I’d like to thank Robin from One Sunny Place for nominating me for a Liebster Award. It’s an honor to receive this recognition and be part of a growing community of bloggers who write about what they enjoy most.

It’s time to pass the baton, so here are my Liebster Award nominations:

Dream4fun

SS&H

Along the Side of the Road

Soundtrack Alley

Parenthood & Passports

Lily Zacharias

Hello Happiness!

Lost in Theatre

Memoirs of a 21^st Century Time Traveler

My Groovy Little Soul

The Cultured Traveler

Please see the official rules below for the acceptance and nomination of the Liebster Award.

1. When did you start blogging and why?

I started blogging in August 2015 to write about my love of music. I’m a frequent concert goer, vinyl album collector and professional writer, so my friends encouraged me to start a music blog, The Stratton Setlist.

2. What’s your greatest strength?

My greatest strength is bringing people together. I’m the one who often organizes social gatherings with my family and friends. It’s natural for me to spend time with several people at once doing something that we all enjoy – concerts, movies, dinners and gatherings.

3. “No one does it like me.” What is one skill or talent that you do better than anyone?

I have an uncanny knack for remembering random dates. My family often will ask me when a particular event took place in the past. Most of the time, I’ll remember the exact day of the week, month, date and year something took place. The event may be significant or minor. For some reason, dates always stick with me.

4. What is your favorite genre of books and why?

My favorite books are music autobiographies. I love reading about the lives of music artists and how they started out. It’s also fascinating to view the music world through their eyes, learn from their personal experiences and see how they were inspired to create some of their best songs and albums. I’m currently reading Carrie Brownstein’s book, “Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl.”

5. What keeps you motivated?

Writing this blog and receiving feedback keeps me motivated. Each time I receive a new comment or follower, it inspires me to keep writing. I hope to find a community of bloggers and music aficionados out there who want to share their enjoyment of music, concerts and vinyl.

6. What’s most important to you in life?

Family, friends and music are the most important to me. I can’t imagine life without any of them. I’m happiest when all three are in my life simultaneously. Each one enriches the other.

7. How do you define success?

To me, success means being happy and fulfilled personally and professionally. I take great pride in knowing that I’ve accomplished something meaningful and memorable for years to come. Most of my best work has been done alongside a team of talented co-workers and friends. I thrive in an environment that’s fueled with compassion, creativity and camaraderie.

8. What is your most memorable moment?

My most memorable moment took place in April 2013 when I met Fleetwood Mac drummer and co-founder Mick Fleetwood for the first time in Pittsburgh at Consol Energy Center. I met him during a meet and greet before the band’s show that night. He’s such an animated storyteller who enjoys meeting fans and sharing fun snippets about Fleetwood Mac’s past and present. I was so in awe of Fleetwood and his 6-foot-6-inch frame compared to my massive 5-foot-1-inch self. I’ve been a huge Fleetwood Mac fan since age 10, so it was a real honor.

9. What would you change in your life if you could?

I wouldn’t mind being taller, but I’ve learned over the years that having a diminutive stature has its benefits – having a lower center of gravity, being mistaken for a younger age, maneuvering easier through large crowds, building up muscles more easily while weightlifting … the fun never stops.

10. What is your favorite kind of music and why?

It’s tough to pick just one kind of music as my favorite. I have several favorite genres ranging from classic rock to alternative and indie rock to prog to disco. People often comment on my eclectic taste, and I always say it’s about the variety. To me, music is an inspiring and fulfilling journey that never gets old.

11 Random Facts

1. I attended my first concert at age five. I saw Donna Summer during “The Wanderer” tour at Pine Knob in Clarkston, Mich. in 1981. My second concert was Billy Joel during “The Bridge” tour in November 1986 at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena.
2. I’ve lived in Michigan most of life with an exception of a short stint in Seattle.
3. I buy at least one new CD or vinyl album each week to educate myself about established and emerging artists.
4. My favorite album is Fleetwood Mac’s 1979 double album, “Tusk.”
5. I love music festivals because you get to binge on live shows and music for up to four days at a time. I always come away finding several new artists that I admire and can’t wait to explore. I’ve been to Lollapalooza eight times, Bonnaroo seven times and Coachella four times.
6. My favorite TV shows include “The X-Files,” The Big Bang Theory,” “Friends” and “Seinfeld.”
7. I’ve been to hundreds of concerts and keep a mental list of all the shows I’ve ever seen. I can’t say that I have a favorite live show of all time. There are too many great artists and experiences to rank.
8. I have three cats – Lily, Costello and Hank.
9. My friends jokingly call me “Ticketmaster” since I’m the one who often coordinates buying tickets for concerts with friends. When friends’ favorite artists come to town, it’s likely they ask me go with them.
10. I love spending time outdoors in the spring. There’s something refreshing about the budding flowers, extra daylight, dandelions and spring breezes that come across my way that time of year.
11. I enjoy sitting on my porch in the spring and summer evenings listening to records. It’s something I wish I could do every day, but Michigan’s erratic weather makes it challenging.

Questions for Liebster Award Nominees to Answer:

1. Why did you start your blog? What’s your favorite part about blogging? What time of day are you most inspired to write?
2. What advice would you give to new bloggers?
3. What’s your most memorable moment?
4. If you could have dinner with one person (alive or dead) who would it be? What would you discuss with him or her over dinner?
5. What’s your favorite song? What does it mean personally to you?
6. What’s the biggest lesson you have learned in life?
7. What’s the perfect way to spend a Saturday evening?
8. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?
9. What are the top three items you have on your bucket list?
10. What do you hope to be remembered for?