Special Event

I have two sons. Jason and Aaron. Great kids. Different personalities each. Similar to their dad in some ways and yet extremely different in many.

Thank goodness.

As all family members endure, our common ground stems from the familiarity of being together and the foundation we, as parents, thrust upon them from the moment they were brought into this world.

Lucky for them … in selfish theory.

An environment we share is the all-encompassing world of music.

My background stems from my parents’ influence they had over me which included a couple of instruments, vocal groups, band and orchestras. It never seemed to end. Attend this concert, sing in that chorus, memorize that piece for recital, join the church choir, march in that band, play with the cellos, et al. Now please don’t misunderstand, I loved all, or shall I say, most of the experiences that I accomplished in this field and as I began my studies at UW-Stevens Point my concentration was featured around music. Uncertain if I was talented enough to perform for a living I centered on instruction. An enjoyable endeavor but that, too, never materialized. (Too many circumstances to include here.) Unfortunate for me and yet maybe not so much for my pending students. In retrospect, those kids got off easy but with their love of music intact and not screwed up by me. A good thing.

As I continue to be a dad to my children, they have always understood my love for music. Be it the constant radio/CD player pounding away at home or in the car, my seemingly unlimited stacks of vinyl, cassettes & CD’s in various rooms throughout the house or me singing nonstop during out travels cross-country … they had no choice. Did this hamper or heighten their own passion? Good question and one I can only answer with this: they love their concerts. Will they ever have interest in the same styles as I, hard to imagine but my desire is that they give all of it at least one listen after I’ve gone to that great amphitheater in the sky.

Their concerts: are they classical? Jazz? Big-band? Do-wop? Community? Elementary level? Collegiate? Symphonic? Orchestral? Surely you jest. My kids tend to lean towards the metal/heavy rock/theatrical curve of the popular trends. Absolutely no different from I was in the early 70’s. No one thought that Alice Cooper, Queen, Bowie were cooler than I. I have no difficulty in their enjoyment of these types of artists and actually think it’s wonderful that when they do attend a concert that they’re provided with more entertainment value for their $$ than just a dude and his guitar. There’s old age ahead for them for that.

A few years ago my kids invited Tina and I to a local concert. A triple bill of bands that they understood I rather enjoyed due to their melodic style plus crunching guitars. A guilty pleasure for me, these bands, and ones that I would rarely admit that I enjoy. Typical non-social, sophomoric lyrics and ones I’d never quote but still … just provides me with some fist-pumps and head bangs. I readily accepted.

Prior to the event we, Tina, my two kids, a few other fellow dudes and assorted gal pals, headed to a near-by establishment for some prerequisite cocktails. Some sixty minutes later, my anal attitude set forth a request … could we make tracks so as to hear band #1? Knowing that their pappy feels the need to utilize every dollar being spent for the evening, they understood that they should either allow me to go on without them or to immediately slam their beverages and walk along side me. Which they complied. Off we went.

Thankfully, not only for me but for my boys as well, we were not the first ones in the venue as other blue-light special concert goers had taken their places well within the barriers of the old facility. As usual, my eyes scanned the surrounding generations not certain as to just what or who I was looking for. All appeared to be in order although some folks looked suspicious. My eyes were on them.

“Hey dad, who’re you looking for?”

“No one in particular … just looking around the place.” They knew I was checking for freaks. Damn them. I’m so transparent.

As the show was becoming closer to its start time, I ventured towards the side, seated areas. My boys, looking at each other, knew exactly where I was headed and thoughtfully waltzed over. One said, “we hate to leave you alone in a place like this, especially with all of the crazies out tonight but dad … you’re now on your own. Will you be OK? Oh yeah, not to worry, you guys are not the oldest people here either. Check out those two!”

Oh how funny they can be. Will I be all right? Just hilarious. Not the oldest? Too kind. How I wanted to say something like, ‘you have no idea the places I’ve been or the concerts I’ve witnessed or the people I’ve entertained,’ but I fell silent and just accepted their sarcastic tone. Honestly, very funny of them. Apple did not fall too far.

Unknowingly, it was a four band deal and #1 wrapped up their brief set and tore down. More fans trickled in and #2 was preparing to get it on.Nice.

Tina and I were comfortably situated stage right, approximately 15 rows up and the view and sound was what I had hoped for. Satisfaction was reached. My critiquing the event was ready to commence.

During the early portions of the set we noticed son #2 hovering over the masses in his initial stage dive and only a half-dozen to follow. At some point security explained to him that his 15 minutes of fame had concluded and pointed him in the direction of the mid-fan base. Ah, another proud moment for me. At least he wasn’t physically removed from the area and asked to leave. Actually, he looked like he was enjoying himself, sweating profusely and all.

While planted in our seats we were able to not only see the throngs of kids, the band perform but the overhead, immense HD screens as well. Always a nice addition for the cheap seats where who knows what may be going on … I suspect. Overall a pretty nice setup even thought the acoustics were, as usual, quite horrible. Good luck, sound man.

My kids rushed up to check on us at this point, which was kind of them but their stay lasted but a moment and down they went to join up with the ‘mosh’ pit. Again, very proud.

The time came for the lead singer of the performing group to head for the stands. As a parent I was afraid for his safety but he appeared in control. Surely I was being a tad silly for having these thoughts but seriously … he was walking up the seats! I, at that point, realized that I should leave the ‘no-fun-zone’ and not be such as dork. I can only imagine what my kids would’ve said to me right then. As the remaining band mates continued with one of their more hit friendly numbers, off he went. Being an extremely charismatic performer (as well as quite acrobatic) he charged up stage left of the concrete steps. The spot light stayed on him as he ascended upwards towards the rafters. Everyone was screaming in delight. I kept my eyes peeled on him as he kept up his assault from one section to another. He would stop and stand on the arms of some of the fans seats and sing at the top of his lungs. Again, crowd yelled and sang along. Thrilling, right? Agreed, it was entertaining as the mosh pit was in full force below us. Circling, circling he moved. The mammoth screens displayed what was going on  and waves of lyrics continued to be unleashed. Mezmorizing.

Tina and I sat on our hands for the most part. Tina, bless her, actually was more into the action than I and stood occasionally while putting her hands together in time with the beat of the drum kit. I would rather take in the musicality of the show and, in my head, judge the talent layed before me. The sound levels in each instrument, the acoustics of the venue, the backup singers and their being ‘pitchy.’ Sorry, it’s what I do.

The band played on as the dude made his way around the back of the stage and way up and behind us. We kept our eyes on him via the big screens and not by craning our necks. This just was deemed unnecessary by me. Stay seated, enjoy the adoring fans and not become overheated. All was fine.

Most of the throngs around us were now standing, singing and pointing. Something was indeed taking place behind us but soon he’ll be back on stage and the song was coming to and end … I think. More people were cheering on the guy and I could actually feel the crowd becoming more aroused  by the moment. The groupies down below were all pointing towards us so I again, checked the screens. Oh yeah, he was conducting the whole place to join in and scream it out. Cool.

Suddenly, I couldn’t see anything. Nothing but bodies directly in front of me. It felt as though I could be crushed at any moment due to the crazed fans standing, pushing and cheering. Tina, while on her fee,t was one of them and was obviously enjoying herself. I remained seated. It’ll all be over shortly.

Tina gasped, mouthed something to me but was inaudible. “What?” Inaudible once again. “Again?”

“Get off of your ass!”

Oh.

As I made my way to my feet, bright light peeked through the bodies before me. Continuing to arise, the beam shone even brighter and I could almost feel it towards the top of my head. There, I made it. I was up. Being on the aisle I had a bit of room to maneuver but even that was limited. Once I had my balance … there he was. Dude. Singing almost on top of me. Arms flailing and pumping. Sweat spraying mostly on me but on those surrounding me as well. Quite obviously the mega-watt spot light was directly on me as I was engulfed in white light and felt like as sort of messiah. Oooo what the? Tina rammed me and bumped me to ‘get my rock on.’ Sheepishly I lifted my arms, curled my fingers into the proverbial devil horn sign and pumped them as if I was  18 years old. Wooo what a feeling. The crowd around me yelled and gushingly smile and laughed. My arms continued to pump and I uncoiled my finest screaming/singing voice to help in the chorus. The rock star enjoyed my little performance and pointed at the screen for me. In all my glory, there I was. Huge. Goofy. Hilarious. My 15 minutes.

The guy was about to make his way to the stage but just as he was he stopped, looked back at me and put out his hand. To thank me? Hardly. I do believe he was going to help me back into my seat. No thank you, I’m fine.

The show went on and on but I was wiped out. My kids made eye contact with me and gave the thumbs up. Proud? Embarrassed? A little of both, no doubt.

The event ended and we all made our way back to the bar for a post-event drink. We went over the show but all they really talked about was me being on the big-screen, arms thrusting skyward, singing along with the guy and having a ball. Pretty cool.

Will they ever make a return invitation? Unknown but if they do, and I enjoy the music that’s to be performed, I’ll again accept.

Plus, I’ll be prepared to generate my inner rock star for all of my allegiance of fans.

Rock on!

Reiny