Aerosmith Live at the Tacoma Dome

On August 8, 2012, Kristina and I were among the thousands of fans who flocked to the Tacoma Dome to see Aerosmith's Global Warming tour. We were especially excited about welcoming the band's front man Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry to our city.

Aerosmith is one of America's best-selling rock bands. More than 150 million Aerosmith albums have been sold worldwide. The band has more gold and platinum albums than any other American group.

Aerosmith's opened its show with an energetic rendition of "Draw the Line." This was followed by more of their classic songs, including "Love in an Elevator," "Same Old Song and Dance," "Livin' on the Edge" and "Last Child."

Lead singer Steven Tyler was born Steven Victor Tallarico on March 26, 1948 in Yonkers, New York. His father was a music teacher. Steven learned to play the drums as a child, but chose to concentrate on singing. In the late 60's, his family moved to Boston.

Aerosmith is also known as "The Bad Boys from Boston" because the band was established there in 1970. Original band members included guitarist Joe Perry and bassist Tom Hamilton, singer Steven Tyler, drummer Joey Kramer, and guitarist Ray Tabano. In 1971, Brad Whitford replaced Ray Tabano. The band chose its name because drummer Joey Kramer used to write "Aerosmith" all over his notebooks when he was in school.

In 1972, Aerosmith signed with Columbia Records. "Dream On," a single from their first album, became a minor hit. Other albums soon followed. Their third album, "Toys in the Attic," was released in 1975 and is among their most successful albums. Their classic songs, "Sweet Emotion" and "Walk This Way," are from this period.

Early in his career, Steven Tyler's voice and appearance were often compared to Mick Jagger's. As time passed by, Steven's unique style emerged.

Despite the group's commercial success, Steven Tyler's alcoholism and drug addiction took its toll on the band. Joe Perry left in 1979. Brad Whitford left in 1981. Jimmy Crespo and Rick Dufay replaced them. Unfortunately, the band did not fare well without its acclaimed guitarists.

In 1984, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford rejoined the band. Aerosmith launched a comeback with Geffen Records. But the album they released in 1985 ("Done with Mirrors") fizzled. Steven Tyler completed drug rehabilitation in 1986. When the band released their "Permanent Vacation" album in 1987, Aerosmith became as popular as it was in the 1970's.

Aerosmith played "Rag Doll" from this period of their career during their performance at the Tacoma Dome.

Aerosmith's success continued through the 90's and into the new millennium. The band's 1993 video, "Crazy," featured Steven Tyler's daughter, Liv. In 1998, the band released "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing." This love ballad was written for the 1998 film Armageddon, starring Liv Tyler. "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" became Aerosmith's first and only number 1 single.

In 2011, Steven Tyler joined the cast of American Idol, judging contestants on the popular television program. He quit American Idol to participate in Aerosmith's Global Warming tour.

When Kandice and I visited Boston several years ago, I thought Bostonians were as proud of Steven Tyler and Aerosmith as Washingtonians are of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana.

When Steve Tyler performs today, it's hard to believe that he is 64 years old. He's so full of energy. He dances all over the stage. He jumps around so much that it's difficult to take his photo. It's easy to understand why some people might say he "moves like Jagger."

Toward the end of the concert Aerosmith played their classic songs -- "Rats in the Cellar," "Sweet Emotion," and "Walk This Way."

For their encore, Aerosmith played the minor hit from their first album, "Dream On." This was followed by "Train Kept a Rolling."

It's amazing that Aerosmith has been playing together for 42 years and can still pack a house as large as the Tacoma Dome.

Some information in this article was taken from Wikipedia and Biography.com.

Cheap Trick Opens Global Warming Tour at the Dome

On August 8, 2012, the Tacoma Dome treated its guests to a double delight -- Aerosmith and Cheap Trick live in concert.

As the opening act for Aerosmith's Global Warming tour, Cheap Trick opened the show with "Hello There." Unfortunately, the Dome's acoustics don't do justice to Cheap Trick's energetic music. The volume was so loud that it was difficult to determine which song the band was playing. I'd prefer to see Cheap Trick at a smaller, less crowded auditorium next time. Another guest explained to me that he thought the Dome's acoustics are better than the Key Arena's. He said blaring volume is just part of Cheap Trick's style.

Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Cheap Trick has been in the music industry for more than 35 years. The band includes all of its original members: Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander, Tom Petersson and Bun E. Carlos.

The last time I attended a Cheap Trick concert was in southern California in 1981. Both the band and I are considerably older. Their concert brought back happy memories.

I enjoyed Cheap Trick's performance of the old Fats Domino song, "Ain't That a Shame." It was great to hear "The Flame," "I Want You to Want Me," and "Dream Police" again. My favorite Cheap Trick song has always been "Surrender," which they performed at the conclusion of their concert.



This is Kristina and I outside of the Tacoma Dome. It's great to have a daughter who loves classic rock n roll music as much as I do.

Alyson's Duet

I want to share some of the photos of Alyson's duet with you. They were taken at the MOVE dance competition at the Tacoma Convention Center on March 23, 2012.

Alyson is my granddaughter. She is nine years old. She has been dancing since she was three years old.

Her partner, Jake, is also nine years old. At the MOVE competition, they danced to a song called "Howling for You" by the Black Keys.

The MOVE competition was the first time that Alyson and Jake have ever performed together at a dance competition.

Alyson, Jake and my youngest daughter, Korinna, belong to a tap dancing team called "Tap Time." Tap Time performed to the old Blues Brothers' song, "Soul Man," at the competition.

Tap Time also appeared as the X Men in Center Stage Dance Academy's production of "Super Heroes." Nikki German is the owner and artistic director of the dance academy.

Alyson and Jake won first place for their duet performance at the MOVE competition. Congratulations to both of them!

MOVE 2012 Dance Competition

I'm not one of those grandmas who carry a brag book everywhere they go, but I do reserve the right to brag about my children and grandchildren if they do something good.

On Saturday, March 17, 2012, the children who belong to Center Stage Dance Academy's Ultimate Dance Force dance teams competed in the MOVE competition at the convention center in Tacoma, Washington. My youngest daughter, Korinna, and my granddaughter, Alyson, competed in the tap dance and production categories.

The photo above is of Korinna in stage make-up with dark glasses.

Alyson and Korinna belong to a team called "Tap Time." Their team includes seven advanced beginners who are between the ages of eight and eleven. For the competition, Tap Time danced to the old Blues Brothers' song, "Soul Man."

Two boys, Jake and Carson, played the Blues Brothers, Jake and Elwood. Korinna and Alyson were among the five girls who played gangster molls. When they spun around, those dark glasses went flying into the crowd. The smiles on their faces show that the kids are having a good time.

When Korinna was five years old, she and her older sister, Kate, took ice skating lessons. Korinna saw a group of preschool "ballerinas" taking a dance class at the rink. She begged and pleaded with me to enroll her in the toe, tap and tumble class so that she could be a "ballerina" too. That was the beginning of Korinna's dancing career.

Alyson began taking dancing classes in Louisiana when she was three years old. She also enjoys gymnastics. Her dream is to become a cheerleader.

Korinna and Alyson clown around back stage. Technically, Korinna is Alyson's aunt. But the two girls fight like sisters.

Exercise is important for children. I didn't want my daughters to become couch potatoes because a sedentary lifestyle is so unhealthy. I wanted my girls to think exercise is fun. That's why Korinna and Alyson are in competitive dance.

MOVE was the first time that Alyson and Korinna have ever competed in an Ultimate Dance Force competition. It was also the first time that Tap Time competed this year. Some of their teammates competed last year. I'm proud to announce that Tap Time won first place gold at MOVE.

Washington and Utah Grieve for Susan Powell's Boys

On Saturday, February 11, 2012, my husband and I attended the celebration of life honoring Susan Cox Powell's sons, seven year old Charlie and five year old Braden.

Normally, my husband and I don't go to funerals. We don't like them. But I've been following the story of Susan's disappearance in the Salt Lake Tribune since December 2009. We decided to go and show our support for the Cox famiy, Terrica Powell, and the Graves family.

Two funerals were held for Susan's boys on Saturday. More than one thousand people, including my husband and me, attended the funeral held in the morning at the Life Center Church in Tacoma. A second service was held at the LDS church in Puyallup in the afternoon.

The Westboro Baptist Church had announced that they intended to picket the service. A member of the Phelps family said that God allowed the boys to die because He is angry because our state legalized gay marriage. Why the Westboro Baptists think people are stupid enough to believe their nonsense is beyond me. Fortunately, the Phelps cancelled their plans shortly before the funeral.

About 100 bikers attended the funeral at the Life Center Church. The words "Gargoyles -- Protectors of Children" and "Bikers Against Child Abuse" blazed across the backs of their black leather jackets. I was grateful to see the bikers there. I felt that their presence helped to keep the Westboro Baptists and other troublemakers away. A small group of women and children carrying red balloons and signs which said "Love... Love... Love" stood across the street from the church.

The service itself was beautiful. Life Center Church's senior pastor, Dean Curry, welcomed the Cox and Powell families and the guests. He stated that the service would focus "two beautiful boys," and it did. Pastor Tim, who is a friend of the Cox family, led the opening prayer. Tears ran down my cheeks when a children's choir sang "Amazing Grace." A video presentation displayed photos of Charlie and Braden with their mother and other family members. Charlie's kindergarten teacher gave a speech in which she shared her happy memories of him. The boys attended a YMCA day camp in Washington. Braden's day camp counselor gave a talk about him. The boys' lives were short, but they touched so many hearts.

Kirk Graves, Joshua Powell's brother-in-law, led the benediction. At the end of the service, Judy and Chuck Cox thanked the guests for coming. Both appeared to be calm and composed, which was surprising because they have lost their daughter and two young grandsons. If I had been in Judy Cox's shoes, I don't think I would have been able to handle the funeral as well as she did.

As you may know, Susan Cox Powell has been missing from her home in West Valley City, Utah since December 2009. She is presumed by many to be dead. Her husband, Joshua Powell, claimed that he took his young sons on a winter camping trip during the middle of the night. He said that when they returned to their home, his wife was gone. Shortly after Susan disappeared, Josh and the boys moved into his father's home in Puyallup, Washington.

Josh's father, Steve Powell, was arrested several months ago for child pornography and voyeurism. He remains in jail. Joshua Powell murdered the boys and committed suicide on February 5, 2012.

If you would like to make a donation to Charlie and Braden Powell's memorial fund, you may do so at any branch of Wells Fargo Bank.

Rest in peace, Charlie and Braden.

Happy Birthday, Alyson!

Happy 9th birthday to my sweet granddaughter, Alyson.

This photo of Alyson and Korinna was taken at Tacoma's Festival of the Nativity on December 3, 2011. The girls sang at the festival as part of the Children's Christmas Choir.

Tacoma's Festival of the Nativity

As some of you may know, I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I'm not trying to convert anyone, but I would like to show how the Tacoma Stake keeps Christ in Christmas every year.

They were hoping for one thousand, but the last count revealed 962. That's right. On December 3, 2011, nine hundred and sixty-two Nativities were displayed at the fourth annual Festival of the Nativity at the Tacoma Stake Center in Tacoma, Washington. You don't have to be a Mormon to attend or participate in the festival. Anyone who had a Nativity that he or she wanted to display was invited to bring his/her set to the church several days in advance.

The Nativities came from all parts of the world, including Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Italy and the Philippines. Miniature replicas of Celtic stone carvings represented Ireland. A crystal set came from the Czech Republic.

The Children's Christmas Choir sang Christmas caroles. After the performance, church leaders put on a scavenger hunt in which the children had to answer questions about individual Nativities among the hundreds that filled the church. Can you identify who played Baby Jesus in the Nativity featuring Charlie Brown and Peanuts?

There were many hand-crafted Nativities. Tiny Nativity figures were carved into a small gourd. A set was made from wooden spoons. Another was made of marshmallows. One lady from the church made a quilt adorned with the holy family and the animals in the manger.

There was also a live Nativity scene.

Toward the end of the festival, families were invited to dress up as the characters from the Nativity. A photographer took photos of them in a manger scene. Here's a photo of my daughter, Kate, portraying the Virgin Mary. My youngest daughter, Korinna, and my granddaughter, Alyson, dressed up as angels.

Happy holidays to all!

P.S. Woodstock played Baby Jesus in the Peanuts Nativity.