotion and inherent geekiness, and even his course of forgetting his own lyrics, God bless him. Lucky for him, with his voice and looks, we don't care what the hell he's singing, as long as he is.

So happy fucking birthday to me. A toast to Myles Kennedy, who makes rockin' 45 a whole helluva lot easier.

Go watch it again. I won't tell anyone. Read more!

Alter Bridge Rocks Luxembourg

Myles Kennedy with Alter Bridge

Alter Bridge in Luxembourg on June 15, 2011. Link leads to some more pro shots from Cedric Letsch.

Myles was subjected to a virtual avalanche of tweets before and after the show, our attempt to draw his attention to a 10 y.o. fan in attendance with her mother, Ritam. The gal has a good set of lungs because she got his attention and got herself a couple of autographs. Probably not concentrating on much else today at school!

This was one small venue--about 600 capacity--and you can get an idea from the German fan group that was on hand before the show, @Metalingusde:

Setlist after the jump...


Setlist from Luxembourg.

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Sedona by Helicopter

Sedona by Helicopter

This link is SUPPOSED to let anyone go see my heli photos of Sedona at Facebook, but we'll see if it works... Let me know!

John, Jayne (MWI employees), me and Sarah post-flight

Another taste of that which awaits you..
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Just because...

My man Myles Kennedy...

You're welcome.

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