WOW! Don't even know where to begin about the Des Moines show! I can't tell you how wonderful it was to meet up with Forum friends and to put faces with names......one thing I know for sure, it feels like we have known each other forever. One of Joe's greatest talents,,,bringing people together from all walks of life!
What a mind blower....the distance traveled to come to Iowa of all places! Never in a million years would I have thought you all would have traveled here from such long distances! Massachusetts, California, Michigan, Wisconsin,Minnesota, South Dakota, Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa! What a statement to Joe Bonamassa!!! Iowa kind of has a similar ring to it as "BonaWho?".."Iowa?? Not sure where it's at?? Did you mean Idaho? Potatoes? Oh yeah the corny state!"
Loved every minute of being with everyone and it was simply out of this world! I just about worried myself into a breakdown before everyone got here, trying to figure out the logistics on getting everyone together.....I think I had everything but the kitchen sink in my purse....a huge thank you to xcorporate (Kelly) for making the seats together a reality...everyone missed not getting to meet up with you , next time, talk about paying it forward....I think he may have written the bestseller on it!
The M&G was huge and I don't know how Joe does it, show after show. It was fun to stand back and watch him oogle the guitars. Nic's "Goldie" was absolutely topnotch! Beautiful guitar and attention to detail...loved the pinup girl on front and Joe stickers on back of it! And she sounds great, too! Joe must have had deja-vu looking at it! Many thanks Coach for giving your M&G to Duane & Lee. Duane's first time to see Joe and Joe was definitely eyeing Duane's guitar before he got up there.....a 1966? ? with Bigsby...maybe Coach or Lee can fill in what it was? Caught Joe's guitar techs eye, too!
The Civic Center!! I have never been prouder to work in such a great place! I heard many compliments of the staff!! I do have the honor of working with a great bunch of people whose sole goal is for the patrons to have the most pleasant experience possible. I thought it was a perfect show. The stage is huge and it was picture perfect with lighting, etc.....there are some really beautiful moments on stage with the lighting effects.......kudos to Joe's crew for perfection!! Also, the sound was spot on perfect! I could hear everyone playing and all very balanced....and Joe's vocals were just right, very clear! I did not hear anything but perfection...kudos to Joe's crew again! It all looked and sounded just like the dream I had in my head.
Joe looked very handsome and received a thunderous applause and standing ovation when he came on! Many concurred that they had never been to a Joe show where it was that loud and long from the git-go. Great play-time
between Joe & Tal........they are so much fun to watch together....I think the twinkle in Tal's eyes could be seen clear to the very back row....Carmine, so smooth, so hip, so rhythmic.....Rick, master of the black of white...gluing everything together for such a big sound,love watching him play, had great view of him last night and thanks for setlist!
And I don't know how the crew around Joe does it? They are always busy and on the go! Clancy does an unbelievable job of keeping track of everything....he must have exceptional organizational skills. To keep up with Joe's demanding schedule of shows, interviews, etc...must be HUGE! Thanks for all your hardwork Clancy!!!! Bob, what the heck? From the last two shows sales look phenomenal....what a huge job to keep track of all the inventory and assist in the M&G and who knows what else......when I got the cards to hand out before the show he apologized for being a hair late as he was trying to coordinate something South America! Holy Cow! To all the stage crew and techs, you all must be super-human to set up and tear down over and over and over again, making it all happen for us the fans. Thanks so much!
Loved all the songs...Look Over Yonder Walls......as J-Lo would say on American Idol gives me "goosies" Just something about it.....all songs were perfect and I'm not just saying that , it was all spot on! And I totally don't understand how Joe can play like he does virtually non-stop.....night after night......I know in the earlier years Joe commented one time that his hands didn't quit hurting until it was time for the next show...don't know if he still experiences that or not...hope not ....so many notes played with so much fervor and flair!
And last but not least, so this doesn't turn into a novel.....
Joe playing Just Got Paid on Child #184...WOW!WOW!WOW! We joked back and forth thru Nic, the stage mgr. at Civic Center, about letting lil' Joe have it on stage.........well, no mercy was granted to lil' Joe unbelievable Joe and I swear to the Guitar Gods above that lil' Joe was vibrating in the case afterwards.............and curious about the strings put on ...plain silver package with handwritten on it "PROTO X BONAMASSA" ??? So much other coolness in that case with guitar, thanks Joe
Joe Bonamassa, thank you so much for playing at the Civic Center! I hope you loved playing there and will want to come back in the near future! Des Moines was absolutely bonkers over you!!!!
And I do believe, in my heart, that you could win the presidency! Bill S. must have had a premonition with his "VOTE JOE" avatar!!
As always, Joe Bonamassa, World's Greatest Guitarist, Vocalist, and All Around Great Guy...such an honor to know you!
And the only way I know I can repay you is to keep telling the world about you...luv u
pattyluvsjoe
P.S. Coach, I am not very eloquent with words so I'm sure I'd be a problem student....
Sandy,Rhonda,Rick&Helen,Bill S & Jane,Dan &Susan, Kurt & Deb, Lee & Renee, Suzie & Wade, Nic, Jon & Penny, Roy, Dave & Jo & gang, Coach, Duane, James, Brian, Amber, Christine,Rex and Vaughan big love to all of you ♥♥♥
P.S. If you ever want to hear a fun Joe gig of" Old Joe" songs, Nic is your man. He can play all your favorites...got to hear "You Upset Me Baby" "Had To Cry Today" "Miss You Hate You" to name a few and got to hear Mountain Time again. Nic, you ROCK!!!
"I'm not nice to any guitar!"
Joe Bonamassa 05-03-12
JBLP CHILD #184