Too much excitement for one day!

These gentlemen have me on my toes again! SO many announcements in one day and all so exciting, what are they trying to do break me? Of course I'm referring to Home Free and all the awetasticspectacunificent announcements they made on Friday December 11th.

Let's start with new tour dates and pre-sales. Supporting Home Free on Patreon is worth every penny! We get to see the new videos first and often times get all the marvelous news first. We got to see the new tour dates for next Spring. Then at 10am in each city on Friday we got a pre-sale opportunity to get the best seats available. So many of us were up all night dying for 10am to come along and those that could sleep had visions of tickets and concerts dancing in their heads! This blogger's plan is to go to two shows in Oklahoma. You can support them too at https://www.patreon.com/home.

But this was only the beginning. There is another new video and it's featured by Rolling Stone! I still haven't had a chance to go over Do You Hear What I Hear and they drop a real tear jerker on us. That's right, this new video is so heart warming, but will leave you teary eyed. The song is I'll Be Home For Christmas, the video is five amazingly talented men singing with pure perfection. So why the tears? Well this simple but beautiful video is filled with small clips of some very special people coming home for Christmas. Those incredible people defend this great country everyday, they are our military. Fun and touching clips that will make your heart grow ten times in size and squeeze the tears right out of you. Bravo Home Free, Bravo! And Thank You to all the men and women in the military for all you do.

Now, you would think that would be enough for one day, right? Well, plant your backside and hold on tight, because here comes Santa Claus! It's going to be a very Merry Little Christmas for Home Free AND the Home Fries. Mr. Kenny Rogers, the Gambler gentleman himself, is going to be on The Tonight Show on Monday December 14th and he ASKED HOME FREE TO JOIN HIM and sing Children Go Where I Send Thee!!! My heart is racing again as I type this. I am so incredibly ecstatic about this! The Tonight Show with Kenny Rogers and Home Free!!! This is where I got the same feeling I got when they played at the Grand Ol' Opry. All gooey and sappy and totally freaked out! Such a magnificent opportunity for Home Free. Congratulations!!! Don't be nervous, the Fries will be firmly seated in front of their TV's and computers to watch and have enough faith in y'all, there's no need to worry! Jimmy Fallon get ready to be amazed!

Whew, I'm exhausted now. Too much crazy goodness for one day. Don't forget to tune in to The Tonight Show on Monday and check out their new video I'll Be Home For Christmas. Be sure to visit their website at http://homefreemusic.com/ for their new tour dates and get your tickets before they sell out! Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy Holidays to all. I can't wait to see what Home Free gets themselves into next!

It's beginning to look a lot like a Home Free Christmas!

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-home-frees-stirring-ill-be-home-for-christmas-20151211

Do You Hear What I Hear? He said what?

The past few weeks have been stressful, crazy, fun and busy between Girl Scout cookie mom stuff, photography classes, volunteer photography and trying to find a new job. But in all the insanity of life it’s always a sweet surprise when we get a new video from Home Free. The best part is the last video they released is my favorite Christmas song, Do You Hear What I Hear? This video is not only stunning and powerful, but Adam arranged it. Not that I should be shocked, his talents are endless! And that ice castle is wicked!

I’ve been trying to find time to give this video the write up it deserves, but then something happened and I’m afraid it takes precedence over this amazing video.

First, a little background. Mr. Walter Coates gave his beautiful bride, Beth, a wonderful birthday present of tickets to see the Home Free for the Holidays concert in Durham, NC. He got her VIP tickets, so she got pictures with Home Free and their autographs, the royal treatment. Walter you deserve a great big hug and kiss for that present!

Before we go further, I really must lay down some warnings. Many have already seen the video I am referring to, but I think the warnings still need to be heeded, as I still have to be careful when watching this video. Prior to watching this video do not have any beverages in your hand or nearby, do not be eating, it’s best to be sitting down and not in a place where you must be quiet and make sure you have visited the little boys or girls room.

After all the VIP festivities the concert began. I can’t say much about the rest of the concert, but this little gem came out after Tim Foust posted “Did anyone get a video of our special rendition of Colder Weather last night in Durham?” Well, of course this had the curious cat in all of us leaping around to find out what happened. Remember the warnings and take a look for yourself at Walter’s video (don’t forget to come back): https://youtu.be/DwExsDGUj-w

OMG, my side hurts from laughter. Austin, you sweet southern adorable man, you are one of a kind! We all forget words to songs, but no one and I mean no one can make it sound that good and keep singing. Austin gets the Rock Star No Matter Mmmmm Ooooo Award! Rob, poor, poor Rob. But he did a fantastic job of keeping it together, at first. I love how Chris gives that little look when he heard Austin stumble. He knew things weren’t right, but I’m sure he had no idea what was about to happen…Tim. I dub thee Timstigator. Three times! Tim stirred up trouble three times! I love it when he takes a deep breath, trying to keep it together, before he busts everyone up with his solo.... nanananana (and the guys come in right on time, amazing). Tim is talented, good looking, smart and TEN YEARS OLD! Don’t ever change. I reinstate my question posted several months back….How many times does Tim get sent to his room on tour (not enough I’m certain)? Adam is the one that always has to provide the background sounds and usually doesn’t lose it, but I found it hysterical that he would beatbox, turn and laugh, beatbox, turn and laugh. Bless his heart. Although, if he can burp while beatboxing, then why should laughing be any different? Oh, that’s right….Tim.

We’ve all said Home Free could sing the phone book and we would still listen and love it. However, if you sing “I forgot the words”, there will be laughter, sarcasm, Tim and maybe a little unforgiving ribbing for months to come, but we love Austin!

What an extraordinary atmosphere to be able to have that kind of fun during a song and know that the fans are going to eat it up like homemade pecan pie! Walter, you couldn’t have picked a better night for a birthday celebration. Thank you for sharing it with us! I hope y’all had as much fun as the guys did, during this song and as much fun as the Home Fries have had sharing it! This is PRICELESS! Home Free is the music, laughter, kindness and down to earth goodness that makes people feel better every day! We should all be able to laugh at ourselves (and each other in good fun) like this.

Don't forget to check out their new video: https://youtu.be/wIQQDYaoWpc

A fantastic Christmas collab for Kenny Rogers and Home Free

Well, Home Free’s “Don’t It Feel Good” tour is over and I know all the Home Fries wish the guys and the crew some extra special time off with their families. I got to see two highly energetic shows in Houston and Abilene. Don’t worry, the tickets I had to Nederland and Austin went to some very deserving Fries and I hope they had a great time! The American Fries are gearing up for the holidays and maybe a holiday Home Free concert or two. The European Fries are undeniably going bonkers waiting for Home Free to make their European debut! Not only is one of the shows sold out, but they added shows in Ireland and Scotland too! Check out the added shows at http://homefreemusic.com/. I hope the guys of Home Free are ready, because there is no going back now.

In the midst of the “Don’t It Feel Good” tour, setting up a quick overseas tour and releasing their third CD - Country Evolution, they have also released several videos. The latest one with the distinguished and extremely gifted, Kenny Rogers. Before I get to the video for “Children Go Where I Send Thee”, I want to say when I heard this song, the first time, I smiled from ear to ear when I heard Kenny sing. It brought back a great feeling of my youth and reminded me of his amazing talent. A cowboy and gentleman with a charming smile and a unique voice that I could listen to all day. It’s really great to hear from Kenny Rogers and we get a new album from him, as well, Once Again It's Christmas.

These day’s music videos have to be so dynamic and spectacular to succeed. If it’s not touching your heart, making you laugh or sending a much needed message, they don’t always get the viewership the artists are hoping to get. YouTube as made music videos a very competitive business. Several years ago one of my bosses told me to always remember the KISS principle; Keep it simple, stupid. Now I was told this in regards to designing an application, but I think it applies to many areas of life, music videos not excluded. Kenny Rogers and Home Free picked a simple but inviting building to house their video. But then they got dress up and took this simple video to another level. Each gentleman looks sleek and mighty handsome in their cowboy garb. Then you add this wonderful song with the beautiful and striking harmony and vocal beat of these six men and you get the whole package. A Christmas song, that is not strictly for Christmas time, but still a soul inspiring song, with nicely dressed talented men singing with emotion and spirit. I must have watched it ten times in a row when I first saw it. Kenny will blow your mind with his time-honored gravely and sweet voice. Home Free does what they do best, bring it, with gusto and feeling. Together they take this classic song and give it classic passion with a new style that is quickly climbing the ranks of music, suave country a cappella.

Home Free has worked with two ageless country personalities, The Oak Ridge Boys and Kenny Rogers and both times have gone down to the bare voices. They also worked with Charlie Daniels, covering “Devil Went Down to Georgia”, but we all know the fiddle had to make an appearance for that song. I truly love the affect Home Free is having on country music, classic and new and on the general population regarding a cappella. A cappella is breaking ground all over the music industry and it’s great to see the timeless musicians diving in head first.

“Children Go Where I Send Thee” has been sung by many performers, all who give it their own style and feel. This version with Kenny Rogers and Home Free really does give it a rocking country beat with a fun and festive flair. I am still being amazed and surprised by each new video Home Free does, alone or with a friend, they add they own blend of Home Free charm.

Check it out – Children Go Where I Send Thee
https://youtu.be/o4qNaAlZ1xc?list=PLfWdh4XTtIqnVcLdXTjXzvv_ahtWOC2S7

Got the work day blues...check this out!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Home Free never ceases to amaze me. They just released their latest video and I jammed to the beat, giggled, did more jamming and laughed some more. Their 9 to 5 music video is packed with all kinds of entertainment.

Since I have seen their Don't It Feel Good show live recently, I can honestly say that this is my favorite song from the concert. Primarily because of the spectacular and impressive beatboxing jam session in the middle of this song by all five members of Home Free. So, if you haven’t seen them live, do it, this alone is worth it.

The video took me by surprise. The beginning was fun, upbeat, and completely full of the sarcasm that comes with this cynical tune from 1980 (before some of these fine gentlemen were born). Much like Elvira, these energetic gifted men took this song from years gone by and gave it new charm, without taking away from its original glory. They also gave this song a ridiculous beatboxing kick that only, #hecannotbehumantalentedbeyondwords, Adam Rupp can do. Add to that the perfectly choreographed mindless workers and the boyish shenanigans of Home Free and you get a video that has everything. Oh and let’s not forget the chair dancing, which is brilliant and typical of the office life that once was. I can’t say enough how much I enjoyed this video. I know I always say, I can’t stop watching the new video, but this one is a little different. The background dancers take me back to the satirical movie and complete this video like the cherry on top of a sundae. The break out transformation makes me think of the live concert as they begin to dance and show off their signature moves. And I can’t stay still when I listen to this song, they sound awesome and made it groovy.

Yep, this video blew me away. Awesome song conversion from the old to the dumbfounding and amazing Home Free a cappella style, fun and sarcasm, incredible beat, worker to hot musician changeover and chair boogying. Love it all! Great job by all involved in making this video come together.

These guys have covered so many songs and often times they have out done the original, IMHO. All their videos have had something unique about them, like a cute bear, sexy beatboxing and booty shaking, stunning shots of the guys, Home Fry cameos, Legos, beer, “fangirling” with iconic musicians and a hide-n-seek chicken. But this video was a whole lot of unique, rolled into one, with a superb rendition of an ageless song. Working 9 to 5 could take on a whole new (or maybe old) meaning after you see this video. Office life would certainly be celebrated if this kind of diversion could happen every once in a while (and I mean the Home Free kind of diversion!).

Home Free's version of 9 to 5 can be found on their Country Evolution album, which can be purchased via iTunes or Amazon. It truly is a tribute to country music with some new songs that are sure to become classics some day.

Haven’t seen it yet? Well, what the hell are you waiting for?

https://youtu.be/9xxv_Fizvsw?list=PLfWdh4XTtIqnVcLdXTjXzvv_ahtWOC2S7

Houston & Abilene concerts were mind blowing!

Good afternoon Home Fries and visitors!  Needless to say my Home Free/Home Fries weekend excursion was nothing less than unparalleled fun and excitement. Two concerts in 3 days, driving all over Texas, singing and dancing, meeting amazing people called Home Fries and sharing it with my beautiful daughter! Doesn’t get any better than that! Now 3000 pictures and 900 miles later, it’s all over, but I can still feel the exhilaration of the weekend.

Let’s start with Houston, because mom got a night out with awesome friends and oh there was there this Home Free concert too. The drive to Houston was a welcome break. A long peaceful drive with a lady I have grown to love like a sister and uplifting music. I enjoy long drives and one filled with Home Free music (and seeing the mirrors rattle with the Tim notes) and good company is perfect. We got the hotel, made ourselves gorgeous and then met up with other fries. I got to meet fries I’ve talked to endlessly but never met in person. Names with faces and personalities, that’s the part of the trips that makes me feel like I’m meeting family for the first time. I love my fry family!

Now for the VIP event and concert, you know the important stuff. First, a huge shout out to Home Free and their entire crew. I’m not sure I can put into words what these people accomplish each night they have a concert. A thousand questions that have been asked over and over, people who can’t quite make up their minds, the fast, slow, impatient, giddy, friendly and everyone in between. And yet they are all smiling, nice and get it done! Thank you, Y’ALL ROCK! VIP was busy but exciting and I now have my favorite VIP picture. I got my merchandise signed, questions answered, a song not in the show, a copy of Country Evolution and a great picture. Supporting Home Free on Patreon to get first shot at VIP tickets is worth every shiny penny and more!

I really enjoy taking pictures and the seats in Houston were so close to the stage, you could prop your feet on the stage from your seat. Well this was a little too close for good pictures, IMHO. So I traded seats with someone in the third row, stage right. Pure perfection. The concert was so close and Home Free was superb! From the first song to the last, there was energy and intensity in Home Free and the crowd. From the original songs to their outstanding covers and Tim’s poetry corner. Rob knocks every song out of the park, Austin continues to run on all cylinders, beautifully, Chris leaves them wanting more of his serenading, Tim just blows everything out of the water, high or low and then there’s Adam. I’d like to say Adam was amazing or phenomenal, but that doesn’t seem to fit. I’m still looking for the right phrase to describe Adam’s performance. He blew our minds and rocked the damn crowd to their feet. Houston was incredible! There was even a little fry party afterwards with dancing, singing and a drink or two.

Well, after a drive home and a night to recover, my fry friend and I took our eight year old daughters to Abilene to see Home Free. There was not as much primping and meeting, as it was somewhat of a drive by for this concert. So I won’t waste any more time and I’ll get right to the meat of the story. VIP was a lot of fun. Our daughter’s birthdays are on either side of Chris’, so we made Happy Birthday signs for their VIP picture and said Happy Birthday to all three of them. Home Free was very playful and goofy in Abilene. I got great VIP pictures, including one where Austin lets loose a little (love it).

The Abilene stage was not too close, so I kept my front row seat (yea!). The audience in Abilene was, let’s see, how can I say this, INSANELY LOUD. The guys came out and did their opening number, Fishin’ in the Dark/Boondocks medley and they were on fire and the crowd let them know! There was so much fervor after that first song that that set the mood for the rest of the concert. The look on Austin’s and Rob’s face when the crowd went crazy was absolutely adorable. The guys felt the powerful momentum coming from the audience and managed to keep up with us until the very end. They sang their sweet, country gentleman hearts out in Abilene. Every note and every song, from I’ve Seen to Elvira to Thinking Out Loud to 9 to 5 was flawless and passionate. I would look at my daughter to see if she was having fun and she was either dancing and singing or completely mesmerized, which is often how I felt, mesmerized. Home Free was stunning and shook my soul down to the core in Abilene. Their talent is outstanding, but their live performances will take to you a higher realm of music. I think many skeptics of a cappella music would be astonished by a live Home Free concert. And Adam will hypnotize you with bewilderment at his talent. It’s no wonder he gets two standing ovations during his drum solo. He’s simply not human when it comes to his vocal percussion/beatboxing skills. The Abilene show was beyond amazing, it was foot stomping, crowd cheering, don't be over, ridiculously mind blowing!

The combination of these five guys; Chris, Adam, Rob, Tim and Austin is pure musical rightness and exquisite harmony with the added touch of handsome! I can only imagine every show on this Don't It Feel Good Tour is just as good as the two shows I had the pleasure of seeing in the Lone Star State!

Well, I’ve been going on and on and I’m sure we all have things to do. I’m going to get my errands done while listening to Home Free, because everything is better with Home Free playing! More concert pictures will be added soon.

Don't It Feel Good Tour here I come!!!

On Friday, October 16th, I will drive down to Houston with a great fryend and meet up with many other Home Fries to see Home Free! Then we will scoop up our sweet small fries and head out to Abilene to see Home Free again. Now some people out there might think that’s a little over the top, but believe me, this is nothing compare to how far and long fries will travel to see the five amazing guys that call themselves Home Free. It’s just what Home Fries do. If they can, fries will drive or fly to as many concerts as they can, not just to see the boys, but to meet and see each other.

For the past two weeks I have been as busy as the squirrels gathering nuts for the winter. I was up to my eyeballs in events with my daughter, work (which is a story that has me wanting to crush some skulls, but that’s for another blog) and my daughter’s birthday. So, I haven’t really had time to get excited or giddy about the Home Free concert, right? WRONG!!!

The past four or five nights I have tossed and turned for a couple hours before I could get to sleep. I’ve been thinking of all I had to get done and what I’m going to wear to the concert and birthday parties and what I’m going to buy at the concert and do I have my tickets and how should I make the VIP picture look and oh, my daughter’s birthday. Wow, I almost lost it there for a minute. Even as I type this I am thinking about what to pack and my plans for that morning. Fortunately, I was able to keep my thoughts in the right place to get the birthday party off the ground and make it a fun day for her. We’ll be doing crafts until her next birthday. Now, on to mom’s night out with great fryends, great times and five adorable men that make damn good music!

In Houston, I get to have a little fun. There won’t be any bull ridin’, calf ropin’ or two steppin’ on the tables, I’m no stealth chicken. However, I do plan on letting my Texas girl out to play. I got my fancy new cowboy boots and my Thelma and Louise attitude ready (well except the bad parts). But the best thing is seeing Home Free and hearing some great new songs. I can’t wait to hear Seven Bridges Road, Good Ol’ Country Harmony, Don't It Feel Good and 9 to 5 live! I have not watched the whole show via Periscope or YouTube yet. I’ve seen bits and pieces, but I’m trying to hold out.

There is this new addition to the show that has quickly become a fry favorite and that is Story Time with Tim. I have only seen a couple of them, but I laughed so hard I gave myself a cramp. Between Tim’s comical story-telling and Austin’s live action antics, you couldn’t ask for more. But then you get the rest of the guy’s reactions, who apparently don’t always know what’s coming. This is going to be as awesome as Texas is hot (93 degrees on this fine mid-October day)!

Then there’s Abilene. I will get to see my fry friends and the guys again, but this time I get to share it with my little angel. This will be her third Home Free concert and I love that she enjoys going with me. Her birthday was this past Sunday and she saw a picture of someone getting a big hug from one of the guys and she says, “I want one of those, but from all the guys, for my birthday!” OK, I guess it’s safe to say she is getting over being shy around them. The first time we saw them she was terrified of Tim and hid behind a stranger when she got to Austin. Now she’s ready to take them home and instantly have five new big brothers!

I’m so amped up to see Home Free in concert again, and I have many things to do before Friday. Like pack my dancing speaker (which hops when there’s a lot of bass or percussion), cowboy boots, Home Free pictures and my wild and crazy Home Fry mindset!! Houston, here I come!

Do you get all giddy and anxious days before a Home Free concert?

Seven Bridges Road: https://youtu.be/kTTid4CBcd4

My 7 year old's favorite Home Free songs

Well, Home Free's Don't It Feel Good Tour is well under way and it's two weeks until I finally get to them live (again)! I will see them in Houston and Abilene (plans changed, so I had to give up two shows). I'm very excited, because it's a ladies night out in Houston, so if you live in the area, LOOK OUT! Oh we're harmless, but we are ready to have fun with fellow fries! Then in Abilene I will be joined by my daughter, who will be 8 by then. The reason I bring up my daughter is today she is my guest blogger. She is going to share with us her top five favorite Home Free songs. A chance to see how the little ones view Home Free's music.

Starting with five and going to her number one favorite song. Remember she's seven and these are her words.

5. Any Way the Wind Blows - "The video is fun and I like singing the song."
My addition: She fell in love with this video the first time she saw it. I'm actually surprised it's not higher up on the list.

4. Butt Remix - it's funny (the song and the video)
My addition: We giggled all the way through this video, especially at Austin. My favorite part of this song is Adam's beatboxing. She's seven so, of course, the seat wiggling gets her laughing every time.

3. House Party - "I like the song and the video is fun."
My addition - She already loved this song by Sam Hunt, so when I told her Home Free was doing it, she was so excited. Then we saw the video and that made it even better. Beatboxing Batman is cool, but the pillow fight won her over.

2. Honey I'm Good - "Funny, especially with the bad words."
My addition - She loves singing this song and always has me turn up the volume when it comes on. We came up with a way for her to sing it with other words, but the "you got that ass", always makes her LOL.

And here it is, I was very surprised by this, her number 1 favorite song by Home Free!
1. Devil Went Down To Georgia - "It's like no other song, it's cool!"
My addition - She's never heard this song before, but she's always asking me to play this song from the new album. I expected HIG or HP to be number one, but this was her pick, hands down!

My daughter went from being scared of Tim and Austin, the first time we saw them, almost a year ago in Nederland, Texas to talking to them way past our time in the signing line in Dallas. She wanted to tell them that kids sang some of their songs (covers) and she meant Kidz Bop. Adam, finally figured out the best way to keep things moving was to pretend to tell Tim what she said (they couldn't hear her) and Tim nodded and smiled and she was happy!

Her birthday is the day before Chris' birthday and the best part is we are going with another fry and her daughter (same age as mine) and her birthday is the day after Chris'. We are hoping the girls can get a picture with Chris.

So, the countdown begins. In two weeks I will be driving down to Houston with a fellow fry, windows down, Home Free playing and we'll be singing our hearts out! I hope to meet some fries I haven't met and be reunited with some of my fellow Texas fries! Have a Happy Home Free Fryday!

What are your top 5 songs by Home Free?

Honey I'm Good - https://youtu.be/rCLW7Xm1DXs?list=PLfWdh4XTtIqnVcLdXTjXzvv_ahtWOC2S7

House Party - https://youtu.be/B6SKCsPPVFg

Butts Remix - https://youtu.be/IA0WCc3vTls

Any Way the Wind Blows - https://youtu.be/fhoBtlWbT-w

Home Free YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTFuNYrqAcsmSjgqYMvxOqw