Craziest road trip ever!

Note to self: "you are no longer in your 20's, 30's, or 40's. In fact, you are barely in your 50's. Please act accordingly.

This is no major revelation to most folks, but it sure is a needed reminder after my last "great idea."  Living in Nashville is unlike most any other city. Because of the creative aspect, many musicians...even very famous musicians share a love or passion for photography. Working in one of the best camera stores on the planet, we meet many of these wonderful people and have even become friends. That's the case with Jonathan Cain, the keyboard player and writing genius behind Journey's amazing success. Jonathan has become a friend through the store, I was talking to him about this concert and he offered me tickets to which I quickly said YES!

OK, it's not a great picture of me, but I was talking the person through how to use my camera

I was driving back from a visit to Ohio a month or so ago, and heard of an amazing concert in Cincinnati. This didn't really interest me because it's a 4 1/2 hour trip one way. But it was three groups that I like a lot, Journey, Steve Miller Band and Tower of Power, all in one night!

Yes, that is the incredible Joseph Wooten over Steve's shoulder. He was fantastic as always!

The plan was simple: figure out who to invite without hurting anyone else's  feelings. They have to appreciate great music and be crazy enough to drive 600+ miles in one day! I thought the most difficult part would be not leaving anyone out. Turns out, Wednesday nights are terrible for long road trips. I had a short list of about 6 folks I really wanted to go with me, but for one reason or another, none of them could go. (I have to add that all of them hated they couldn't make it!) In fact, I almost had to ditch the entire trip. But on Tueday I got a visit from my friend Tommie Coomes, he's been a TOP fan for decades and heard them when they started out. (He's from California, and a great musician/producer) it was spur of the moment, but he was in and the trip was on! The plan was simple, I would work till 12:30, he would meet me at the store and we would be off. 

We had a great time talking all the way up and back. We logged over 600 miles, drank coffee, ate some junk food (including Graeter's ice cream) and had a great time!


I have to say this is probably the best concert I've ever been to. The sound was great and the bands were tight. Tower of Power was playing as we walked in and it sounded like their 40th Anniversary CD! Ironically, I didn't take any pictures of them because I was walking in and out for various reasons. Bummer.

Jonathan tossed out many picks to fans and I did get one in flight

I told many friends this was so good I would do it again...but not right away.

Camera Specs: The incredible Fuji X20! I have not owned a better "point and shoot" for concerts. The results rival using most bigger cameras and it handles high ISO's incredibly. It has a 28-112mm zoom and it's super fast, plus it doesn't attract attention of the camera police.