1. Preshow and Sound Check:

Liz and I left NJ Friday morning and after arriving in Ft. Lauderdale, we checked into the Hilton and drove up to West Palm Beach to visit with Donny D. and his wife. Don used to work with me and took early retirement. We came back around 10:30 PM and found some messages on our hotel phone, so we went over across the street and hooked up with some CyberFunkers, including Shock, Stan and Tia, George C., some of the road crew and friends. After some drinking, we went to bed.

2. The Show:

The show was at Gulfstream Park, a horse racing track. The venue was nice, and it was interesting to do some betting on the horses, although we didn't win anything. Before the show, the sound check was going on, and it sounded great, despite the 90 decibel limit at the track. Security was tight. More CyberFunkers began to show up including George A. and Bonnie, Big Al, MeanJeanne and Doug and Darryl D. The merchandise was selling well. The new hats sold out quickly. Then the show started:

The set list:
The set was similar to previous shows, but a bit abbreviated due to the time constraints placed on the band by the venue. The encore was WAAB. Tim did his best to keep up the sound levels and the mix, which was hard to do because of the venue staff walking around with sound meters. Everytime it went above 90 Dbs or so, they told him to turn it down, although I believe he pushed it on some songs. The band had a time limit also, so a few songs were left out. The band was tight and they were all having loads of fun. This is the first show of 2002, and it is going to be a great year!!

3. After The Show:

A large crowd gathered after the show because it was announced the guys would come out and sign autographs. I was impressed by the fan reaction during and after the show. It seems that GFR is pulling in some new younger fans, and by their reactions, they thoroughly enjoyed the show. There was also a meet and greet after the show. Later that evening we gathered with friends and talked and partied in the hotel bar.

4. Sunday:

Sunday, Liz and I met up with Shock, Tim L. and Shirley and did some sight-seeing, including downtown Ft. Lauderdale. The most interesting thing was when Shock attempted to make a left hand turn from the right hand lane at a red light with a Ft. Lauderdale police car a few cars back. We were pulled over by a most obnoxious cop who drilled Shock and tried to intimidate all of us. He said, "You already have 2 citations, one of which is an arrestable offensive, you want to try for three???" Shock was continuing with the "A, but sir, a , but sir"....Yes, a real Asshole this cop....at this point it was time for me, Jimmy G. to introduce my calm and soothing voice and de-fuse the situation, so when Shock gave me an opening, I proceeded to explain to the officer what went down and we were released, free to roam the bowels of Fort Lauderdale, with no tickets and with smiles on our faces.

IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN A GFR SHOW YET...YOU NEED TO...YOU WILL MEET THE BEST PEOPLE AND HEAR THE BEST ROCK BAND IN THE WORLD...GRAND FUNK RAILROAD. Thanks again to Don, Mel, Max., Bruce and Tim for a great time, and thanks to Sunny and Dena and the rest of the crew including DJ and Tim L., who also do a GREAT job!!

Jimmy G.