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Saturday, April 24, 2010

Ben Sherman Classical Goes To The Library


You would expect to see Ben Sherman play Classical Guitar at Special Events and Weddings. That is the usual picture in the mind, to have serious looking people playing beautiful music dressed in formal wear at a posh location. Right?

Then would you believe sometimes Ben Sherman's Classical Guitar turns up at Maryland Libraries for recitals to sooth the savage book beast! Yes it is true! Listening keeps the unruly library patrons not only quiet, but relaxed too! Just kidding, but they do find the music soothing.

Yesterday this branch of the Enoch Pratt Library performance was a show and tell about classical music just for children. Talk about your versatile performer! Thursday it's classical guitar for children, Friday it's a late night acoustic gig at a large club, Saturday it's an acoustic wedding with his duo, Saturday night it classic rock electric guitar with Hectic Red and Sunday it's classical guitar at a wedding. To me Ben is a real Guitar God, capable of playing any style of music to the highest of standards on classical, acoustic or electric guitar. Usually seen by fans looking like the photo below. 

But really now.... how cute is that photo above!?!!! The children of Forest Park crowned Ben Sherman King! Spending most of his days as a professional guitar instructor Ben is a natural teacher with the curious children, patiently explaining the various nuances of playing Classical Guitar. He even stayed later to serenade their Storytime! The story was Little Red Riding Hood. At home on the big stage, or in the library story corner, Ben is always my King!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Spectrum Rocks Again



My husband Ben Sherman's first band Spectrum just had a reunion concert at The Recher Theater in Towson. Local bands that were popular in the eighties got together to celebrate a club in the Baltimore area called "Maxwells."  The band Spectrum formed as teenagers in the mid seventies and began by playing high school and teen centers. Eventually the band toured the Mid Atlantic area with a full stage crew and were together for 9 years. 


I never saw Spectrum at the time of their popularity, as I was married and stayed home.  Really...  I never went anywhere back then, even though I lived near Maxwells.  Gee that was a very boring lifetime ago.  Life has changed for the better.  I love live music, and my life now is full of musical experiences.  If I am not attending one of my husband's gigs, then we are out at festivals, or concerts enjoying live music.  This night would be my first time at a Spectrum band show.  What would it be like?  


I remember when I moved to the Baltimore area reading a paper and seeing an ad for a band called Spectrum.  Being a Philly girl all I could think was "why did this band name themselves after the Hockey and concert arena in Philly called 'The Spectrum?'"


Kinda funny, that word was so embedded in my mind from going to concerts at The Spectrum as a teenager, that I never thought of the word meaning anything else!  After a reunion show in 1985, twenty-five years later, the band Spectrum is on stage with its six original members.  When it was time for Spectrum to start their portion of the evening's program the crowd surged forward, and pushed me against the stage fence.  Slightly difficult to take photos that way especially when the heat of the room made the camera slide in my hand. I carefully tucked my camera bag down around my feet. 


Someone in the crowd said, "Here we go!  This is the main event." During sound check Spectrum sounded really good.  As soon as you put this band in front of an audience ...whoa...the energy is ramped up!  They respond to their fans with an infectious charismatic personality. The fans and the band have a rapport that is quite exciting to watch.  Spectrum sang and played their hearts out for those fans! The crowd came alive as Rock music filled the Recher Theater. Spectrum was tight, professional and didn't miss a beat! 


The large crowd happily sang along as Spectrum did a medley of 80's rock songs that they had performed at venues like Maxwells in the past. It was a powerful set and the stage came alive with these very energetic and happy musicians who were back in their element.  
It was easy for me to see why so many people were ecstatic about this reunion of their old favorite band. Another musician later told them their performance hit it out of the park.  Everyone I met after the show agreed! Spectrum had Rocked the House!


After Spectrum broke up, only two of the original band members, Ben and John, continued to be professional musicians.  Now the four other members are ready to rock again, and do some additional shows.  Their fans are thrilled!


So here I find myself with yet another band to shoot photos of and create images that are reflective of the band.  Since this band's name is Spectrum, I took the liberty of being very colorful on some of my images! Well now...I actually remember what the word means!

Spectrum is -
Steve Myers - Vocals, Guitar 

Terri Caperton Dougherty - Vocals 
Scott Caperton - Drums 
Barre Lankford - Bass guitar 
John Harrington - Lead Guitar 
Ben Sherman - Lead Guitar, Vocals

Spectrum is back, and ready to Rock....Again! 
You can visit them on Facebook at Spectrum Rocks.
Check Ben's blog about Spectrum at Ben's Guitar Wisdom
All images Crystal Visions Art.com

Friday, April 9, 2010

Rock Your Inner Queen-ness!


Make room for more Queens! Yay! A new book, "Queen Of Your Own Life" brings a very creative way to embrace your own inner royalty to all the ladies! Since Painting Queen has been realizing her Queen-ness for most of her life, she is very happy to share this fabulous news with the entire realm! It is time to be happy and at peace with who you really are. Now... really is the time to do it all!


This book with a fanciful attitude for grown up women, has a website full of fun ideas and graphics, that will help you with your transition to being the Queen you really are! You will find information on how to buy the book, a facebook page, and activities to express yourself! Plus check out this cool online royal book ! Take it from this Queen of Hot and Flashy....this is news you can use to make yourself, and your entire life even better!

Rock On Queens!



"Queen Of Your Own Life" is a co-production of Queen Cindy Ratzlaff and Queen Kathy Kinney. Thanks for sharing your light!

Friday, April 2, 2010

Just Too Sweet For Words


My fairy grandchild is just too cute. See how she loves watching her Elmo. You can see it in the concentration. Days are spent running round and round the house, stopping only to hug her bear or have a snack. She prefers big people food now and jumps up on my lap if I am eating at the table. I think we need to get a highchair because my food looks way too yummy to her!