16 September 1997

(The following is a true story; Names have not been used to protect to innocent.)

Do you appreciate what you're given? I mean really appreciate some of the opportunities that you are given? I'm just a regular person who isn't any more or less important than anyone else when it all comes down to it, but I do have opportunities that others do not and I appreciate them all. Tonight I saw a something I've witnessed before, but it never really seemed to get to me until now.

I'm fortunate to have a friend who works for my all-time favorite performer. Every time this particular band plays anywhere in the area, I am welcomed backstage for the show; An honor for which I will never be able to quite express just how grateful I am for having. I might not be the "perfect guest" as I dodge to keep out of the way of the crew (Often never moving in time but always trying my best.), try not to say the wrong thing to the wrong person (We all know how misunderstood I can be.), and generally not make a pest of myself (See "trying my best" and "misunderstood".), but the fact remains that I always show my appreciation for the opportunity to do something out of the ordinary.

This latest tour through Chicago was a part of a much larger show, being headlined by one of the all time greats of the blues who was celebrating his 72nd birthday, and opened up by another well known band. It was crowded backstage, hot, and humid. Still, I don't think that I gave anyone the idea that I wasn't enjoying the performance.

Music is an expression of feelings, and at least at this show, all the people working to put the show on, (From the stagehands and lighting company to the performers themselves.), worked hard for the entertainment of both paying and non-paying attendee. Why is it that people backstage are too stiff to offer their thanks for being there? As for me, I convey my appreciation with clapping and cheering, along with the many verbal thankings I offer to my hosts. Given the room I even dance unashamedly (OK, I make room regardless!), as I know that whereas it's what I am feeling the music tell me to do, this is a visible sign to the musicians that they are doing a damn fine job!

As I looked around me tonight, off on the side of the stage by the soundboards where all of the other "privileged" people were, I saw many people standing there like posers who were incapable of applauding at the end of a song or showing more than the slightest interest; As if the musicians should be lucky that they chose to come to the show. It's just not that way.

As a rule, unless you are on the crew, or your "ex" is in the band (In which case why are you there?), applaud at the end of each song - If you didn't grace them with your presence there would be even more breathing-room backstage, less humidity, and hence more room for me to dance. If you are going to stand there with a sour look on your face or appear to be bored or uncomfortable with the whole thing, then don't go! Again, that just leaves more room for me!

With the exception of some of the crew and a young lady with her boyfriend who stood near me for a time during the second act's set, people stood stiff as a board like they had been placed there by birthright. Rarely did the backstage guests of the show applaud or show any emotion, and music is such an emotional thing. As I worked up a sweat dancing myself to exhaustion, these people didn't crack a smile.

Out front in the auditorium, the paying fans were in much the same state as I by the end of the night - Sweaty as can be and overjoyed to have merely been given the chance to see a truly awesome show. Who do you think sent the message of "Job well done" to the performers?

Yes, there's always someone with an oposing view willing to point out why mine wrong, but this I know: Of those who were lucky enough to have been given backstage passes tonight, the rest may have been drier when they left (As in "sweat-free".), but I know that I had the better time, and my hosts know how much their performance meant to me.