Resourcefully For You

I am your typical average mature woman, but I have to admit, I feel like a young girl. I have a weakness for music, and more specifically when it comes to "All Things Collective"...Collective Soul that is.

Collective Soul has been around since the early 90's and began with such huge hit's as "December" and "Shine". For me, "December" is where it all began. That and my son's summer crush and vacation bible school that one hot summer in the 90's. You see, it was my precious little boy, although not so little anymore (he's a full grown young man now), who led me to Collective Soul initially. He had his first BIG crush. Brandon was about nine or ten years old, when he met cute and sweet little Amber from Snowville...yes, Snowville. How fitting. Brandon may have been a little boy, but he loved music, as does my entire family...it runs in my family, so he recognizes great music when he hears it. Thankfully, The First Chrisian Churches Vacation Bible School had radio's and they played them. This is where my son first heard December, all the while crushing on little Amber from Snowville.

Both Amber and Collective Soul's song, "December" had touched his little heart in a way that would remain as true, strong and memoriable to this day as it was then. Yes, Brandon is STILL a huge fan of Collective Soul, as is his mother (although he's not as die-hard or deeply dedicated as I am). And let me reinterate that he is now a HARD rocker...huge fan of bands like, Mudvayne, Seether, Shinedown and the like, BUT Collective Soul (as well as The Eagles) are the only two that remain true to him. And if there's one person who is as enthusiastic about my guys music, as I am, and will attend a Collective Soul show with me when no one else will, it's my son, Brandon. At any rate, of course I had to go out and buy him the self-titled cassette...ah the days of cassettes...which I think he still has. Since that day he met little Amber and heard their song "December", we HAD to listen to Collective Soul any time we went out anywhere...he'd pop in that tape. Of course, mama was only to HAPPY to oblige. And the rest, as they say, is history.

So that's my story on how Collective Soul came to be for me. I would hear a little buzz about them from time to time over the years, and still listened to their music, but I wasn't as involved, so-to-speak. Life happened... my marriage, family, and then my mother's illness all took a toll on me. But then, I became divorced, my mother passed away collectively on December 13th, 2001. My son was practically a grown man by this time, so I had a lot more time to myself, until one joyus day in December of 2005, I came across a Collective Soul live show on Direct TV, entitled "HOME". That show brought back all the wonderful memories, the joy, excitement, and honestly, brought me back to life. Naturally, I couldn't get enough of them, so online I went...plugged in their website they had mentioned and searched for All Things Collective. That's when I discoverd their website, bulletin board and the wonderful, fun loving group of fan family/friends they had and still have. To make a long story a short (okay, not really) I continued to become deeply involved in All Things Collective Soul. Hi, my name is Kimberly, and I am a Collective Soul ADDICT proud of it.

What came from All Things Collective? Since then, I have attended two of their live shows, met every single one of them, had pictures with them (except for Ed, he had to run, but still took the time out to say hello) and have obtained all of their autographs, even had a little chit chat going on. Now what band do you know who is that GOOD to theirs fans? None that I know of except Collective Soul. I love music, and I am a fan of a few other bands, but nowhere near the degree that I am that of Collective Soul.

These guys are not just talented, but very down to earth, friendly and genuine, especially to be the rock stars that they really are. And for me personally, it takes A LOT for me to really be a "fan" and to dedicate myself to supporting a band, as I do with them. I have to feel like I am a part of it all..connected, and that in a word is what Collective Soul is to their fans, CONNECTED. I have and will Always & Forever be a Collective Soul fan, Collective Kimberly...that's me!

Collective Soul reaches out and cares for their fans in so many ways such as, sharing tidbits of the music their currently creating, pics and webisodes from their practices, bus rides, and just plain everyday living. They will follow you, and interact with you on Twitter. Granted they get bombarded by replies and dm's, they still interact as they're able. And I could go on, but just wanted to name a few to give you the picture. So if you aren't a fan, you should be! What are you waiting for? Join us!

Collective Soul has come a long way since the 90's and has released several great CD's over the years, and their most recent album, "Afterwords" which produced a great pop/rock tune entitled "Hollywood", and was featured on American Idol, as well as several top entertainment shows and television sitcoms, as well as "Adored".

I am happily, enthusiastically and anxiously awaiting their soon to be released eighth album tentatively scheduled to be released on August 4, 2009 with two new songs to be released on the album "She Does" and "Dig".

For Collective Soul's Biography, please visit:
http://collectivesoul.com/biographies/
and
Wikipedia Encylopedia on Collective Soul
Read Collective Soul News Here!
and
Read Collective Soul's Blog Posts Here!

Collective Soul & Gavin DeGraw Touring this summer!

*For more info on catching a Soulful experience, and tix purchase, please visit:

Collective Soul "Live" - Tour Dates

June 20 Steamboat Days

6-20-09

Burlington, IA

June 22 House of Blues - Cleveland, OH

Summer Tour with Gavin Degraw

June 23 Piere's - Fort Wayne, IN

Summer Tour with Gavin Degraw.

June 24 The Egyptian Room - Indianapolis, IN

Summer Tour with Gavin Degraw.

June 26 Des Moines Arts Festival

Summer Tour with Gavin Degraw.

June 27 Flaming Gorge Days

6-27-09

Green River, WY

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased through either the Green River Chamber office (307-875-5744) or the Rock Springs Chamber office (307-362-3771)

June 29 The Beaumont Club - Kansas City, MO

Summer Tour with Gavin Degraw.

July 1 Cowboys

7-01-09

Calgary, AB

July 3 Harborfest

7-3-09

Norfolk, VA

July 4 Woodstock Fest

7-4-09

Quebec, Canada

July 7 Spirit Bank Event Center - Tulsa, OK