Thing to Do #20: Get Backstage and Hang Out with a Rock God

We’re getting ready to head to the mountains of North Carolina for six days.  I’m VERY excited about escaping the heat and doing absolutely nothing…because there is nothing to do…including no internet access or cell phone service.  We’ll see if I survive…

I’ve counted this one as completed because I’m friends with and have hung out with Jim Quick of the Coastline Band.  Haven’t heard of him?  Well, in this neck of the woods, he’s kinda a big deal. 

Beach music is the music of Eastern North Carolina.  It has nothing to do with surf music or the Beach Boys or California.  It is mainly R&B music with a beat that is good for doing a dance called “The Shag.”  Very simply stated, the Shag is a slowed down jitterbug with a few fancy steps.  The biggest band in Beach Music is probably General Johnson and the Chairman of the Board.  After them, there are several others that are staples of the Beach Music scene, but no one has won more Cammy’s (the Carolina Music Awards) than Jim Quick.  A couple years ago, the band was even nominated for an Grammy.  So I count hanging out with Jim in between sets and after shows as completing this one.

However, if I ever wanted to go for another Rock God, I’ve already mentioned how much I’d like to meet Dave Matthews.  Also, Alex and I took advantage of Live Nation’s $10 days to purchase tickets to four concerts this summer at Walnut Creek, so that will give us several chances to hang out with Rock Gods.

On July 7th, we’re going to see Aerosmith and ZZ Top-I’ve never seen ZZ Top in concert but I have seen Aerosmith several times before and they do know how to put on a show!  We’re seeing Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd on July 24th-I’ve seen Kid Rock (he opened for Aerosmith a few years ago) but I wasn’t too impressed and Lynyrd Skynyrdis one of those old bands that still tours but with barely any original members. 

On August 7th we’re seeing Def Leppard with Poison and Cheap Trick-I’m actually most excited about this concert.  I must admit that I watched Rock of Love religiously; all three seasons, as well as Charm School-I know, I should be ashamed.  I have developed a bit of a crush (albeit late in his career) on Bret Michaels.  The other two will be great too. 

And rounding out our summer of music is August 23rd’s CrueFest.  This will be interesting as it will be my first all day event, with music starting at 10am and featuring Godsmack, Drowning Pool, Theory of a Dead Man, and finishing up with Motley Crue.  I saw Motley Crue a couple of years ago (when they opened for Aerosmith…I’m seeing a pattern) and LOVE “Kickstart My Heart.”  That’s one of my go-to rock out songs; you know, driving fast with the windows down singing at the top of your lungs kinda type song.  The only issue with this is that we’ll be going to a local second-chance prom the night before and I can only imagine what staying out all night, only to wake up early and start all over again with the partying is going to feel like.  I may be way out of my league that weekend…

So what Rock Stars do you want to get backstage with?  Or even better, which have you ALREADY met?