8)WOW-fantastic interview - upbeat because he was with Elaine at the time I guess.  BUT, John never looked better than he did during this period - gorgeous hair and a clean-shaven face - SO cute!  He could get there again with a little "shoe polish" (as he calls it) and a razor.  So you can tell I don't care for his "older" look!

jcooprx

Encores are so fake and contrived - and John is not.  What you see is what you get and admire his honesty and genuineness

They kind of look like "Jump" at least the ones I have from this century.

This is very sad, indeed.  Met John's mom at SICA several years ago - a totally charming and poised individual. And loved her paintings of landscapes.  Wow, had she been sick?  She always appeared so together and healthy.  Our prayers are with John and his family.

   You have now entered the greatest generation of OUR crazy, rock and roll generation!  Have a great birthday, celebrate that we are all still above ground and still feelin' like 16 AS LONG AS WE CAN!

jcooprx

   Human Wheels for sure and my personal fav, What If I Came Knockin'

Thanks so much for the info.  And yes the countdown is well underway - cannot believe how close it is now because when I got the tickets, it seemed like a lifetime away!!  Leaving Phoenix on Friday so we will have some time to knock around Houston (with all the crazed basketball fans 

See you there!!!!

   Am really fever pitch.  So glad that there will be at least a couple of other crazy Mellenhead chicks there.  Since we seem to be the only ones posting.  Was afraid I would be the only one totally out of control - where are the crazy fans in Houston???

Where are you coming from?  What other NBTT show did you see - you lucky dog you!  This will probably be the only one I go to this year.

It has been almost 20 years since I have been in Houston - so would appreciate your help with directing me to underground parking.  Thanks.

jcooprx

   We are beyond excited to finally get to see the NBTT tour!  Sadly, this may be the only show we get to.  After all the great reviews, I feel this is the show all of us Mellenheads wanted John to do for years - really showcasing his various talents.  Austin is an awesome city - you will love it and it will be even more awesome with John and the band there.  Way cool.

Is anyone going to Houston???

jcooprx

   Well, this is really cute - trying to find a hotel room in Houston - forgetaboutit!!  Since I used to live in Houston, could not figure out WTF!  Oh, it's only the NCAA Final Four in Houston that weekend.  YIKES  Just glad I had the plane reservations earlier or I probably would not be able to get there.  Man, you talk about majorly pissed off.  But all is working out (after 4 hours searching sites for available rooms) so we will be there.  The crowds in Houston are always pretty bad, but THAT WEEKEND?  Won't be able to move around at all.  May end up in Galveston!

Who else is going to Houston?  Kind of quiet on this board.

jcooprx

 

Ditto - thank you SO much.  It is great to get to sort of "be there" and hear the new stuff and new arrangements live.  Especially for all of us who have not been fortunate to attend one of these shows - YET

jcooprx

 

It was indeed a GREAT show!  He was not wearing his wedding band - had some big ring on middle finger.  Since it was recorded in early December, that would be after he and Meg "allegedly" began their affair - according to HER sources.  And apparently from different accounts, John and Elaine had been separated for "several months" prior the the announcement.  It is all so strange and so sad.  Elaine is such a class act and they seemed so great together.  It will be interesting how this mess develops.  John did seem supportive of Elaine and nothing negative was even noted in eyes or body language during the interview.  You would never know they were even separated or that he was carrying on with Meg at the time.  Maybe not..............

jcooprx

 

Ya know - I was wondering the same thing.  Hate being snarky about this, but good Lord, John, what the hell are you thinking and when are you going home to Indiana to help Elaine raise the boys!!!!!  It appears that you are living in NYC now.  Doesn't he say he always gets in trouble in NY and LA?  Well................

It is also incredible to me that I should be upset about this - it has nothing to do with me or my life.  I think all of us Mellenheads just became so invested and comfortable with the lifestyle that John and Elaine had.  I do need to get over this, but....

jcooprx

 

Got the box set when it came out - LOVE IT!!!!

While some of the songs I have in the same format, the new arrangements, acoustic performances, new songs, and the set in its entirety is absolutely phenomenal.  Could (and do) listen to all 4 discs over and over.

And the book - OMG - love it too.

Well worth waiting for in my opinion.

jcooprx

 

It was way beyond stunning to hear this news.  I am so sad for all involved because it had to be a very difficult decision.  It always seemed that John and Elaine had a very solid, stable relationship and that Elaine's calm reserve did in fact "center" John.  I just wish they could work this out and find the passion they once had.  I worry that John may go off the rails like he did with his second divorce and let us all hope and pray that this "split" will not lead to that result.  John has previously said in interviews that Elaine was not real crazy about all his touring and she did probably manage to curtail the duration somewhat.  And now with 2 teenage boys - that is not easy and bound to create a lot of conflicts.  His comment on Letterman I didn't think a lot about the first time because John is pretty self-effacing but now I do wonder.  His crazy schedule in 2010-2011 which led to the box set, No Better Than This, the musical with Stephen King and the unrelentless tour schedule probably did take its toll on the relationship.  John loves all of this but maybe he should refocus on the boys and maybe Elaine.  It is just way too sad to think this is happening.  I sure do hope and pray that maybe this "separation" is only that and they find their way back to each other.

To sad to contemplate right now.

jcooprx