Out of this world
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I love music. It has played a role in my life since day one. My father, Max, was a singer and instrumentalist. As long as I can remember, Dad played guitar, piano, and many other stringed instruments. He also performed with several Southern Gospel singing groups over the years. Some of the greatest memories of my dad were spent in his music room at his house playing and singing gospel hymns and songs. We even got to spend some time playing together in a family gospel group.
Max also finally succeeded. He always wanted me to learn play guitar or banjo. I had no interest in those instruments as a child. I liked the drums and I walked around beating on everything around the house; drove my parents crazy. However, when I was in my late 20s, I decided it was time to try the guitar again and it stuck this time. I could tell he was proud of the fact I finally could strum along with him.
Our family also had several famous musicians. Names like Little Jimmy Dickens (was married to my aunt Ernestine Jones Dickens), The Carter Family (Helen Carter Jones was married to my uncle Glenn Jones – Helen and June Carter Cash were sisters) and famous guitarist Paul Yandell (married my aunt Marie Jones Yandell). These were not just famous names from the country and gospel genres, they were people in my family that visited my grandma’s house in Baxley on numerous occasions. I also consider my cousin, Danny Smith, one of the most talented musicians I ever had the privilege to play with.
Danny and I have played in several groups together over the years including Christian and Southern Rock. I guess that’s where my love for The Eagles got started.
I mainly listen to Christian music now, but occasionally, I will pull up The Eagles playlist on Apple Music and enjoy the songs of my youth again. Desperado is still at the top of my list for all-time favorites. Other songs like Life In The Fastlane, Take It Easy, Witchy Woman, Lyin’ Eyes, Heartache Tonight, and many others still resonate with me.
A while back Amy told me she wanted to take me on a trip somewhere and asked where I’d like to go. I told her, jokingly, that I’d like to go to The Sphere, in Las Vegas, and hear The Eagles in concert. I really didn’t think too much about it until she said she had purchased the tickets and we were going to see them in concert at The Sphere. After waiting for months, we went this past week, and not to sound too hippie sounding…it was out of this world! Amy’s sister and brother-in-law were also out there attending a trade show and we all went together.
The Sphere is an amazing technological feat. It has a height of 367’ and cost $2.3 billion to build. The exterior of the building is covered by millions of LEDs and can be viewed from miles away, including on an airplane flying high above. The interior is just as impressive. It will seat between 17,500 – 20,000 people. It has a huge 16K resolution LED screen wraps around the audience, creating a 270-degree visual field, features over 160,000 speakers, has haptic seats that vibrate, tilt, and move with the on-screen action, making you feel the experience physically, and finally has sensory effects that allow for wind, temperature changes, and even scents (like sea spray or desert heat) to enhance realism. It’s practically a 4-D experience.
For two hours we were mesmerized by The Eagles and The Sphere. It was literally the hottest ticket in town that night as well as it was sold out. Country music star Vince Gill joined the group to assist with vocals and guitar. Deceased band member Glenn Fry’s son, Deacon Fry, also joined the band for the concert. Don Henley still has a great voice and Joe Walsh can still play a mean lead guitar.
Thank you to my wonderful wife for taking me to see one of my all-time favorite bands. I will never forget it.
