Rockin' at the Moodog Coronation Ball 2010

Getting advice from all sides...and one of the winners is 'get out and do stuff.'

That's in my nature.

I've always been quite active, always on the go. Can't keep me down.

I have not withdrawn or stopped living.

Some days I WISH I just had 72 straight hours with no obligations, no appointments, no work, no singing, no Church, nothing in order to make a small dent in cleaning, organizing, getting in a really good work out, or just taking a nap.

That was not in the cards this weekend.

My Uncle's back in the hospital, and unfortunately, he's very sick.

Each weekend means lots of singing and time spent at Church.

Saturday night was the annual Moondog Coronation Ball Concert at Quicken Loans Arena. This year's acts included Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Turtles, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and Grand Funk Railroad.

When I go to a concert, I rarely remember what the 1st song was, all the songs in between or what the encores were. I don't have a photographic memory. One of my best friends can recite the whole play list from a McCartney Concert back in the 70's and every concert he's ever been to. God love him!

But I do remember the great music, the feeling it brought, who I am there with, seeing living musical legends and I'm usually drawn to a specific person in each band or musical act.

Maybe it's because I am musically inclined and have always been in choirs or some kind of singing group so I focus on as much of the 'behind the scenes' as the actual performance.

The Keyboard /Piano player for Little Anthony and the Imperials, aside from being hot, was their musical director. Watching him direct the entire band and keep in sync with Little Anthony and the Imperials intrigued me. He had the entire stage --which consisted of maybe a dozen or so people, following him. And one particular song (of course, you don't expect me to remember the name), they kept going up and changing keys ....and his arm movements to keep them as one --PHENOMENAL! How can you not love this group which has performed in 6 decades belting out some Police --'Every breath you take!'

One thing I learned at college from one of the best Choir Director's I ever had --Damaris Peters Pike --'Watch me at all times!'

It's true --you MUST watch your musical director so you can roll with the changes, cut off together, improvise, take breaths at the appropriate times, get quiet or loud, and be one.


It was rough. Last year Mom and I went. We sat in the handicapped section. It was a cluster. But it was such a joy hearing her belt out every single tune because, frankly, I had the coolest Mom in the world! I loved hanging out with my Mom. I cherished going places with her while there are other kids who like ditching their parents or leaving the nest the first chance they get!

I remember last year's concert as if it were yesterday and had such fun with Mom!

This year, I was so close to the stage I could almost touch it. Great vantage point! Of course, I did not have my camera. But, I did not stress over it or regret anything. I lived in the moment and took it all in.

I knew Mom was there in spirit listening to these guys because she just adored music of all kinds, was the biggest cheerleader for Cleveland and cherished the fact that Cleveland was where Rock and Roll began! We rarely missed a Moondog Coronation Ball Concert.

All the acts were tremendous. I was impressed at how many members of Paul Revere and the Raiders had been together for so long. Oftentimes you have the original band member surrounded by young guys. Not so here. And the lead singer used to be with the Letterman! Holy cow! I love them and still have some of Mom's record albums! That's right, record albums!

The Turtles LOVE coming to Cleveland. They are due back for Memorial Day Weekend. What's there not to love about C-Town! And so entertaining as well as talented. The entire audience belted out 'Happy Together.'

And last, but certainly not least--Grand Funk Railroad. Hearing 'We're an American Band' LIVE brought chills. Every single artist in the band has a long resume of fabulous--from the original members who rocked the house to other members, who've been with the band for a long time, yet came from the likes of 38 Special, Meat Loaf, Kiss, Bob Seger, Robert Palmer, Billy Squier, Michael Bolton.

I must admit, I was so tired and a bit depressed this weekend, I told my friend in Tampa I was contemplating blowing the night off. That's not me! And, I am so glad I got all dolled up and hit the town because the heart of Rock and Roll is still beating.....in Cleveland!