One of the main questions I get about photography is how I got started in concert photography. So I decided to do a several part series on how I got started and who my favorite musicians are to photograph.

Part #2 – Natalie Grant

So really I should be inserting Crystal Lewis here, but I am having a hard time finding my old photos so I need to look some more. I first met Natalie in 2000. I met her manager at an event for Habitat for Humanity which I was shooting at. He wanted to set a meeting with me once he found out I did websites and photography. He had a new group coming out that needed a site (plus one). I went to the meeting and walked out with three clients and Natalie happened to be one.

I started working on Natalie’s website and did that from 2000-2004/5. In that time I had the privilege of going to many many many many shows and shot them all for the website. Natalie was a great subject to photography — she has great stage presence and happens to be very pretty so it did not take a whole lot of work to get good photos. Natalie is one of my favorite people to take photos of because she is just awesome, very sweet and down to earth.

Here are a few of the photos that I could find. Mind you these are all scans so the quality is HORRIBLE! But I have long since lost the negatives. Some on stage shots, sound checks and one from the studio when she was recording ‘Deeper Life’.

The next round of this series will either be Crystal Lewis (if i can find photos) or Plus One. Yes I am saving Amy Grant till last since I have taken more photos of her than just about anyone in the world (except maybe my niece).

Technorati Tags: Natalie Grant, Concert Photography

One of the main questions I get about photography is how I got started in concert photography. So I decided to do a several part series on how I got started and who my favorite musicians are to photograph.

Part #1 – The beginning

My love for concert photography started in 1992. I was in 7th or 8th grade at the time and was deep into country music (I grew up in West Texas and country music was still somewhat good). In 1992 an artist named Ronna Reeves released her second album called “The More I Learn” and the song had me hooked. I then found out Ronna was also from West Texas and played the area often. I went to a show and met her then I ended up going to Fan Fair (yes it was still fan fair) in Nashville the summer after my 8th grade year. At fan fair I met Ronna again and she remembered me from the show in Odessa a few months earlier. I also met her parents and grandmother at fan fair. After that I went to every show in the area and I always had my camera with me. Pretty soon I was getting good shots. Ronna let me take pictures and encouraged me to get close, get on the stage, etc.

I would mail the photos to her fan club based in Midland, TX ( a few miles from my house) and her fan club manger (and godmother) would use my photos for the newsletters. It was awesome for me as a kid to have Ronna and her family to encourage me. No matter what show I went to they always made time to talk to me and have me backstage and when you are 13/14 that makes a huge difference. One time she even pulled me up on stage to sing with her and well…that did not go so well because I am horribly shy and I can’t sing!

She was putting bunny ears on me

As time went on I kept taking pictures and attending Ronna’s shows. I eventually moved to Nashville and went to her shows here all the way till the late 90/early 2000s.  One show in Nashville at a local coffee shop I went backstage to say hey and she encouraged me to pursue music marketing because I would be great at it. Not too long after that I landed some gigs doing just that and loved it.

Ronna took the time to encourage a kid and it made a huge difference in my life. Somewhere between all my moves across the country I lost most of my old concert photos. All I am left with are a handful of pictures of the two of us together. So I thought I would post those because well they are funny! Also here are a few Ronna videos in case you have never heard her (unfortunately the quality of these videos are not great).

#1 – The More I Learn – the first song I heard by Ronna.

#2 – My Heart Wasn’t In It –  I always liked this music video

#3 – Sweet Pretender — This was on her pop album that Peter Cetera produced. It was one of my favorite songs that she did.

Part Two – coming soon — I think it will be Crystal Lewis.

Technorati Tags: Ronna Reeves, Ronna, Concert Photography, Photography

Here are a few of my favorite albums from 2009. I thought 2009 was a bust as far as mainstream pop/rock radio, but there was loads of great music that most people never heard. Here are a few of my favorites.  Also each album is linked to amazon.com for mp3 instant download.

Please let me know if I have missed your favorite. I am always looking for new music!

Here is my list and in no certain order.

Regina Spektor – This is an amazing album! I have listened to Regina for years and by far this album blows her other work out the back door. I can not even begin to say musically and lyrically how awesome this album is. If you only buy one album from this list…this would be it!

Imogen Heap – When I first heard Frou Frou I loved the vocals and found out that it was this person named Imogen Heap so I bought her album I Megaphone and well it went from there! Speak For yourself was an amazing album that just got worn out in my playlists, I just could not get enough. Ellipse came at the perfect time to get played over and over and over and over…pure genius!

Away We Go Soundtrack – When I watched this movie a couple of months back I fell in love with the music. It is by a guy named Alexi Murdoch and somehow I had missed his music all these years. Most of the songs on this album are actually many years old, but they are just amazing. There were so many days that I put on my ear phones and listened to his music and the world seemed like a better place.

Where The Wild Things Are Soundtrack – This is a soundtrack by Karen O (lead singer for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and is just a fitting tribute to one of the best movies of 2009.

Fiction Family – If you like Jon Forman (lead singer of switchfoot) then check out this side project of his.

Phoenix with Wolfgang Amadeus is just contagious good music!

M. Ward with Hold Time and Monsters Of Folk — Really what can M. Ward do that is just no freakin awesome!

Civil Twilight – I first heard their song ‘Letters From The Sky’ in the promo for Harper’s Island on TV and fell in love with the song so I bought the whole album. Just killer.

Andrew Bird, Noble Beast – No words needed…just buy it!

Break Up – When I first heard Pete Yorn did an album with Scarlett Johansson I thought what a joke, but then I listened…I was blown away.

Bon Jovi – proving they can still rock after all these years and the lyrics are just amazing!

Ray Guns are not just the Future – Proving Jazz base for music makes you want to dance.

Veckatimest – BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY

Glee – The little show that took everyone by surprise! I usually hate re-makes, but this cast excels at making the songs better than the original!

The First Days Of Spring – Combine folk, Orchestra, Choirs, and more….just music that makes you happy.

Stockholm Syndrome – Derek consistently makes music worth shouting from mountain tops.

Actor – YES YES YES!!! AMAZING!!!!

Scary Fragile – I first heard Butterfly Boucher years and years ago and had been waiting patiently for a follow up album and this album did not disappoint! Just amazing.

Neko Case – Always awesome!

Crash Kings – What a way to introduce yourself to the world. Infectious rock.

Shallow Life – Think Evanescence only better…

Lungs – I just heard this album today and already put it on the list of favorites. I have not even finished the album, but I love it so. Happy, Depth, Vocal, Groove…check this out!

Technorati Tags: 2009 albums, best music of 2009, indie music, glee

Last night was the 5th annual ‘Lighting Of The Green’ at Lipscomb university. It was a great night of music. I was unsure about the line up when I heard about it because I am not a fan of the Gaithers. I have a friend who sings with them and have been to way too many tapings/shows so I debated not even going, but ended up going and enjoying the night. It was not as cold as previous years so that helped with the general merriness of the event. The line up included: Amy, Lipscomb choirs, Brenda Lee, Guy Penrod, Buddy Greene and the Annie Moses Band.

I am going to let the photos speak for the evening. Here is a sampling and for a link to all the photos look below. I shot one video of Amy singing ‘Heirlooms’ and debating if I am going to put it up. Check back in a few days to see if I have.

See all the photos: Flickr.com

Also past years: 2007 and 2008

Technorati Tags: Amy Grant, Christmas, Lighting Of The Green, Lipscomb, Nashville, Brenda Lee, Annie Moses Band, Buddy Green, Guy Penrod, Gaithers

Recently I have found a couple of things that I never knew that I liked. I love finding new things that speak to a part of me that I did not know or speak deeply to a part that has always been there. Here are a few of mine…do you have things you never knew you liked?

#1. Symphonic Metal/Goth Music – I was looking for something etherial but with an edge and google did not leave me empty handed.After I discovered a handful of bands that seemed to be in the general direction I logged onto emusic.com and went to work. To say my credits went quickly would be a gross understatement.  Here are a few gems of bands that I walked away with and have been listening to all day.

#2 X-Files – I never watched the X-Files growing up. When I was in high school I just did not watch much tv and the show went off the air before I ever saw it. With last years movie “I Want To Believe” though something peeked my interested. So when the movie came out on video I rented it and loved it. Through twitter several people told me to watch the show so I added season one to my netflix cue. About half way through season one I was hooked. As I type this I am seven episodes from the season 9 series finale and honestly quite sad that there is nothing else to watch after that (unless 2012 works out…cross fingers).

I really wish there were good clips online of the show, but I could not find any. Here are a couple of movie trailers. If you have not seen the X-Files and you enjoy sci-fi/paranormal then watch it. The characters of Mulder and Scully is the best written love story on tv. I have never watched a show where I cared about the characters so much…they are just so damn well written.

Once I get through the final few episodes I will write up my thoughts on the show. (yes I know only a few years behind)

Technorati Tags: The X-Files, Symphonic Metal, Within Temptation, Epica, Delain

It really seems there is just so much crap on the radio. People that should never get record deals much less have hits with songs that should have never seen the light of day. In all this crap there are shining lights of talent though they often get buried from the masses. Here are a few of those shining lights that I am listening to. Do you have someone I should be listening to? Please drop me a comment and let me know.

#1 The Swell Season “Strict Joy” – This group is really known for the movie that “made them famous” a little indie flick called “Once”. This album is as fresh as the first time we heard these awkward crooners find themselves in the film. There is something magic that happens when these two peoples voice join together. Here is a small sample:

2. Wolfmother “Cosmic Egg” – This is a band that should be a classic band from the 70’s. In face when I heard their first album I wondered how I could have missed this classic band. The way the vocals mesh with the guitar effects is magical. The new album “Cosmic Egg” is a wonderland of sounds and emotions. Here is an acoustic sneak:

3. Butterfly Boucher – “Scary Fragile” – It was years ago when I first heard Butterfly.I was on tour at the time and her album”Flutterby” had just come out and was my constant soundtrack on the road. 5 years later her music has transformed and is absolutely killer. Here is a sneak:

4. Civil Twilight “Civil Twilight” – Okay so this album has been out for a few months, but it still has not gotten old. It is just a great album and if you have not heard it…go buy it on iTunes. Currently it is 5.99 (for limited time).

Technorati Tags: Civil Twilight, Butterfly Boucher, Wolfmother, The Swell Season, New Music

Tonight I am listening to this song — over and over —

Technorati Tags: Caedmon’s Call, Climb On, Derek Webb

So I have a nasty little secret…okay not really nasty and not really secret but I LOVE ‘Glee’. I can’t help myself. Normally I don’t watch comedies and tend to reserve tv time for things more like Fringe, Lost and Flashforward, but Glee is quickly becoming one of my favorite shows. Maybe it has something to do with the amazing music. I am a sucker for a good musical. Too many times I have cleaned the house with the soundtrack of Wicked, Rent, Phantom Of The Opera or Hairspray turned way too loud. Now I get to add Glee to that mix. Each week they release songs from the show and these are just great tracks!

Another great thing about Glee is the humor. It is so awkwardly funny that you can’t help but cringe and bust out laughing at the same time. Each cast member was cast so perfectly — it really is like they are just a high school glee club that is learning to work together.

In case you have been living under a rock and not sure what glee is here is a quick break summary / break down:

The series follows an optimistic teacher, WILL SCHUESTER (Matthew Morrison), who – against all odds and a malicious cheerleading coach – attempts to save McKinley High’s Glee Club from obscurity, while helping a group of aspiring underdogs realize their true star potential. It’s a tall order when the brightest stars of the group include KURT (Chris Colfer), a soprano who hits a high note in fashion; MERCEDES (Amber Riley), a larger-than-life diva with a voice to match; ARTIE (Kevin McHale), a geeky guitarist who rocks and rolls; and TINA (Jenna Ushkowitz), a punk rocker who hides behind her stutter and blue hair extensions.

Will’s only hope lies with two true talents: RACHEL BERRY (Lea Michele), a self-proclaimed star who is convinced that MySpace and show choir and are her tickets to fame; and FINN HUDSON (Cory Monteith), the popular high school quarterback with movie star looks who must protect his reputation from his holier-than-thou girlfriend and “Cheerios” head cheerleader, QUINN (Dianna Agron), and his arrogant football teammate, PUCK (Mark Salling).

Will is determined to do whatever it takes to make Glee great again, but his only ally is fellow teacher and germaphobe EMMA PILLSBURY (Jayma Mays). Everyone else around him thinks he’s nuts – from his tough-as-nails wife TERRI SCHUESTER (Jessalyn Gilsig) to McKinley’s scheming cheerleading coach SUE SYLVESTER (Jane Lynch) – but he’s out to prove them wrong.

Really that does not do the show justice. Here are a few of my favorite highlights:

• Slushies in the face
• Celibacy club president/head cheerleader is pregnant
• Will’s wife is faking a pregnancy and trying to get head cheerleaders baby
• Great music
• Emma is a major germaphobe…break out the gloves
• Put a ring on it on the football field
• Great music
• Kurt and his dad
• Finn being such a good guy
• OTC medicine
• Sue
• Oh yeah…. great music

Now see if you had been watching the show you would have been smiling while reading those. Do yourself a favor and watch Glee — TONIGHT on Fox or check it out on Hulu.

A crazy sample of the music you will here:

This made me love this song more than the original Journey version!

When the most awesome Kristin Chenoweth was on Glee.

Technorati Tags: Glee, Fox, Kristin Chenoweth, Gleek

Show at Rocketown presented by Way FM.

Tonight was an amazing night. I FINALLY got to see ‘Wicked’! I have wanted to see Wicked since I first heard about it years and years ago. Here is my mini review.

I was excited to see wicked, but a little sad that I never got to see Idina Menzel play Elphaba. Okay okay and Joey McIntyre from New Kids On The Block play the role of Fiyero (I still find him just as dreamy as when I was 5th grade). If you have ever read my blog you know that I just love Idina (a quick search pulls up several results). I was hoping that the person playing Elphaba was going to be good. When I saw ‘Rent’ live some of the cast just did not live up to what I had in my mind. I have to say the lady (Marcie Dodd) playing Elphaba was AMAZING! The whole touring cast of Wicked was beyond belief.

Honestly I can’t even begin to say how blown away I am right now. I really don’t even know what I should be typing here except..OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG….If you have not seen Wicked…run…run as fast as you can. Better yet hop on your broomstick and go to your nearest show.

Time for the media sharing and me to go to bed. My head is spinning from the show and getting only 4 hours of sleep for several days in a row.

Here are a few crappy photos I took on my iPhone.

Here is a clip of Idina singing ‘Defying Gravity’.

Technorati Tags: Wicked, Nashville, Touring, Broadway