Liz and I picked up Shock and his wife Sharon at the airport Saturday afternoon, after the trouble Shock had with the police last time in Florida, I guess he decided not to drive...-:), then back to the hotel we went to get into our western duds...now mind you, being from Jersey, I don't do Western, but anything for the Funk!!

So I put on this stuff Liz got me from a store in New Mexico: Big black cowboy boots, black Wrangler jeans, a cowboy shirt and tie, and we head down to the lobby. Liz is also dressed for the occasion. Down comes Shock with his USA flag shirt, boots and cowboy hat....I knew this evening was going to be a bit different.

Off to the venue we go and meet up with Al "Got this fish on the move" Sardinas who drove up from Miami...Big Al is a great guy and we always enjoy hangin' with him. Al was also sporting a "vintage" cowboy hat. There was a sea of cowboys and cowgirls under this VIP tent...drinks and some food were being served and some very talented young girls were doin' some Western singing. This 14 year old girl had a mean yodel.

So the door is open and we are standing behind this stage area, and there is a band playing. There's a gig going on by the Bob and Tom radio show, (http://www.bobandtom.com/) and GFR is the surprise intermission performer. Well, they close the stage curtains, and Don (with his WAAB cape), Sunny, Mel, Dena, Max, Bruce, Tim, DJ and Tim Franquist, along with me, Shock and Al (yes, it was Friggin' awesome) were escorted through the dark by flashlight from the back of the stage area into the venue. Shock, Al and I went to the left side stage area, while the band took the stage behind the closed curtain. Then either Bob or Tom parted the curtains slightly and said they have a BIG surprise....Grand Funk Railroad....the curtains opened while Bruce smoked The Star Spangled Banner....hundreds of people who had headed for the food stands in back, rushed back to the stage and seats....everyone was standing and cheering, it was a surreal experience for me....the chills were rushing up my spine to my head....then as Bruce finished, Don walked out on stage with the cape and the crowd (thousands) goes nuts....then they break into WAAB...they finish to THUNDEROUS applause and we all get off the stage and head back to the Expo center....is life good or what????

GFR starts playing in the Expo center about 9:30 PM and do the normal set, closing with CTH with WAAB as the encore. They did open with a funky piece I hadn't heard before. Tim pumps the sound up as the night goes on. Bruce was playing his ESP and during the SSB, it was ear piercing...some of the older folk were pulling back from their tables...it was perfect. The crowd ate them up, there was a dance floor up front that was full all night. After the gig, there was a meet & greet back at the building behind the venue. As many times as I meet and talk to Don Brewer, I always come away with the same feeling....he is one of the most genuine and sincerely nicest people I have ever met, as is everyone associated with this band.

Thanks again to Don, Sunny, Mel, Dena, Bruce, Tim, Max, DJ and Tim Franquist for a night I'll remember always. Al, it's always great to see you. Shock and Sharon....we had a great time.