Four months ago, I wrote a post (SEE HERE) about the various live shows I had attended so far in 2011.

Go on. I encourage you to click that link above and just marvel at the wonder that is Billy Currington and Harry Connick, Jr. They are sooooooo pretty. And talented.

At the end, I teased you about how I was going to see New Kids on the Block, encouraging everyone to abstain from being jealous that my fake boyfriend Joey McIntyre would be serenading me from section 104 of the Toyota Center in downtown Houston. My inner eighth grader was absolutely giddy to belt out in my best falsetto, “I’ll be loving you foreeeeevvvveeeeerrrr.”

Well it happened and it was awesome.  But before I tell you about the boys, let me tell you about a few MEN who paid me a visit this summer.

BON JOVI

Come on! How hot is Jon Bon? I will never forget. It was the best day ever. My friend Mary called me and said, “Do you want to go to Bon Jovi tonight? My sister-in-law has a Groupon for $9.”

A. I think it’s funny that Mary even had to ask.
B. A GROUPON for Bon Jovi? What in the world?
C. How did I not know that Bon Jovi was going to be in Houston?
D. I bet he has better hair than me.

The Groupon $9 tickets were definitely not the best seats in the house. In fact, they were behind the stage. HOWEVER…the huge screen that was utilized as a back drop was right in front of us. So technically, an enormous version of Jon Bon was right there, asking…practically BEGGING me to lay my hands on him. And he looks exactly the same! It’s as if he waltzed right out of my May 1985 copy of Teen Beat and into my heart.

For the encore, the lights were down and the rumbling of the crowd began to swell. We knew it was coming and the anticipation was killing us. Especially that 40-something-year-old woman who was gyrating in her best hyper-glo skirt from the 80s in front of me. And then the sound issued forth with great control and poise:

“I’m a cowboy…”
And 20,000 people answered, “ON A STEEL HORSE I RIDE!”
“I’m wanted…”
“WANTED. DEAD OR ALIVE!”

If you don’t already have these songs in your repertoire, my heart just died a little for you.

Recommendations:
– Wanted Dead or Alive
– You Give Love a Bad Name
– Living on a Prayer
– Blaze of Glory

Michael Bublé

I was first introduced to Michael several years ago when I fell in love with the soundtrack from Wedding Date. I’ve been a fan since that summer. I love crooners. It wasn’t until I saw him perform on Saturday Night Live with my other fake boyfriend John Hamm that I really started liking him as a performer.

The show was in Austin. I wore new platform shoes, tripped on a piece of nothing and fell on the concrete in front of the Frank Erwin Center. Bublé fans are so nice! Two men, whom I undoubtedly flashed while crashing and burning, ran over to pick me up. And of course some “motherly” types searched in the bottom of their purses for wadded up Kleenex to fix my blood-spewing knee. HOW SWEET!

Michael was ON that night. He doesn’t take himself seriously at all and you can tell he thrives in front of a live audience. He’s spontaneous, he’s smart and he walks around in the crowd. He also speaks my love language…sarcasm. Plus, he has an adorable charm to match that adorable face.

Recommendations:
– Georgia On My Mind
– Feeling Good
– Sway
– Home
– Everything

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK — (and that other boy band from the 90s)

I have to say, I was surprised when I arrived at the concert to find so many girls in their 20s. You see, I sort of overlooked the BSB part of NKOTBSB. I noticed the row of girls in front of me and my 30-year-old friends all Facebooking and posting about how they are rocking out at the Back Street Boys concert and never once felt silly wishing I had my old button the size of a dinner plate on my shirt to proudly display my undying love and affection for Joey.

You see, that’s the purpose of NKOTBSB…it brings generations together in unity, celebrating the love of pop music, cheesey love lyrics and this guy’s shirtlessness:

When he ripped his tank off during “Cover Girl” I thought, “Someone has been using his brother’s old Calvin Klein modeling days workout routine!” before quickly staking my allegiance to TEAM DONNIE.

The 20-year-old row didn’t even flinch. I almost shook the girl in front of me as I was standing on my stadium chair screaming my lungs out to make her pay attention and TWEET THIS YOU FOOL! Then the Backstreet Boys came on stage with the new boy band anthem:

“ALL YOU PEOPLE CAN’T YOU SEE CAN’T YOU SEE…N-K-O-T-B-S-B”

Cheese. Whiz. Bless their hearts. Donnie should take his shirt off again.

Recommendations
– You Got the Right Stuff
– Hangin’ Tough
– I’ll Be Loving You Forever
– Please Don’t Go Girl
– Step By Step

THE JUDDS

Man.  Love was alive and built a freaking bridge between my heart and theirs that night.  I absolutely adored this show.  I went with a fabulous group of girls and for the first time in my live music going life, I was able to sing every song on the set list word-for-word.  It was glorious.  Wynonna was hot and Naomi was the fun comic relief.  She put all rumors to rest that Wynonna is Elivis’ love child.

I’d like to see some DNA results before believing that statement to be 100% true.

Someone once told me that if I had red hair, I’d look like Wynonna.  After watching her perform and hearing her sing “How Great Thou Art,” I take that as a huge compliment.

Recommendations:
– Love is Alive
– Young Love
– Mama He’s Crazy
– Have Mercy
– Rockin’ With the Rhythm of the Rain

Now it’s your turn.  Write me in the comments section or email and let me know who sounds amazing in a live concert.  I’m willing to drive practically anywhere within a reasonable distance to experience the music.  It truly feeds my soul.  SOUND OFF!