Young Mary's Record of Wild and Beautiful Things

[youngmary]

Today, I present to you a new YMR Series: Stories That Fit on a Napkin.

This collection is titled, "Tales of a (Bar)Fly on the Wall."

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Dig it?  Don't just sit there, bust a LIKE.

[youngmary]

Being An American Woman: My 10 days with Kim Kardashian: Hollywood

 (Part One)

On Monday, July 7, I traipsed around in the front yard in Beatles-themed pajama pants tucked in my boots.  I dragged a trash bag behind me, filling it more every other step with remnants of a two-turned-three night celebration of these United States.  The bag  stretched awkwardly at the bottom where I had smashed soot-covered cardboard canisters in it, You know how a cartoon’s stomach takes the shape of whatever it’s ingested? My trash bag was having a breakfast of consumer-approved, mass-market b-b-b-bomb leftovers.  There was one small black spot in the yard, near the middle, where we’d launched the rockets that blow up to make a smiley face in the sky.  Or at least a sort-of smiley face.  Have the technological aesthetic advances of emojis ruined the rudimentary art of a nice night of fireworks, now, too?

 Other than that one minute dark spot, after the rest of my garbage pick-up, there was no sign our very American celebration had even occurred.  And I wondered if – emotionally – it was kind of like that, too.  Were any parts of the traditional America we celebrate even a thimble’s worth of what America really is today?   Do kids these days know what a thimble is?

After the trash was picked up outside, I returned inside where I dumped out some half-full beer cans, threw away a couple peaked-looking hamburger patties, straightened a side-ways American flag displayed in an Incredible Hulk mug on the window sill to its proper glory and then, like a real patriot, took myself a sit-down on the couch.  That’s where I pulled out my cellphone, the no-contest winner of what “tool” we as Americans use more than any other tool of modern times, and started browsing the internet, updating my latest apps, checking email.

A question came to me: What were other Americans downloading today on their little phones?  Had anyone taken advantage of the jazzed up nationalism July gifts us and made a “PATRIOT APP?” (Sounding terribly a lot like PATRIOT ACT, there, somebody should monetize that idea with some type of satire..)   What were all the other American women doing besides cleaning up their own fireworks graveyard now?  And there, on the App Store’s chart, I found out.  They were – a whole stinkin’ lot of them, anyway – downloading with fervor, Kim Kardashian: Hollywood.

Well, this blog just took a menacing turn.  I almost believe more people will stop reading now out of plain old American disgust because of the mention of Kardashian than if I suggested I instead sat down on the couch and downloaded some crazy app that helps you plan to burn every American flag and replace it with a Confederate flag in a 100-mile radius.   (FYI: Not a real app,  there --  just a made up wild idea that seems more tolerable than me writing about Kim Kardashian's cell phone game.

I’ve never felt the vehement dislike for Kim Kardashian’s existence that some folks do.   I commonly fall back to the poignant quote from early 2000s music group 3LW when discussing other people’s fame and successes :  “…Haters they gonna hate, Ballers they gonna ball…That ain’t got nothing to do, with me and you, that’s the way it is.”

I’ve always kind of accepted that, ya know, ol’ Kim K got famous for whatever reasons and she (and by she, I mean her management and mom, etc) really, really, really used every resource available to keep that level of fame constantly progressing.   Isn’t that what the American Dream is?  Using the tools you have?  And isn’t, again, the most effective and commonly used tool we wield as Americans today, that nifty Iphone or Android in your pocket? 

So, I downloaded Kim Kardashian: Hollywood to see what the fuss was about.   I needed to find out – for instance - if I weren’t an already relatively well-formed American woman eyeing down the rim of 30 years old with a penchant for critical thinking and my own independence, what I’d gather from this *fun, gaming experience.* Like- what if I was one of the impressionable 14-year-old girls that has 16k followers on their @KimKFanZine Instagram account and considered this app -- even mildly so – a legitimate guideline to fame and fortune?   What if somebody studied Kim Kardashian: Hollywood the way I have earnestly studied my autographed copy of Robert Evans’ The Kid Stays in the Picture?   I tried to keep my mind open.  Maybe the game would surprise me - and not be- as rightly assumed by my friend Michael when I told him I’d been playing for 10 days and was at B-List fame:  “the most vapid thing ever to be experienced on this planet.”

(This is just one of the Google Image results for "vapid.")

In Kim Kardashian: Hollywood, the gameplay is similar to – say – the Sims.  You get a character.  You build up a certain amount of energy and use that energy to do tasks – which when completed – ups your levels and unlocks items you can buy with money, which you also generate by doing these tasks.  Understandably, the things you buy most commonly in Kim’s game are clothes, accessories, and eventually, condos.   Once, during the 10-day tenure since I’ve been crawling up the faux-fame ladder, I did have to pay my slummy-looking landlord rent.   And, when I went out of town, I also had to pay for my plane tickets and transportation around “LA” and “Miami” and eventually “Las Vegas” and “New York.”   So, that’s something.

Ya see, but for my character,”Mary”, to get to all those jet-setting opportunities in the game, I had a manager Simon and a publicist, Maria finding the “deals.”  And to acquire those managers, it all began, with Mary coincidentally running into Kim K.’s character on the street and letting her in the retail store that Mary was currently slaving her life away in *after hours* to grab a dress.  Kim K. and Mary then form an immediate friendship and are chatty as all heck.   (Which, IN REAL LIFE, if this overly-friendly exchanged started occurring,  I’m sure would’ve resulted in Kim’s bodyguard quickly detaining lowly retail associate Mary out back by the boutique’s fancy dumpster.)

The narrative continues with Kim complimenting  and fawning over Mary , inviting her into her Beverly Hills home, introducing her to all the right people, and giving her (and this is where quite a bit of *vapid* sets in) advice throughout the game.   Advice, ahem, like this:

Before this certain piece of advice flashed on the screen, I’d been sort-of rationalizing Kim Kardashian: Hollywood.  I was prepared to admit that it was fun to *earn* enough money to buy “Mary” an outfit that would most certainly garner her compliments at her next appearance at a bar.  I was feeling weirdly rewarded when I knew, after earning a few more grand in the game, I could upgrade to a really big house, with all brand new furniture, and brand new clothes in the closet – Something that, in my real life, would take far more than just clicking *bubbles* to use my *energy* and thus, finish tasks like checking my make-up during a photo shoot.  

But that advice from in-game Kim, it gnawed at me.  Dating famous people will get you more fans, too. It was ringing in my ears.   (Well, not totally because I only play the game on mute so nobody knows what I’m doing.) After that message, the blinders were off.   This wasn’t some fun little “dress-up and live” game that reminded me of when I had Polly Pockets and Barbies as a little girl, and dreamed up scenarios that were loosely based on the life of the character Mary Richards who I truly adored from the Mary Tyler Moore Show.  

This was some horrific fictionalized anti-feminist, anti-woman, anti-progress, man-mongering, disaster!  Or…was it?

 “Dating famous people will get you more fans, too.”  Kim advises.  Well, she’s right, isn’t she?  For her, a leaked sex tape with Ray J – the rapper little brother of R&B star Brandy, was the initial push of Kim into the public eye.   

“Getting new clothing, cars, and homes can increase your star power for love and work.” An info bubble pops up and explains to “Mary” during a meeting with her manager, Simon.   I assumed this nudge was a result of Mary not having bought any new accessories or clothing since my last level up.  Or because for Kim (and maybe other women?) – it is true? 

Thinking about all this has launched me into a serious self-assessment.  I’m guilty myself of posting “Tuesday is Shoes-day” on my Instagram page to show off a new pair of heels I just got in the mail.  Of course,  my motivation for posting the heels was certainly not to increase my start power for love (happy with a thankfully non-famous, brilliant, wonderful supportive man) or work. 

But in the game,  for my character “Mary” – a young lady fighting her way up in an industry where your attractiveness is undoubtedly important and so is your pocketbook and social power, maybe Kim is just gettin’ really real about how things *can* go down. Or specifically, how they’ve gone down for her?

I’m nearing A-list status on the game. Right now, Mary’s being encouraged by her publicist Maria to buy a condo in Miami that she can’t afford because she didn’t know she’d be pushed so hard to do so and instead spent $4k of her earnings on an outfit that included a black leather jacket.  Soon, Mary will take her first catwalk at a really important fashion show.   And thereafter, I assume, kiss "B List" goodbye.

  Wanna know what happens when I make it to the top?    Er.. I mean, when “Mary” makes it to the top?  How I feel after clawing my way to the top by whatever means necessary?  Was it worth it? Stay tuned for the release of Part Two by following me on Facebook, Twitter on Instagram.

[youngmary]

When I feel like an idiot and my internal dialogue is repeatedly saying, "You are an idiot." - I pretend a highly-esteemed person comes along and corrects me by whispering "savant" after "idiot."

Young Mary

[youngmary]

A BENT SPOON: How I'm Tired of Being Batshit Insane on Facebook

I feel truly surrounded by folks that seem quite…bent.    You know how there’s a spoon in your kitchen drawer that you use for your bowl of cereal every morning.  And then, there’s those spoons that are very kitschy and made into bracelet-shapes and sold at craft festivals.  And then, there’s a spoon by your trash can in the alley that has been whacked or stepped on into a not-so-right angle and you walk by it and think, “Wow, that spoon is REALLY bent.  It’s so bent that it is useless.”   I have a lot of those kinds of super-bent spoons populating my social media feeds.

Is it just me or does everyone seem more and more batshit insane?   Is the media doing this to us?  Are we doing it to ourselves?  Is it a combination of angst and apathy?  Is it because of financial stress?  The rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer?    All the conspiracy theories, the suspicions, or even worse -- the realities of today?    Is it just everything coming down on all of us petulant, spoiled Americans?

I don’t know.  I don’t have the answer to that.  But I do know that I’ve been somewhat infected by the bent spoon disorder, as of late, myself.  As I’m scrolling through social media (what I consider the modern day “town hall forum” with less moderation), I feel the need to comment on the statuses I both agree AND disagree with.  I am truly COMPELLED.  There are times when I’ve put off work I was in the middle of doing to put in my two-cents on a thread.  I hear Madonna’s “Four Minutes” ( to Save the World) and bust on some poor sap’s status about buying a new canvas at Hobby Lobby like my whole life is devoted to delivering my very own gospel to them.    I’m clicking away on my potato-chip-covered keyboard like I’m Madge in this very video, clad in black leather, hopping cars with J. Timberlake and using a dope beat to really make a change.  DON’T YOU DARE BUY THAT POORLY MADE HOBBY LOBBY SIDETABLE THAT’S FOREVER ON SALE.    I am not Madonna.  And this is laughable.  Laughable and true.  Tick, tock, tick, tock.

Now, in truth, I’ll likely never shop at Hobby Lobby, again.  I have to admit the last time I was there I bought a frame for my “6 months abortion free” certificate and it did fit the wall just perfectly.  Just kidding.  That was too much, wasn’t it?  But really, that whole thing sucks for a lot of reasons, but that debacle isn’t what I’m here to tackle.  I’m talking about people.  People and how they react to things like the Hobby Lobby ruling.   Including myself.

Yesterday, Jon (my love and a person far better at focusing on real work than the endless news cycle of utter bullshit) emerged from his office to see me clacking away.   He tried to do what men do and enjoy a piss in the bathroom, but I started in before he even had a chance to shut the door.   “I just can’t believe how people are reacting to this Hobby Lobby thing, how WOMEN are reacting!”   I told him, waiting for him to put down the toilet lid and race to feverishly begin sewing me a Women’s Suffragette  banner to wear on top of my mis-matched pajamas as I waged e-war on the couch. 

“What’s happened now?” He asked, giving me exactly what I wanted – an opportunity to practice my stump speech on the topic that I would regurgitate digitally for the rest of the day.

Jon didn’t know what had happened with Hobby Lobby because he can focus on his work and look something like this:

And I look like this :

I went on and told Jon the deal, as I’d understood it, from multiple internet sources, both credible and questionable, but conveniently supporting my view – and he said

“What do you think you’re doing about this by getting all crazy commenting all over the internet?” 

It slightly enraged me.  I felt the tip of the “spoon” that I’m using as a metaphor for my inner spirit bend slightly at its end.    

(An HONEST CONFESSION:  As I type this blog post, like the true hypocrite I am, I am involved in a comment-back-and-forth with a woman named Holly Beth and I just lowered myself enough to suggest I would not argue with her anymore not only because she doesn’t understand how the Supreme Court works – but also because I don’t argue with people who “have no last names”  - I need an intervention.  And I'm sorry Holly Beth.)

Back to Jon.  He came into the kitchen as I sat, semi-pouting.  I’ll just go back to the internet, I thought, and talk to people who really care about these issues.  People who really care about the world.  Jon suggested we think about it from both sides.  Heinous.  He opened the refrigerator door, poured a glass of water.  Looked out onto the lovely green grass in our yard through the sunny kitchen window.   DOES HE NOT RESPECT ME AS A WOMAN?  FOR GODS SAKE!  We talked a bit more.  I made points.  He made points.   We had a nice calm discussion.  He agreed that ultimately the ruling is bad news for a lot of reasons, which is at it’s core, the basic principle I agree with.  He then went back to work:

And I did, too.  Doing my due diligence as Facebook Common Sense Navigator to the Masses. 

  The truth of all this is – while I have what I’d call a “touch” of this compulsive desire to conversate, argue, discuss, proliferate, chaw on , etc on political, religious and *other* threads on social media – there are other folks I observe that truly have lost their minds.    I want to quell my psychosis now, before I am such a bent spoon that I can no longer feed myself.  

In the last couple weeks,  there have been  several instances that inspired this post and that I’m also going to use as a device to make me seem much more logical and less insane:

“It’s the point in the United States where our individual rights need to be top priority.    I don’t want the government to pave roads.  I’ll pave my own damn road.  You pave your road.  If you can’t pave your road, then sit at home and die.  Your family can’t afford to pave your road?  Die.” 

“ Women that kill their babies should be killed in the town square.  And I would stand there and watch and support that. “  (said by a woman.)

“I don’t care wht Christian companies do in government bc I’m a Christian and I support all other Christians.”

“YOU GUYS ARE DRIVING ME INSANE.  WHY CANT YOU JUST UNDERSTAND THAT ITS NONE OF YOURBUSINESS WHO I FUCK AND WHEN I FUCK THEM AND IF I WANT A BABY I CAN HAVE BECAUSE IM  WOMAN AND I LOVE BEIN A WOMAN.”

“I tell u 1 thing.  I know a few people who could solve this problem with a sawdoff.”  ß  I think this means “sawed off shotgun”

  And scene.   I understand why people get crazy.  It’s a frustrating business – feeling passionate about politics, our rights as people, as women, as men, as minorities.  Hell, it’s frustrating by itself- without the added dialogue that Facebook & Twitter bring us.   When a huge news event happens, you can just go on your computer, refresh that newsfeed, and get a general idea of where your immediate social circle feels about it.   It’s instantaneous gratification for a person like me who considers politics and social commentary their “sports” -- but it’s also a quick pat on the ass and out the door on certain topics.  The 24 hour news cycle is dizzying.   The “pundit” is overworked on tv – how much can any person really say about a celebrity’s workout outfit without sounding like a total nob? – and we’ve all become arm-chair pundits ourselves.    

When I was in college, I remember my professor talking about civic journalism - about how with the advent of technology – everyone would become a *sort-of* reporter.   I remember several students in the class and I nimbly arguing how great that would be, partially because we naively already considered ourselves reporters because we were self-righteous and thought a few j-school classes made us qualified geniuses.   I remember the professor explained this could go very badly.  That there was no fact-checker assigned to the everyday person.   No checks and balances.  No concern for credibility.  No further investigation in most cases also, beyond the immediate “scene” and “reporting” done by the average person.   That professor was right.  And I imagine she’s  having this same conversation in classes today with snot-nosed kids who won’t quite get it until they realize they can’t just READ THE NEWS anymore.  Or maybe that they’ve grown up in a world that only knew to swipe through that day’s issue with a thumb.

So as I sit here, contemplating what my place is in the social network, and what neighborhood of “crazy town” I reside in - I go back to Jon’s question –

What do YOU think you’re doing about this by getting all crazy commenting on the internet?”  

I’ve thought a lot about this.  It’s surprising how big of an answer it is.  Commenting on the internet makes me feel…good.  Like I’ve taken a stand.  Like I was unafraid to say how I felt.  Like I wasn’t just one of those Facebookers who only post happy pictures of kittens in baskets with bows and memes about their happy cowboy marriage when in reality- their husband bangs this one-armed bartender on the side and every last one of them kittens has the mange.    

And I guess commenting on the internet makes me feel like in the big sea of opinions about a topic, I’m another point for my “team” – which is, now that I’m typing it, a silly thing to think when these are real, complex issue that often will never have a black and white, your team or mine, winner.

And mostly, if I don’t comment crazily on the internet, what can I do?  That’s why I think Americans -- at least – are becoming bent spoons.  We don’t have some hippie crazy lady to bend us usefully into a bracelet and we’ve completely lost touch with where to get the milk, the cereal, or even the bowl for breakfast.  Where do you get a plain old American-made spoon these days, anyway?   I could come up with ideas that sound plausible (petitions, sit-ins, organizations ) but even that feels overwhelming.   To be frank, I guess I feel most rewarded by being a crazy lady commenting on the internet, because I get a reaction.   And maybe all of us just want a reaction.   Isn’t it strange how in a time when communication is most seamless and available, we are using a method that removes our literal voice?  Aren’t we all just yelling…um…  silently?

It’s a tough thought.  And I know blogs are supposed to take ideas and tie them up in a little bow at the end, but I still don’t know.  I know I care.  I know I want others to care.  I just don’t know how to care today to make an impact.  A real impact.    I’m open to all other crazy facebook commentors who’d like to chime in and all suggestions.

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  Have thoughts on this debacle?  Wanna chime in?  Reply to me via email – [email protected] – or post on my Facebook post : HERE.

[youngmary]

In Photos : April Fools & Friends

As the rain pours like it's coming out of a boot here in Kentucky tonight, the showers remind me that another April is coming to a close.  A month of photos and commentary, for your viewing and reading pleasure:

- T-shirt weather finally arrived in Kentucky.  And my t-shirt collection seems to get more rad by the day.  HERE is - thanks to Matt Pannell of Buy Local Bowling Green -- my very rad Kentucky shirt complete with Everly Brothers lyrics and a shout-out to our current town, Bowling Green.  These are available from Buy Local BG (click the name above to link) or at Mellow Matt's Music & More.  I LOVE this shirt.

- Cooked more.    Sure, this won't be turning into a food blog anytime soon as I'm basically inept in the kitchen and Jon is the chef of our family -- but we have made an effort to do better both on our own and with assistance to eat better and feed ourselves more often.  One service we tried out is PLATED.  You receive a box with locally and regionally sourced ingredients (that are already in the amount the recipe calls for which saves on waste!)  as well as step-by-step instructions with photos.  We made several meals, including the one below, and love the convenience and the comfort of trying something new with less chance of screwing it up the first time.  It has definitely made us braver cooks when we're making things solo.  Highly recommended.  A bit pricey.  BUT!  You can try 2 free meals by my referral (just pay shipping) for free by clicking HERE.

- Our first kumquats.  To me, they're like a tiny, more tart orange. 

- Hit the Road.  Birmingham was a blur.

- Remember that time we tried to feed ourselves more and eat better?  Well, that went out the window for Alabama-based chain, Milo's.  One of the better vanilla milkshakes I've had EVER, damn excellent seasoned fries, and of course, burgers.  We do NOT, however, recommend the special sauce.  It's like a brown gravy sopping mess that destroys an otherwise awesome burger.

- Kicked some tires and lit some fires at Wrestlemnia 30 in New Orleans, LA.   Thanks to the Hennigs, we also had the opportunity to meet some greats of the wrestling business.  Including one of my all-time favorites, Bret Hart.  There's Jon with present day soul-eater superstar Curtis Axel and Bret. 

We met a ton of established current day and old school wrestlers and I won't jumble this blog up with them - but highlights for me were Bret, Harley Race ( a legend and trainer, who although now in a wheelchair still has the aura of a complete ass-kicker), and my favorite swerve-initiator of all time Mark Henry.  I saw him at the WWE After Party and watched him from afar like a harmless stalker and I dare you to find someone better on the mic and on the dance floor.  Naysayers going to nay, but Mark is the best when he plays the extremely destructive, but also strangely charming heel.  Just look at him.  All smiles and in the next moment he slammed me on the ground because THAT'S WHAT HE DOES.

-Tested out Gator Dogs as a brunch appetizer.  Tougher - as expected - than your average dog, but quite tasty.

- Two hours after ingesting gator, we found ourselves on an airboat zooming through the swamp to interact with the still-very-much-alive gators.   There's Brooke and Joe looking over the calm and tranquil waters and banks that were soon ravaged in the boat (yes both land and water can be driven on) and were filled with wild animals.

Included wild animals were this 1000 pound gator who I was the only one brave enough to pet..(humble brag)..

and also this swamp rat known as the nutria- this little dude had a terror-inducing personality.

- The airbort tour was worth every penny - going to New Orleans?  Check out Airboat Tours by Arthur! : 1-800-975-9345.

Attended WRESTLEMANIA 30 RINGSIDE.  And snagged me a *better than perfect* piece of memorabilia.

Woke up in the fancy Roosevelt Hotel on our last day in New Orleans.  Convenience and comfort are pretty standard in most hotels these days (at least ones of standard rates or chains) – but charm costs extra.  The Roosevelt has the charm that validates the prettyyyy-darn high rates.  Beautiful and historic.  Great food and bar.  24 hour room service that resulted in the delivery of a tasty gigantic hamburger at 7am one of our nights.  Heavenly beds and bedding.  Good stuff.  If your wallet can’t take The Roosevelt (after we lost a transmission, our wallet’s back went out and we had to wheel it around in a wheelchair the rest of the trip) – I suggest another fancy, historic hotel that’s a wee bit lighter on the budget, Le Pavillion. 

Stranded while we waited for the transmission repair shop, we had a few more drinks.  We wandered around the French Quarter some more.  I sighed a lot.  We dropped by the historic Rock N Bowl  midday – which resulted in us having the place entirely to ourselves.  AND we went into a restaurant on Frenchmen St. ( a hair trendier and less crowded than Bourbon)  that served me a dish that was so spicy that I almost puked at the table, almost puked in the bathroom, and almost puked 15 minutes later as we rode in a cab back to the hotel while Jon, I’m sure as any man would, imagined dragging my heaving body outside the cab in the piss-and-puke stained streets of New Orleans until I recognized what a real problem is. I was tired and dramatic.  He was great.  There's no pictures of that part.

And finally!  Eventually!  ! ! We  made our way home to 4 whole days of rest and relaxation until:

Shooter Jennings plays Full Moon Saloon in Nashville for a private party and brings up two of my VERY FAVORITE up –and-comers to join him on stage, Tony Martinez (on tour with Jake Owen!) and David Lindsey (his band = Shot Time and Cigarettes) –

Jon and Shooter and Misty and me and the entire BCR Media Crew celebrated our very first Record Store Day  (with releases out, that is) – and enjoyed inaugural  RSD releases of Waylon Jennings, Ron  Jeremy, Shooter, and Wanda Jackson.  And guess what?  They SOLD OUT so seriously that even we don’t have individual copies of the releases.    And guess what else?  My long-time friend and voice master Max Meiners  can be heard introducing both Shooter and Ron’s records.   And guess what else?  This all insanely RULES.  And I don’t care if you’re a hater and hate that it rules – because it took a lot of hard work, thinking, time, and dedication and we deserve to bask in the glory of our RULING.  (Also: I bought and LOVE The Ghostbusters RSD release.)

I saw this product in a pharmacy in April.  I’m not sure what to make of it, but everytime I’ve seen somebody put something on their tongue that dissolves – they go to “sleep” too.

We had Easter Eggs. 

And on April 30th, in true crazy insane fashion, we hit the road again to start out May in the great country of Canada.

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Like my tales and adventures?  Dig it?  Really?! 

Then, don’t just sit there – Bust a LIKE.

[youngmary]

FAVORITE THING: Chillow

It’s a : pillow filled with water that keeps your noggin cool as you doze through the night.  And it really works.

It costs: $12.99 at major retailers like Target or is available at chillow.com

I bought it because : I hoped it would put Jon in a coma. It did.

I would consider this purchase : well worth the cost.

[youngmary]

TALK SHOP: WL2

An ever-changing mecca of thrift store delights is provided to me in BGKY, yes, but very rarely is there a new retail opportunity to surface that excites me.  It likely doesn't help that I have a "curiosities bend" to what I like - I want things that are well-designed, or one-of-a-kind, vintage and passed down from generations to generations.  Or things with a nice patina -- I have a rusty "EXPLORE KENTUCKY" sign I consider one of my favorite belongings.   I want to own things that make people drawl out a "well that's inttteresssting." or "'I've never seen one like that.."  It's rewarding.

It makes *retail* of the truest kind -- e.g. new stock -- an even harder sell for me.  And today, WL2 got me by the yoke.

Stocked up with goodies and gifts for all kinds (women, men, kiddos) including fancy soaps,

unique jewelry,

more unique jewelry (or is it an ornament of some sort? I don't know ,but it's two-headed and I want it!)

and quirky housewares - WL2 really could be a one-stop shop for your retail therapy needs.

The store itself is smartly decorated -- some displays had a hint of the  Anthropologie design tactics, but I'd compare it most closely to a mini CB2 minus the furniture offerings.  CB2 is Crate and Barrel's less traditional-more modern offshoot, and considering WL2 has a parent retailer, Werner-Lowe, I'm sure this is no coincidence.

I do know that I'm delighted to add a new stop to my Saturday shopping escapades that is locally-owned and (thank God) on-the-pulse.  I implore you - friends and consumers --  welcome and support WL2 ! -- as it turns out Bowling Green -- we CAN have nice things.

DETAILS:

NAME: WL2 Funke Trende Things

LOCATED AT: 760 Campbell Lane, Suite 105, Bowling Green, KY 42104

FIND ONLINE: click HERE.

THEY'VE GOT: 

handmade leather goods

trendy , funky and unusual gifts

stuff I haven't even seen on Pinterest !

soaps, lotions, shaving cream

housewares and decor

astrologically-personalized earrings

much , much MORE!

PRICE RANGE: $$-$$$  Most items ranged from $10-$50.

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Dig Young Mary's Record?  Don't just sit there, bust a like.

[youngmary]

My Desert Awakening With The Best Songwriter You've Never Heard Of

Billy Don Burns is kind-of a rounder.   In the sense that he's been around.  And likely around again.  I took the picture above the first time I was introduced to him.  He played the Opry with Shooter Jennings and Jessi Colter.  He played his tune "Is He the Writer" -- You can hear the Opry audience - with baited breath ( a phrase I rarely can justify using and meaning)-- as they hang on his every word. 

A row of blue-haired ladies clutched their chest and gasped as he sang this line:

"He's holed up one night

as usual, alone,

He'd been drinkin' and druggin'

and rightin' his wrongs

With no more to lose,

there's nothing to fear,

he takes out his knife

and he cuts off his ear."

Now, I'm not entirely sure of the entire rip-roaring, winding path that led Billy Don from whence he came 60-ish years ago (somewhere in Arkansas) to that Opry performance last year and then a few days ago,  to hotel room #8 (where Gram Parsons died) in Joshua Tree, CA with his sidekick Johnny, Shooter Jennings, wife Misty, me and Col. Jon -- but I can testify that saying he turned up some dust on the way would be an understatement. 

Somewhere between birth and last week, Sammy Kershaw, Connie Smith, Johnny Paycheck, and Willie Nelson have all cut Billy Don's songs on records - not to mention his release of several records of his own.  Oh, produced Hag.  (Yeah, the Hag.)  He's had wives, he's had women, he's had babies, he's had arrests, and he's been to the shittiest shitholes and the fanciest parties.  He's seen Paycheck wield a knife at a pilot.  Met thugs.  Done drugs.  Cut rugs. Been...around.  And again.

In a music industry so focused on creating a narrative around their artists, Billy Don Burns should have the red carpet rolled out for him.  His biography alone could float shitty songs - but Billy Don has great songs.  It's like - for a genuine country music audience - he's a triple threat : He has a great back story, he writes these visceral melodic masterpieces, and he looks like a wonderfully bad-ass, bad ass.    I rarely say it *best* myself - but as I shot photos of Billy Don on his motorcycle in the Vine below I sum it up with  - "Oh, Man... Okay, he looks like a cool bastard."

While in room #8, the five of us making up his motel audience listened- betwixt is the best word - as Billy Don played several songs in his vast catalog- including one about where he was at the time, 40 years ago , when Gram Parson died. The song left chills up and down my arms and a heavy spiritual weight on my heart.  As Billy Don picked from line to line -- sometimes, a toilet flush or a sink coming on would send a faint rush of water through the pipes above, one of us would re-adjust in our seat, or the heater would sigh -- mostly, it was quiet.  All of us, like Jon, below, a bit awestruck.

If you didn't know, you might just walk by that room with no inkling that it was 6 people deep and think the only thing occupying #8  was one songwriter alone with his songs.  And the magic of that - and the history of the space - makes me ache in the acknowledgement of just how special that moment was.

Maybe Billy Don Burns is just too good.  I'm not the leading specialist on country music, but I pride myself on having good taste - and when I hears Billy Don's music, I feel like the country music community should know him as an icon, and treat him as such.  I won't make a dirty laundry list, but he's just as good as so many of the songwriters that still boast a cult-like following on the road, with far less songs of value and even less than that- songs that you'll feel in your gut.   I personally aspire to see the world around me, digest it, really feel it, and express it as poignantly and so right as this man. It's one of those situations where - in theory - if Billy Don finally lost his shit and  burned down Music Row, I'd probably be on his side. 

He won't burn it down, though. 

He's just too good.  He's only *sort-of* a rounder, remember?  Billy Don visited the wrong side of the tracks - and visited the right ones - and he reminds us over and over in his music that, regardless of your side, the track sure as hell is in the middle and we all share it to get anywhere.   What I additionally learned in the desert listening to all those songs is that most people in this metaphor wait for a train to pick them up -- and Billy Don just takes his damn Harley.

Want to learn more about Billy Don?  Find basically everything at his Facebook page: HERE -- or his official website: HERE.  Pick a tune of his, any tune !,  to download, and thank me later.

---

Dig on Young Mary's Record?  Don't just sit there, bust a LIKE.

[youngmary]

GIVE-AWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED : LUNAR CYCLE PLANNER

This is an AMAZING lunar cycle planner from Chicago-based artist Jillian Barthold and I just gave one away fo' free on the Young Mary's Record Facebook Page (don't just sit there, bust a like!) 

Sad you missed it?  You can get your own from sweet Jillian for the inexpensive cost of $8 at her Etsy store: HERE.

(photo courtesy of Amy Whitenack.)

[youngmary]

Things That Are Funny For Me:

[youngmary]

My Favorite Songs of 2013 (Part One)

This is part one of my list of favorite songs that I've constantly played all year.  This does not mean that they necessarily came out this year because I think that - in the current time - it is somewhat counter-productive to make lists that are sorted in that way.  Because there is fantastic old stuff, fantastic sorta-old stuff, and fantastic new stuff.

Also - my list is probably a little disturbingly diverse.  One thing I pride myself on in music is that I am really open-minded - I know it is easy to sneer at other genres that are out of your comfort zones and artists that rub you wrong initially -- but I try to let the music be music.  And so, as you meander through this list, I ask one thing and that's that you listen.  And that you-  if you're so inclined - chime in on our Facebook with songs or bands I've not yet discovered and things you loved hearing this year or every year.

These are in no particular order.  

The Bonesetters - Savages

SAVAGES by Bonesetters

  I tend not to like much of anything from Indiana, but I do think Dan Snodgress, the frontmandude from Indy's band, The Bonesetters is pretty darn affable.  And this title track off their last record is one I've kept on my playlist all year round.   This band has already opened a pre-order for their NEXT record with Rhed Rholl, expect to see a post about that release sooner than later (all the info: HERE.) 

Elizabeth Cook, "Heroin Addict Sister"

I saw Elizabeth Cook play for the first time a little over a year ago at The Warehouse at Mt. Victor to a crowd of 30-so people.  It was cold as all hell outside (which caused the minimal crowd) and Cook obviously had a cold -- but she was undeniable;  captivating.  When I go see shows, I tend to write down lyrics that 'got to me in the gut' to remind myself later if I write about 'em and that night, I found myself notating like a dang court reporter nearly every line Elizabeth Cook sang.  A fantastic storyteller and a great performer - this song, Heroine Addict Sister, did something that happens rarely, and that I admit never, it brought tears to my eyes.

Santah, "Teeth"

You're Still a Lover by Santah

Man, this tune.   Undeniable brother & sister group (not the Jack/Meg kind) + super talented musician Tommy Trafton (who I just learned has defriended me at some point on social media ... well that's awkward.)  I saw these guys a couple times live and this track burned up college radio, and honey, honey, it has burned up my yearly playlist, too.  

Vern Gosdin, "Do You Believe Me Now?"

Thanks to the territory and the somewhat frightening knowledge of old, sad, and old and sad country music that  my boyfriend Jon has spoon-fed me, I've learned a lot about country music this year.  In my newfound education, Vern Gosdin is truly one of my absolute favorites.  I particularly like this track because when I've heard the familiar line "It's the place where losers go..." - I've often been IN a place where losers go.  And I mean that in the most affectionate way.

Bircloud, " I Do What I Want"

I loved this band. Then, I emailed their manager because I wanted to have them at a Young Mary's Record event. at a local bar, Rocky's.  Then, their manager went around me and Rocky's went around me and they booked the show on the same day I had planned without me.  And that made me think their manager who came off as a fucktard was indeed, a fucktard.  And that maybe sometimes the newest, trendiest shit in your town isn't always going to really value not being fucktards consistently, either. 

Anyway, I blame these girls for none of this.  And imagine that they'd be totally for me ballsing up about it.  Because, I'd hope doing what I want, damnit, would also include saying what I want. 

Long story, short -- They're clever as all get out and entertaining as hell, and there's some really great, smart cultural shit in there lyrically.  So, I play them all the time.  Still.

(Dig on  Young Mary's Record?  Don't just sit there, bust a like.  And don't miss part 2 & part 3 of this series!)

[youngmary]

Holidaze: Pony Show Nashville

One of my new favorite vintage/ awesome stuff boutiques over in East Nashville — Pony Show has been killin’ this holiday season with fun, one-of-a-kind gifts! Like this:

Yes, those are dueling framed embroidered Mick Jaggers.  And yes, I'm already working on getting a custom order of a pair of my favorite musicians for the holidays. 

Check out Pony Show on all ye olde social media channels like Facebook: HERE and Instagram : @ponyshownashville

--

Dig what we do?  Don't just sit there, bust a like.

[youngmary]

Sunday Night Viewing.

[youngmary]

How Craig Fehrman Got It Totally Right About My Home (And Cage The Elephant) with Home Grown

I had heard there was a guy poking around.  Most everyone who mentioned it just said he was some New York writer.  Maybe working on something for Rolling Stone. Or Spin.  Or he was doing a documentary. 

Since Cage The Elephant skyrocketed in popularity and more importantly retained their place on the fame meter through their first, second, and it is looking positive on their third record --lots of people have been here, or in Nashville, or just around.  Poking around.  The difference was that this guy (who turned out to be Craig Fehrman, surprise!) was poking around with the right sources.  Connie Collingsworth from Print Mafia.  Tommy Starr from d93.  Jeremi Simon from SCHOOLS. He had the right voices gathered and when he released Home Grown as an Amazon single, I immediately downloaded it and expected  it to either be a grand character/city study or to prepare to skewer him on all social media and demand my $1.99 back.

It's really great.   Like, great.  Great enough for me to e-stalk and privately facebook message Craig halfway through my reading it and applaud him.

And then have him do the interview below.

Young Mary's Record: Hi Craig.  Big congratulations on the release of Home Grown : Cage the Elephant and the Making of a Modern Music Scene !   Four days after publication, how ya feelin' ?

Craig Fehrman: Pretty good! I've heard nice things from quite a few Bowling Green bands and readers, and that's always the best feedback -- when your subjects say you got them right.

  YMR: This release is a "digital single" -- and a triumphant piece of long-form journalism.  Do you expect releases of this type to be an upcoming trend/ successful way for thorough reporting (both music and otherwise) to survive and be respected properly in the 24-news cycle we currently are shackled (or self-tied) to?

CF: Well, first, that's really kind of you to say. I know a handful of Singles have done very well, but I don't think even Amazon can predict where this trend will go. There's no question the format lets writers slow down and think hard -- I worked on this, off and on, for a year. But who can tell how many readers the Singles (my Single!) will attract? It's half exciting, half nerve-wracking.

  (print from Matthew Taylor Wilson -- available at Society 6: HERE.)

YMR: After writing over 20,000 words on our little burg, would you ever live here?

CF: Oh, in a heartbeat! My wife and I are moving back to Indiana, where we both grew up, in a few weeks. If I wasn't such a Hoosier partisan, we would have looked seriously at Bowling Green. As it is, we're moving to Bloomington, a city that feels very similar. Bowling Green's a terrific place. I hope that comes through in "Home Grown."

  YMR: You open Home Grown as you're crossing on a hipster-filled ferry to see Cage The Elephant play live.  Did you already at that point have the arc of the story (e.g. their BG connection and our music scene)even slightly in mind, or when did that develop?

CF: You're smart to detect a bit of writerly subterfuge in the first chapter. Here's how the Single came about: I grew up in a small town and have always wondered how a band makes it out of a place like that. When I finally decided to write about this, I looked into a few contemporary rock bands. Cage quickly emerged as the perfect case study. It didn't hurt that I already owned (and loved) their first two albums! 

Anyway, in "Home Grown"'s first chapter I make myself seem a little clueless, but only because I'm trying to create suspense. Non-Bowling Green readers will probably be surprised by how exciting your scene is, so I tried to make myself a proxy for that -- wait, Cage is from where? And they're playing in New York City? Like I said, writerly subterfuge, but only to suck readers in.

Wow, that turned out to be a very boring and insider-y answer!

YMR: Name a band you'd absolutely hate (or you imagine you'd probably hate) following around in a project similar to this.

CF: Is Nickelback too obvious an answer? Either way, Businessweek did it so you and I don't have to. If you're so inclined: the story is HERE.

YMR: What's next for you -- Will this be the last of your CTE adventures -- and have you ever considered putting out a Limited Edition print version of this with some pretty swag behind-the-scenes photos and like... a Print Mafia-designed cover?  Yes, I'd love to help. 

CF: What's next? Packing and moving! As for the limited edition, I'm honestly not sure how the Amazon rights work with this, but I'm a huge fan of Print Mafia's work -- I was even before the story. So for now let's see how the digital version does and go from there!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My ultimate conclusion:

The thing about me living in Bowling Green and being involved in the music (in whatever capacity) is that I'm not like big pals with Cage The Elephant.  Now, don't be a douchenozzle and read that as me not liking Cage The Elephant.  Or me startin' some painfully hipster street battle where Brad Schultz whips my ass with a guitar that turns into a light saber while I too-slowly dig in my pocket for a Power Rangers throwing star.  I - of course - know who they are and -- of course -- support and appreciate on a massive level what they've done for this town, specifically the mentality of local musicians.   What I mean is I haven't like -- "done hangs" with them.  My social circle was different than theirs and the only thing I think is more bullshit than our local Mr. Gatti's closing is making friends with someone just because of who they "are" or "became."

Now, that's not to say I won't make friends with them.  Or that I haven't ever had a short, poignant conversation on local music and Dex Romweber Duo and Jack White with Matt (singer) over gummy bears at Rocky's Bar.  Or that I wasn't flouncing around on the stairs in one of their music videos and making various other limited cameos in the music video above. Or that I don't have an interesting take on them.  I feel lucky that I get to watch from so close, but far away -- ya know, seeing the waves of their success and their very real, closeknit friendship with the city of Bowling Green itself and what it does.  Which is alot.  You see, the dream of music is ageless and CTE's success gave a new hope to singers and strummers of all ages and genres in this region.  Jumped some stalled motors, if you will.  Having an American Dream story this big in our city is a miracle in today's economy and in the state of music industry.  Whether you grew up and shared a babysitter or a blunt with Cage, or you're like me skirting on their circle's edge, or you're like Craig Fehrman -- a writer that truly nails this ...our story, it's a big deal.  They're a big deal.  What they have done is a big deal.

If you're a Cage fan, or a "music" reader - or just a reader - or a Kentuckian -- If you've got a brain - If you appreciate fantastic writing and reporting - If you need something to do with your evening that isn't slop tv  - Download Home Grown : HERE.

--

Dig this?  Dig YMR?  Don't just sit there, bust a like.

[youngmary]

28 Things That Happened While I was 28 that I'm Grateful For

On my birthday, like most people, I get real reflective.  It quickly becomes a boring self-assessment of "where am I going, where have I been" that is only truly forgivable on the day you were plopped, nude and squawking, into this world.   Turns out 28 was a pretty great year for me, especially in context with 27 and 26 and most of 25.  And some of 24.  And several months at 23 that I was a super loner.  Nobody likes you when you're 23, really.

Above is a picture of me at my birthday party/show last year with some of my closest friends.  Mike (upper left) was not happy.  Tommy (center, only head visible) was overly happy.

Below is a picture of me as the clock struck midnight on my actual birthday last year.  I was alone in my former apartment where I lived in my own "noise prison" above an elderly couple, one of which was terminally ill and desperately in need of me to not wear any semblance of a shoe or walk, really.. at all.  I had been crying for a couple hours.  Sitting around.  Ignoring most of the texts I got inviting me to dinner or drinks or conversation.  My long-distance boyfriend at the time was in another city and was reacting to me like the petulant child I was being.  Because that is who I am -  a petulant child that wants a big damn hoopla made out of my birthday, as if I'm the only person who's ever been born.  

D

Also - I'm pretty sure that is Hawaiian Punch stain on my lip corners, but the shirt is just tye-died.  Enough of that bummer and back to things I heavily enjoyed at 28.

1. Natalie Grace Alford sings me Happy Birthday. 

A brilliant singer and one of the few things I discovered in Chicago that I really can get behind, Natalie has personality and legs for days - a lovely vocal range, and the songwriting chops to showcase said voice.  I just find her to be great, and now as I watch her prepare to record and release a record -- and keep on keepin' on - I am more and more flattered to have had this very personal birthday song just for me.  If you find yourself immediately charmed by her like I was -- please hit her IndieGoGo campaign  HERE and consider throwing in a few bucks!  She's halfway there!

2. Saw Wanda Jackson Live on New Year's Eve in Chicago, IL.

New Year's Eve was basically a bust every year since my brother and I chopped up our own confetti.... until Wanda.  A fan of her from the pre-Jack White era and a loyal of the post-Jack White era -- e.g. REAL STREET CRED FAN -- I think the first Wanda tune I ever heard was Big Iron Skillet.  On New Year's, she was as charming and funny and on as she always is -- including bringing her hubby Wendell up on stage for a saucy New Years kiss.  Those two hot tamales! I tell ya!

3.  Took beautiful photos of my friends and started working on Young Mary's Record more seriously and consistently (It's gonna get even better, guys, I swanee!)

This is Ali Townsend.  She is one of the most beautiful people I know -- and non-surprisingly- is adept at making everyone else I know beautiful, too.  She's also really funny.  And smart.  And weird.  My type of gal.   If you need your hair to make your face better, or your face to make your hair better -- she's a genius.  You can find her: HERE.  And you can like the YMR page for the sake of my birthday and pandering: HERE.

4.  Called dibs on my own Maker's Mark barrel.  

It took years to get there - but only 30 minutes from my childhood front door -- is the Maker's Mark distillery.  Hit the link HERE to see my post about visiting -- and I'll even tell you how you can call dibs on your own barrel as well!

5. My hair went REAL RED.  My brain is still brunette.

6. Welcomed Lucero to BG with my sweet pals Larry and Michelle at The Warehouse at Mt. VIctor.

(photo by : the talented Justin Blodgett.)

7.  Discovered -- with credit due to Shooter Jennings and Misty Swain Jennings -- the songwriter and wild man extraordinaire , Mr. Billy Don Burns.

This dude is for real.  If you're one of those folks that moans and groans about songwriters that don't live their songs -- then Billy Don Burns should be your Messiah.   Hit this trailer for the upcoming documentary "Talk about Crazy" - thank me later.

I particularly like the portion of the interview where BDB expresses his hope to turn the Grand Ole Opry down if they ask him to play again. Now, see #8 on my list.

8.  First backstage experience at the Grand Ole Opry - honored to see Shooter Jennings, Jessi Colter, & Billy Don Burns take the stage. 

Also wanted to include this night - because I took my favorite photo of the year of a road warrior Outlaw fan of the decades, Bandana,  sitting underneath this portrait of Minnie Pearl.  Just lovely.

9. Upgraded Kentucky Prophet Mike Farmer from acquaintance to friend.  Oh - and then we spent a Tidball's night out on the town with Frank Black (Pixies).

I love Mike for so many reasons that it is silly -- in addition to being like more talented (and alive) than Freddy Mercury -- he has an emotional depth that so many people like me (petulant Scorpio child) need very badly to level with them.  He's a genius.  A talent. 

10. Grazed my fingers up the legs and hips that made Dwight Yoakam what he is today right before taking this photo with my beau Jon.

This was on Dwight's bus outside of the Ryman.  On the way home from this show late late that night, Dwight told Jon to play me The Stanley Brothers.  He did -- and then he played me even more Dwight. 

11.  Attended my first ever Goose on the Lake Festival in Allegre, KY.  And got to watch one of my very favorites, Patson One Man Band - knock 'em dead.

In addition to going to this great festival (chiefs of this pow-wow are Lloyd Settle and Jon)-- I contributed this article to Kentucky Monthly : HERE.

12. We watched two of our best friends get married.  In an amazing place.  In the California desert.  

Really.  They're like our best friends.  And I'll not hesitate to mentally abuse anybody that ever questions/assaults their love in real life or on a People Magazine online post.  We're like bizarro them and they're bizarro us. 

13. I got my wrestling education from two of the most knowledgeable sources ...

and then got to watch as they nervously met one of their idols.

14. Took a few moments to visit with THE VOICE, Vern Gosdin.

15.  We're a dark coupla' folks, eh?  Spent a couple hours in the  Museum of Death in LA.

16.  Had lunch at the first ever KFC location in Corbin, KY. 

17.  Graced the presence of another icon - Mr. Merle Haggard.

Take your own guesses at what is going on in this photo.  And then, listen to his track "The Downside" -- if you can.

18.  Icon meet-n-greet section of the list.  Here's Jon, me and Los Angeles legend, Christopher Dennis.

I wouldn't be honest if I didn't admit to being a bit more starstruck by the "confessions of a superhero' star above than Merle Haggard, at first.  The documentary nerd in me places that film in my top 5.  I gave Dennis a $20 tip in exchange for this photo and a polaroid he autographed.  Yeep!  (Confessions of a Superhero is available on Netflix.)

18. And to wrap up the icon part of the list -- Me, Jon and Mick Foley. 

Nashville, TN at Zanie's.  I promise to post an entire (long overdue!) blog about his set and why I adore him as a wrestler and as a human being.

19. My first ever trip to Graceland!

On a road trip to Oklahoma City -- a stop at Graceland was a must-do.  Yet another thing Jon has educated me on -- and I couldn't ask for a better teacher -- is Elvis Presley.  Didn't need the headphones to guide us since I had that dude. 

20.  Devoured this tiny chocolate piano at the TPAC Gala.

21. Was present to see a very deserving Colonel Jon become a Kentucky Colonel.

22. First concert with my parents in years at Renfro Valley to see Shooter.

I'm lucky to have great parents and a great relationship with them.  They are my very best friends and I would have nothing (literally and figuratively) without them.  Plus, they're really smart and really funny.

23. Fed a Baby Cow.

This little baby lost Mama Cow a day or two before we went to visit Lloyd on his farm for a night.  One thing I hate is the morning -- functioning anytime before 11am - but I got up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 9am for this baby-feeding.  I felt like it was worth the exception- that it would be good for me - and I was right. 

24. Made friends with Ron Jeremy..

and sampled his really great Ron De Jeremy Rum. (Available in stores in Nashville.)

When Jon first told me that he was pals with Ron Jeremy -- my mind went to the gutter like most people's do when I tell them I consider Ron a friend, now.  So, you're forgiven.  But the truth about Ron is -- he's a smart, fascinating charmer even if you didn't know what he's packing in his pants and what he can do/has done with it. I'd credit him as one of the most famous porn stars of my generation and in the several vignettes of time I've spent him in varying circumstances, I've watched fan after fan approach him and Ron greet and interact with them in A+ pro manner.  He nails it.   (Pun completely intended.)

25.  Adventured to Hazard, KY.

One of my favorite stopovers all year - our darling pal Wesley Fields was cordial enough to host us in his Hazard, KY cabin earlier in the year.  It was beautiful and made from his own hands.  My entire post is : HERE.

26.  Got away into the woods.

One of the most surprising and great-for me things that Jon had added to my life is making sure that we get out into the backwoods from time to time.  It makes me breathe.  See.  Look, too.  Take in context. 

27.  29th Birthday Trip to LA

Nice hotel digs paired with a sidetrip to see Lucinda Williams in the desert and stay at the famous Joshua Tree Inn where Gram Parson's spirit still hangs?  I definitely met a dude who has caught on to the Scorpio petulant child desires and far exceeded them -- which leads to #28.

28.  Met Jon Hensley.

I wrote a note to Jon in his birthday card this year that said "Thank you for making me believe in the practice of love" and that sums it up.  Many of the great things that happened to me at 28 are because of Jon - and I couldn't imagine them being nearly as vibrant if he weren't there.  Really, I can't imagine them being much fun at all without him.  He's strong and infectious and brilliant and a gorgeous man.   And most importantly, we see each other's whole arc.  Light, dark, grey.

-

My point?  You can start a year off with a sobbing selfie and end it with a really long blog about how pleasantly surprising and great your year was.  Keep going. 

And don't just sit there, bust a LIKE.

[youngmary]

Best Fests: Fly Free Fest

  BEST FESTS is a Young Mary’s Record series dedicated to festivals -large, medium, small, tiny - that showcase artists, musicians, and create an undeniably enjoyable environment for their festival-goers.  This post is dedicated to Tennessee's inaugural Fly Free Fest!    We are very excited to introduce all y’all to Corey Petree, the festival founder.

Young Mary's Record: Hi Corey -- one of my very favorite Tennesseans -- how and when was Fly Free Fest first birthed into this world?

Corey Petree: Hi Mary - certainly one of my favorite Kentuckians - Fly Free Fest was dreamt up as a wedding idea. My wife Colleen and I originally wanted to get married as the opening ceremony of the festival...what better reception than 3 days of camping and dancing with your favorite people? We very quickly realized how much planning goes into each of those things individually and decided to get married at an earlier time so that we could give necessary focus to both events. We had already built up enough excitement and encouragement to do the festival that we KNEW we had to do it.  

(Corey and his sweet wife, Colleen.)

YMR:  What were the conversations like leading up to the decision to host a festival?  What do the optimists say and what about the naysayers? 

CP: Optimists say "If you book them, they will come". We're really proud of the lineup we put together with the budget that we had and I think we tend to side with the optimists in thinking that others will feel what we do. Naysayers tend to think that big events like this are too risky to take on. It's certainly a big risk and many things need to go our way to have a successful event, but the reward for this is so much bigger than any other thing we could ever think of investing in. We've already made many new lifelong friendships and found so many people that want to support this event and make it successful, there's really nothing that can take that away.

  (Festival site at Red River Canoe Campground, Adams, TN.)

YMR: What have been the challenges of putting on this festival (especially unexpected ones!)?  What rewards do you expect?

CP: Parenthood has made the process very interesting. We have a 1 year old now and it's not as easy to pick up and go promote around different cities as often as we might need to, but thankfully we've pulled together an amazing street team that is pushing the word out all over the southeast. 

We've also had a few artists back out on us last minute. Announcing the artist and feeling the buzz going about them, then having to take that away from your audience and go back to the drawing board...it makes for a frustrating process. We're very thankful for all of the artists that have not only remained professional but have gone out of their way to support what we're doing and lending a helping hand. It takes an army to put this kind of thing on.

(Red River, Adams, TN.)

YMR: For aspiring future Fly Free Fest musicians, what are you looking for when booking this festival? 

CP: For the bigger artists, we looked at their fan connection and live shows. We wanted to book well-known artists that have remained humble and are passionate about their relationship with their fans. Most of the larger artists we have travel with such a cult-like following, it was hard to ignore.

For the up-and-comers, live videos are huge. While we were familiar with many of our smaller artists before we started this, we wanted to do some branching out ourselves to find some bands that would create a unique experience for our fans. We didn't have time to scout shows every night, so a lot of our research was done online. It's incredible what a well done live video can do for your band.

(RJD2 will play at 11pm on Friday, October 11th at Fly Free Festival.)

  YMR:  Who's playing this year and why are they bad-ass?

CP: I don't even know where to start on this one. RJD2 has been on the scene for over a decade now, and he's one of the most well-respected producers out there. A lot of the newer electronic music coming out has influence from this man. Papadosio has created a family of fans and their songs deliver messages of awareness, love, and positivity. They have hosted their own festival, Rootwire, for the past couple of years, and we wouldn't be surprised to see them selling out amphitheaters in a year or two. Rubblebucket brings a live experience that you won't find with any other band. On their last tour they traveled with giant robots controlled like puppets ascended over the crowd. Their dancey funky indie vibes will have the place in a dancing frenzy. JEFF the Brotherhood are locals who've made it big. They've released a live album on Jack White's "Third Man Records", worked with Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach on their most recent album, and their interviews have kept us entertained for hours. Cloud Cult is a powerful group with a phenomenal story. If you really get to know them, and a lot of folks out there do, they will touch the bottom of your heart with every song. There's a great documentary on Hulu right now for free, I'd really you rather watch that to know why they're SO badass than have me ruin it for you. Moon Taxi? Yeah, they pretty much rock our worlds. These boys are selling out venues everywhere, see them up close while you can! 

Really, its taking everything I have not to list out why every band on our lineup is bad-ass. Go to our lineup page of our website ( HERE! )  and preview them all for yourself...you'll see! 

  YMR:  What are the pros and cons of hosting an event and/or being in the music industry in Chattanooga/Knoxville/any other applicable area?

CP: One of the pros for me is that we don't have many festivals of this size and nature in the southeast. The scene is still emerging and people are thrilled to be a part of the growth. Bonnaroo is what people know down here for the most part and we're excited to share something different with festival goers. One of the downsides is that artists often move away from Chattanooga/Knoxville/etc to "make it". Not many cities in the south support a good local music scene, so most musicians end up flocking to Nashville where the market is oversaturated. Chattanooga's scene is growing with Track 29 bringing bigger artists and Knoxville is growing with Midnite Voyage, but music hasn't been established as part of their culture yet. 

(Festival site at Red River Canoe Campground, Adams, TN.)

YMR:  For people who want to come, how much does it cost -- where do they stay -- can they just show up?  Logistics, hit me with them! 

CP: General Admission ticket pre-sales are at $95 leading up to the week of the festival, where they increase to a $125 gate price. With your ticket you get a camping spot where you can post up with us for the weekend. Folks are more than welcome to show up at the gate until we reach capacity. 

Fly Free Fest will commence October 11-13 in Adams, TN.  You can find out more (as you should), buy tickets (as you should), and plan your trip (as you should) by visiting their official website (HERE), Facebook, or Twitter.

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How I Remember Where I've Been

Franklin, Ky Drive-In.

Spillway Bar & Grill.

Hicksville Trailer Park, California.

Goose on the Lake Music Festival.

Hazard, KY.

Porch standin'.

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