Re: Oklahoma City, OK, 4/8/2014
jim m wrote:Pretty funny exchange with the kids. My kids can't figure out my obsession with Joe and one even works for him. Glad you enjoyed the show. Now I had the opposite experience. Everywhere I looked was somebody I knew. It was a special night in Oklahoma and I never thought I would see the day that Joe played the Peake. Monumental show and it rocked. Like I said in a Facebook post. Guitar porn G# rated.
Actually I did. There was moments of doubt since it took 11 years to get there and although he was playing the Chesapeake home of the Thunder it was cut down in capacity to the size of our Civic Center. Joe would of rather played there but Broadway always wins in those rooms. I was concerned that people would not understand how intimate a setting the arena would be. There were more good seats available there than at the Civic Center. The sound issues were tamed by not having the entire room open.
I missed the first half of the acoustic set with some last minute issues but one I settled in the acoustic band was on fire. When Joe plugged in the minor tweaks made to the set by adding two new songs made the overall feel of the set much heavier and rocked hard with an edginess that many people felt he lost during the RAH 09 phase of his career. Since I have gotten to know so many of his local fans over the years and my friends and acquaintances have discovered him through me I got to here their immediate feedback. It was unfettered giddiness about the show and all proclaimed it as the best they had seen. Many of these people have been following Joe along time.
Having Joe give me a shout out from the stage was surreal as he just doesn't do things like that although last time in he told the story of his 30th Birthday and how in 2004 when he was forced to cancel a tour and Aubry Harris and I got together and helped him to get to Oklahoma and play our shows and a couple of shows in Texas. Aubry was in the crowd last Tuesday up from Ardmore where the legendary Two Frogs Grill is located and we got to reminisce a bit before the show it is just exciting to see Joe achieve what he has worked all these years for.
Seeing Joe comfortable and able to enjoy the fruits of his labor is what the Street Team was all about. We worked hard because we believed in him. I was an early Street Teamer that went beyond posters and calling the local radio stations. I wanted him to have a place to play in Oklahoma City. We moved around a lot over the years and although I never really thought Joe would be a comfortable fit in an arena Joe owned that room just like he has owned every room he has played in.
Thanks Pathman again for the great review and chiming in here. The Oklahoma City contingent of fans are not that vocal here if you take me out of the equation. Always great to hear reports by the loyal fans from my state.
I was so glad to hear Joe give you credit right there in front of everyone that night! I cheered out a little when he said it, probably could not hear it from where you were.
I too am so proud at where Joe has come just since I first saw him at the Stage Center in 2006. He has gained monumental status and I knew he would. I am so grateful to you, Jim, for bringing Joe to OKC in 2006 so I could discover him. I have been one huge fan every since. I just wished he played in OKlahoma more than once every two years, but I know he has many cities to fit into his schedule. That is why I am starting to follow him to places like Austin and Tulsa. And now Red Rocks after Las Vegas last year. Thanks again, Jim!
And yes, Gerry, Mats, and Lenny are great musicians and additions. Everyone gels well.
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You added the cherry on top, girl!