Music | CLB Novels

2024 Summer Schedule Release: DMB

I received a notification that The Dave Matthews Band released their tour dates for the Summer of 2024. I scanned the city listings to see if Raleigh, NC, made the list, and it did!!!! My excitement level expanded.

Last year, the band skipped the Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, and I felt somewhat deflated. My darling husband, Peter, offered an idea that brought the light back to me. He suggested we could travel to another city on the tour and have fun. I hoped we could check off a bucket list venue and get tickets to the Gorge Amphitheater over Labor Day weekend. He smiled and said, “I thought you might say that. ” Then he purchased tickets to at least one of the days. Astounded, I set my travel planner in motion, and we prepared to travel to the state of Washington.

The trip was phenomenal. However, the realities of my grief still plagued me as I lost a friend, Edrick McLaughlin, the week before the trip. With interesting symmetry, the musician Jimmy Buffett passed that weekend of the concert, and Dave Matthews worked through his grief on stage, which helped me grieve and release.

We only attended one day of the three-day concert, but it was what my soul required. So, fast-forward to planning this year. I am torn between returning to The Gorge and participating in all three days or making the Raleigh concert a real treat. Stay tuned for developments. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures from our Labor “Dave” 2023 experience. (Stay a while!)

Holiday / Waymaker

– Carmen Baylies

Time to celebrate!

It is so nice

That is who you are!

I felt that this tune, “Holiday” by Madonna and covered by Capital Cities, reflected the joy and passion I try to experience with every holiday or observance. While I plan to express more profound thoughts of this song, I feel an impulse to change the dial to a spiritual tune in light of residues of the pandemic lingering. A piece that pulls at my memory and soul is “Waymaker” by Micheal W. Smith. Times to center yourself and worship should be a daily endeavor, yet I fall short of my standards. As I curated this posting, I repeated the lyrics numerous times until my spirit connected to the message. I want to encourage all to dig deep and remember who you are.

The Last Domino – a Genesis concert

– Carmen Baylies

Genesis. Do I need to say more? Umm, Yep! My darling wedded soulmate secured tickets for us to be in the presence of the band Genesis with Phil Collins. We excitedly made our way to our seats after obtaining concessions. The band performed amazingly. We savored the moment and the melodic tone as Phil enchanted the crowd with his friends, bandmates, and son on the drums! For two kids that grew up in the ’80s and enjoyed the music from that decade, The Baylies weekly date night felt surreal and yet perfect.

Excuse me, sir. Could you take a picture of us? Cheers!

Peter and I danced and sang like we were band members. Our original seats allowed us to feel how the sound rises to the heavens. Interestingly enough, the couple who sat next to us found some extra tickets closer to the stage, shared the seats with us, and the view was fantastic. I extend a huge thanks to my husband and fellow concertgoers’ compassion and generosity of spirit.

The spirit of joy of this band’s music continued into our holiday cruise. A lady noticed my t-shirt that we picked up at the concert to commemorate our date and excitedly wanted to know how it went. She could not see this tour since the band did not go to Dallas, TX. I told her Genesis had not come to Raleigh, and the show was delightful! Plain and simple! Spread love, people.

Age, nothing but a number, He still got it!

Phil Collins’ son, Nic, on drums, held the tempo.

Cybertronic Spree Concert

– Carmen Baylies

Taking the advice of my past self, we bought the concert tickets. As the world tentatively attempted to resume actual broadcasting, we kept a keen eye out for artists and events that we could attend in our area. Cybertronic Spree, a Canadian rock band, included Durham, NC, in their North American tour. The transforming attire only enchanted the fantastic musical skills as the band filled the air of the small venue of Motorco Music Hall. The remarkable band covered songs from my 80’s childhood and featured original material. We watched them jam out, which only brought more joy. Peter and I experienced a remarkable event that helped us settle into the winter holiday for a Tuesday evening.

The venue served terrific cocktails and food to help us enjoy the show. I enjoyed poutine and Peter had a gyro. The opening performer sparked my rave nostalgia club vibes with a gothic twist. The headlining band embodied the characteristics of Hotrod, Arcee, Rumble, Unicron, Soundwave, Bumblebee, Shockwave, and a Quintesson. The heavy metal jams thrilled us as the visual presentations of transformers came to life.

Summer 2021: The Dave Matthews Band Concert – Raleigh, NC.

– Carmen Baylies

It’s Happy Hour somewhere. Oh, It’s here!

Life is short. Go to the concert!

The past year explicitly reminded everyone that life is short and unpredictable. As life rounds to a new normal, Peter and I planned to enjoy a summer concert on the lawn. The Dave Matthews Band ushered in the beauty and the joy that I craved. The opening number just happened to be my all-time favorite tune from the band, #41. I cried, danced, and sang my heart out as the moon rose slowly in an almost cloudless Raleigh sky. If there is no cure for the summertime blues, then let the good times roll, and as Dave sings, “Stay for a while!”.

My husband requested the day off from work to enjoy the day and prepare for an evening of great music. The concert venue, Walnut Creek Amphitheater, was about a twenty-minute drive from our home, so traveling to the site was easy with light traffic from motorists during rush hour. We arrived with enough time to park fairly close to the doors and secure an ideal spot to watch the stage from the lawn.

The venue filled slowly as the day settled into the evening. The band took their places, and the show began in earnest. The night’s air echoed with wonderful sounds of the past, and Dave threw in a few new songs the band worked on throughout the pandemic. As the first few notes of my favorite song hit my eardrums, I knew I was in the right place at the right time with the right person.

The evening was amazing as we watched the moon rise. The fans swayed and sang throughout the show. The Baylies returned home entertained and grateful for the experience. Be safe as you can, but enjoy your life! Support the art forms that enhance your soul!