The Soldiers

It amazes me how the world works these days....I've resisted having a twitter or facebook account because it is so much less personal than actually TALKING to or WRITING someone...Having said that, I signed up for both maybe 2 months ago and I'm hooked. It is nice to see whats going on with so many of my friends that I (BAD ME!) haven't made enough time to stay in contact with...but what I really love about it is that they have both, twitter and facebook, introduced me to some amazing artist and musicians.

Like the group "THE SOLDIERS"...I don't know how they found me, but one day I get a follow notice from twitter saying they are following me. I check them out to see if I want to follow them back and I am blown away by who they are and what they stand for.....

Here is a link to a article about them, it does them far more justice than I can just disregard the blurb above the photo....

I have posted their first single "Coming Home" in my sidebar. I hope you'll take a listen and join me in supporting these fellas. While they are building their website you can find them on face book at http://www.facebook.com/thesoldiers

My thanks go out to these soldiers and any soldier (and their families) that is fighting to preserve freedom.

Jonny Blu 09/12/09

I've promised several times to do better and post more often and I have failed miserably but I am going to do better. Really!

As you know, I love music, I love books, I love MartiniInTheMorning, I love my family....but I ADORE going to a concert. A live show with a talented musician wakes something in me and the feeling lasts for days, weeks even.

Recently I've added NYC to my list of places I am willing to travel to for a short stay and a live show. In past 3 months I've been to NYC 3 times. Each time being lucky to see someone fabulous perform. Most recently I went to see Jonny Blu and the Iridium Jazz Club for his CD release party and I thought I would share my amazing night with you......

It wasn't my first time seeing Jonny perform so I thought I knew what to expect but what I got was SO much more....Long story short, Jonny was FANTASTIC!

Now for the details…. (you didn’t really think I was going stop there did ya?) I got to the club a couple of minutes early and was told by the staff that I needed to wait outside while they straightened up from the previous show. It was a beautiful night in NY and I enjoyed watching the hustle and bustle of the city. While waiting I saw Tony DeSare show up. As a fan of all things Martini in the Morning I was pretty excited. I had heard on MartniInTheMorning that he was going to be there, but I didn't really believe it....

We were finally let in and I was seated at a table right up front but to the left of the stage. I was suppose to meet another huge Jonny fan and her husband but she got sick and wasn’t able to come. I didn’t know that at the time though so I was seated at a table for 4. After being seated I looked around and saw Tony. I know it’s rude but I had to go up and introduce myself. We’ve chatted on Facebook and he’s a big fan of MITM too.

I went back to my table and waited for my friend to show….the lights started to dim and I was beginning to feel a little awkward sitting at such a large table by myself. I looked around and Tony caught my eye….I said “looks like I’ve been stood up” and he invited me to his table. What a gentleman! (Not to mention the seat was center stage!)

On to the show….Jonny came on looking mighty fine and started off with Taboo from his new album of the same name. I was worried at first that his wonderful voice was going to be drowned out by the brass but no, he was terrific. I can’t tell you every song he sang or in what order but a few of the nights highlights were some of his originals (I need love, In a Groove, and Sweet Lovin’ in the Afternoon) as well as the latin standards (Besame Mucho, Frenesi, and Sabor a mi) He was on for over an hour, but it wasn't long enough...I could have listen to him all night long.

He kept up the energy the entire night and I have to say he is great at making eye contact with the audience. Every time he caught my eye I felt like he was singing just to me. There was one lady up front (lets call her barbi,) who was in sheer ecstasy and didn’t mind letting EVERYONE know. LOL

After the show Jonny came out and sign CD’s and took pictures. I waited till the end to talk to him so he wouldn’t be so rushed. While I waited I chatted with Tony and got a picture of us. I felt silly asking but didn’t figure anyone would believe me without the photographic proof! LOL He was very sweet to put up with me. I also spent a lot of time chatting with Jonny’s mum. What a great lady. How luck is Jonny to have such a supportive family? I ran into Bob Malone while waiting too, he’s the pianist on all Jonny’s songs and he arranged all the music on the new album. He is AMAZING on the keys! He has his own albums as well, more bluzey than jazz, but I love them.

I waited so long that by the end it was Jonny, Bob, me and his mum. We all headed out and as a group started to walk back to our respective hotels. Bob was starving so he took off to get some food but Jonny and I walked his mum back to her hotel. Another great example of what a nice guy he is…he could have stuck his mum in a cab and got on with partying but instead he saw her safely home. How cool is that?

I did get the opportunity to buy him the drink I owed him but that’s a whole other story……

You can find Jonny online at http://www.jonnyblumusic.com and on Facebook. His new album Taboo is going to be release 1st at CDbaby.com on Oct 6th. I have my copy but I need to pick up a few more for some friends. Can't wait!

And here's one of my favorite pictures of Jonny...What is it about a good looking man in jeans and bare feet? Enjoy!

My "home" away from home....

Some days I think I'm an idiot, other days I KNOW it. Today I come on online to post a blog about a recent show I was at and what do I find....a post that I wrote almost 4 months ago was saved as a draft instead of being published. OOPS! I wrote this while sitting with Brad in the MartiniInTheMorning studio. It's lost some of it immediacy but I still think you'll find it interesting....Enjoy! (post dated May but actually published Sept 2009, What a doofus!)

Almost a year and a half ago I was introduced to the most amazing internet radio station via the Michael Buble fan club. http://www.martiniinthemorning.com and I've been hooked ever since. They play all the "classic cool" singers like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney, singing the greatest songs in American history, aptly named "The Great American Songbook". They also play the "contemporary cool" singers like Michael Buble (more than any other station in the world), Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall, Peter Cincotti, The Pussycat Dolls, Norah Jones, Seal and many others singing those same great songs. On top of all that they are the only champions I am aware of new and up and coming singers singing this great music. They have introduced me to so many new and talented artist like Renee Olstead, Jonny Blu, Erin Boheme, Matt Belsante, Jaimee Paul, Tony DeSare and Tamela D'Amico.

I don't know many of stations that play this music, but those that I do know ONLY play the classic singers and it feels very nostalgic....and yes, even boring. That is no way to play this amazing music. I know some don't think there is a market for this music or at least not with the 50 or younger crowd but I totally disagree. I am 32 and have been listening to this music for at least the last decade. My friends and I listen to a little bit of everything, but ALL of us have a special place in our hearts for this rich piece of our musical history. There is NOTHING boring or stodgy about this music.

Beyond all the wonderful music they play, they have a wonderful website that includes a forum and a chat room. I've been in the chat room since the day it opened and I have met the nicest people. They are funny, generous, kind, thoughtful and Hey! they have GREAT taste in tunes. I have met several of the for dinner, drinks or a concert (or all three).
We've all become a "family"! When one of us is sick or having issues someone is always there for them. I don't know of any other chat or forum that generates such strong ties. Granted, other than MartiniInTheMorning I spend very little time online. (This isn't true anymore, I've succumbed and have joined Twitter and Facebook)

Brad "Martini" Chambers is our "fearless leader" He has been in the radio biz for years and MartiniInTheMorning is his baby. He was playing this format for years on the AM Dial and once Clear Channel, in their infinite wisdom, decided that this music didn't have a place on thier air, he went out on his own and started his own "lounge on the web". Now three years later there are listeners all around the world. I've made friends from Mexico to Moscow and from Scotland to San Fransisco!

I listen every day, thank goodness you can get them on the web! Now if only I could get them in my car. One day I hope they'll be on the dial but as long as I have the internet I'll be a MartiniInTheMorning listener. Beyond being a listener I am also a supporter of all things Martini! This wonderful station is listener supported and like every business these days is having a hard time. Some of us make a monthly donation, some just when we can but all of us do what we can to spread the word about this amazing station.

MartiniInTheMorning recently celebrated it's 3rd Anniversary. Congratulations Brad! It is an wonderful, amazing, crazy, cool thing you have accomplished and I love being a part of it.