Ah, it’s that time of the year again when Uptown’s post-show videos serenade the world of Facebook and YouTube. This time, we shredded “Carry On Wayward Son,” by Kansas, in our most recent show, More Than a Feeling: 70s Arena Rock.

Personally, I love watching our post-show videos. It’s like a reward for the hard work and integrity that bled out in every rehearsal, walk through, and practice. Videos catch moments that the eyes and mind might forget about, and so capturing these videos keeps my mind in check with where I am now.

And I love this little family that puts on these big shows. Every one of us share a brotherly/sisterly friendship; I’ve never seen so much support in one small group ever in my life.

A lot of people are completely unaware of this, but Kansas is one of my all time favorite bands. In my earlier days of youth, I’d sing along to “Carry On Wayward Son”. Sure, my voice sounded disastrous and I couldn’t sing a pitch then even if I tried, but I loved it so much because of the amazing vocals, instrumentation, and harmonies.

Uptown brings the essence of this song to the edge with near perfection. This tune is definitely not an easy one (speaking in keyboard terms since I am a keyboardist), but no matter what song, we always make it look so easy to get up there and perform those higher ranked songs in front of the record-breaking crowd that we just recently had.

In this song, I see the musicians that I knew since I basically started at the Collective and realize just how much progress they’ve made since. They’re grown, as most people today would say. I’m proud of my music family and to watch them grow in such ways is one of the most beautiful, sentimental things that I could ever be a part of. “Carry On” slaps me in the face and reminds me of what bright futures are waiting for them all and it makes me dread being a senior and having to eventually leave them all to start my own bright future.

For those of you who don’t really have an idea of just how supportive we are of one another, we could perform a show one million times and after each and every show we’d always join up in the lobby of the Community Arts Center sharing hugs, ‘good jobs,’ ‘I love yous,’ and photos. Let’s not forget about all the times I may have accidentally photo bombed.

If you want to hear our cover of “Carry On Wayward Son”, or if you want to check out the rest of my Song of the Weeks, visit my blog site: http://www.mellowickdiaries.wordpress.com and share it around on all of your social media outlets. Also, follow/like this amazing music community on Facebook (@uptownmusiccollective), Twitter (@umctweet), Instagram (uptownmusiccollective), and get a follow-up with our new Snapchat (umcollective).

Have recommendations for the next Song of the Week? Email Sam Peters at smellowick@gmail.com.