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Archive for category Places to See

Zac Brown Band: The Foundation and The Propaganda

Mar 18

Posted by Danon Law in Places to See, We're Just Ranting | No Comments

We just made it through a Zac Brown Band concert at the dodge theatre in downtown Phoenix Arizona. The show was simply amazing. I have been to many shows. The type of show ZBB puts on….. A little funk, a little blues, a little rock, and a lot of great country.

On the idea of great shows I saw Bela Fleck and the Fleck Tones. Victor Wooten could be considered the greatest bass player of all time. Bela Fleck is hands down the greatest banjo player of all time. Musically they are amazing, it is technical musicianship at its best.

Second I saw Dave Mathews Band at Red Rocks on Fourth of July Concert. They make multi platinum cd’s and DVD’s from a scene like this. To top it off, a little band known as The String Cheese Incident opened and jammed with them the entire time. Fire works and such in northern Colorado, okay you get the idea.

Lastly I was on stage at the Tempe Music Festival with Blues Traveler, Live, and Collective Soul. Laugh now, but it is unknown how musical these people are. We stood next to the drummer of Live, on stage as John Popper played harmonica…Simply unequivocal.  After the show he gave a harmonica to my brother…but thats another story if anyone is interested.

The point is, I have witnessed some pretty epic concerts, great musicianship, and very excited that these bands were into the music only. They seemed to play for the music and nothing else. I am aware of DMB and their amazingly fiscal tours but, for the sake of argument, they started and still appear to be all about the music.

ZBB did not slack in the musical bliss we are talking about. They are hands down the most musical group I have ever seen…. Yep ever, they are as technical as any band on earth…just saying.  I read an inteview were Mr. Brown said “above all, my band members can play their faces off” or something similar. Anyhow the point is, he claims they are, above all, musicians and they clearly proved it.

It was a moving, emotional experiance and I will pay money to see them again. They have a cruise coming up and I wish I could afford to go. It would be amazing!!

I just need to voice one opinion. I happened to leave my seat and on the way out land in an autograph line….at the front no less. At the end of the show, Zac Brown himself said “We Will Stay Til All Autographs Are Signed!” Awesome I thought…this guy is great!!

45 minutes into the line the security says, if your “passport isn’t signed you don’t get an autograph” the passport is a printed piece of coolness that is givin away upon entrance into the show. The only way the “passport” can get signed is if you buy merchandise. AKA $60 worth of shirts.

REALLY?? Your autograph is only worth more merchandise, not worth the $100 we spent on the tickets?

I felt like I saw the greatest show I have ever paid for, and was belittled into buying merchandise to feel worthy. Just didn’t seem right! I may be making something out of nothing, but so what!!! For the record Gretchen Wilson also did this at her concert. Hers was free to get in, it was held at Toby Keith’s I love this bar, but for the sake of arguement….IT WAS FREE!

Anyhow, great show ZBB you guys are truly epic, your abilities are unparalleled, I will definitely

see you again… ohh and thanks for the super tight shirt!!

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The Waste Management Phoenix Open….The Greatest Show on Grass!

Mar 1

Posted by Danon Law in Places to See | No Comments

It has been well documented that Scottsdale Az throws down when the PGA Tour rolls into town. I have attended every one of my 6 years as an Arizonian. It gets better and better each year! this may be attributed to many things but none the less it has gotten better.

They call this thing the greatest show on grass mainly for one reason. The 16th hole. They have turned this thing into a stadium of mayhem and hoopla, drinking games, and general tomfoolery. They found a way to enclose the entire thing with stadium stye seating. They clearly have no consumption limit here, and the frat boys run wild!

Sometimes creative and often stupid chants break out and the entire crowd joins in, and believe me they will say just about anything to get a reaction. Speaking of reactions, this year saw 15 fist pumps, a hat over the face, a iron toss, and a European birdie..(not the good kind).

It is wild, crazy and BRILLIANT. Its one of the easier holes on the PGA Tour schedule. Roughtly 165 – 180 yds, barely any trouble, pretty large size green, they needed a way to make this thing a little harder. Around 2004 the stadium @ the Stadium Course began to develop and you can see a major decrease in birdies. In 2003 43.75% of players were recording birdie on this hole. 2009 say a mere 15% record a birdie.

It gets the exposure to the city, the tour, and clearly the field is getting better and better every year. Even without Tiger, it is well worth the trip. Since they have no limit to ticket sales it is probably the cheapest tournament to go to. With beer gardens, and food stops everywhere you turn, there is no shortage of entertainment.

Recently, well as in 2009 and 2010 they have added a few new places to hang out. Down the 18th hole is quickly becoming a longer version of the 16th hole. Although it isn’t stadium style (yet) its is definitely brewing. The Tilted Kilt has put up a 2 story floating bar, jammed full of their best employees and more draft beer than could ever be consumed. Easy access to bathrooms and easier access to getting the players attention this thing is only going to get better. Secondly, this year straight across from the 2 stories of heaven is a new beer garden. This year I believe it was sponsored by Rock Bottom Brewery. It spans half the hole, open to the public, and had the some Tempe12.com employees getting the party going. I can foresee some interesting events taking place. If one side were to begin chanting, the other would easily hear them…just saying.

The total attendance was down this year, but you can chalk that up to the local weather channels saying saturday was going to be raining all day…It wasn’t! The weather was perfect, the scenery was perfect, the greatest show on grass remains supreme. I will see you guys next year, you will find me on 18 fairway, 2 stories off the grass!