Felt So Alive

I've got some shocking news for you all! Recently, I had plans for the weekend! I know, right? Can you believe a homebody like me actually got out of the house for the night? Me Either!

I took the short drive up to Mount Vernon to see a couple bands I love play at Renfro Valley. The main headlining act was "Thunderstruck: The AC/DC Tribute Band" and the opening band was a group I've had my eye on for a couple years now called Taylor Road.

It was perfect weather on that Saturday night as we all stood in line outside waiting on the doors to open up. It was a general admission concert which meant there were no seats, all standing up! The line to get in stretched a pretty good way down the sidewalk as the anticipation grew closer to show time. Finally, the sold out crowd made its way into the building and started filling it up from front to back. Of course, I made my way to the front of the room right beside the stage just a few feet back from the speakers and amps on stage. When Taylor Road started walking out on stage, the crowd greeted them with a huge scream which seemed to energize the band for their performance. They tore off almost an hour long setlist with one of my favorite songs they do called "Final Blow" which was the first song that made me a fan. I've seen the band sound great on videos before, but they just blew me (and my hair) away from just how amazing they sounded that night. The drums beat in my chest, the guitar solo's were epic and the bass rumbled below my feet perfectly. I think that several in the crowd didn't know who the band was yet, but I knew them all too well as I headbanged and sang along until my voice started giving out on me shortly before the end of the set.

All the guys were great, a couple different guys in the band took turns singing songs and by the end of the night every single person in that sold out crowd had become a Taylor Road fan. Cam Davis, the lead singer, held that room in the palm of his hand for a solid hour as he soared & growled his way through all of their best songs. After they covered "Walk" by Pantera to end their set, the crowd roared in appreciation for the show they got even before the headliners came out. The band told everyone they'd be at the merch table after their set to come see them and that's exactly what I did. Little did I know the sweet lady at the merch table was one of the band members' moms! She was such a kind lady who thanked everyone for supporting her son's band. That's the kind of bands I like to give my money to, the ones that live or die by the support of the fans. Taylor Road isn't some multi millionaire band backed by a major record label. They're just a bunch of INSANELY talented guys who are excellent musicians and seemingly just as excellent guys. Once the band came out to the merch table, I pulled Cam (the singer) to the side and asked him for a picture and he said absolutely. I mentioned that I was a columnist for my local paper and I told him I'd put our picture in the paper and give him and the rest of the guys a shout-out in my column. So that's exactly what I'm doing!

I really can't say enough about the job that these guys did. The thunderstruck tribute band was awesome as well, but they just didn't connect with me the way Taylor Road did. I can't stress to you enough to go to all of their social media pages, download the songs and go see them ANYWHERE you can for whatever price it costs. I've been to over 60 concerts in my life from everything to bluegrass to death metal and I've seen some legends, but I'd still put the time I had that night at Renfro Valley up against any of them. It'd been a long time since I'd felt as alive as I did that night. When I got home my ears were ringing, my voice was cracked and my neck was a little sore from headbanging but I didn't care. I slept like a baby and when I woke up the next morning, I was still on a post concert high. One of the best nights of my life! If you like hard rock music, drop what you're doing right now and search these guys out. "What is our name?!?!" Cam screamed from the stage before they started their last song. I knew what their name was and if you're a fan of rock music, you'll know soon!