Dad Savors His Piece of Hot Apple Pie
"The pie is back!" shouted Hot Apple Pie's lead singer, Brady Seals. But according to my father, they never left. Dad's been jamming to Hot Apple Pie day in and day out, since their first and only self-titled CD hit stores in 2005. Luckily for him, Hot Apple Pie was added at the last minute to the CMA Music Festival, an event he attends religiously every year. When he heard the news, I thought he was going to cry. But if you've ever met my father, you know he has the vigor and liveliness of a teenager. So, it didn't matter that he was standing in blistering 90 degree heat, practically melting in the sun. No, this was Hot Apple Pie and he wouldn't miss them for the world.
After the band's performance, Dad and I went backstage to meet the band. He told them how he was a schoolteacher and that he listens to them every day, many times in the classroom. He said that because of his curious students, the record stores in our hometown couldn't keep enough of their CDs in stock. Although he looked forward to seeing Kenny Rogers and Sugarland perform, he told them that Hot Apple Pie was the only band he really fancied to see. "Really?" one of the members asked, looking completely shocked. "Dead serious," Dad answered.
This is what country music is all about. Some country artists may seem bigger than life, but they're not too big for their fans. Seeing his very favorite band perform live for the first time was the ultimate moment at CMA Music Festival for my dad, but actually meeting Hot Apple Pie and sharing these stories? This was the icing on the cake pie.
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Paul Selby says:
I absolutely agree. Their debut cd was fantastic. I saw them at a small town festival in Arkansas and it was one of the best shows I had seen in a long while. I’m really looking forward to their next (way overdue!) release.
Emma says:
I’ve never heard them; or at least I don’t think so. I might have in your dad’s classroom and not known it though. If your dad likes them, then I almost am certain that I will, considering I enjoy the same type of music he does. I am open to all different types of music from cajun to country, so I might have to find one of there songs and listen to it.
Knowing your dad, I can almost imagine his energy and excitment that he showed when it was announced that Hot Apple Pie would be performing by the way you descibe his emotions. I hope Mr. Self had a great time and I know he did.
You’re an excellent writer so keep the blogs coming! :)
Emma says:
I have heard them, I just didn’t know it was them. I’ve heard, “Hilbilies”. I just wanted to clear the air. :)
joe says:
What a wonderful way to spend a birthday, and what a great blog!!!
Kate says:
I think this story about your dad definitely brings up a point that we too often forget. Bands, big or small, and celebrities of all kinds really are just people like us.
Glad to see your dad had such a great time. Thanks, as always, for sharing your stories with us and keep the good blogs coming!
My Highlighted List for the CMA Music Festival | Fan Country says:
[...] place, even the ones in little tented booths where they play lame games and hand out freebies. My father makes sure we see it all. So here’s a highlighted list of what I look forward to seeing each day. Please feel free to [...]