April 23rd, 1994: A Day I'll Never Forget: Kenny Rogers, Tesla, R. Kelly

"THERE LIES THE DIFFERENCE"   KENNY ROGERS

The power of a 3 minute song is undeniable.    Hearing the opening few notes here takes me back twenty years to a moment that changed my life forever.   No regrets, youthful innocence, true love, and eternal dreams.  This will ALWAYS be my favorite Kenny Rogers song and a memory that will forever bring a smile to my face.
AUDIO LINK for Kenny Rogers: There-Lies-The-Difference 

"LOVE SONG"      TESLA

A classical guitar introduction paves the way to one of the grandest power ballads of the Hair Band Era.   Jeff Keith nailed the vocals on this song and the buildup to the chorus is dramatic, lighters filled arenas during this one!   "Love is all around you, Love is knocking outside your door, waiting for you, this love made just for two, Keep An Open Heart and You'll Find Love Again, I KNOW!"  

"BUMP & GRIND (Remix)"   R. KELLY

New Jack Swing, soulful R&B, retro laidback soul, club bangers, it doesn't get better than R. Kelly's 1994 masterpiece, "12 Play".    This cassette was wore out by me on a roadtrip to Key West, FL.    This was R. Kelly's breakthrough and it's an incredible introduction to his musical creativity and genius.    "12 Play" is sexually charged, intense slow jams that will "rock your world" and classic 90's hip hop that might sound a little dated today but for those who remember those days, this was the JAM!  1994, what a great memory!!

When You Were Mine (Rare): Art Of Dying, Tesla, Cyndi Lauper, and Day Of Fire

"WHEN YOU WERE MINE"  CYNDI LAUPER

Cyndi Lauper covering early Prince, here's a rare AMA video captured from a Japanese fan site.  Never afraid to take chances, Cyndi's visual stage presence, her performance art style, and her ability to mesmerize a crowd was seen here early in her meteoric career.

 
"BEST I CAN"    ART OF DYING

The song opens with the ominous lyrics:   "Tonight I feel the world won't miss me, so much to say but there's no one listening" and you wonder if it's a song about suicide.   But as the lyrics progress, you feel the fight, the hope, determination: "I got a picture of what matters and I keep it close to my heart, it's a little faded but so am I."   From the 2009 Canadian New Artist of the Year, Art of Dying is a new band on the rise.

"THE FIRST TIME"   TESLA

Tesla returned in 2008 with their finest CD since Psychotic Supper in the early 90's.   The sound is the perfect combination of contemporary rock with their signature sound.   "First Time" is embracing life to the fullest and adds to Tesla's legacy.

"THE DARK HILLS"  DAYS OF FIRE

Christian rock band, Day Of Fire, only released three CD's but my favorite track by them is "The Dark Hills".  Questioning your worth, your place in this world, the lyrics hit you like a punch in a face:  "searching for the truth through stained glass windows covering up in shame only things I know"  "If anyone knew this ugliness inside me would they throw a stone, would they crucify me?   How heavy was the crown of thorns?"   The theme of forgiveness is laced in the chorus in this dynamic song.