ASSORTED DECLARATIONS BY STAFF WRITER TOM GRAHAM   2012’s favorite sons, daughters and two grandads Here’s a few of this year’s records I keep going back to as favorites. I will feature my top five personal best of 2012 next week, but these seven gems deserve some high praise as well. Band of Horses Mirage Rock Band of Horses have changed a bit. They...

ASSORTED DECLARATIONS BY STAFF WRITER TOM GRAHAM   The Other Side of Christmas Not all Christmas songs have to exude fuzzy feelings of hope and joy as the crooner spouts out holiday heaps of “you know what” from the safety and warmth of a snow-covered house equipped with a gas fireplace. Some Christmas music needs to be a little gritty, a little off...

ASSORTED DECLARATIONS BY STAFF WRITER TOM GRAHAM   The Return of Rascal Super group country kings Rascal Flatts announced they will bring their “Changed Tour 2013” to Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m.. Special guests The Band Perry and Kristen Kelly will join Rascal Flatts for the Wilkes-Barre...

ASSORTED DECLARATIONS BY STAFF WRITER TOM GRAHAM   Now that your bellies are stuffed from all of the Thanksgiving goodies you gobbled down last week, it’s time to get off of your butts and shake it on the dance floor. And if you’re not a dancer, at least you can go out and see some great live music this week in The 570. Go get some of that good...

ASSORTED DECLARATIONS BY STAFF WRITER TOM GRAHAM The Tradition Continues Arts Youniverse, 156 South Franklin Street in downtown Wilkes-Barre, will be the setting as the tradition continues for yet another year with “Live at Downtown Arts”. Celebrate Thanksgiving Eve and be part of another live album recording when Scranton-based musician, MiZ takes the...

ASSORTED DECLARATIONS BY STAFF WRITER TOM GRAHAM   Pre-Thanksgiving Thrash It has been 20 years since the release of Megadeth’s classic record Countdown To Extinction. In celebration, the thrash metal gods will perform their 1992 album in its entirety this Monday, Nov. 19 at The Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg. Megadeth recently released the Countdown To...

ASSORTED DECLARATIONS BY STAFF WRITER TOM GRAHAM   The Time of Rhymes I don’t remember how or why, but at one point last weekend I made a very bold statement to my wife. I told her she’s “the reason why I don’t listen to Biggie Smalls anymore.” I love all types of music and, depending on my mood, I blast just about anything through my speakers....

ASSORTED DECLARATIONS BY STAFF WRITER TOM GRAHAM   Take the Tour I had been meaning to take the trip for years, but it wasn’t until last week I made the trek to Nazareth, Pa. and visited the C. F. Martin & Co. Guitar Factory. I have owned a few Martin Guitars (and just purchased another beauty after taking the tour) which have served me well...

ASSORTED DECLARATIONS BY STAFF WRITER TOM GRAHAM Ghost of Halloween Costumes Past I love Halloween with all of my ghoulishly Graham heart. I love that little kids get to dress up and beg for candy, and I love that, as adults, we give the trick-or-treaters large doses of sugar and chocolate and send them on their merry way. It’s pretty serious business going...

  ASSORTED DECLARATIONS BY STAFF WRITER TOM GRAHAM   Life in the Third Dimension Primus brought its ground-breaking 3D Tour to the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts on a crisp, cool Tuesday night in the Diamond City. The band has been feverishly touring in support of their seventh studio record, 2011’s Green Naugahyde. Considered the...