Guest Book

All right already. You people are so impatient. :-p I didn't write the setlist so I'll just offer some random thoughts. I guess the first thing that comes to mind is that my fears about the ABB playing this venue were confirmed. Scotty, believe me you don't miss Lansing. This has got to be the most poe-dunk, unprofessional gig I've ever been to. We got in line to get in to the venue at 6:30 as Karl Denson was going on at 7:00. We got into the venue at 7:40. Yep, waited 70 minutes in line. Then we wanted to get a beer, but wait, there's a line for food/drink tix. Then when you get your tix, you get to go to another line and wait for your food/beverage. Ugh. I swore two years ago I'd never go to this thing and then the ABB go and play there so I had to break my promise. Okay, enough b****ing about the venue. The show... They took the stage at 8:30. One of Larry McCray's assistants told me the curfew was 10:30, so I was bummed at "only" getting a 2 hour show but oh well. The band just smoked all night long. Started with You Don't Love Me, then right into what is becoming my favorite song, Done Somebody Wrong. Not sure how something can become a favorite after 30 plus years, but what the heck. I was half right on my prognostication about Larry. He did join them, but I thought it would be on Southbound. Instead, he came out for Good Morning Little School Girl. He and Derek took turns on some amazing solos. After that, they launched into Desdamona, with Warren handling all the solo work. As with the prior night, there was a definite lack of new material. I found that interesting. Not disappointing, but I think it was strange that they didn't play more songs from the new CD if they are trying to promote it. We got our Soulshine that was missing from the previous night. I took this opportunity to go wait in the beer line. The crowd seemd to really like this song. A very poignant moment for me was when they did Midnight Rider followed by Statesboro. I was standing down close, right in front of a roped off handicapped section. When they played these two songs, a mentally impaired boy was standing behind me singing along to both songs. He knew every word and I could hear him as well as I could Gregg. Gives me chills thinking about it. Apparently, the music really moved him. As Terri mentioned, we got our Rocking Horse. As much as I hate to admit this, it wasn't that bad. I almost want to say I liked it (almost!!). As I looked at my watch to see it was almost 10:30, I figured they were about done. But suddenly I heard that unmistakable low rumbling guitar riff as they segued into Mountain Jam. Curfew, shmerfew. A definite highlight as the rain poured down, people danced and the band played through it all. A very magical moment. I should add that this was something of an open stage so the band wasn't entirely safe from the elements. Lousy venue notwithstanding, it was an awesome, awesome show. I told Lana after the show that I was so proud (as if I was a parent) that the guys came to little 'ol Lansing and put on such a fantastic show. Speaking of which, the turnout was much better than I suspected. And most people stayed through the rain. Very impressive. Great to hang with my buddy BIGDAVE. Nice to see Vince from Detroit again. And pleasantly surprised to see Paul and Lana. Many thanks to Kirk West for the hospitality. Special thanks to Marc and Derek for being so darned friendly. Everyone seemed so happy to be playing. Your energy is contagious guys! As I was introduced to Derek, he sticks his hand out to shake my hand, smiles and simply says, "Hi, I'm Derek". Very polite and unassuming. What a nice guy. Okay, enough of my rambling, random thoughts. Wish I was in Toronto tonight. Oh, Jeanne, Meatloaf is playing our little festival tonight so hop a plane a get to Lansing if you need your plate filled with Meatloaf.