Atlantic City 
Sept. 11, 2009

Sue and I on stage a few years ago doing "Messin The Blues............. my girl

thanks for listening......it helped to write it down   
  

   For 
    Sue 
      xxx 
 

 

At The House Of Blues with The Robin Trower Band

 

I am not really sure how to start this story....... 
 This trip and the circumstances leading up to it are very personal to me, and the words to tell it and to tell the people involved how much this all meant to me at this 
 time in my life, has been difficult to put down on paper. Words are sometimes not enough it seems. 
 Here I go........ 

Those of you who know me, know that my beautiful wife, Sue, of 30+ years passed away from cancer in May 2009. She was one in a million.  Always positive and always thought of everyone else before herself.  Life threw many many challenges her way but she never, or rarely faltered, in her positive outlook on life and the good she always found in people.  
 Life with Sue was always interesting to say the least. In our 30 years of marriage she taught me to always laugh and to always realize that no matter how bad things may appear, in the big picture, we were so fortunate.  To realize that there are so many more people that are worse off. Also to understand that everyone has shit in their lives and that you have to accept the challenges head on and  understand that there are things you can change... and things you can't. Don't sweat the things you can't change, accept them and just do the best you can.  This I learned from Sue. 
 Sue knew challenges. Diagnosed at 8 years of age with diabetes. Even at 8 years old she took the shots and the tests and did what had to be done with a smile.  
 When I met Sue I knew she was special. Her innocence and goodness overwhelmed me. Literally after our first date I had told my best friend the next day that last night I had gone out with the girl I was going to marry. And I did! 
 When we decided to have children we weighed the risks to her being a diabetic, but she had always been very well controlled and the doctors thought it would be fine. More than anything we also wanted to have children. It was fine, we have a beautiful daughter,  Jamie, who is just like her Mother ....in so many ways. But,  we were challenged during the pregnancy and about 3 months into it Sues sight started to deteriorate rapidly. The vessels were haemorrhaging in her eyes and even after laser treatments of over 6000 shots in each eye they could not stop the progress. Even a last minute surgery did not work. By the time our daughter was born Sue had lost all sight. Was it a challenge? You bet. Did it change her .... not a chance. Nothing stopped her... ever. 
 She remained completely blind for about 2 years. Two years  which we learned and grew in maybe a bit different way from most..... but we were always together and always laughing. I could honestly tell you a hundred stories of little issues we had during that period that would have you in tears of laughter.... no matter what... we laughed a lot. She always made it so easy. 
  After about 2 years without any sight a portion of it returned in her left eye. Not a lot, about 15 %, but enough that she could finally see the beautiful blue eyes of our daughter and with that, potential for more.  
  Sue had a lot to do with my web site and encouraged all the trips and also the time it takes to run it. 
 A lot of the articles that you see on my site which were typed up, were all done by Sue. She would sit for hours with a magnifying glass and read the review or interview line by line, and then type each one. An amazing woman to say the least. She was always so supportive of what I was trying to do and she wanted to be involved.  When I did my trips our friends would always ask her why she didn't want to go and she said "because this is Steve's time,"  his love, his, hobby and she felt I deserved it. Always pushing me to enjoy the opportunities that came about. 
 Anyway, with all the challenges that came our way, one came up that we knew we couldn't win completely. Ten plus years ago it started when, after a routine check up she was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She went through all the treatments and operations and after a year went into remission and was clear of it for seven years.  
 Well about four years ago it came back, only differently. Those of you who have had to deal with this (and there are far too many of you ) you learn that cancer has a way of adapting and changing. What Sue was diagnosed with was metastasized breast cancer. What this means is that the breast cancer returned but returned in other parts of her body. In Sues case it was in her bones.  You go through the plan of attack with the doctors but right at the beginning, our first visit with the oncologist , Sue said to him, " I don't want to hear anything about longevity or statistics. Just tell me what I have to do and then we will go from there." The doctor was ok with that and so was I, but when he was discussing the plans he had said one line that stuck with me.... this type of cancer is treatable.... not curable.  
 I can't describe the thoughts that go through your mind when you hear stuff like that but it's almost like stepping out of your body for a moment and looking at what is going on at a distance.  
  We went through a lot of stuff over the last few years, including three very serious situations when you're sitting in an emergency ward and your asked to sign do not resuscitate papers. But through all of it, Sue was always positive, always trying to be the best she could be.  After a while though I knew she was aware of what was going to happen sooner than later.  Sure we had "those" talks. The "what will you do and what if" conversations about life and death. About our daughter, about what Sue was likely not to experience with her. Again though, not in a negative way, just in an accepting way. Don't worry about the things you can't change attitude. It was amazing to experience all of the moments, good and bad and watch as she fought and then accepted the inevitable with such strength and resolve. 
 All in all, we would have said that considering the circumstances, she did amazingly well over the three or four years. About 90% of that time she was in bed but last year we managed to get her down to our cottage. She had a good time there. We were very lucky. We knew it could have been much worse. 
 The change came at the beginning of April when it was starting to become apparent that things were starting to progress inside her.  Her chemo treatments had finished a couple of months before that as you can only take it for so long. Different things were being done but you know that they are not going to be enough. Sue was on morphine for a long time and in May went through another emergency hospital trip as one of the things that can happen is amnesia if you get too much. Morphine has a way of sometimes building up in you (the body doesn't process the dose completely) and at times can all of a sudden absorb and you get larger amounts than you anticipated.  
 One thing I have learned also is too challenge doctors sometimes. While I have the highest regard for Doctors, and we had so many many great caring people looking after her, they are not perfect either.  
 During this hospital trip, I gave them all the symptoms, and because of previous experiences directed them to check certain things that we had seen before. This was great, they went at it, did all the tests and everything came back normal. These results then led to the direction of the amount of morphine she had in her. The doctor came in and said that everything was ok and so he asked Sue how she was. Sue, of course said "Fine". I looked at doctor and then looked at her and said "Do you know where you are?" She looked around for a good 20 seconds and then looked at me and said with a grin "No I don't". I looked back at the doctor who was surprised, then looked back at Sue and said "What's my name? " She looked me straight in the eyes for a few seconds and then smiled and said " I don't know." I looked at the doctor and said, "guess a few more tests are in order". He agreed. 
 The other thing that I have conveyed to friends is that IF, and I would wish no one had to go through what we did, but IF you find yourself in a similar situation where you know it's coming, read up and understand what happens to someone during the process of passing away. 
 In one of our many discussions Sue always made it clear to me that she wanted to be at home when the time came. I promised her that would happen. 
 I was very involved in her medications and because of my experiences with diabetes and needles etc., it had given me a good understanding of pain medications and how they work and how they are supposed to work.  So when the end drew near the doctors gave me their support in being able to handle the situation. 
 There are steps that people experience when the time is getting closer and both my daughter and myself read everything we could about what these steps are and what they meant, and what to expect near the end.  When they start,  the process can take a few days. 
 The first sign is stopping eating solid foods... lack of appetite.  You can live for a number of days without food but you now know that things are starting when this occurs. 
 The next step, and the more serious, is stopping fluids. When you can't or stop requiring this, it means the body is starting to shut down. You can go a couple of days without fluids but not too many.  
 The next step we prepared for was that the person will lose consciousness.  In our case when it happened it was the Thursday morning. We had gone through the first two early in the week, and believe me you can do a lot of talking as Sue already knew what was going on inside her. Everything that was said was just a repeat of the thousands of times we had said them during our 30 years and obviously even more the last three years. Thursday morning we could not wake her. 
  This is where I say why it's important to know what is going on. Thursday morning both Jamie and myself did not panic or stress about this bizarre situation we had unfolding. We knew it, expected it and therefore were remarkably matter of fact about it with each other. 
 I called our doctors and informed them of where we were and they repeated to me what to watch for and expect.  
 My only concern was that I understood that even though a person was unconscious they could still experience pain. Sue on her regulated dose of morphine now could no longer take her pills. I asked the doctors if I could get injectable doses. Seeing that I had given literally thousands of needles to Sue over the years this was very doable. A few calls and I was picking up the doses at the University Hospital here. 
 We went through Thursday and Friday just spending a lot of time in her room talking and just being in the same room felt comforting to both Jamie and myself. 
 Saturday Sues breathing was becoming more shallow.  I went out and came back with numerous candles (Sue loved lavender) and filled the bedroom with flowers. The stereo in the room never stopped playing all of her favourite songs. I had learned that  even unconscious people are able to hear and smell. 
 We had an amazing day. Just the three of us, sorry the five of us (our two dogs were beside Sue) Jamie and I talked and laughed, cried, and laughed some more. Both though were very relaxed, making the most of the situation. 
 About 10:00 Sat night Jamie wanted to go out for a bit with some friends. I encouraged it as she needed her time outside this incredible thing she was going through.  
  After she left I went upstairs and laid on the bed with Sue, my arm around her and just sat together and enjoyed the music. 
 The final step that happens is that as the time draws close it is not unusual for a person to stop breathing for a few seconds and then all of a sudden start up again. this was the one thing that I was so glad to have been educated on.  It also means that it is very close to the time. 
 As we were lying there together very close, my arm around her, listening to James Taylor, her shallow breath stopped. I turned to look at her, not in fear, it was the realization that we were there. After a few seconds she drew a breath in. I talked to her, and told her how much I loved her, and that it was, ok to go. After a few minutes she stopped again. Then started up again.  I just kept talking to her. About five minutes later her breathing stopped and I knew this was it. It was incredibly calming.  
 I held her for a few more minutes and then checked her again but I already knew. 
   I tell you this story because Sue was my strength and without her I would have never got to know all the wonderful people I have met over the last few years including the guys in the band. My musical heroes.  She always pushed me to go that step further and reach out.  When I would be with the guys or on the phone  with them Sue always said to me that she was too shy to talk to them but over the last few years I would come home and ask her what she had done that afternoon while I was working and she would say " oh I spent 2 hours on the phone with Andrea," Robins wife and good friend.  I knew they had good talks about things and life and beliefs. Those conversations always made her feel a part of it and Andrea was always so encouraging for her. 
  As I have said before I have become good friends with the band over the years and when Sue passed away I had numerous calls from the guys just checking up to see how I was doing.  Jamie and I had decided to have the funeral in Winnipeg as that is really our hometown. It was a very upbeat funeral, lots of music.  I had also planned to head to our cottage after the funeral with a couple of friends just to unwind from all the stress of the funeral.  
When I got back home there was an email from Derek who had been in touch with me just after Sue's passing. It read :

​

​

Steve

I hope you are home and able to breathe again 
We would like to invite you -- as our guest -- to  
come to any of the shows on this tour. You choose. 
I will arrange travel and hotels etc.  
Robin's whole team would like to believe that music  
can give some relief from grief, and help with healing. 
Are you OK to join us somewhere along the trail? 
Derek

​

​

   At the moment I read that I honestly was speechless. I do stay in touch with Derek. He has been very generous in allowing me to  get involved in things going on like the re-release of Bridge Of Sighs  which lead to assisting the track listing on the latest compilation "best of" Day Of The Eagle. to which I was elated to be a small part of.  
  I called Derek and even admitted that I was speechless and honestly very choked up about it. This came soon after Sue passed and the guys were touring the west coast.  Because of personal things going on the timing was just not going to work for me to hit the west coast shows. Derek was so cool and just said "pick anytime".  
 Here is where I get deeper if you will permit me.  
 As I have said before, my relationships with Robin and the guys ( ya I always refer to them as the guys because I am too lazy to type all the names) are great. If you have read the England Tour story you know that, while a very very private person our families are friends. I have been a friend of Davey's for a long long time and Pete's for almost as long.  Bronzie is right there too. Laurie and Steveo. I love these guys. While I have known Glenn the shortest time and had never met prior to this, we had talked on the phone a few times and we do know each other. 
 Right after Sue passed away the guys  were in constant communication to see how I was doing. I am saying this because this goes beyond the "fan" thing. We are friends. Always will be a fan, but the last few years of knowing these guys the way I do, I do honestly find it amusing how we can be sitting in a pub one time talking trash with each other and then me being on the side of a stage watching them perform and more importantly, watching what they give out and how people react. It is an amazing contradiction in your mind as, even after all this time, I see these guys live and I still get blown away by how talented each one of them is. As a guitarist, Robin is just so good it still blows me away on how he plays. 
  I was touched very deeply by the offer. Again, there are really no words that would convey the way this touched me. The experience I am going through is life changing to say the least, and this was honestly the first thing that showed me something positive  and honestly helped me deal with all the other things that were going on.  
 Sue would have been the first to say to go and I really felt I was going to do this for her as much as myself.  
  It's been nine months now. Not many moments go by without me thinking about her but I do know she would have been happy that so many friends were looking out for me. Those of you who I have become a bit closer too, I cannot thank you enough for your support and friendship.  
As Sue would say to me " Life  is a gift ... enjoy every moment"! 
 I will.   
  
 

 

so here we go.....the trip.... 
  
 

 

 After a few discussions with Derek about which show would be the most advantageous for me to actually get to visit with the guys Atlantic City was the obvious choice. The band would be in town a couple of days prior to the show, lots of time to visit and then catch a show. 
 One of the things Derek had said to me was that if I went then I could got to the rehearsal. This was different. I have been very privileged to be able to go to sound checks on numerous occasions but the rehearsal... that would be very different. 
 After a few days of thinking about that I mentioned to Derek that while I would love to go to the rehearsals, being a guitarist I would completely understand if this was a time that Robin felt the guys needed to be "just the band". I completely get that and honestly if I was in the same position I would be hesitant to have someone watch those moments working out the songs or getting a bit of a refresher of how they are going to play each one. 
 Would play this one by ear :o)

​

​

THE TRIP TO ATLANTIC CITY

 

 My flight left Saskatoon for Chicago on the Wednesday and my tickets etc. had arrived and everything was packed and ready to go. 
 I was booked to go to Chicago, connect with a flight out of Chicago an hour and a half later to Philly. Got to Chicago right on time and I though, great, I will beeze through customs, hit the next flight and all would be well. In the interim I had been texting Davey and Pete and we were going to meet in the bar around 10:oo which was when I should be arriving in Atlantic City. 
 I got off the plane and started to go to the customs area and as I turned the corner into that area I saw about a thousand people standing in line to go through the five custom agent lines.!!!  I am thinking oh there must be a faster line for those with connections... guess what... nope!  
 I got into line and after an hour I knew I was going to miss my flight... and I did. Damn! 
I finally got through customs after about 2 hours and went to rebook. No problem,,,, wrong, I got a flight, but it was a couple hours later. So I text the guys and they are still going hey no problem we will wait. Great. 
 The flight was late again leaving, and now I wasn't going to get there till about 2 or 3 in the morning.  I let the guys off the hook and said I would catch them in the morning. :o) 
  Finally got into Philly and there was a limo waiting for me to go to Atlantic City which is about an hour and a half away.  The limo was my treat to myself.  Derek wanted to cover everything and I originally had arrangements for a ride but as the time drew closer my ride fell through and as the band had been so gracious with everything I just thought I would continue my trip in style.  It was a great ride and I relaxed in the back and enjoyed the ride in comfort!

​

 Arrived at the hotel at about 3:00 a.m. and walked in to the sound of slot machines and music. The place was jumping. I went up to the desk and gave my name and the Lady said "Oh you made it,, your the last of the band!"  ( my ego burst for just a second just to be mentioned that way :o) Laurie had mentioned to them at the front that I would be arriving late and to make sure all was ok. What a guy!  
 She then handed me the room log showing all the guys listed and in there was my name. I kept that for sure :o) 
 I went up to my room, 17th floor, overlooking the boardwalk and ocean. Amazing view. 

   While I was tired I was still very pumped up at being there and so decided I needed to go down and have a drink in the bar just to relax and check things out.  What a place!  
  I have never been in a large casino before and so I went and had a drink and then walked around for a bit just to watch all the goings on.  after a while though I headed to room, relaxed and was thinking about how much fun the next couple of days are going to be.
  
 

 

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THURSDAY SEPT. 10 REHEARSAL DAY

 

I woke early and thought I would go downstairs to get something to eat. Even though I only got a few hours sleep I was very pumped about seeing the guys. I found a nice place in the casino and had a quick breakfast and then thought I would go back and wake Davey and Pete up at least. 
 On my way back to the elevators as I passed one of the lounges who do I see but  
Davey and Pete talking to  road manager and  sound man extraordinaire Laurie Brace  and   guitar tech  Paul Bullimore

As I was walking over they saw me and lots of hugs all around. I was introduced to Paul as we had never met, and we sat down to chat for a while.  It is always good to see these guys and just hang around. 
 Laurie  hung around for a while but then had to take off to get things in order for the day and so the rest of us sat around to catch up.  
As we were there, Michael Gladstone,   who works with the band driving and helping out showed up.  Michael and I have known each other for a while and have had some great chats on the phone. Always great to meet people you know but have never met.  
   As we were talking I was still really wondering about going to the rehearsal.  Prior to coming out even the guys in the band wondered if that would be ok with Robin. I kept saying to them that while I would like to go I did understand if Robin wanted it to be closed. As I said, rehearsals are very private things and so even if I didn't get to go we would hook up after. I was definitely not going to be disappointed not going. Completely understandable and to be quite honest I wouldn't want anyone else around while getting ready for a tour if it was me playing. Even Pete and Davey were surprised that I may be coming. 
 It was so good to be sitting with Davey and Pete. Two close friends whom I hadn't seen in a long time. Lots of laughs and typical buddy BS! Definite characters! 
 Laurie came back and Davey asked if I was going to come along. Laurie said 'oh for sure, just talked to Robin and he is expecting you to be there."  Glenn and Laurie were going down to the studio a bit earlier and then Michael would come back and pick up Davey, Pete and me and bring us down. Needless to say I was pumped for this. 
 We hung out for a while and then eventually went outside where Michael was waiting for us.  Nice drive out and finally arrived at this studio where Robin was already in warming up. 
 Before I went in I met Dave Walker who is the merch person.  On a side note, this shot was taken during one of three trips he took to dive to the Titanic!!  Seriously! 
  Met a few people from the studio before walking into the rehearsal room where Robin was playing.  I think I surprised him as I went up and gave him a big hug!    It was good to see him again and we chatted a bit while everyone else was getting set up. 
 Now you have to picture this very small room, full equipment set up and a single stool at the front to sit on. Literally ten feet in front of the band. A few warm up riffs and it's time to get started. All I can convey here is that I was in shock. Funny thing is, when I find myself in these situations I always try to be so nonchalant and try to just be one of the guys but it truth .... I am still as nervous as a kid.  It's quite amusing. 
 I really wasn't sure what to expect and what I got was literally the whole show performed right in front of me. It was so cool really, I can't describe it. A few songs, a bit of talk, then a break. Out side to chat for a few minutes then back at it.  It was just amazing. During the breaks we talked family, another time I was in the room with Robin going through his Fulltone effects board and talking about the set ups and how he uses them. It was casual and a lot of fun just to talk shop like that. The whole crew was there also but no one came in during the playing. Laurie, Dave, Paul and Michael do a great job keeping everything in order.  
 I took only a few pictures as I did want to capture the moment, but to be honest, it was just such an amazing experience to just be there that I didn't really think about it.  I truly was just so honoured to be there that I wanted to remain as quiet as possible. I even asked Robin if it was ok before I took out the camera!

 

THE REHERSAL

 
 

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I have to be honest and admit that after the rehearsals were over and Robin had left to go back to the hotel, I went in to take this shot and just could not resist picking it up and playing a few licks.  I had too! Sorry Robin. 
  Thanks to everyone for sharing this special moment with me.  
 

   We hung around for a bit and then we headed back to the hotel for some relaxation and eventually went for something to eat with Paul, Davey, Pete and Laurie.  Glenn and Robin decided on a movie. 
  Later it was sitting around talking and just having a good time.  
 Pete has been working on some solo stuff and we went upstairs for a time to have a listen on his laptop. Some great stuff. Pete has a good voice and I really enjoyed the tracks. I look forward to hearing more if his music.  
(since I have been painfully slow at getting this finished I have heard a few more tracks from Pete and he's got some good tracks down)  

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FRIDAY SEPT. 11, SOUNDCHECK 

 

 

   Woke up to my phone ringing and Pete on the other end saying "Lets go for breakfast"!  
 I got up and ready and went down to Petes room, which was just down the hall, to go downstairs and eat. Since it was fairly early I text Davey to say if he was up to meet us.  
  One other bonus coming to Atlantic City was that my good friend and former London England travelling companion, Neil Calandra, was going to meet up with me today, driving in from New York. Haven't seen Neil since my first trip to England in 2005 so we were really looking forward to experiencing another Trower weekend. Also another very good friend, Lisa, who I met through the site and because of circumstances we were going through became someone very important to me and a real good friend.  She and her husband Jimmy were also coming to the show and we had made plans to hook up later that afternoon. 
  So back at the restaurant Pete and I were there when Neil text to say he had arrived. I told him where we were and pretty soon Neil came in, loaded with all his camera stuff, and it was great to see him again. We sat around and talked for a while and then Pete wanted to go back and check in with the Mrs. (She has to keep close tabs on him for some reason  hahaha (Ang... just having fun with that).  
 Neil and I decided we would take a walk around and check out the boardwalk. It was really cloudy and windy but we walked down a ways and hit one of the other casinos just to see what it was like. Took a few pix and then went back in to pick up some stuff from the HOB store for the family. 
 As we were walking around and checking out the venue there was a poster of Robin on display ( the top one here) and he tells me that it was his (Neil's) picture they were using. He really wanted to get a copy of it so off we went trying to find someone that could direct us to someone who would give us a couple. No luck. 
 We toured around a bit more went outside and walked the boardwalk for a bit.  
 As time went on we thought we better get back to the hotel and into the HOB so we could catch the set up and sound check.  
 We walked into the hall and everyone was busy doing their thing to ensure perfection for the show.  
  
 

 

   Always fun for me watch the set up and sound check. It is when you get to see the loose side of this band. They are so tight during the show but at sound checks, every once in a while you will hear someone doing something during a break  or when Robin is starting to warm up. Just playing whatever. Love it. 
 One of the other things I have always done while the sound checks are going on is to talk to the security people. Even though you have a pass it is always good to let them know who you are and why you may be walking around with a video camera!  Robin has never had a problem with me videoing sound checks and rehearsals because he knows they are for me only. I walked up to a couple of them and talked for a bit and then mentioned that Neil and I will be walking around with recording stuff and they had already been told that it was fine. Just a side story I mostly just watched the show and maybe recorded half of it by leaving my camera running on the sound board. Once or twice during the show though I walked up to the stage to get a different angle. So I am standing there with my camera held up and the person just in front of me pulls out a camera and the security people were there right away. I felt a bit guilty so I went backstage and took a bit more from there. :o) 
 So back to the sound check. While the sound was being done, my friend Lisa text me to say they had arrived.  I told Neil I was taking off for a bit but would be back.  I hadn't got my pass yet so Neil had a photo one so I put that on and walked out to meet my friends. 
 We hooked up by the HOB entrance and then went down to the bar to have a drink. Always really cool meeting people you have interacted with through the internet but have never meet.  
 Here is one of the fun things about being "with the band".  During the day and previous night we had all spent time sitting and talking in one of the lounges. Great times and lots of fun but all the people that were working the place knew that these guys were the band. Normal thing in this  establishment was that you went up to the bar to get whatever and then found a seat. With the guys in the band they always came over and served us. So when Lisa, Jimmy and I went into the bar to have a drink, we sat down first. Very quickly the bartender came over, asked us what we wanted then proceeded to go get them and bring them to the table. When I started to pull out my money he looked at me and said , "no problem" and walked away. He had remembered me with the guys and so everything was taken care of. I love that! 
 Had a great visit with Lisa and they were going to go get settled and I wanted to get back to the venue.  
 As I was walking back there was already a line up but luckily the guy at the door was one of the guys I had talked to earlier and he waved me up and in. 
  
  

Pre Show

 

   Remember the posters I was mentioning earlier that we were trying to find? 
Well I had mentioned it to  Michael Gladstone and,well he walks up to me and hands me one, I went great then said that I would have to give it to Neil but Michael had picked up two and he had already seen  Neil and so we were both extremely grateful. 
Very cool move Michael! 
 Everything was now done and ready to fly. We were all hanging around backstage and Laurie figured we should get something to eat so dinner was ordered to come to the dressing rooms where we were sitting around talking. 
 Pretty soon the place started to fill up and so I went out to find Lisa and set my camera up at the sound board.  
 Ran into one of the guys from the rehearsal studio and a couple of people who knew me from the site. That's always a really strange thing when a stranger walks up to you and asks if I am Steve, the guy with the site :o). 
 So show time is getting close and so went backstage to see the guys before they went out. Glenn was showing me his bass guitar which he makes, I played it a second but I am a guitar player not a bass player so I probably embarrassed myself playing it. Nice guitar though and when I get his interview up will learn more about these guitars and how they came about. 

 before show time

 

  
 

 

THE SHOW  

I was starting to put captions on these photos but after reviewing them  
I think they pretty much speak for themselves.... the show was amazing, the band was on and the place was rockin. 
Neil, as always, thanks for the great pictures,  
 
  
 
 This is one thing that Robin almost always does, meets the fans afterwards. I can tell you that he literally signs until I am sure his hand gets tired.  
 I always find this amazing to watch as most of us, myself included, act like kids when we are given this opportunity to say hello to someone who has touched us through his music.  
 Robin is out there for about 15-20 minutes getting everyone's article signed and always with a smile. Don't ever stop doing this as it means so much to each person. 
 I went backstage again and talked to the guys. Robin came back and we talked for a minute then he was heading back to the room.  
 We were all going to meet back at the lounge after the show. I went out to see Lisa again and to invite her to join us.  
 By the time we got there Pete and Davey were already there waiting. Surrounded by a bunch of people who had been at the show who were wanting to show their appreciation for the great show.  
 After a while the crowds thinned and we were all just sitting around having a good time.  
 I had already decided that I would be pulling an all nighter as I had to get back to Philly airport early and so I had booked the limo to pick me up at 3:00 a.m.  
 By about one the guys including Neil were pretty tired and so we said our goodbyes. 
Lisa decided she would hang out with me till the limo arrived and so at 3 I went outside and it was waiting for me. Crawled in the back and just relaxed to enjoy the ride. 
 Getting back home was a story in itself, Fogged in airports, flights cancelled etc. etc. but I finally made it home about 6:00pm.  When I got to the Saskatoon airport my phone rang and it was Pete asking if I really did stay up all night. They wanted to see if I had got home in one piece.  
 Another great experience that I will remember forever. 
 

 I would like to again sincerely thank Derek, Robin, Davey Pete and Glenn for getting me out at a time when I truly needed too. Your friendships are a special gift.  You have all changed my life for the better.  
 Thanks to Laurie for looking after me, you are the man! And to Michael, Paul and Dave for putting up with this strange Canadian guy who kept hanging around! 
 Also to Neil, my good friend always a good time sharing these experiences. And  to my friend Lisa who helped me deal with some crazy times.  Great to finally meet you. 
 I love you all.

 And to Sue.... I miss you.

 

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