Reading show review & Meeting Stevie!!

[highwaywomen]

Okay, I have the girls showered, with a snack, and watching a movie. I can now finish the review I started writing at Gail’s this morning. I’m so sorry for making you guys wait so long! I do have a few pictures, which I will try to post, but I am having trouble with the videos. I shot the video on my digital camera vertically. It’s playing in Quicktime on my lap top and I have no idea how to change it to horizontal. Help? I only had a few pictures turn out. I am still on an emotional high. It hasn’t hit me yet. Here is what I wrote this morning after I “woke up:”

I only slept about a half hour last night because I am in a dream-like state, after last night. In our “charmed hour” we were “touched by an angel.” Gail and I arrived in Reading and immediately went over to the fenced in area that had a crowd around it. We got there just in time to see the van pull in with the band. We saw Carlos, Sharon, and Jana get out and go into the venue. One of the security guards, Chris, started talking to us about where we were from and gave us some ideas on where to eat. He was so nice! We asked him if Stevie had arrived yet, and he said we had just missed her. Gail felt bad because we had missed the exit and had to turn around and back track. I told her “everything happens for a reason” and not to worry about it. After all, we were going to hear Stevie perform soon! We went across the street to get something to eat, and after we were done, I pulled the birthday card and tablet out so that we could get it ready to give to Stevie. We wrote her a short letter thanking her for her music and lyrics and also for bringing our friendship together (along with Lindsey…we met at one of his shows last year). The birthday card I found was absolutely perfect for her. It has a woman on the front dancing with little children fairies. It totally reminded me of the “Gypsy” video!

We headed over to the venue about a half hour before they were going to open the doors. Gail is in a wheelchair, so we had to walk to the special entrance at the end of the street. While we were waiting, we heard music. We both stuck our ears up the cracks in the doors and listened to Stevie perform “Edge of Seventeen” and “Rock and Roll” for Soundcheck. A really nice woman and her daughter we were walking by, and they stopped and listened too. They ended up waiting with us and as usual, it was so nice to talk with Stevie fans. I don’t think we caught their names (was Courtney one of them? If you are reading this!) and I hope they had a great time in the 5th row!

Once we were inside, we ran into Chris, our security friend and he led us to the elevator that took us down to the floor level. He and another security guard escorted us down and through a hallway. As we were walking through, we noticed a man and woman walking towards us. I bent down to Gail’s ear and I said “Oh My God! That was Jana and Carlos!” We were both like deer in headlights and didn’t even realize it was them until we passed. It was at that moment that we realized one of the doors in the hallway led straight backstage. Ha! More on this later…

So we get to our seats and they are really great! 10th row on the right side of the stage on the end. Gail is immediately worried that once people start standing up, she won’t be able to see anything. She had told the woman on the phone when she bought the tickets that we needed accessible seating, so we thought we would be okay. We both agreed to wait and see how it went after the show started. Right at that moment, Chris came up to check on us. Gail expressed her worries to him about seeing the stage and he said not to worry, and to ask one of the security guards to help her if she couldn’t see.

We knew that in 10th row, we would not be able to get up to give Stevie our card. So we took a bathroom break and walked back to the V.I.P. lounge. There was a guard in front of the door to the hallway (leading to the backstage door!) so we asked him if he could get the card to Stevie for us. Just as we were asking him the head of security or production head or something came by and said he would get it to Stevie for us.
We headed back to our seats just in time to hear Vanessa Carlton. I wrote earlier about what happened to her. Her voice is so angelic and beautiful, but when she hit the high notes about two or three times in her first song her voice was a little rough. I looked at Gail and realized we both had the same concerned look on our faces. Vanessa was really talkative, but something just didn’t feel right. Her voice was a little shaky…call it a sixth sense but I could just feel it. She launched right into “Heroes and Thieves” and around the third verse, we heard this loud music. It lasted a good 20 seconds. Vanessa stopped playing and said “Oh My God, that scared the **** out of me!” Someone at the control booth had pushed the button to play the music in between sets. She had trouble figuring out where she left off, but finished the song nicely, despite the rude interruption. She introduced her next song, “My Best,” by saying she tries to look on the positive side of things and then said that right now she was “feeling quite miserably.” She said that it’s one of Stevie’s favorite songs and dedicated it to her. She only got about 30 seconds into the song when she stopped dead in her singing and playing and said “Oh ****! I forgot the lyrics!” She sat there for a good couple of seconds trying to remember them and kept apologizing to her audience. I felt so bad for the poor girl. I told Gail if I had brought my CD I would have ran up there and threw her the sleeve so she could read the lyrics. She didn’t continue the song, and bumped up “1000 Miles.” She totally nailed it with her elegant voice and intricate piano playing. She redeemed herself with her most known song, but it didn’t stop her from forgetting the lyrics again on another song. She explained to the audience that the song that started playing during “Heroes and Thieves” was “Your Body is a Wonderland” by her “ex.” Can you even imagine? No wonder she couldn’t play, it totally f*cked up her focusing on her music. She wasn’t very strong to begin with and that just threw her over the edge. I hope someone gets a good reaming out for that ****. She received a lot of applause, but I can’t help but wonder how awful she must have felt when she left the stage.

Stevie came out and immediately Gail couldn’t see. We went to the nearest security guard and he told us he couldn’t help us, turned his back and ignored us. The security guard at the front of the stage saw us and helped us get up. He put us directly on the end beside him. After a few songs, he came over and put an orange bracelet on my wrist. I asked him if I could go up the stage, and he said it wasn’t a problem. EVERYONE was taking pictures and video, so I went up and snapped freely. I was directly in front of Lori, Jana, and Sharon and also a speaker. I came back to my seat officially deaf in my right ear! It was the only place to stand to get good pictures, so I took breaks by sitting down every few minutes. Unfortunately, my stupid camera took mostly fuzzy shots but I did get some excellent video. I have no idea how to change it from vertical to horizontal in Quicktime, so I may need some time to figure that out. I taped a few seconds right after “Edge” and about a minute and half of “Rock and Roll,” getting great shots of Stevie. Waddy came right over in front of us, so I got a full screen close-up of him, as well as Sharon, Jana, Lori, and Vanessa who had come out to sing on this song. I also got the full performance of “Beauty and the Beast” and Stevie saying her thank-you’s, the line up, and just as they were all bowing my battery died! Gail is still sleeping, so I’m going to wake her up so that I can get her camera and see what she got. Please give me time to organize and post pictures. (I don’t know how to post pictures so any help would be appreciated!). I have a two hour drive ahead of me to get home and two little girls waiting for me, so with zero sleep and two active kids, and homework to do on Sunday it may be a few days.

Of course, Stevie looked great and sounded fabulous. I am not going to discuss the set list or the music, because I want to get to the high point of the evening.

Gail and I knew we had to go back through that hallway to get out, and we also knew that Stevie was probably going to be rushed out within seconds of walking off stage to catch a plane. So, much to the nice security guards pleas to wait until the crowd died down, we bolted out of there. I am so sorry for trying to get through the audience so fast (We were nice and said “Excuse Me” and “Thank-You” to everyone) but we had a mission to accomplish. The security guard at the doors to the hallway asked us how the show was and was very nice as we slooooowly walked down the hallway (lol). Gail stopped and I turned around just as she said “Oh My God, I think I see something.” The security guard had gone ahead and she said “Wait a minute” to him. He said “You can’t stop” and started to walk back, just as Gail started to wheel over to the door where she “saw something.” I quickly followed, as did the security guard, all the while saying “You can’t go in there!” There was a security guy at this door as well, and he stopped us and said “You cannot go past the doorway.” He saw that Gail had her camera out and he told her to put it away. We stopped and there was Stevie, right in front of us. We both yelled (even though she was right in front of us! LOL) “STEVIE!!!!” She came right over to us, with her arms extended. She seemed so happy to see us! She told Gail that she saw her during her walk but couldn’t get to her. She grabbed both of our hands, (btw her hand are so soft) as we quickly told her “thank-you” for everything. We told her that her music and lyrics had gotten us through so much and that we just adored her. I was in shock. I couldn’t believe she was standing right in front of me. It was like I was out of my body and watching this in a movie. She was so incredibly nice and appreciative of her fans. I always thought, if I ever got to meet her, that I wouldn’t be able to speak. I thought I would just break down and start crying. But I held my cool. She asked our names, and as we told her she gave Gail a big hug and when she went for me I asked her if she got our card. She said “I didn’t get it yet!” All I remember about the hug is how soft the black “Beauty and the Beast” cape was, as she still had it on from a few minutes before. She is so tiny in person, even with her platform boots. Before we knew it our one minute dream had come true and Stevie was wisked off to her limo. We did not ask for a picture (we are SO regretting it now) at the time we were so shocked and overjoyed that SHE was standing right in front of us, giving us her undivided attention, and holding our hands. It was by far one of the best nights of my life. I never thought in a million years (a lady like her rises!) that I would get the opportunity to talk to and hug Stevie.

So that is my review. The concert itself was wonderful. Stevie did not seem nervous (first show jitters) and her voice was absolutely flawless. She hit every note, every twirl, and every kick with as much energy and force as a 25-year-old. Gail and I both agreed that she does NOT look like a lady that will be turning 60 next month. We both want to know her secret! As for the venue, we were told it seats about 8,000 with the stage set-up for Stevie's show, and it looked about 90% full.

Along with a lot of others, I would love to hear Stevie change up her set list (Gail and I were trying to pick our top two in the car), but honestly I am just glad she is still touring and in good health. I don’t care if she comes up and sings the phone book, she will always add that magical energy to her work and cast a spell of hope and love over her audience, enabling them to rise up and overcome.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading! If anyone can help with the video question, I can try to post them on You Tube.

Gail – looking forward to reading your take on the events! I listened to “Touched By An Angel” on the drive home and can totally listen in a new light. I’ll never forget it…

Jackie

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

WOnderful review. And sounds like you are on that Stevie high people get when they meet her. I know I was for quite a few days!

[vivfox]

Thank you for that great review! I'm so glad you both got to meet Stevie! Unforgettable.

[tlssln]

You're lucky. The security guy on the left side was a Nazi!

[Nina]

Great review, Jackie - and I'm glad you got to hug Stevie!

You can rotate the video you took in Quick Time if you have Quick Time Pro.

Here's how to do it:
In QuickTime Player, choose Get Movie Properties from the Movie menu, choose Video Track from the left pop-up menu, and choose Size from the right pop-up menu.
You'll see some arrows in that box, and you can rotate the video clockwise or counterclockwise.

If you don't have Quick Time Pro, send me a note at:
http://waddywachtelinfo.com/Contact.html
with your email address and I'll see how we can do it.

Rockin love-
Nina

[highwaywomen]

Thanks Nina! I do not have Quicktime Pro (I assume you have to pay for that?) so I may be e-mailing you tomorrow.

I forgot to add to my review (I am finally feeling the effects of no sleep), that I was up there for the "Edge" walk and shook Stevie's hand. Because I was all the way on the right, it was Stevie's last stop. As she took my hand and those around her, she brushed her hair and white "Edge" dress over my hand. I then took my free hand and casually touched her suede platform boots. LOL I just had to! They were right in my face! She lingered there for a good 20 seconds waving to everyone before she went back to the microphone.

I was so excited about meeting her, that I totally forgot about the Edge walk.

I will try for the pictures and vids tomorrow. How do I post attachments on here?

Jackie

[Nina]

To add attachments:

To attach a file to a new post, simply click the [Manage Attachments] button at the bottom of the post composition page, and locate the file that you want to attach from your local hard drive.

Hope that helps.

[Steviefan49]

Hey Jackie..

What a incredible review, and night you had! I still have goosebumps just reading your story! How awesome was that for you?! I SOOO know it's a night you'll never forget- as I know I wouldn't. Thanks SOO much for sharing it all with us, and being so detailed! I just visualized the entire thing.. Congrats on getting to meet Stevie, as I know that is something I'd definitely love to do!!

Hugs,

Arlene

[steviefan59]

hey jackie...thanks so much for ur review and im so happy u got to meet stevie after the show and did the edge walk too...it is the whole reason i love this lady so much...her warmth and kindness shines thru to her fans and she embraces them all...i look forward to the vids and pics u took at the concert...thanks again...pat

[MacMan]

Holy Cow! Great story... Felt like I was there... It's always nice to hear happy stories like this when people meet the rock stars!!

If you have lots of pics to show, you might consider starting a photobucket acct... It's free, you just upload them there, then copy the link in the threads here to view the pics.

I think the attachement thing on the ledge has a size limit of 100mb which can be small for some pics.

[kathy1]

thanks for posting the review. i am glad that you had a great time and that you got to meet her.

[jannieC]

What a great review- thanks for sharing it with us. I could feel your excitement!

[highwaywomen]

Thanks you guys! I was watching my friends two little girls from the time I got back yesterday until a few minutes ago, as their father was out of town. Some of you may remember that we took them last year to see Stevie. Brenna, the oldest, got a touch on the nose from Stevie and she gave her a picture she drew of "Rhiannon" during the Edge walk. Anyway, they were so excited that I met Stevie. I wish I could have taken them with me, but the tickets are so expensive. We had a "Stevie" party and watched her videos, painted toe nails, and did make-up. They also wore their "Stevie dresses" that we got them last year for the show. They are just at that age (6 and 8) where they love to dress up and do all the girlie stuff.

This is funny - last year after the concert, their Dad caught them playing "Stevie and Lindsey" in their room. LOL! I'm sure he wanted to smack me...

I am uploading all the pictures & videos through photobucket right now. It's taking forever. If someone can turn the videos so that they are horizontal that would be great! I will post the link when it's finished uploading.

Jackie

[SandyMac]

Jackie, thank you for such a wonderful review. I am so happy for the both of you! Wow, what a wonderful experience you will remember for the rest of your lives. Stevie is so gracious,she could have just past you guys right on by, but she took the time to talk to you and give you a hug and everything. What a classy lady. I am in total awe right now.

I so can't wait for tonight's show at Mohegan Sun.

[highwaywomen]

Okay, I hope I did this right. Here is the link to view the slide show. Sorry most of the pictures are fuzzy, but some of them did turn out good. Slideshow

End of "Edge of Seventeen"

Snippet of "Rock and Roll" (includes close up of Waddy and the ladies with Vanessa)

Can anyone flip these videos for me? I also have three more - Beauty and the Beast in it's entirety and a few minutes of "How Still My Love" taken by Gail. Those two are too big for Photobucket...and I have a clip of Stevie saying her Thank-you's and the line-up of the band. I have homework to do now, so hopefully I'll get to that last one by tonight or sometime this week.

Hope you enjoy. This is the first time I've used the "video" feature on my camera. The audio is pretty ****ty, but you can still see Stevie!