Birthday Party World Part 3: Motown Museum

The day after my birthday we went here!

I don't have a ton of photos because photography was prohibited, but I managed to sneak in a few shots.

CJ and Chuck check out some photos.

Barry Gordie's record player.

Now, I know this photo is pretty blurry, but it's my favorite.  This pic was taken inside the Motown records studio at the museum- the studio where every single Motown song was recorded until 1972!  So many famous people have recorded in this room (which is actually the converted garage of the house).  Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Smokie Robinson- just to name a few.  Dr. King even recorded the album version of "I Have A Dream" just weeks before he delivered the speech in Washington.

At this particular moment, everyone on our tour is singing happy birthday to me, which was really cool!  Being in that studio was definitely the highlight of the tour.

After not being able to take pictures inside, we made up for it with lots of photos outside.

After that, we had to eat, of course.

CJ and Jaclyn were brave and ate oysters.  Gross!

My wonderful father in law Chuck bought me homemade donuts from One Eyed Betty's.  With raspberry and chocolate dipping sauces.  They were so good...!

Pruitt wanted some but he wasn't allowed.

He was probably sad about that.

And then I got this!  A dessert pizza!

I was pretty excited about it (and so was Pruitt, from the looks of this photo).

Jaclyn made it for me.  It was amazing!

Thanks to Jaclyn, my lovely in laws Babs & Chuck, Carl & CJ for helping me celebrate! xoxo

Ryan Adams at the 35th Annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival

Ryan Adams.  One of my favorite artists of all time!  Writer and singer of amazing songs that will make you laugh and break your heart simultaneously.  NOTE: Definitely not to be confused with the 90's super star Canadian recording artist Bryan Adams.  (In fact, there is a story that while performing at a concert, Ryan Adams was so angry about a heckler in the audience screaming "play summer of '69!!!!" that he jumped off the stage and punched the guy in the face.  Don't know if that's true or not, but I like to pretend that it is).

ANYWAY, my point is Ryan Adams is great.  His 2005 album Cold Roses is the record I would take with me to a desert island if I was only allowed to pick one thing to listen to for all eternity.  AND, its a double CD, so that is a plus in a desert island type scenario.

CJ and I went to see him play at the 35th annual Ann Arbor folk festival this past Friday.

The concert was at Hill Auditorium, which is an incredible place to hear live music- it is one of the most acoustically perfect venues in the US.*

*At least, that is what CJ says, and I believe him, cause the music sounds that good!

The lobby @ Hill before the show

BUT, before Ryan went on, Devotchka played.  LOVED!  If you're not familiar with them, you should check them out- that is, if you enjoy super dramatic Russian-y carnival-y type music that's heavy on the accordion and tuba (which, who doesn't, obviously).

DEVOTCHKA!  Note the giant tuba on the right hand side.  Sorry for the blurriness!

THEN, Ryan!  Just him and a guitar.  I did try to take a picture during the show, but as usual, someone's giant head was blocking the view.  

Ryan started out with one of my favorite songs.  This is the set list below- CJ found it for my on the "internets."

Oh My Sweet Carolina Ashes & Fire Dirty Rain My Winding Wheel Sweet Lil Gal (piano) Everybody Knows Firecracker Please Do Not Let Me Go Lucky Now Let It Ride Two New York, New York (piano) Come Pick Me Up

I had to get a tee shirt!  I couldn't resist such an intense design...

Tee shirt.  So metal.

The whole show was amazing and it was great to be able to spend some time in Ann Arbor- the Mitten's hippie heart and home to my alma matter (go blue)! xo