She Likes the Boys In the Band...

What is it about boys in a band?

For as long as I can remember, my friend Kim and I have been falling for guys who make music. We used to listen to music together and as teens we followed the bands that came to local churches with vengeance. There was always a lead singer who was “too cute” and our teenage hearts always followed with much devotion. Later, as young college girls, Kim usually ended up dragging me along (sometimes kicking and screaming) to various concerts and even varied venues that now I would never be caught dead in, following after some guy, in some band, somewhere. It was always fun and Kim was always finding ways to meet the certain someone. In fact, over the years, she has indeed met many of those targets and counts them as friends to this day.

There are several concerts that spring to my mind when I think of Kim and our musical adventures. In 1986, we “journeyed” to Columbia, SC to see – yep, you guessed it - JOURNEY in concert. It was a great night. That band wrote the soundtrack to my life in mid to late eighties, so to be at the concert, and thanks to Kim near the stage, was well – fantastic and memorable. Also memorable, was the adventure getting to the concert, changing our clothes in the mall restroom with a bus load of women, me in my dressiest “church” dress and Kim in her, well, let’s just say it was most MEMORABLE dress.

There was also the concert in Myrtle Beach, at one of the scariest venues ever, to see Sugar Creek, and hope that Kim got a chance to say hello to the lead singer. Now, to her credit, she did and even became friends (even still) with this guy, but the night caused me and our other friend Sue, much distress. Let’s just say, the night ended, in the pouring rain, as Sue and I walked back to our hotel in our “church” clothes to get the car and go pick Kim up to avoid her silk dress from being ruined in the rain.

I could go on and on, but I might lose space for the event that transpired last night.
As you all have been informed, I was able to go to a Bo Bice concert last night with my dear friend Kim and thanks to her friend at a local radio station, we were given VIP tickets and the opportunity to Meet and Greet with Bo himself.

Now, it has been at least 20 years since Kim and I have been to a concert together. As she has continued her love of following “the boys in the band” and I have resorted to just attending concerts with my hubby, laying dormant my fanatical love of bands and the boys that play in them, I have lived vicariously through Kim.

So, when I tell you that last night was something I was deeply looking forward to, now you can truly understand.

The show opened with a local favorite, Pat Blanchard and although I had heard of him and we have mutual friends, it was the first time I had seen him perform – and he was great – I am now a new fan.

After that set, Kim and I went “backstage” to meet Bo Bice at the Meet and Greet. Although I do like him as a performer, the Meet and Greet was a bit of a disappointment and as I have always been told, if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything – so that’s enough said about that for this type of forum. Kim did get a picture taken with him, but overall, it was not the high point of the evening. I will say that when he did finally take the stage, he had that strong voice and dynamic we have all come to associate with this young man from Alabama and the American Idol fame he achieved.

After the somewhat disappointing Meet and Greet, we sat back down and were delighted to be introduced to the next act of the evening – Crossin Dixon. Up to this point, neither Kim nor I had ever heard of them, but forty-five minutes later, they were our new favorite band, and the “groupie” gene had kicked in. Plans were underway to try and find out when they were playing here again. Here is my plug --- if you get a chance to see them – anywhere – GO! They are great – you will not be disappointed. I may be a little partial,especially since they played my husband’s favorite type of music, but they were polite and it didn’t hurt that all four of them are from Mississippi. I am also confident that if you are a female and single, you will really appreciate their talent and stage presence!

As luck would have it, they exited the stage right where our seats were, so Kim jumped up to grab a picture with the foursome. Unfortunately, her camera battery decided to die at this very inopportune time and she was left with only one option – get them to sign something… except, she had no paper and the only thing that sprung to her mind was… well, it was to give them her leg to sign.

Yes, that’s right, her favorite, expensive pair of jeans and there she is, balancing on wedge heels, hanging onto the group, while they all four signed her leg. I know that words cannot adequately describe this event and I have kicked myself all day for not having my camera to have documented this hysterical sight, but ya’ll it was the highlight of the evening. Of all the things we have done in 25 plus years of concert going and friendship – this was one of the funniest and one of the most memorable.

So, I discovered a few things last night that I thought I would share:

#1 Even though I am an “old” married woman and a mommy, I still do enjoy a good concert, and even if the tickets had not been free – these types of things are worth the money.

#2 Sometimes those who want and desire fame, get it and then find that life is not all it could be – and I must remember to pray for the young people who set out on this journey.

#3 My town is not so bad, we have a cool amphitheatre and it is a great concert venue.

#4 When I go to a concert with my friend Kim, I must remember to pack extra batteries and my own camera as back-up.

#5 And lastly, when faced with four cute musicians, no paper for an autograph and no other option – it is perfectly acceptable to hand over your leg in your favorite pair of jeans, just as long as you can balance and not tip over. This will net you not only a nifty souvenir, but the awe and respect of your fellow concert-goers. And if you are the “groupie” type, perhaps this will also reserve a spot for you in the memory of your favorite “boy in the band.”

Happy, Happy
Beverly

edited to add: (after a rash of ridiculous comments!) Dear Bo Bice Fans... Be assured that I am still a fan of the Bo, please refrain from commenting on the post unless you can add something positive, something fun-like maybe some fun Bo-Facts, clips of concerts, etc. This a personal blog, and documents my experience. I appreciate and understand that not everyone had the same experience as my friend and I.

I got it - YOU LOVE BO - so do I, I can't find anything in my post to say the contrary. If you do not like the content of this post, please just feel free to travel elsewhere on the web - your mean and negative comments about me or my experience or my friend will not be published anyway - so PLEASE don't waste your time -- use it to listen to a Bo CD, enjoy your memories of the concert and ROCK ON, my blogger friend!