Karl experienced Bob Seger live!

The last time Karl experienced a live concert, it was a flop.  We had the unfortunate experience of sitting on the lawn, and a pack of thoughtless concert singers (concert screamers, really) sat down behind us.  Not only did they sing, yell, and loudly talk the entire way through it, they smoked non-stop...and there was no breeze to drive it off.

That evening was an unmitigated disaster, even though it was James Taylor, and we ended up leaving early - way early - just to get away from the concert-wrecking a-holes.

I have been to several concerts since then, but have never been able to get Karl interested enough to overcome the 'taste' of the worst experience ever - no matter who was on the bill.

Well, let me tell you, Bob Seger was the answer.  Managed to score unbelievably expensive lawn seats to the second-to-the-last concert here in town, and we got there in time to settle on the lawn in a decently sized piece of heaven.  Karl had a book to read, and I brought a sewing project; that helped to pass the time for the hour and one-half before the opening act took the stage.  Had we not surmounted the knob when we did, who knows where we would have sat.

Anyhow, Karl was on his feet more often than not, and he sang along with a lot of the music he recognized from the radio.  He was genuinely surprised at the number of tunes he knew, and heard a good deal more that interested him (that he would never have attributed to Bob).  And the best part was every time the band left the stage after announcing, "Good night, and thank you!," I refused to pack our gear and make for the long migration line to the parking lot.

I got 'the look.'

"Why not?" he'd implore, and I'd just smile and say, "encore."

"But he just played an encore."  Karl rolled his head back and looked at the night sky, throwing his hands out in fits of desperation.

"Just wait," I'd say.  "Give it a minute."

Those of us with a divine insider's knowledge knew to continue applauding and shouting out our heartfelt appreciation.  Bob was there, and just out of sight, and we didn't want his reign to end...but if there was a slim margin to entice him out a third time, we were going to clap until our arms fell off.

Then booyah!

Our favorite hometown boy did not disappoint.  Three encores and a raft of songs that became an entire concert set all on its own.  Thank you, Mr. Seger, for a wonderful shared experience for my youngest and myself.  It was a birthday present memory he will carry with him for a long time to come.

Oh, yeah, and we are still thunderously applauding - thank you for your music.