Right, there are only eight. For many reasons I’m a bit burnt right now so I only listed eight. Please help me get to 10 in the comments. Looking through the list of posts for the year I can safely say that my insistence on witty puns, snippets of lyrics and random brain waves rather than descriptive words for “Post Titles” makes it hard to dig through the archives.
So, the Top 10
1 – Catherine Popper leaves the band
2 – Grace wins CMA awards, nominated for Grammy
3 – Grand Point North Festival, theotherKC shows up
4 – GPN kills it at Bonnaroo in front of massive crowd
5 – Grace records “Something That I Want” for Tangled – the Disney studio video is the epitome of fun
6 – “Why Don’t You Love Me” cover intros GPN to Beyonce fans
7 – Benefit Concert for Irene in Vermont
8 – Kenny Chesney opening slot of tour
The best video I did not post:
The best song that unexpectedly surfaced:
Cortez > NBTW > Cortez
Image of the year:
Photo Credit: Reed Radcliffe
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
if it’s hard from your ‘side’ of the screen imagine how fun it is on this side . . not to mention the disappearance of the search feature in the last makeover
on the other hand – I kinda love the “witty puns, snippets of lyrics and random brain waves”
conundrum
possibles for the list …
Naughty, Naughty Children – first Christmas song
and related – being a Disney animation voice – apparently on Grace’s bucket list
Happy for Grace she got to do the voice. Too bad the material was sub-par.
2011 started off pretty nicely with Cat in her bikini at the NYE Lebowski show.
I think Live At Darryl’s House could be in the top 10.
As for #6 in your list, the vice versa can also be said, no?
Early in the year, “Paris” video hitting 1,000,000 views?
The relief concerts and all the money raised?
Something that I want was 2010
JJ .. I came back to add Darryl’s House so will happily “second” that.
Also agree re: #6 .. I’d never heard the song before GPN covered it.
KC .. agree not a big part but still a 1st .. think the Prep&Landing shows were kind of a breath of fresh air in the usual holiday fare .. but then I still love cartoons so …
Thanks for posting the video KC… oh yes the glamorous life it is.
I second Live At Darryl’s House
I would add:
VH1 You oughta know list
Bonarroo Buzz Tour (Headling Blitz)
Video release of You and Tequila
Performance on CMA’s (introduced her to a whole bunch of folks)
and for me : my first GPN show in February, and then again in May and then again in August.
Prep & Landing and Darryls house should be mentioned.
@ Eric – Something that I want is 2010 – but up for a Grammy as 2011.
What about appearances in searches – a few in the top 10 and web crashes?
Grace and Warren Had some cool hook-ups too. (Honky Tonk Woman) I think was my Fav from Hangout Fest)
Personal highlights:
Running into Grace and Matt in Philadelphia and also running into Grace and the other KC and having photo of Grace and KC with me (Andrea) in between them, while displaying Grace’s candy bar which the other KC signed.
Telling Matt I (Andrea) rubbed the Jesus’s ball sack.
Just having a great time at Grandpoint North with with so many other fans of GPN that we have seen at various concerts in the northeast.
Hearing them on a local radio station, Binghamton NY, area.
Release of the vinyl edition of their album!
Being in the 2nd row to see GPN *own* Boston @ Harborlights in August was the undisputed highlight of *my* year.
When was Lilith Fair? It was exciting to see the crowd of on-lookers grow as GPN performed.
(OK, that was in 2010. I played dumb just coz I wanted to be involved in the convo.)
I am with Troy Hangout Fest was huge. Aside from the honkey tonk, the lineup of bands that day was sik. Plus the whole Gulf Coast recovery and the fact that they even went ahead with the festival. GPN should be proud they were part of that. And they kicked major ass
Guitar Center Sessions on Directv. I know that everyone doesn’t have Direct TV but for those who do they were treated to a great show.
@ Dino Martini: Hell yeah! I too was 2nd row for that show, and they did indeed OWN the town that night. It was certainly in my top 10, but perhaps not GPN’s.
Time goes so fast, always good to stop and reflect.
VH1 Divas show … I think it was Dec 2010, but the replays rolled into 2011, and had a pretty big impact.
Personals … Drunken Packer fan jumping on stage at the Turner Hall show in Milwaukee and taking off his Clay Matthews jersey and giving it to Grace; and the House of Blues show in Chicago, just sick!
I certainly object to your placing Cat leaving the band at the top of your list. For me, that is not a highlight – - it is a lowlight.
As for the hightlights, I don’t have ten, but here goes:
1. Grand Point North – - I won’t list every show I attended merely because I was there, but this weekend was just supurb, and the two best GPN shows I saw this year.
2. You and Tequila – - A huge break to be invited by one of America’s biggest music stars to appear on his song and video. Introduced Grace to a huge swath of people who had no clue who she was, and if only a small percentage of KC fans became GP fans it represents a huge increase to our tribe.
3. Subsequent performance and award win at the CMA’s – - for the reasons stated above.
4. Subsequent Grammy nomination – - for the reasons stated above.
5. Daryl’s House – - another sizable audience introduced to GPN.
6. Why Don’t you Love Me? – - Another sizable audience.
7. I Want Something That I Want – - I haven’t seen “Tangled” but I love the You Tube clip of her singing the song at Radio Dizney. Also the brief clip of Grace creating a jingle for one of the DJ’s.
8. Prep and Landing – - Grace’s 30 seconds were fun. Even better was the promotional clip that you posted about “Come to Christmas Carol’s”.
Can’t wait to hear about a new bass player and a non-stadium type tour.
Hey now … David, think KC is referring to the reaction here by “Top Events” … Not a list of Favorites. THE Highlight for me was Cats’ writing me about her departure … Then inviting me to a show 2 weeks later. All about the music … When my favorite Musicians are Great People too?!? It gives me hope for us all.
Feel, also, compelled to say … That I believe Cats time with the Nocts was Huge in the meteoric rise in popularity. Love Bryan (and Cory for that matter) … But think the effect of that “old woman’s” (sorry Pooper had to say it
time as a Noc not only helped the fame we all knew/hoped was coming … But will serve The Nocturnals well as their careers go Global.
Keeping your head on straight and your feet on the ground in the Face of Hollywood loving you IS HARD! More than anything Cats’ retirement from the Nocs said to me was … “Fame is great … We All need money … But I got a new man I need to convince is the most important thing in my life. Love you all, Thanks for the great times!” Leaving a ship that was clearly headed to the moon gives me more respect fort her than her music ever could. Something, until it happened, I couldn’t believe possible.
Well, my soap box just broke, I’m done. Except to say Thanks again forever KC and All of you good people/great fans!!!
See you in the front row On The Moon!!!
He said “events,” not highlights. Event = “note-worthy happening.” Cat’s departure was as note-worthy as anything else that happened this year. Including it on the list is an homage.
I just noticed that benefit concert is on the list – sorry I missed that before.
Global Soul concert at the Hollywood Bowl with Stevie Wonder and Sharon Jones (among many others) sounds worthy of the list. It seemed to get some press and another apperance on Leno.
Lebowski show taking flight at minute 00:01 of 2011 gets a nod from here, plus Tipi’s awesome soapbox rant reminded me of “Fly Me to the Moon,” which along with “Paris” got the music a lot of national TV exposure when used to plug network shows.
Starting to be recognized in 2011 as a go-to talent by paying national sponsors (Wheat Thins presents I Love Rock and Roll or the Coffee Roasters webcast in addition to the mentioned television marketing) means another avenue of financial support when it’s time to feed the rock and roll beast.
backing way up to 1.1.11, i think it was noteworthy that after selling out the 3-night NYE run, the 4th night “hangover show” was added and also sold out!
andrea, good call on the vinyl too, i think.
Being the Headliner at the Ryman two consecutive nights in Nashville with the other KC joining in on the second night. It was sold out….. and to pull that off at the “mother church” of country music was quite impressive. The band was very tight and the crowd reaction was amazing. It was obvious that this gig meant a lot to Grace and the band. Opening the first night with NBTW and closing the second night show with NBTW showed a lot of class and respect for where they were playing. Awesome shows.
Eating Sunday lunch about 3 weeks ago, in a suburban bistro, Grace and Nocs come on the Muzak, dad about two tables over says to his 6-year-old daughter, “Do you hear that? It’s Paris!”
All the kids know the Ooh-la-la-la.
If that isn’t proof the band has Arrived…
My 1st show 11 DEC 2011 Portland Maine, Meeting Grace & having my photo taken with her , A photo I will never EVER forget. Mad Mad River at the Flynn 09 OCT 2011 and sitting in the 2nd row and having a good cry while the song was being played, Scott’s slide playing on that tune rips my heart out. I hung out with people from Waitsfield the week before the benefit so I could make PSA’s for area radio stations to get the word out. Made friends with Joan from the flood relief center. 29 shows in 2011 for poor ole me. Having a friendship with Scott’s mother has been priceless. Thank you Grace for the inspiration…You are a class act!!!!!!
My 1st show 11 DEC 2010 Portland Maine, Meeting Grace & having my photo taken with her , A photo I will never EVER forget. Mad Mad River at the Flynn 09 OCT 2011 and sitting in the 2nd row and having a good cry while the song was being played, Scott’s slide playing on that tune rips my heart out. I hung out with people from Waitsfield the week before the benefit so I could make PSA’s for area radio stations to get the word out. Made friends with Joan from the flood relief center. 29 shows in 2011 for poor ole me. Having a friendship with Scott’s mother has been priceless. Thank you Grace for the inspiration…You are a class act!!!!!!
This one is very personal. In 2010, I missed the Waterfront Festival, for my nieces wedding. In 2011 I was in Colorado and brought my niece to the Ogden Theater show. Grace knew she was coming, and during opener “That Phone” Grace took the mic and came over to my side, stepped between the monitors and crouched down low while she sang, and extended her hand for Hayley to grab….. never missing a beat… her way of saying hello to the girl that kept me away from the Waterfront festival last year as I walked her down the aisle.
Can’t argue the 8 listed. Many good suggestions in the comments, as well. I think I’d add the Ryman shows in Nashville with the KC appearance (and also Y&T writer Matraca Berg) plus the Guitar Center Sessions show.
Wow – photo of the year? That makes my year. That was shot with a broken point n shoot camera because I was turned down for a camera pass to that show. Maybe some things happen for a reason…
Thank you,
Reed
Congrats, Reed. It does mean a lot coming from k. cortez.
Some of the best pictures are accidents, eh?
You’re the man! Personally, I don’t think that camera really was broken–it sure showed YOU it had something to say! Kinda like me making one of my best meals ever in a friend’s old beat up, aluminum skillet………there’s still a purpose for the stuff we count out. Congratulations!!