So, back in the day I did a lil somethin somethin. And that somethin somethin was writing a some articles for freshtracksmusic.com. Recently, however, fresh tracks had a major facelift and they had their archives lifted. Oh well, apparently my 2+ year old articles just aren't "fresh" enough for fresh tracks anymore. Luckily for you, I don't mind posting a little bit of stale content. So, click for more to read one of my favorite articles I wrote for Fresh Tracks.

P.S. I did a quick google looking for the article and I found that someone had posted it on his or her (from this point her) livejournal because she liked it! She liked it...she really really liked it. Well, actually, she didn't have either of the reallies in there. Just the one "I liked this." Possibly as much as the Kenney Chesney CD she stole from her dad. My favorite part is her friend's comment down at the bottom: "dies. that was so long." It's official. My longevity killed someone.

Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2004 is treating everyone well. I also hope
those of you who have made resolutions are sticking to them. If I can
last through January before breaking mine I'm proud of myself.

This year my resolution is to be a little bit more upfront about the way I
feel. Sometimes if I get upset or if something really bothers me I'll just
hold it in and not let anyone know and that's destructive. So, in the
spirit of this new attitude I am writing letters to some people I have met
at concerts over the past years. Hopefully it will help them to formulate
their own resolutions in the future.

Dear person in front of me who thinks you can dance,

You can't. Plus that type of flailing isn't appropriate for this
heart-wrenching love ballad.

Dear guy yelling incessantly for your favorite track to be played,

I feel your pain. Really I do. I've been to see some bands multiple times
and still haven't heard a couple my favorite songs. But here's an idea, if
you're going to yell for a song do so during a quiet part between songs.
After that, the band might play it or they might not. Some musicians prefer
to follow their set list, and the song you are requesting might be one that
the band hates playing live (or just hates all together). You might want to
try e-mailing the band or getting to the venue early and requesting your
favorite track if you bump into the band. Regardless, please refrain from
yelling for a song more than once or at most twice and please don't do it in
the middle of a story or song that the rest of us want to hear!

Dear girl standing behind me singing the songs into my ear louder than the
performer,

Ok, I came to hear the person on stage sing, not you. Which is good,
because the singer on stage knows the actual words. I like singing along at
concerts too, and concert sing-a-longs are some of the coolest concert
moments. But there are times to sing at the top of your lungs and times not
to. If you don't know the difference between these too, then please don't sing
at all. Also, invest in Tic Tacs or something. Damn.

Dear people who keep pushing past me repeatedly to get a drink,

Now, I'm not saying that you have to choose between music and booze.
However, you really REALLY distract me from the performance. Here's the
deal: you know if you want to drink through the whole show. If you are
going to, please don't choose to stand in the middle of the crowd (or front
row center!) Stand near the sides or back of the crowd. Same goes for you
smokers. Not everyone enjoys smelling like an ashtray. It's all about
respect - if something you are doing will disrupt other's enjoyment of the
show you should go out of your way to curtail it.

Dear guy heckling the opening band,

Most likely there are dedicated fans here who want to see the band you are
harassing, and most likely one of them is me. Please don't yell for the
band you want to see during their set, don't boo them, and for the love of
god keep the talking to a minimum. Listen up. You might like what you hear.
Let me break it down for you... you'll be front row center sporting one of the
band's t-shirts in about a year when their song is number one and TRL tells
you to like them, and I promise I will remember you and expose you for what
you really are, so just shut up now, enjoy the music and save us all the trouble.

Dear sleazy girl trying to get all over my junk,

No thanks.

Dear people acting like they needed to get in front of me to get to a friend
but then just stood in front of me and blocked my way,

You are the lowest of the low. Not only did you deceive me, but you also
have no concept of a personal space bubble. You are beyond help. Please
stay home next time.

Dear couple behind me that talked through the ENTIRE concert,

Hey, I think you guys sat behind me at the Return of the King. How are you doing?
Seriously though, don't answer that, I don't care. Ok, you'd be marginally
less annoying if you had no clue who this band is and didn't care about
their music. But I heard you talking about the band and it sounds like you
are very familiar with them... plus you sing along to their songs every now and
then. Why then, please tell me why, you feel it necessary to talk loudly
through the entire concert? I didn't hear any of the music, but I now know
about your uncle's enthralling quest to grow out his mustache. Why didn't
you just stay home and listen to the CD and talk if all you were going to do
was basically ignore the fact that there is live music being played?
Seriously though, don't answer that, I don't care. Just don't do it again.

Happy New Years,
Kyle Curry