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May 2008 And what a show it was. I hit a pothole on I-94 on my way back to the hotel in St Paul and blew out the driver's side tire after the show. Apologies to Volvo. I didn't get to bed until around 3 AM. I didn't care at all – so high and so happy. And what a show it was. It was so great to get to hear these musicians. I never would have otherwise. When I got up to speak my piece I said that I'd have three versions of what to say: The one in the car on the way there, the one I actually would say and the one on the way back to the hotel, what I should have said. So, this is version number four: I forgot to thank Louise Woehrle! Pat Frederick! Linda Froiland, Cindy McArthur, Monica McIntosh, Tim Russell, Brian Turner, Jon Bream, Kathy at TPT and Louise's crew, who filmed the night. All the people who started it up, fed it and then made it go and cleaned up for 2 days afterwards. Everyone volunteered. The crew – Bruce, Neal, Joe, Peter and Tim - people I've worked with over the years. Everybody knew everybody, cast, crew and many in the audience. Pat and Louise were everywhere and invisible simultaneously. Thank you. Thank you. The backstage hang was as fun as the show. Not a primadonna to be found. (Prudence said, "Yeah, primadonnas have a hard time around here.") I missed every note of Daisy Dillman Dammit. Mary Jane's "Ghost In This House" was so soulful and powerful. She's gonna sing with me at the State Fair this year. Everyone I heard was great – every time the fog lifted for me and I was able to listen with some presence of mind, something amazing was happening onstage. Deb Harley; Prudence and Dan (I have no words for that second song, Prudence, no matter how you think you did); Pat Donohue (who didn't think I was listening all these years); Patty Peterson and the girls were jes' smokin'! Pamela McNeil was new to me – probably not to you, was stealing my ear every time she sang. Very hot. Others come to mind and fade and then return: Jeff Arundel, Peter Lang, Michael Monroe - Peter Ostroushko's comment about not particularly liking singer/songwriters because they don't practice their instrument. Loved it. Jon Vezner, my old friend - I could have played on those songs – I know my part finally. Carl and Lonnie, you were right about the ending – I should have been up there for "On The Road". Just right. Well, I'm still processing. Some of it I just wasn't present for. Some of it I was way too present for. I only lost it three times, not too publicly I hope. Prudence was the first. Suzanne Kapsner was the second. Keri Nelson was the third. You don't know Keri and Suzanne probably – you'd like them. And I did that thing musicians hate. It's stressful to be trying to watch someone onstage while a dear friend of maybe 40 years is talking to you and all the while you know you're on camera to boot. Busted. Some spotlights are harder to be in than others. I know what you're thinking: "Oh bitch bitch bitch. Michael" Yeah, you got a point there. My own little stage moment was an out-of-body experience - unlike the "auto-body" experience with the pothole (sorry). Afterwards I was free to schmooze. I did too, walking around the perimeter of an audience of friends. People I've known for years, people I'd never met, friends of friends of friends of … mine. The kindness of strangers – the loving looks in old compatriots eyes. Thanks to all who came, contributed and hopefully left happy. I will never ever forget that night. Audience and musicians alike, this really was a group of people who cared for their own. At the end of the evening I thought: "Man, we should do this every year!" Then, after a little reflection: "Uhh, well … maybe in someone else's honor." It's very good to be with you. Mj Archived monologues: |
Photo © Cindy McArthur
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