Post by Susan on Mar 6, 2007 16:42:22 GMT -5
As I normally do, I would like to thank Andy and Mark for last nights show in Fremont, CA. Andy for making the arrangements with Mark. And Mark for making sure we were put on the Guest List. We arrived rather early, 5 pm, only to find that the doors of the Saddle Rack Bar don't open till 7pm. So we sat on a wall along with another Lady. Her name was Michelle. The 38 Special Tour Bus was there along with the road crew. The first one we saw was Mojo. Mojo, who is always a joy to talk to. Sat outside on his break and talked with us. Gary Moffat was there too for a few minutes. After about 20 minutes, Mojo had to get back to work. He stayed behind but the rest of the crew left in a Van to go back to the Hotel to eat and shower. I guess Mojo was not hungry and wanted to get some stuff done early.
The next person to arrive was a gentleman and at this point we are now at 4 people there early. By 6pm, another couple arrived. Tom and Marlo. Very nice folks, all of them. We all hung out chatting and talking about our love for .38 Special. To our surprise, they dicided to let us in early. And they motioned us in at 6:30. Which we were all more than happy to do.
Randy and I went to the left of the entrance due to the fact that we were on the Guest List and that is when they gave us our back stage pass's. We went inside and were able to sit about 10 feet from the stage. The section in front of us was reserved for the radio station crew that was there to cover the concert. Tom and Marlo invited us to share their table and we did. Very nice couple. This was her first .38 Special Concert, however Tom is a HUGE .38 fan. His license plate read 38specialfan. It is shortened of course to fit but he sure was happy to be there. He is also a member of the Yahoo 38 Group. And we instantly knew each others name. I invited him over to DSJ, as you know I always do. So hopefully I will see him there soon. I have a picture of the two of them at our table. They are engaged to be married next yr. Congrats to the both of them. Randy & I really enjoyed sitting with them.
As time went on we got to see John & Mojo more while they set up. We were also able to meet Mark. After the times he has given us back stage pass's, we finally got to meet him. Very nice guy. And we thanked him for his generousity. He sure is a busy guy at the shows. Running around and making sure everything is in order. I don't think I would want his job.
By 8pm the house band took the stage, Apaloosa. Very good band and the lead singer was girl that took second place on Nashville Star. What a fantastic voice she had. The played for about 45 minutes and thanked us all and told us to enjoy .38 Special. We really like the house band.
By 8:45pm we were Back Stage with the band. Don Barnes was the first at the table. He was just smiling as he always is and remembered Randy and I. It is so nice when they recognize you. Gary was next and then Donnie, followed by Bobby, Danny and L.J. I just can't say enough, how much respect Randy & I have for this band. They always treat us good and make sure we have a good time. I surprised Donnie and Don with a couple pictures that they had not seen. Andy had sent them to me. The look on their faces was priceless as these pics were from 1975 or 76.
We returned to our seat and to our new friends and waited for .38 Special to take the stage. By 9:15pm they were on stage and playing their hearts outs. As always Donnie saw us in the crowd and pointed to us. This always makes us feel like we are special. Don Barnes also gave us a couple glances to let us know he saw us. They played for what seemed longer than I have ever seen them play before. This venue was nice. Security made sure everyone in front stayed seated so the folks in the back could see. Unless of course, Donnie told everyone to stand up. I have included a couple pic of two of the security guys out front. I could not get them to smile. But they were really nice, all of them were.
After the show was over we were out front by the bus and were able to talk with them again. They are so pleasant and easy to speak with. They make you feel so comfortable. I had not been able to call Aunt Jane so she could take to Donnie and for this I feel bad. And by the time the show was over, I told Donnie I was supposed to call Jane and by now its was at least 3am in FL. and too late to call her. Donnie assured me that Jane would forgive me. Which I'm sure she will.
As you will all notice I took plenty of pictures but with the lighting they did not come out real clear. I guess if I'm gonna continue to go to the concerts I should invest in a better camera. While outside by the bus we were able to have a lengthy talk with both Don & Donnie. And take pics with and of them. As they so politely gave autographs to fans waiting. I would like you all to pay close attention to the fact that there is a excellent pic of Randy with Donnie. And please pay close attention to the one of me with Donnie and one with Don Barnes. Please tell me if I look fat to you in either of these pics. I would like your honest opinion. In the one with Donnie you will notice how nice his eye's are. And the one with Don Barnes, well its an great head shot.
Then there is the one with Donnie, Randy and me that my eye's are closed, I am really happy with that one. But a bad pic is better than none. So goes my story of the show and with each concert I attend, I am more and more pleased with how I have come to know this band I have loved for so many yrs.
The next person to arrive was a gentleman and at this point we are now at 4 people there early. By 6pm, another couple arrived. Tom and Marlo. Very nice folks, all of them. We all hung out chatting and talking about our love for .38 Special. To our surprise, they dicided to let us in early. And they motioned us in at 6:30. Which we were all more than happy to do.
Randy and I went to the left of the entrance due to the fact that we were on the Guest List and that is when they gave us our back stage pass's. We went inside and were able to sit about 10 feet from the stage. The section in front of us was reserved for the radio station crew that was there to cover the concert. Tom and Marlo invited us to share their table and we did. Very nice couple. This was her first .38 Special Concert, however Tom is a HUGE .38 fan. His license plate read 38specialfan. It is shortened of course to fit but he sure was happy to be there. He is also a member of the Yahoo 38 Group. And we instantly knew each others name. I invited him over to DSJ, as you know I always do. So hopefully I will see him there soon. I have a picture of the two of them at our table. They are engaged to be married next yr. Congrats to the both of them. Randy & I really enjoyed sitting with them.
As time went on we got to see John & Mojo more while they set up. We were also able to meet Mark. After the times he has given us back stage pass's, we finally got to meet him. Very nice guy. And we thanked him for his generousity. He sure is a busy guy at the shows. Running around and making sure everything is in order. I don't think I would want his job.
By 8pm the house band took the stage, Apaloosa. Very good band and the lead singer was girl that took second place on Nashville Star. What a fantastic voice she had. The played for about 45 minutes and thanked us all and told us to enjoy .38 Special. We really like the house band.
By 8:45pm we were Back Stage with the band. Don Barnes was the first at the table. He was just smiling as he always is and remembered Randy and I. It is so nice when they recognize you. Gary was next and then Donnie, followed by Bobby, Danny and L.J. I just can't say enough, how much respect Randy & I have for this band. They always treat us good and make sure we have a good time. I surprised Donnie and Don with a couple pictures that they had not seen. Andy had sent them to me. The look on their faces was priceless as these pics were from 1975 or 76.
We returned to our seat and to our new friends and waited for .38 Special to take the stage. By 9:15pm they were on stage and playing their hearts outs. As always Donnie saw us in the crowd and pointed to us. This always makes us feel like we are special. Don Barnes also gave us a couple glances to let us know he saw us. They played for what seemed longer than I have ever seen them play before. This venue was nice. Security made sure everyone in front stayed seated so the folks in the back could see. Unless of course, Donnie told everyone to stand up. I have included a couple pic of two of the security guys out front. I could not get them to smile. But they were really nice, all of them were.
After the show was over we were out front by the bus and were able to talk with them again. They are so pleasant and easy to speak with. They make you feel so comfortable. I had not been able to call Aunt Jane so she could take to Donnie and for this I feel bad. And by the time the show was over, I told Donnie I was supposed to call Jane and by now its was at least 3am in FL. and too late to call her. Donnie assured me that Jane would forgive me. Which I'm sure she will.
As you will all notice I took plenty of pictures but with the lighting they did not come out real clear. I guess if I'm gonna continue to go to the concerts I should invest in a better camera. While outside by the bus we were able to have a lengthy talk with both Don & Donnie. And take pics with and of them. As they so politely gave autographs to fans waiting. I would like you all to pay close attention to the fact that there is a excellent pic of Randy with Donnie. And please pay close attention to the one of me with Donnie and one with Don Barnes. Please tell me if I look fat to you in either of these pics. I would like your honest opinion. In the one with Donnie you will notice how nice his eye's are. And the one with Don Barnes, well its an great head shot.
Then there is the one with Donnie, Randy and me that my eye's are closed, I am really happy with that one. But a bad pic is better than none. So goes my story of the show and with each concert I attend, I am more and more pleased with how I have come to know this band I have loved for so many yrs.