Along the way we stopped at the Zappos Fulfillment Center/Outlet. I only wish it had been a weekday so we could have taken the tour. This company cares about their employee’s working environment. A putting green was centered in their outside picnic table break area. And after a few conversations with the staff I heard about the Wii, Guitar Hero, karaoke machine, and computers for gaming in the inside break area. I follow the CEO Tony Hsieh on Twitter but I really need to read his book.

The next stop was Lynn’s Paradise Cafe for a late brunch.

It had been 5 years since my last visit and the interior was just as fun and quirky as I remembered.

It was perfect for all the iPhone camera apps and all 4 of us were taking pictures constantly.

The 21c Museum Hotel was next. Sara had been before and we were really glad she took us here. I don’t want to spoil it, but if you’re a guy, be sure to check out the men’s bathroom. Not sure I can describe this hotel with a museum the best so I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

We grabbed a drink at their bar, Proof on Main, and then headed for Bardstown Road to hit up the mighty Ear X-Tacy and a few other shops. I randomly came across Cumberland Brewery and walked in for a a couple pints. The rest of the group soon followed for some pre-show food. I wasn’t expecting much from the food but I was extremely surprised and satisfied. I can’t wait to go back. We left Bardstown after grabbing some coffee at Highland. It wasn’t till later I found out that a friend of my late friend Aaron Marrs owns his own coffee shop called Quills Coffee. Had I known, it would have been there I got my java. Even their logo honors Aaron. So yet another reason to go back.

The show was cool. It was great to see Louis and catch up. He’s one of my favorite songwriters and I count it a privilege that I got to A&R his debut album. Not to mention I got to see so many friends of my late friend and co-worker Aaron Marrs at the show. Nathan Quillo, Lachlan Coffey, Bryan Todd, and Josh Inzer. The latter 2 were in Aaron’s band Forever Texas and Bryan is now playing in a band called Frontiers fronted by Chris of Elliott fame. I hadn’t seen those guys in 5 years and it really closed out the trip on an even higher note.

I love hanging with Bill & Ronee and for many reasons. One reason that surfaced on the trip was that they are one of few friends that we can spend time with that don’t have kids. And it’s not that I don’t like kids. I love my friends kids. It’s just that many of our friends that do have kids mostly end up hanging out with others that have kids. And I get it. It’s easier to hang with those people because the kids can play together. So I feel lucky to have the Powers as friends. We had left Nashville at 9:15am on Sunday and returned at 2:30am on Monday. In all it was simply a great road trip was great friends.

Who wants to be next?

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Grilled Chicken Burger Patties: On the box they only mention the microwave or skillet but they have been working just great on the grill. There’s some great seasoning already added and throw on a slice of smoked gouda cheese and these have been very tasty. Plus a box of 4 is only $3.99.

Smoked Apple Chardonnay Chicken Sausage: Started grillin’ these last summer. Chunks of apple in the sausage give it a light taste. A lot of flavor too. And the calories are a lot better for you than a Johnsonville braut.

Premium Salmon Patties: Only 80 calories each.  Add some Old Bays during grillin’ and these are the perfect light sandwich for lunch.

Free Range Chicken Tenders: Enough said.

Fruit Frenzy Bar: Not for the grill obviously but perfect afterwards and especially on a hot summer day.

UPDATE 7/7/10 – Mango Chicken Sausage: AMAZING. The perfect amount of sweet.

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I can’t express enough how excited I am for the new Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers album “MOJO” to be released next week. But if you follow me on Twitter then you might have an idea of how excited I am. It’s artists and albums like this that make me feel like a teenager again as I anticipate its release and eat up everything that is released in advance to promote it. It’s artists and albums like this that remove me from my job in the music industry but also help fuel the passion for my job in the music industry. This might be an early and bold statement but “Something Good Coming” might just be my song of the year. I love “I Should Have Known It” but I really connect with the lyrics and melody to this song. And if you haven’t seen the MOJO documentary directed by Sam Jones then please do below.

In case you don’t know who Sam Jones is, he is the guy who directed the Wilco documentary “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart” and has numerous magazine covers to his resume including many kick ass covers for Rolling Stone.

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LOST Dharma campfire mug: My new way to enjoy my morning cup of coffee. And while I’m on this topic. Copco Eco-First Sierra Tumbler: My new way to enjoy my morning iced coffee. Just doing my part to save .10 at Starbucks. That plus being a Gold member adds to the overall savings.

Deftones “Diamond Eyes”: So glad to hear these guys again. It’s been 4 years since the last album. And songs like the title track and “Rocket Skates” do not disappoint.

Vans La Costa: I loved my black pair so much last year I went for the checkerboard this summer.

Hands on Nashville: The best organization to support the flood relief in Nashville. Your financial support here will go directly to people in need. Not to sound mean, but don’t give to the Red Cross, give to Hands on Nashville.

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I’m normally not a huge fan of female fronted music. The Cardigans have been my ultimate favorite (since I can’t count Fleetwood Mac because Lindsey Buckingham sings too). I loved the last Brooke Fraser and Metric albums. But I really liked the song “Apologies” on the last Grace Potter and the Nocturnals album 3 years ago and have been a fan since. This song and the new self-tited album it’s from releases June 8. If you share this new video on your Facebook page you can get mp3 for FREE.  Also, check out this killer performance on Ellen yesterday…because when the video reaches 2:45 you’ll hear exactly why it’s killer.

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Here’s what I have been “reading” for the past 3 years.

The Search for God and Guinness by Stephen Mansfield

Conversations With Tom Petty

Healing is a Choice by Stephen Arterburn

When Bad Christians Happen to Good People by Dave Burchett

Strengthen Yourself in the Lord by Bill Johnson

Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

And here’s to hoping I finish a few of these this year.

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Black Toad Dark Ale

Shiner Bohemian Black Lager: From Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, TX.

Yazoo Sly Rye Porter: The best porter I’ve had to date.

Yazoo Sue: Catch the reference to the Man In Black? It’s 9% abv makes it available only at wine & liquor store for bottles. Only 100 cases were bottled in December 2009.

Yuengling Bock Beer: A celebratory beer for Yuengling’s 180th anniversary last year finally made it to bottles this year.

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So what have I been listening to the past few years the most? What do I get the most enjoyment out of? What do I recommend to artists and friends? Old albums. I’m talking about “classic” albums. In particular the 4 albums below. 3 of which were released before I was even born which points to their ultimate timelessness. I have known most of the songs from these albums for years but it hasn’t been till the past few years that I have really dug in to these albums as a whole.

Fleetwood Mac “Rumors” (1977)
9 of the 11 songs became singles or classics for the band’s career. The 12th song, the song they cut from the original master, became a hit too. The songwriting, tones, and vocals on this album blow me away.

Billy Joel “The Stranger” (1977)
6 of the 9 songs were either singles or have become classics. 4 charted on the Billboard Hot 100.

Bruce Springsteen “Born to Run” (1975)
8 songs. 4 radio hits. All have become classics. Seeing this album played from beginning to end last year was amazing. Did you know that even though the album is branded with the imaging of a guitar, all of the songs (except for 1 part in the title track) were written on the piano?

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers “Damn the Torpedoes” (1979)
4 of the 9 songs became singles or classics. The album introduced a new level of production especially with drums.

So if you are looking for something new to listen to don’t waste time trying to find the new “it” band. Just look to the past and I promise you’ll listen to an album that will bring more enjoyment than almost all of the new SXSW, Warped Tour, and Alternative Press bands.

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Their last album made my Top 10 of 2008 and surprisingly I didn’t even know they released a new album in October of last year until I saw the new Kia commercial on the Super Bowl (if you pay attention you’ll see their new album cover).

Anyways, this band is SICK. Their last album is great and so is the new album. Plus no matter how many times I see that new Kia commercial I love watching it. Perfect song placement.

Download the song at

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