U - Unreal

This post is a part of the A to Z Challenge. This year I have decided to go themeless. Each day I will post about whatever topic pops into my head. The result of this spontaneity is anyone's guess. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

Unreal. That's the only way I can describe seeing Home Free in concert. I've talked about them before, but please indulge me for a moment. Last night, my wife and I, our four kids, my nephew, and a good friend all went to see them live in Tulsa. This is the second time we've seen them in concert in twelve months. When we saw them last year, we were all floored. BEST CONCERT EVER! Then we saw them last night. They've gotten better. A LOT better!

Having seen them before and following them closely on social media, I already knew much of what they would do in the show. I've felt Tim's bassquake vibrate the whole building. I've seen Adam perform a beatboxing routine that defies belief. I've seen the group mesmerize an audience with their harmony and true camaraderie. They are best friends and family and it shows.

I was shocked by what I witnessed last night. Tim's bass has gotten even stronger. The harmonies are spot on. They have the audience dancing in their seats one minute, crying the next. And laughing and smiling the whole way. But two things stood out last night that cranked it up to 11.

The first was Adam Rupp's beatboxing solo. I think he's been practicing. For ten minutes, he proved why Austin Brown introduces him each night as "a freak of nature." He makes sounds the human body was never designed to make. His drum solo sounds like a full drum kit played by a professional. Then he goes into his DJ Blank Stare routine. All culminating with the finale, introduced by his simple statement, "Drop the beat." I can't begin to describe it. You must witness it. Click on Adam's picture below to see his solo. You'll need good speakers to get the full effect, but it still can't capture the experience of the live show.

The second thing was, in my opinion, the greatest performance I have ever seen by Home Free. They did a cover of "9 to 5" by Dolly Parton. On their album, Country Evolution, the song is very cool. In concert, they went insane. They added a shorter Adam Rupp drum solo. Then Austin Brown joined in with a beatbox solo. Then Chris Rupp. And Rob Lundquist. And Tim Foust. Then they had a beatbox battle with Austin and Chris on one side and Rob and Tim on the other. Adam joined both sides and kept things under out of control. I may have swallowed a bug or two during that performance. My mouth was hanging open long enough. I won't even bother posting a video of that one. You can look it up on Youtube, but it doesn't do it justice.

If you get a chance, see them live. You're welcome.

M - Move, and variations

This post is a part of the A to Z Challenge. This year I have decided to go themeless. Each day I will post about whatever topic pops into my head. The result of this spontaneity is anyone's guess. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

Move! When you're ready or not, give it all that you've got.

Thus begins the chorus of "Move" by Audio Adrenaline. This has quickly become one of my favorite Audio A songs. Its driving beat and feel-good style makes you want to , well, move. Major League Baseball and the NFL apparently agreed since they both licensed the song for use in some of their TV broadcasts. Check it out below.

Another Move song that has become popular lately is "Move (Keep Walkin')" by Toby Mac. Again, catchy rhythms and feel-good style. It's getting good airplay. I like this one too. Toby has been hitting on all cylinders lately and this one is no exception.

Changing the pace a little, let's look at "Movin' On" by Chris Rupp. This has quickly become Chris's most popular song off his solo album Shine. Soon-to-be former member of Home Free, Chris has shown a remarkable range of musical talent on this album, from the hard-charging "Country Reigns" to the bouncy and tongue-in-cheek styling of "First Flight to Phoenix" to the piano heavy and heartfelt "Movin' On". This song has become the soundtrack song for his departure from Home Free. Many a Home Fry cannot listen to this song without tearing up as Chris winds down his tenure as arranger and baritone-extraordinaire for the band he founded over 15 years ago.

Finally, to lighten things up a bit. "I Like to Move It" by Reel 2 Real is just fun and almost ridiculous. Best known as the lemur song from Madagascar, you can't help but shake your fluffy tail and dance like an idiot when it plays. Long live Original King Julien, King Julien XIII!