I’ve got two sons, ages 6 and 9. Both are music fans. So Wednesday night my wife and I treated the boys to their very first concert: THE JONAS BROTHERS!

The Jonas Brothers, Nick, Kevin and Joe performed at the Verizon Music Center. Demi Lovato (their co-star from the recent “Camp Rock” on the Disney Channel) started out the night.

Avril Levigne was the opening act. (I know, I was surprised to that she was the opening act…thought she had headlined for a while. She was terrific.)

If you are not up on current music or haven’t heard of the Jonas Brothers yet, you will. 

The three opened for Miley Cyrus on last year’s mega tour. And you know what…They are pretty good! The brothers were entertaining, great on stage, and good singers and musicians. It was a tight, fast-paced show.

I’ve gotten used to hearing their music since the kids listen to it often in the car. The Jonas Brothers have a good infectious sound. As a parent, I particularly appreciate not having to screen it for language or content.

BTW, 6 NEWS had special access to the Jonas Brothers all day Wednesday, recording their tour of the city, the Speedway etc. Last night at the concert I talked to Shea Goodpaster , 6 NEWS Photojournalist (AND IndyChannel.com blogger) and he told me the brothers “were good guys.” That’s nice to hear and not at all surprising. They seem like good guys…great to hear its not an act.  

So it was a perfect concert for the kids…and parents, too! 

It was the first time I had been to Verizon Music Center since my nine year old was born. I spent many a night there in the nineties. It was fun to go back again. My take on the concert venue? It’s much, much easier to get in and out of now; I was surprised we didn’t have to pay for parking; but they made up for it in much higher food/snack/drink prices. The venue was much like I remembered it. Only complaint from me? They need to put a couple of big screens under the pavilion…unless you have a lawn seat or were straight on to the stage, you could not see any video screens.

That’s my only complaint. Not too bad.

It was a beautiful evening of good family entertainment. It’s fun to see your kids have such a great time. It was a great first concert for the guys.

*****
Remember the X-Files? I was a huge fan of the show when it aired on FOX in the nineties. It’s back as a big screen movie event. It opens on Friday. But I’ve been invited to a screening on Thursday night. I’ll post a review as soon as I get home late Thursday night.

There’s a new book out there for baby-boomers that can remember “Wacky Packages.”

“Wacky Packages” were a series of stickers for the Mad Magazine generation that featured take-offs of familiar product packaging. 

This new book puts them all together…very entertaining stuff. And even if you don’t remember these stickers you’ll find them funny anyway!

*****  

On Friday night, June 20, I witnessed the power of mass marketing. At about 7:45pm, all the kids in my neighborhood all disappeared indoors in order to watch the Disney Channel premiere of “Camp Rock.”

If you know what “Camp Rock” is you likely have a youngster between the ages of 8 and 16! Disney’s “Camp Rock” premiered on The Disney Channel on a Friday, then ABC on Saturday, then ABC Family on Sunday, then on-line at Disney.com on Monday! Talk about synergy!

The TV movie/musical starring Disney band The Jonas Brothers at a summer camp for musicians scored big with tweens and teens.

So it should be no surprise Disney is already planning a sequel. They will shoot it next spring or summer. So if you don’t know “Camp Rock” yet…you have time to catch up. 

By the way, I didn’t think “Camp Rock” was as good as “Disney’s High School Musical” franchise. And the kids in my neighborhood seemed to agree.