Kathy here, and I’m so pleased to welcome back J.C. Kenney! The bestselling author of multiple series, including The Allie Cobb Mysteries, The Darcy Gaughan Mysteries, and The Elmo Simpson Mysteries, J.C. is also a webcast co-host, wonderful supporter of the mystery community, and a good friend of the blog. Today, J.C. rocks our world with a rock ‘n roll retrospective. Take it away, J.C.!
Hail! Hail! Rock ’n Roll
Hi, friends! It’s so great to be back visiting with you all and the totally fab Chicks on the Case. First off, I want to wish Happy Hump Day to you all. Great job on making it halfway to the weekend. Also, a glorious Wine Wednesday to all who celebrate.
I’m not here to talk about Wednesday holidays or Wednesdays that should be holidays, though. I’m here to talk about music. More specifically, rock n roll music. You see, my latest Darcy Gaughan Mystery, Concert Hall Hit, dropped last Tuesday, April 25. The story revolves around the murder of a guitar legend who’s found dead in his dressing room after a concert.
Between that and the fact that my amateur sleuth Darcy is a retired professional drummer, I started thinking about concerts. The ones I’ve attended. The ones I’m planning on attending. The ones I wish I’d attended.
Which brings me to one of my favorite kinds of concerts – the music festival.
The first music fest I attended was Farm Aid 4, way back in 1991. Organized by and featuring Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young, the event raised money for farmers facing financial challenges. Held in what was then called the Hoosier Dome, my wife and I joined 50,000 other music fans to watch luminaries such as Taj Mahal, Guns n Roses, and Elton John, along with dozens of other acts, perform.
What a day! And what’s cool is that the Farm Aid organization is still around, fighting the good fight to help farmers, over thirty years later.
In recent years, I’ve attended music festivals in Cincinnati, Louisville, my hometown of Indianapolis, and most recently in Miramar Beach, Florida. I love these events for a lot of reasons. First, I get to be immersed in all kinds of music! In the span of anywhere from two to four days, I’ll get to see multiple artists perform, from rock to jazz to soul and many more genres. Some I know and love. Some are totally new to me.
One of my favorite artists is Grace Potter. I’ve seen her at three festivals. The first time was at the Forecastle Festival in Louisville. That same weekend, my family and I also got to see chart-toppers The Black Keys, then-up and comers Alabama Shakes, and the legendary Robert Plant. The most recent time I saw her was the same weekend I saw Southern Avenue, a new to me soul band who I’ve come to absolutely love, as well as Foo Fighters. I’d been wanting to see the Foos for years. To get to see so many other performers the same weekend was amazing.
The way I see it, going to a music festival is like going to a bookstore. Like the vibe I get hanging with fellow music lovers, the moment I go through the store’s entrance, I get the feeling I’m among My People. You can also find your favorite, big-name authors at the store, like Louise Penny, Elmore Leonard, and the Chicks on the Case. Looking for something new or different? Just like the musical acts who open the festivals, your favorite bookstore can turn you on to new authors with unique voices who you’ll come to love.
Oh yeah, who doesn’t love visiting a bookstore while traveling? That experience is every bit as much fun as attending a music fest for the first time. The memories will definitely last a lifetime.
So, how about you? Do you have a favorite music fest or concert you’ve attended? Or is there a favorite bookstore you want to tell me about? For a chance to win a signed paperback copy of Concert Hall Hit, let me know in the comments. After all, sharing is caring!
A lucky winner will be drawn at random. U.S. residents only. Good luck!
About Concert Hall Hit
The town of Marysburg, Indiana, is buzzing with excitement when legendary British blues guitarist Derek Tufnell appears at Marysburg Music to sign autographs and chat with fans the afternoon before a performance at the Marysburg Center for the Performing Arts. The meet-and-greet session is a huge success and record store owner Darcy Gaughan couldn’t be more pleased with how the event went.
Darcy’s glee turns to despair when, only hours later, Derek is found murdered in his dressing room. Fingers are pointed at her, since she was the last one seen with him. In order to keep her freedom, and the record store open, Darcy begins her own investigation and soon finds the number of suspects is exceeded only by the number of hit songs in Derek’s music catalog.
About J.C. Kenney
J.C. Kenney is the Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo bestselling author of The Allie Cobb Mysteries, The Darcy Gaughan Mysteries, and The Elmo Simpson Mysteries. He’s also the co-host of The Bookish Hour webcast. His debut, A Literal Mess, was a finalist for a Muse Medallion from the Cat Writers’ Association in mystery fiction. When he’s not writing, you can find him following IndyCar racing or listening to music. He has two grown children and lives in Indianapolis with his wife and a cat. You can find him at www.jckenney.com.
Chicks on the Case 
J.C., so happy to have you back! The book sounds fantastic. And so do all the concerts you’ve attended. But how have you not included New Orleans Jazz Fest in the mix? It’s AMAZING. I attended multiple Jazz Fests and they’re some of my favorite music memories.
I recently went to another great concert – the farewell tour of the B-52s where the opening act was my favorite group of all time, KC & the Sunshine Band. The tour was such a hit that Fred Schneider of the B-52s started backtracking on the “farewell” part of it!
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Thanks a million, Ellen! The New Orleans Jazz Fest is definitely on our must see list. Every year, the line up is SO amazing!
KC and the B-52s, now that is a guaranteed fun evening. I saw the Bs was back in 1990 in a pouring rain storm. Still had a blast. Cheers!
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Congratulations on your book, J.C. I’m not sure if Willie just turning 90 should make me feel younger or older.
BTW: Barely a teen, my first concert was James Brown. Fun memory! Hard to believe my parents let me at 13-years-old and my age 11 brother see “The Godfather of Soul” on our own. And he lived up to his rep: “the Hardest Working Man in Show Business.”
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Thanks, Grant! My wife and I saw Willie on his Outlaws of Country tour in 2018. He’s still got it. I would have loved to see James Brown. Man, what a performer!
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Sounds like you’ve got another winner, J.C.! Can’t wait to read it. Bob and I are going to see Robert Plant this Friday. Never seen him before, but I expect great things. The best concert I’ve been to was the Rolling Stones at Arrowhead. In 2015, I think. They were absolutely awesome.
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Thanks so much, Mary! Robert Plant won’t disappoint. And I love the way he continues to be so creative musically. Enjoy the show!
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I have seen Led Zeppelin, Humble Pie, J Geils Band, Chicago and many more I cannot remember. Thank you for the memories.
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Oh wow, Deborah! That is an amazing group. Thanks for chiming in!
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Congrats on your latest book, JC! I’ve only gone to a few concerts in my life (wait, do performances at the fairgrounds count?). Besides the Hollywood Bowl, one of the most impressive & innovative venues I visited was the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
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Thanks, Jen! And yes, performances at the fairgrounds totally count. I’ve seen some amazing shows at the Indiana State Fair. One day I hope to see a performance at the Hollywood Bowl, one of the titans of musical venues!
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I don’t believe I have ever been to a music festival. But I’ve enjoyed many concerts over the years. This year, I’ve seen Straight No Chaser and a dual concert from Jason Gray and Jonathan Traylor, and I enjoyed both of those concerts. (And yes, please enter me in the giveaway.)
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Too cool, Mark! I’ve Straight No Chaser a few times here in Indy. One of the original members of the ensemble is a graduate of the same high school my kiddos went to, that that makes the shows even more fun. Cheers!
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Love the hat tip to the great Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap! And the new book sounds fab!
The most exciting concert I ever attended was Paul McCartney and Wings back in 1972 in Oxford, England (my family was living there for the year). I was 16, and obsessed with all things Beatle, so it was a dream come true.
Thanks so much for visiting the Chicks today, J.C.–we love you!
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Yes, Leslie! You got the Spinal Tap reference. That was too much fun to pass up. Man, Seeing Sir Paul and Wings must have been amazing! I saw him in 1991 and paid what was, at the time, the enormous amount of $29. THhse were the days!
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I loved that Spinal Tap reference, too!!
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You had me at Robert Plant! As a big Zep Head, I’ve seen Plant and Page maaaaaaany times–and each one is an experience to remember. I also VERY much enjoyed seeing Stevie Nicks with her gorgeous scarf-adorned microphone!
Congrats on the book, J.C.! I can already tell it rocks.
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You’re the best, Kathy! I finally saw Stevie at the Bourbon & Beyond festival (what a shock!) in 2018. She was fabulous. And I loved the story she told about the 45 year old cape she still wears!
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Isn’t she fabulous?!! And the cape!! So amazing.
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I’ve never been to a music festival, but I’ve done a few concerts. I saw Garth Brooks and Billy Joel with my sister. And the memorable Tony Bennett with my husband many years ago when he came to Pittsburgh. That was an amazing one.
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Thanks for stopping by, Liz! Seeing Tony Bennett must have been amazing. What a voice! Billy and Garth are certainly no slouches, either. Cheers!
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Great post, JC! Rock and roll is the bomb!
My fav time? I went to a music festival in Colorado somewhere, and saw some of the oldies, like Herman and the Hermits, the Turtles, and even Dolenz and Nesmith from the Monkees right after the first split. Pop ain’t rock, but pop back then was much better than it is now.
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Thanks a million, Hestia! That must have been one whale of a music festival. Great memories!
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Congratulations, J.C., and what music adventures you’ve had. I think my first concert was a folky one with Gordon Lightfoot, who just passed away. He’ll be missed!
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Thank you, Priscilla! Gordon Lightfoot, what an absolute legend. Yes, such a great loss.
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went to an Elvis one, a long time ago
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Elvis! The King! What an event. What a memory. Thanks for sharing, Kathleen!
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JC, huge congrats on Concert Hall Hit– predicting a hit (the good kind) for sure! Awesome cover, too. Back in the 80s I camped out on a cold sidewalk outside a New Jersey mall all night to get Springsteen tix (Born in the USA tour) for me and a bunch of friends. The concert was amazing but Bruce played for so long that night I would’ve been grateful to have had a tent and sleeping bag to crawl into afterward in the parking lot. I’ve been to a bunch of music festivals and even got engaged at one (hello, Austin City Limits!).
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You are amazing, Lisa! Austin City Limits, that’s a way to go. The young ones these days have no appreciation for the efforts we put into waiting in line all night for shows. I did that for the Cars in 1984 and U2 in 1988. I was Bruce on that same tour. What a marathon of a night!
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The only concerts I’ve been to were ones with my dad. He was a blues fan. We saw BB King, Buddy Guy, Walter Trout (twice), and Bernard Allison. Good times.
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Thanks for stopping by, Alicia! Wow, you got to see some absolute legends. I got to see BB when he was in his mid-eighties. He still put on an amazing show. Cheers to you and spending time with your dad!
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I cracked up at the murder victim’s name! Spinal Tap was hilarious. I haven’t been to any festivals but have been to many concerts. I saw Springsteen for the first time on the Born in the USA tour. All night wait for tickets-imagine that. Mellencamp is another favorite I have seen multiple times. The best concert I ever saw was Brian Seltzer performing solo. He sang 4 encores and the crowd was still cheering. The house lights were turned on despite the continued applause. And Setzer came out and sang one last song! I have never seen anything like it.
Your book sounds great! Congratulations on another book birthday.
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Thanks s bunch, Sue! I’ve seen my fellow Hoosier Mellencamp seven times. Brian Setzer is so incredible, Would love to see him!
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Great to have you hanging out with the Chicks again! Congrats on the new release!
LOVE Southern Avenue — and they’re a Memphis band! Southern Avenue (the street) runs through the University of Memphis campus. I crossed it hundreds of times!
Hubs and I have been lucky enough to see lots of great concerts — Elton John and Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, Foo Fighters. But, one of the very best was Little Feat with main floor seats about 15 rows from the stage!
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Vickie? High five to another Southern Avenue fan! Such a dynamic band. Seeing a show from only 15 rows back had to have been super special!
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And the winner of the signed copy of Concert Hall Hit is…Sue Leis!!
Congratulations, Sue! Please send a mailing address to jc@jckenney.com and I will get it out to you. Rock on!
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I was lucky as a soon to be senior in HS to see the Beatles on their first tour in Houston. My aunt took four girl cousins to the show. It was amazing. I haven’t been to a lot of concerts as too many people go, but I have seen John Denver, Kris Kristofferson (3 times) and once with Willie and once with Merle Haggard and Neil Diamond (twice) to name a few good ones. Favorite two bookstores while traveling was the Tattered Cover in Denver and Powell’s in Portland. Great stores. Your book sounds really good. My nephew has been a road manager for a lot of groups–especially heavy metal, so I am ready to read it. Good luck!
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Madeleine, what a legendary group! And thanks for the bookstore tips. I’ve heard a lot of stories about how incredible Powell’s is. Cheers!
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Very late to this party, JC, since I just got back from the Malice Domestic party, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to give a shout-out to Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookstore in PA who ran the conference bookstore so well. Deb is always willing to host author visits!
I also couldn’t pass up the opportunity to stop in to say congrats on all your success! You’re simply marvelous!
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Thanks so much, Becky! That’s great that you had such a great time at Malice. I agree that the bookstore there does an outstanding job. Happy reading!
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I like visiting new bookstores! On a vacation to Oregon (I live in CA), we had fun looking at books in a neat used bookstore.
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Same for me! If I’m traveling, and I see a bookstore, especially a used or indie one, I have to stop in. Thanks for stopping by!
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Hey, J.C. ~ Love the first Darcy Gaughan book and can’t wait to read this one!
My first concerts were so long ago you may be surprised that electricity was invented. My brother and friends and I went, twice or possibly three times, to the Spokane Coliseum to hear at least ten (maybe more) top rock’n’roll and R-and-B acts per show in the late 1950s: Fats Domino, LaVerne Baker, Little Richard, Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry… I can’t even remember all the names, but those were some of the big ones. Of course we screamed ourselves hoarse.
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Thanks so much for stopping by,Miki! You’re the best! Man, you got to see some absolute legends. To see those folks at the top of their game must have been amazing! Cheers!
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