30 Apr Let’s Get Familiar With One Another

When I was 3-years-old, my parents brought me to a Paul and Linda McCartney Concert at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando. What you need to understand about Paul is that my mother wakes up in the morning for him. As in, has told my father that if he ever shows up at the door, she will become Mrs. McCartney. (Still married 36 years, so I feel good that that isn’t going to happen.) We made our way to our seats, which of course, were amazing because mama wasn’t sitting far away from her main squeeze. I looked around and took in the scenery. A part of the scenery being the young man in front of us who I thought was “grilling marshmallows.” (Marshmallows that you smoke, if you get my drift.) I didn’t know better, but I did know one thing: I loved music and famous people. Bring the two together and I am the happiest clam in the sea.

Actually, that is probably why I am here to today having the honor of blogging Sunfest for the first year ever. Actually, it’s my first time at the festival. “Stacey Russell, what the hell took you so long?” you may ask. Well, I am not sure, but I do know one thing: I am super excited.

As for the day job, I write for MIAMI Magazine and freelance for Miami New Times. For both, they for some reason pay me to talk to celebrities, write it up and put it out for the world to see. Getting a check for interviewing the likes of Lenny Kravitz, Jay Z, Pitbull and yep, even Miley Cyrus, does not suck.

But I don’t love them for their fame; I really do admire them for their talent. And feel free to judge me for my obsession of top 40. I mean, I was raised by a woman who threw her bra at The Beatles. Do you expect anything less? Thankfully, I grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana where you can imagine the music stylings of the country persuasion were your one and only choice. That caused me to look to small clubs and no-name establishments for good music. Right now, I am dying over Sam Smith, Mapei and Jillette Johnson, who will actually be at this year’s festival. If you haven’t had the chance to listen to Johnson’s “Cameron,” stop what you’re doing now.

Now, I am not kidding. Now. Google exists for a reason, kids.

On another note: I can’t wait to see you all this weekend. It’s going to be #epic. (Oh yeah, I occasionally speak in hashtags. Judge away.)