March 22, 2008 Wow, the best show ever! I say that about everyone, but they really do keep getting better and better. Seeing how this was my 14th time to see Mark, I should be one to know if they keep getting better and better. Mark has changed his jokes, stories and set list a lot in the last couple months and I like that it’s not the same stuff anymore. Sadly, for the The Grove Park Inn they only sold around 100’ish tickets. Happy for me and the other concert goers. My trip started out with arriving early as usual. They had the doors open for sound check, so I watched Mark practice. Walked around, took some pictures and found myself a bench to sit on and wait. Then, here comes by himself around the corner Mark Schultz. Lucky me! He recognized me and came on over to say hi and put out his hand to shake. We talked for a few minutes about so many things. He’s a very cool guy. It was dinner time for Mark so off he needed to go. Ran into Scott B with his family on the elevator. When I returned after grabbing a quick bite to eat there were 2 lines forming. One for package holders who paid over $600 to stay at that hotel this weekend and one line for general admission. I was 3rd in line in the general admission, so I knew that I would be nowhere near the front as the line of package holders was long. Amazingly enough, I had been planning prior to arrival in my head that I should ask one of the package holders to save me a seat. Ha, that will never work I thought. What do you know; one of the package holders took an interest in chatting with me. That happens a lot, especially when I am carrying a framed picture of Mark. They seemed to like me and he suggested that they save a seat for me in the front row! 15 minutes later when they let in the general admission, sure enough, there they were happily waiting for me to arrive and had saved me the very front seat, outside aisle, center. Only a few feet from Mark. There was not a better seat in the house! After the comedian, Jeff Allen finished, Mark came on stage. He can only see roughly the first couple rows I hear from the bright lights. He could see far enough to wave at me happily sitting in the front row. I waved back of course. Mark played a lot of his new songs. When he was in Michigan he only did one or so, but this concert he did several new ones and even songs that only had a few lines written. His music rocks. I cannot wait for the new CD to come out. He then said boy, it’s so dry up here in the mountains and started drinking his water. He said is anybody else thirsty? I raised my hand, and he said something like hey let me grab you a water and he tossed me one of his waters from the piano! He’s a funny guy. He said this show was Full Service. ;-) It tasted great! The concert had an intermission so the comedian could talk. Mark’s wife and in-laws were at the show tonight. That was awesome and the first time I have seen Kate. She seemed equally as cool as Mark and he brought her up on stage and they sang Remember Me together to close out the concert. He called her babe and gave her a kiss on the stage. Very cute couple full of life I can tell! The concert finished late, after 11pm but Mark still did the meet and greet. He’s so cool to continue doing that. Fans really like it. Since they only sold 100ish tickets and not everybody stayed, the line went quick. I was at the rear of the line. Last actually, just where I wanted to be. Mark was excited to talk to me again. Earlier in the day we had talked about it being my 14th concert/event and so when I gave him my regular picture and frame from the previous concert to autograph he put on it “14 Concerts 8 States You Rock!! Thank You. Mark Schultz 8-)” yes, that is really sunglasses eyes he drew with a funky nose and big smiley face. He said it’s cool he gets to see me at so many shows. That’s awesome to have him recognize me. He has been Very Kind and extra special to me. My camera battery died right when we were trying to take a picture. He waited for me to change the battery and we re-did it. That was very kind of him. Chatted some more about more things than I can now remember. Have I mentioned Mark Rocks? It’ll be a while until I see Mark again. Late April in Orlando. Finally, he is coming back to FL so I don’t have to travel so far. I love traveling though, so I do not mind! I am blessed beyond words!
No comments:
Post a Comment