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Up-Coming Shows
- O.A.R. - Bank of America Pavillion, Boston MA, August 13th
- The Wallflowers - LL Bean, Freeport ME, August 15th
- Ingrid Michaelson - Paradise Rock Club, Boston MA, September 21th
- Regina Spektor - House of Blues, Boston MA, September 21st
- Matt Kearney - House of Blues, Boston MA, September 23rd
- State Radio - Calvin Theater, Northhampton MA, October 31st
- Sophie Milman - Scullers Jazz Club, Boston MA, November 11th
Brett Dennen- The Boston Common, June 20th
There probably isn't a better combination than a beautiful day, a group of happy people, and incredible 
live music, especially, if the music is that of the California singer/songwriter, Brett Dennen. I haven't been a Brett Dennen fan for more than a year, but his upbeat melodies paired with lyrics that address world issues, life, and love, had me getting up at 5 am to catch a bus to see him perform live in Boston at the 2009 "Life is Good"- Good Vibes Festival. Needless to say, this guy is talented. Raised in California's Bay Area, and home-schooled, too boot, Brett began playing the guitar and singing as a young teenager. He continued to play the guitar when he was a counselor for an "Outward Bound" style outdoors adventure program in Utah, where his songwriting skills were displayed often for campers. His first single in 2003, "Desert Sunrise", gained much attention from a local radio station near his home, and his self-titled debut album was released the next year. Since then, Brett has put out two more albums, after he signed with Dualtone Records in 2006, "So Much More", and most recently, "Hope For The Hopeless", in 2008. Earlier this year, Brett Dennen embarked on his first European tour and also was a featured performer at this year's Bonoroo Music Festival in Tennessee. Even though Brett is a national star and is touring with the names
like O.A.R. and opening for John Mayer, he was awesome and generous enough to team up with his European tour sponsor, Life is Good, and headline the Good Vibes Festival. Of course, since it was free, I wasn't going to miss this event. Since I knew I was going to be in Boston the whole day, I decided that since Brett was doing his part to help out Project Joy (the Life is Good children's charity), I would also do my share and volunteer at the festival. I was so pyched when I found out that my assignment was going to be selling band merchandise. Though, after a morning of selling SteveSongs CD's to parents with 4-year old children, I was more than ready and excited beyond belief to see Brett Dennen perform. Finally, 2pm rolled around. My friends and I had sharpied on balloons messages to Brett that were proudly displayed in the slight breeze waving them above our heads. Brett took the stage. We were sitting right up front on the grass, anxiously waiting, along with a modest crowd. Sporting a short-sleeved plaid button-down and jeans and his famous red mop, Brett literally danced onto the stage, swinging his hips, with his guitar in tow. He opened the set with "When You Feel It" from his second album, "So Much More". His vibe is perfect for the Life is Good mantra, "love life". Brett's set continued with a smattering of selections from all three 
of his albums including some of my personal favorites, "She's Mine", "Darling Do Not Fear", "San Francisco", and "Make Me Crazy". Throughout the concert, Brett encouraged the audience (that had grown quite large after the first couple of tunes) to sing along, to get up and dance, and just to feel good while appreciating life. Three generations of Life is Good and Brett Dennen fans held hands, swayed, and shouted the lyrics to his electrifying melodies. Brett closed the set with a tune off of his first album, "Blessed". The lyrics in this finale spoke of the many opportunities that most of us are extremely lucky to have and the importance of appreciating the generosity of others and recognizing the good in the world, not just focusing on the bad. With his clearly optimistic spirit, Brett Dennen gave a spectacular performance full of enthusiasm and soul for music, love, and life.
live music, especially, if the music is that of the California singer/songwriter, Brett Dennen. I haven't been a Brett Dennen fan for more than a year, but his upbeat melodies paired with lyrics that address world issues, life, and love, had me getting up at 5 am to catch a bus to see him perform live in Boston at the 2009 "Life is Good"- Good Vibes Festival. Needless to say, this guy is talented. Raised in California's Bay Area, and home-schooled, too boot, Brett began playing the guitar and singing as a young teenager. He continued to play the guitar when he was a counselor for an "Outward Bound" style outdoors adventure program in Utah, where his songwriting skills were displayed often for campers. His first single in 2003, "Desert Sunrise", gained much attention from a local radio station near his home, and his self-titled debut album was released the next year. Since then, Brett has put out two more albums, after he signed with Dualtone Records in 2006, "So Much More", and most recently, "Hope For The Hopeless", in 2008. Earlier this year, Brett Dennen embarked on his first European tour and also was a featured performer at this year's Bonoroo Music Festival in Tennessee. Even though Brett is a national star and is touring with the names
like O.A.R. and opening for John Mayer, he was awesome and generous enough to team up with his European tour sponsor, Life is Good, and headline the Good Vibes Festival. Of course, since it was free, I wasn't going to miss this event. Since I knew I was going to be in Boston the whole day, I decided that since Brett was doing his part to help out Project Joy (the Life is Good children's charity), I would also do my share and volunteer at the festival. I was so pyched when I found out that my assignment was going to be selling band merchandise. Though, after a morning of selling SteveSongs CD's to parents with 4-year old children, I was more than ready and excited beyond belief to see Brett Dennen perform. Finally, 2pm rolled around. My friends and I had sharpied on balloons messages to Brett that were proudly displayed in the slight breeze waving them above our heads. Brett took the stage. We were sitting right up front on the grass, anxiously waiting, along with a modest crowd. Sporting a short-sleeved plaid button-down and jeans and his famous red mop, Brett literally danced onto the stage, swinging his hips, with his guitar in tow. He opened the set with "When You Feel It" from his second album, "So Much More". His vibe is perfect for the Life is Good mantra, "love life". Brett's set continued with a smattering of selections from all three 
of his albums including some of my personal favorites, "She's Mine", "Darling Do Not Fear", "San Francisco", and "Make Me Crazy". Throughout the concert, Brett encouraged the audience (that had grown quite large after the first couple of tunes) to sing along, to get up and dance, and just to feel good while appreciating life. Three generations of Life is Good and Brett Dennen fans held hands, swayed, and shouted the lyrics to his electrifying melodies. Brett closed the set with a tune off of his first album, "Blessed". The lyrics in this finale spoke of the many opportunities that most of us are extremely lucky to have and the importance of appreciating the generosity of others and recognizing the good in the world, not just focusing on the bad. With his clearly optimistic spirit, Brett Dennen gave a spectacular performance full of enthusiasm and soul for music, love, and life.
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