Kimandseana's Journals

Rock N Roll Heaven

I died and went to my Rock N' Roll Heaven

I have found a new reason to travel to Orlando, Florida. It is not
for the amusement parks, water parks, or various other tourist
attractions. It is not for the beaches and year round perfect
temperatures. It is for the hidden treasure that I was lucky enough
to discover. Orlando happens to be the home of the Hard Rock
Memorabilia Warehouse.

The story goes as follows: I may sort have been snooping around the
Hard Rock building when I met a man named Don Bernstine. This man
happens to have the coolest job on the planet. He is the manager of
acquisitions and artist relations for Hard Rock international. This
means his job is to basically talk artists out of their rock n' roll
memorabilia for the various Hard Rocks all over the world.

When the memorabilia isn't at one of the Hard Rock locations it lives
in this magical warehouse in Orlando...and guess who talked Don in to
giving Kim and I a tour? Moi.

The first thing that struck me upon walking in were the rows and rows
of guitars. There must have been 400 of them at least. All signed by
a musical great. I actually got to hold one of Tom Petty's twelve
strings. There were also racks of clothes worn by everyone from
Madonna to Blondie to Bob Dylan. Brian Wilson had a couple of pianos
there as did Elton John. The harpsichord the Beatles' used to record
the Sgt Pepper's album was there. And speaking of the Beatles, there
were stacks and stacks of original photos as well as hand-written
notes from John Lennon to people in the studio during the recording of
his last album. One note in particular was p.s.'d "I agree. -Yoko
Ono".

This warehouse was stacked full of music history. As I walked through
staring at posters signed by Queen and Pink Floyd, I kept hoping it
would all come to life. It was truly an amazing afternoon.

Don-you are the freaking best for hooking us up!!!

xo
Seana

Hard Rock Audition

I don't know how she does it, but when Seana opens her mouth, magic happens. Like this. Somehow, because of some random conversation Seana had, I am auditioning for Colleen, the woman who books bands for the Hard Rock CafÃ© in Orlando!

Seems Seana met Colleen at the Joe Bonamassa show and all I know isâ�¦ days later, here I am, playing my songs for Colleen on a small stage next the green rooms.

I decided to play "No Place I'd Rather Beâ� - a song I wrote a while ago about bliss. It's about feeling love and knowing, in the moment, that few words can capture the sense of well-being and... knowing you're just where you need to be. The song shows off my voice, but really, I played it because I know that when the singer is in bliss, it's hard for the listener to resist bliss themselves.

Colleen totally got it, and she promised to call me if she saw an opening.

This road trip just keeps getting better and better. And I think... there's no place I'd rather be!

Joe Bonamassa

When Joe Bonamassa picks up a guitar, it is hard to find the words to say just how talented he is. Last year, Joe was named "Best Blues Guitaristâ� by Guitar Player Magazine in their annual Readers Choice awards.

We had the honor of watching him play this week. Seana and I just fell into a trance while Joe laid down mad blues and rock riffs. His voice is beautiful, but the finger-work, now that's something else. He has the ability to take the audience on a mind-blowing journey with his solos, the perfect medicine to heal the madness. For just about an hour, I forgot everything around me and just got lost in the music.

It's exactly what I hope to do an audience when I play. Reminds me what the music is for, ultimately.

Hugsâ�¦
Kim

Cheers

Hey, these words are from my song, â�œCheersâ� that I wrote a while ago. Thereâ�™s something about the way this whole trip is taking shape. Itâ�™s as if weâ�™re being led along the yellow brick road. One chance meeting leads to another and new opportunities keep popping up. Lately Iâ�™m thinking that all I can really do is let go and trustâ�¦

Here are a few lyrics from â�œCHEERSâ�:

If you're taking the fall then cheers to what may claim you
I know nothing at all except fear can only break you
So hold onto your faith,
No matter what it's face
Cuz soon you'll know your place
You'll stay here until the end of night
But you'll wake up early from the daylight
And lead you out the door
Back to what you know

Xo, Kim!

PLAYLIST #5: Itâ�™s about rhyme

As we head from Tennessee into the deeper South, the musicâ�™s gonna change. Bye bye, country. Hello, rap! Get ready, Kim.

Iâ�™m making a brand new playlist of great rap artists. And itâ�™s all about the rhymes.

OutKast
Ludacris
Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz
Goodie Mob
(and my personal fave) Gnarls Barkley

WORD.
Xo, Seana.

Southern Charm

I was raised with Southern mannersâ�”learning early to be polite, and always acknowledging people. Meeting strangers is an opportunity to learn something, or maybe even make a new friend.

Here are some guidelines:

1. Smile. People canâ�™t resist a good smile. Show teeth.
Advice: Floss daily. Think about whitening strips
2. Ask good questions.
Advice: Listen to the answer
3. Make sure you find out one unique fact about each person, something entirely theirs.
Example response: â�œWow. You can actually balance a fork on your nose? While juggling?â�
4. Donâ�™t ask for their number. Do offer yours.
Exception: If the guyâ�™s cute, make him work for it.
5. Always leave them laughing.

<3
Seana

PLAYLIST #4: Laundry List

Well, we have clean clothes again!
The situation was getting pretty desperate.

I picked out some music for doing the laundry, good for cleansing souls and socks at the same time.

Ryan Adams, â�œIt Takes Twoâ�
Sufjan Stevens, â�œFalling Awakeâ�
The Decemberists, â�œSong for Myla Goldbergâ�
Joan As Policewoman, â�œThe Rideâ�
Band of Horses, â�œMonstersâ�
Beth Orton, â�œShe Cries Your Nameâ�
Bob Dylan, â�œSubterranean Homesick Bluesâ�
The Decemberists, â�œI Was Meant for the Stageâ�
Fiona Apple, â�œA Better Version of Meâ�
The Decemberists, â�œBilly Liarâ�
Feist, â�œMy Moon My Manâ�
Gnarls Barkley, â�œCrazyâ�
Psychedelic Furs, â�œPretty in Pinkâ�

Til next time,

Xo, Kim!

Persistence Counts: Eric Church

Eric Church is an artist whose story is as sweet as his music!. Seana and I got invited to his sound check â�“ and even got to meet him â�“ and, nice as can be, he told us how he broke into the scene here and how his persistence totally paid off.

Ericâ�™s desire to play had him itching to leave college â�“ he just wanted to be a musician so badly and didnâ�™t see why he should finish school. His dad made him a deal â�“ he promised to pay for Ericâ�™s first six months of life post-school if Eric stayed to get his degree. Clearly Eric had to say yes â�“ but right after graduation, he headed for Nashville to make that six months count. He played at all the local clubs and worked on his songs. He knew that the six months would go by awfully fast, and that he had to get his name out there. So, smart and resourceful, not waiting for someone to hand his career TO him, Eric got busy â�“ he opened the phone book, looked up all the big publishers, and went from door to door until he found someone whoâ�™d sign him.(Song Tree). A few years (and a lot of songs!) later, Eric signed with Capitol Nashville, and today, he has the career he always dreamed of.

You really get the sense here in Nashville that the dream is close. You can meet the people you need to meet, and theyâ�™ll talk to you. Theyâ�™re accessible and human. In New York or LA, it all feels so abstract â�“ there are the big super-powers, and the guards outside, keeping them far away. Nashville, on the other hand, has small town manners and people here believe that good songwriting shouldnâ�™t go unnoticed.

I Heart Nashville
~ xo. Kim

So I met Irving Azoff!!

Who is Irving Azoff you ask? Only a legendary man in the music biz â�“ Iâ�™m talking manager, label owner, agent and movie producer. He manages artists like The Eagles, Jewel, Van Halen, Seal, Steely Dan, Christina Aguileraâ�¦. So when Seana spotted him in Nashville, and walked right up to him with some lie about knowing his daughter, I was FREAKING OUT. And then, before I knew it, I was playing a song for him! It was amazing! And get this â�“ the best part â�“ when I finished (and he told me I was on pitch) Irving said, and I quote â�œYou have a shot to make it in this Bizâ�.

OMG! I couldnâ�™t believe those words came from Mr. Azoff himself. He seems, if he wants to, he can brutally honest â�“ so his positive words meant the world to me and reinforced my belief in myself and my desire to make music. So then, I handed him my demo. A musician has to be prepared, right?

Seana, I owe you big time. Thanks Girlâ�¦

Kim :)

The South: Home of the Best Food Chains on the Planet

Weâ�™re on the road to Nashville, and I could not be more excited. Three reasons:

1. Nashville's nickname is "Music City". Yes, please!
2. Southern boys. Yes, please!
3. SOUTHERN COOKIN'!!!

I may be a big city girl now, but I spent my formative years in sweet home Alabama - and I was VERY well fed.

You might think I am referring to homemade Southern cooking but guess again. Don't get me wrong. There is nothing quite like my Nanner's meatloaf sandwich or fried green tomatoesâ�¦ however, the FOOD CHAINS down south are what make my mouth water.

The best ones are:

1. Waffle House- It is open 24 hours for everyone's convenience and the waitresses are the nicest you will ever encounter. My favorite menu item: Patty melt with hash browns scattered and double covered.

2. Krystal's- White Castle is its northern rival but, in my opinion, can't hold a candle to this yummy mini-burger chain. My favorite menu item: 5 cheese Krystal's with cheese fries and an extra large diet soda.

3. Cracker Barrel- Itâ�™s all about the chairs on the front deck. My
favorite menu item: country fried steak with chicken and dumplings and mashed potatoes and gravy.

4. Milo's- My FAVORITE burger joint on the planet. They are famous for their sauce, sweet tea, and the extra piece of meat they put on top of the burger patty. My favorite menu item: Cheeseburger and fries with an extra large sweet tea and 2 extra sides of sauce.

5. Taco Casa- The first one was in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, but theyâ�™ve branched out to various other locations in the South. My favorite menu item: Messe Nachos!

Just you wait, Kim. Road food is about to get really goodâ�¦.

xoxo
Seana