Topic: My 1,000th Post As A Joe Bonamassa Fan
It was my good fortune to discover Joe Bonamassa all on my own. I know I've told the beginning of my tale before, but for those of you who are" new" here goes and for those of you who are "old" here goes, too.
I was listening via headphones to some music in the "B" section of Barnes & Noble in Des Moines, IA and glanced down and saw the name "Joe Bonamassa" on a CD titled "Blues Deluxe." My first thought was, this guy is cute and what does a Joe Bonamassa sound like? I placed it under the scanner and those first sounds of "You Upset Me Baby" had me immediately. I even blurted out loud (you know the loud I'm talking about when you have headphones on) and said, "Where has this guy been all my life?" To which my son frowned and shushed me to talk quieter. I not only bought "Blues Deluxe," but "had To Cry Today," "So It's Like That," and "A New Day Yesterday," all based on those first few bars of "You Upset Me Baby."
The following day at work, I am looking thru the Des Moines Datebook which lists all the upcoming attractions,etc...and there under Concerts what do my wandering eyes see.........
Joe Bonamassa at The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, IA opening for Tesla. Come on, what are the chances of me listening and him coming to Iowa.......a quick phone call was made and I had two tickets on their way.
This was kismet, good fortune, Lady Luck, good karma for Patty Patrick.
The journey began with 2 tickets, my son, and my "Blues Deluxe" CD in hand. We got to The Surf way early and I was very excited to see the tour bus in the parking lot. My first encounter with any thing "LIVE" relating to Joe was Mark Epstein walking in the parking lot. I yelled over to Mark (not knowing who he was), "Are you with Joe Bonamassa?" and he grinned and said "No." We did some sightseeing around Clear Lake, ate at the little restaurant next door and then asked the waitress if the show was Sold Out. She didn't know but she thought the place held 1800 to 2000 people. I knew I wanted to be in front to see this Joe Bonamassa so we finished eating and got ourselves over to the front. We were Number 4 and Number 5 in line. The buzz was about Tesla and the buzz in my head was Joe. There were a few mentions about this Bonamassa guy and that's where my first street team work started. I didn't have much to tell them other than I purchased this excellent CD and that I was sure we were in for a real treat.
Once the doors opened we bee-lined for the stage and I had no idea where Joe stood so we were basically in the center, a little to the right. We were positioning for Joe and everyone else seemed to be positioning for Tesla. I even told the Tesla fans behind us that they could have our spots up front when Joe was done, because we came to see him, not Tesla. (We got some CRAZY looks.) And when Joe came out, I knew right then and there, I had found someone very special. And there was the guy from the parking lot "Mark" standing right in front of us. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, seeing, and feeling from Joe, Mark, and Bogie. Like finding old friends.........
And it was a done deal right then and there, I was a "total fan" of Joe's.
Joe's set wasn't a full set, so as soon as they left the stage, I headed straight for the merchandise table. I asked Joe (the merchandise guy) a million times when is Joe coming out (the poor soul) and then Donnie came over and I started pestering him. He replied with a smile and said, "Do you have patience?" To which I said, "Yes, I do, but when is Joe coming out?" (another poor soul I hounded) I had a one track mind and that was to meet Joe.
The first person out was Mark. I said, "You told me you weren't with Joe Bonamassa?" to which he laughed and said, "I thought you asked me if I was Joe Bonamassa." And that began a friendship with Mark. When Joe came out I don't even remember what I was babbling to him, but he was kind & gracious and autographed my CD and a couple of posters. I even nabbed a stranger to take a picture of us together....never saw the picture, but I never forgot getting to stand next to Joe. The young gentleman who played guitar and sang like nothing I had ever heard before. We still needed to meet Bogie, but where oh where was Bogie. We were just wandering around the crowd and my son spied him milling about. I will never forget the twinkle in his eyes when he smiled that "infectious" grin. So life was good and the night was complete, we had met all three of them. The journey was for Joe Bonamassa and it had begun.
And it was shortly after that I found the Forum. I know one of my first posts was in response to a guy in Kansas City that was unloading on Joe. I remember telling him to go crawl back under the rock that he came out from. (I still get a chuckle out of that, but he did make me mad.)
And then came Chat, I had never done any of these things before....posting,chatting, but I am so glad I found all of you. (In fact I am in the chat room right now, there's quite a crowd tonight, lots of great talk and fun....sound effects anyone?) Joe said one time that one of the nicest things about the Forum was all the friendships that are formed. So true..........
I've had a lot of fun travelling to shows and meeting you guys.......Rhonda and I met for the first time on the way to a Joe show from the chat room....(my Mom was concerned "she "might be a" he" and "a serial killer".... 
) what a buddy I have found in her. I think my most memorable Joe show would have to be Christmas in November at The Surf. Rhonda & I both had the time of our lives celebrating Christmas with Joe, Mark, and Bogie. I will never forget all the laughter and the running and our secrets never to be divulged. Joe, Mark, and Bogie were so gracious after the show. The Surf shows are all special, it's a very laid back, you've come home feel......nostalgia....and thanks to Carmine we got to see the "green room" this last time with all the autographs and messages from all the people who have played there. Another highlight was Mark taking us on the bus. A Patty thrill for sure!! I know, I know....enough already................that darn fascination with being the "Bus Mom"
Well, I could go on and on and I love you all dearly. Thru thick or thin, you guys are all the best. (Even you Rocket) I thrive on all the excitement Joe generates amongst us.
What good fortune we all have , to have found someone like Joe. I have often thought about what Joe means to all of us......Joe, you are loved and appreciated so much.
Joe, it truly is a gift you have given us. I thank you.
Your Fan,
pattyluvsjoe 
P.S. Joe, It just came up in chat.....Have you ever driven the tour bus? Inquiring minds want to know. luv ya'
Joe Bonamassa 05-03-12
JBLP CHILD #184
"
