With 2013 coming to a close, it’s time to reflect on another spectacular year of music. Live music pulled me to many different corners of our beautiful United States. From Rhode Island’s Newport Harbor to Colorado’s Red Rocks and everywhere in between, I’ve been lifted up by the music and the many friends and fans I’ve met along the way.
I know 2014 will bring many new musical experiences–already have 5 concerts on the books so far–however, I’d like to take this opportunity to share my 2013 Top 10 EOAF Moments:
10. Watching Jay-Z and JT somehow get a sold-out Fenway Park to sing along to “Empire State of Mind” with little to no resistance, might I add. Perhaps all it takes is these two powerhouse performers to dissolve decades of hatred between Bostonians and New Yorkers. Not too sure New Yorkers would have done the same if roles were reversed!
9. Filling our home with the imperfect but impeccable sounds of vinyl, and the constant chase to find my next favorite record at the thrift shop…oh and my first Record Store Day, too!
8. Being one of 200 people at MerleFest who got to listen to Wayne Henderson tell the story about the first guitar he ever made. That sweet, humble man seriously blew my mind.
7. Experiencing my first live Bob Dylan performance. Even though I could barely understand him, I knew I was in the presence of folk greatness!
6. Being a part of this wonderful “Thank You” project…
5. Stumbling upon the surprise songwriters session at Newport Folk Festival and spending the morning listening to Langhorne Slim and Scott and Seth Avett play and answer questions from a small audience (capped off by a Jim James eyes closed staring contest).
4. Experiencing The Avett Brothers’ performance of “Complainte D’Un Matelot Mourant” at Red Rocks Night 1 — to try to describe the ghostly wind that blew down through the rock amphitheater to the stage would be impossible. Even the video doesn’t do it justice.
3. Being one day late from experiencing The Milk Carton Kids at Newport Folk Festival, but falling in love with them through the NPR podcast anyway. They are by far the best musical discovery of the year!
2. Experiencing Neutral Milk Hotel live at The National in Richmond, VA. The musical saw performance alone was worth the trip.
1. Being involved in the recording process from start to finish, and then hearing the absolutely amazing final product. Thanks to Rebekah Todd for having me along for the ride! (“Roots Bury Deep” out in early 2014)
Thank you all for coming back time and time again to pay EOAF a visit. Next year we hope to bring you more exciting music news, reviews, guest bloggers, and more. Merry music cheers and happy ears in 2014!
Evolution of a Fan 
Since you liked the musical saw in NMH – do you know there is a festival in NYC dedicated to playing music on saws? ‘Time’ magazine reported on it http://youtu.be/eON-p4afeTkF