John Mayer & Keith Urban on CMT

What the what?!? Apparently John Mayer and Keith Urban did a whole concert together, which you can watch on CMT's (that's Country Music Television) website.  This is quite delightful as the duo + Norah Jones had a wonderful performance on the Grammy Awards last Sunday night. Go check it out, especially if you love some sweet sweet guitar playing!

Grammy Awards Impressions

I found myself watching the Grammy's this past Sunday and was pleasantly surprised overall by the performances. Granted, there wasn't a whole lot of awards being exchanged over the 3.5 hours, but hey, what we got was more entertaining anyhow. This was confirmed when we re-watched parts of the awards show with some friends on an incredibly chill and fun Valentine's Day. Some highlights for me:

He could be singing "Forget You" or "Benny and the Jets"

Cee Lo Green dressed as an armored peacock, channeling 1970's Elton John behind what I'm guessing is a prop grand piano.  Along with some muppets as his band, I think he might have out Gaga'd Lady Gaga.

John Mayer's going for the Johnny Depp look nowadays

One of my favorite performances was "Jolene" by John Mayer, Norah Jones, and Keith Urban.  A great show case of the vocals of these talented musicians. And the guys weren't too bad on the guitar either ;)

Killing it on the cello

Big props to The Avett Brothers' cellist Joe Kwon. Get this: This guy was tearing it up and to fully understand the magnitude of this, let me employ the use of some dramatic pausing:

Joe was rocking out ... on the cello ... with a bunch of white dudes ... standing up!! He was a pleasure to watch because he was so passionate, you could have easily substituted an electric guitar for the cello...but that just wouldn't have been as awesome.

Actual award surprises with Esperanza Spalding beating out the Bieber for Best New Artist and Arcade Fire's (whoo!) "The Suburbs" winning Album of the Year.

Happy Valentine's Day

I've been listening to a bunch of new music lately, but also rediscovering some old favorites. In honor of Valentine's Day, I share with you "You Are the Best Thing" by Ray LaMontagne, an unusually upbeat song from a man who knows how to brood with the best of them: