<strong>One year ago today</strong> I started a website I decided to call "This Is Somewhere". I struggled over the name for quite some time, eventually settling on it after reading an interview with Grace that talked about destinations, process and thoughts behind the recording of "This Is Somewehre". I found the name fitting and beside, the domain was available.

As of today the site contains 490 posts and 2,083 comments, more than one post a day for the entire year. If you choose, you can browse through all of them via the <a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/archive">archives</a>. On this anniversary I thought I'd take look back at my view of the defining moments of the last twelve months in more or less chronological order. If I missed your favorite, please feel free to add it in the comments.

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<strong>Workplay Videos</strong>
For those who had rarely had the chance to see the band live, a series of videos that appeared after a show at Workplay in Birmingham, AL helped us visualize the band. They served as a well filmed, up close YouTube resource for anyone thinking about going to a show capturing almost the entire performance.

<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/01/22/workplay-videos-big-props-to-birmingham-steve/">First set of videos</a>
<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/01/21/more-workplay-videos-of-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals/">Next set of videos</a>

<strong>Lincoln Center American Songwriter Series</strong>
The booking at the Allen Room helped solidify the bands reputation in circles well outside the jam band, americana rock fans. A stellar review in the New York Times is something that the band can carry with them forever. Grace's solo performance of Apologies on the Steinway piano is a thing of beauty.

<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/02/25/lincolncenternytimes/">Review</a>
<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/02/24/grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals-lincoln-center-show-available-for-download/">Live show</a>

<strong>Jambase Interview</strong>
This interview shows the fun filled side of GPN. It doesn't hurt to put on a good show off the stage either.

<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/03/22/jambase-interview/">Interview</a>

<strong>Sun Studio Sessions</strong>
This remarkable series was the brainchild of the folks at <a href="http://www.earvolution.com/">Earvolution</a>, long time fans and supports of GPN. They tell me they are working on a new distribution deal that might bring out one more video from the series. "Mystery Train", one of the original videos, was pulled due to copyright restrictions. These videos are probably my own personal favorite of the year.

<a href=" http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/04/14/more-from-sun-studios-outta-my-tree/">Outta My Tree</a>
<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/05/02/night-rolls-on-from-sun-studios/">Night Rolls On</a>
<a href=" http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/06/16/whenever-you-guys-are-ready-ill-be-pulsing-over-here/">Sugar</a>


<strong>Gov't Mule Tour</strong>
A classic booking. Fans of the Mule were very receptive to the GPN groove. As the tour progressed you could hear the roar of the crowd when Grace of Scott stepped up on the stage. "Nutbush City Limits" and "Gold Dust Woman" became classics.

<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/05/06/new-orleans-with-govt-mule-some-nasty-nasty-rock-and-roll/">Nasty</a>
<a href=" http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/04/30/take-me-to-the-river-at-the-mcdowell-mountain-music-festival/">Take Me To The River</a>
<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/05/07/new-orleans-with-mule/">More Covers</a>

<strong>Jammy Awards, Gold Dust Woman w/ Warren</strong>
Grace demonstrates her appeal as a host, we're hoping there is no talk show in her future. While we would have liked to see the full band onstage the exposure generated from this performance helps everyone.

<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/05/13/pro-quality-videos-from-the-jammys/">Jammy's</a>

<strong>Lebanon, NH - Band at Salt Hill Pub - Go Down Low with Jen Crowell</strong>
The <a href="http://gracepotterandthenocturnals.fancorps.com/">Potterville Posse</a> worked hard to setup this combination Meet and Greet / Q&A session with the band and it was a stellar event. The bands personality and openness shined through in every way. Jen Crowell's <a href="http://www.earvolution.com/2008/09/jen-crowell-cold-front.asp">performance as an opener</a> and subsequent sit in on "Go Down Low" were another highlight of the night.

<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/06/16/go-down-low-lebanon-nh/">Go Down Low</a>
<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/06/26/grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals-qa-from-lebanon-nh/">Q & A </a>
<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/09/08/more-lebanon-nh-qa/">More Q & A</a>

<strong>Grace Solo, Maine TV and Tamarack Grille</strong>
Grace breaks out with a solo performance on a local television station that serves as a prelude to a quickly sold out, intimate show later in the year.

<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/06/26/rare-treat-heres-to-the-meantime-and-ah-mary-solo-versions/">
Maine TV</a>
<a href=" http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/10/05/grace-potter-solo-show-east-burke-vt/">Tamarack Grille</a>

<strong>Something That I Want - One Tree Hill Appearance</strong>
Grace's appearance on this teen drama was the subject of much discussion. Congratulations, hopefulness - all the way to outright skepticism were expressed. Traffic on the website post broadcast was more than 7x normal, much of that traffic seems to have stayed around. From where I sit it was a big win garnering Grace and the band many new fans. Notice the proliferation of sing alongers at more recent shows? I attribute it to this appearance.

<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/09/04/grace-potter-to-appear-on-one-tree-hill/ ">One Tree Hill Discussion</a>
<a href="http://www.vimeo.com/2605088">Video Clip of Performance</a>

<strong>Northampton, This one is for K. Cortez</strong>
What can I say? A booking at my local venue on my birthday and a humbling dedication topped off with a staggering performance. Couldn't ask for much more.

<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/10/10/this-one-is-for-kcortez/">Cortez The Killer</a>

<strong>Blues and Lasers Break Out</strong>
Blues and Lasers hit the stage with a minimum of practice time but a maximum of synergy. They served up their own brand of rock and got people noticing from the get go. Look for some more amazing music from these guys in the upcoming year.

<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2009/01/03/blues-and-lasers-cudos-from-earvolution/">Review</a>
<a href=" http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2009/01/03/blue-and-lasers-in-chicago-121208/">Live Show</a>
<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/08/17/scott-tournet-interview/">Interview</a>

<strong>Revolution Rock</strong>
A day in the life.

<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/09/30/revolution-rock/">Revolution Hall, Albany, NY</a>

<strong>Royal Tenenbaum</strong>
New Years Eve with the Nocturnals is always fun. Add to this the spot on costuming of the Tenenbaum theme and you've got something really special. Yes, my predictions came true.

<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2009/01/02/new-years-eve-and-beyond/">New Years Eve</a>
<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2008/12/19/new-years-eve-theme-speculation/">Speculation</a>
<a href="http://www.thisissomewhere.com/2009/01/03/new-years-eve-08-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals/">Live Show</a>

The year has been something special, who knows what's next. I've been struggling with my own thoughts about all this, strike it up to needing a recharge and a break to sort it all out. Thanks to everyone I've met on the way, fans, photographers and videographers whose own efforts help make the site possible. Special thanks to Nate, Justin, John, Sparky, Jen, Aya, Adrien, Benny, Steve, Matt, Scott, Bryan and Grace.
