01-16-2008, 05:00 PM
the Right Place:
01-16-2008, 05:04 PM
As soon as the band left the stage, we all rushed to the front of the stage. I got a spot right in front of the microphone. As Taylor started tuning up Josh's guitar, I heard the first notes of HWH and my heart went into my throat. After 25 shows, I have seen almost every song he has sung, but not that one. I had my camera on his face the entire time during this song, but was watching him over the top of the camera. He might have messed the lyrics up completely, but I loved this performance. A few caps of my video:
"Taylor My Mother Loves You" response
"Taylor My Mother Loves You" response
01-16-2008, 05:12 PM
Brian Gallagher - I love this guy - he is possibly the most gentle person I have ever met. After the show, Brian came over and handed out setlists, water bottles, signed things and graciously took pictures with everyone.
01-16-2008, 05:15 PM
After the concert, we all went to Chili's and Lori met some guy who took some pictures with us and almost got us all thrown out of Chili's!
01-16-2008, 05:22 PM
My favorite chop done by my friend Jax
01-16-2008, 08:55 PM
Okay, here is Kimberly's recap...
About two weeks before, I realize that Millersville is really not that far from me. Its in Lancaster and very close to Chocolate Town, USA--Hershey! So I look up Millersville University and ck out the concert. After searching, I realize, HEY, THEY ARENT SOLD OUT and the "expensive" seats arent that expensive at all!! After asking my mom if she would watch the kids for the weekend, I tell (notice I didnt say ask..lol) David that Im buying tickets!
I get two seats in the handicapped section and make plans for the weekend. We would drive about 90 mins to Lancaster aka Amish Country, get a room, find exactly where the university is and then get ready to Par-TAY! Sounds like a plan!
We leave Nazareth Saturday morning--it was a very nice and sunny day. The roads are a bit busy, but we are in PennState country, its a Saturday and there are tons of college football games going on. Plus people taking advantage of the beautiful early autumn weather--lots of people going on day trips, etc.
About 45 mins in, David decides he's hungry, so we stop at a Burger King. I suddenly realize that I DON'T HAVE MY TICKETS!! David is like, "Are you kidding me??? We have to go back!" Now, it's about 12:30pm, and to drive all the way home and back would throw us way off schedule. And one place I had to get to was Chocolate Town, USA to get the NESP gift for Taylor! So I tell David, "Forget it, we're not going back, I'll figure something out. We'll get in. Ive gotta get to Hershey!" David says, "Whatever," and we enjoy a couple of Whopper Jrs (yea for the Dollar Menu!)
About 45 minutes later, we arrive at Chocolate Town. David parks, I find the stores. I forgot how BIG the place was! Chocolate, gifts, people and more! First I find the T-Shirts--there are about 300 different styles, all located in all different sections. David somehow found me in this massive place (will many ppl milling around) and I pull out a few different T-Shirts that I think Taylor would appreciate. Ever the party planner, Im thinking "A Theme--we need a theme for his gift, plus its gotta fit his personality and its gotta fit NESP's personality." I find what I think would fit the occasion--it just happens to be the Hershey Kiss 100th anniversary. Hershey, Kisses, Chocolate--everything that Taylor and NESP is about for his concert in Millersville, PA. (Yes, I know Im thinking too much about this and Taylor would NEVER know the amount of thought, but, hey, we all know how much NESP loves him!!) So now, I'm trying to figure out what size he would be and I ask David (who is 6'5 to Tay's 6'1) "Do you think this is long tall enough for him?" And I've actually got my husband measuring the Tee against his body to see if it's tall enough for Tay! Once we've decided on that, it's time to search out for a cap and I happen to find the matching cap for the Tee. So now David thinks it's time to go, and I'm like, "No way...I've gotta get some Kisses from NESP." I drag him to the upteen displays of Kisses--bags, pillows, mugs, dishes, tins--everything. To tell the truth, I can't remember what I decided on, but I think it had 100 Kisses in it. Finally, I drag David over to where the Twizzlers are and Hershey is one of the few places where you can actually find chocolate Twizzlers, so I grab those too. Add a few postcards to write a little note and a gift bag and voila--Taylor's Millersville gift bag from Hershey, PA from us, the NESP!
Next we leave, find a place to crash for the night, and by this time, it's almost Taylor time! Woo Hoo!! Before we go though, I lay out the gifts and have David take a few pictures of them to share with the NESP.
We must have gotten something quick to eat, but I can't remember, and then drive to Pucillo Gym for the concert. There were Soul Patrolers there! Woo hoo! Let's see, I think I met people from down south someplace, people from Boogie, can't remember who else! (Im sorry, my mind isn't good)
I go into the building and then I remember the situation with me forgetting the tix. Surprisingly, I'm not panicked--I just find the person who is in charge and tell her what happened, she cks her master list, cks my ID and simply writes out "Admit 2" on a piece of paper. That was simple! I knew it would be easy to get in...we're talking about a Homecoming Wknd at a college! It's not like it was Radio City Music Hall!
I go ck out the merch table and who do I see strolling around but Stephen with a crown on--the Homecoming King himself! I say hello, give him a big hug and ask him if he recognized me...I had only met him once in Concord, but we had a great chat and, actually, I think he remembered me when he saw David! So, he chats with us for a bit, we ask him if he's ready for the tour to be over and he was like, "No...work is a great thing!" I do remember asking him if he was going to stay the Merch Guy for Taylor and he said yes because he really liked the gig.
Then I handed him our NESP gift and told him it was for Taylor and I asked him if I could bring it to him (yeah, sure!). Stephen smiled, "Oh, I wish, but you know that can't happen, but I will give it to him for you, no prob," He took it and brought it promptly back to wherever Taylor was doing the M&Gs. He came back about 10 mins later and he gave me a hug and said, "He got it, he knows the NESP is here," I was so happy--I just wanted him to know that we were representing! I asked him if he would take a picture with me and he said sure. He gave a devilish grin--having too much fun w/Taylor and the band, I'd say!
I told him we'd see him later cuz we were taking up his time and then after meeting a few more SPers, we decided to go sit down. Great seats! I was pleased that I did so well by not even having gone thru the HQ! I met more SPers from Boogie and TOSP--I don't remember anyone's name (shame on me!), but I think I met Diane, Marcy, Gypsee--I was on the lookout for Lori and we found each other! Yea!! Took a cute picture too! Oh, then I hooked up with Gina--I completely remembered her from Concord, which was a good thing! She gave me my NESP lanyard, which I wore proudly, and then got ready to settle in for some fun!
Before Tay came out, and since it was Homecoming Wknd, the university had it's own "Idol" competition with students and alum. The winners were announced then performed. Not bad--but by this time I was ready for Taylor...and so was the crowd!
"Soul Finger" started and we all got on our feet and he ran out and boy, it was a good time! He sang, ran around, joked with us...people have decribed Millersville as a 'love fest" and it was, it truly was. I had great seats, danced with Lori and Gina and the other SPers around me, David was taking video and pictures. He was a challenge for him however--"He never stops moving!!!"
I hope you guys don't expect me to give the set list, cuz I can't remember the order! I do know that "Soul Thing" rocked, and I think he knew that I was waiting for him to play it too! In the middle of the concert, he asked how many people were there from Millersville. Many ppl yelled but then he asked, "How many are from out of town?" and we all screamed and he smiled and joked with Loren and the band. He acknowledged that a woman from England came all the way to see him and we all applauded her. Then he gave a shout-out to the NESP and said we should meet up with each other! We all screamed! Yes, ladies, he definetly knew NESP was representing!
He played two encores and we all rushed the stage. He did "Better With Her", acoustically, but it took him some time to get started cuz the crowd were giving "WooHoos" and "YEAH!s" and "Play it, Taylor!" Then the crowd started shushing ourselves and right when it was real quiet, a young girl yelled, "My mother loves you, Taylor!" That started the crowd up again, applauding, and Tay just looks up and smiles, still playing the opening chords and then he says, "You know, I could say something..." and he stops playing and just grins! What a DOLL!!! He gets back to the song and we are just swooning! It was great!
His second was "Take the Long Way Home"---my favorite Supertramp song! Ever since I read in his book that was the first song he played on the harp, Ive wanted to hear him perform it. And we all got a treat! We were singing along, dancing and just enjoying him and the band--the back and forth answering that Taylor and Brian did was to die for! It was completely worth the wait! He ended it with the fade by blowing his harp and walking off the stage. We all screamed and applauded and screamed some more. The house lights came up and that was it--Taylor's 2007 Modern Whomp tour was over, for me at least.
I lingered for a bit, said goodbyes and hope to see yous to all my fellow SP friends. By that time, the band was starting to pack it up and the stagehands were tearing down the stage. I found Gina and met her daughter and husband, and she and David took a look at each others pictures. Gina's were better--sorry, David, I know you were getting used to the camera! (You did get some good ones, though! And you did get "Soul Thing" and encore videos!) We decided to go out back to wait for Taylor (since there wasnt a bus!!) and he appeared in a long black coat and knit cap. He looked cute, but tired, and I think he just wanted to get inside and get a beer!! Bill Will did his best to protect his bud--the group was a bit unruly--Taylor didn't get around to sign everyone's stuff, but it was dark out there and everyone was just flashing pictures of him enough to blind him, poor guy! He said thanks and went back in--we were kind of bummed, but long were the days of hanging out by the bus!
David and I looked for Lori and there she was! I have no idea where she came from, but I remember she was afraid that she lost her ride! She found it right when she found us so we gave each other big hugs again and bid our farewells.
It was like graduation, like when you felt so good but sad that it was over too. I had a blast--an absolute blast! It was great and I thought of all of my fellow NESPers who couldn't be there with us. But I knew there were many memories from everyone who was there that could be recalled and then we can all relieve it together!
I can't wait to see what he's got waiting for us in '08! And I especially can't wait to share it with all of you, the New England Soul Patrol! WooHoo!! Thank you, Taylor, for a wonderful ride and for bringing us together! Much Love and MANY HUGS!!!
About two weeks before, I realize that Millersville is really not that far from me. Its in Lancaster and very close to Chocolate Town, USA--Hershey! So I look up Millersville University and ck out the concert. After searching, I realize, HEY, THEY ARENT SOLD OUT and the "expensive" seats arent that expensive at all!! After asking my mom if she would watch the kids for the weekend, I tell (notice I didnt say ask..lol) David that Im buying tickets!
I get two seats in the handicapped section and make plans for the weekend. We would drive about 90 mins to Lancaster aka Amish Country, get a room, find exactly where the university is and then get ready to Par-TAY! Sounds like a plan!
We leave Nazareth Saturday morning--it was a very nice and sunny day. The roads are a bit busy, but we are in PennState country, its a Saturday and there are tons of college football games going on. Plus people taking advantage of the beautiful early autumn weather--lots of people going on day trips, etc.
About 45 mins in, David decides he's hungry, so we stop at a Burger King. I suddenly realize that I DON'T HAVE MY TICKETS!! David is like, "Are you kidding me??? We have to go back!" Now, it's about 12:30pm, and to drive all the way home and back would throw us way off schedule. And one place I had to get to was Chocolate Town, USA to get the NESP gift for Taylor! So I tell David, "Forget it, we're not going back, I'll figure something out. We'll get in. Ive gotta get to Hershey!" David says, "Whatever," and we enjoy a couple of Whopper Jrs (yea for the Dollar Menu!)
About 45 minutes later, we arrive at Chocolate Town. David parks, I find the stores. I forgot how BIG the place was! Chocolate, gifts, people and more! First I find the T-Shirts--there are about 300 different styles, all located in all different sections. David somehow found me in this massive place (will many ppl milling around) and I pull out a few different T-Shirts that I think Taylor would appreciate. Ever the party planner, Im thinking "A Theme--we need a theme for his gift, plus its gotta fit his personality and its gotta fit NESP's personality." I find what I think would fit the occasion--it just happens to be the Hershey Kiss 100th anniversary. Hershey, Kisses, Chocolate--everything that Taylor and NESP is about for his concert in Millersville, PA. (Yes, I know Im thinking too much about this and Taylor would NEVER know the amount of thought, but, hey, we all know how much NESP loves him!!) So now, I'm trying to figure out what size he would be and I ask David (who is 6'5 to Tay's 6'1) "Do you think this is long tall enough for him?" And I've actually got my husband measuring the Tee against his body to see if it's tall enough for Tay! Once we've decided on that, it's time to search out for a cap and I happen to find the matching cap for the Tee. So now David thinks it's time to go, and I'm like, "No way...I've gotta get some Kisses from NESP." I drag him to the upteen displays of Kisses--bags, pillows, mugs, dishes, tins--everything. To tell the truth, I can't remember what I decided on, but I think it had 100 Kisses in it. Finally, I drag David over to where the Twizzlers are and Hershey is one of the few places where you can actually find chocolate Twizzlers, so I grab those too. Add a few postcards to write a little note and a gift bag and voila--Taylor's Millersville gift bag from Hershey, PA from us, the NESP!
Next we leave, find a place to crash for the night, and by this time, it's almost Taylor time! Woo Hoo!! Before we go though, I lay out the gifts and have David take a few pictures of them to share with the NESP.
We must have gotten something quick to eat, but I can't remember, and then drive to Pucillo Gym for the concert. There were Soul Patrolers there! Woo hoo! Let's see, I think I met people from down south someplace, people from Boogie, can't remember who else! (Im sorry, my mind isn't good)
I go into the building and then I remember the situation with me forgetting the tix. Surprisingly, I'm not panicked--I just find the person who is in charge and tell her what happened, she cks her master list, cks my ID and simply writes out "Admit 2" on a piece of paper. That was simple! I knew it would be easy to get in...we're talking about a Homecoming Wknd at a college! It's not like it was Radio City Music Hall!
I go ck out the merch table and who do I see strolling around but Stephen with a crown on--the Homecoming King himself! I say hello, give him a big hug and ask him if he recognized me...I had only met him once in Concord, but we had a great chat and, actually, I think he remembered me when he saw David! So, he chats with us for a bit, we ask him if he's ready for the tour to be over and he was like, "No...work is a great thing!" I do remember asking him if he was going to stay the Merch Guy for Taylor and he said yes because he really liked the gig.
Then I handed him our NESP gift and told him it was for Taylor and I asked him if I could bring it to him (yeah, sure!). Stephen smiled, "Oh, I wish, but you know that can't happen, but I will give it to him for you, no prob," He took it and brought it promptly back to wherever Taylor was doing the M&Gs. He came back about 10 mins later and he gave me a hug and said, "He got it, he knows the NESP is here," I was so happy--I just wanted him to know that we were representing! I asked him if he would take a picture with me and he said sure. He gave a devilish grin--having too much fun w/Taylor and the band, I'd say!
I told him we'd see him later cuz we were taking up his time and then after meeting a few more SPers, we decided to go sit down. Great seats! I was pleased that I did so well by not even having gone thru the HQ! I met more SPers from Boogie and TOSP--I don't remember anyone's name (shame on me!), but I think I met Diane, Marcy, Gypsee--I was on the lookout for Lori and we found each other! Yea!! Took a cute picture too! Oh, then I hooked up with Gina--I completely remembered her from Concord, which was a good thing! She gave me my NESP lanyard, which I wore proudly, and then got ready to settle in for some fun!
Before Tay came out, and since it was Homecoming Wknd, the university had it's own "Idol" competition with students and alum. The winners were announced then performed. Not bad--but by this time I was ready for Taylor...and so was the crowd!
"Soul Finger" started and we all got on our feet and he ran out and boy, it was a good time! He sang, ran around, joked with us...people have decribed Millersville as a 'love fest" and it was, it truly was. I had great seats, danced with Lori and Gina and the other SPers around me, David was taking video and pictures. He was a challenge for him however--"He never stops moving!!!"
I hope you guys don't expect me to give the set list, cuz I can't remember the order! I do know that "Soul Thing" rocked, and I think he knew that I was waiting for him to play it too! In the middle of the concert, he asked how many people were there from Millersville. Many ppl yelled but then he asked, "How many are from out of town?" and we all screamed and he smiled and joked with Loren and the band. He acknowledged that a woman from England came all the way to see him and we all applauded her. Then he gave a shout-out to the NESP and said we should meet up with each other! We all screamed! Yes, ladies, he definetly knew NESP was representing!
He played two encores and we all rushed the stage. He did "Better With Her", acoustically, but it took him some time to get started cuz the crowd were giving "WooHoos" and "YEAH!s" and "Play it, Taylor!" Then the crowd started shushing ourselves and right when it was real quiet, a young girl yelled, "My mother loves you, Taylor!" That started the crowd up again, applauding, and Tay just looks up and smiles, still playing the opening chords and then he says, "You know, I could say something..." and he stops playing and just grins! What a DOLL!!! He gets back to the song and we are just swooning! It was great!
His second was "Take the Long Way Home"---my favorite Supertramp song! Ever since I read in his book that was the first song he played on the harp, Ive wanted to hear him perform it. And we all got a treat! We were singing along, dancing and just enjoying him and the band--the back and forth answering that Taylor and Brian did was to die for! It was completely worth the wait! He ended it with the fade by blowing his harp and walking off the stage. We all screamed and applauded and screamed some more. The house lights came up and that was it--Taylor's 2007 Modern Whomp tour was over, for me at least.
I lingered for a bit, said goodbyes and hope to see yous to all my fellow SP friends. By that time, the band was starting to pack it up and the stagehands were tearing down the stage. I found Gina and met her daughter and husband, and she and David took a look at each others pictures. Gina's were better--sorry, David, I know you were getting used to the camera! (You did get some good ones, though! And you did get "Soul Thing" and encore videos!) We decided to go out back to wait for Taylor (since there wasnt a bus!!) and he appeared in a long black coat and knit cap. He looked cute, but tired, and I think he just wanted to get inside and get a beer!! Bill Will did his best to protect his bud--the group was a bit unruly--Taylor didn't get around to sign everyone's stuff, but it was dark out there and everyone was just flashing pictures of him enough to blind him, poor guy! He said thanks and went back in--we were kind of bummed, but long were the days of hanging out by the bus!
David and I looked for Lori and there she was! I have no idea where she came from, but I remember she was afraid that she lost her ride! She found it right when she found us so we gave each other big hugs again and bid our farewells.
It was like graduation, like when you felt so good but sad that it was over too. I had a blast--an absolute blast! It was great and I thought of all of my fellow NESPers who couldn't be there with us. But I knew there were many memories from everyone who was there that could be recalled and then we can all relieve it together!
I can't wait to see what he's got waiting for us in '08! And I especially can't wait to share it with all of you, the New England Soul Patrol! WooHoo!! Thank you, Taylor, for a wonderful ride and for bringing us together! Much Love and MANY HUGS!!!
01-16-2008, 09:12 PM
Pointing out the England SPer...
and giving props to the NESP!!
01-16-2008, 09:41 PM
NESP Millersburg Gifts to our Soulman...
01-16-2008, 09:47 PM
Stephen the Merch Guy aka The Homecoming King
Me and Lori--are we cute?
Me and Lori--are we cute?
01-16-2008, 09:53 PM
Some more of the Lovefest...