If I closed my eyes I could pretend that there was cool, prickly grass under my feet and I was dancing in wild crazy circles to the rockin’ out folk-sy music. There would probably be a bonfire to keep warm by and the smoke would burn my eyes and throat as someone cackled, “smoke follows beauty!”. When I opened my eyes, I would see a clear, starry night and I’d think the words “the heavens declare the glory of God” cause that’s what I think when I see stars that look like that while listening to music like this. The music would rise and fall gloriously and I’d be cold, so I’d move closer to the fire. Someone would grab my hand and we’d twirl in a silly country dance cause we’d all be friends there, joined under the banner. Head back, looking up, up, up and I’d have that wild feeling like before a big storm.
As it was, I had to imagine all my silly outdoor country music festival ideas because at the Walton Arts Center polite toe-tapping was about all I could do. I whooped along with the other crazies in between songs and had the good fortune to have the craziest person of all sitting in front of me nearly breaking out in a jig, and making people around him give high fives. During the intermission he talked the whole time about the band, he knew it all and was hoping they’d play such and such song. and until he spoke at intermission I thought he was handicapped because of his intense celebratory spirit. The songs were bittersweet, stained from broken relationships and life harder than the former fearless teenagers thought it’d be. I agreed with them whole heartily and thought how true and thank you for not being a cheery cheerful-esque-like band. Even with moderate success in the biz, you could see the harshness of life in etched, yes etched, in lines on their faces as dark parts were played.
It was amazing though! High school kids to the snowy haired Grandmothers united in celebration of a band! How many bands can transcend so many generations? The place was packed out with the diverse age groups and other than being that person sitting by herself in the audience, things were swell, just swell. Afterwords, God answered my prayer and HE came to MY table. and I was first. There were two tables and I picked the one Ben in his uniform (which that alone got some looks, I think they thought I was being arrested as he walked me over near the door) told me too and then most everyone else picked the other and I was like “DARN IT! I have to go pick up my baby 5 minutes ago!” But they came. To my table and although I wasn’t able to get my dream picture with Chris Thile, I shakily told him to write “to Heidi” in a broken and cracked voice and he wrote my name. He smiled up at me and my world went black for a second. I’m a lamo fan. You know those big life events where who you are as a person is shown? Your colors are shown so to speak? I met one of my favorite singers and I could only smile dumbly and push my paper towards him like a giddy 13-year old Jonas Brothers fan. I thought I’d poop in my pants and pass out at the same time from my nerves. Maybe I got whatever Summit got. (OHHH I haven’t told you this one yet…) UGH, I am so vexed with myself. I also lied to him… heh heh… way to re-pay God for working this miracle in meeting Chris. (yeah, we’re on a first name basis now…) I told him I bought his album online because all these kids behind him were shoving cd’s to sign and all I had was a stupid paper. He got really excited and was like “AWESOME!” and I nervously chuckled. He looked at me like he was waiting for me to say something else and I just stared at him mutely. Well, then! He started signing the cd’s of a kid behind me. But we had a moment….. sort of. Me cheesily smiling at Ben holding his iphone and snapping an illegal shot of us was my other highlight. Beautimous. very.
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OH bitter jealousy! I must add a PS for Ben’s sake, because he sucks so bad and I’m jealous. He got to say hi to Chris in the hallway and he said hi back before the show. He was also able to walk around back stage. Then afterwords the band signed a program for him, and Ben and Chris got to talk for awhile. OH BITTERNESS is MINE! They talked about when Ben (and I) saw them at Cain’s in Tulsa, then went on to discuss other things. The banjo player then gave a -signed- copy of the cd to Ben as well! AHHHH! If we hadn’t had to go home, I’d so have had a beer with them. They are those kind of people.
Me and Chris. (the blury fellow standing and leaning forward. It’s really him)
the loot. See how nicely he wrote “Heidi”? 😉 and also notice what the banjo player wrote? “Thanks for keeping the crazies at bay”. how very, very nice. very nice. yepperdoodle, very nice. great night.
PS on a random note: On the way to the concert I saw an owl fly low in front of my car and I saw a shooting star that Ben is convinced was an UFO. Aren’t those omens of some kind? I’m glad I don’t believe in omens.