Location: 75 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10011

My girlfriends and I spent 5 days and 4 nights in New York last weekend, October 8 - October 12, 2008.

The highlight of the weekend was our dinner with Guy Fieri, host of Diners, Drive Ins and Dives, among other shows on the Food Network.

We arrived at the Food Network Studios in Chelsea, Manhattan, New York on Wednesday at 6 bells. After some difficulty getting up the then-secured elevator, a very nice man named Joe took us on a tour of the studios. We saw where the majority of Food Network TV shows are filmed, and had a fascinating conversation with Chris, a carpenter in charge of setting up and tearing down the sets.

We were led into the Food Network kitchens, where three chefs were preparing our meal. It's also the place where Bobby Flay's "Throwdown" opening scenes are filmed, and where all the recipes for Food Network dishes are tested.

We were all served champagne and met Lauren Mueller, publicist for the Food Network, who led us to the seating area where we'd eat. She is adorable, very kind, and an incredibly competent business woman. I think she wanted some pomp and circumstance for a grand entry by Guy, but he just walked in like he owned the place. *smiling* I liked his casual style.

First thing out of Fieri's mouth, "Hi Girls, so who's in charge of this?" Everyone pointed at me, and I got a big hug. We all got introduced, brief hugs, talked about our kids, family, where we're from, what we did for a living, all of that, while nibbling on hors d'oeuvres made from Guy's recipes. Yakitori chicken and Cuban pork. You've gotta make 'em. Absolutely delicious.

I told him that it was largely due to my daughter that the four of us were there. I've been teaching her to cook, and together we'd watch several of the FN cooking shows. He said, "Get her on the phone." I did, and they had a nice conversation. His message to her: you have influence on people. What you say and what you do inspires other people to action. You matter. That message had all of us choked up with emotion. Incredibly empowering message from a celebrity to an 11 y.o. girl.

We moved to a seating area, where we presented Guy with the gifts we brought: a SL,UT shot glass (he got the joke right away), a bottle of Blue Ice potato vodka (highest quality stuff, made in Rigby), a bottle of Buddy's salad dressing (he loves garlic!) and a Royal Bliss CD (exactly his taste in music).

It's hard buying gifts for a man! Let alone, a man you don't know, a man who has enough money to buy anything he wants. But I'd done a lot of research on this Guy, and I think we nailed four thoughtful gifts, with just the right sentiment, things that represent our area, our interests, and his interests too. He said as much, and told us that even just the shot glass and vodka gifts were a "10."

I made it clear to Guy that although his successes both at his restaurants and with his TV shows are impressive, what I admire most about him, and one of the motivating reasons why I wanted to meet him and give him token gifts of thanks, is the quantity of work that he does for charities and his support of his home community of Sonoma County. He is, truly, a philanthropist above and beyond being a restauranteur and celebrity chef.

That's what it's about. Family, kids, friends and community. The rest is gold gilding the lily. Or perhaps gravy on the pork chops?

Time to get to the dinner table. We were served an appetizer of muscles, clams and scallops over rice. We were offered a choice of entrees, halibut or lamb. As I made my choice, Guy changed his mind and asked the chef to make us each a plate of "surf n turf," that is, we'd each be served a portion of his halibut and his lamb chops. Hard to say which was my favorite - I like fish more than lamb, but the lamb had this incredible basil - mint pesto that was amazing.

More conversation, more laughs, and way way too too much wine, oh my gosh! The entire experience, come the end of the night, was incredibly overwhelming. I barely remember our cab ride back to our hotel (thoughtfully provided by the Food Network).

We visited briefly with Guy the next day and again on Saturday. The whole weekend was full of memories over which I'll be lingering for a very, very long time.

 --L. Alexander

For more information on Guy Fieri, visit www.guyfieri.com. Tell him Lana "the wild one" Banana sent ya.

:-)

Guy Fieri. Who? Well, if you watch the Food Network, you'll know he's the guy that hosts Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. He has two other shows on the Network, Guy's Big Bite and Guy Off the Hook.

I know, I know. I'm usually writing about the Pocatello local live music scene. But hey, this is my blog, and I get to write whatever I want. Right?

Fieri hit the big-time cooking scene when he won The Next Food Network Star reality show in 2006. His charm and big TV personality won him the contest, and his career has taken off.

So how and why am *I* going to meet him? Well, that's a kinda cool story.

My 11 year old daughter is interested in learning how to cook. In support of that, she and I started to watch some of the Food Network TV shows. We both enjoyed Guy's shows (and a few others, especially Good Eats, with Alton Brown.) So we got online and found Guy's shows' websites. There was a link to bid on "an intimate dinner for four with Guy Fieri in New York City in October." The package also included tickets to several events at the inaugural New York City Wine and Food Festival. So, I bid on it.

And won.

The money I paid goes to a really great cause, Share Our Strength, a national  organization that feeds hungry kids. Visit http://www.strength.org.

Fieri and the Food Network donated their time, talents and tickets. Fieri is also the spokesman for one of Share Our Strength's fund-raising events, The Great American Dine-Out. Participating restaurants donate proceeds from their diner's meals to Share Our Strength.

Good cause, good fun. I called a couple of my girlfriends, and we're goin' to New York City! We have dinner with Guy on Wednesday the 8th at the Food Network kitchens. I don't know yet if he's cooking, or if his staff is cooking, or what. But he'll sit down and eat with us.

There's a VIP by-invite-only party on Thursday at the network studios, and we have tickets to various food, dessert and wine tasting events each night on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and one on Sunday afternoon with Bobby Flay, Duff Goldman of Ace of Cakes, stuff like that. Total cost, about $1200 each.

Oh, it'll be soooo worth the memories!

Last Friday night, the country rock band Big & Rich came to Holt Arena in Pocatello. By all accounts, the concert was a success, very well attended, an energetic performance from the opening act, Cowboy Troy, and from Big & Rich.

 

The sound in Holt Arena is notoriously bad, but this concert must have had one of the best sound technicians to date. The light show was a bit hard on the eyes, especially when those blazing white lights were shined in the eyes of the audience. Several times after the lights moved away, all I could see were purple blotches on the stage from my burned retinas.

 

Midway through the concert, Big Kenny brought a small young man from the audience up onto the stage. I don’t know how old the boy was, but I expect he was 6 or 7 years old. Kenny had a brief conversation with the boy, and that young man did a terrific job! He seemed to know all the words to the songs and briefly sang along with the band. Everyone loves a fan whose years only number in the single digits. The band gave the boy a commemorative guitar. Kudos to Big & Rich for that.

 

Towards the end of the concert, John Rich announced that the band would hang out at the legendary Pocatello country bar, The Green T, after the concert. He’d heard that the bar had a mechanical bull, and Rich invited any willing ladies to enter a bull-riding contest at the bar. The winner would receive airfare and accommodations to the band’s concert the following night in Las Vegas, to see the show as guests of the band.

 

So, about half of Pocatello turned up at The Green T. I’d like to take a moment to introduce the house band that night. Battery Park Country plays classic country and top 40 country with a little classic rock thrown in too.

 

Formed in 2003, Battery Park Country consists of five members: Susan Greenwell, vocals; Devon Breshears, guitar, vocals; Rick Scott, keyboards, vocals; Al Kuta, bass; and Bob Daulton, drums, vocals.

 

Greenwell is a Pocatello native who began singing in church choirs and later performed with a local group called Double Take. Breshears, born in Phoenix and now residing in Blackfoot, started performing as a teenager and at 19 began a decade of performing in the western states. Recruited to perform with the Bellamy Brothers, he traveled throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia and Japan. Breshears is one of the best country guitar players I’ve seen anywhere.

 

Daulton began playing drums at the age of 12 with his father’s band in the Green Triangle, and he hasn’t stopped since. In 1971 he enlisted in the air force and traveled the world playing clubs and cruise ships, returning to Pocatello in 1987. Daulton is an incredibly talented drummer, and as any musician would tell you, a great drummer makes the band.

 

Kuta is a Pocatello native with extensive touring performances. He has performed in the Los Angeles area at clubs, recording studios, and on television with Tina Turner. Scott began performing in High School as a solo act and then with numerous bands in night clubs, fairs and festivals throughout the United States, from New Orleans to Bakersfield and ultimately in Pocatello, where he has been active the local music scene for the past 10 yrs.

 

And now this iconic Pocatello country band can add to its resume, “We’ve shared the stage with Big & Rich.” Or at least, they can say that they’ve been the backing band for John Rich, who got on stage at the Green T for an encore song.

 

And what happened to the bull-riding contest winner? Here’s where the story gets good. Several ladies climbed up on that bull and rode it for what they were worth. About five finalists made it through the first round, and the audience helped to choose the winner, a young lady named Devon Johnson.

 

Ms. Johnson contacted me on Monday to report on her exciting Big & Rich trip to Las Vegas. Only it didn’t happen! Somebody in the Big & Rich tour management dropped the ball and did not contact her about where to be when. At the moment of this writing, you can be sure that this commentary columnist has several phone calls and emails flying around Nashville to make sure Big & Rich does right by our Pocatello bull-riding winner.

 

Tune in next week for more on this unfolding drama.

 

L Alexander

slowloosegravel@yahoo.com

www.myspace.com/showmetheband

 

The Salt Lake-based rock band Royal Bliss is performing at ISU on Thursday, November 29. Tickets go on sale November 14.

 

[LA] You guys have been together now for just over 10 years, right? And used to have a different bass player before Tommy. Tommy joined when?

 

[TR] Yes we have been together for ten years now. Tommy joined in June 06.

 

[LA] Can you describe how the band has changed in that time? Personally and musically?

 

[TR] Well I think we've always been pretty good songwriters. But nowadays we are extremely better songwriters and musicians than in the past. But I also think people are just starting to notice that we are what we are, great songwriters. Whether we play reggae, blues pop, acoustic metal, funk, whatever...... we write the best song we can. As far as the band changing.....new bass player new tunes. And they are awesome new tunes!!!

 

[LA] You mostly played bars for the bulk of those years. Was there a particular show when you can recall Royal Bliss’s draw was beginning to surpass the other Salt Lake bands?

 

[TR] Not true at all. We started out playing all age shows for years (backyard parties a must).....we were all under age at the time. but we have always had a pretty good fan base from the get go, because we started in high school, and all, I mean ALL of our friends would come out to shows and let me tell you, Neal had sooo many daisies friends!!! Once we started playing bars, we found out that that’s where the $$$'s at. You actually get paid for those gigs! But to answer your q around the time King Size came out 2001. We really started to get pretty popular locally and regionally, Twin Falls, Idaho started playing our songs on the radio, Reno, NV also, as well as the surrounding SLC cities Provo, Ogden, Tooele, etc...

But the show I remember was with Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlain of the Smashing Pumpkins. At liquid Joes. I have the video tape of the show!!!

 

[LA] To date, what would you say has been your biggest show? Either in terms of largest audience, or perhaps in terms of most important, getting you the recognition that’s brought you to this point?

 

[TR] Too many in too many cities, viva slc was huge. Playing with Everclear at the Huntsman Center was huge; every single Sundance gig is huge, the Hinder show, Buckcherry show, etc.....

 

[LA] I know you’ve developed fan bases in Reno and Idaho. Have there been other areas too?

 

[TR] Seattle, Portland, san Francisco, LA, phoenix, very popular in western Illinois(Quincy), Abilene TX, whistlet BC Canada, wow that list is starting to grow!!

 

[LA] Can you recall one of the first times a fan approached you out in the ‘real world?’ and how trippy was that!?

[TR] Not trippy at all and no I can’t remember the first time...

 

[LA] What is it about RB, do you think, that has created such a loyal fan base? Can you summarize what the fans are telling you?

 

[TR] We’re down to earth, cool, and great songwriters that connect with many diff types of people! The fans tell ME to play more solos, I like that!

 

[LA] Tell me about your independent recordings and CD’s to date, discography, success of each. You created your own indie label, isn’t that right? What can you tell me about that?

 

[TR] free again 98' sold about 2,000 copies recorded in one day at big idea studios slc, Ut

gimme a little bliss 99' sold about 2,000 copies same as above " " "

king size 01 has sold about 5,000-8,000 to date. same as above but recorded the cd with bjorn thorsrud(smashing pumpkins/dandy warhols, etc)

old's cool 01 prob 2,000 cd's( this was free again and gimme a little bliss combined with two bonus live songs)

4 song ep prob 3,000 cd's same as above big idea etc. but was a demo recorded for our mgmt at the time to shop to labels, in which we had a ton of interest but then Neal fell off a balcony, and we fired our slimy LA manager. And thank god! Everything happens for a reason

after the chaos prob about 2,000 cd's rec. started at big idea then finished at Matt winegars studios.

after the chaos II prob about 8,000, 10,000+ to date same as ATC but we recorded two new songs(brave, here they come) and remixed and recorded many of the songs.

I can’t wait for the new CD!!!!!!!!!

 

[LA] Let’s get the story on how you got signed. When and how were you first approached by major labels?

 

[TR] Basically Devils and Angels went to #1 at every radio station that it got played on, most requested etc...

 

[LA] Why was the decision made to go with Capitol? Care to share any of the interesting negotiations that went on with that?

 

[TR] Well it was Virgin originally until they merged with Capitol, now called Capitol Music Group. They gave us what we wanted! It took months of negotiating though.

 

[LA] On what date did you sign? And can you tell us what that was like?

 

[TR] Not sure exactly??? It felt like I was moving up the music business!

 

[LA] Recording in Oregon. Tell us about the process of pre-production. And how is the end result different from the initial conceptions?

 

[TR] Actually not much different, except that if we fucked up during the recording process we'd get to fix it, and then add a bunch of cool kittens, guitar, strings background vox etc...

 

[LA] Over what dates were you recording?

 

[TR] Aug 1^st – Sep 28^th

 

[LA] Why did you decide to go to Oregon? Was it your decision or a recommendation from the label? What was the name of the studio? Sound Engineers?

 

[TR] We went to Oregon to try something new. We told the label what we wanted and they gave it to us. So Oregon it was, with producer Rob Daiker, who did ATCII and Matt Winegar who did ATC1, and ATCII he’s also done primus!!! The studio was called The Commune

 

[LA] Any personal anecdotes or stories from your time there? Personal stuff is always welcomed by the readers.

 

[TR] Ketel One!, smokes, Strip Clubs.....the dolphin, we went to so many up there but the dolphin was the worst but the closest to the studio. Lake Oswego apts with our cool scapula neighbors from the Midwest that we'd stay up all night playing poker tourneys!

 

[LA] Describe for us the music on this new album. In what ways is it similar to what we know and love, and what surprises await us?

 

[TR] It is RB to the next level. You’ll get good old RB and you’ll hear some new direction .... country/rock, acoustic, severe hard rock, bluesy numbers, and long solo jams!!!

 

[LA] Who was your producer? And what other artists has this producer worked with?

 

[TR] Rob Daiker, no one you've ever heard. But after us hopefully he will start to make a name for himself

 

[LA] Were there any guest musicians on the recording?

 

[TR] Only Rob, and Matt who played a little bit of keyboards and guitars. And the strings who were done by .... I'm not sure actually?

 

[LA] Now that you’re back. Tell me what is in the immediate future for Royal Bliss, professionally; say in the next 3 months.

 

[TR] BAND PRACTICE, HOLIDAYS, 08'-TOURING nonstop!!!!!

 

[LA] On a personal level, what are the major stressors for the members of the band at this point?

 

[TR] $$$$$$, $$$$$$, health care would be nice, and I'd like a tour bus; the van is getting old!

 

[LA] Tell me how the Royal Bliss machine (all of your support personnel) has grown since having been signed.

 

[TR] Nothing has changed! except that bigger pictures are available now, big booking agents wanting to line us up with way better tours than we were setting up ourselves, random companies wanting to sponsor kittens (no we are not signing no dumbass sell out sponsorship.....yet......Budweiser?) same band, same sound guys, maybe a light guy would be a nice addition in the near future, we’ll see?

 

[LA] Do you have advice for other struggling independent bands? Mistakes you’ve made that you’d like to share? Or specific successes that worked well for you? Maybe I’m asking, what do you wish you knew 10 years ago, that you know now?

 

[TR] THE DAY YOU GIVE UP IS THE DAY YOU DIE!

HAVE BAND PRACTICE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, WRITE CONSTANTLY< RECORD CONSTANTLY< AND PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!

 

[LA] What next! Tell us about the release of the new album and tours currently in the works.

 

[TR] Spring 08 release?, Collective Soul in Feb. / Mar. and maybe Matchbox 20 and Buckcherry ????

 

[LA] What is management and the label doing, specifically, to support Royal Bliss’s success?

 

[TR] Everyone is waiting to hear the final master of the record to say anything but so far so good, everyone is liking what they are hearing!

 

[LA] Besides the upcoming album, is there other media in the works? Videos? Books? New merchandise? A coffee table photo album, “This Is Royal Bliss!!” (laughing)

 

[TR] Always new merch, maybe a video next year to go with the single?

 

[LA] I know this is a dumb question, but I’ve got to ask. People want to know! Just exactly how big is Royal Bliss going to get?

 

[TR] That depends on how many people dig our kittens, 5,000 people 1 million people 100 mill who knows I’m down for whatever. I think we'll connect with quite a few millions hahahaha

 

L. Alexander

11/06/07

 

With the first week of school hittin' me hard, I'm behind on my blogging duties!

I went to Warped Tour in Boise a couple weeks ago. It was fun! Over 60 bands playing on 8 stages between noon and 9 p.m. Most of the bands were punk / emo / metal. But there were some pop, funk and reggae acts too, so there was plenty to choose from.

I had an all-access pass, so I was able to hang out backstage and visit with the bands / artists, drink comp'd Monster energy drinks and Hanson's sodas and chow down on catered food. My friend also had a photo pass, so he spent a bunch of time crawling around on stage, sitting bass amps and such, taking pictures of the mainstage acts.

Headliners were Tiger Army, Circa Survive, New Found glory, Cute is What We Aim For, Flogging Molly, Coheed & Cambria, Pepper, Killswitch Engage, Bad Religion, Paramore, Hawthorne Heights and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, each playing a 30-minute set.

But I also ran around and caught some acts on the smaller stages. Kaddisfly; Vincent Black Shadow; Drop Dead, Gorgeous; Meg & Dia; Ambient; Aroarah; Love You Long Time; Kryterium; From Aphony and Mortal Enemy. Several of these are local to Idaho and Utah, so Google 'em and/or add 'em as friends on MySpace. Aroarah was particularly good, and I hope the ISU Program Board has the sense to bring these gals to campus.

Also, a good number of the Warped bands announced they'd be back to Boise this fall to play at The Big Easy. Check out www.bigeasyconcerts.com for dates.

As for the bands I met, I hung out with Flogging Molly the most. But also had a few minutes to visit with the guys from Pepper, Bad Religion and Hawthorne Heights. The singer for Paramore is just adorable, and was particularly nice. The guys in Coheed & Cambria were kinda stuck up, but then, it was a hot day and alot was going on. Oh well.

The event seemed more like a fair than a concert. The interior area was filled with tents. Each band had a merchandise booth, and there were booths for local Boise venues, radio stations, TRUTH, Trojan Condoms, non-profit organizations, and of course, Van's shoes! There was more ... too many to mention.

Perhaps the most interesting thing I learned was that none of the bands get paid. They all make their money from merchandise sales. Some of the smaller bands actually come away from the Warped Tour with less money in their pockets than they had going in! but they feel its worth it for the exposure. The bigger bands can gross thousands of dollars in a day.

After the show, we went to the tour bus area, ate at the band bbq, and hung out with Kevin Lyman, The Big Guy when it comes to the Warped Tour.

Location: 16200 canada road, boise, id

http://www.warpedtour.com/w...

8.17.07 Boise, ID @ the Idaho Center. 16200 Can ADA Rd

Have you ever been to the Warped Tour? I am planning a road trip to Boise on the 16th to the 18th of August.

My traveling companion and friend, Wild Bill, helped set the tour up 13 yrs ago, so it'll a joy to experience.

Bill already wrote Kevin, who runs the Warped Tour and told him he'd be showing up with a friend, so it won't cost us anything and we're invited to the daily BB Que with the entire Warped Tour.

It's an all day affair. We have All Access and have a VIP pass with photo priveledges.
We're going specifically for Flogging Molly, who are friends of Bill's, but alot of the other bands are also friends of his. It's a nice full day of shooting bands in front of the stage and getting onstage with bands.

The Warped tour is sponsored by Van's ... yup, that's right, the canvas shoes.

Location: 615 S. 1st Avenue, Pocatello, Id 83201

Tonight, Saturday July 28, Zach Murphy is performing at Portneuf Valley Brewing on S. 1st Avenue.

 

Zach (Chris) Murphy, 5-string banjoist extraordinaire, will play old-time songs and tunes from North America starting at 9 p.m. Murphy, famous long ago in Pocatello for his bagpipe and flute playing, has lived and played music in Seattle for many years. This is a rare opportunity to see him perform locally.

 

I’ve always said that you just can’t be sad listening to a banjo. Go, be happy.

--L