My love affair with Josh Ritter’s music began during my freshman year of college in Charleston, South Carolina.  My English 101 professor, whom I was not very fond of, required my class to see him perform in a tiny no-name coffee shop.  I brought along my ex-fiancé, thinking that I would need someone to entertain me during the show.  However, the second Josh began to sing, he instantly captured my attention.  His lyrics were simply brilliant and his voice, well, it truly touched my heart.  Over the following years I saw him sing in San Diego, Asheville, New York City, and Washington D.C. and I have bought all of his CD’s the day they were released.  So, when I discovered that he was coming to Charlotte I quickly bought 2 tickets and talked my best friend/roomie/business partner, Adrienne, to join me. 

Before Adrienne became a Chinese Medicine practitioner, like myself, she was a professional makeup artist.  She is a genius with makeup (if anyone from Charlotte is reading this and needs their makeup done for an event please contact me, because you WANT her doing your face for you).  She did my makeup for the evening (I had to look pretty for Josh, right?).  She went for a golden look.  What do you think?

Our "date" consisted of a yummy dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and then we headed Uptown to hear Josh.  He definitely did not disappoint (my crush was a strong as ever) and I think I might have converted Adrienne into a fan as well!  Also, I urge you to either go to Josh's website or youtube him.  I promise he will touch your heart too.

I find it interesting how certain songs bring back powerful memories.  Listening to those lyrics can transport you back in time and that is exactly what happened to me.  When I listened to Josh last Sunday, I vividly remembered a trip I took in the summer of 2003.  My ex-fiancé and I drove for 2 weeks along the Cali Coast stopping wherever our hearts desired.  Throughout the entire journey we listened to Josh, so much so that it was almost like he had accompanied us as well.  I believe that trip meant a lot to me, because it was the 1st time that I realized just what amazing treasures the United States has to offer.  I always thought that I had to go in search of them in far-away lands, even though there were ones just right around the corner the whole time.