A Podcast-Blog-Photos Website on Concert Reviews, Interviews, & Music Discussions
Posted on 1/30/2012
Written by Mike Arnold
The main guitarist of the Rolling Stones, Keith Richards, wrote a book about his life simply called… “Life”. This is our first book review on Concert Blast and we may have more to follow.
Keith Richards’ book, Life is appropriately named due to that is exactly what it is, a journey through his life. The book begins as he and Ron Wood are being arrested in Arkansas as they are driving their rental car to the next city during one of the many Rolling Stones tours… and they have plenty of drugs on them, in them, and in the car.
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Posted on 12/24/11

Glen Campbell In Concert - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium - 11/30/2011
Written by James Downing
I have told the story here on Concert Blast about how my dad brought home a record player one day when I was about seven years old. That day changed my life forever and opened the world of music up to me. My mom was a big country music fan and would buy many records. She would sit in my bedroom with me and we would listen to many of them. Loretta Lynn, Bing Crosby, Donna Fargo and the list goes on and on. There was one album that she bought that I really liked and that was a Glen Campbell album. My favorite song off that album was called “Gentle On My Mind”. I soon discovered that this guy had his own tv show each week and I would watch it everytime it came on. As I grew up and started listening to rock and roll music, Glen Campbell’s music remained on my record player along side Alice Cooper, The Who, Kiss and all of the other bands that I listened to.
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Posted on 12/18/2011

The Crowd - Nashville's Party Rock Band
On Friday December 9th 2011 something happened at a music club in Nashville, TN that members of the party rock band from the 80’s, The Crowd, thought would never happen… a reunion show!
Two members of the Concert Blast team, Mike Arnold and Tom Thompson, were part of the rock band that began performing cover songs at parties in the early 1980s, decided to write and record a few original songs, had those originals played on the radio and began thrilling crowds at the private parties, rock clubs, colleges, and music festivals. Now in 2011 the guys returned to a rock music club in Nashville, TN, Douglas Corner Café, to perform a reunion show to celebrate their first gig from 30 years ago. Also joining the reunion on stage was Tom’s twin brother and bassist of the band, Jim Thompson, the latest lead guitarist, Gary Conn, and the original lead guitarist, Dwayne Smith.
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Posted on 12/02/2011
1980 four friends got together to practice their instruments they were learning to play. Within one year they decided to perform at a party. That party led to another party, which led to another party, which led to another party and on and on… This band of four friends that grew up together was known as “The Crowd” (Mike Arnold (of Concert Blast), Tom Thompson (of Concert Blast), Jim Thompson (Tom’s twin brother), and Dwayne Smith). In the early 80s, The Crowd became known as Nashville’s Party Band as they not only performed at parties, but also at various nightclubs, colleges, and music festivals in the middle Tennessee area.
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Posted on 11/15/2011

Written by Guest Blogger Josh Jackson
On Thursday October 13th, I had the pleasure of working the 10th Annual Americana Music Awards at the Ryman Auditorium. For those not up to speed, ‘Americana’ is defined as ‘materials relating to American history, folklore, geography or considered to be typical of American culture.’ Musically speaking it has typically meant ‘folk’ music, but in recent years has broadened to include forms of country, rock, blues & even jazz. The Americana Music Association has really taken strides to promote and encourage the genre nationwide and the popularity of their annual awards was evident by a sold out Ryman Auditorium.
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Posted 10/24/2011

Billy Burnette
James Downing met up with legendary musician, singer, songwriter, Billy Burnette before his show at 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville, TN for an interview. This interview covers Billy’s wide range of his musical history, his childhood, and his acting carreer. Billy has toured with many artists including being a member of Fleetwood Mac and John Fogerty’s touring band.
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Posted on 10/19/2011

Billy Burnette In Concert
Written by James Downing
Billy Burnette is a legend in the rockabilly field. In fact next month he will be inducted into the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame in Jackson, TN. He grew up in music and was playing live with his dad in the Rock And Roll Trio at a very early age. He has also played with some of the biggest names in music. Everyone from Bob Dylan to Fleetwood Mac to Roy Orbison to John Fogerty has been involved with Billy musically.
Concert Blast was invited to cover Billy Burnette’s CD release show for his new album “Rock & Roll With It”. A CD that is chocked full of the type of tunes that Billy’s fans love. Good ole rockabilly. I had always loved listening to Billy’s music but had never seen him live. I had heard that Billy’s shows were very good, full of energy and a lot of great music. Well, that is just what I got!!!
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Posted 10/15/2011
Written by Josh Jackson and Cory Woodroof
I love music – particularly live music. So much so that I would go see just about any band, of any genre, if given the opportunity. So, when my wife’s cousin and journalism student at Lipscomb University, Cory Woodroof, invited me to this weekend’s 3 Doors Down concert at The Woods at Fontanel – I jumped at the chance.
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Posted on 10/12/2011
Written by Guest Blogger Zach Clayton
Lots of folks have dreams of being in a rock band, playing music in front of thousands of people, and living the rock & roll lifestyle; if you know what I mean…… On September 13, I got to see the living and breathing definition of living the dream – Arnel Pineda. Don’t click off here and go to Google; hang on and keep reading.
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The Raconteurs In Concert
Posted on 10/05/2011
Written by Guest Blogger Terri Gibson
Nashville, The Ryman, The Raconteurs. All three share the commonality of legendary status, and boast of a mix of country, blues and rock. Although The Raconteurs formed in 2005, and have released only two albums (Broken Boy Soldiers and Consolers of the Lonely), their fan base has categorized them into an obscure, yet popular act. The band consists of Jack White (Vocals, guitar, piano), Brendan Benson (Vocals, guitar), Patrick Keeler (Drums), and Jack Lawrence (Bass).
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Posted on 9/23/2011

AliceCooper - Welcome 2 My Nightmare
Written by James Downing
Alice Cooper is back…..with a vengeance. Over 30 years after the original “Welcome To My Nightmare” album, “Ole Black Eyes” has released his latest and in my opinion, his best album in many years.
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Posted on 9/9/2011

Concert Blast wanted to honor the ones whose lives where changed forever because terrorist wanted to destroy America no matter what it took. Even if it meant losing their own lives! This blog is written by Mike Arnold, James Downing, and Tom Thompson on what three different normal Americans, located over 900 miles away from this horrible incident, were going through during this terrible time in American History.
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Posted on 8/1/2011
Written by Mike Arnold
My wife Sandra and I were married in 1979 and lived in Madison, TN, a suburb of Nashville. In those days cable television weren’t available in our area, although if it were, we couldn’t afford it anyway. Heck, we didn’t even have a telephone during most of the first year of our marriage and we definitely didn’t go out to eat. There were times we would save up $15 or $20 to go to a concert (yes that was the price for two tickets in those days). Our entertainment mainly consisted of walking to the little league baseball field behind our apartment to watch the kids play (and the parents scream!) or visit friends to play board games and play music. TV really wasn’t our main source of entertainment and you could tell it by the 13 inch black and white television we owned.
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Posted on 7/29/2011

Doug (Cosmo) Clifford and Stu Cook of Creedence Clearwater Revival (and Revisited) - In Concert - Nashville, TN
It was Sunday night June 19th 2011, a Father’s Day celebration in Nashville, TN, as classic rock landed at the Wildhorse Saloon once again. Creedence Clearwater Revisted made a Sold-Out return appearance to the Music City. Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and Tom Thompson made room in their Father’s Day schedule to attend this rockin’ event. Mike and Brian arrived early during the soundcheck for a scheduled interview with original Creedence Clearwater Revival members, bassist Stu Cook and drummer Doug (Cosmo) Clifford. Then the fun continued with the CCR fans in attendance and of course the excellent concert… Which means another Concert Blast podcast!
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Posted on 7/29/2011

Creedence Clearwater Revisited in Concert - Nashville, TN
Creedence Clearwater Revisited made a return appearance to the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, TN on Sunday June 19th 2011 to a Sold-Out crowd. Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and Tom Thompson were on hand for this fun night, but this post is all about the concert photos as Concert Blast photographer Brian Hasbrook took photos of the night.
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