BAAM 2011 (Birmingham Arts & Music Festival)

Ryan and Lee Anna were invited back to town to play this festival so of course you know that means I had to go. I'm glad I did we had a great time Saturday night. The kids put on a great show and after they played we saw a little of a great Blues singer (pics didn't come out) and then got to see a little of one of Ryan & Lee Anna's old bandmates play with his new band. Remember to support local music and get out to the shows whenever you can!

Ryan tuning his guitar while Lee Anna rests her poor little leg before the show. This is one of my favorite pics I've ever taken.

Ryan playing some truly interesting music for one of the new songs they've recently written.

Lee Anna playing. I hated using the flash during the show, but the room was really dark. I DID figure out that I can adjust the intensity of the flash on my camera and it helped a lot.

Waiting his turn to play again.

I could listen to her sing the phonebook!

Caught em' looking at each other for once.

They had a pretty good crowd, especially compared to the folks who came for the bands before and after.

Patrick played on Lee Anna's last EP. He decided to stay here when they moved to Nashville and now fronts his band Miss Information Age. Very interesting show and the band has some damn good musicians in it. Her is Patrick playing in front of the Alps (The show was in the German Club).

Cousin It jams with the band.

Garden Party At My Mother-In-Laws

A week ago my Mother-In-Law Jane had a Garden Party to show off her beautiful garden and all the flowers blooming in it. I took advantage of the opportunity to take some shots of the flowers just to see what I could do. Hope ya like em....

I was standing in the bamboo thicket looking up at a dead tree. I like how the bamboo is out of focus while the dead tree is pretty sharp.

Some red flowers ;-)

From another angle.

This plant was pretty cool. It has the big huge leaves, but puts out this very small delicate flower. I really thought this was neat and really reflects life in general. We're surrounded by big leaves, with little pockets of color and beauty just to spice it up.

I just liked the colors in this one.

I have been playing with depth of field stuff and am pretty pleased with how this one came out.

Love the brightness of this one.

Who doesn't like a picture of the garden cat ;-)

Trigger Hippy, Birmingham, AL July 20, 2011

Trigger Hippy is basically a new "all-star" band working out of Nashville. Allison and I wanted to see them because we are Joan Osborne fans and she is their singer. It turns out that we're fans of the whole damn band now ;-) The bands consists of  Audley Freed, Steve Gorman, Nick Govrik, Jackie Greene, and  Joan Osborne and everyone of these folks are incredible musicians. Check out the links and if you can listen to their music you WILL be impressed. Now on to the pics!

Joan Osborne doing what she does best.

Audley Freed playin' that Les Paul1

Jackie Greene is a great all around musician.

Jackie Greene again.

Joan wore her glasses a lot because the band is so new she had cheat sheets with the lyrics up on stage with her. Us older folks need our glasses.

Jackie getting into it.

Audley wailing away!

Zoomed in on those magic fingers.

Joan and Jackie.

Joan is feeling it in this one.

Like a songbird....

This man is incredible!

The show was great and if you get a chance to see then I highly recommend it!