It was worth the wait!

Originally posted on MySpace on November 10, 2009

I didn't have anything planned for this morning, except maybe visiting a radio station to get a window sticker. On my last groupie road trip, I decorated the back window of my Blazer with stickers of radio stations that play Five For Fighting music. I was pretty successful getting some stickers, either mailed to me or by visiting the radio station offices. This time around, I'm coming up empty handed. I didn't get one in Portland, and the same with the one station I went to here in San Francisco. I got the same explanation at both places...they ran out and haven't gotten anymore. That's a shame, but par for the course. Radio stations don't really do promotions with stickers anymore. I might try again in L.A., but I'm not holding out any hope there.

The only thing I really wanted to do today...other than attend tonight's Five For Fighting show...was ride San Francisco's famous cable cars. The one and only time I rode the trolleys was about 35 years ago! I needed to re-experience things. I drove to the Castro district, where tonight's concert venue, Swedish American Hall, was located. After taking a few photos of the building, I parked my ride near the cable car terminus point. I noted the parking sign said a 2-hour limit. I figured it would be just enough time to ride the trolley down to Fisherman's Wharf and back. The old cable car interior was cool...all wooden benches and trim. They run on electricity, and the ride was bumpy but what do you expect when you're rails? When the trolley reached the waterfront, I immediately hopped on another trolley and returned the way I had come. And, yes, I made it back before my 2-hour limit had expired!

When I drove to the venue in the morning, I noted the route and decided it was not too far to walk. Google Maps said it was a 20-minute walk, so after freshening up, I left my hotel just before 3:00 pm. I turned out it took about 25 minutes, but I attribute that to the traffic lights. Not surprisingly, there was no one waiting at the Swedish American Hall...I was first in line! But, shortly after getting there, a couple walked up and asked if I was waiting for the concert. They left to get something to eat, and so I continued my vigil alone. Then, things got strange. An older gentleman parked his SUV right in front of the building, and walked up to me. He asked if I wanted to go in...said he had the key. I replied that I was waiting for the concert, but he said I could go in anyway. I was confused and uncertain, but I decided to take him up on his offer, since he seemed to know what he was doing. Well, a guy from inside immediately showed up and told me I couldn't wait inside. Turns out he had heard what was going on, including my indecisiveness, and kindly showed me out the door. Soon, the older man came back and I found out he was one of the owners of the building. He asked about the concert and what type of music it was. I told him about John and suggested he check out the show. Oh, I asked him if there were any other entrances to the building, like a back door, and he said there wasn't. So, I would DEFINITELY be seeing John before the show!

It didn't take long for a few other people to show up and form a line. I got to talking to them and it turned out no one had been to a Five For Fighting show yet! I told them that they were in for a treat...that John was awesome live! At about 5:00 pm, Angel Taylor arrived with her guitarist Jason Kanakis. I asked Angel to sign the CD booklet from her new album, while someone took a pic of us for me. After Angel went inside, I helped Jason a bit by holding the door open for him while he unloaded their gear from their van. I also told him that I was at the Portland show, which seemed to impress him...he was very nice! Around that same time, John's tour manager Al showed up, but John and Greg Suran were not with him. So, I patiently continued to wait.

Finally, as 6:00 pm rolled around, I saw a taxi cab pull up, and Greg and John get out. I quickly handed my camera to the same gal who took the pic of me and Angel, and prepared myself. As John walked up, I greeted him, and asked if I could get a photo with him. He said "Sure, let's get Greg in this, too!" John put his arm around me, and Greg joined us for the money shot. I couldn't have gotten for a better pic! I asked John if he was feeling OK, and he thanked me, and said that he was. I then turned my attention to Greg as John went to the other people waiting in line to take photos with them. I asked Greg if he would sign my Slice CD booklet...he contributed his guitar work to some of the songs. After he was done, I watched John interacting with his fans...he's so awesome!

When doors opened just after 6:30, I made my way into the auditorium, and staked out a seat in the front row. It's wonderful being in front! The stage was VERY close, and also pretty small...not that John and Greg needed much room to do their thing. Angel Taylor opened things and as they took the stage, Jason saw me sitting up front and waved to me! I noticed the seats weren't completely filled at this point...I guess some people chose to see only John? That soon changed after Angel finished her set, and there was a full house when it was John and Greg's turn. There was a noticeable difference in John's voice compared to the Portland show. It was obvious to me that he was fully recovered from his illness and voice problems. His voice was clear and sweet! Before John took the stage, his people placed copies of the set list on the ground. I noted that it was identical to The Aladdin show. But, John didn't quite follow the usual procedure of leaving the stage and returning for the encore because...there was no place TO leave the stage! John stated the only door next to the stage was an emergency exit, so he deviated from the norm, and just went right into his closing song, Hope. He skipped NYC Weather Report...it was on the set list...but, that was OK. It was yet another fantastic performance by my favorite music guy! Before I left the auditorium, I noticed Greg putting his guitars away. I went up to him and told him that I would see him in L.A. tomorrow and that he did a great job tonight.

So, I couldn't have asked for more tonight. I talked to some very nice fellow Five For Fighting fans, I met Angel Taylor and got her autograph, I got a front row seat, and best of all, got my awesome photo with John AND Greg! And, I'm not quite done yet! I have one more show at the Largo in Los Angeles tomorrow. John is predicting some craziness. I'm looking forward to that!