My Today Show Excursion

BlueGrass · #1 04-18-2003, 01:10 PM

Well, my dad and I got to Rockefeller Plaza @ about 1 AM, LOL. There were 2 other people, but they didn't seem to be real FM fans. Just some dudes who alway come and take pics to sell. It was cold, but I came prepared. We sat down on some blankets as some more people came through and set up shop. 3 older ladies who were Stevie fanatics were behind us. Then 2 younger girls who didn't even know FM was playing that mourning. Then came 3 kids who escaped from their hotel to go see the Today Show, LOL.
Once we got their the stage was already being put up, and the first thing to go up was Mick's brand new gold drum set. That was cool, followed by everything else. The waiting game wasn't that bad, I talked to a lot of people and went in and out of this coffee house to keep from freezing my ass off. Around 4 AM you heard the sound of a guitar playing - it was the Rick Turner Model 1. I went over to see who it was, and sure enough it was Ray Lindsey, long time guitar tech of the band. His hair was longer than on the BTM show, so it was hard to recognize him. He even played a few licks of "Peacekeeper." That was cool.
We then started getting word that the sound check for the band would be @ about 6:00. That is when they would file us into the area closed off for the fans. When that time came I was getting more excited. I got to be one of the first to go as close as you can to these guys without being VIP. So I was about 15 feet from the stage. Pretty good huh? Yes, so 6:00 rolled around finally and I looked to my left, and inside saw Lindsey talking to someone as he was getting ready to head out. First Mick and John came out followed by Lindsey and then a very bundled up Stevie. I screamed Lindsey's name right as he passed up to the stage for him to release GOS, haha. Others joked and asked him if he was cold, he replied sarcastically by saying "No." To me he looked much shorter in person than I had thought. Now they were in front of my getting ready to sound check and I was just in a blank stair. The last time I saw these guys was when I was 11, and now I am able to appreciate it much more at 17. While Lindsey talked to Ray, he plucked and played around with his Model 1. He actually had 2 separate ones for different songs. Mindy and Sharona also came out along with a new backup keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist to the left right behind John. Also behind Mick was his percussionist and Carlos, Stevie's one time guitarist.
Well, just like that out of nowhere the band busted out with "Go Your Own Way." The amazing thing was it was about 35 degrees, @ 6 in the mourn and they played through their sound check like they were kicking off the new tour. Lindsey was into it, as well as Mick and the rest of the band. Following that was "Peacekeeper" which as just awesome. I took many pictures that I hope come out good. Then it was Stevie's turn as the crowd burst into cheers for "Rhiannon" and "Say You Will." After they headed right back indoors to warm up. John although stuck around, and just as I saw him get back inside I hollered his name and he looked up in response and put is hands up acknowledging me.
Now we had to play the waiting game once more, it would be another 2 hours before we would get to see them again. The biggest thing was enduring the cold. Finally though, after being apart of the Today Show the time went fast, and soon enough the fab four came back out. Lindsey went up to the mic and said they wanted to do another sound check. So they proceeded with "Peacekeeper." It was so awesome, LOL. By this time though the space in front of us was being filled by VIPS, press, band friends and NBC friends. So it was getting tougher to see.
Sure enough Lauer introduced them and they began to rock the whole dam plaza. So you guys know what happened here, it was simply great. Lindsey really played through the cold weather, it didn't seem to effect his finger picking. He kept blowing on his hands a lot though in between songs. After they headed off shaking hands with some people, and signing autographs and eventually going back inside.
I say this is one of the best experiences of my life. It was nuts, period. I couldn't help but think of how they must be getting the best adrenaline rush ever, playing like that. In the end I thought we did the right thing by coming out so early. I got to see them play 9 SONGS! How cool is that, although only 4 different ones. Plus it was all free! Man, I gotta go to bed now cause I haven't slepted for over a day.

Les · #2 04-18-2003, 01:13 PM

Congratulations, BlueGrass! Sounds like a great time!

kristin · #3 04-18-2003, 01:18 PM

OHHH! I was there too! I was there too! My friend and I watched from right behind the big glass window inside Dean and Deluca.....couldn't hear all that well, but we were about 10 feet from Lindsey on stage.......and had a perfect shot of the ENTIRE band......amazing.....I can't believe how BEAUTIFUL Lindsey is in his old age....him and Stevie were so cute....at one point they were having a very close conversation and they were both just cracking up.....I so wish I ould have heard it. We got there around 6 right at the end of sound check, but it was too late aparently....so we took cover in the coffee shop and had I think one of the best seats in the house!! Oh, and that new band member who you didn't know was Brett Tuggle....he played on the Dance tour and tours with Stevie usually....if that is who you were referring to.

Kristin

BlueGrass · #4 04-18-2003, 01:19 PM

Well, now I am reading everyone else's response to them and I am seeing alot of people didn't like GYOW. I dunno, maybe he did slip up but I was too excited to know or care.

BlueGrass · #5 04-18-2003, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kristin
OHHH! I was there too! I was there too! My friend and I watched from right behind the big glass window inside Dean and Deluca.....couldn't hear all that well, but we were about 10 feet from Lindsey on stage.......and had a perfect shot of the ENTIRE band......amazing.....I can't believe how BEAUTIFUL Lindsey is in his old age....him and Stevie were so cute....at one point they were having a very close conversation and they were both just cracking up.....I so wish I ould have heard it. We got there around 6 right at the end of sound check, but it was too late aparently....so we took cover in the coffee shop and had I think one of the best seats in the house!! Oh, and that new band member who you didn't know was Brett Tuggle....he played on the Dance tour and tours with Stevie usually....if that is who you were referring to.

Kristin

Man, did we despise of the people in the cofee shop, WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT! Did you hear the music alright? Wow, I didn't know that was Brett, since I was almost positive it was a girl!

Bye

wondergirl9847 · #6 04-18-2003, 01:26 PM

I'm soooo glad ya'll got to see FM!! Lindsey looked so good and Stevie did too and John...loved that jacket he wore!!

jwd · #7 04-18-2003, 01:27 PM

That was a great read BlueGrass, thanks for sharing. I'm glad you enjoyed the show and for FREE!

It's dedicated fans like yourself that keep this band ticking.

Hope you get a good day's sleep !!

Joe

nae · #8 04-18-2003, 01:33 PM

That is so cool you got to see them so close! Really neat. Thanks for the post.

Nae

gypsysara · #9 04-18-2003, 01:42 PM

Thanks everyone for sharing! Cool to read about your experiences! Wish I was there...

Karen · #10 04-18-2003, 01:43 PM

Wow...that is so great that you were able to go so early. You must have been freezing out there.

Thank you so much!!

I loved that detailed account of your concert experience. It's also awesome that John acknowledged you when you called his name. I'm sure that this memory will stay in your mind forever.

Bella Figura · #11 04-18-2003, 03:06 PM

BlueGrass, thanks for sharing your experience. I was tempted to drive on down but I knew it would be tooo cold out so I just watched it on tv. I'm becoming an old fogey but it's great that your Dad was sooo supportive to get you there!!! so say thanks from the Ledgies too...

Kristin, of course, being the city girl figured out the way to stay warm and see FM!! and who really cares if you can hear them, you have the album!!

WelshWitchPMD · #12 04-18-2003, 05:40 PM

BlueGrass awesome story!!

It sounds like that must have been quite the experience. I wish that I did go now. You will have to let us know if those photos come out.

Kristen, smart girl!! I was thinking of going but the fact that I would have to wait in the cold and might get hungry or worse kept me from going. It sounds like you took care of that problem.

Anyway thanks alot guys for sharing your stories with all of us!!

Barbara · #13 04-18-2003, 07:36 PM

BlueGrass and Kristen:

Thanks for sharing - there's nothing better than a first hand account from people who were actually there! The whole thing was great on TV - lots of signs and smiling fans. Thanks for taking the time to write it down for us.

Barbara

BlueGrass · #14 04-18-2003, 08:40 PM

If you guys go back to your taped footage, I AM THERE! I show up twice according to my momand my friend. I have a gray sweatshirts on, zipped all the way up with a brown winter hat on over my ears. Next to me is a girl holding an Idaho and Utah sign.

There are 2 pictures up on a special nbc website but I can't seem to get it for you guys. I'll keep trying.

Rainman · #15 04-18-2003, 09:12 PM

BlueGrass, I really enjoyed your terrific story. Had me LOL a number of times.

Thanks so much for sharing.

You are a true blue fan, without a doubt.