Kansas City here she comes...

[Orphan of the Road]

Well actually Shawnee, KS but within spittin' distance.

Anyone on the forum going to be there? We'll be there Wed night.

You know as you age, memories become so precious. When events happen you often take them for granted.

In Sept 1976 we took our month-old twins to a benefit for The Main Point at The Tower Theater in Upper Darby, PA. As I sat and discussed strasberry-rhubarb pie with Dave Von Ronk, the boys were being passed around to Janis, Joni, Melanie, Ellen and others backstage.

It must have had an affect as Kris' first word was RADIO LOL

[hoops]

orphan,
i don't believe i've said welcome to you...so welcome! wow what lcuky boys you have! please stay with us here, in this very special place.
peace
hoops

[Orphan of the Road]

I read here often, post less. Thanks for the welcome.

I hope somebody from the site is at the show tomorrow. I'm really getting anxious, hope I don't make a fool of myself like the first time I talked to Janis LOL

[david uk]

What happened that first time, Orphan?

do tell :p

oh, and welcome :)

[Orphan of the Road]

Weeeeelllllll, it was 1974 at The Main Point in Bryn Mawr, PA (The Mother Church). I was working the door and making sure the folks were in the correct line (three shows on Fri, Sat and two on Sun). It rained all night.

I was soaked to the skin after five-hours in the rain. The boss sent for me and I thought I was in trouble (new on the job). He sent me downstairs to Janis' dressing room.

There she greeted me with champagne and a smile. Thanked me for the job I had done and toasted me.

Well here I was, a hick from Kansas City, meeting a lady I had adored since seeing here on a tv special with Leonard Bernstein. I had to listen to WDAF-FM (predating "underground" fm) to ever hear Society's Child.

Well I started gushing about having had a crush on her for ten-years and how much I liked her and the music and I think I may have even offered to leave my wife if there was a chance... No, I actually didn't do that last one but I was a pretty big nimcompoop.

Fortunately she was as gracious as she was talented, let it roll off with no harm/no foul.

She was later a birthday present for my (ex) wife and I was able to help stop someone from stalking her at the club.

She is a friend to this day (although we haven't seen each other or talked for a long, long time) and I would walk through fire for her.

The first song I heard her sing that night was Stars. It was after midnight and I was immediately overcome with emotion. To this day the song brings tears to my eyes when I hear it. I'm such a baby. Friends say I cry when I go out and get the mail LOL

Hope I didn't bore ya...

[Mary6906]

Loved that story, Orphan, thanks for sharing a special time for you.

[hoops]

what a wonderful story orphan! she IS an amazing woman! Janis is someone you can truly look to and say "i'd like to be like that"
peace
hoops

[diver_boy]

what a great story
i really hope you enjoy yourself tonight, janis is always a special star

[Dee]

Great story Orphan, and welcome back to the forums!

[hoops]

dee and mary, you must have been aware that "it's the great pumpkin Charlie Brown" was on last night because your avatars say it's halloween time now!
peace
hoops

[Sara]

Nice to "meet" you, Orphan. I grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, and my family there is now located in Shawnee Mission, Kansas - not too far from you. Like so many here, I too am a Janis fan from the very beginning. I also tear up easily, listening to some of her songs. We have a few things in common! Thanks for your story - enjoyed it!