A backstage pass!

Last week I was fortunate to have a ticket to see Merle Haggard and the Strangers perform at the State Theater along with Kris Kristofferson.  Merle and Kris’ sets were together, rather than back to back, and each played many of my favorites (if not my #1 favorite) and the whole thing was a blast!

No, I didn’t get to go backstage and meet Merle and Kris.  But  I remember getting to go backstage of the Orpheum Theater, just across the street, when I was a teenager.  It was a Jethro Tull show – make fun if you must – and my friend and I met Ian Anderson and Martin Barre.  They were so kind, generous and gracious to us, a couple of fifteen year old kids, that I have never forgotten it.  The album they autographed for me – Crest of a Knave - is still a treasure in my collection.  It’s the only autograph I own, in fact.

And I’ve been backstage at some pretty cool shows these past couple years.  Sometimes the people I met would be a big deal to everyone and sometimes it’s really only special to me.  If I had a glass of one of those house beers I’d raise it to some frineds I’ve made…

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(“A Backstage Pass” by Johnny Cash)