You Gotta Have HEART!

Well...

for my recent birthday,

my brother bought me tickets to see Heart in Columbus, Ohio on May 15th!!

I AM SO EXCITED!!!

So... now I am planning for my next trip back East in May, and anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE planning trips. It is kind of my thing and I am going to work on this one immediately. If I am able, I will hopefully use this opportunity to travel to other places. If I can, I might even sneak in a short visit to New Orleans. That would be awesome.

As for Heart, there is a story there and it is my story. It was Christmas in 1976. I was 13 years old and halfway through eighth grade. My sister had just started college at Kent State and was home for the holidays. For Christmas, she bought me Heart's first album, "Dreamboat Annie". The album contained the tracks "Crazy On You", "Magic Man" and the title track. The group incorporated elements of hard rock with folk and pop and was led by two amazingly talented sisters. I was immediately hooked!

Throughout the years, Heart and their music have been the consistent backdrop for my life. From their beautiful ballads to their full-on hard rockers, and everything in between, I have been a fan. Yes, as I've aged, I have also enjoyed many other artists. But Heart...well, they've always been my favorite band. In fact, they have been such an integral part of my life, that friends (and even just acquaintances) will tell me that they always think of me when they hear Heart on the radio!

The really amazing thing is that Heart has had a longevity that has lasted throughout the years. They have had hits on the pop charts, rock charts, and adult contemporary charts throughout several decades. I even created memes for their Top 40 and Rock Chart hits!

2023 was their 50th year anniversary and they are currently working on a new album for release this year. So being able to see them live is kind of a full circle moment for me. Who knows if they will ever perform live again? Ann is 73 and Nancy is 69, so they are getting up there.

Music is really an integral part of my life. I am a rock and roll aficionado and I know quite a bit of rock and roll trivia. But for me, Heart has always provided the baseline soundtrack for my life. For each of their hits, I can tell you exactly what was happening in my life at the time. Below are just a few examples:

"Even It Up"- 1980- I was Junior in High School. The album was released on Valentine's Day and my friend George and I went to Summit Mall to buy the album on its first day of release!

"This Man Is Mine"- 1982- I had graduated the year before and postponed college for a year. I was working nights at a convenience store called "Lawson's" in Barberton, Ohio. I also got my first apartment at that time.

"City's Burning"- 1983- I was a Freshman at Ohio State University and living in Smith Hall in Columbus, Ohio.

"Alone"- 1987- I was living in Beacon, New York, attending the Culinary Institute of America where I met one of my best friends, Dyann.

And so it goes... on and on. Heart's music has always been with me. So, you can see why this concert, this birthday gift, is really quite special. Here I am... retired, and 61 years old... and Heart is taking me back to my roots. AMAZING!

When I finalize my travel plans, I will post my itinerary here and then the subsequent posts with each adventure. So, stay tuned for more updates!

I leave you today with one of Heart's songs from their "Fanatic" album (2014). This song is their actual history and is called "Rock Deep"(Vancouver), and it is one of my favorite songs of theirs. Take a listen, especially if you haven't heard it before. It's a beautiful, powerful song about the sisters, Ann and Nancy Wilson, and why music is so important to them. And why it also speaks to me.

https://youtu.be/E1VlqEduM94

LYRICS: "ROCK DEEP" (Vancouver)

Seattle in the rear-view mirror

Brooding like the child inside the man

I was following the interstate

Way up north the father fields Canadian

Up above the royal border

The King George highway opens to the sky

The mountains stand there singing out

Filling up my open eyes

And I still can see you sleeping

In a bed of moonlight seeping