This Birmingham band was in Memphis last night.

They played at the Poplar Lounge. Not exactly room for a huge audience, but a great place for a band swinging through town that hasn’t developed a huge audience here.

I only knew them because their record was playing over the speaker at a record store in Birmingham when Matt and I were there last month. The first song came on and we both looked at each other and said, “Do we know this?” I guess we think we should know all good music. We hadn’t heard it and it had a great electro, dancey sound. Sounded like it could have been old. Turns out it was the Grenadines. The singers are married. She is adorable. Long pretty blond hair and pale skin. Plus, she knows how to use it. The perfect female front person. I’ve loved the whole record. I also like that this is a great southern indie band that isn’t following in the footsteps of the only southern music that seems to get hype. Music like the Alabama Shakes. They are fine if that’s your style. It’s not mine so I like to see this sound being made, too. Check it out! Lots of good loud guitar, slight 90′s sound and some electro. WIN WIN

Oh yea they are playing at Proud Larry’s tonight (saturday)

Us at Charlemagne Music – think the formal name is record exchange

If I didn’t need 7/8 hours of sleep before anchoring the morning news, I would see local natives tonight at Minglewood Hall. A mix of cool sounds and a loveliness. The kind of touring bands we must support to keep them stopping through Memphis. Enjoy while I snooze.

I had to have some of my own.

We visited with a couple Matt went to law school with who also went to Sewanee, as Matt did.

They told us about this wild grocery store that I’d never heard of in Memphis – The Winchester Farmers Market.

However, it’s not exactly what you’d picture when you hear farmers market. This is in an old Kroger building and is full of shelves of international foods, mostly Mexican, Indian, and Asian. I’ve been to plenty international markets – this is bigger – more variety – than any I’ve seen.

Though, I was specifically on the hunt for these chili powder coated dried mango bites. It took me well over an hour to finally track them down. I also left with a perfectly sweet pineapple and the cheapest navel oranges I’ve found, but I could have gone home with any kind of noodle, fish, pepper, or exotic cactus!! A fun way to spend a Sunday! Mom will love it. She’s visiting in two weeks.

It’s been a crazy – fun ride. My news director’s request that I follow Memphis contestants on The Voice at first sounded crazy. I don’t typically watch these talent type shows, plus my music taste is fully developed, but not exactly suitable for popular interest. Turns out it wasn’t hard, though.

I got so wrapped up in our Memphis singers. Pictured above are our last two.

Kris Thomas who made it in the top 10. Eliminated last week.

Sarah Simmons getting in the top 8. Eliminated last night, Tuesday.

We started out with four Memphis singers: Sarah, Kris, Patrick Dodd and Grace Askew. Pictured below.

This coverage totally changed my schedule –

My boss sent me all the way to Los Angeles to cover Kris & Sarah. I had the time of my life there. Not only was LA just beautiful, but we were in the middle of it all. Even on the red carpet doing live interviews that aired here in Memphis!! How cool!! Now I know why everyone wants to move out west.

I was very shocked that the combination of Sarah and Judith Hill went home last night because I do think both are stronger singers with more unique voices than Holly, who was saved, but then again, it is a tv show, and I’ve learned that country music fans really vote for their favorites.

The only good news from this is that I’ll get a lot more sleep now. For the last month, I’ve anchored my normal morning show ( in at 3:30 am ) and also went back to the studio to cover the voice live on the 10 pm news on Monday & Tuesdays, after the performances. Great idea and I loved it, but man am I sleep deprived.

Returning to my normal 8 pm bedtime will be so refreshing!!!

Can’t wait for Sarah to get home and talk to her about the voice since she was there as the competition got even tighter. Who does she think will take it all? I’m betting on 16 year old country singer, Danielle Bradbery. Her songs blow up on iTunes every week and she’s just so stinking adorable.

My favorite remaining singer, though, is the quirky Michelle Chamuel. She’s authentic and totally being herself. While in LA she and I talked indie rock instead of voice stuff. She even later emailed me to ask my current favorite bands. Real deal cool. I mean she wears menswear pants with plain old black loafers. Legit.

Plus, on YouTube she has these homemade electronic mixes. Though, don’t mistake the quirkiness as a coverup for lower talent. She has a fantastic voice.

That’s the voice for me. I’ll miss texting back & forth with Sarah and her momma. I adore that woman. Plus, that Kris Thomas. What a class act. Can’t wait to track Kris & Sarah!! Thanks to the both of them for bringing me/our viewers along for the ride and trusting me.

It was a last minute decision. Not because I don’t love the Beatles, have amazing memories of loving them as a kid and then loving their older stuff as a teen, instead I put it off because I just didn’t want to ruin my idea of Paul McCartney. I’ve managed to keep this vision of him as a 30 something. Scruffy beard and walking with the other handsome guys.

I wasn’t interested in anything that would ruin that. Plus, I’d already seen Elton and Fleetwood Mac this spring, so my legends concert budget was getting kinda low/empty.

My inner self ended up winning and the idea of missing my one chance to see a beatle perform live won. Jason Miles, who is one of my closest Memphis friends and also a colleague, and I managed to get our hands on some pretty decent tickets. Sure they were way up there, but we are on the aisle, and at the very bottom of our terrace level, straight in front of the stage. I’ve been in seats all around the forum, these are the best yet.

He was just wonderful. The songs from the early 60’s made me tear up a little and smile, while those from the late 60’s, the ones I most love, were just rockin. During Live and Let Die they let out these massive explosions that sent the amazing smelling smoke scent into the forum. I’ve always liked that smell. Freaky Lindsey.

Maybe that’s why I almost passed out the next morning during the news. Hum…. Read last post for the unfortunate details.

Paul was adorable. He has seen so much and done so much. His on stage personality was light, funny, and playful. He did these adorable little jigs between songs and couldn’t stop pulling up his sagging pants. My, the things noticed when there are thousands of eyes on a person.

When not glued to his sagging pants, It was hard to take my eyes off the video that ran during the concert. It had pictures of Paul with John, George, and Ringo. Pics of Paul as a daddy, with Wings, when they were all young and when they were close to no more. It was a very touching night. Touching because of all the history and because of all the personal history I have associated with the music (yes – it is possible to have been born in 80’s and still live through the songs), but also because I could watch all the people around me doing the same. The music will be beautiful forever and personal to so many.

My favorite background was for Back in the USSR. As a Russophile, I can’t help but enjoy all the scenes.

I got a good laugh when I saw these four during the show. They were so excited!! It was a long, three hour plus, concert and they stood at the very top of the nose bleeds the whole show!

It was a last minute decision. Not because I don’t love the Beatles, have amazing memories of loving them as a kid and then loving their older stuff as a teen, instead I put it off because I just didn’t want to ruin my idea of Paul McCartney. I’ve managed to keep this vision of him as a 30 something. Scruffy beard and walking with the other handsome guys.

I wasn’t interested in anything that would ruin that. Plus, I’d already seen Elton and Fleetwood Mac this spring, so my legends concert budget was getting kinda low/empty.

My inner self ended up winning and the idea of missing my one chance to see a beatle perform live won. Jason Miles, who is one of my closest Memphis friends and also a colleague, and I managed to get our hands on some pretty decent tickets. Sure they were way up there, but we are on the aisle, and at the very bottom of our terrace level, straight in front of the stage. I’ve been in seats all around the forum, these are the best yet.

He was just wonderful. The songs from the early 60’s made me tear up a little and smile, while those from the late 60’s, the ones I most love, were just rockin. During Live and Let Die they let out these massive explosions that sent the amazing smelling smoke scent into the forum. I’ve always liked that smell.

Maybe that’s why I almost passed out the next morning during the news. Hum…. Read last post for the unfortunate details.

Paul was adorable. He has seen so much and done so much. His on stage personality was light, funny, and playful. He did these adorable little jigs between songs and couldn’t stop pulling up his sagging pants. My, the things noticed when there are thousands of eyes on a person.

When not glued to his sagging pants, It was hard to take my eyes off the video that ran during the concert. It had pictures of Paul with John, George, and Ringo. Pics of Paul as a daddy, with Wings, when they were all young and when they were close to no more. It was a very touching night. Touching because of all the history and because of all the personal history I have to the music (yes – it is possible to have been born in 80’s and still live through the songs), but also because I could watch all the people around me doing the same. The music will be beautiful forever.

My favorite background was for Back in the USSR. As a Russophile, I can’t help but enjoy all the scenes.

I got a good laugh when I saw these four during the show. They were so excited!! It was a long, three hour plus, concert and they stood at the very top of the nose bleeds the whole show!

Ok ok …. It’s cliche, but I am so lucky to have a wonderful work family.

It hasn’t happened in a long time, but Monday morning I almost fell out during the news. Meaning – I was standing on air when I just couldn’t stand anymore. My blood sugar dropped. I have no idea why. It was a classic case. Hadn’t happened in over 10 years.

I mean, heck, I’ve run two marathons with no problems.

Anyhow – this was the worst I’ve ever experienced and almost included live pass out. The morning team knew just what to do. Calmed me down and got me up and moving again.

Thank goodness for them caring for me as a friend and not just a co-worker.

Just needed a little help from my friends….

Yes,leading up to my next post.

The ability to take a breath and say good work. “It’s all wonderful.”

I’m talking about the yard. Saturday I woke up and had my breakfast/dietcoke in my secret garden. ok ok ok, before I get called out by those who have seen it, it’s hardly a secret garden. It’s very open in my backyard, but I do have my special place located in a shady corner nuzzled up to some bushes and a big tree canopy. Secret it is.

As I sat appreciating the peace that only a saturday morning with no plans can provide :: it started. I thought, Jeez, I need more impatiens; I’ll just run out and get a few.

First the quest to find a bunch of impatiens on Memorial Day weekend. After two stops I found the only four six packs and made it out without someone nabbing them from my basket. Impressive considering I had to break the bad news twice that they were the last ones!

Once home it turned into a full day of not only planting the new plants but moving plants that needed more or less sun. It’s a strange nurturing feeling. Those who love plants, feel me? It’s like when they start showing more blooms they say to me, ” Girl, you knew just what I needed.”

Planted these lilies maybe two years ago
What a lovely sight to see them bloom again
Secret Garden – shush it’s a secret

Very content – reading southern living and listening to Kurt Vile
Purple all summer

color color color – shade shade shade

I, on the other hand, was in the high of my day. At 8:30 a.m. I’ve already anchored two and a half hours of news, applied several layers of make-up and caffeinated myself to the point of perfect concentration mixed with a beautiful amount of joie de vivre that together made me the ideal student for the principal’s graduation pep talk.

It was really great. I hope some of the students heard it. Nothing too heavy, but enough to make this 29 year old seize the day with a little more enthusiasm when I walked out and returned to work.

He told them :

1) To aim high.

“In the long run men only hit what they aim at. Therefore, though they should fail immediately, they had better aim at something high.”
-Thoreau

2) To truly realize MLK’s dream. He asked the students to imagine our society is just as they would have it; not judged on gender, wealth, family position, GPA, race or hometown. Instead one would be judged on character alone; would you be happy with the result?

3) Repaying the debt known as the privilege of being alive.
This is probably one of the strongest factors behind my ambition – be it career or personal life. I feel that debt I owe. Mine can be heavy at times – from feeling a sense of guilt when I nap on a crisp sunny day, feeling I could do better at work or choosing comfort over adventure. Why was I lucky enough to be born?
Life is so short. I hope those students find something that fascinates them and continue wanting more.

I don’t even remember my high school graduation speech, but I wish it had been something practical like this. Be happy, be good and appreciate the gift of life.

I was there to see my Big Brother Big Sister, little sis graduate. After this summer Kiara is heading into high school. I’m nervous and she’s not even my flesh and blood. Those years are hard. The decisions we make stay with us for long after. The things we see and witness manifest later in life as dreams or at times as resentments. I know this, she has a very special mother and a big happy (full of braces) smile. Those are two very important things. I’m eager to watch her grow up the next four years. Go Kiara!