The Number Five

Last night was unreal! Let me give you some background before I throw out the details. Last September I found myself driving in the 4 o’clock hour in our fine city. The DJ on the radio came on and said the same thing that I have heard no less than ten-thousand times before. “Call now and win (fill in the performers name here) tickets.” On an average day I pay little to no attention to this overly exuberant banter. But that day, I could actually understand the phone number to the station and decided to call. On my first try a very friendly man answered and informed me that I had indeed won the tickets. I was speechless and in a slight state of shock. I thought he was screwing with me at first, but when I heard my voice on the radio a few seconds later, I knew it was no hoax. Let it be known that this is the first time in my life that I have ever attempted to win anything on the
radio. Winning on my attempt has made me a bit cocky. Since that time I have been heard to say, “Yeah, every time I call the radio station I win.”
Which, in itself, is not a lie…but it is a bit of an exaggeration.

The tickets were for David Gray, an artist I have been in love with since that perfect scene where Joey and Pacey read to each other after a summer on “True Love” (Yes, I am too old to have ever cared about that show. Screw you…) I had blasted “Babylon” for a while before that, but “This Year’s
Love” nearly brought me to tears. Not true, I don’t cry. But it did stir a lot of emotion in me. What I am getting at is that I was thrilled to be
getting for free, tickets, that I would have very willingly spent $40 on. The show was supposed to have happened in October 2005, but due to a vocal
cord problem, sweet David had to reschedule. The show was last night.

Aqualung opened the night. Wow, dude is hot. I was not expecting that. On his CD cover he looks good, but he is also looking down, so I didn’t really
know what he would look like. They played a short set, but I was really impressed. I would pay to see him in the future (I can’t expect to have all my concert tickets handed me to by radio stations!)

David Gray came out and sang his butt off. Wow—his voice is so big. He was really entertaining to watch too. (The man bobs his head as though a
boggle-head doll the entire show.) The stage was sparsely decorated. Really the musicians themselves were the only decoration…but the way they were “lit” was amazing. The lighting was very complimentary of them all. He played an awesome set and I was shocked when 90 minutes had passed and he was done. The audience begged him out for an encore, which he obliged, then proceeded to play 5 more songs!!! I have been to a ton of concerts and never, NEVER, has anyone played more than 3. Usually they only play 2, sometimes 3….but 5? Unreal.

I met up with two of my best friends after the show. The male of the duo had been saying for months that he wanted to meet David Gray after the show.
He knew that this is something that I often try to do, so we decided to give it a go. Unfortunately doing so, requires one to wait for a good
while, outside in the bitter cold. The female of the duo had to leave to gather their offspring, so the boy and I waited…and passed time listing
British things we enjoy that we could possible share with DG and maybe gain his respect. I thought mentioning that I fiend for McVitties Caramel
Digestive Biscuits may prove a common ground. The boy thought a Harry Potter approach may also rest well. As DG left the building, we realized
there would be no time for pleasantries as we were both so nervous and excited all pre-planned thought was gone. David came out and immediately began to charm the crowd of 15 or so that had stayed to meet him. He was darling…he signed all that was presented to him and more than graciously took pictures. I am happy to say that both the boy and I were able to get photos…I look a bit “puffy” in mine, but that is ok. I will cherish it
puffy and all.