CONCERT BLAST!: Recent Episodes
Concert Blast
It was Sunday, the last day/night of the 2014 CMA Music Festival and Concert Blast was there to cover the fun. The acts on this last night consisted of Charlie Daniels Band, Thomas Rhett, Lady Antebellum, Hunter Hayes, Zac Brown Band, and Brad Paisley. Also included in this podcast are two quick conversations with Concert Blast fans. Enjoy the podcast with Mike Arnold, Tom Thompson, and Will Perry.
It was officially day three of the 2014 CMA Music Festival in Nashville, TN. Mike Arnold, Tom Thompson, and Will Perry continued with the concert coverage. Day three lasted about 15 hours and this was after two prior long days! Yes, we were tired but excited to cover more concerts. On this day we started at the packed Riverfront Park to cover LoCash Cowboys, went to the Bridgestone Arena plaza for Chuck Wicks, strolled over to the HGTV sponsored barn to see an invitation only solo performance of Sugarland's Kristian Bush, and then completed the daytime shows back at Riverfront Park to see one of our favorite up and coming artists, Maggie Rose. After a dinner and a hour rain delay, we headed over to the stadium to catch Sara Evans, Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, Florida Georgia Line, and closed the night with Keith Urban. Enjoy the podcast and written blog review by Mike Arnold.
As the Concert Blast coverage of the 2014 CMA Music Festival continues, this podcast is focused on the activities from Friday. Mike Arnold and Tom Thompson headed downtown for the first act of the day, which was Craig Morgan on the Riverfront Park stage at 10am! Later in the day helper Will Perry joined in. The coverage ended as Blake Shelton said goodnight from the Stadium stage at 12:30am. That’s over 14 hours of walking, waiting, talking, and snapping pics of many artists, fans, and others. Friday’s coverage included (in order); Craig Morgan, Will Hoge, Holly Tucker (contestant from The Voice), Trace “the rib-whisperer” Arnold (not in the podcast), Mike Wolfe (from American Pickers), Hunter Hayes (surprise acoustic show). Then they covered the stadium concerts of (in order); Travis Tritt, Eric Church, The Band Perry, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, and Blake Shelton. What an exhausting day and night, but with a lot of fun! Enjoy listening to the 262nd audio podcast and/or reading the blog written by Mike Arnold.
The 2014 CMA Music Festival put another shot in the arm of the Nashville, TN economy and Mike Arnold, Tom Thompson, and Will Perry (substituting for Brian Hasbrook) of Concert Blast was there to cover as many events as they could. There were so many concerts and other events that no one person could attend, not even the three of us. This is the first of many podcasts from this festival. Enjoy the Thursday night stadium show coverage with plenty of live clips and fun with the attendees. Concerts covered were (in order); Alabama, Luke Bryan, Brantley Gilbert, Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, and headliner Tim McGraw. Also interview fun with country music newcomer Jenny Casey and Concert Blast fans... Enjoy the listening or the reading of Mike Arnold’s blog… or both!
It was day two of the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival and the guys from Concert Blast was ready for another day of fun and music. They started the day with a delicious lunch with their friends (and Saturday sponsor) at Rendezvous. The best barbecue ribs in town… maybe the planet! From there Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, Tom Thompson, and Will Perry headed to Tom Lee Park to begin their duties. We covered several top acts, but only a few made the audio podcast; Four Vines Winery interview, Los Rabanes (from Panama), Jerry Lee Lewis, Blues Traveler, Joan Jett, and the headliner for the night, Kid Rock. Special thanks to our festival sponsor, The Best Around Concessions. Enjoy the audio podcast coverage and Mike Arnold’s written blog review!
It was one of our favorite times of the year, the first weekend in May. Also known to us as time for the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival. Every year Concert Blast has been invited to cover this huge music festival. This year’s lineup was not as good as the past years, but we still had a good time. This year’s Concert Blast staff consisted of Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, Tom Thompson, and our special guest helper, Will Perry. Here is the podcast on Friday night’s events with live clips from Third Eye Blind, Dropkick Murphys, Fitz and the Tantrums (our favorite), 311, Foster The People, and we closed out the night with Dickey Betts & Great Southern. We also must thank our Friday festival sponsor, The Best Around Food Concessions… Enjoy the podcast and the Mike’s written blog description!
It's that time of the year again where we celebrate getting together with friends and family, eat lots of great food, wind down the year, but most importantly celebrate the birth of Jesus as The Christ. This podcast is reflecting on Christmas songs by rock artists submitted by Concert Blast listeners and some of our own favorites. Actually this podcast is a spliced and diced podcast from several past Christmas specials from 2005-2007. Listen to this audio podcast while Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and Tom Thompson take you through several Christmas song clips... ENJOY!
It was a cool October Friday night in Nashville, TN as the first annual Marathon Music Village Festival hosted the Los Angeles based, energetic band, Vintage Trouble. Concert Blast was on site to produce another audio podcast concert review on this fun evening. “Troublemakers” (the nickname of their fan base) came in from different parts of the country and we met one fan from France. Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and Tom Thompson were back together again for this evening of fun. Enjoy the podcast!
Country singer/songwriter Brian Milson from Odessa, TX was in Nashville recently and stopped by to see Concert Blast while on his media circuit of his anti-bullying campaign while promoting his song, "Nothing Grows In Shadows". This song not only touches hearts, but the lyrics and melody reaches into a person's chest and rips out the entire heart! Not only is the song very touching, but the video of this emotional tune puts the song over the top. Mike Arnold of Concert Blast sits with the singer of this future hit, Brian Milson, to discuss the song, the video, and his career. This is a special audio and video interview podcast... ENJOY!
During the Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis, TN, Concert Blast had the opportunity to interview one of their favorite new bands, Vintage Trouble. Mike received a text and a phone call from the VP over the Memphis in May media to tell us we were approved for an interview with the guys after their performance. Which was a good thing since we were up against the stage barrier ready to enjoy their show. We accepted the invitation and met three of the four guys from Vintage Trouble in their back stage trailer to discuss several topics. During the festival our audio recorder went out so we had to rely on our video. We videoed the interview and used the audio for the podcast, but also have the video here through our Concert Blast You Tube Channel. Here's the interview with Mike and Tom leading the discussion with Ty Taylor (lead singer), Richard Danielson (drums), and Nalle Colt (guitar) joins the conversation later. Bassist Rick Barrio Dill had to leave to catch a flight at the airport as soon as they left the stage. ENJOY!
It was time for Concert Blast to visit the Ryman Auditorium again in Nashville, TN. This time it was a pre-sound check interview with the twenty-three year old blonde beauty guitar slinger from Australia, Laura Wilde. Laura was in Nashville as the opening act on the Ted Nugent tour. Although Laura is only twenty-three, her rock and roll musical tastes and knowledge goes way back. Laura can carry on a conversation as if she grew up in the 1970s like the hosts of Concert Blast did. Tom Thompson and Mike Arnold arrived early to the concert to head backstage to Laura’s band dressing room to conduct this fun interview. Enjoy this conversation along with a few song clips from Laura Wilde’s current CD, “Sold My Soul”.
It was another music filled July night in Nashville, TN as new artist Bree performed in the historic Cannery at The Mercy Lounge. Bree recently did a media blitz to push her album debut, “All American Girl”. This show wasn’t necessarily a show for the media, but a show for her friends as she celebrated her birthday, which is why Concert Blast wanted to be a part of it. Mike Arnold covered this concert review by himself due to Brian Hasbrook being on vacation and Tom Thompson having a last minute family emergency. Mike started the podcast with a short talk with Bree, then stepped through each song of her performance. After the show Mike spoke with the drummer, David Castello and a post show discussion with Bree before his recap and rating. Enjoy our 253rd podcast and/or read the written blog on the Bree Concert Review!
As we approached the last night of the CMA Music Festival 2013, we were sadden to see it all come to a close, but we were even more saddened to experience the sets that were shortened due to the threat of the bad weather which was approaching downtown Nashville, TN. This Sunday night Concert Blast staff consisted of Mike Arnold, Tom Thompson. And our guest Will Perry, as he substituted for the ill Brian Hasbrook. Listen to this podcast and/or read Mike Arnold’s blog on the coverage of this fun, but disappointed evening as we covered (in order) Brad Paisley, The Band Perry, Jake Owen, and Carrie Underwood.
It was night three, Saturday, during the stadium concerts that the CMA Music Festival 2013 got the biggest surprise on the history of the festival. There were the guest hosts of the night with Willie, Jase, and Si Robertson from the popular TV Show, Duck Dynasty, but that wasn't the biggest surprise. The Country Music Festival was turned into a rock and roll party as super rocker, Lenny Kravitz made an appearance to see how country fans liked rocking. They like it for about 15 to 20 minutes before they had enough and was ready to get back to the country side of life. Listen to this podcast (or read this blog) as we cover (in order) Florida Georgia Line, Lenny Kravitz, Dierks Bentley, Kelly Clarkson, and headliner Keith Urban, not to mention the other surprise guests and the fans we talked with... ENJOY!
As we continue our CMA Music Festival coverage from 2013, Mike Arnold narrated this podcast on some of the various stages that they have to offer for the fans in attendance. The outside stages are free for all, but the intimate stage in the Music City Center (the Fan Fair area) had a ticket price with it, although the price was included if you had a four day stadium show admission ticket. Enjoy listening to this podcast of the various performances by (in order) Lady Antebellum, Marshall Tucker Band, Grits and Glamour (which is Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan), Mac Powell (of Third Day with his rockin’ country side), Lucas Hoge, Bo Bice (with friend Hollywood Yates performing together), Wynonna, Julie Roberts, David Nail and The Goo Goo Dolls (yes at the CMA Fest!). Enjoy listening to this podcast and/or reading Mike Arnold’s blog about the fun adventures. Special Thanks to The Old Spaghetti Factory for sponsoring Concert Blast during the CMA Music Festival 2013!
Throughout the week of the CMA Music Festival, there are many publicists who contact the attending media to have interviews or attend the events for the artists they represent. Each year we receive more and more requests (and we like it!). Sometimes we get excited about meeting someone new and then the performance schedule changes so we have to constantly balance how we work and who we will cover. Here's our interviews from this year's CMA Fest in the order on the podcast... Bo Bice - Hollywood Yates - Lucas Hoge - Jenny Casey - Maggie Rose - Rachel Williams - Mustang Sally - The Band Perry - Julie Roberts - Lady Antebellum. Enjoy the audio interviews!
It was night number two of the CMA Music Festival stadium concerts and Concert Blast was on hand to cover this fun event. This podcast is the review/coverage on the second of four nights of the stadium concerts with Mike Arnold, special guest host Will Perry (Tom was absent that night), a short recap from photographer Brian Hasbrook (who was losing his voice), and lots of Concert Blast friends in attendance. Here are the artists that performed that night, (in order of appearance) Randy Travis, Kip Moore, Hunter Hayes, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town (with special surprise guest Sheryl Crow), and Blake Shelton… ENJOY!
Thanks to our CMA Music Festival sponsor, The Old Spaghetti Factory. Please visit them and tell them Concert Blast sent you!
It's that time of the year when Concert Blast makes their way to downtown Nashville, TN to cover one of their favorite music festivals, The CMA Music Festival. This music fest is something that all music genres should learn from. It's when the top selling country music artists, the legendary country artists, as well as the new country artists gather together in Nashville, TN during the second week of June to perform for the fans which drove in and flew in from all over the world to see all the concerts and meet their favorite country artists. The key music lesson here is that all the performers do this for nothing but the love of their fans! Special Thanks to our CMA Music Festival sponsor, The Old Spaghetti Factory (http://www.osf.com). Please visit them and tell them Concert Blast sent you!
Enjoy this podcast on the first of four nights of the stadium concerts with Tracy Lawrence, Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, and the Zac Brown Brown… ENJOY!
On Saturday June 1st Contemporary Christian Radio Station K-Love presented its first Fan Awards. Concert Blast was invited to cover this event and they all had a great time. Mike Arnold and his wife, Sandra, covered the Red Carpet event by talking to almost all the artists that walked down the carpet. Those on our Red-Carpet podcast coverage included the hosts of the K-Love Awards, the Duck Dynasty cast of Jase and Missy Robertson, along with Phil and Ms. Kay Robertson. Contemporary Christian artists included are; Newsboys, Big Daddy Weave, The Afters, Sidewalk Prophets, Mandisa, Colton Dixon, Building 429, and many others, also from the film industry, Alex Kendrick (“Facing The Giants” and “Courageous“) and David Evans (Producer of the movie “The Grace Card“)… Enjoy the Podcast!
Concert Blast continued the coverage of the Beale Street Music Festival on the final day of one of our favorite music festivals. On this last day of coverage we saw portions of Public Enemy, Papa Roach, Three Days Grace, and Al Kapone. We also were up front and center for the entire show of one of our favorite new bands, Vintage Trouble. Special Thanks to our festival sponsor, The Best Around Food Concessions (http://www.thebestaroundconcessions) - Thank You Kevin McGrath! Please continue to read and/or listen to our podcast on our last day.
The fun continued for the Concert Blast staff at the Beale Street Music Festival for Day Two coverage on Saturday May 4th. On this day we covered ZZ Top, The Black Keys, Patti Smith, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dwight Yoakam, and Gavin DeGraw. Saturday started on a great note as we have always started for many years… sleeping in late and getting a late lunch at the world’s famous barbeque ribs restaurant, Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous! They have sponsored our Saturday coverage for years and this year they asked us to return next year. We thank both sponsors that helped make these trips possible, Rendezvous and The Best Around Food Concessions! Check out the podcast and/or read the following blog on our Saturday adventures!
One of the first topics Concert Blast covered on our very first show was the discussion of Tom Thompson’s trip to Memphis as he attended the Beale Street Music Festival in May of 2005. Every year since, Concert Blast has covered the three day music festival and have enjoyed every one of them. This is part one of a three part series of what happened in Memphis, TN at Tom Lee Park during the first weekend in Memphis In May. Special thanks to the Memphis In May staff for inviting us every year to cover this event and for making us feel very welcomed!
It was that time of the year again when lovers exchange gifts and/or cards and Rick Springfield rolls into Nashville, TN for his annual Wildhorse Saloon Valentine's Day performance. Rick Springfield has made a habit to perform in Nashville this time every year, as he told us, "Because the chicks are hot!" Let me say that the 63 year young Rick Springfield is also on fire with his rock n' roll (and at times hard rock) performance. Rick Springfield put on a 90 minute set consisting of his hits from the 80s, his favorite cover songs, as well as many tunes from his latest album, "Songs for the End of the World". Rick said the world didn't end in December 2012 like some predicted, but if it would have, his new album would have been a great soundtrack for it. Enjoy our blog concert review written by Mike Arnold and Mike's podcast recorded from the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, TN.
Happy Thanksgiving from Concert Blast! Mike Arnold and Tom Thompson recorded this Thanksgiving Special podcast by focusing on songs related to being Thankful. Songs are titled or included the words, “Thank You”, or “Thankful”. There are also other songs with the words and meaning of “Thanks”. Mike and Tom also share stories about the artists that are featured on this show. Enjoy this podcast and think of what you are thankful for this year.
It was Saturday, August 25th, when Grand Funk Railroad returned to Nashville, TN to perform once again for the umpteenth time. Grand Funk hasn't performed in Nashville since early in this century, but in the past they have thrilled their fans with concerts many times. With Mark Farner out of the picture these days, Max Carl on guitar /vocals and former KISS lead guitarist Bruce Kulick has filled the gap, and have done it very well. Mike Arnold, with special guest host, Concert Blast #1 fan, Vivian Johnson, were on hand to review this concert song by song and supply many live clips of this night for the podcast. Enjoy this Concert Review (audio podcast and written blog) and the special sing along at the end of the podcast with the original Concert Blast staff and GFR’s original drummer, Don Brewer!
Train returned to Nashville, TN to perform another one of their memorable concerts… at least they tried before Mother Nature stepped in. Train performed about fifty minutes of their California 37 Tour set before they were ordered to leave the stage and say goodbye to their 5,000 plus SRO Train fans. Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and Tom Thompson of Concert Blast were on hand to capture the live experience through a concert review podcast with lots of live clips while the fun lasted. Enjoy listening to our podcast with lots of live clips and/or reading the written blog concert review!
On Friday morning, August 10th, 2012, Concert Blast was invited to a press conference with Dolly Parton as she was presented the Gold award from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for the two disc set, "An Evening With... Dolly", available at the Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores. Special Thanks to the public relations and marketing company, Webster and Associates LLC, for the invitation and to Michelle Arnold for stepping in to help our team cover this event. Enjoy listening to the Press Conference and reading the following Press Release!
Sunday night June 10th was the closing night of the CMA Music Festival 2012. On this night the performers included; Martina McBride, Alan Jackson, Rascal Flatts, Dierks Benley, Scotty McCreery, and The Mavericks. Enjoy listening to our podcast coverage and reading Mike Arnold’s blog review.
Saturday Night June 9th 2012 was night three of the CMA Music Fest stadium concerts. Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and Tom Thompson were on hand for the coverage. On this night the performers included; Luke Bryan, Faith Hill, Eric Church, Little Big Town, and Hunter Hayes. Enjoy listening to our podcast coverage and reading Mike Arnold’s blog review.
Friday Night June 8th 2012 was night two of the CMA Music Fest stadium concerts. Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and special guest co-host Will Perry were on hand for the coverage. On this night the performers included; Ronnie Milsap, Brantley Gilbert, Jake Owen, The Band Perry, Blake Shelton, and Carrie Underwood. Enjoy listening to our podcast and reading Mike’s blog review.
Thursday Night June 7th 2012 was the opening night of the CMA Music Fest stadium concerts. The original Concert Blast team of Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and Tom Thompson were on hand for the coverage. We love covering music festivals and the CMA Music Fest is one of the best. On opening night the performers included; Glen Campbell, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, and Brad Paisley with his surprise special guest Hank Williams Jr. Enjoy listening to the podcast and reading the blog review.
Concert Blast returned to the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, TN once again to attend and cover one of the best and most organized music festivals in the world. The CMA Music Festival is a week long celebration of country music which brings in people from all over the world. There are fan club parties, free concerts in the streets and at Riverfront Park, the hotels and restaurants are packed with tourists, and who knows what star will make their way to the stage in the downtown bars. We always do our best to cover the Stadium shows of the top selling country acts, but we also try to participate in the other special events. This podcast covers the unique events. An interview with three stars from the History Channel’s hit TV show Swamp People (Troy, Jacob, and Chase Landry), Coverage of Little Big Town fans, Detroit's country band Cold City Cowboys, and Sawyer Brown’s concert at Riverfront Park. Enjoy our podcast and reading about these experiences!
On Thursday, May 17, Three Dog Night returned to Nashville, TN to perform a Sold-Out concert at the Wildhorse Saloon. Mike Arnold and special guest host Gary Bell was there for a concert review. New artist Black Market Research opened the show. Read Mike Arnold’s concert review blog and listen to the Concert Blast podcast... ENJOY!
Here’s the podcast / blog coverage on Day Two of the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival. The covereage here on Saturday 5/5/2012 were; Son Volt, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Blind Mississippi Moris, The Black Lips, Buddy Guy, The Cult, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Al Green, and Jane’s Addiction
Concert Blast returned to cover the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival. This time the team consisted of Mike Arnold, Tom Thompson, and our stand in photographer and helper, Steve Shattuck. This is Friday’s coverage of the annual event in written and audio podcast format… ENJOY!
On April 21st, Concert Blast attended the Nashville premiere viewing of the Rick Springfield documentary movie, “An Affair of the Heart” at the Nashville Film Festival. With this movie being focused on the relationship between Rick and his fans, you know there were fans attending this premiere! Mike Arnold was there for his podcasting services and Concert Blast friend Joe Nelms provided the photography.
George Thorogood and the Destroyers returned to the Wildhorse Saloon for a Sold-Out performance and Concert Blast was on hand for another podcast. Enjoy Mike Arnold, Tom Thompson, and guest Michael Fulghum's review of the concert.
Concert Blast began the 2012 concert review podcasts in style with the annual Rick Springfield party in Nashville, TN around Valentine's Day weekend. Concert Blast produced a podcast with Mike Arnold, Tom Thompson, James Downing, and many Rick Springfield fans in attendance who were more than happy to join in for this show!
Happy Valentine's Day from the guys at Concert Blast. Here's a hilarious podcast on L-O-V-E. Enjoy our Concert Blast Valentine's Day Special with Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and Tom Thompson!
On 12/09/2011 The Crowd, Nashville's Party Rock Band from the 80s, performed a reunion show in Nashville, TN at Douglas Corner Cafe and Concert Blast was there... Enjoy!
Concert Blast was invited to review the Queensryche concert as the 30th Anniversary Tour stopped for a show in Nashville at the world famous Wildhorse Saloon. Mike Arnold, Tom Thompson, and James Downing were on hand for another podcast concert review.
It was Thursday October 6th in Nashville, TN when the B-52s made their tour stop at the Wildhorse Saloon to thrill a Sold-Out crowd. The place had plenty of festive fans dressed up and ready to dance and sing along with the classic hits provided by the B-52s. Mike, James, and Tom of Concert Blast enjoyed the night as much as the rest of those in attendance.
Big & Rich with their friends Gretchen Wilson and Cowboy Troy, along with a special dancing performance from Two-Foot Fred thrilled about 4,000 concert attendees at Nashville's newest amphitheatre, The Woods at Fontanel as their Muzik Mafia Tour stopped in their hometown for their local fans (and fans who traveled in for the show).
James Downing met up with legendary musician, singer, songwriter, Billy Burnette before his show at 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville, TN for an interview.
James Downing had the priveldge to have an interview with Australian's top Country Music Act, The McClymonts. Enjoy the Audio Interview!
It was a Hot August night in Nashville, TN as Billy Joe Shaver came to town to perform his Honky Tonk classics at one of the coolest music venues the city has to offer, the legendary Exit/In.
Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and James Downing were on hand to cover the concert as Billy Joe Shaver performed songs and told stories to the packed venue.
Concert Blast was invited to cover the dual Classic Rock Headline Tour with STYX and YES. Being fans of both bands and having been covering Styx on every visit to Nashville for the last three trips, we were looking forward to another fun night of classic rock hits at Nashville’s newest amphitheatre, The Woods at Fontanel.
Our CMA Music Fest 2011 Coverage continued with the fourth and final night of the festival, the Sunday Night Stadium Concerts, thrilled packed stadium of country music fans with major headliners and a couple of surprises! On the bill that night was Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, The Band Perry, and opening the show was the JaneDear girls.
Our CMA Music Fest 2011 Coverage continued with the third night of the festival, the Saturday Night Stadium Concerts, thrilled 50,000 plus country music fans with major headliners and loads of surprises! On the bill that night was Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride, Trace Adkins, Josh Turner, Little Big Town, and opening the show was Chris Young.
It was Sunday night June 19th 2011, a Father's Day celebration in Nashville, TN, as classic rock landed at the Wildhorse Saloon once again. Creedence Clearwater Revisted made a Sold-Out return appearance to the Music City. Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and Tom Thompson made room in their Father's Day schedule to attend this rockin' event.
Our CMA Music Fest 2011 Coverage continues as the second night of the festival, the Friday Night Stadium Concerts, thrilled 50,000 plus country music fans with a lineup of arena headliners. On the bill that night was Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Keith Urban, Reba McEntire, and a couple of surprises!
It was a muggy July Saturday evening in Nashville, TN, but the 45,000 rock music fans that gathered in Vanderbilt Stadium to see U2 perform didn't seem to mind at all. Mike Arnold and Tom Thompson were there to capture the live U2 concert experience in person to bring the excitement to the fans in their audio podcast.
During the CMA Music Festival 2011, Concert Blast conducted various interviews at various events including The Montgomery Gentry Fan Club Party, The Fan Fair Booth signings, The Celebrity Softball Game, Riverfront Park Concerts, and the Wildhorse Saloon.
When Mike Arnold and Brian Hasbrook of Concert Blast traveled to Memphis, TN to cover the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival, they were also invited for an escorted personal tour of the home of Elvis Presley. Brian Hasbrook and Mike Arnold received a personal escorted tour from Alicia Dean from the PR department of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
It was our annunal return to the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, TN. On this first night of the Stadium concerts, Mike Arnold, Tom Thompson, and James Downing were on hand to cover the best event in Country Music. Special guest host Charity Taylor also joined the staff as a helper on this night of fun.
As part of the CMA Week coverage, Mike Arnold and James Downing had the priviledge to have a conversation with the "Legendary Maverick", Stella Parton. There is lots of humour and a few serious moments in this interview as Stella describes her new book, "Tell It Sister, Tell It".
On Friday, June 3rd, Willie Nelson's Country Throwdown Tour traveled across the East Coast of America and made a stop in Nashville, TN to thrill Southern Rock/Country Music concert fans.
Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, James Downing, and Tom Thompson all made an appearance to the outdoor festival.
Eddie Money returned to Nashville, TN on Friday May 13th 2011 for another performance at the World Famous Wildhorse Saloon. The guys from Concert Blast were more than excited about this show not only because of Eddie Money, but his opening act is one of our favorite live bands, The Stacie Collins Band. Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, Tom Thompson, and James Downing were all on hand for an audio podcast of this fun night with several live clips.
It was a Wednesday May 11th, 2011 in Nashville, TN and the Cannery Ballroom had a Sold-Out crowd ready to be a part of the Alter Bridge experience. Alter Bridge brought out the excitement in this crowd as fists were pumping in the air and voices were singing along to nearly every song performed that night. The opener for the night, Like-A-Storm, warmed up this energetic crowd for the and then gave us an interview. Concert Blast had Mike Arnold, Tom Thompson, James Downing, and special guest host, Ryan Stapleton on hand to provide this audio podcast.
Mike Arnold and Brian Hasbrook of Concert Blast covered Saturday’s 2011 Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival with artists; John Mellencamp, Lucinda Williams, Mumford and Sons, Jerry Lee Lewis, Hinder, and Paul Thorn.
Mike and Brian of Concert Blast covered Friday's 2011 Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival with Stone Temple Pilots, Flaming Lips, MGMT, Cake, Everclear, Cage the Elephant, B.o.B. & More.
Reposted Podcast From 2008 - Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and Tom Thompson discuss various songs and artists. The guys read emails from their listeners who submitted their favorite songs, along with the Classic Rock Forum on Myspace (hey, I said it was originally posted in 2008!).
This podcast is a special post from Mike Arnold's book, Concert Blast Experiences - Guest List-Backstage-VIP. This is actually an audio of Chapter 16 - Artists Crazy Concert Experiences with stories from over 20 Music Artists.
Friday March 18th Concert Blast were on hand to report on the Stryper concert at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville. Enjoy the fun audio podcast from Brian & James with special guest host, Ron Gibson.
Mike Arnold and Brian Hasbrook of Concert Blast were on hand at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN to enjoy and review the Winter Jam 2011 concert. This was a night of various styles of Contemporary Christian music and Mike and Brian loved this evening. With ten acts performing short sets of their new and popular tunes. The acts on the Nashville tour stop were; Newsboys, Kutless, David Crowder Band, Francesca Battistelli, Newsong, Red, Sidewalk Prophets, Chris August, Jason Castro, and several guest appearances from Christian Rapper, KJ52.
It was Friday March 11, 2011 when Mike Arnold and James Downing of Concert Blast (with guest hosts Donna Frost and Sue Street) covered the Rick Springfield concert in Nashville, TN at the Wildhorse Saloon on 3/11/2011. Enjoy the audio podcast from Concert Blast!
The concert touring season seems to run from the middle of March through the begining of December. While we wait for the artists to hit the road or the Festivals to crank up the music for the large crowds, I decided this would be a great time to re-post our most popular Music Discussion Podcast - Time Songs from October of 2007.
Every year during the month of February, our country celebrates Black History Month. I have thought about all the black artists that has touched our musical lives and realized black artists have been a major part of creating rock and roll. Brian Hasbrook, Tom Thompson, James Downing and I decided to celebrate Black History Month by creating a Music Discussion audio podcast of our favorite back artists.
It was Thursday, December 16th 2010 in Nashville, TN at the Bridgestone Arena when Garth Brooks performed his first full band Live Performance in years. In fact, before this first night (first of nine Sold-Out shows) of his Nashville performances, Garth has only played about 10 concerts with a full band over the past decade. Concert Blast was invited as media to review one of the nine shows, so Mike Arnold and James Downing decided to be on hand for the very first concert to see Garth’s excitement of being “Back in the Saddle”.
On Thursday December 16th 2010, Mike Arnold attended a press conference held by Garth Brooks. Mike joined the Nashville, TN media along with the other media who traveled in to hear Garth discuss the idea of helping those affected by the Nashville, TN flood of May 2010.
It was Thursday, November 18th 2010 when one of the most energetic girls of Country Rock, Stacie Collins, celebrated her new CD release, “Sometimes Ya Gotta…”, with a packed-house party at 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville, TN. Mike Arnold and James Downing were on hand to host a podcast while celebrating this event.
Here’s a Concert Blast Thanksgiving Special. This podcast contains a portion of many different interviews from many different genres of music as the artists answer one question, “What are you thankful for?”
On Thursday, November 11th, Mike Arnold and James Downing of Concert Blast reviewed the Styx concert at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN as they made a stop on their Grand Illusion / Pieces Of Eight tour.
Styx is currently taking the country by storm with their Grand Illusion - Pieces of Eight Tour. Styx's Singer/Keyboardist, Lawrence Gowan took some time from the road to call in to Concert Blast to discuss the tour and many other topics with Mike Arnold.
Concert Blast was accepted as media to cover the .38 Special concert in Nashville, TN at the Wildhorse Saloon. Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and James Downing attended the show on Thursday October 7th 2010 and produced a great energetic podcast.
It was Friday, October 8th 2010 when Jason and the Scorchers made their long awaited return to Nashville, TN to play The Mercy Lounge. Before the band’s sound check, Mike, Brian, and James met with Jason Ringenberg and Warner Hodges for a short interview as they traveled down memory lane.
The show started about 9:40pm with Brian on one side of the stage, James on the other side of the stage and Mike in the middle. Brian and James had their cameras ready while Mike was ready with his mic to record any special live audio clips for the podcast (and there were several).
Concert Blast covered the Americana Music Festival in Nashville, TN as they created another podcast of the yearly event. Enjoy reading and listening to the Part 2 of 2 Americana Music Festival 2010.
Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and James Downing covered the Americana Music Festival in Nashville, TN and discovered many major music artists were involved in this yearly event in Nashville, TN. Enjoy the Podcast - Part 1 of 2.
All four Concert Blast hosts reviewed the Nashville, TN return of Cinderella in concert, as well as an interview, at the Wildhorse Saloon on 9/02/2010.
On Thursday August 26, 2010, Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and James Downing returned to one of Concert Blast's favorite concert hall, the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, TN. On this night the staff from Concert Blast decided to step out of their classic rock/upbeat country genre to cover a multi grammy winning performer, Michael Bolton.
On Sunday,June 13th, 2010, Mike Arnold and Tom Thompson covered the final day of the Bonnaroo Music Festival 2010. Our podcast coverage included short interviews with fans and many live concert coverage with short live clips of John Fogerty, John Butler Trio, Kris Kristofferson, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Against Me, and Dropkick Murphys.
Tom Thompson and guest co-host Steve Shattuck brought the coverage of the first night of our coverage of Bonnaroo 2010 Part 1 of 2 (Friday). James Downing was covering the Sheryl Crow concert in Chattanooga and Brian Hasbrook and Mike Arnold covered the CMA Festival in Nashville. Tom and Steve began the show reporting from the Damian Marley set and ended the evening with The Flaming Lips.
It was Monday, July 26th, 2010 when Nashville finally recieved the promise that Paul McCartney made about 38 years ago of putting Nashville, TN on his tour schedule. Mike Arnold, Tom Thompson, and James Downing were part of 20,000 extremely excited fans that believe it was well worth the wait. (CLICK ON THE TITLE TO READ MORE AND LISTEN TO THE PODCAST)
On Saturday, June 26, 2010, Concert Blast hosts Mike, Brian, and James were invited by The Guess Who and Grand Funk Railroad to review their concert in Elizabethtown, KY at Freeman Lake Park. (CLICK ON THE TITLE TO READ MORE AND LISTEN TO THE PODCAST)
Concert Blast traveled to Elizabethtown, KY for the Grand Funk Railroad / The Guess Who concert and took time to interview Bruce Kulick (Grand Funk Railroad-KISS-ESP-solo), Garry Peterson (The Guess Who), and Kenny Lewis (auctioneer-councilman-concert promoter). (CLICK ON THE TITLE TO READ MORE AND LISTEN TO THE PODCAST)
Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and James Downing close out the series from the CMA Fest 2010 coverage with interviews with Bo Bice, Burns and Poe, Chelsea Field, Susan Hickman, and a preview from the CMT Secret Concert (CLICK THE TITLE TO READ MORE AND LISTEN TO THE PODCAST).
Concert Blast brings you Part 2 of the CMA Music Festival 2010 coverage with Julianne Hough, Josh Turner, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, and Reba McIntyre (CLICK ON THE TITLE TO READ MORE AND LISTEN TO THE PODCAST)
CMA Fest 2010 Part 1. This particular podcast consists of the opening night Stadium show as coverage includes, Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, and Carrie Underwood (CLICK ON THE TITLE TO READ MORE AND LISTEN TO THE PODCAST).
This show consists of six different short interviews with George Klein (Radio/TV personality, songwriter, author, and Elvis Presley’s long-time friend), Nate Whitlock (Memphis musician, solo artist, and brother of Eric Clapton’s sideman, Bobby Whitlock), Billy Cox (Jimi Hendrix’s bass player and solo artist), Charlie Daniels (Country Rock solo artist), Charlotte Medley (singer/songwriter/performer), and Tommy Tutone (known for the song “Jenny 867-5309”). These interviews were recorded from three different places over the past year. (CLICK THE TITLE TO READ MORE AND LISTEN TO THE PODCAST)
The second night of the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival coverage for our podcast began the recording at the establishment who sponsored day two of the festival, Rendezvous in downtown Memphis (our favorite place to eat Bar-B-Que Ribs). The guys start the day by interviewing fans of the music festival and having a fun conversation with Percy, an employee of Rendezvous for 40 years. (CLICK THE TITLE TO READ MORE AND LISTEN TO THE PODCAST)
It was the first weekend in May and on Friday night April 30th 2010 Mike, Brian, Tom, with special helper Steve traveled to Memphis, TN to cover the Beale Street Music Festival during the Memphis In May festivities. Friday's coverage included B52s, Goo Goo Dolls, and Limp Bizkit. (CLICK ON THE TITLE TO READ MORE AND LISTEN TO THE PODCAST)
It was a Rowdy Friday night in Nashville, TN at the Bridgestone Arena. Hank Williams Jr. led the charge as Jamey Johnson, Eric Church, and The Grascals followed. The crowd at the arena was full of energy and ready for fun. (CLICK TITLE TO READ MORE AND LISTEN TO THE PODCAST)
One of Concert Blast's favorite band, Train, performed in Nashville, TN at the Ryman Auditorium on Good Friday, April 2nd, 2010 and the guys were there to enjoy the show while writing the concert review for a podcast... (CLICK THE TITLE TO READ MORE AND LISTEN TO THE PODCAST).
Here is a popular podcast from 2006 re-edited. Concert Blast created this Music Discussion podcast of songs that begin with a Drum Beat. They name songs and also play a game of "Name That Tune!" (CLICK ON THE TITLE TO READ MORE AND LISTEN TO THE PODCAST)
It was St. Patrick's Day and the Wildhorse Saloon served up a great party for about 1,500 rock music fans while George Thorogood and the Destroyers provided the entertainment, which thrilled everyone in attendance. Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and James Downing were there to cover the show (Tom was sick)...(CLICK ON THE TITLE TO CONTINUE READING AND TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST).
Mike, Brian, & Tom discuss rockers that have passed away in this Part 2 of 2 Music Discussion re-edited Podcast from 2006. Artists that are discussed are...(Click the Title to Read More and Listen to Podcast).
Brian, Tom, and Mike discuss rockers that have passed away in this Part 1 of 2 Music Discussion re-edited Podcast from 2006. Artists that are discussed are.. (CLICK THE TITLE TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST)
Atlanta Georgia's Piedmont Park hosted Paul McCartney and his rocking band to a night of rock and roll for over 50,000 fans on August 15, 2009. This was a night where the old and young gathered together to enjoy hits from Paul McCartney, Wings, The Fireman, and The Beatles (CLICK THE TITLE TO READ MORE AND TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST).
Concert Blast was once again accepted as media to cover the CMA Festival for the third straight year. With the unfortunate circumstance of having Bonnaroo on the same weekend and Brian Hasbrook being called to work in New York during the same week we were stretched (Click the Title to Read More and Listen to the Podcast).
It was Saturday, June 13th 2009, Mike Arnold, Brian Hasbrook, and Steve Vallar head south from Nashville, TN to the big town of Manchester, TN. Well, a big town for the weekend as approx. 100,000 visitors flood Coffee County for the yearly music festival, Bonnaroo (Click on the Title to read more and listen to the Podcast).