Marcus Foster IN Seattle!

I'm really excited that one of my favorite boys, Marcus Foster, will actually be performing in Seattle! When he finally posted the tour dates I was really glad to see he wasn't missing our corner of the country. He will be in Seattle on 7 December, at the Vera Project, and in Vancouver, BC, the following night, supported by Blue Roses at both venues.

I have been blessed to see Marcus perform live 3 times (and 1 other time when he played a bit of guitar for Sam Bradley) and I will never forget it. He's the most amazing live performer I have ever seen. I can't really describe why, though. Perhaps because he just puts it all out there on stage and never stops moving or using his voice and the guitar in different ways. Just phenomenal. He's also a lovely guy.

Marcus will be at the Vera Project in Seattle, a non-profit, all ages performing arts place which supports children's music programs. Tickets are ONLY $9 for an unbelievable night of music. Please come and invite all your friends who live in the Seattle area. Honestly, Marcus is unbelievable. Please come. More details HERE and tickets on sale HERE.

Please visit Marcus' MySpace to hear songs, watch videos, see pictures, and more.

Here's a video of one of my favorite live-performed songs, taken by my friend Tara (I was there!!!):

Bobby Long returns to Seattle!!

One of my favorite, favorite, favorite singer/songwriters, Bobby Long, is returning to Seattle on 19 November and I cannot wait! He'll be performing at El Corazon, an all ages show. Tickets are $15 and available HERE.

Bobby's a very talented singer/songwriter/musician and his lyrics are more like poetry than most music today. That's one of my favorite things about his music. He tells stories with his songs and the passion and intensity of his love for music always comes through. I have seen him live 6 times and I don't think any number of live performances will ever be enough. Plus, he's an absolute sweetheart with a fabulous sense of humor.

Please come see Bobby Long live at El Corazon in Seattle, 19 November 2009. Seattle local Christina Cramer is one of the opening acts. More details HERE.

Visit Bobby's MySpace for more information, to listen to songs, and more!

Seriously, COME!!! He's AMAZING.

Here's a video of one of my favorites, taken by my friend Evie, the first time I saw Bobby perform live:

Sam Bradley's EP is AMAZING!

So, last week, I planned to post new Sam Bradley EP posters every day, but I ended up going to Seattle with my cousin.

Saturday was a big day for one of my favorite musicians, Sam Bradley; It was his 23rd birthday (Happy Birthday, Sammy!) and the release of his first ever EP. I got mine as soon as the download was open. And I LOVE it.


Sam's EP can be found at www.SamBradley.com. Six amazing songs and a beautiful, bittersweet video (his 1st official video). I HIGHLY recommend it. Only $10.00 at the link!

The songs are:
1. Sea Blue (the song in his first video)
2. Eugene/You-Gan (love the sound!)
3. Derek (this is the song from which we at The Land of Dreamers got our name. So special to us. Thank you, Sam!!!)
4. Pretty Boy (such a fabulous sound)
5. Passport (hahaha, oh, Sam)
6. It Begins (this one gets stuck in my head)

Please go have a listen and tell everyone you know about Sam Bradley. He's an amazing singer/songwriter and a lovely, friendly person, as well.

I was blessed to finally meet Sam this past summer in Dallas, Texas. He gave me the biggest hug ever. When you talk to Sam you know he's listening because he has this intense stare focused only on you. He's hilarious. He's talented. He's adorable. And he's going to be big. So get the EP now and you'll be able to say "Remember when . . ."

You should go RIGHT NOW to www.SamBradley.com and get Sam's EP. Then go to Sam's MySpace and become friends with him. And don't forget to follow him on Twitter at @samueltwitt1. He's hilarious.

10 Days Until Sam Bradley's EP!

Only 10 more days until Sam Bradley's 23rd birthday AND the release of his first EP! I am so excited. I bought my presale Sam Bradley dog-tag thing when I was in Texas. There were only 200 available, but you can get the EP at www.SamBradley.com on 29 August (make sure you wish Sam a very happy birthday that day, as well!). Don't miss it!!

4 More Days until BOBBY LONG!!!

Ok, so I just got back from the most amazing trip to Dallas & Austin to see Bobby Long, Marcus Foster, Sam Bradley, and my Land of Dreamer Friends. I don't have time to write anything about it, though, because I'm leaving Saturday to go to Portland & Seattle to see Bobby again.

I'm the Washington, Oregon, & Idaho Regional Leader for the LoD ST and Bobby Long's Seattle show is only 4 days away!

We still want to sell as many tickets as possible! So please tell everyone you know who lives in Seattle and the surrounding areas. Here is the info, as approved by Phil Taylor, Bobby's manager. Please respost it on your blogs, your Facebooks, etc. Thank you!

Singer - Songwriter Bobby Long Comes to Seattle for one night only!

UK Singer/Songwriter Bobby Long will be embarking on his first major U.S. tour on July 26 in N.Y.C. Bobby first came to national attention for co-writing "Let Me Sign" for the film "Twilight". Although Bobby Long became known due to the movie's success, his music speaks for itself and is winning new fans all over the world. Bobby has recently topped the ITUNES Charts with his 1st single "Left to Lie" which charted at number 8. Bobby Long played a three city sold out tour of taste maker shows in April this year, during which he recorded his new single "Being A Mockingbird" at Arlene's Grocery NYC.

Check out www.myspace.com/musicbobbylong

The Seattle show is expected to sell out, so buy now or get there very early!

Bobby Long will be playing Seattle on Monday August 10,
at the El Corazon
109 Eastlake Ave E
Seattle Wa, 98109
8:00p.m.
$15 advance tickets www.ticketswest.com

Pre-sale tickets www.elcorazonseattle.com
All Ages/Bar with ID

Bobby has 3 singles on iTunes right now: "Left to Lie," "Being A Mockingbird-Live from Arlene's NYC," and "The Bounty of Mary Jane." Go buy, buy for your friends, & tell everyone!

American Indie's Feature Interview: Bobby Long (And A Contest At the End!)

Absolutely awesome little interview with Bobby Long by our friend Sheena at the always amazing American Indie.

Sheena got to spend a few minutes with Bobby after his unannounced 3-song "gig" at The Library earlier this week and, as always, Bobby didn't disappoint!

They talked about his thoughts on the upcoming "Dangerous Summer Tour," the only person Bobby says he'd cover, how he would one-up Marcus Foster, and more! Sheena also wrote about the songs Bobby played that night and shared some fabulous pictures of Bobby.

Oh, yes, mustn't forget: go leave a comment on the interview and you could (with drinks on Sheena, Melanie, and Amy, from AI)!

So, go read visit the Land of Dreamers and read "Five Minutes and Three Songs with Bobby Long" and show Sheena & AI lots of love for covering the Boys!

Then, tweet & post the link to this post like crazy so people can stop by this LJ & read our awesome posts before heading over to American Indie!

Photo used with permission from Sheena Carmichael and American Indie.
Do not use, copy, alter or print without the express permission of the blogger.

One Month Until Bobby Long's Seattle Show!

Those of you who know me know I am a huge fan of English singer/songwriter/musician Bobby Long. You might also know Bobby's coming on tour this summer and his Seattle show is only one month from today!!!

I am the Street Team leader for the Washington & Idaho Land of Dreamers, so this show is a big deal to me & I want to do all I can to help Bobby sell it out!

So, I'm posting the show info! Please come! Tell your friends! And repost if you want to!

Singer - Songwriter Bobby Long Comes to Seattle for one night only!

UK Singer/Songwriter Bobby Long will be embarking on his first major U.S. tour on July 26 in N.Y.C. Bobby first came to national attention for co-writing "Let Me Sign" for the film "Twilight". Although Bobby Long became known due to the movie's success, his music speaks for itself and is winning new fans all over the world. Bobby has recently topped the ITUNES Charts with his 1st single "Left to Lie" which charted at number 8. Bobby Long played a three city sold out tour of taste maker shows in April this year, during which he recorded his new single "Being A Mockingbird" at Arlene's Grocery NYC.

Check out www.myspace.com/musicbobbylong

The Seattle show is expected to sell out, so buy now or get there very early!

Bobby Long will be playing Seattle on Monday August 10,
at the El Corazon
109 Eastlake Ave E
Seattle Wa, 98109
8:00p.m.
$15 advance tickets

Pre-sale tickets www.elcorazonseattle.com
All Ages/Bar with ID

Bobby has 3 singles on iTunes right now: "Left to Lie," "Being A Mockingbird-Live from Arlene's NYC," and "The Bounty of Mary Jane." Go buy, buy for your friends, & tell everyone!

Finally!!!!!!!!!!!

So, last night, some of us were looking at iTunes & Marcus Foster's EP was on iTunes! So we got it & today it is #1 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter Chart! Amazing!!! It is fabulous. Do yourself a favor and go get it. Six amazing songs for $5.94.

Get it here!!!


Visit Marcus at MySpace, YouTube, and Twitter.

ONE MORE DAY!!!

Ok, I'm really excited. Only more more day until this guy's first EP comes out on iTunes. I'm beyond excited. His music is interesting, amazing, unique, eccentric at times, and just Marcus.

It is going to be brilliant. Visit Marcus at MySpace, YouTube, and Twitter. And don't forget to get this EP tomorrow!!

I love these guys!

Bobby Long & Marcus Foster Interview from Pattinson Online Network on Vimeo.

Sam Bradley Interview from Pattinson Online Network on Vimeo.

Bobby Long: www.myspace.com/musicbobbylong
Marcus Foster: www.myspace.com/marcusfoster
Sam Bradley: www.myspace.com/sambradley06

Bobby Long's "Left to Lie" On iTunes!

My newest favorite singer is a 22-year-old Englishman named Bobby Long. He's got so much talent: he plays the guitar, he sings with his gorgeous whiskey-ish voice, and he writes lyrics that sound like John Keats, one of my favorite poets (especially "Being a Mockingbird.")

Last night his first single "Left to Lie" came out on iTunes! It is absolutely beautiful and makes me cry. I have been listening to it over and over and I still can't believe how simply gorgeous it is. I thought the version on his MySpace was perfect, but this one is even more amazing.

I really cannot recommend Bobby Long enough! Go listen to all his songs. I love each and every one, though when I am listening to one I always think "this is my favorite." Then I listen to the next one and think, "this one's my favorite!"

To top it all off, Bobby's coming on a US Tour this summer (as well as a couple of limited dates in April!). I can't wait to see him in Portland and Seattle. You can find all his tour dates, his songs, and more about Bobby here!

And, here's a video of one of Bobby's songs, "Sad Woman Blues."



And here he is singing "So Tear Me Up," which is no longer on his MySpace (sad!!). I love this song.



And posts from my fellow Land of Dreams Street Team Members,

• Evie: My Ears are Singing
• Dianna: Bobby Long's first Single " Left to Lie" now Available on iTunes!

And check out the new website: The Land of Dreamers, which is a fansite for Bobby Long, Marcus Foster, and Sam Bradley. Awesome!

Items of Interest

AP: UK survivor of WWI trenches given French honor---

LONDON – The last British survivor of World War I's grinding trench warfare was made an officer of the French Legion of Honor on Monday.

French Ambassador Maurice Gourdault-Montagne awarded 110-year-old Harry Patch the medal at a ceremony in Patch's nursing home in Wells, 120 miles (190 kilometers) west of London, Britain's Ministry of Defense said in a statement. Patch, who served as a machine-gunner in the 1917 Battle of Passchendaele, told Gourdault-Montagne he was proud of the honor.

"Ambassador, I greatly appreciate the way your people respect the memory of those who fell, irrespective of the uniform they wore," he said in a raspy, deliberate voice. "I will wear this medal with great pride and when I eventually rejoin my mates it will be displayed in my regimental museum as a permanent reminder of the kindness of the people of France."

Patch is one of only two surviving British veterans of World War I, according to the Ministry of Defense. The second, 112-year-old Henry Allingham, served as an airman.

AP: Did a Bard contemporary brush up on Shakespeare?---

LONDON – The Bard, or not the Bard? That is the question posed by Monday's unveiling of a centuries-old portrait of a dark-eyed, handsome man in Elizabethan finery.

Experts say it is the only portrait of William Shakespeare painted during his lifetime — in effect, the sole source of our knowledge of what the great man looked like.

But they can't be certain. In the shifting sands of Shakespeare scholarship, where even the authorship of the plays is sometimes disputed, nothing is written in stone.

And also of interest in that article:

In separate discoveries that are solving other Shakespeare-related mysteries, Museum of London archaeologists said they had uncovered the foundations of the long-buried theater where Shakespeare wrote and performed as an actor.

Museum officials said the rudimentary playhouse, simply called The Theatre, was built in 1576 by actor and theater promoter James Burbage. The site, where Shakespeare performed from 1594 to 1597, now houses an abandoned warehouse.

Experts believe "Romeo and Juliet" was performed there.

The playhouse remains were found on the site of an unused warehouse in Hackney on the eastern outskirts of London. Scholars say the theater there was dismantled and moved to the site of the more famous Globe Theater after a dispute between Burbage and the landlord in 1597.

Searchers even found pottery shards decorated with the image of a man who resembled Shakespeare, but experts said this was only a passing coincidence, not an indication that the show business merchandising craze had already begun.

And an addition from 10 March 2009:

AP: Collector: Lincoln photo uncovered in Grant album---

WASHINGTON – A collector believes a photograph from a private album of Civil War Gen. Ulysses S. Grant shows President Abraham Lincoln in front of the White House and could be the last image taken of him before he was assassinated in 1865.

If it is indeed Lincoln, it would be the only known photo of the 16th president in front of the executive mansion and a rare find, as only about 130 photos of him are known to exist. A copy of the image was provided to The Associated Press.

Grant's 38-year-old great-great-grandson, Ulysses S. Grant VI, had seen the picture before, but didn't examine it closely until late January. A tall figure in the distance caught his eye, although the man's facial features are obscured.

He called Keya Morgan, a New York-based photography collector and Lincoln aficionado, who helped identify it as Lincoln.

And then:

AP: Museum reveals engraving hidden in Lincoln watch

Wednesday Hero

Wednesday Hero was started to put a spotlight on the men and women of the United States military and the bravery their show day in and day out. But on a few occasions a service members of an allied nation has been profiled. Such is the case this week.

Despite being shot twice during an ambush in Afghanistan, an SAS (Special Air Service) soldier from Australia lashed himself to the front of his patrol vehicle so he wouldn't be left behind if he passed out from loss of blood and kept on fighting.

The Digger is expected to be recommended for a high level bravery award.

Suffering from serious upper body wounds, the soldier struggled on to the front of his SAS long range patrol vehicle (LRPV) and, under heavy fire, used a rope to attach himself firmly between the vehicle's bull bar and radiator.

Once he was secured, and there was no chance that he would fall off if he fainted, he picked up his rifle and resumed firing at the enemy during a two-hour fighting withdrawal.

SAS troops and their special forces comrades from the Commando Regiment are well aware of the slow and painful death that awaits them if they are captured by the Taliban.

The Digger, who cannot be identified, faded in and out of consciousness, emptying several magazines as volleys of enemy rounds and rocket propelled grenades, rained down around him.

He was finally evacuated from the battle field at high speed still lashed to the front of the LRPV.

A source told The Courier-Mail the Digger was now "up and about" and would recover fully from his serious gunshot wounds. His heroic deeds will be recognised when he is recommended for a high level bravery award.

Several others engaged in the do-or-die battle on September 2 are also in line for top honours.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Trafalgar Day!

Today, 21 October 2008, is the 203rd anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, where the British Fleet, under Admiral Lord Nelson, defeated the combined French-Spanish Fleet off Cape Trafalgar. It was a very important victory in the war against Napoleon. Admiral Nelson perished in the fight, aboard his flag ship HMS Victory.

I have a great passion for British history and British naval history, so I like to celebrate this day (It also happens to be my half-birthday, a coincidence which makes me very happy!).

England expects that every man will do his duty.

• Nelson's signal to his fleet,
  at Cape Trafalgar,
  21 October 1805

You will find more on Trafalgar, Nelson, and the British Navy here.

May the Great God, whom I worship, grant to my Country, and for the benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious Victory; and may no misconduct in any one tarnish it; and may humanity after Victory be the predominant feature in the British Fleet. For myself, individually, I commit my life to Him who made me, and may his blessing light upon my endeavours for serving my Country faithfully. To Him I resign myself and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend. Amen. Amen. Amen.

• Nelson's Prayer, written in his diary before the Battle of Trafalgar commenced

And in related news, from the BBC, Hero's medal marks Trafalgar Day---

A rare medal awarded to a Royal Marine who lay wounded alongside Lord Nelson at Trafalgar has gone on display marking Trafalgar Day.

The Naval General Service Medal was awarded to Lt Lewis Buckle Reeve, who was on board the Admiral Nelson's HMS Victory in the battle in October 1805.

Lt Reeve, treated by Nelson's surgeon, survived to fight again, retiring in 1817. He died in 1861, aged 75.

Do read the rest!

To celebrate I'm having Roast Beef with Potatoes, Carrots, and Yorkshire Puddings I'm making myself. I'll round it out with a lovely cup or two of "English Evening" Tea and a viewing of one of my favorite Horatio Hornblower films.

Postcard to Tolkien Found

I love Tolkien and would love to come across something like this.

Reuters: Builder discovers "priceless" Tolkien postcard---

LONDON (Reuters) - A demolition man stripping a fireplace from the former home of "The Lord of the Rings" author J.R.R. Tolkien stumbled across a postcard to the writer dated 1968, and hopes to sell it for a small fortune.

Stephen Malton, who runs Prodem Demolition in Bournemouth on the south English coast, was working in the house in the nearby town of Poole before it was bulldozed to make way for a new construction project.

"Before we demolish a house we do an internal strip out," Malton said Tuesday.

"One of the main features was a fireplace, and upon removing that we came across three postcards. The third one was a postcard dated 1968 and addressed to J.R.R. Tolkien."

Waterloo

Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, where Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, defeated Napoleon Bonaparte and ended the Little Tyrant's efforts to conquer Europe. We might all be speaking French (or German, as the French can't seem to beat the Germans!) if not for Wellington and his army.

Lots of links here.

Items of Interest: 1780 British Warship Found!

I tend to use this word a lot when I'm talking about these sorts of things, but they really are: fascinating! As an Anglophile and historian, I was quite excited to see this article (now if I could only see the ship!).

AP: Explorers find 1780 British warship in Lake Ontario---

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - A 22-gun British warship that sank during the American Revolution and has long been regarded as one of the "Holy Grail" shipwrecks in the Great Lakes has been discovered at the bottom of Lake Ontario, astonishingly well-preserved in the cold, deep water, explorers announced Friday.

Shipwreck enthusiasts Jim Kennard and Dan Scoville used side-scanning sonar and an unmanned submersible to locate the HMS Ontario, which was lost with barely a trace and as many as 130 people aboard during a gale in 1780.

The 80-foot sloop of war is the oldest shipwreck and the only fully intact British warship ever found in the Great Lakes, Scoville and Kennard said.

"To have a Revolutionary War vessel that's practically intact is unbelievable. It's an archaeological miracle," said Canadian author Arthur Britton Smith, who chronicled the history of the HMS Ontario in a 1997 book, "The Legend of the Lake."

The finders of the wreck said they regard it as a war grave and have no plans to raise it or remove any of its artifacts. They said the ship is still considered the property of the British Admiralty.

Wow!

Do read the rest of the story for more details on the condition of the show, how it was identified as HMS Ontario, and how she was lost.

Prince Charles Pays An Old Bill

Very old.

AP: Britain's Prince Charles pays 17th-century debt---

LONDON - Prince Charles has paid off a royal debt from the 17th century, but showed modern-day fiscal prudence by declining to pay the accumulated interest, which would have been substantial after more than 350 years.

Charles made the payment of 453 pounds and 3 shillings — about $900 — during a visit Tuesday to Worcester with his wife, Camilla.

The debt was incurred in 1651 when King Charles II — at the time recognized only as the king of Scotland — was preparing for the Battle of Worcester.

He had asked the Clothiers Company of Worcester to prepare uniforms for his soldiers and pledged to pay afterward. But his forces were defeated and Charles fled to mainland Europe, leaving behind the unpaid bill.

And this was a nice touch:

The prince handed the payment — enclosed in a 1650s-style gaming purse made by the Royal Shakespeare Company — to Andrew Grant, master of the Clothiers Company. Charles received a receipt for his payment after the brief ceremony at the Commandery, which served as the royal headquarters during the Battle of Worcester.

"We are very grateful to the Prince of Wales for repaying the debt to the Worcester Clothiers Company," Grant said.

The Clothiers Company, founded in the 13th century, is one the last of the medieval-era guilds still active in the area.

Book Review: Emma & Knightley

When Emma and Knightley marry at the end of Jane Austen's Emma, Emma is a very young 21 or 22 years old. While she has been mistress of her father's house for a number of years, she has never had to balance her role as a daughter caring for her (hypochondriac) father with her new role as Mr. Knightley's wife. I for one always wondered how their relationship continued to develop after the close of Austen's novel.

Fortunately for us, Rachel Billington's novel Emma & Knightley: Perfect Happiness in Highbury: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Emma brings the reader into Emma and Knightley's life after their marriage.

As is usual, I am sure, the Knightleys have their little difficulties adjusting to married life. Knightley has agreed to live to live at Hartfield, rather than his home of Donwell Abbey, so that Mr. Woodhouse will not be disturbed too much. Emma is trying to figure out how to relate to Knightley as her husband, rather than the beloved older neighbor. And he is trying, as always, to help Emma continue to grow into a well-rounded, thoughtful lady, and to help her see him as the love of her life, not just a loving familiar face.

Their lives are further complicated by the difficulties of those around them. Mrs. Bates has died, leaving poor Miss Bates alone. Jane Fairfax Churchill dies, leaving a bereaved (and half-mad) Frank Churchill with a newborn. Knightley's brother John has major financial difficulties, which they hide, for a time, from Emma's sister Isabella. And, it seems as if every couple is having children, except the Knightleys.

I confess, while I love Emma, it is probably my least favorite of Jane Austen's novels, partly because Emma does not seem to grow as much as a person as the other Austen heroines do. That's why I am delighted that Billington did such an excellent job on Emma & Knightley. Her novel continues Emma's growth as a human being and a woman, rather than a girl, and shows how the Knightleys figure out how to relate to eachother as spouses and settle into their marriage.

Billington also did a good job continuing the secondary characters Austen wrote. The Westons are lovely and, naturally, expanding their family. Miss Bates is her usual chatty self, but ends up providing perfect companionship for Mr. Woodhouse. Frank Churchill is a selfish cad and causes Emma difficulties. Billington also introduces new characters, including Mrs. Philomena Tidmarsh, who challenges some of Emma's ideas.

I was also happy with the fact that Billington did not try to change the characters or make them behave in ways inconsistent with their Austen-written characters. The plot was well-developed and satisfying.

Emma & Knightley is a delightful continuation of a beloved book. I recommend it for any Austen fan and anyone interested in following the development of Emma and Knightley's marriage. You can find it at any bookstore or through Amazon.com.

Book Information: Emma & Knightley: Perfect Happiness in Highbury: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Emma by Rachel Billington (Sourcebooks Landmark; ISBN: 1-4022-1207-0; $14.95; 368 pages; paperback)

I Would Be Worried Too :)

AFP: British planners feared tea shortage after nuclear attack---

LONDON (AFP) - Never mind the radiation: British contingency planners worried there would be a dramatic shortage of tea in the aftermath of a nuclear attack, recently declassified documents showed Monday.

The shortfall of the staple British beverage would be "very serious" if the country were to come under attack with atomic and hydrogen bombs, said according to a memo drafted between 1954 and 1956.

"The tea position would be very serious with a loss of 75 percent of stocks and substantial delays in imports and with no system of rationing it would be wrong to consider that even one ounce (28 grams) per head per week could be ensured," it said.

"No satisfactory solution has yet been found."

Tea is very necessary as a comfort. This is no joke! :)