“Country: Portraits of an American Sound” at the Annenberg Space for Photography

Last weekend, we headed to the Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City to check out their spanking new exhibit, “Country: Portraits of an American Sound” and lemme tell ya, it kicked ass. Seriously, even people who don’t like country music will enjoy the very cool array of photographs on display. And if you love old school Grand Ole Opry stars like Ernest Tubb, Loretta Lynn, George Jones and Patsy Cline as much as we do, well, prepare to be dazzled.

Featuring work from a number of photographers covering the country music scene in Nashville and beyond, the show spans the post WWII period straight on through to today. One of Greta’s favorite shots was a very recent portrait of that little firecracker Kasey Musgraves. Musgraves took home the Grammy for Best Country Album earlier this year for her boot-stompingly good major label debut “Same Trailer Different Park.” And of you haven’t heard her music yet, well…you will!

My favorite pic was the insanely cool Tammy Wynette shot featured on the poster below and an action pic of Loretta Lynn jumping for joy after hearing that she’d been asked to join the regular cast at the Opry. Classic! And if you love Johnny Cash like we do, there are some great photos of him through the years as well. Honestly, every photo in the show is amazing and the documentary the Annenberg produced in conjunction with The Country Music Hall of Fame is positively riveting. Seriously good stuff all around.

And those with wee ones will appreciate the show’s super cool hidden item game which encourages kids to find items from a brochure in the photos on display. Greta loved it and actually, it was fun for adults too. In fact, some of the items were so difficult to find that we had to ask for help.

So, if you live in the area (and even if you don’t!) get thee to the Annenberg Space for Photography and check out this little gem of a show for yourself. The cost of admission is free and parking, with museum validation, is only one dollar. So, how can you lose?

I should warn you though, this show will fuel your desire for country jams like never before, we’ve been playing nothing but Dolly, Emmylou Harris and Porter Wagoner all week…it’s been awesome!

Bigfoot & Yeti Christmas Ornaments

I know it’s probably too late to get these super cool Bigfoot and Yeti-tastic Christmas ornaments shipped out to you and yours by Christmas Day, but, if you’re anything like me, you’ll hardly care. The fact that someone knows and appreciates your deep abiding love for all thing Cryptozoological is reward enough. And what’s a belated Christmas gift or two amongst friends, right?

So, slip your wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, loved one, or even your child a little note with the name and online store address of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine — I’m still getting over the fact that such a place exists. So cool! — and tell them to order you a hand blown glass Bigfoot and Yeti Christmas ornament today. If you’re lucky, they’ll get you both of them.

And if you’re really lucky, who knows, maybe your secret Santa will even pay extra to overnight these bad boys to you in time for the holiday. Because nothing says “I love you and Merry Christmas, nerd!” like a pair of fancy Bigfoot and Yeti ornaments.