Vendor Writing: Norma B.

Girls Night Out Part 2

BY NORMA B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

Not long ago I wrote a story about going to an Alan Jackson concert in Lexington, Ky., with my friend of more than 25 years, Joanne.

A short time later, she got her hands on two two free tickets to Air Supply for Oct. 2 at Ryman Auditorium.

She called and asked if I liked them, and I said yes. (I mean they were REALLY popular when I was in junior high or middle school as it’s known these days.) She invited me to go with her, and I did.

The day of the show I worked selling the paper from about 12:30 until I went to the show. I texted Joanne to give her a heads up that I was in, “full '80s mode.”

Her reply? Two words: “Oh Lord.” She knows me SO well!

Picture this: I wore black leggings, a black tank top, a bright pink off the shoulder Nike t-shirt (think workout clothes), but it was a Sunday, so I had to dress it up a bit. How? I added a matching pink tutu that I borrowed from my granddaughter who offered her own critique of my appearance.

I even wore make-up and jewelry consistent with the '80s, and my daughter came to my Contributor sales spot, and we went into the hotel lobby and she fixed my hair in '80s fashion, complete a blinged out headband! I was honestly surprised no one said, “You know Halloween isn’t until the end of the month, right?”

There was an older couple (regulars of mine) that drove by and the woman asked, “What’s the occasion?” They know I don’t usually dress that way.

I told them I had an '80s era concert to go to later that night. She said, “Well, you hit the nail right on the head with that outfit!” Her husband just said I looked, “cute.”

My ride to the concert arrived later than I’d hoped, but I made it to the show just as it began!

As usual, our seats weren’t handicap accessible but this time it didn’t matter because they were on the floor — Aisle seats in Row R — looking directly at the stage.

A word of caution: The floor seats are church pews so they are NOT the most comfortable, but the acoustics there are absolutely AMAZING so it’s well worth the sacrifice!

The show started with a few of their hits- “Sweet Dreams,” “Even The Nights Are Better,” “Just As I Am.” Then they took a moment to comment on the historic significance of The Ryman. They noted that even though they’ve been around a while, they take nothing for granted.

The music continued with, “Here I Am (Just When I Thought I Was Over You)”— one of my personal favorites. I, along with the audience, sang along.

They actually thanked the audience for NOT going to see Elton John at Nissan Stadium that night, which I must admit would’ve been a great show too, but I didn’t have free tickets to that one.

After 47 years together in the entertainment industry, newcomers in the audience were guaranteed to be “Airheads” (the official nickname of Air Supply fans), by the time the show was over. Then he asked the people in the audience who were seeing them for the first time, “What took you 47 years to come to our show?”

In our case, it was definitely the free tickets!

Next up they sang “Chances” and “Goodbye.” (Two songs I’d NEVER heard before.)

Next, Graham Russell introduced their musical director Aaron McClain.

He talked a little bit about how they got here saying they, “took a left tun at Greenland,” a reference to The Beatles response to how they came to America that I’m NOT familiar with.

Then he recited a poem he wrote entitled, “Am I.” Next, he introduced the piano and bass player.

He went on to explain how and why he began to write music. He said he had no friends and couldn’t get a date so he retreated into his own little world with his imaginary friends, and even though he was happy being alone, he often felt like something was wrong with him. That led to his reading the words to a poem entitled, “Is There Something Wrong With Me?” With time he noted how everything changed. Now everyone wants to date him!

He talked about his relationship with his friend and band mate Russell Green.

They met in choir practice May 12, 1975 when he was playing his guitar upside down. They shared a name (Graham Russell and Russell Green). They were born three days apart. They both saw The Beatles live in concert at age 14, and they’ve NEVER had an argument. (I find that hard to believe.)

Next, the audience was invited to sing along to one of their classic hits, “Two Less Lonely People In The World.” As the guitar player played, he didn't just strum the strings, he used the guitar almost like a drum. Speaking of drums, the drummer put on quite a show too, at one point throwing his sticks in the air, catching them and continuing to play without missing a beat! It was SO cool!

“The One That You Love” earned the duo a standing ovation. The audience again sang along acapella following the duos lead.

“Lost In Love” had the crowd on their feet singing along and clapping their hands.

At this point the lady in front of me turned around and said, “Wow! You can really sing.”

I usually sing along to every song I know, especially at a concert, but what a nice compliment. I have to admit it made me feel good.

The duo again thanked the crowd for coming out to see them. Next they performed their first encore song, “Making Love Out Of Nothing At All.” The crowd asked for another encore (this was the first time I’d ever actually heard a crowd chanting encore) and they performed, “Without You.”

They thanked the staff at The Ryman, and let the audience know about their upcoming concert dates in South America.

They introduced their remaining band members and their behind the scenes crew, and paid tribute to veterans in the audience.

They said there were a few nights that they’ll always remember in their career, and this is one of them.

The last song of the evening was, “All Out Of Love,” which they performed acapella with the audience on their feet once again singing along to every word.

With that the show came to an end. I found myself wishing it could’ve been longer,like some of the others I’d been to, but then I realized they’d done ALL their most popular songs. What more could they possibly do?

It was another night of AWESOME music shared with a GREAT friend, and as promised, Joanne and I left as members of a select group of people. Yep, it’s official, we are now “Airheads!”