We arrived at the Alabama Theatre around 5:30pm and Joe told us to park back by the bus. We pulled into our parking space behind the theatre and there's Joe Joe waiting for us. I think my happy-o-meter automatically shot up to unheard of levels just seeing that friendly, familiar and much loved smile on his moustached face. I hadn't seen him since they became official Opry members so I was determined to hug the pure crap of him and boy did I. We walked backstage into the catering area and the other guys had just finished eating and were hibernating on the bus, but that was ok because I love any personal time with Joe that I am lucky enough to get. Am I gushing too much? If you got to know Joe, trust me you'd gush too. He's just an amazing person to me and I think the world of him, heck I think beyond the world of him.
So we sat in catering yammering on about anything and everything. How often do you get to sit next to a country legend, one you can honestly call a dear friend, and hear unheard of stories about Willie Nelson? He also told the best stories about his parents. What a great time we had just catching up. I asked him if Duane had my advance copy of the new cd that comes out on September 19, "It's Only Natural" and he said he doubted it since even he didn't have a copy of it yet. Duane had promised me one so I didn't give up hope. It came time for Joe to get dressed for the show so he told us to grab a bite to eat and he'd be back shortly. Casey and I had barely finished off our catered dinner of pot roast, mashed potatoes, green beans and chocolate cake when I heard Duane coming down the hall. Yay, time for some one on one with my other favorite guy. Duane walked in the door, looked at me and waved around the cd I had been hoping for, but my blondeness kicked in and I didn't even notice it in his hand! He made me charge him like a bull charging the matador for this priceless treasure, a treasure that the band didn't even have yet! Talk about feeling the love! I almost cried I was so ecstatic to hold this cd in my hands. There were some meet and greet attendees in the room, so I squeezed in my quick hug and kiss on the cheek and let the guys do their meeting and greeting. They're always just the best at these things, always make everyone feel important and appreciated. I guess that's why they've stood the test of over 30 years as some of country's most beloved and revered artists. The meet and greet ended, and we got a few more minutes personal time with Joe and Duane before they had to hit the stage. (William Lee and Richard came in the room for a very short time, then left before I got a chance to really talk to them, but I'm used to that with them. They like their private time before a show.) We headed to will call, picked up our tickets and seated ourselves about 7 rows from the stage. Show time everyone! Places, quiet!
The familiar tempo of "The Boys are Back" filled the room and out came the Boys to a huge round of applause and love from a sold out theatre. They broke out their biggest hits and some of the new unheard songs, both of which went over like gangbusters. Fans of the Oak Ridge Boys are a dedicated, loving bunch of people. They know every word to every song and hum along to the new ones they haven't memorized yet. We sang along to classics like "American Made", "Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight", "Y'all Come Back Saloon", "It's Gonna Take A Lot of River", "Beyond Those Years" and we sang along to current songs like "The Boys are Back", "Beautiful Bluebird", "Boom Boom" and others. They also rehearsed for an upcoming Opry show tribute to George Jones. We also were lucky enough to be some of the first to hear songs off the new cd like "The Shade", "Whatcha Gonna Do" and an emotional tribute to September 11 and our uniformed heroes by Joe Bonsall, "Sacrifice ... For Me". Ok, I cried, I admit it. To have that sung the night before the 10th anniversary of that horrible day that changed our lives, what a tug on the heart and only Joe can give it that extra emotion to bring on the tears. The show ended with everyone's favorite hits, "Elvira" and "Bobbie Sue". The place was going nuts. There were so many standing ovations that night I lost total count. Amazing night of the best music ever given to us.
We left the theatre and stood by the bus with the gazillions of fans who were there hoping for a handshake, hug, autograph or even just a glimpse of one of country's most loved groups. I sent Joe a text telling him I wanted my hug before they left. We waited and finally Joe came out, gave his hugs, chatted it up for a few, shook his hands and posed the pics before walking back on the bus. My heart sank, I figured he didn't see his phone so we turned to leave without my hug, my heart was sad but ALAS! My phone screen lit up with a text, "Where are You???". I called him and told him we were outside the bus and he really proved to me what our friendship meant to him, he came back out among the crowd, told those that were shoving photos and cameras in his face that he just came back out to tell his dear friend, ME!!!!, goodbye. He hugged me and kissed me on the cheek and totally warmed my heart by taking the time to do that despite how tired he was and the long road back home they were about to take. We made plans for Casey and I to come to their December 3 Christmas show in Virginia so now I have that to look forward to in the next few months.
I thank God every day for allowing me to create a lasting friendship with Joe Bonsall and Duane Allen. These men both have places in my heart that belong to them and only them. I love them so much and realize how lucky I am to have them in my life. I love the Oaks for their gift of humble, honest and heartfelt music that keeps giving the more it's played. What a great night, chalk it up with the other 3 shows I'll never forget. I am proud to call them friends and so proud of them for their long overdue induction into the Grand Ole Opry. Memories and friendships like these are what life is made of.
1 comment:
WOW, gave me chills & tears reading this!!
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