2 Sides of Love

The drawing I did for Sammy and Kari Hagar in 1999 at the Cabo Wabo Cantina and the drawing I did for them in 2010 at the Common Ground Festival in Lansing, Michigan.

Today is tomorrow....Time to Talk SAMMY HAGAR AND THE WABOS!!!

It's tomorrow! With very limited funds, Melissa and I started the day heading to Midland so she could teach her class. While she taught, I did the drawing of Mona, the Waborita bass player. We then had lunch and headed to Lansing to the Common Ground Festival. I'd talked to some folks at Common Ground prior to this week (withholding names)about trying to get the artwork to Sammy and the band. They were VERY supportive and when we met with them, we each got backstage passes to the Meet & Greet with Sammy and the Wabos! We were also told we'd be "Up front Fanatics", or rather fans who get to spend the concert onstage and get served drinks. We met "Sweet5150", a fellow Michigan Redhead who won a contest to get on the Meet &Greet. He had is son who was turning 5yrs old yesterday. Oh, and it turns out that sweet5150 had a photo book that was released a couple years ago that had ALOT of pics of a painting I gave to Sammy some time back!
Anyway, we got backstage to the M/G, and when Sammy came out, he walked up to me and said "Hey, I remember you." Me, being a schmuck, said "Well, I HOPE so!" He proceeded to the contest winner and just as he was passing me, drummer David Lauser stepped out and grinned and pointed at me and Melissa. He walked over and gave me a big hug and we chatted for awhile. He told me how a couple of the drawings I've given him are hanging in his studio and thanked me. Then bassist Mona came up and smiled.
"JASON! I walked right past you and didn't even see you! How are you? How's the baby doing?"
I said "Which one? We have 3 now!" "THREE??? Last I remember there were only 2! I missed one!" Dave and Mona chatted with Melissa and I for a couple minutes and thanked me for the artwork (they loved it, and Dave recognized the image I worked from for his painting. The photo was taken by Todd Martyn-Jones. Thanks Mr. Jones! Awesome images every time! http://www.toddmjphotography.com ).
Then Sammy came back over and when he saw the drawing, his jaw dropped.
"Aw, man! You're gonna make me miss my wife! It's beautiful! I love this stuff!" He told me. He looked at the other fans and hugged the drawing, "BACK OFF! IT'S MINE!!!"
I tried telling him about the drawing I did of him and his wife years ago, but said he didn't remember. I told him I thought he'd want an updated drawing to go along with the first one. He thanked me and shook my hand. I told him that Melissa and I had come to the last Common Ground show he did and that the acoustic version of "Dreams" was the first time I'd heard that version before, and the speech he gave before playing it brought tears to my eyes for the first time in concert. I told him his words and that night inspired me to pursue my art career more seriously than before. He grinned and told me "Yeah, I think that version relays the true message of the song. And that's what the song's all about, man, following your dreams. Thanks for the drawing." I thanked him and he shook my hand and Melissa's and headed back to his trailer. Mission freakin' accomplished, baby!!
Unfortunately, in spite all the efforts of the Common Ground people, they couldn't get us onstage (too many people already), but that was alright! We stayed for the show, and left a LITTLE early to battle the 3 hour drive home.
Oh, and not only did we meet Sammy, but 2 other highlights: The AWESOME women from the Common Ground Fest, and the fact that David Lauser and Mona came out and talked to us and NOBODY else! They talked to us and went back in! Tee Hee!

How I spent my Wednesday...

I'll get into more detail tomorrow. Melissa and I just got back from Lansing. It's 2am and I am exhausted. BUT, I will say that we did make it to the Sammy show at Common Ground Festival (THANK YOU Amanda and Shelby!! AND Sammy, Mona, and David!)

Dick in the Dirt (NO! It's a HAGAR song!!!)

Well, my confidence is fleeting. Lack of funds are probably going to keep my wife and I from going to see Sammy Hagar and the Wabos at Common Ground tomorrow. I'm VERY bummed. I've been working on drawings and paintings for Sammy and the band, but it might just collect dust. But it's not just about the art, it's the energy and inspiration his shows offer. The camaraderie of the fans, teh REDHEADS, is overwhelming! Plus, just the fact that all this planning takes place, only to have 1or 3 things come up that wipe out what little money we've saved. Ha-RUMPH!

So, anyone wanna buy some artwork? :D

Lansing will turn RED

Sorry about the extended absence, by I've been REALLY boring lately.
So, Sammy Hagar and the Wabos are going to be appearing at the Common Ground Festival in Lansing, Michigan next Wednesday, so I'm busting my tuchus (yiddish, but I don't know how to spell it, for buttocks) trying to get artwork done for the show. I always feel good when I work on artwork of Sammy. I don't know why. I think it's the connection to the music and the personal connection of him appreciating the art and the fan who made it, namely me. His band, the Waboritas (Mona, Vic Johnson and David Lauser) are awesome on stage and in person.
That's the only real news going right now. I'm plugging away in the studio and teaching at the Midland Center for the Arts, so I've been busy.

Video Update for the Spring/Summer

Thought I'd let all of you view my chiseled handsomeness and listen to my angelic voice update you all on what I'm up to

Ladies and Gentlemen, Hoboes and Tramps, cross-eyed mosquitoes and bow-legged ants...

Where to begin??? I have alot happening in the next few months- Blast The Blues, the Nuttall Art Studio Opening May 8th from 4-6 (with a raffle of artwork), Motor City Comic Con to see Sergio and Stan Sakai again, teaching at the Midland Center for the Arts, but something came up this morning that got my blood pumpin': SAMMY HAGAR and the WABOS at Common Ground Festival in July!!! It's a great event, and a great line-up every year, and the Red Rocker being in the mix is a Can't Miss!!! My hands are shakin' and my mind is racin'! "Should I do some drawings/paintings for the band?" "What should I do?" "Should I try to meet them again, and if so, HOW?"
As I'd mentioned in previous posts, the last time Sammy was at Common Ground, Melissa and I raced from teaching in Midland to East Lansing at the last second (we got out of teaching at 4 and the show started at 6 or 7). We only had enough money for gas for the next day to get to work, so we wouldn't be able to get tix into the show, but it's an outdoor event and we could listen to the show, at least. Melissa convinced me we should go, so we went. We got there a little bit before the Wabos hit the stage. A guy was trying to sell his ticket but we told him we had no money and I told him my story about Sammy. He moved on to sell his ticket, but turned around and just GAVE it to us! "You deserve this more than anyone." Perfect example of a true Redhead. Only problem was, 1 ticket, 2 people. So, we just decided to watch from the side because we didn't want to separate. In a few minutes, somebody went around and was GIVING tickets out for free!! HALLELUJAH!! So, I gave our ticket to someone sitting outside of the fenced and took our 2 tickets and went inside!
So, anyway, the whole experience, including his story about the re-vamped "Dreams" song, inspired me greatly, to tears even. I've held his words close to heart, and the decisions I've made in the last 2 years have been greatly influenced by Sammy Hagar (so I have HIM to blame for any fallout!).

Floatin' on a Bubble...

As posted before, I had the great chance to meet rock legend Joe Walsh of the James Gang, The Eagles and a very successful solo career. In 2000 I did the drawing above for Joe Walsh and took it to the Common Ground Festival. I was not allowed to take the drawing into the show, so I had to take it back to my car. As I turned away, discouraged, one of the guards asked to see the drawing. I showed it to him and he was floored! He told me that he was going to talk to his boss about getting me and the drawing backstage to Joe's management, at least, and to meet him in a couple hours (this was before 1pm and the show started at 8pm). When I met up with him later, he said his boss told him to blow me off and tell me he'd take it for me. The guard loved the drawing and really wanted to see me get the artwork to Joe. Throughout the day we met a few times, only to tell me to meet him later.
One of our last meetings he told me that he would have to escort me to my car to get the drawing, escort me back in and lead me to the guard rail in beside the stage. He said this would have to take place AFTER the show.
Well, the show started, Joe kicked ASS and I waited where I was supposed to. And I waited. And waited. I thought he blew me off, when all of a sudden I heard "Let's GO Jason!!! FOLLOW ME!!!" He ran past me and waved me along. I chased after him and we ran to the car. Across the street, I lost my new prescription sunglasses in traffic (and all my oxygen. I was out of shape!!!). We grabbed the drawing and ran back. We got to the guard rail and he went back to talk to some other guards. He came back and told me to wait cuz Joe's manager wanted to meet me and see the drawing. While I waited, other fans stood by me as guards told them "Sorry. Joe already left. Time to go", and I snickered. The guard came back with a larger man (than me, at least) and walked off with a thumbs up to me and a smile. The bear of a man introduced himself as Smokey Wendell and asked to see the drawing. I showed him and his eyes glazed over. He said he hadn't expected that kind of quality and started pointing out the different images.
"Hey, that's from the '80 tour. This one's from '92 and that's the '81 tour!" Smokey said. He told me that Joe gets alot of gifts and that there's a chance that this piece might end up leaning against a pile of pictures against a wall in Joe's house. I told him that as long as Joe gets it and likes it. If not, I would be okay with an autograph, as Smokey mentioned might be better.
He took the drawing to Joe to get the okay. I came back and fans were still trying to get a glimpse of Joe with security pushing them out telling them he already left.
Smokey came back without the drawing and told me to follow him. We went back behind Joe's bus and there stood Joe, talking to somebody. I walked up and waited and he turned and smiled.
"Hi. You did that drawing?" Joe Walsh asked.
"Yeah. I'm Jason Nuttall", I whimpered out.
"You know, usually I'm not into this kind of thing, but I'm really flattered. Thanks."
"You're very welcome. Could I get a photo?"
"Yeah, sure. We'll get two".
After the photos, I asked him to sign a couple things, shook hands and Smokey led me away. He told me that he wanted me to take the drawing because they had nowhere on the bus to carry it. Smokey gave me an address to send the drawing to, though and he'd pick it up after the tour.
It was a great experience and Joe was very kind and warm to this geeky lil fan.

How I spent my NIGHT...

After Melissa's class, we decided poverty be DAMNED and trekked on down to Lansing to the Common Ground Festival to see the Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar and the Waboritas!!!!!! We didn't have the money for tix, so we decided to just watch from outside the fences. But THEN, some guy comes up and gives us 2 FREE tickets into the show!!!! We scurried inside and found that we could sneak up to the front, or at least near the front. Melissa snapped this AWESOME shot!

We can't afford to go to Midland tomorrow, but we got a free concert!!!

Behind Blue Eyes

In the spirit of VH1's Rock Honors of The Who this month, I decided to post a photo of my Pete Townsend charcoal drawing I did in 2000.

Ya see, I had the fantastic opportunity to give a drawing to the great Joe Walsh (of the Eagles, solo and James Gang, as well as playing Ed on the Drew Carey Show). He was performing at the Common Ground Festival in Lansing, Michigan and I did a drawing for him. After the show, a security guard worked some magic and got me a little meeting with Walsh's manager, Smokey Wendell. He loved the drawing, took it to Joe Walsh and they said I could meet him. It was great! I'll get into more detail in a later post about that WHOLE scenario...

After meeting Joe, Smokey pulled me aside and asked if I had any artwork of Pete Townsend, because Pete was going to be visiting Joe's house in a month and he thought it would be cool if he was given a drawing. I did not have one, however, but within the week I kicked this charcoal drawing out, but soon lost my wallet with Smokey's contact info!!!

Eight years later, I got it framed I displayed it publicly for the first time at my exhibit at the Enchante Gallery (which ended June 27th).

If you are interested in this drawing, please either leave a comment or email me. I'm thinking of putting it on Ebay, so act quickly.

Rock and roll!

The image to the left is from 2003. The little arm is my daughter Rebecca at 1 year old. This painting sold online.

Can ya feel it?? Can ya feel my hairs on my arms stand up? Hell, you might even HEAR it from where you're standing!!

July 7 in Lansing, Michigan at the Common Ground Festival the Red Rocker SAMMY HAGAR is gonna be in concert!!!! It's been a LOOOOONG time since I've seen the power of the Pink Rocker Mona on bass, the surge of energy from guitarist Vic Johnson, the thunder of David Lauser on drums, and that singer, Sammy Hagar, who plays guitar, too.

Unfortunately, my wife and I can't afford the $35(each) to see the show. We're gonna be about an hour away in Midland teaching until 5, but the shows don't start until 7. I'm kinda trying to sell artwork to be able to go to the show, because I'm quitting my miserable job and relying on the teaching gigs we picked up to pay bills. But the draw of the music and show itself is tuggin' at me!!!

Can ya save me?!? Can ya stop my hunger pangs???