Friday, February 24, 2017

The Dames | Introducing ... The Dames!


Kris, Cale and Torres, along with their friend Jordan Wright, have begun a fun new side project they are calling The Dames. On Thursday, February 23, the Dames debuted their original music, along with two fantastic classic rock covers, in a StageIt show and chat. During the chat, Cale mentioned that they are working on getting the music available for sale. The guys were much cagier when asked why they are calling themselves the Dames, saying "That's classified."

After hearing the new songs, I'd describe The Dames' music as 70s California rock meets Zac Brown Band and Dawes, with a tinge of The Traveling Wilburys and The New Basement Tapes. A lot of people in the chat room heard The Eagles as an influence. So basically adult alternative/classic rock/touch of the tropics and a bit of country music, i.e., the music I love to listen to the most! I love this new direction for the guys and they seemed happy with it too. While Kris does sing some lead, the other three guys do as well. The harmonies among the four are fantastic.

So glad they have shared this new music. To keep up with The Dames, check out their website and follow their Instagram.

Here's the list of songs they performed on Stage It and my take on them. (For the originals, this is my best guess at what they are calling it).

Set List, StageIt, February 23, 2017:

  1. Death of Mr. Jones - PREMIERE This is the song you hear on the band's website (linked below) and Kris' IG. To me it sounds like Dawes meets Cher singing Dark Lady. I liked the acoustic harmonies in the StageIt. Kris takes the lead vocal on this one.
  2. Blue Bloods - PREMIERE Some interesting harmonies on this song. Torres is lead singer on this.
  3. Against the Wind (cover - Bob Seger) - PREMIERE Pretty straightforward cover of this classic rock song, with Jordan singing lead.
  4. Don't Mess Around with Me  - PREMIERE If you don't know what Dawes sounds like, now you do. If Kris was their lead singer. (Check out Dawes too by the way, they are a favorite band of mine and of Cale's, so unsurprisingly, this was my favorite song of the Dames.)
  5. All That I Want is You  - PREMIERE Torres sings lead on this very pretty ballad with beautiful harmonies
  6. Alright With You  - PREMIERE This is a fun song, very Traveling Wilburys meet Zac Brown Band, with Cale singing lead.
  7. Hungry Heart (cover - Bruce Springsteen)  - PREMIERE Loved this. They brought a Hawaiian flair to it! Kris singing lead.

You can watch the show here:



Want to see Kris live or buy his music?
Check my calendar on the web version of this blog
 for full schedule; visit krisallenofficial.com for music and tickets.

Friday, February 17, 2017

College Showcase: February 19, 2017: Baltimore, MD


NACA National Convention Showcase
February 19, 2017
10 PM EDT
Baltimore, MD

Preview:
Kris plays a showcase for the National Association of Campus Activities' National Convention. As always with these, this is a chance for them to show off to various campus activities boards why they would be a great act to play at college campuses.

Updated 2/20/2017: Kris and the band did a short set that included the premiere of a new cover. We have full video! I avoid her music like the plague myself, but Kris sounds nice on the song. You'll have to tell me if it sounds like the original or not ;).

Pre-Show/Event Press and Publicity:
Set List: [Click here to watch the set! Thank you Campus Activities Board of the College of Staten Island]
  1. Chained to the Rhythm (Cover - Katy Perry) - PREMIERE
  2. Feeling This Way
  3. Everybody Just Wants to Dance
  4. Live Like We're Dying

The Show (Full Band):
Photo by @Lexie_Dames
Photo by @KarenPlate

Photo by @DegyEnt






Want to see Kris live?
Check my calendar on the web version of this blog
 for full schedule; visit krisallenofficial.com/tour or
event/venue's website for tickets

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Concert: February 10, 2017: Florida Gateway College, Lake City, FL



Concert 
February 10, 2017
Florida Gateway College
Lake City, FL
 7:30 PM EST

Preview:
Kris plays a college show that's open to the public and right now, his only show scheduled for Florida for 2017. Just saying! (I know Florida is big - this show is located in northern Florida between Gainesville, Jacksonville and Tallahassee.)

Updated 2/13/2017: Thank you so much @Ang_XoXo17 for streaming and always sharing with your fellow fans. Kris and the band were under the weather and battled some sound issues, but still put on a great show. We've got the set list and some videos too - thank you @JoanieL57!

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Concert: All Star Idols, February 3, 2017, Henderson, KY


All Star Idols
February 3, 2017

Henderson Fine Arts Center
Henderson, KY
7:00 PM Central
Kris, with Michael Orland, Melinda Doolittle, Joshua Ledet and Janelle Arthur


Preview:
Kris and several other American Idol alumni play an all star concert in Henderson, KY (near the portion where Kentucky borders Indiana and Illinois).

Updated 2/46/2017: Show information and media are posted here after the break! No videos though. Boo.