Occasionally I come across videos that make me laugh out loud. This one below is one of the funniest videos on being a Dad that I have ever seen. I’ll let you watch it for yourself but I can say that there is one part in it that had me nearly laughing out loud at work screaming in my chair. Maybe it is because I have a daughter and I could so relate to one very particular scene of the video. It is hilarious. Check out The Dad Life.

I buy a ton of stuff from Amazon.com. If you do please buy through our links and help support BenSpark.com. Thank you.

Copyright (c) 2010 Blog Consultant, Photo-A-Day Photographer & Daddy Blogger - BenSpark.com - Everyday Pictures... Every... Day

This is Dad Life

With Ellis at Kiva House.

Allison, Eva and I are big fans of Ellis Paul (“Mr. Ellis” for Eva). If you do a search for Ellis Paul on this blog you are going to see a bunch of posts from all of the times that we have seen him perform. We’ve seen Ellis more times than I can count and have pretty much every album of his and we have them signed too. We’ve spent time talking with Ellis at each show. I don’t think there is any performer/singer/songwriter/storyteller that we’ve ever traveled around to see so often.

I got a message today from Ellis Paul’s manager, Ralph Jaccodine, he let me know that Ellis has released a free download of his new song “Annalee” on his website. I’m not sending you there to sign up for anything or buy anything, there are no affiliate links on this post for Ellis. Ellis is giving this song away, for free, no strings. However, once you hear him sing you are going to want to hear more and if that is the case then you can buy his latest album “The Day After Everything Changed”.

Allison and Eva with Ellis at Borders for a Dragonfly Races Concert.

The thing about this album is that it was entirely funded by fans. I’m pretty sure that Allison and I help contribute a half second or two to the CD. It is really a true testament to independent music and an incredible singer/songwriter like Ellis Paul.

Again the link for the free download of “Annalee” is at http://www.ellispaul.com/free. No strings attached.

I buy a ton of stuff from Amazon.com. If you do please buy through our links and help support BenSpark.com. Thank you.

Copyright (c) 2010 Blog Consultant, Photo-A-Day Photographer & Daddy Blogger - BenSpark.com - Everyday Pictures... Every... Day

Free Download of Ellis Paul’s song “Annalee”

Photo-A-Day #1528

Today Allison and I had a wonderful day. We went to Billerica, MA to attend a Kiva House Concert. Kiva House Concerts are pretty amazing. Tim and his family open their home to performers and a very small group of fans. They have done over 50 of these concerts.

Pulling up to the house we see that it is in a perfectly normal neighborhood, kids playing out on the uncluttered streets, well manicured lawns, an average everyday suburban home. Walking in we see Ellis and his manager, we say hello and “See you inside.” We head inside and meet Tim, his two dogs Jake and Jasper, beautiful black labs. Tim’s wife is upstairs with their two children in this cute split level home.

The basement playroom is a dream, there are headshots of all the performers who have been to the house including Antje Duvekot, Christopher Williams, Dido and Letters to Cleo. Ellis has been to the house a few times over the years. Also in the basement there are about 20+ folding chairs, a large leather couch, a bar with two stools and sound system that would be fine outside but very imposing inside. We sat in the second row but decided to move to the front for more room. And when I say the front row I mean I could reach out and touch the keyboard. We were no more than four feet from Ellis at any given time.

A Kiva House Concert is unlike any concert you have ever been to. It is an intimate afternoon of incredible music and interesting people. Prior to the start of the concert we learned a great way to make hummus from scratch and various other things. Some people in the room had been at Ellis’ first paid gig, so we are talking longtime fans. We also met some really nice people.

When Ellis began to play we knew we were in for a very different type of show. It was so casual and fun. Ellis and the crowd riffed and chatted. In the first part of the concert Ellis used the sound system, he played the keyboard, harmonica and two different guitars (if I was a more musically inclined person this would be more accurate). While we listened, Tim’s two beautiful black labs, Jake and Jasper wandered the room looking for pets. We were only too happy to oblige. There is nothing like scratching the ears of a beautiful black lab and listening to the raw passion of a song by Ellis Paul. It is something akin to a religious experience.

During the break between sets we had some snacks. Part of the key to being a participant in these concerts is bringing something to share with everyone. There were many fine and eclectic treats. I’ll have to make some of my Choco-Nutty-Bacontastic Cookies. Allison picked up a coupe of CDs including one that we got signed, later.

The second half of the concert Ellis opted to stop using the sound system and moved even closer to the audience. Allison even got to hand him a pick. Ellis took requests during this time and he played both God’s Promise and Words. God’s promise is an important song to us because it is what I used on the Hold On To Hope video for the Machinski family as well as on the DVD that I made of Grandma Theresa’s photos. Words is an important song to us as it was our 1st dance wedding song.

The afternoon was one experience that I’ll never forget, it was amazing. Simply one of the most amazing musical times we have ever had. We’d like to thank Tim and his family for creating The Kiva House Concert series. We’d also like to thank Ellis for being so gracious, funny, passionate and talented.

After the concert we had our photo taken with Ellis and he signed one of the CDs that we bought as well.

More photos are on Flickr.

I buy a ton of stuff from Amazon.com. If you do please buy through our links and help support BenSpark.com. Thank you.

Copyright (c) 2010 Blog Consultant, Photo-A-Day Photographer & Daddy Blogger - BenSpark.com - Everyday Pictures... Every... Day

Ellis Paul – Kiva House Concert

Once in a while I come across a site that is so cool that I have to share it with you. I used to spend time on Myspace searching for different music artists to listen to. The thing about that was it wasn’t the easiest way to find new music to listen to. I don’t think the artist got paid when people listened to their music.

Enter Kerchoonz, a new site that pays artists when users listen to their music for free and legal. I just signed up for an account, which is free. I bounced around the site a bit and set up part of my profile. You can link to your social networks like Flickr, YouTube and Facebook. I’d like to see some Twitter integration too. Either showing your twitter stream or the ability to tweet out a message about an artist that you are listening to. I do like that you can make favorites of the songs you listen to so that when people visit your profile they can see who you like and you can introduce others to some great musical talents.

As for the artists I immediately found Amy Speace. Her song Double Wide Trailer is a fun country song. I just love the tune. I’ve listened a few times the tune is catchy and fun. Amy also has a nice voice and her band is rocking. I would have had no clue who she was if I hadn’t joined Kerchoonz.

The video below is Kerchoonz Live featuring the band Fortunate Sons. They have a wonderful sound, bluesy, folky and rock. This is what I love so much about the internet I find some excellent music all the time, Kerchoonz is certainly the place to find new artists that love playing.

When you join Kerchoonz look up my profile, username is BenSpark.

I buy a ton of stuff from Amazon.com. If you do please buy through our links and help support BenSpark.com. Thank you.

Copyright (c) 2010 Blog Consultant, Photo-A-Day Photographer & Daddy Blogger - BenSpark.com - Everyday Pictures... Every... Day

I Found Love in a Double Wide Trailer

I am getting ready to Buy Buffett tickets for Thursday June 25, at Comcast Center in Mansfield MA. So far Live Nation has boxed me out so I am going to try for Ticketmaster. I hope that this works out this year. We haven’t seen a show since 2007.

Here are all the items I have for good luck.

#1. – The Tiki of Death, usually loaded with Drew’s Killer Margarita
#2. – Mad Gringo T-Shirt
#3. – Fish beads with a Buffett Button on the end
#4. – Mad Gringo Hawaiian Shirt
#5. – Mickey Mouse Pirate Pin

Mobile post sent by BenSpark using Utterli.  Replies.

I buy a ton of stuff from Amazon.com. If you do please buy through our links and help support BenSpark.com. Thank you.

Copyright (c) 2010 Blog Consultant, Photo-A-Day Photographer & Daddy Blogger - BenSpark.com - Everyday Pictures... Every... Day

Ready to Buy Buffett Tickets