Big Ten Four = The Next Big Thing

I guess I have been living under a rock here in Orlando. I am honestly ashamed to admit that I have never heard of the Big Ten Four until this past week. I was asked to go to the Social (the best live music venue in downtown Orlando) & take pictures for the band's DVD live recording. I had no idea what I was in for. I contacted their manager whom set me up with a chance to meet the band before the show & take pictures for the website. Anywho... I arrived at the Social around 9ish after I stopped by the Orlando Sentinel building to pick up the digital cameras & OCB stickers, etc. I met up with Rick Wheeler & then I met Dan, Matt, James, & Matthew. I went backstage & I saw Matt curling his hair with a curling iron. I wasn't sure what to expect from these guys. I shook hands with everyone & they were all appreciative of me taking their pics for the website. I didn't think too much of it. We took some good photos on stage. Sooo... the fans started showing up. They didn't stop coming.... I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE SOCIAL SO PACKED!! The show was sold out & they were turning people away at the door. It didn't take me long to realize that tonight was going to be bigger than I had anticipated. I started talking to everyone that I could. I took a lot of pictures & gave out a lot of stickers. It is encouraging to see that orlandocitybeat.com is actually gaining more & more exposure. My how times have changed! No one had heard of us 3 years ago. NOW.... almost everyone knows about it & LOVES to get in the pictures. I barely have to ask anyone these days. I have people coming up to me most of time...lol. Anywho... the opening band was Ariya (www.myspace.com/ariya). They played a great set. I met up with them afterwards & took a few pictures. Meanwhile... I could barely move. I was bumping into almost everyone... it was insane. The concert started & all I can say is... AMAZING. They kicked ass... there is no way around it. I was VERY impressed. I will definitely buy their new cd, which comes out on May 13th. I would encourage everyone to check these guys out on my space (www.myspace.com/bigtenfour). They rock, but they are also cool guys... which really goes along way in my book. I believe that they have all of the key elements of breaking into the mainstream music industry. The fans were totally into the show. I could hear them singing along on all of the older songs. I talked with a few people that had just seen they play in Daytona during Spring Break... can you say "following"?  Check out "walking disaster"& "smells familiar". I cant wait to see the DVD & get a copy of their brand new album. Good music = good times.