Moog Foundation Benefit @ The Orange Peel

Last night I had the privilege of photographing the 1st benefit for the Moog Foundation at the Orange Peel, put on by the Asheville Affiliates. It was an wonderful event showcasing the life and mind of legendary synthesizer inventor and electronic music innovator Bob Moog, who has his production facilities here in Asheville. The Moog Foundation is raising money for scholastic musical programs, scholarships and a hands on electronic museum.
The several hundred people in attendance got to play the theremin, Moog synthesizers, keyboards, Moogerfoogers, and witness a live "studio recording" take place on stage, all while enjoying complimentary food and beverage. To cap the evening off, local band Telepath rocked out with a great set of music to send us on our way.
Here are a couple of the images I captured last night. To learn more or make a donation, please go to : http://www.moogfoundation.com
Enjoy!

Galactic @ The Orange Peel Nov 8th

What a night at the Orange Peel last night! Galactic brought the guests and the funk as they support their new album: From the Corner to the Block. Guests included Boots Riley, Mr. Lif and the Lifesavas. Stanton keep the house rockin' with his signature style hard hittin beats, being catapulted off his stool by his own energy as he came down on the cymbals like a ton of bricks. This band continues to impress me with their ability to change and edit their style while staying true to the NOLA Funk that runs through their veins. Great show!

Boots Riley keeps the crowd bumpin'


Mr. Lif

Ben Ellman with Stanton Moore up off his stool

Mr. Lif

Boots Riley

D'Aiello Family

Recently I had the pleasure of spending a beautiful afternoon with the D'Aiello family at the Arboretum. It was a perfect autumn day, dry leaves were on the ground, the air was crisp, and the fall colors surrounded us. We spent a couple of hours just cruising around, snapping pictures, laughing, and of course, playing in the leaves. Spending time with these girls reminded me how much fun I had when I was their age, running around with a big smile on my face all day and playing to my heart's content.
The D'Aiello's are a very loving, fun family and I had a blast hanging out with them! I hope I get a chance to do it again really soon.


In front of the "Big Purple Dandelion"


I got lots of big smiles from these two!


Playing in the leaves was a blast!

A Piece of Musical History

I must share with you an amazing and once in a lifetime opportunity I had recently. I am the photographer for the Moog Foundation which is based here in Asheville and is preparing to host their first Fund Raising Event at the Orange Peel on November 15th. The night will include the opportunity to see some of Bob Moog's personal archives, play Moog instruments, and see the band Telepath, all while raising money for a great cause. Please check out the Moog Foundation website for all of the details and to purchase tickets. While preparing for the big event, I had the unique privilege of photographing some of Bob Moog's instruments, one of which was the Moogfooger. In fact, it was the first ever (check out the serial number) Moogerfooger to be produced. In addion to the Moogerfooger, I got to photograph a patch board that belonged to Bob Moog. It was really amazing standing there with all of these amazing instruments and knowing that I was one of very few people to see these pieces of musical history. Bob Moog was a legend in his own time, and a pioneer in the music industry. A lot of my favorite bands use Moog equipment on stage today and Bob's products and legacy live on nightly in clubs and venues across the US and beyond.
I hope everyone will take the opportunity to come out on November 15th to support the Moog Foundation and take part in the celebration of a local musical legend, and the brilliant mind that was Bob Moog.

Note the serial number.


Detail of the Patch Board

Patch Board belonging to Bob Moog

Mr. Max Turns 1

My dear friend Max has just turned 1 year old, and I had the pleasure of being at his party to capture images of his exquisite cake eating skills. Max had a great day, having a whole cake to himself to do with as he saw fit, any 1 year old boy's dream! Max ate to his heart's content as family and friends surrounded him to wish him well and shower him with love.
Happy Birthday old man! See you soon.

Boys To Men Mentoring Weekend

Hello All...
I am posting to let everyone know I am off to take part in a Mentoring Weekend that helps boys (ages 12-18) in their transition to becoming young men. I am very excited to have the opportunity to be involved with this work. I feel strongly that society no longer honors the Rights of Passage and that lack of importance in society has larger, broader implications on the lives of boys and men.
The organization that puts on the event is called Boys To Men and they have several chapters around the US, mostly in major cities. The weekend is called the Rights of Passage Adventure and it takes place in the woods and allows boys to look at what works in their lives and what does not. Boys to Men provides boys with mentoring and modeling so that they learn integrity, accountability, compassion and respect. They help boys develop responsibility and guide them toward healthy manhood. It is my intention is to create a chapter here in Asheville to serve the South East.
I will be out of touch from Wednesday the 24th of October until Monday the 29th.
I hope you all have a great weekend, and look forward to the pictures I will bring back form my adventure.

"It is easier to build strong children than to repair a broken man." - Fredrick Douglas

Blue Ridge Parkway

My buddy Andy and I made it up to Grandfather Mountain and to the Linville Viaduct about a week ago and I grabbed this shot. I got very lucky and had one car coming and one car going while I had the shutter open. I like the detail in the railing supports that the headlights from the car moving away from me provided a lot. It is a heck of a perch to sit on and shoot from, you have to balance on the top of a very small, very steep rock outcropping to get the right angle. Hope you enjoy it.