I made it down pretty early because I wanted to catch Umphrey’s McGee. Last year I went to see them based solely on the fact that their 10-year-old debut album is entitled Greatest Hits: Volume 3.

That’s funny enough to merit 40 minutes of my time.
And I think I remember really liking it.

But I’m a battered and ill-cared for old robot, and I hadn’t heard them before or since, so I need to check again. I can’t accurately access that data at this time. Please wait…

I’m also rigging this old deck up with some Photoshop action, so imagery is imminent.

The weather is beautiful.

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It looks like the skies might just start clearing up before music starts at 6 this evening. John Beifuss has a detailed forecast, with variables included, just below. Meanwhile, a blogger named Memphis Tider points out that Jonny Lang (9:10-10:15 on the Sam’s Town Stage) has the perfect opening tune in case the inclement weather carries on.

I’m mustering at the office before heading down to Tom Lee Park, and I’m testing my mettle on the content management software. So bear with me for a moment.

Check back here later in the evening for more exclusive content. And while you’re poking around, be sure to stop by my blog, The Memphis Scene, and read about some of the non-Music Fest-related shows going on this weekend.

I was finally giving this year’s list of artists a cursory look.

“Hey Bryan did you put the 2008 line up on the site yet or am I looking at last year’s?”

“That’s this year.”

“Oh…”

Not a great prologue. Honestly I don’t understand why anyone would want to hear my opinion on most of these bands. But lucky me, lucky you, guess we’re all going to.

There’s a couple of acts I might not mind sitting through, but I also feel a powerfully less-than-thrilled rant forming at the base of my spine.

But not today, grasshopper.

I was just checking in to make sure I remembered my password anyway.

My mom asks me yesterday.
Here’s a pretty good reason why.
(Don’t see me waiting in that do you?)

Small price to pay for my “snarky” ramblings.

The weather is phenomenal.
You really should come out here and run into any boss, old crony, or ex-girlfriend you’ve ever had.

I’ve been coming to this thing for so long that I’m pretty sure I can’t relate to how the tourists must see it. (You Memphis kids know what I’m talking about.)

BSMF hasn’t changed much in the last several years.
The usual suspects are all here all here. Hippies and hipsters and old folks and little kids. Nerds wearing stupid hats. Con men running their game. Foreigner blasting out of the Hard Rock and nameless R & B cover bands in the park. Pretty girls coaxing the tourists into the bars. Ugly dudes on motorcycles. Young girls with no clothes on and old men drinking Divers by themselves.

Just feels like home to me.

The North Mississippi All-stars and Derek Trucks are both great bands, if you’re into that stuff.

I’ve seen them both 969572 times so I’m gonna try something else.

Like Popa Chubby. His set was pretty tough.
Hell, he looks pretty tough.

Now, I would like to think I’m a person with a good imagination…

Yet, I’m having a hard time imagining what it would be like to be entertained by Sum 41.
The kids seem to like it, but I was more than a little embarrassed/uncomfortable in that crowd. (and I heard the worst guitar solo ever.)

It made me feel old. But old in a good way.
Older than 16.

cheers