April 4TH had a whole lotta shakin' goin' on

KLOS Radio Shakin' Bake Festival~MARK FARNER/N'rG
April 4, 2009
Photos and Review By: Kelly Stevens
[Review courtesy of The Fan Zone at http://www.easybreezes.com



It was a perfect day for an outside festival. Not too hot, not too cold, only a few clouds and a light breeze. I didn’t know precisely when Mark was supposed to start so I decided to get there early. My friend Jim and I took off to the gig around 11:30 am and arrived about 12:30 pm. It was smooth sailing all the way. We soon met up with another friend of mine, Dave. Of course I was dressed in my Mark garb, the “I’m Your Captain” t-shirt, a Grand Funk hat, and lanyard with my membership card.

We made our way to the middle area of the Santa Anita racetrack where the stage was set up. There was already a lot of people. There was barbeque, beer and lots of stuff going on all over the place. Jim, Dave, and I settled in initially at the opposite end from the stage. The radio station that sponsored the event (95.5 KLOS) were doing some contests where they would give away money, in the amount of $250.00 each time. During this time they also mentioned something about backstage and Mark doing some pictures. I figured this might be a good queue for me to make my way to the stage and see if I could locate Lesia Farner. I remember saying to my friends just as I got up to walk towards the stage “Wouldn’t that be cool if one of us won some of that money they’re handing out, like that would ever happen!” So there I was, walking towards the stage, when they decided to have another contest. They announced “Okay, this time we’re going to give $250.00 to the first person to show us they’re wearing a Grand Funk hat. I couldn’t believe it! As I approached the stage I could see people looking around to see if anyone was wearing one, but nobody spotted any, so I took my hat off and waved it and yelled “Right here!” As I got closer they could see the “Grand Funk” on the hat and they then announced “We have a winner!” How lucky is that! Needless to say, that hat is now my lucky hat.

After that happened I was allowed backstage and I soon met up with Lesia. This was the first time I ever met her. She was very nice and seemed to enjoy accommodating all us fans, making sure everyone had a chance to meet her Rock n Roll husband. Thank you Lesia. Mark is a lucky guy to have you in his life. Well, the next thing I knew, there was Mark! He posed for a few photos with some fans at first but when he finshed I said: “How’s it going, Mark!” and he said “Hey! Fan of the month!”

I then told him how I won $250.00 just for wearing his hat. We had a few laughs and then Lesia was nice enough to take a picture of me with Mark.

Then came the show. I think Mark started around 4:30pm. I’ve seen Mark play many times but this had one of the most unique gigs. His first set was only 3 songs long before he stopped because the horses would race and then he would go back on and play 3 more songs, stop again, the horses would race again, and then Mark played solid to the end. He started with “We’re An American Band” which surprised me. I’ve never seen him start with that before. I think the next song was “Mr. Limousine Driver” followed by “Nothing Is The Same”. Forgive me if don’t remember it quite right. I was doing a lot of running around and I was a little tired and a little sunburned by the time Mark started, but not to worry. I did catch a second wind. Mark’s second set I think started with “Shinin’On” followed by “Creepin” and then “Aimless Lady”. Mark’s keyboard was over modulating during Creepin and was breaking up a bit. The soundman was trying to fix the problem all through the song. I don’t know for sure but I think the sound system was not their own. By the time Mark came back for the final and main set, the problems were fixed and Mark kicked some serious ass, not that he didn’t already. Let see if I can remember the rest of the songs and there order: “Are You Ready”, “Heartbreaker”, “Footstompin music”, “The Locomotion”, “Bad Time”, “Some Kind Of Wonderful”, “People, Let’s Stop The War” and “Closer To Home”.

It was an awesome day. I had a great time. When I got home that night I was sooo tired, but in a good way. It amazes me how much energy Mark puts out in his performances to this day and still makes time for all his fans. I wish I had some of that energy! I know some day Mark might decide it’s time to retire, but after seeing him again on Saturday that seems a long, long way off. I hope he never retires and just keeps doing what he does best…Rockin’ our socks off!

Kelly Stevens

FROM MARK FARNER'S OFFICIAL YOU TUBE CHANNEL:
Santa Anita "Shakin' Bake Festival Video:

SHININ' ON


HEARTBREAKER CLIPS


Mark Farner's Official You Tube Channel

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SEND US YOUR SHAKIN BAKE PHOTOS!

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ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME PETITION

To: Rock N Roll Hall of Fame

Mark Farner/Grand Funk Railroad should be inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.

Forming in late 1968, they were the first American rock band to obtain 10 consecutive platinum albums, they had many top 40 singles and also had two #1 singles.


The 1973 #1 hit, “We’re An American Band”, expresses the life of a rock band on the road and made them the quintessential American Band.
Born as a garage band from the industrial city of Flint, Michigan, they rose to fame quickly because their music and persona spoke to the soul of the people.


The average Joe (or Jane) found reason in the lyrics and musicianship of GFR and many musicians following them found inspiration in the style of Grand Funk.


The band’s many sold out concerts are highlighted with a 1971 Shea Stadium show that sold out in 72 hours ….. it took the much higher hyped Beatles 7 weeks to sell out the same venue 7 years earlier.


Grand Funk Railroad hits include: “I’m Your Captain/Closer To Home”, “Footstompin’ Music”, “Rock and Roll Soul”, “We’re An American Band”, “Walk Like A Man”, The remake of Carol King/Gerry Goffin’s “The Locomotion", the Soul Brothers Six remake “Some Kind of Wonderful”, “Bad Time”, and others.


Based on the contributions vocalist/lead guitarist,Mark Farner, drummer, Don Brewer, bassist, Mel Schacher and the later added orgainist, Craig Frost made to the history of rock n roll, Grand Funk Railroad should be inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame.

over 6000 people have signed already...

SIGN THE PETITION HERE

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SHAKIN BAKE KLOS FEST THIS WEEKEND!

We have had a ton of Californians visiting the blog this week for info on Santa Anita. We're hoping for a big crowd this Saturday for Mark's show. Won't hurt that they have the Hawaiian Tropic Model Contest going on during the festival!

Get more info on the show HERE

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Legends and Lyrics:Mark Farner Appearance

UPDATE:

Just heard from the producers of Legends and Lyrics and they told us Mark's appearance will air this Fall. They tape the series almost a year in advance.

We will update the blog in plenty of time to get your Tivo's and DVR's ready to tape the show. We hear it's terrific. We will have more information by July.

Kevin Griffin (Better Than Ezra)
Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad)
Ian McGlynn (Rising Star)

RE: Announcement:

Latest Performers Set to Tape Legends and Lyrics February 20-24
BMNN wrote: on Feb. 20, 2009:Nashville, TN -- Legends and Lyrics, a Public Television series, which honors the creators of song-- who are professional recording artists, song poets and rising stars has added February 24th to the taping schedule. In all ten performances will be shot, two each day on February 20, 21, 22, 23 and now the 24th. Robert Cray, Mark Farner, Kevin Griffin & Darryl Worley are the latest performers set to tape Legends and Lyrics.

The show is produced out of Nashville, Tennessee by "Songwriters In The Round" and shot in HD 1080p with Surround Sound. The performances will be taped at the historic hall in the Grand Masonic Lodge which is located at the corner of Broadway and Seventh Avenue (downtown Nashville).

Two shows will be taped a day, one at 3:00 pm, the other at 8:00 pm. The public is invited to attend. Just go to legendsandlyrics.com to sign up for the free passes.

Please note, you do have to climb stairs to get into the performance hall.
Robert Cray, Darryl Worley, Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad) and Kevin Griffin (Better Than Ezra) are the latest performers confirmed--other participants so far include: Felix Cavaliere (The Rascals), Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon), Mac Davis, Lamont Dozier (Stop! In The Name of Love), Justin Hayward (Moody Blues), Amy Lee (Evanescence), Melissa Manchester, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil (You've Lost That Loving Feeling), David Pack (Ambrosia), Peter Yarrow, (Peter Paul & Mary), Guy Clark, Roger McQuinn (The Byrds), Dwight Yoakam, Tony Joe White, with more expected to confirm.
Each taping will showcase well-known recording artists, and legendary song poets from different genres of music in an "in-the-round" setting. Each performer will play their most memorable songs, as well as tell the inspiration behind the creation of their songs.

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