The plan was to meet Kathleen (ChattyK) at a restaurant where several SP'ers were meeting for a early dinner at 5:30.  The official dinner was organized and neither of us took part in that but it was a good meeting spot.  Well I took a couple of pictures so you could see the absolute masses of people, OK women, that were part of this thing.  It was absolutely unreal the numbers there.  The last I had heard it was to be 55 people but I would have guessed twice that at the restaurant.  When I got there, about an hour after it started, JTFTW was playing on whatever audio system they had so it was however many people singing at full on volume, screw the tune, hands in the air swaying side to side, waiters giggling.

I first met up with Jeanne Marie and chatted with her for a short bit.  She was kind enough to point me to Kathleen and her husband for me.  After a bit I went outside (a covered patio where the main party was) and met Kathleen and Bob.  It was here that I got to feel that SP vibe and these people were really into this...WOW!!!  (waiters giggled)

Being able to only able to take so much estrogen I announced to Kathy and Bob that I was off to the bar for a double gin.  Seeing the incredible wisdom in my decision they join me.  We had a good time talking about how we got to this day and quite frankly it was a story that we today know as 'typical'.  That being hooked at Las Vegas and so on.  I trust you know the story.  Anyway Bob and I had a good time talking about fishing too.  (sorry needed to insert a little Y chromosome into the issue).  But we also agreed what a wonderful bunch the SP was and how generous with the various support they've provided to others along the way.

Considering that I was a super important person winning a meet and greet and all I needed to get over to the theater quite early for my super important dealings with top talent.  Kathleen & Bob walk over with me and actually there were quite a few people outside the theater milling about.  There were some other very important industry movers and shakers like me in the 'Will Call' area awaiting their interaction with top talent as well but I think they knew when I walked in that the top mover and shaker had arrived.  I really could stand to lose a couple.

Anyway we were supposed to pick up our meet and greet passes at 6:30 but the passes arrived late so we were all on pins and needles.  Errr I mean, in this industry we understand delays and just deal with them...oh bullshit...we wanted our freaking passes.  Once they arrived I was the second to get mine and as I passed the attendant my drivers licence to cross check on the list I had this terrible feeling that she would run her finger up and down the list whilst (I learned this from the message) shaking her clearly in power head.  But no, things went smooth and she proudly proclaimed, yes here you are (well that's how I recall it anyway) and handed me an envelope with my pass.  It was a credit card type thing with Taylor's album cover on it...I'll take a picture of it for you.

Anyway the plan is to meet outside a set of doors near the stage at 7:30 which of course we all did.  As the line formed we all talked about all thing Taylor and also what we thought we could expect in our super high powered meeting with top industry talent. Of course we were all just guessing at it. There was 30 of us movers and shakers and they were bringing us in groups of 5 to meet him.  I have to admit that I'm glad that this is the way they handled this.  I had pictured at one point a room of 100 going all willy nilly and it was a nightmare as I know there are those more assertive than me about garnering his attention.  But this was just great.

 

I was in the third group and as the others came out they all said the same thing.  He is so sweet and kind and couldn't have been nicer or more giving of himself and time.

 

Really think of it, isn't that what we have always though he'd be?

 

When its time for my group to go in the bouncer checks my ID and can clearly see my importance and backs away meekly.  OK he had to move to let me through but you get the idea.  Behind the door was a very non descript very small area that let to 4 or 5 steps up to stage level and a quite small room about the size of a small bathroom.  At the top of the stairs was Taylor greeting us as we walked in.  When I got to the top stair Taylor reaches his hand out to me which I shake (manly) and say. (this is a direct quote as I do remember this 'cause I kinda practiced it hoping not to say something stupid straight off the bat) "Hi, I'm Glenn, its a pleasure to meet you I'm here representing your International Fans" and his reply was "Well then get up on in here!" with a smile on his face.

 

I was the third to meet him and the two guys before me had 'VIP' stickers on their lapels...yeah yeah yeah I could have picked them up at the 5 and dime prior...but in actuality they were members of Auburn's Supper Club (this is like an Auburn institution where the members are a brotherhood) and Taylor told one of his people after their time that he wanted to talk to these guys more afterwards.  My mover and shaker status was slightly diminished but it was Auburn Supper Club members so I understand.

 

After they stepped aside Taylor looks at me and again extends his hand out for a shake.  He said "Hey, how's it going man?"  I make as much sense as I can, which quite frankly I'm not sure what that in reality what that means but I tried.  I pull the binder containing the IHOT message out and hand it to Taylor and he opens it up to sign and I say, No that's for you to read, its a message from your International fans that they wanted me to deliver.  He said "How Cool" and took a moment to see what it was and then turned the page to your photos and I explained that you had all just met in London and that he brought these people and all of us together.  He smiled at this knowledge.  We then had our picture taken.

I explained to him about the play by plays and how you all were up at all hours of the night to find out what was going on with him.  I also explained how people worldwide were voting for him via Skype and a whole community was formed in support of him.  Again he thought that was so cool.

 

Then I told him how you all want him to do a European tour and he explained to me how difficult it was to break into that stream but that he'd LOVE (he really did mean it) to do a EU tour.  He said 'I will always keep my options open and if I can, I will' 

 

Then he signed my disc and that of Kathleens and a shirt she gave to me. He shook my hand again, thanked me for coming and said goodbye.

 

I will say what others before me have said.  He couldn't have been nicer or more sincere.  Solid person!!!!

 

I'm sure by now you've read other accounts of the concert but the opening band the 'Grayhounds' from Austin TX were just great...wonderful personality.  When they first came on stage and stared and the crowd was going nuts the lead singer said 'Relax folks, we're the opening band'  LOL...their set was wonderful and played an extra song for timing reasons...but they were a great bluesy band.

 

Then it was Taylor time!!!!  Of course the place went nuts...He started off with Soul Thing and it was just wonderful.  His band is SO great and you just know that they will improve as the tour proceeds. 

 

My impressions are much like all the others out there...so much fun, so much energy though I understand he wasn't feeling well.  I can't possibly recall each of the songs but he seemed to interlace the TH album and Under the Radar and then had a couple covers.  One of Rod Stewarts 'Young Turks' and then two Doobie songs of course including TITTS (sorry, for some reason I perfer that abbreviation of this song).

I'll send more pictures along the way

After the show a group of us went to the bar at the Hyatt where I had a drink (or two) with JM, Kathy and her husband.  There was a large group of SP'ers across the bar and I talked to them and after JM went to bed and Kath and Bob left for their hotel I sat with them for a bit.

 

There were something like 12-15 of them there and after some talking (and alcohol) we were all laughing and having a great time.  Anyway while I don't possess any there are 2 or 3 photos out there of a group shot with Papas surrounded by this clan.  LOL...oh god...its going to appear in Soul Connection isn't it?  Shit...well so much for IMOM...I told Colleen to get generous with Photoshop.

 

And that was that.  Wanna see a picture of Taylor's tour bus?