EPIC POST AKA THIS WILL NEVER BE TOPPED

Since I started this blog to fulfill my love of soul music (one of the many reasons), I have had many amazing moments. People look at this baby that I never thought possible. Sam Cooke's nephew, anyone? So tight. But something has happened to me that is so beyond my wildest dreams. Let me tell you about it.

I went to an amazing Soul Showcase last Friday at the Continental Club. To my wonderful delight, it featured all Texas artists. The amazing Barbara Lynn, who is the most beautiful lady and tightest lefty guitar player. The crazy Roy Head, who can still shake it. And of course, the incomparable Archie Bell. If you haven't heard "Tighten Up," get on that now. DUHZ. How good was this night going to be?

Roy started out, playing a nice set, including his big hit "Treat Her Right." He had on a tight glittery shirt. What a stunna. Then Barbara came out and wowed the crowd her with most well-known song "You'll Lose A Good Thing" as well as covers like "What'd I Say." How tight? She looked amazing. I mean, she looks really good. I can't even tell you how smooth her skin is. I hope I can age that well. After her set, she was sitting in the back in a booth and I approached her for a picture. MEMORIES 4EVER Y'ALL $$$.

(Best part of that picture is B. Lynn's friend hanging out.)

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know my life was ABOUT TO CHANGE FOREVER. Archie Bell came out to play, decked out completely in a white suit, red shirt, and white and red shoes. Nothing can be more baller nor will it ever be. Complete and total baller from the minute the show started. He announced that was he 65 but could still move and that wasn't a lie. He is ridiculous and funny and dirty. It was so amazing to get to see him play.

BUT THEN. So Kat and I were right in front, and never really stopped dancing. He commented on us several times because we literally never stopped. After this went on for a while, he called us up to dance. I took off for the stage but then realized Kat wasn't behind me. I was going to have to fly solo. Most amazing moment. I climbed onto the side of the stage and just let go. I have never done anything like this. So unreal! I even interacted with Archie a little bit. And here's the craziest part: I was dancing the Tighten Up while he was playing "Tighten Up." I'm dying inside. I danced up there for a while, barely knowing what I was doing/risking falling at any moment because I was literally on a brownie pan-size pedestal. Worth it.

Oh, no big deal, just ME DANCING WITH ARCHIE BELL.

The thing is, this is a huge moment in my life. I know it might not seem like a huge deal to some of you, and that's cool. But as a lover of soul music, this moment pretty much makes my life right now. It's incredible. Something I will definitely tell my kids about and probably still be talking about at my wedding in the year 2048. Kidding! I'm still single. THE POINT IS, it's insane that I actually did it and that I felt such a huge adrenaline rush and that he was so sweet and awesome. Such a fun experience.

Thanks for reading this long-ass post and thank you for re-sharing this with me. So amazing. The tightest thing ever. Being able to share it with friends is even better! Thank you Roy, Barbara, and especially Mr. Archie Bell!

embrace your flyness, get over your shyness

KANYE!! Yeah, we went. We walked in after Lupe Fiasco had started. I looked out to see how many (in the words of my co-worker Kat) "cool moms" were there. You know what I'm talking about. Also, I realized I know nothing about Lupe Fiasco or any songs that were sung by the fourteen people on stage.

N.E.R.D. was pretty tight. I would do anything to have Pharrell over for a Bluebonnet Lane house party. I would put on Larry Levan and have him dance the crap out of it. Also I would kill to see him eating Kettle Chips and a glass of Fanta that I say is really Smithwick's fine draft beer. ROFL!

Rihanna was kind of sick. I'm not going to lie, she is a gorgeous goddess. But her dance moves were a little nasty nast. She touched herself a lot. She seemed to be doing a lot of leaning back, like she couldn't bend her knees that well. Oh, that's right, she was wearing 10-inch heels for most of her set. She has a pretty good voice, but once again, I don't really know anything about her except that I read fashion blogs and I keep up with her ever-changing hair. I'm not sad about this, really.

We watched from our extremely high nose-bleed seats as close to 483 roadies set up for Kanye's set. Yes, the stage is unreal and huge. Yes, Kanye was by himself the entire time, but he's still a baller. I mean, who comes out and does a show totally alone and keeps my interest? That's pretty tight. He did a great job of weaving songs together in a classic Joseph Campbell archetypal hero journey story. I have to say I got a little misty at the "Hey Mama" section of the night. I think the audience was moved. One of my favorite parts of the night was also watching every single white person in the audience rock out to that little section of "Don't Stop Believin'" that was played.

I couldn't get very many good pics of Kanye's set, but I hope the one above at least shows you the scope of the stage. Also, here is Chaps ruining a pretty good picture. She bought a $5 cotton candy, which proceeded to make me fussy because I couldn't wait to wash my hands. But if you have to get cotton candy at the Erwin Center, don't you? I feel like it's a general requirement, like getting a meningitis shot before college.

Also, here's a pic of Chaps and I "fake driving," which is also a requirement in life, especially when any song with a good beat comes on or any song by Glass Candy. Please ignore my questionable face. Give me a break because I'm FAKE DRIVIN'! Check out a few more pics on my Flickr.