To Greg and Stacia, Gary and Beth. I Don't Think You Even Realized.

Hello everybody and welcome back to HAIR IN THE AIR, The Official Blog of 3D In Your Face.  This week has been one hell of a week.  To top everything off this weekend we will be throwing two huge birthday celebrations.  That's right baby, we are officially celebrating my 29th birthday.  I can't tell you how excited I am to see all of my friends and family. Before I tell you about the shows I have two radio events that are happening tomorrow.  Wednesday, March 12th  I will be doing a live interview with Rych Rage Rock Show at 9 PM CST.  Tune in here.  Also The Jim Santora Show Rockcast is back in action this Wendsday.  We are looking to take another victory back to Omaha during The Triple Threat Match.  Please tune in here, around 8:00 PM CST, voting begins after all three bands have played.  We need your help to win this thing.  On Friday, March 14th we will be throwing an all out birthday/St. Patty's Day bash at The 21st Saloon.  This show will mark our 75th performance at The 21st Saloon.  You wont want to miss this show.  Saturday, March 15th we will be taking our fiesta on the road to Cappy's Hot Spot in Lincoln, NE.  This of course will be another birthday/St. Patty's Day rage fest.  IT'S MY BIRTHDAY AND YOUR ARE ALL INVITED.

Now for the good stuff.  Every year when it gets close to my birthday I remember two things that happened to me during my formative years that changed my life forever.  I want to thank my parents so much because if you had not done these two things for me, who knows how my life would have ended up.  The first thing that happened was when I was 16 or 17 my parents cracked under the pressure and bought me my first guitar.  I was a huge KISS fan at the time and I wanted a Les Paul (like Ace Frehley) more than anything in the world.  My amazing parents came to my rescue and bought me a Cherry Sunburst Epiphone Les Paul Special with a Peavy Amp.  I was on cloud nine.  I had no idea how to play but I thought by maybe watching KISS videos I might be able to pick something up.  Not the case.  But I eventually started taking guitar lessons from an old blues musician.  He unfortunately didn't share in my passion for Rock N Roll music.  I was stuck learning blues scales and boring songs.  I hated it, but to the credit of my guitar teacher he taught me rhythm and chords.  I would eventually begin to build my speed up.  It wasn't a year later that I tried out for my first band as a lead vocalist.  My audition song........"Rock N Roll" by Led Zeppelin.  I didn't get the gig.  A few months later I auditioned for a guitar player position in a local punk band called Officially Terminated.  I sucked big time but so did the rest of the guys.  I got the gig.  Within a year I would be playing my first show in Casey Frasier's backyard.  Officially Terminated lasted for 7 years, touring, writing, and playing some of the wildest shows you can imagine.  All this thanks to that first Les Paul, which eventually was stolen from our practice place in Lincoln.  You will never be forgotten.  I signed my name underneath the pick-up just in-case anyone ever comes across one.

Cherry Sun Burst Epiphone Les Paul Special.  

The second thing that happened to me for my birthday was that my parents agreed to take me and my best friend to go and see KISS in Omaha.  I remember being floored when I opened this gift.  I had a ticket to the greatest show on the planet.  The year was 2000 and the show was to be held at the historic Civic Center in the heart of Omaha. Also on the bill was Ted Nugent, who I had heard of because of Cat Scratch Fever and a band I didn't know much about Skid Row (hey I was 17).  We arrived at the show early of course and my parents had no wish of going with us down onto the floor.  This was one of the last general admission shows at The Civic Center.  We ran towards the front and ended up standing about 5 rows from the barricade.  The air in that place was electric.  I was beyond nervous, terrified, and excited.  As soon as the lights went down the crowd surged forward and we were trapped inside this sweaty sea of people.  Luckily they were all KISS fans and everything was beyond cool.  The smell of marijuana overpowered the oxygen.  I remember having my face destroyed by Skid Row.  I would see them three more times in the next year.  Ted Nugent not only performed he captivated the audience.  There where topless women, drugs, and booze everywhere and all I could think of was that my parents where sitting way up in the balcony seats looking down on this Rock N Roll Sodom and Gamora.  Then it was time for KISS, "You wanted the best, you got the best".... then the place exploded.  I knew right then and there that this was what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.  My parents weren't thrilled when I moved band practice into our basement but they always supported me.

Thanks Mom and Greg, Dad and Beth.  I will always be thankful for what you did for me, even though you probably don't realize how much these two things changed my life.  I love you and I owe everything to you guys.

ALWAYS LOUD
FOREVER PROUD

Your Son
Sammy Spade