After weeks of waiting and waiting and waiting, my Nashville trip to see my childhood crush...my teen idol; who really wasn't a teen when he started, my 1st Aussie love, had arrived.....Thanks to a few friends, who went behind my back, I might add; I was going to see Rick Springfield...Yes...Dr. Noah Drake... recently, also...Eli Love, in my favorite town ( besides The Mapdot, of course), Nashville, TN..... ANDDDDDDDDDDDD...I was supposed to have VIP section tickets and get to meet him.....I fretted; stressed; TRIED not to get my hopes up too high.... you know when something's so out of reach for you.... or so you thought...when that 'dream' seems to be coming true; you don't want to even think about it; JUST in case something falls through.....it's really happening.....or is supposed to anyway..... OK... Wait while I go puke.....Those were my thoughts leading up to this moment...... And for the record...I really appreciate all who were excited for me... who tried to calm me down... telling me I knew how they felt when their Tim moment might be happening, etc..... I will always love you for your love and support.....
I had even branched out on outfits… bought a pair black capris and new shirt (purple, of course) and a pair of black slides…My bro treated me to a mani/pedi with purple toes/nails the weekend before..The toes stayed great; had to re-touch the fingers….
I left work on Thursday afternoon; heading to Batesville, MS; to spend the night w/fellow Memphis Bag Lady, Melanie.... After a stop at Sonic, of course.......We met other fellow Bag Lady, Missy; for what else??? MEXICAN~ Did a little visiting, but then went our separate ways... For the 1st time, Missy wouldn't be with us for this jaunt... She's younger than Melanie and I and Mr. Jessie's Girl, just didn't do anything for her....:) - Melanie had to pack and we took the time to visit w/Mel's hubby and 2 daughters... It was nice just to relax and love on them....Our goal was to get up and outta there by 6 on Friday morning...Mission accomplished.....we were on the road by 6 and headed to Music City....
After several stops for Diet Cokes, breakfast, potty, etc.... we arrived in Franklin, TN, to visit w/a friend and her babies> It was so nice to visit w/Sandy... play with the babies...reminisce about old times; and hear about stuff going on now.....She had to leave to go pick up her 4 yr old from Pre-K; so we headed up town to pick up my ticket to the show.... We got downtown, picked up the ticket from a new friend, Terri; who graciously took care of my love project for Alesha, Dawn & Jill....Melanie had also sent me some love money for this trip.....She works at The Wildhorse and put up w/me bugging her in the weeks before...as I said... fretting; worrying, etc...over what would happen or would might would happen; etc.... She had told me earlier in the day that the meet/greet would be after Rick's show...UGH... At least, per Terri, if we were hot and sweaty; he would be too and would know we enjoyed him!~ LoL......I stopped by the line outside The Wildhorse - the show was General Admission...and even though the VIP section was guaranteed seats, you still had to be there first come/ first serve to get the prime spots~ I asked a few there if they were on Rick's board and if they were, what their names were; no one really offered any info, so we went to the motel to freshen up and change for the show.....
Another couple friend of mine, Stephanie & Phil were coming to the show, too; so I told them we'd be at The Wildhorse about 6 or so… I decided not to wear the black slides that I'd bought…they had a little heel and I was afraid I'd fall..LoL…I did wear some khaki ones; which were much more comfy and still showed my purple stuff……Got there and the line was wayyyyyyyyyyyy long….I asked someone who worked there about my ticket and he told me I needed an armband and to go to the door, that we would be let in first…I hated to leave Melanie; but there were a couple of ladies that she visited w/and ended up sitting with on the 3rd floor…. I called Terri to see where she was…She had been able to go in before everyone else; since she worked there, so she had saved me a spot RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE STAGE….. The floor was set up w/tables; probably 6 to each one…and was pretty cramped…..But, it wasn't too bad…I knew we wouldn't be sitting anyway, once Rick took the stage…. I couldn't believe it… after seeing him 5 times before and not being close, I couldn't imagine being in 'touching' distance~
A little background on my Rick journey…..I fell in love w/him, as a 14/15 yr old kid…. Back then, I listened to more pop/rock than country…. I was able to go see him in Ruston, LA; at LA Tech..my seats were right on the tip, top of the Coliseum…Then in about 82/83, he was going to be in Jackson, MS….so, my parents drove Tim, another girlfriend of mine, my cousin and I to the show…On a school night and everything…. We were on the floor; so I was able to get close; but never dared to get too close and even try to touch him; etc..Remember, I was a pretty sheltered kid back then~ (wink)….We had a great time…. Yall's man even fell asleep on me on the way home, etc….J - Then, in about 85, Rick came to Monroe…Tim, Tracey, Sandy and I went to this…. But, our seats weren't the best…. Fast forward about 12 years… I had kept up w/his career and of course, watched GH at the height of his career…but, then he took some time off; I got more into country….did think of him often…Looked at my posters and t-shirts I had accumulated and wondered if I'd ever get another chance to see him…. My cousin, Brenda, told me that he would be in Bossier City at a casino…so, I planned on going…. It was like I was a teenager again..He came out and rocked the place… He asked where all the braces were? LoL… It was a fantastic show and it was fun being a kid again…. As yall know; I didn't have a computer until around 2001, so really had no way to keep up with him and where he'd be, etc…. Fast forward to about 2005….I had heard that he was coming back on GH….J - So, I started taping and watching only his scenes….MAN~ He sure did age well…. I found out he would be back in Bossier this past spring; so Brenda and I went…Was VERY disappointed in our seats…we were probably 40 rows away from the stage; but when he came out….it was, again; ;like I was a teenager….The show was awesome and I was craving more…but knew he didn't come down south too often; so figured it might be another 10 years until I could see him again…In the meantime, his storyline was awesome this summer…LOTS of Dr. Drake and Eli Love..he played dual roles and even sang on the show…. He had never done that before…. I began going to his website; reading up on what had gone on and what was going on now…. Saw lots of pics of him with people and read stories of their 'moments' with him…He was really a genuine guy….and everything that you think he would be as a young kiddo…..
Now; back to now..............SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO……I had lots of thoughts about how I would react when I did get to be face to face w/him…Would I throw up; would I cry hysterically…would I be able to talk; but sound like a dork? LoL…..The time before Rick took the stage did go by pretty quickly….There were 2 opening bands..One was made up w/people who worked for Gaylord; a few of the girls even worked at The Wildhorse…the 2nd act was a Billy Joel cover band….They were really good; but………….I was ready for Rick… Before he took the stage, Terri & I attempted a potty break…I saw Steph & Phil; hugged on them a few…and also saw a girl from Rick's board…who was attending her 1st ever Rick show…I knew she'd be by herself; so I asked S & P to take care of her..They graciously asked her to sit at their table…J - Made our way to and fro the b.r. and got settled in for the night…. Terri had found out that Rick wouldn't start until 9:45; and the m/g would be about 11:30….UGH~ I figured I'd waited this long; a couple more hours wouldn't hurt…. After the BJ band left, the energy started building… I knew from the show this spring that he just walks out on stage..No big fanfare, introduction, etc…. We stood up and got ready….for "HIM"………..
There he was~ Tall and lean; looking so much younger than 58… I thought my heart would beat outta my chest….hands got sweaty, tears started welling up………He began with "Who Killed Rock and Roll"…a new one that he had performed on GH, then went on to a few more….I was just in awe.. looking up at him like a little puppy dog…couldn't take my eyes off of him… LoL…. After about 3 songs, he came and stood RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME~ Actually, I had to move my hands so he wouldn't step on them….Talk about tall and lean anddddddddddddd….I just couldn't look up…if I had well….yall got the text; so you know what I woulda been gazing at….(blush)….The show was fantastic…I tell you; he puts great energy in his performance…. We made eye contact a few times…got smiles…and melted with those dimples and those eyes….After a few more songs, he came over to the monitor right in front of Terri & I… sat down; swung his lonnnnnnnnnngggggggggggg legs around…(actually, kicked me a little) and there he was again~~~~~~~~~~~ RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME~ I did reach out and touch his boot; just a smidge; just so I could say I did…. I was able to look up at him this time; since he was sitting….I know Melanie and Steph & Phil were cracking up at me… they said later, they enjoyed watching me more than the show…LOL….. There were a few songs that I didn't know ;but; mostly, he did all the hits from the 80's…. making eye contact with lots… really giving the kids some attention; which to me is so endearing….. He didn't talk too much, but I tell ya… his voice sounds just like it did or better than 'back when'….you know most of older rock guys haven't aged well at all…but I can report that Mr. Springfield definitely has….. From seeing him in Bossier, I knew he would come out in the crowd….. So, when he did that, he was walking across tables and chairs; getting help from the crowd… They all who were lucky enough to get a 'human touch' from him, were just swooning…he lets the crowd sing some of "Don't Talk to Strangers"…and got a kick out of most's non talent..He did comment that he knew he'd find someone who could sing there; when a couple were able to stay on key~ He went further back in the crowd that he had in April…. So, we couldn't really see too much of him then… Melanie could and he actually went near S, P and Teddi (the girl from his site)…. There was lots of groping, etc….I just CANNOT do that…. He usually makes the comment before heading out there that he's coming out there…don't touch his butt; unless he's falling, then help him…he didn't this night…so, I guess people figured they had the right…NOOOOOOOOOOOO-NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO~
He did comment that he was being sexually harassed; but he thought he liked it….but…I'm sure he wasn't happy w/it at all; but did make the best of it…giving people their 'human touches'….hugging…. shaking hands, etc…. He had gotten so far back that he just stayed out in the crowd to finish the show… All through the night, he'd tease us a little bit w/intro of "Jessie's Girl"…. Someone gave him a stethoscope; and he made the comment that 'you didn't watch that stupid tv show, huh?"..He tried to keep it on awhile, but it kept coming off… He did have a few equipment problems… His microphone pack came loose a time or two; he broke a guitar string, they forgot to put the set list up, etc…but, he laughed it off and you could tell he was thrilled to be back on stage at 'home' and doing a full set…He had been in Austraila for 3 wks and only performed 3 or 4 songs for those 3 wks.. It was the first time he'd performed in AussieLand since he'd left there to move out to California…..It was an out of body experience for me, really…To be there, that close and I was just soaking it all in… When he began to come back to the stage, we cleared off our table; hoping he'd come our way~ AND HE DID~~~~~~~ Stepped right beside us….I did reach out and touch his leg on the way over….J - He left the stage, signing a little girl's guitar; just loving on us, while we were loving on him w/applause, etc….
I knew he'd be back out for "Love is Alrite Tonight"… wondering if he'd be shirtless or not…he sometimes does that for the encore….He came back on clothed; but made the comment that instead of him getting naked, that we had to…NOT~~~~~~During the intro, he leaned over, right in Terri's face… gave her some smiles and eyebrow love….I know she was dying………..J - ~
It was over way too quickly… but I knew the best was yet to come….. I found S, P & Teddi and told them adios….I told Teddi I'd keep in touch and see her next time I was in the area….Her first time had been awesome, she said…. We'd see S & P on Sat….SOOOOOOOO; Terri & I made our way to the door where they'd come get us for the m/g…. I really started to get nervous…was popping peppermints like pills…. If I couldn't freshen up; at least my breath was going to be fresh~ There were LOTS of peops in line and I felt bad for him that he would have to deal w/all of us, after putting on such a high energy show…. We were taken to the 3rd floor of the WH and into a room…. About 30 of us were let in first…I, strangely, began to calm down…I know it was due to positive thoughts from my 'posse'…. He just sauntered into the room…no fanfare, again….Wearing his glasses and really to me; looking exhausted…. I guess we were about 15th in line….As I got closer to him, I just couldn't believe that this was actually happening…. When you're a kid and you have this 'thing' for someone; a star…I really didn't think about the possibility of meeting them….especially, 25 years later….. They had told us to have our cameras ready and one thing to sign…. So, Terri had 'borrowed' the set list off of the monitor for me; so I was going to get him to sign that…I also, 'borrowed' one of the sweat towels that he'd used…sweat would fall onto the floor during the show and I pointed to some and actually rubbed my finger in it~ LoL… Another thing that he does onstage is to take roses and slam them against his guitar; splashing petals all over the stage…..maybe next time, I can find some purple ones to take~ OK; I regress…..It was my turn…He looked right at me…said…"Hello, there~"..I said, "Hi.." I handed him the set list..he began to sign it…I said… "Tim McGraw's sisters said tell you hello… that they were big fans…" I asked him, "Do you know who that is?"..He smiled and said.."Of course~"…I told him…"Actually, my parents drove he and I to see you in Jackson, MS; when we were about 15 years old~"…He laughed and said, "Really?"…LOL… He then moved over closer to me… grabbed me around the shoulder; hunkered down (he's very tall) and I just melted…I was able to put my arm around him, though…. Didn't really get a scent from him…he probably had jumped in a shower before coming in there; but no scent jumped out at me..I was hoping mine wouldn't be jumping out at him, either…. After we took the pic, he said, "Let's make sure it came out ok"…I showed him that I didn't have a digital..he said.."OH, you have a film one~"…I said…"I'm a little old-fashioned>" He said…looking me right in the eye and smiling…"That's ok"… I didn't get too far from him when Terri had her turn… wanted to make the most of my opportunity…He signed her jeans….and they took their pic… When he was done, he turned around to me again and asked us both…"Did we get everything, Ladies?"..We both said, yes and thanks so much….and it was done…………I'll be honest, I was shaking inside…and began to feel the emotion start to come….I had done so well and now I figured I'd lose it…When I saw Melanie; I did…LoL…. I just couldn't believe what I'd just experienced….. When you have someone on a pedestal; even though you know they're only human and as Tim's sis told me.."Just a guy~"…it would break your heart if they weren't all you hoped they'd be….that maybe they were having a bad day…and weren't on their game….well…I was not disappointed or broken-hearted….
This childhood crush; was the most genuine, charming, sweet man…knowing that we become like kids again in his presence…not doing anything to hurt our feelings, etc.. I know he sees much more attractive women; but didn't treat me any different than I saw him treat the beautiful, skinny peops…. We said our goodbyes to Terri and floated to our motel….. I literally talked Mel to sleep…she had been such a support for me….
Saturday morning, we had plans to meet up another friend to spend the day~ It was nice to visit w/Sue..We had met her at SS last yr and we hit if off…. Melanie had wanted to find a Steve & Berry's store and Crystal told us there was one out in Antioch…So, we went out there…. And also dropped off my film… I fretted that my pic wouldn't be good….. They both found some bargains and we went back to Wally World… My pic was great~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The quality wasn't the best…it was dark and grainy, but………………Rick has the biggest grin on his face….and I don't look too dorky, either… He's really leaning into me…and his hand down my shoulder…but, as the gentleman he is, his fist was cupped; so as not to touch…Melanie said I should've told him it was ok to touch… that Tim signs 'em~ lmbo….I NEVER would've been able to do that….. but; it was funny… I was on cloud 99 after getting my pic…. Kept looking at it…drooling, etc… crying….. We then went back to town…and stopped at a popsicle stand that Tim had mentioned in an article…they were good….
We took Sue back to Mark's office and planned to meet them later on… We went back to our motel and met P & S and their little girl and a friend.. We had also chatted w/a nice young man in the elevator on the way to tour… he also was stationed at FC and would be shipping out soon…I cried; of course..telling them both to be safe and Mel added.."Thank you~"..I warned Olivia that she was 'in' now…Once you meet me; you're in my circle…Phil agreed that was the truth…They seemed to enjoy my m/g story and my pic….. It was good to visit w/them…… They headed back home; they live about 2.5 hrs away and Mel and I headed to freshen up before supper..
We decided to go downtown and look around and get a bite to eat…. Went into Tootsie's to find my autograph on the wall; but there were LOTS of Colts fans there…The Titans were playing them on Sunday… so, didn't get to show off my autograph~ We ate at The Hard Rock….yummy mac/cheese/ onion rings/salad…Mel got a Cobb Salad… We told Sue & Mark we'd meet them back at the motel after we all ate; so they arrived about 8 or so… Mark works in production, etc…and was very interesting to listen to…. I had not met him and had been looking forward to it…. He relayed a story about interviewing a young Jon Bon Jovi in OH several years ago…. That he and Richie were answering ?'s, etc..and these two hoochies just wouldn't leave them alone… Finally, Richie yelled out… "Get naked~" They immediately did…and exposed themselves to them…. Then they shut up; guess they just wanted them to see their packages…YUCK~ We visited for a couple of hours and then they went back to their motel…
We had decided to try to leave pretty early on Sunday; so we could get on home..It was 4 hrs to Mel's; then 4 more to The Mapdot…. SO, again, I went to sleep w/Rick in my head….We did get up and at 'em early and stopped at Cracker Barrel right outside Nash for b'fast…. As we left out of town, my friend started singing to us on the radio…and I thought that was perfect timing…It was "Mapdot"…
Melanie decided she'd try a Red Bull and had a couple on the way; to keep her awake…. I know I bored her with all my swooning, etc… I still felt so surreal about all that had happened…like I was dreaming… and shore didn't want no pinchin' in case I was….. We got back to Batesville around 12:30 and we said our goodbyes and I headed home…. Got home around 5 or so…and did laundry; watched some football and worked on getting my pics on the computer….. This weekend had been one that I will NEVER forget…. I say that nothing could top it; but I've had a lot of special times over the years… Tim related, meeting Dierks & Keith (another Aussie love )…Dang it~ Shoulda asked Rick to say "G'day, Cahman~"..Next time….(wink)……but…I guess in life, you never know what'll happen at least that's been true for me….
I, again, love you all for being so excited for me… in this once in a lifetime chance to meet my childhood love…or so I thought, anyway..Like I said, it was MORE than I could've ever imagined…and I'll cherish that time forever…and will have my pic to prove that I wasn't dreaming………….
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