the contest for “who can have most women dance on stage with him.”

Usually that honor goes to a rapper.

I guess it doesn’t hurt if you play 10 or 12 shows.

Whatever, he still wins.

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.

</end>

Yea. It’s this guy.

“So anyone going to the Disturbed photo pit?”

-”Oh, I’m in!” I reply.

These guys play all super serious, but I’m standing two feet in front of “dude” and giggling uncontrollably. I mean I guess this stuff gets a pass if you’re playing guitar hero, but I thought it was pretty silly in person.

They try to be all intense, but at the end of the day they still play Phil Collins and Tears for Fears covers.

It’s also great fun watching the kids beat the tar out of each other at a show like this.

You guys need to go see Mastodon or Lamb of God or something and just settle down.

Well… I still had fun. I usually do. Till tomorrow.
Cheers.

The audio blogging continues! Michael Donahue’s still down at Tom Lee finding the interesting audio and delivering it to you. Well, I suppose I’m delivering it to you, but you get the idea. We’ll have another Where’s Donahue photo in a short time, but sate your Donahue curiousity below:

Saturday Podcast 1

Podcast Numero 2

Another one!

One more

I would like to officially apologize to the Memphis Police Department for speeding here to catch Oracle and the Mountain. I’m sorry, but I only break the law when it’s really, really convenient for me.

I had to catch the only band here who is from Memphis, who is not a rap group, who is somewhat representative of what currently, really goes on around here. (In my tiny head/world anyway.)

I mean seriously, where is all the Memphis music?

(I’m not talking about the Jerry Lee Lewis kind.)

We didn’t have 40 minutes for the Noise Choir? or Vending Machine? or even Lucero or Snowglobe or The Glass or whatever? Adios Gringos maybe? Joint Chiefs? Mouserocket? The Warble? The Subteens? Arma Secreta? I’m nothing that even approaches a music critic, but come on!?

In my head its early Saturday afternoon at the Tom Lee Park BSMF, most people are waiting around on the headliners, and this is the best time to wander and discover something. Preferably from Memphis. We have such an amazing, diverse music scene and it’s lame for it to just lie here dormant at our big “showcase.” I guess Muck Sticky and Saving Able is what the kids want to see.

But I’m not so sure. Maybe I just don’t get it.

Anyway Oracle and the Mountain was great.
We should have more acts like that.

Now that I’ve gotten my single, solitary gripe out of the way; I’m going to have some fun.

Maybe wander over towards the Buddy Guy, Lou Reed area. You guys should come hang out. I hear the draw today is 60,000, but it doesn’t really seem that crowded to me…

(I have pictures, but this computer is bobo… you’ll have to wait. I know you can hardly stand it.)

A corn dog is calling my name.

Cheers.

What is sticky muck? So I’m this old dude trying to figure out the music festival. Last time I was at something like this the Grateful Dead was playing and everyone was doing a field of wheat dance - arms waving kind of mellow in the breeze like Kansas on a good day. Something tells me times have changed. But when I check out this act called Muck Sticky, the first thing that happens is two giant reefer torches start smoking on stage. That looks familiar, but it’s been a long time. Muck Sticky comes on stage between the monster joints looking like an annoying leprechaun who got into his kid sister’s wardrobe. I asked around about him. Listen to the audio. Click here. What is sticky muck?

While those namby-pambys on the Budweiser and Sam’s Town stages were packing it in at the first drop of a little rain, all the acts on the Cellular South stage went on as planned. I unfortunately missed Flyleaf. (If you read today’s paper, you may have noticed an incompleteness to the coverage; because of our print deadline I was only able to see one act on before having to go write.)

I was able, however, to catch Hellogoodbye, easily the band I knew the least about going into this year’s festival. I am now a convert. The California quartet put a refreshing electronica spin on pop-punk in a set that was light on drama and heavy on party vibe.

They were followed by My Chemical Romance, who set the bar for rock acts this weekend. Though heavy rain pounded the audience throughout the show, the band kept them anchored with sweeping rockers from albums like already classic Black Parade.

It was party time on stage — dozens of revelers jamming the Budweiser stage as Project Pat with Computer and Lil Wyte and Yung D kept the audience in perpetual motion. Here’s the action, with some commentary by Computer, including an unsolicited exhortation to subscribe to The Commercial Appeal. No kidding!

Top Ten songs for a soundtrack to Day One of the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival (and where to find them):

10. “Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again” — The Fortunes (more…)

So, not only did we send Mr. Donahue out for your aural pleasure, but we also wanted him to provide some visual stimulation for you, our devoted blog readers.

With that in mind, we have a fun little feature called “Where’s Donahue.” We’re going to start easy tonight, as you’re probably tired from either the festivities at Music Fest or from reading our exciting coverage of the party at Tom Lee. Click the image below to get started. Or if you want more audio fun, click here