Originally posted on MySpace on April 17, 2007.That's from the Tom Petty song, and that's exactly what I experienced today. Before going to the Fox Theater this morning, I swung by the Kelly 95.3 radio station. The promotions director generously provided me not only with stickers, but also magnets, keychains and a lunch bag! One of the stickers immediately was affixed to the back window of my Blazer to join the others.
It was only 10:00 am when I started my vigil at the Fox Theater. My plan was to meet the bus when it arrived, and hopefully see John. And, so, I waited...and waited and waited. I left a couple of times to make pit stops, but returned to continue my ordeal. Before leaving for this road trip, I actually Google mapped the route the bus would take from L.A. Where I had my Blazer parked, I could see the street going to the theater.
My patience finally paid off when about 12:30, I saw the bus pass by about two blocks away. I quickly made my way to the theater, camera in hand. I snapped a shot as the bus approached the theater, and continued to take photos as it rounded the block and parked in the alley behind the theater. As people came off the bus, and the trailer it was pulling was unloaded, I kept taking photos. It's not often that you see this part of the operation, and I wanted to capture the moment. Finally, the trailer was empty, but John was nowhere in sight. I got to talking to the bus driver, who confirmed John wasn't on the bus. He had been driving tour buses for seven years, and it was interesting talking to him. The driver said the bus was owned by the guy who used to drive for Bob Dylan.
I then spoke to John's tour manager (?), asking about John's whereabouts. He said that John was actually driving up from L.A. himself, and would arrive in a few hours. I was really determined to meet John, so I walked to the front of the theater, hoping this vantage point would allow me to see his arrival. And, so, the waiting continued. I periodically walked back to the alley to make sure he didn't sneak in behind me, but it didn't appear to be so. About 3:00 pm, the theater staff started erecting barricades across both ends of the alley...uh, oh! What did this mean? Was John there and I missed him? I looked at the cars parked around the theater...could one of them be John's car? I was thinking he would be driving his Mountaineer...he had told me he had one in an email. But, I didn't see such a vehicle. I waited another half hour, and finally resigned myself to the fact that I must have missed John's arrival, and he was now inside the theater.
Disappointed, I went back to my motel for dinner and to freshen up. At 5:30, I returned to the theater, and to my dismay, John's Mountaineer was parked inside the barricades! I MISSED HIM!!! I couldn't believe it! After all that waiting, for naught! Still, I held out a slim hope it would happen, so I waited by the barricade. As it got close to 6:30 pm...the time the doors to the show would open...I decided that I missed my chance, and I just had to try again at one of four upcoming concerts.
I walked to my Blazer, which was parked across the street from the barricade. I happened to glance back, and I saw two people approaching the barricade door. I walked back across the street...just in time to meet John and his wife Carla coming out. They actually CAME OUT TO SEE ME!!! It appears someone told John some crazy gal had been waiting hours to see him...I'm sure he knew who it was! I gave him a gift...a Seattle Thunderbirds hockey T-shirt. The two of them noticed the Five For Fighting T-shirt I was wearing...one from a 2002 concert that I bought on eBay. I asked John if I could have a photo taken with him, and Carla kindly offered to do it. I asked John for one additional indulgence...could he autograph a couple of items I had with me. John graciously agreed, so I had a guitar personalized, and also a poster signed for a friend. John and Carla were so wonderful, down-to-earth people. After signing the stuff, John had to leave for his soundchecks, so I said my goodbyes and made my way into the theater for the show.
After my incredible encounter with the Ondrasiks, John's concert was like icing on the cake. It was terrific hearing John perform most of the songs I heard last fall, but this time, with a 100% healthy throat. He had a few surprises in his set list, but I won't mention them...don't want to spoil things for the folks attending the future shows on this tour. Before I left the theater, I got a chance to talk to John's lighting director...he's a My Space friend! This was the first chance I got to meet him, and it was a pleasure!
So, tomorrow, onward to Las Vegas, and concert #2 at the House of Blues, Mandalay Bay. I'm looking forward to another rockin' show! After meeting and talking to so many nice folks attached to the tour, I'm beginning to actually FEEL like a groupie. I think before this road trip is over, they'll all know me in some way.
Sin City, here I come!
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