....they are a
changin' so whiskey river take me home, ain't that America? Born in a small town I was like a rolling stone traveling to the show on Friday. I have been counting the
moments/days/hours/minutes down until this concert--Bob Dylan, John
Mellencamp and Willie Nelson!! Classic.
The forecast was rainy all week, but I knew that nothing would stop me. So on the fateful Friday, despite torrential downpours, Ms. Claire and I travelled an hour over to the OB equipped with rubber
rain boots {C purchased hers 30 minutes before}, rain jackets, tunes to listen to, umbrellas, and a change of clothes {in case we were soaked}. The drive over was uneventful {minor change in directions, more on this later}, we left around 4pm for a 6pm show.
I found a great parking spot since I have been twice already this
summer and know all the secret spots. After parking we threw on our jackets, grabbed our '
brellas and
traipsed across the soggy grass being ever so thankful for our boots. We presented our tickets, but not before we were forced to leave our poor little umbrellas at the gate in a bin.
Sad day. I had carried my tiniest of umbrellas that slips into my bag and was forced to chunk the poor thing. After entering, I realized Claire had smuggled her larger one in...I'm too honest sometimes! She also covered it in napkins under a chair--I died laughing since it was about as camouflaged as an elephant in a fish bowl.
After my laughter subsided, we quickly found our seat...shockingly between the time we got there and sat down the rain had subsided. Miraculous! {Although if the performers had gone on in flooding rain I would have sat like a knot on a log until I heard every last word to the last ballad sung.} The show open with music by the Two Gentlemen Band {or something like that}--very retro barber shop quartet vibe--not sad to see them exit stage right {or left for that matter}.
Then Mr. William Nelson came out and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I had said over and over "I'm not sure about
Willie, not so thrilled about Willie, I want to hear the other two but not Willie, why
Willie?"
Willie rocked, he played one slow song and the remainder
Whiskey River, Whiskey for My Men, and
On the Road Again were so great {the rhythm, not necessarily the lyrics}. Between sets C and I decided our rain boots were no no longer fashionable without the rain. We were going to make a bathroom run, then C complained about her boots being uncomfortable and I made an offhand comment that we could change. That was all it took, we made a beeline for the door, but were abruptly halted by the gatekeepers: NO
RENTRY! So even after C trying to sweet talk the guards we were stuck in our rubber souls, but we lived with it and were perfectly happy.
It was great, I cannot stop raving about it, so much energy. I went in hating Willie and now love him.The next act was John
Mellencamp. Loved him...
Small Town, Ain't that America, Little Pink Houses...I cannot name them all. Once again, so much energy. He even sang
acapella at one point-that is talent. I would be even more ecstatic had I heard
Jack and Dianne, but I think I'll let it slide since I got a three-for with this concert. If I am fortunate enough to see
Mellencamp again I do expect to hear
Jack and Dianne, do you understand, John?And finally, the singer, songwriter--the legend came on stage in classic garb. Bob Dylan was wearing the perfect hat and jammed the remainder of the night. I even caught a tiny soundbite one my camera. It is amazing to hear Dylan and to think how long his career has lasted--and he still has it. Some artists mature with age, lose their sound and energy--but not this group. The entire
evening was amazing and worth every penny.
Leaving was about as sad as leaving Disney
World {well not quite, but almost}. However, Claire and I did manage to snag bonus umbrellas. The umbrellas everyone had left were waiting outside the gate, sadly mine was not waiting for me, but the gatekeeper told us to get what we wanted. I got three...hopefully one will work.
*rain survival
*hidden? I think not.
*Nelson
*My hippie bag.
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