Tell me a story!

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Permalink Reply by backstreets77 on August 11, 2009 at 7:43pm

Well I have a story about a man name Brady.

Permalink Reply by surfpirate on August 13, 2009 at 3:42am

Jimmy Buffett bought me a beer once. Kind of, sort of ...... he had someone from "the crew" bring a fresh beer out to me at least. Hey! He felt guilty. He owed me one! He had, after all, spilled a full cup of beer all over me.

Merriweather Post Pavilion. Late 1990s ... 1999 I think. The decade is a bit fuzzy now. My wife and I had dead center front row tickets for the 2nd year in row. And I mean dead center .... equal number of seats to our left and to our right. Now Merriweather Post is a special venue. Front row is only about 4 feet from the stage itself, and the stage is maybe only 5 feet high. In some pavilions front row is back about 10 feet or so and the stage is 7+ feet high. No chance to interact with the band. But at Merriweather Post, you are right there. Between songs at a show you can actually trade a few barbs and laughs with Jimmy and the band. At certain times ... before and after intermission and each encore, it was fairly easy to shake Jimmy's hand, actually get him interact with you, and get an autograph or two.

It was 1999, because I remember now that my wife was pregnant. Unless it was 1996, when she was also pregnant. I remember Jimmy commented to her that she was *obviously not drinking*. But I was. Heck, I had a designated driver the whole summer with her not drinking.

In the first half of the show ..... early ..... I was standing and dancing and sipping a full cup of beer as the beach balls flew onto the stage. Jimmy and the band were enjoying themselves immensely, as was I.

Then it happened.

As he is prone to do, Jimmy rared back and kicked beach balls off of the stage and back into the crowd. One of them, unfortunately, was a particularly great kick on his part ..... a line drive right into my face as I was in mid sip of my beer. WHAM! Beer everywhere. Jimmy got this *oh shit* wide eyed look and mouthed "I'm so sorry" to me, but of course he and the band finished the song. After the song he came over and apologized again and then made a comment to the crowd about what had happened and told *the crew* to "get that man another beer on me". Somewhere all of this is recorded on the show I'm sure, but to this day I've never heard that particular concert recording (summer of 1999 or 1996 - Merriweather Post Pavilion if anybody has a copy of those shows).

A most unusual evening. He gave my wife a guitar pick that night and we got his autograph on something, I honestly don't remember what ... might have been the year he autographed my Key West passport or maybe my 8-track tape of A1A.

Oh, And he bought me a beer.

~~~~ surfpirate

Permalink Reply by Tonga Tam on August 13, 2009 at 1:49pm

Well Tim.. please share it!! I'll top of everyones drinks...
and SP.. damn. The man bought you a beer.. thats cool.

Permalink Reply by Tonga Tam on August 13, 2009 at 4:24pm

I made Mac blush.

So there I was hanging out behind Hogs Breath Saloon in Key West. It was Meeting of the Minds 2005 and Wilma had just paid a visit to the island leaving it a bit tattered. The crowds were lighter than normal but the music was fantastic and there was plenty of rum floating around! The crowd at Hogs Breath was quite large so we decided to hang out and listen to Hugo Duarte from the parking lot. Why not? You can drink there and see the band better than being squished inside the railings!

I was swaying back and forth listening to the music. This guy was standing next to me so I said hi, he smiled back and we started chatting about Hugo. He really enjoyed his music and commented how he doesnt get to hear him play as much as he liked. I introduced myself and he did the same. Mike. Nice to meet you Mike.

We chatted, listened to the music, chatted a bit more. About fifteen minutes or so later, my buddy Donna "Mac" McCarthy comes running over.. hand out to shake Mikes hand.

"Mr. Utley, its an honor to meet you."
Ya, I felt like an ass. I didnt even recognize him! Oops. So we all laughed, and got our picture snapped with Mike. A few minutes passed by and as I glance around the lot, I see our little group is growing. Mac Macanally and Robert Greenidge both were hanging out as well. Not a bad group to chill with!

Hugo wrapped up his set and came out back with us cool kids. I dont know if no one knew who was out there or what, but there were only a few of us. Somehow.. and the rum makes my memory a little fuzzy here, but I showed Hugo my autograph from Captain Tony. Needless to say, it was in an area ... ahem... that I would normally show people. Ya, a bit of cleavage was exposed and, oh hell, I landed up flashing the poor guy. (I'm thinking he didnt mind!) He couldnt let Captain Tony show him up, so he got out his sharpie and added a "WOW" and "Hugo was here" to the other side.. now my girls were balanced! Not to be outdone, Robert stepped in and added his signature to the lot. Then all eyes turned to poor Mac. I swear, that guys face turned brighter than his hair! He shook his head no, but Robert convinced him it was a good idea, "she's a fan!" (even though I didnt recognize Mike earlier! who had disappeared at this point!) So, pen in hand, arm extended, he signed the top of my chest. I had covered up as much as I could in hopes of easing his embarrassment. At the end of it, he was smiling and laughing with the rest of us!

And yes, I have the pictures to prove it!
I made him blush! hahaha...

Permalink Reply by surfpirate on August 13, 2009 at 4:36pm

backstreets77 said:

Well I have a story about a man name Brady.

Tim's other story begins ..... "There was this one time, in band camp ........ "

Permalink Reply by backstreets77 on August 14, 2009 at 1:28pm

surfpirate said:

backstreets77 said:

Well I have a story about a man name Brady.

Tim's other story begins ..... "There was this one time, in band camp ........ "

It was ok it was my flute and her .......