Following Where You Are Lead

April 30, 2005 by dennisbaker 

That was the under riding theme in David Wilcox’s concert last night. Weaving through story and song so fluidly, as only an excellent folk singer can do, Wilcox shared of his current life circumstances that he will follow. The evening was soothing, romantic, and just right even if we were sitting in uncomfortable pews. If you are ever in San Diego check out Acoustic San Diego, and go listen to some great folk music.

The best part of the evening was a couple we met by the name of Buzzy and Beth. They are a young thirty-something couple, Beth 32 weeks pregnant and Buzzy the quintessential postmodern with a shaved head, squared off glasses, and blue zip up hoody over a stripe green polo. They came down from Orange with Buzzy’s parents. They walked up to us before the concert saying they saw as at dinner and wanted to ask us over, but did not. By the time we finished talking and the concert started we learned that we had met a couple close to our hearts or to quote Buzzy “from the same tribe”. Beth is a nurse at Children’s Hospital, Orange County and knows a mutual nurse friend of Karen’s. Buzzy is a self proclaimed pastor helper. He works for a Methodist organization. We talked ALOT about the arts in the church and shared many passions and books that inspired us. Imagine what we would have missed if Buzzy did not follow where he was lead.

Filed under: Music
Tagged:

Hello Hello

April 15, 2005 by dennisbaker 

Greg and I were weaving in and out of the 110 traffic trying to get to Staples Center by 4pm. The plan: I was to drop him off and while he waited in line and I would head to an audition and get back by 6pm for when the door would open. Our one concern was if I was going to make it back in time. I had planned a route on side streets to avoid rush hour traffic, but we were pushing it. We arrived to Staples Center with no problems and I dropped Greg off and sped off west on Olympic.

While speeding down the far right lane, the one normally allowed for park cars except for the crucial time of 4-7pm, I called up Greg to get the status. He said I have good news and you are going to hate me. Good news first, always good news first, it softens the blow for the bad news. Good news: It was not a problem that Greg was saving a spot for me in line. Bad news: Right across the street from where I dropped Greg off Bono and the Edge was signing autographs for a small crowd. Greg was able to get s shirt signed. Doh! That was bad news, but I had no time to fret as I had a deadline.

It was 4:40pm and by mapquest time I should have been to my audition by now. I entered Santa Monica and new that something was wrong. Mapquest directions said Olympic was to meet up with Santa Monica Blvd. and the Casting Office was on Santa Monica. That was not true. I had to go north of Olympic and Santa Monica Blvd ran parallel to Olympic. I ended up being 20 minutes late to the audition, with a bigger concern that I would not make it back to Staples by 6pm. I found my way back to Olympic and broke the speed barrier getting back. I pulled in the parking lot and found Greg in line by 6pm on the dot. YES! But…it was 6:30pm by the time they let us in. All that rush for nothing.

For those not hip on the waiting procedure for GA tickets to a U2 Concert. There are two lines: one for the GA tickets for fan club members purchased at u2.com and then a line for general GA tickets. We were in the fan club line, but Staples decided to let both lines go at the same time. So though we were #135 and #136, it took a couple a minutes to get in. I heard that to get into the eclipse (right in front of the stage) your ticket got scanned and if a red light shows up you were in. I saw people’s ticket’s get scanned, but no light, I was confused as I enter through the metal detectors and then realized we were going to be scanned a second time to see if we were “in”. I was before Greg so my ticketed was scanned and…

…the computer screen showed up RED!!!! I was allowed in and so was Greg since he was with me. YES!! We were pumped!! We went through a couple more ticket checks as we headed down to the floor and in the eclipse. There was already a two rows started so we jumped in to make row three and the Edge’s side of the stage. We were SO close. Greg and I could not believe it. We were bummed that we had to purchase tickets on ebay for three times the list price, but this made it all worth in. We met a couple who had seen them already in San Diego and Anaheim. King of Leons opened and I was less then impressed. I was no way comparing them to U2, but I still thought they weren’t good. Much rather have seen The Killers. I kept saying Kings of Who?

After the break between bands, the lights went out, the crowd screamed and we heard Bono’s recorded force repeating the words “Everyone”. The band members came out with large lights shining them on the crowd, letting everyone know the next two hours was about everyone there and not just the band. Then in the familiar Irish tenor voice…LAAAAAAY DOOOWWWN, LAAAAAY DOOWWWN…LAY DOWN YOUR WEAPONS. The rock event of the year had begun! With Bono in the front of the ellipse with Larry pounding on a single drum, it was time for rock and roll. What was to come can not be summed up in words. It was simply amazing! Greg putting it best at the end of the night saying it was the best worship he has had in awhile. To see more pictures, read fan reviwes and follow the tour go to u2tours.com

Filed under: Los Angeles, Music
Tagged: