Bye Bye Miss American Pie

We have had a crazy busy weekend and I have loads to post about, but one thing at a time.

Friday started out with a special date for me and the Professor. Now, I know most teenagers love concerts and I know lots of my friends have gone to see "teenager" type acts like Miley Cyrus, but not us. Nope, my teenager LOVES the song "American Pie" by Don McLean. Yeah, you know the song. "Bye bye Miss American Pie, drove my Chevy to the levy but the levy was dry." (And I apologize in advance for getting that one stuck in your head.) He spent a few months recording it from YouTube, playing it over and over and over ... and OVER again ... and explaining to everyone he met about the real meaning behind the lyrics. So hubby got us some tickets and we went to see Don McLean on Friday! Fun stuff!!

The show was in a picturesque, older theater and we were right up in the second row! It was a cold and rainy night and we had to walk a bit from our parking place, but we were ready to rock when we got there. Here's a shot of the theater - and pardon the crummy pictures - my point and shoot Canon died right before the show and I didn't bring my Nikon, so I was left with my camera phone. I did what I could.

The show was really great. I was impressed. Don has still got some pipes on him and he sang lots of Buddy Holly songs, plus "Crying" (made famous by Roy Orbison) and he hit all the notes - backup band was awesome too. Teenager was kinda bored since he didn't know most of the songs, but then again, he is bored whenever he can't play his Gameboy non-stop. He sat and listened though, he was attentive and polite, didn't complain or anything - I could just tell that he was bored. I've been there myself at concerts, haven't you? Lots of unfamiliar songs with the recognizable hits sprinkled through. But when American Pie started, my boy was really excited.

And then .... TWO guitar strings broke in the middle of American Pie. I thought Don showed lots of bounce and he fixed the strings while singing. Kinda funny actually - but teenager was somewhat disappointed that he didn't take it from the top once the strings were fixed (and he wasn't alone, lots of shout outs from the audience to start over). He is at that age where he does not enjoy the experience quite so much as the recorded version of things. Sigh. Well, *I* really enjoyed the show, and yes, I shed some tears when he sang "Vincent." (This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you...." *WEEP*)

After the show, we had the opportunity to buy a CD and have it autographed. Here's where I thought Don would redeem himself with the teenager. My boy was excited to meet him and we stood in line for a while, paid A LOT for the CD and I really thought that Don McLean would be excited to meet a YOUNG fan. I mean, the place was packed full of 50-60-70 year olds. I was feeling pretty young in there myself. There were NO other teenagers. I don't know, maybe my expectations were a little too high, but I was expecting that my son would get a smile, maybe a quick question about how he liked the concert. We get to the front of the line, teenager hands over the expensive CD and I say, "I think he was the youngest one here tonight. He really wanted to come!" In return? A quick signature, hardly any eye contact and a muttered, "Thanks for coming, hope you liked the show." Now you may be thinking that Don McLean is shy or something - but no, he was chatty as can be with all the people in line ahead of us. Teenager and I stared at each other with mouths open. He dissed us!

My message to Don McLean? Ummm, yeah, the concert was great, but seriously?? You couldn't say hi? And ummm.... you might want to spit your gum out before you go on stage next time. If you can't chew quietly, don't chew at all. I wasn't going to say anything, but yeah, you chew like a cow. Don't get me wrong, I'm not judging or anything - I have that problem myself. Which is why I spit my gum out whenever I am going to be in public. Just sayin'

And my son still really likes American Pie. Even though you were kind of a butt. He's cool like that. You should have talked to him.