Guest Book

Welcome back Elizabeth!

Our trip got off to a crappy start when I got my first speeding ticket in 19 years, almost to the day. My last one was in Athens, Georgia, on June 24, 1987--my birthday. I was sort of hoping the cop would cut me some slack then 'cause it was my birthday, but he didn't. Neither did the Indiana state trooper yesterday. He got me right when we had crossed the bridge from Kentucky into Indiana. On the plus side, he was very courteous. Probably the least stressful "run-in" with the law that I've ever had. But hey, I wasn't about to let this minor bump in the road ruin my afternoon. Plus, I had been meaning to donate $125 to the state of Indiana, anyway. Nicole and I fueled up shortly before we rolled into Indy at, where else, Cracker Barrel. Nothing like some biscuits and gravy to get you in the mood! We parked on the street and made the long walk to the venue, which is nestled in the middle of downtown Indianapolis. The location was the same, but the setup was slightly different than it was in 2004. And security was TIGHT this time around! The girl at the gate came dangerously close to discovering the flask of Jim Beam that I was smuggling in, but if she had found it, she would have also been essentially copping a feel, so it was better for both of us that she didn't pat me down any more aggressively. Sorry. Too much information? Hey, $6 (and a 20 minute wait) for a stinkin' Coors light...I'm doin' what I've got to do. Anyway, we found a good spot next to the sound tent, and quickly bumped into Brother Leon. Unfortunately, Josh, the other half of the John Brothers, couldn't make it. We also found Krishna and said hello. One nice thing about Krishna is that she is easy to locate--just look for the big ol' head of curly blonde hair. The Derek Trucks Band's set was a lot of fun, as always, and they played a little bit longer last night than they did in Cincinnati on Friday night. "Blind, Crippled And Crazy" is definitely a winner...my favorite song off of their new album by far. The Allmans came out with the feel-good boogie of "Statesboro Blues" and never looked back. Can't remember the last time I heard "Who To Believe," and it sounded great from the concession stand line. 😉 The mix was a bit spotty from where we were, and I would have loved to have heard Derek a little more clearly. In fact, since we were right next to the sound tent, I thought about going and saying something. But I figure they don't listen to people like me. Not likely that the sound guy would grab his walkie talkie and yell, "Code Blue! The drunk guy here says we need to turn Derek up!" :boomerang: Right after "Midnight Rider" was when, as Josh from the Listserv would say, things got really interesting. "Wasted Words" was an outright romp...Oteil was feelin' it so much that he was marching around his corner of the stage in a big circle. It was a treat to see. And then ".44 Blues" just about sent me and Nicole to the outer limits. LOVE what the band does with that song!! I found it interesting that, while Nicole and I were losing our minds, so many others were headed for the beer tents and the port-a-johns. Sometimes I think I'm on a totally different wavelength than a lot of the other people in the crowd. But maybe this is why the band has endured so well over the years. Everybody that comes to the shows gets something that they want. If you're after the short-and-sweet hits like "Midnight Rider" and "Melissa," you're always going to have your moments. If you're after obscure blues covers and long, rambling instrumentals and modal jams (and I for sure fall into that category), then you're going to have your moments as well. And hey, while the other guy gets his, you get to make a beer and bathroom run. I guess there's a certain symmetry to that that I had never thought of before. I'll sometimes look around during one of my favorites like, say, "Egypt," and wonder how anyone can be sitting down or talking. But then they probably see me bolt for the refreshment station at the first notes of "Midnight Rider" and wonder what my problem is, too. And hey, whatever happened to "Egypt," anyway? "The Same Thing" was another stomper on this night, and obviously has become one of the band's favorites. I don't think I've ever seen Derek so animated...thought he was going to break into Pete Townsend-esque windmills for a moment there. The full-length treatment of "Black Hearted Woman" was a first for me, and I definitely dug it. But what really made the entire evening one of "those" shows was "Jessica." I mean, "Jessica" was IT, man! Derek took the first solo, and he built it up and built it up...and then brought it back down again, as only he can, to a barely audible level, the band chugging away behind him. You could feel the tension mounting... ...It was around this point that I officially left my body for a few moments and floated over the crowd. Derek took me on his back and carried me to that special place. Like Lefty said, there just isn't another band out there that does what these guys do. Warren took the second half, and then they broke it down again (AGAIN!!!) a hushed fury. Even threw in a little "Norwegian Wood" tease for good measure. The finish was appropriately bombastic, and I was the happiest of happy campers. The "One Way Out" encore was just right, and just what the crowd needed to send everyone home with a wide grin. What can I say? It was a terrific performance by a band that is just starting to get warmed up. Last night was why I follow 'em around and see as many shows as I can. Thanks, guys. Hope you were feelin' the love from where we were sitting. 🙂

The tix I bought for Niagara Falls cost me $211 for each pair...from the Casino and after converting between Canadian and American dollars. Jelliroll's "deal" looks consistent with that, if it's $180/pair...$220 a pair for the front row is a bit over original cost I guess. Selling technique is a bit unusual for around here though....

Anybody else tired of these "deals"? Yes, he needs to ***** off. Scalping is not wanted here.

"$220.00 US , call 716-285-0757 NOW! and is good until midnightEST" operators are standing by

Anybody else tired of these "deals"? 😡

Good Morning Guest Book Nam!!!!!!!!!!

hey it was nice to see some family and friends on a night where I really needed to...I really want to thank you all for your kind thoughts..the loss of someone that has greatly impacted both your life and the one thing that you really love doing is tough ..thanks to The DTB and The ABB...seems like they played just the right songs..it was great to see you guys..Thanks Jaimie, and Kirk... a big shout out to my bro Sweet River...thanks for being my brother from a different mother.. as for the show, I didn't think much of anything colud put a smile on my face last night..i was wrong..this music is vital..it leads up to so many other things..I know I sing the praises of the talents of the band and the kindness of the family a lot...I have always believed that if you are alive, you tell people how you feel..they never have any doubts when you leave this earth... There is no group of musicians that I am aware of that can play like these guys..period... The people that I have met here humble me everytime I see them...to see so many people, enjoying music, and friendship...drink it in man...drink it in..

RIP - Duane Roland of Molly Hatchet fame.