KimandSeana’s Blog

I died and went to my Rock N’ Roll Heaven

I have found a new reason to travel to Orlando, Florida. It is not for the amusement parks, water parks, or various other tourist
attractions. It is not for the beaches and year round perfect temperatures. It is for the hidden treasure that I was lucky enough
to discover. Orlando happens to be the home of the Hard Rock Memorabilia Warehouse.

The story goes as follows: I may sort have been snooping around the Hard Rock building when I met a man named Don Bernstine. This man happens to have the coolest job on the planet. He is the manager of acquisitions and artist relations for Hard Rock international. This means his job is to basically talk artists out of their rock n’ roll memorabilia for the various Hard Rocks all over the world.

When the memorabilia isn’t at one of the Hard Rock locations it lives in this magical warehouse in Orlando…and guess who talked Don in to giving Kim and I a tour? Moi.

The first thing that struck me upon walking in were the rows and rows of guitars. There must have been 400 of them at least. All signed by a musical great. I actually got to hold one of Tom Petty’s twelve strings. There were also racks of clothes worn by everyone from Madonna to Blondie to Bob Dylan. Brian Wilson had a couple of pianos there as did Elton John. The harpsichord the Beatles’ used to record the Sgt Pepper’s album was there. And speaking of the Beatles, there were stacks and stacks of original photos as well as hand-written notes from John Lennon to people in the studio during the recording of his last album. One note in particular was p.s.’d “I agree. -Yoko Ono”.

This warehouse was stacked full of music history. As I walked through staring at posters signed by Queen and Pink Floyd, I kept hoping it would all come to life. It was truly an amazing afternoon.

Don – you are the freaking best for hooking us up!!!

xo
Seana

I don’t know how she does it, but when Seana opens her mouth, magic happens. Like this. Somehow, because of some random conversation Seana had, I am auditioning for Colleen, the woman who books bands for the Hard Rock Café in Orlando!

Seems Seana met Colleen at the Joe Bonamassa show and all I know is… days later, here I am, playing my songs for Colleen on a small stage next the green rooms.

I decided to play “No Place I’d Rather Be” – a song I wrote a while ago about bliss. It’s about feeling love and knowing, in the moment, that few words can capture the sense of well-being and… knowing you’re just where you need to be. The song shows off my voice, but really, I played it because I know that when the singer is in bliss, it’s hard for the listener to resist bliss themselves.

Colleen totally got it, and she promised to call me if she saw an opening.

This road trip just keeps getting better and better. And I think…
there’s no place I’d rather be!

K

When Joe Bonamassa picks up a guitar, it is hard to find the words to say just how talented he is. Last year, Joe was named “Best Blues Guitarist” by Guitar Player Magazine in their annual Readers Choice awards.

We had the honor of watching him play this week. Seana and I just fell into a trance while Joe laid down mad blues and rock riffs. His voice is beautiful, but the finger-work, now that’s something else. He has the ability to take the audience on a mind-blowing journey with his solos, the perfect medicine to heal the madness. For just about an hour, I forgot everything around me and just got lost in the music.

It’s exactly what I hope to do an audience when I play. Reminds me what the music is for, ultimately.

Hugs…
Kim

Hey, these words are from my song, “Cheers” that I wrote a while ago. There’s something about the way this whole trip is taking shape. It’s as if we’re being led along the yellow brick road. One chance meeting leads to another and new opportunities keep popping up. Lately I’m thinking that all I can really do is let go and trust…

Here are a few lyrics from “CHEERS”:

If you’re taking the fall then cheers to what may claim you
I know nothing at all except fear can only break you
So hold onto your faith,
No matter what it’s face
Cuz soon you’ll know your place

You’ll stay here until the end of night
But you’ll wake up early from the daylight
And lead you out the door
Back to what you know

Xo, Kim!

As we head from Tennessee into the deeper South, the music’s gonna change. Bye bye, country. Hello, rap! Get ready, Kim.
I’m making a brand new playlist of great rap artists. And it’s all about the rhymes.

OutKast
Ludacris
Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz
Goodie Mob
(and my personal fave) Gnarls Barkley

WORD.
Xo, Seana.

I was raised with Southern manners—learning early to be polite, and always acknowledging people. Meeting strangers is an opportunity to learn something, or maybe even make a new friend.

Here are some guidelines:

1. Smile. People can’t resist a good smile. Show teeth.
Advice: Floss daily. Think about whitening strips
2. Ask good questions.
Advice: Listen to the answer
3. Make sure you find out one unique fact about each person, something entirely theirs.
Example response: “Wow. You can actually balance a fork on your nose? While juggling?”
4. Don’t ask for their number. Do offer yours.
Exception: If the guy’s cute, make him work for it.
5. Always leave them laughing.

<3
Seana