Category: Music and Concerts

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Not available at this time

I noticed that Justin had left the computer on overnight, and he had left the screen on a website that showed that the synyster gates guitar he was looking for is not available at this time at that store. I wonder why he left that on for me to see. Is that a hint that he wants me to help him look for one to buy? I’ll have to remember to ask him about that when I see him after work today.

Money is really tight, especially around Christmas. I can tell you right now that there is no way I could afford to buy Justin a guitar for his Christmas gift. And besides, buying a guitar is a very personal choice. You can’t just go pick out anything that catches your eye. You have to play it and check to see if the sound is right for your style of playing.

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Where to Enjoy Live Jazz in Palm Desert

Palm Desert has the perfect blend of nature and culture. From the majestic red rocks to its nightlife, there’s something for everyone in this eclectic city. Live jazz is common place in Palm Desert, but finding the best place will take a little work. Jazz is meant to be heard with broad acoustics and minimal interruptions from the crowd.

1.) The Show at Agua Caliente

The Agua Caliente is a resort, casino and spa in Rancho Mirage, CA. In 2008, the show was opened here: a venue dedicated to the arts. Boasting musicians like Billy Joel, Matchbox 20 and REO Speedwagon, The Show is also known for its jazz performances. The four-level facility keeps the shows intimate, with plush seats surrounding the stage.

2.) McCallum Theatre

The breathtaking stage of McCallum Theater opened in 1988 and has been wowing its guests with a wide range of musical acts ever since. The best place to see a Broadway show in Palm Desert, their jazz café series is equally impressive. The state-of-the-art sound system is perfect for capturing the intricacies of jazz, while even the farthest reaching seats can enjoy the show with an unobstructed view.

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Super long clip

When I was looking at the webpage that sells a sheet music stand I noticed something that didn’t look like a sheet music stand at all, and it piqued me curiosity. I clicked on the picture to see if I could find out more about it, and it took me to a different page with a description of the item. It was a really long clip that is used to keep sheet music from shifting around on the stand. I immediately thought of all of the times I have used clothes pins to clip things together and how I’ve wished that the clothes pins were longer. Now I know exactly what I can buy to replace those clothes pins that are just too short to get the job done! This is awesome!

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Buying Used Musical Instruments

When Jim was telling me that he was thinking about buying a used musical instrument, I was a little concerned that he might regret that. I hate to admit that I am so suspicious about buying things that are used, but I have had some bad experiences with things that break down the moment I get them! But when Jim told me that he was being really careful, and trying to find what he wants through the selection of instruments through the musiciansfriend used selection, I felt a little better. I would imagine that the business would probably check them over pretty well before selling them.

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Lock your car doors

Geoff was telling me that he wants to buy a new 18 subwoofer because someone stole his old one last weekend out of his car. He’s pretty upset about it, but I am having a really hard time refraining from scolding him for leaving his car unlocked overnight. He’s always been adamant about how he lives in a safe area and he never has to lock his doors. I hope now he will start locking his doors from now on!

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Saving space

I don’t know about you, but I’m all about saving space. Having grown up in a house that gave me a very small bedroom, I am always looking for ways to maximize my space. Because of this, I end up using a lot of the walls to store things. One example of this would be using wall mount speaker brackets to put my small speakers, so I wouldn’t have to use up any shelf space of desk-top space. One advantage of this is that it protects the speakers from being knocked over by small pets that may be going exploring when your back is turned!

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Storing vinyl records

Guest post by Dianne Trestle

When I split up with my first husband, I let him keep all of my vinyl records. I did that because I had agreed to let him keep the house, and I was having a very hard time getting people to help me move out of the house. I had hundreds of albums – a lot of money was spent on them! Now I have mixed emotions about having let him keep them, and I wonder if he listens to them at all, or if they have all been given away, destroyed, or just taking up space in some vinyl record storage case somewhere. And I know that if I had them now, they would probably just be taking up space in my basement, gathering dust, not being used at all.

I think the reason that I feel so melancholy about this is that those albums represented many years of my youth, and leaving them behind was a lot like leaving my youth behind. And I really don’t like that feeling very much at all!

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Garth Brooks Concerts

One of my all-time favorite country music stars is Garth Brooks. When I was younger I really enjoyed the music of Kenny Rogers (and I still do enjoy some of his classic songs, like “The Gambler”) but when it comes to more recent country hits, Garth Brooks has to be the winner of the competition between the two. Largely because I love his song on his Christmas album “Baby Jesus is born” (which I wish had an official video to go along with the song) but also I love his song “Friends in Low Places.”

Recently I became friends with a couple of people that love going to a karaoke bar once a week, and they have invited me to join them several times. When I have gone, I noticed that someone always sings the “Friends in Low Places song” but that never includes that third verse that is my personal favorite! I wish the karaoke version of the song included that verse!

Yesterday one of those friends told me that she wanted to buy some http://garthbrookstours.com for her husband and give them to him as a birthday gift. She has no idea how to use the Internet at all, and she wanted to buy the tickets as a surprise, so she asked me to help her find out how to get more information on the newest Garth Brooks tour so she could find out when and where Garth will be performing close to where we live.

I told her I’d go online this weekend to the http://garthbrookstours.com website and see what I could find out for her about getting the tickets. Well, I went to the website and found that the closest concert to where we live is so far away that they would have to make a weekend trip of it – fly up the day before, and fly back the day after! I don’t know if that is something she is going to want to do. I’m going to have to call her tomorrow and let her know what I found out!

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Gaining Followers on Spotify

spotify (free clip art)
spotify (free clip art)
About two years ago I signed up for one of the very first American Spotify accounts. It was available in Europe for a couple of years, but for some reason – I’m sure it had to do with money and royalties – they did not bring it to America until 2012. I found a tekkie friend who shared one of his 5 allotted invitations to join up the first day and I’ve been hooked ever since.

I don’t know what the average user does about playlists, but I made up a BUNCH of playlists. I started out with a modern country playlist because it was easy to recognize the current stars and their current hit songs. Then I went to rock and roll from when I was in high school Those songs will always have tons of memories for me – they are what I grew up listening to. The third playlist was harder and took longer, but it is my favorite: adult contemporary. I like this music because it is fresh and easy on the ears. It is the kind of music that you hear on all the different genres of radio stations, but they appeal to everyone.

I had no idea that anyone cared about my personal playlists, but a few months ago I started getting email notifications from Spotify that people were subscribing to my adult contemporary playlist. I don’t know these people and don’t know how they found my playlist, but it is kinda flattering to find out that a lot of people share the same interest in music with you. I keep adding subscribers somehow – about 1 or 2 a week. Last time I checked, I had 64 subscribers to my playlist from all over the world – and I don’t personally know a single one of them!

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When words just won’t do it

Justin was trying to explain to me why he wants to buy and install a bigsby vibrato on his guitar, and I just didn’t seem to “get it.” I thought his guitar sounds just fine the way it is. He finally decided to go online to this YouTube video, which is a demonstration of a “before and after” the installation of the bigsby vibrato on a guitar. I have to say I was very surprised to hear that it really makes a big difference in sound! Amazing!