IDAHO ROCKS AND ROCKERS

Brutus made his first-ever trip to The Gem State of Idaho for a bit of Rock N Roll, baseball and astrophotography.

The main reason for the journey was to host KoRn, Stone Sour and Islander at the recently opened Portneauf Health Trust Amphitheater in Pocatello, ID. LB had long promised his listeners in the area that he’d get out for a visit when the stars aligned correctly with scheduling. The gig was a massive success with fans from Eastern Idaho, Montana and Wyoming showing up by the thousands. When Lou wasn’t onstage hosting or in the photo pit getting images, he was wading through the crowd handing out Darla the Wonder Dog pins.

The day before the concert, Brutus threw out the first pitch at the Idaho Falls Chukars victory over the visiting Grand Junction Rockies. Sadly, Lou was caught scuffing the ball before the pitch and was ejected from the game by stadium officials. However, he did get to keep the ball which he had signed by each member of the three bands playing the concert the following day.

Finally, Brutus was fortunate enough to make a trip a very remote park of great natural beauty: City of Rocks National Monument. He arrived shortly before dark and was able to capture images of the Milky Way under the pristine, light pollution-free skies along the Idaho/Utah border.

LB summed up by saying, “I can’t thank the rockers of Idaho enough for their many years of listening and for coming out to support live Rock N Roll. Much love also to my friends at K-Bear 101 and my buddy Viktor Wilt for all of the hospitality. I hope to get back out again soon for both music and your beautiful night skies!”

Read up on the show and Lou’s visit with the East Idaho news here.

GREGG ALLMAN, THE YEARBOOK AND I

Out of the sadness in the wake of the recent passing of music legend Gregg Allman, comes a Rock N Roll story that will warm your heart.

Back in 2006, Brutus was preparing to to travel to Savannah, GA to interview Allman at his home. A friend of Lou’s learned of the trip and mentioned Gregg visiting his high school in 1976 under somewhat bizarre circumstances. It seems Allman played a secret show at the school after completing drug rehabilitation at a nearby hospital outside of Buffalo, NY. The students had invited Gregg to visit. Amazingly, he not only accepted but played a show for the kids, bringing along his wife at the time Cher. When Lou’s friend mentioned Allman and Cher were in featured in high school yearbook for the visit, Lou suggested bring the yearbook for Gregg to see.

However, the full story is far richer and more wonderful than you can imagine. The incident as posted by Brutus was noticed on social media and turned into an excellent story by writer Sean Kirst of The Buffalo News.

You can read the entire article here. It proved so popular that there was a follow up article you can read here.

ROCK ON THE RANGE 2017

A NOTE FROM LOU: “Many thanks to everyone who helped make my 11th straight Rock On The Range experience a smashing success. The list includes Metallica, Alter Bridge, Starset, Stone Sour, Papa Roach, Korn, The Offspring, Motionless In White, Nothing More, The Amity Affliction, As Lions, Beartooth, Biffy Clyro, Bleeker, Ded, Dinosaur Pile Up, Goodbye June, I Prevail, Kyng, Rival Sons, Skillet, Thrice, Stitched Up Heart and many other artists. Thanks also to everyone at Danny Wimmer Presents including Danny, Gary Spivack, Clay Busch and the rest of their splendid folks, as well as the very nice people at MAPFRE Stadium. A tip of the cap also goes to the many radio, record, management and crew folks who treated me like gold. Props as well to the HardDrive Radio crew for the boots on the ground. Finally, and most importantly, thanks to the fans who came out and braved the elements to support live music. The best part of my job is being surrounded by such creative and interesting people. I sincerely appreciate the efforts of each and every one of you.”

As well as the many interviews he conducted, LB also did backstage photos of many of the artists and attendees. He’ll be posting several each day in the weeks following the show.

METALLICA: Now That We’re Live

The U.S. leg of Metallica’s WorldWired Tour began May 10th at Raven’s Stadium in Baltimore MD. However, the candle was lit by Lou Brutus the night before as he hosted a rehearsal special entitled “Metallica: Now That We’re Live.”

Millions watched around the world on Facebook Live while three hundred MetClub members viewed in person from the pit as LB joined Metallica onstage. The group slammed thru four songs including “Atlas, Rise,” “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Now That We’re Dead” and “Battery.” The performances were intro’d by Lou who returned to wrap up the show, only to be egged on by Lars Ulrich to sing a bit of the Anti Nowhere League classic famously covered by Metallica, “So What.” There was also a lengthy interview with Lars and Brutus that aired after the music.

Following the broadcast Lou said, “I hope that every girl who ever dumped me saw me onstage tonight with Metallica…BUT I’M NOT BITTER!!!”

If you missed the original event you can catch it on YouTube here. Check out another interview with Lars and LB here. Read the story on Blabbermouth here.

MLB: MAJOR LEAGUE BRUTUS

Lou will be back for his tenth season as an on field Major League Baseball photographer in 2017 for SiriusXM Sports.

HIs first game for the year was the preseason Naval Academy Baseball Classic in Annapolis, MD. The contest pitted the Washington Nationals against the Boston Red Sox on Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium. The tiny crowd was made up entirely of midshipmen from the academy who won tickets in a lottery. During the game, Brutus was honored to meet The Honorable Sean J. Stackley, Acting Secretary of the Navy, who was kind enough to slip LB one of his challenge coins.

LB has trips on the books to shoot baseball games in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Baltimore. and both the Yankees and Mets in New York City.