Hey Guys and Gals...Got up at 1AM like planned, left by 1:30, and arrived around 1:50. There where at least 100 people ahead of us. Some had been there since 10:30 the previous night. Either at the pre blastoff party, or online(the latter wich seems doubtfull). Some folks had brought their own beer as usual, and one kid was already slurring his words at around 4:30AM. Not a good thing when he was doing so while talking to one of the friendly biker cops keeping watch over us
. Luckilly he was with someone Not Drunk, so he was told to throw the remaining beer out and sober up
.Met a nice Guy who knows Joe as well...Two of them as a matter of fact. One guy at the begining of the show, and one guy at the end of the show. Didn't even think to ask their names, but very very nice..The sun started to arise around 5AM, and this seems to be the signal to let us in
. After a walk through by the coppers, informing folks backpacks and lawnchairs/blankets where not allowed in, we got ushered in. I stayed in the same spot this time, but AWAY from the Giant Pilar next to the bar. Even though I was looking at the DJ's backs, at least I got to see more of the band
.I beleive the song Todd did was a repeat from last year....I'll have to listen again since the audio was about 70% clear from the position of us and the speakers. The local NJ party band came out, and I remember them dancing around on the stage from a few years ago. Jimmy and the Parrots where there name, I beleive, so go see them if you get the chance...The beach boys came on next. We got a special warm up song that wasn't broadcast. Then they did three sets, about three songs per set. During this time, Joe did his blastoff speech... The beach boys did there last of three sets afterword, and left the premesis. After that, it was autographing time during the songs. Brad was in the crowd, and didn't get a chance to talk to anyone. Joe went by the bar area to talk to someone and chatted with folks as he went by while signing. Bill came back twice to the same area, and Scott came by earlier in the show. Made a hyper little kid standing next to me happy by taking a picture. I think he might have been deaf, because at one point when I was looking their direction, and he couldn't get a word out it looked like he signed something to his mother with his hands and she understood... The guys where nice enough to take pictures with him, and another kid in a wheel chair.As always at these things, I try to be accomodating to everyons space restraints, but at this one, it's just impossible. I had the hyperactive kid next to me on one side, and another kid on the left. Every time the kid on the right bumped into me, I had to squeeze over to the left. While I didn't get too close, the mother of the other kid asked if I could move over more to the right. So, I wound up squeezing myself into a vertical stance to leave as much room on the sides as possible while taking video. Thank God Jenks banned smoking.....the last two years where unbearable with smokers standing in front of me...I'm finalizing the Disc in the camcorder, and I'll upload video soon. I got shots of the line, the bands, and the Tribute to summer by Joe.Anyone else have a great time?
