Rockin' Rockport

The gig was a big success. I can now officially adopt my new blues name. I just don't know what it is yet. But as I was explaining to my sis Marcy, it has to involved a handicap and/or a citrus fruit. Something like "Blind Lemon" Amy. Yes? Meh. I guess Atomic Amy will have to do.

It was blazin' hot (and the temperature was pretty warm too) and I was really proud to be a performer. And so glad to have an amazing group of musicians there to play with and play for. Many of them also were at Wayne's funeral which for me made it all especially poignant. So much talent right here in Utah. (As a side note, I dedicated the ultimate blues tune, imho, "Stormy Monday" to Wayne. I think he would approved). I am blessed to be a part of it all.

We got to meet children who have been patients at Shriner's and some of the dedicated workers there. And the dude who hosts the blues show on KRCL. I don't have the totals yet, but we were able to raise some money for music and have a great time. All in all, the perfect gig. And for one that was all about the blues, there sure were a lot of smiles.

PSA for Saturday

Here's the "official" public service announcement for Saturday....I don't think it provides much more info, but serves as my "gentle reminder" for the day!

Saturday July 17th marks the date for the 2nd Annual R&B Rendezvous at Rockport State Park. Enjoy Utah’s top Rhythm and Blues bands playing from 2 until 10 p.m. including The Good Karma Band; The Huckleberries; The Rocking Jukes; Parchman Farm Freedom Riders; Atomic Amy & the Spent Rods and an All-Star Jam. 100% of the net proceeds will go towards the purchase of musical instruments in support of the kid's music program at the Salt Lake City Shriner's Hospital. Admission to the festival is free but requires State Park admission. Tons of prize drawings from sponsors like Guitar Czar, Pat’s BBQ, XP Audio, Xmission, The State Room, and the Sun & Moon Café. For more information visit rnbrendezvous.org. It’s the 2nd Annual R&B Rendezvous, Saturday, July 17th at Rockport State Park, benefiting Shriner’s Hospital!

Another Incredible Loss

I am saddened to again have lost another friend. I learned this morning that a friend of mine, Wayne Christiansen, died Monday in a car accident. For those who follow the news (I try not to, too sad), he was driving in Spanish Fork Canyon (WHEN are they going to do something about that deathtrap!) Monday night when an elk darted in front of him and his little pick up truck drove head on into a semi. His truck exploded...I pray with all my heart that it was quick for him.

Wayne was an incredible musician, one of the best I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I have never heard someone play the piano so beautifully, while making it completely effortless. He knew every song EVER and all you would have to say is "Wayne, can you lower it a bit" and he would just knock it out of the park everytime. He didn't even have to THINK about transposing. He and I worked at Unity together for years. He also used to take me to sing at D.B. Cooper's (no longer around), where all these old wizened jazz cats (yes, I went "there" and that is what we called them) used to hang out . They would all sit around and tell me I was going to be the next Diana Krall (forget about the amazing pianist who would make me sound so good), and he would just beam. He was on his way home from the Salt Lake Jazz Festival, where he had played for hundreds of people and surely made them feel wonderful inside. I always did, whenever I knew Wayne was going to be at the gig.

He had an infectious laugh - you could not help but laugh yourself when you heard it - and a fiendish grin. He was one funny dude. Once again, I can't help but think that the world is a little less brighter - and it sure has lost an amazing music man. He left behind a son, Carter. My heart is heavy, but I am sure I will have the chance to hear him chortle and play those 88s again someday.

Rest in peace old friend.

A Really Big Show

Atomic Amy and the Spent Rods are honored to be a part of the 2nd Annual R&B Rendezvous at Rockport State Park. We are even more honored to be headlining this event, which has an impressive line-up of local talent (Mike and Elaine are playing too, they are opening the show as G.E.M. - I couldn't get it together with both bands this time around). There is even a guy playing there who once beat my old band, Slickrock Gypsies, in a battle of the bands competition and got to go play in Austin (no hard feelings)! It is a relatively brand new show that has been put together by some local musicians to raise money for the music program for kids at Shriner's Hospital. There will be Texas BBQ, raffles, and a fishing derby for kids. The event is free when you buy state park admission. It will be held from 2:00 - 10:00. We play from 7:00-7:45 and then the rest of the evening is devoted to an All-Star Jam. I am so hoping for a good turn out.....this will be our debut as a "blues" band (I have been hoping to get some street cred as a blues singer as well as my beloved rock and roll) and I really want to see some money raised for these precious children.

Rockport State Park is located in Wanship, about 45 miles from Salt Lake. For more information, you can contact me or visit:
http://www.rnbrendezvous.org/

Connor with a Camera

I'll admit it...things got a little slow between our BBQ and fireworks show, and for kicks, I let Connor loose with the camera.

We call this series, "Connor - A Self Portrait" - do not look too closely, there is some unsightliness going on in that child's teeth and up his nose. NOT for the faint of heart:



And of course, what fun is it to have a camera turned over to you if you are not going to take pictures of your parents, particularly your mother, inappropriately dressed and with no make-up? Dang paparazzi....

Not bad, but I think he needs to log some time in at the Ginnie J Photography Camp! (though come to think of it, I could use some time there too) Help Ginnie!

4th of July

Like my sister-in-law Marcy, I too held high hopes for the week-end. How many times do we get an awesome true 3 days to celebrate? It didn't quite turn out like I had planned, but we made our own fun.
First it was off to our Ward's Annual Pancake Breakfast. This is a really fun event held in the beautiful back-yard of one of our neighbors. It is a nice chance to chat and let your kid run wild on someone else's property. Afterwards, the kids all participate in the Big "it's a parade, not a race" bike parade. We rode one year on our Harley (which we no longer have, sob). Lonny was helping to clean up after the breakfast so I was going to walk along side Connor in the big parade. It was one of the first times we got Connor back on his big boy bike after he tipped over one day. I figured he would want to go pretty slow, with me holding the handle bars, which is how we practiced in the driveway.
Lining up for the Big Parade:

And he's off!
Unfortunately he took off really fast and I could not keep up. I could only watch helplessly as....
Suddenly, disaster struck:
Connor got his first real skinned knee (I know what you are thinking....his FIRST skinned knee? At age 4? Yes, it's true. Heretofor, he has been, THE BOY IN THE PLASTIC BUBBLE - and I have liked it that way just fine). Although we were afraid an amputation would be in order, he was able to keep his leg, be carried to the end of the race by Brother Marlor and have a popsicle. And his owie is pretty much all better. Say it with me now kids "It's a parade, not a race!" In all honesty, I don't know who cried harder, Connor or his mom, once the shock wore off.
Of course, we had a BBQ. Here's the king with his fancy schmany BBQ set he got for Father's Day from Williams Sonoma. I am afraid he thinks it's too Nancy, but I don't care:


Backyard Fireworks show:


What's the 4th of July without a little hammock time (even though it was COLD!)

Connor subscribes to the safety first rule of fireworks and hoses down the area:

We decided to take Connor to his first movie theater movie, Toy Story 3. He decided he wanted to dress like Woody:

He did so great, he was just adorable and we are super proud of him for making it through the whole movie (though like any good cowboy, he covered his face with his hat during the scary parts) All in all, it was great to spend time with just the 3 of us. Life is what happens when you are busy making plans, after all! I love my guys and had a great time being with them and thinking about how grateful I am for them and live here in such a beautiful place in the most awesome country in the world!

Happy 4th of July Week-end!

Wishing you all a wonderful time with friends and family....

I LOVE this country.....and I can't wait to see how you all celebrate.

We are kicking things off by going to our neighborhood's 30th annual pancake breakfast and Connor will be riding his big boy bike in the kid's parade.

Be safe and HAVE FUN!!!