Happy Monday! We had a great weekend but it was CHILLY!! On Saturday there was thunder hail/graupel at Luke’s lacrosse game and on Sunday I was wearing my winter coat all day long at soccer and baseball. We even had to eat our annual Mother’s Day crabs inside! Even though it was unseasonably cold, celebrating Mother’s Day with my kids, Jeff, and my mom (and dad) was pretty great!

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Today, I’m linking up for Not Just A Mom to talk about concerts. When I first read this topic in January, it made me a little sad. We haven’t been to any concerts in a long time and I miss live music! Now, in May, it seems like things are looking better and we might get to a concert or two this year!!

My first concert was The Beach Boys and Chicago. I loved The Beach Boys and went with my parents and sister. I got a concert T-shirt with all the islands in Kokomo. You know – Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahamas, Key Largo, Montego, Kokomo. I bet you’re singing Kokomo right now, aren’t you?? I am!

My next concert was New Kids On The Block!! My 10 year old self thought I was just the coolest girl ever. When I saw NKOTB again a few years ago, it took me right back! Debby Gibson, Tiffany, OPP, and Salt n Peppa were playing with the New Kids and it was so early 90’s amazing!!

The act I’ve seen the most is Jimmy Buffet and the Coral Reefers. In the realm of parrot heads, I haven’t been to very many concerts. But I have seen Jimmy over a dozen times. I love each show! I sing and dance my heart out! I always get a tshirt, always!

There are two bands that Jeff has taken me to see a bunch – 311 and the Beastie Boys. I always have so much fun! We’ve been to some intimate Beastie Boys shows and I love them!! We’ve seen 311 inside, outside, in small venues, and in big concert halls.

There are three concerts that I really want to go to and I need to get to see them soon! Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden is my number one must see. He’s getting older and I want to be sure to see him before he retires. I really want to see Zac Brown Band. At least one afternoon, I play Zac Brown Band when I get home from school. His songs always make me smile and I cannot wait to see them in concert! I would love to see Chris Stapleton, too. I love his songs and his voice. It would be so amazing!

I have some funny concert stories for you. In college, I ended up on stage with OAR. It was the beginning of my tambourine playing career that lasted quite a few years!

When I graduated from college I moved to Charlotte with two girlfriends. The weekend before school started there was an outdoor music festival and I ended up on stage again. On the first day of school, one of my students said, “My mom saw you on stage at a concert on the news this weekend!!” Oopsie daisy – way to make a first impression!! In Charlotte, I continued my tambourine career playing on stage with bands at Ri-Ra and Dixies most weekends.

Those two girlfriends and I got free tickets to a Poison concert in 2002. We ended up meeting Bret Micheals nephew and going backstage. It was so much fun, but it was definitely not backstage Poison of the 1980s. Our ride home couldn’t find us because we were backstage and left. Bret Micheals’ nephew had to drive us home in the wee hours of the morning. Sorry if you’re just hearing that one for the first time Mom. 😘

One last concert giggle. When Jack was turning 10, Jeff and I didn’t have any good ideas for a birthday present. I decided that we should take him to a concert so when we were sitting down at dinner, I asked Jack who his favorite singer was. He responded, “Post Malone” and I thought Jeff was going to completely lose it. He didn’t think a concert was the best idea and this made him laugh so hard. Needless to say, we did not take Jack to a concert for his 10th birthday. 😂

Jeff and I have been talking about taking the kids to a concert. We think that Jack Johnson might be a great concert for them or maybe Jimmy Buffett. We’ll see… Do you have any good suggestions for a great first concert for kids, preteens really?

Now, I’m itching to see some live music! What’s your favorite concert? Who are you dying to see?? I can’t wait to hear! Have a great day full of sunshine and books!