Aunt Becky
04-09-2006, 10:27 PM
Hello - This is my first post. Guess I'm the new kid on the block. I sent this as an email to Janis, and she actually emailed me back. Could you die??!!! She was packing for the UK. Can't believe she would take the time to reply. I was afraid she might put a restraining order out on me after reading this. Anyway, hope you enjoy my little story:
On Saturday, April 1 2006, I was fortunate to have a VIP seat in the second row for the Janis Ian concert in the charming little town of Mount Dora, Florida. Although this was my first time to see Janis in person, I knew I was going to love it since I've been very connected to her music for a hundred years. What I didn't know could fill an epistle. I knew Janis was an exceptional songwriter and singer. What I didn't know is that Janis Ian is a magician. How was I to know she could make the rest of the world disappear? How was I to know she could make the world stop spinning for two hours? How was I to know that she would rock my world and shake my emotions at their roots? We were enthralled, transfixed, transported to some other place.
After the concert I of course stood in line for the autograph signing. Standing for some time as they set up for the large crowd, I had time to think...well of course I'm going to say something very profound to my precious idol, something clever for sure, and no doubt something terribly memorable. I'll tell her my husband's shirt is soaked from my tears tonight as she reached in and touched my heart to the very core. I'll tell her how I'm not just a regular old fan who loves her music. Oh no, I must somehow let her know that she's had an impact on my life; a profound impact. When I was 16 years old I sang "Society's Child" in my coffeehouse set. I didn't really understand the social commentary until many years later, but I knew it was making a statement and it was an important song. I must somehow let her know how the first time my band was on the road I bought my first cassette tape player for my car (that was something new in the '70's) and the only tape I had for weeks was "Between The Lines", and every song on that album is in my psyche, under my skin. I must let her know I don't just hear her songs, I feel them at the cellular level. The melodies are like rare gems, the lyrics often other-worldly. How does she do it? Where does it all come from? I'm next in line...say something, make your mark, she must know how special she is.
Choke... Silence... In all my many years I have never been at a loss for words. I'm never quiet. I always have a snappy comment in my pocket. But nothing. I'm standing right in front of Janis Ian. She shook my hand. She's writing "To Becky" on the poster. They're going to make me move on in 5 seconds. Say something, you dufus! "Gee, Janis, two hours ago I had some decent eye liner on and a new travel package of tissue. Now the kleenex is gone and I'm a wreck." So, hot shot, that's all you've got??? Standing in the presence of such greatness, and that's all you've got?!!!!! Your make-up is cried off?!!! Oh for godsake, just move on so the next person can give this musical treasure her due.
Oh well, I'll get myself to another concert, maybe next year, and then, yeah buddy, I'll have a fabulous comment for my Janis Ian. I've got months to plan it this time. It'll be brilliant. It'll be profound. She'll remember it always. She'll write a song about it!! It will inspire her!!
She'll write a song that will save humanity from its woes!! And then boy oh boy I'll Be Somebody!! I'll have a hand in saving the world!! Okay, I'm done now. I need a nap. Long live Folk Music. Long live Janis Ian. Love ya. Mean it. Aunt Becky
On Saturday, April 1 2006, I was fortunate to have a VIP seat in the second row for the Janis Ian concert in the charming little town of Mount Dora, Florida. Although this was my first time to see Janis in person, I knew I was going to love it since I've been very connected to her music for a hundred years. What I didn't know could fill an epistle. I knew Janis was an exceptional songwriter and singer. What I didn't know is that Janis Ian is a magician. How was I to know she could make the rest of the world disappear? How was I to know she could make the world stop spinning for two hours? How was I to know that she would rock my world and shake my emotions at their roots? We were enthralled, transfixed, transported to some other place.
After the concert I of course stood in line for the autograph signing. Standing for some time as they set up for the large crowd, I had time to think...well of course I'm going to say something very profound to my precious idol, something clever for sure, and no doubt something terribly memorable. I'll tell her my husband's shirt is soaked from my tears tonight as she reached in and touched my heart to the very core. I'll tell her how I'm not just a regular old fan who loves her music. Oh no, I must somehow let her know that she's had an impact on my life; a profound impact. When I was 16 years old I sang "Society's Child" in my coffeehouse set. I didn't really understand the social commentary until many years later, but I knew it was making a statement and it was an important song. I must somehow let her know how the first time my band was on the road I bought my first cassette tape player for my car (that was something new in the '70's) and the only tape I had for weeks was "Between The Lines", and every song on that album is in my psyche, under my skin. I must let her know I don't just hear her songs, I feel them at the cellular level. The melodies are like rare gems, the lyrics often other-worldly. How does she do it? Where does it all come from? I'm next in line...say something, make your mark, she must know how special she is.
Choke... Silence... In all my many years I have never been at a loss for words. I'm never quiet. I always have a snappy comment in my pocket. But nothing. I'm standing right in front of Janis Ian. She shook my hand. She's writing "To Becky" on the poster. They're going to make me move on in 5 seconds. Say something, you dufus! "Gee, Janis, two hours ago I had some decent eye liner on and a new travel package of tissue. Now the kleenex is gone and I'm a wreck." So, hot shot, that's all you've got??? Standing in the presence of such greatness, and that's all you've got?!!!!! Your make-up is cried off?!!! Oh for godsake, just move on so the next person can give this musical treasure her due.
Oh well, I'll get myself to another concert, maybe next year, and then, yeah buddy, I'll have a fabulous comment for my Janis Ian. I've got months to plan it this time. It'll be brilliant. It'll be profound. She'll remember it always. She'll write a song about it!! It will inspire her!!
She'll write a song that will save humanity from its woes!! And then boy oh boy I'll Be Somebody!! I'll have a hand in saving the world!! Okay, I'm done now. I need a nap. Long live Folk Music. Long live Janis Ian. Love ya. Mean it. Aunt Becky