GBS Groupie Moment

Hello, darling invisible friend! It's been too long, hasn't it? Oh, I am sorry. I really am. And so much has happened! We'll start small, though.

Last week, the roommate and I went to Portland again. Why? Well, for the very same reason we went to Portland this summer! Great Big Sea was there! And they performed a concert while they were there!!

This last sentence might seem to be unnecessary information; you might ask why the Newfoundlanders would be in Portland otherwise. I can understand the thought process. St Johns is a bit of a jaunt to Portland, Oregon. But...there are a lot of microbreweries in Portland. A lot. More than you think. Enough to tempt a beer-loving soul to travel. They could have just showed up for the beer.

But they didn't.

GBS performed at the Aladdin Theater, in-a-not-totally-residential-but-a-lot-more-residential-than-downtown Portland neighborhood. Yes, that is the official zoning description. According to a woman who stood in line with us, the Aladdin Theater was once an adult movie house that showed "Deep Throat" as its one adult movie. Now it's a small venue for musical acts.

Yeah. Just nod and smile. That's what we did. Well, that, and check the seats before we sat down.

Speaking of, we grabbed seats toward the front of the theater on the left side. Two rows back from the stage! And this is what leads me to my groupie moment.

Fairly early on, Sean McCann performed the title track to the newest CD, "Safe Upon The Shore." It was beautiful. One of those gorgeous, sad, a cappella folk songs that GBS does so well. After the applause died down, Alan Doyle said to the crowd, "Well...good night! 'Cause I don't what we're gonna sing after that!" There was laughter and protests and I called out, "Everything! 'Boston to St Johns!'" Around the same time, other people called out their own suggestions. I don't know if I was first or just loudest. But....

Alan laughed and said, "All right, no need for special requests." And the show continues. The first set finished with a brief break, allowing band and crowd to "refresh" themselves, in any way deemed appropriate [coughbeercough], followed by the second set and the obligatory departure of band from stage for the "encore."

Btw, I have no idea why this is necessary. They know we want them to play more. We know they're not really gone. But almost every band does this. Maybe it just makes everyone feel better about the end of the concert.

Concert goer: "Oh, they were going to end early, but we yelled their name long enough and loudly enough and changed their minds!"

Band: "They like us! They really like us!!"

Anyway.

When the sufficient volume of yelling and cheering had occurred, Alan returned to the stage. Alan. Not the whole band. Not Alan and Sean and Bob and Murray and Kris. No. Just Alan. With a guitar. After letting us settle down, he said rather quietly, "By special request...."

And sang "Boston to St Johns." I know!!

Now, I don't know that Alan heard my voice as I yelled out my request. Although, having met me, odds are pretty good. But I'm choosing to believe that this song was performed for me.

And yes, I giggle every time I think of it. Don't mock. You would, too.