Tom Petty - First Album from 1976
Written By James Downing
I remember working at Rivergate Mall (just outside of Nashville, TN) for a record store called Camelot Music in the mid-seventies. One of the many benefits of working at a record store is getting the lowdown on new music before it’s released. There were all kinds of great bands coming out back then, some of them are still around and some are not.
One record that my manager was really excited about was from a band called Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. He had one of the best pairs of ears that I have ever known when it came to music. We would usually just get one or two copies of a new bands record in but we got about 10 copies of this one so taking these two factors into consideration I quickly bought a copy. I loved this record after the first play and would recommend it to anyone that came in the store. Including 4 friends of mine named Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, Tom Thompson, and Tom’s twin brother Jim (a little Concert Blast Trivia for you).
Tom Petty In Concert
Tom Petty and his band went on to become one of the most popular bands of the past 30 years. They are members of The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, they have a star on the sidewalk of Hollywood Blvd. and have won just about every music related award there is.
After a very lengthy set by Crosby, Stills, & Nash, everyone who was sitting around me were ready for Tom & Company to take the stage. The near full arena came to its feet when the lights went down. You could see the band members take their places on stage and then out walked their leader, Tom Petty. They opened the show with “Listen To Her Heart,” an early hit for the band from their second album, “You’re Gonna Get It.” Without saying a word, they broke into the second song of the 18 song set. “You Don’t Know How It Feels.”
Continue Reading…
Crosby, Stills, and Nash In Concert
Written by Mike Arnold
I remember the first time I listened to the harmony of Crosby, Stills, & Nash, they had another member in the band with them which completed their super-stardom of the 70s. Neil Young decided to leave for a solo career and became as popular (if not more) than the group he left. I’m not a huge Neil Young fan, but after witnessing CS&N in concert as the opening act for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, I would have to say without hesitation that I truly missed Neil Young performing with his former band mates.
Graham Nash and David Crosby
David Crosby, Stephen Sills, and Graham Nash performed on this night in Nashville, TN as an opening act, but more of a double bill. Their performance lasted 90 minutes, which included an encore of 2 very popular songs.
Continue Reading…
PODCAST PLAYER AND LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST
It was Monday, July 26th, 2010 when Nashville finally recieved the promise that Paul McCartney made about 38 years ago of putting Nashville, TN on his tour schedule. Mike Arnold, Tom Thompson, and James Downing were part of 20,000 extremely excited fans that believe it was well worth the wait. Continue Reading…
Podcast: Play in new window
| Download
Bruce Kulick - Backstage with Concert Blast
PODCAST PLAYER AND VARIOUS LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST
On Saturday, June 26th, Concert Blast hosts, Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and James Downing traveled to Elizabethtown, KY for the Grand Funk Railroad / The Guess Who concert and took time to interview Bruce Kulick (Grand Funk Railroad-KISS-ESP-solo), Garry Peterson (The Guess Who), and Kenny Lewis (auctioneer-councilman-concert promoter). Continue Reading…
Podcast: Play in new window
| Download
Waiting for the Doors to Open
On Saturday July 10th, 2010, Concert Blast was invited to cover The Scorpions farewell concert (with Special Guests, RATT) from their current “Get Your Sting and Blackout Tour,” as the tour stopped in Nashville, TN. Continue Reading…
Written By Mike Arnold
On Saturday July 10th, 2010, Concert Blast was invited to cover The Scorpions farewell concert from their current “Get Your Sting and Blackout Tour,” as the tour stopped in Nashville, TN.
With Tom Thompson on vacation and James Downing attending another show in Memphis, Concert Blast photographer Brian Hasbrook and I attended the show. Here’s the Concert Review for opening act, RATT.
Ratt - Stephen Pearcy
80s hard rock favorites RATT opened the show to an estimated crowd of 6,000 in attendance. When RATT took the stage to flashing lights and noises blasting through the PA system, the crowd became immediately on their feet and remained there for most of the night. Continue Reading…
Concert Blast photographers Brian Hasbrook and James Downing captured the concert scene and many of the CMA Fest fans through the eye of the camera. Enjoy the various photo links from Brian and James. Continue Reading…
PODCAST AUDIO LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST
Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and James Downing close out the series from the CMA Fest 2010 coverage with interviews with Bo Bice, Burns and Poe, Chelsea Field, Susan Hickman, and a preview from the CMT Secret Concert.
This show begins with the Saturday CMA coverage as Mike, Brian, and James start the day at the Nashville club, Limelight, where Bo Bice held his fan club party. Bo provided a breakfast, a short concert from some of his new material from his new CD 3, and a meet and greet with his fans. Continue Reading…
Podcast: Play in new window
| Download
PODCAST AUDIO LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST
Concert Blast brings you Part 2 of the CMA Music Festival 2010 coverage with Julianne Hough, Josh Turner, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, and Reba McIntyre.
CMA FEST 2010
Mike Arnold talked with several fans in attendance on their thoughts of the CMA Music Festival and visiting Nashville, while Brian Hasbrook took the live concert photos. Tom Thompson and James Downing were covering other events on this particular night. Continue Reading…
Podcast: Play in new window
| Download
PODCAST AUDIO LINK & OTHER LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST
This show consists of six different short interviews with George Klein (Radio/TV personality, songwriter, author, and Elvis Presley’s long-time friend), Nate Whitlock (Memphis musician, solo artist, and brother of Eric Clapton’s sideman, Bobby Whitlock), Billy Cox (Jimi Hendrix’s bass player and solo artist), Charlie Daniels (Country Rock solo artist), Charlotte Medley (singer/songwriter/performer), and Tommy Tutone (known for the song “Jenny 867-5309”). These interviews were recorded from three different places over the past year.
Mike Arnold (Concert Blast) with George Klein
This show begins from the backstage area of the Beale Street Music Festival during the Memphis In May festivities. George Klein invited Mike Arnold backstage to hang out after Jerry Lee Lewis’ set. Mike interviewed George Klein discussing his career, his friendship with Elvis Presley, and his latest book, “Elvis, My Best Man.” Continue Reading…
Podcast: Play in new window
| Download
CONCERT BLAST EXPERIENCES