Yeah, John!  Go to Australia and New Zealand for Christmas/New Years in 2011.  Your family would love it I am sure although I have never been there and it is on my "bucket list."  I plan to be there so I can see you in another part of this world and you and the band will really be confused about where I live and why I show up in some strange places with no rhyme or reason!!  Plus it will be summer down there with great weather.  Let's go for it!!!

jcooprx (aka Mellencamp Tramp)

 

Hey, I noticed that too and thought it was Kenny - he did sound good!

jcooprx

 

I think a lot of us were WHAT THE HELL IS THIS? when we first heard No Better Than This after anxiously awaiting for it to be released.  I immediately fell in love with Take Some Time To Dream because it is so relatable.  However, we are all so used to "balls to the wall" rock and roll with John, that the last couple of albums (yeah, I am still in that mind-set) left us somewhat confused.  But once you really listen to what John is saying, it works. His song, Longest Days, makes me cry every time I hear it because I lost 2 of my best friends right beore that was released. He is definitely going in a different direction from his early years and, sure, we miss some of that too.  But none of us can be 16 for as long as we can, and we have to respect, admire and listen to what John is writing and singing.  He is the best songwriter/performer of my generation, bar none!

jcooprx

 

I got tickets for the Houston show and received the premium items (poster, album,. t-shirt, pass,etc.) several days ago.

However, I have had a problem trying to download the mp3 to qualify for an update to first row.  When I first tried, I entered my code but then it would not download because Java would not support it.  I upgraded Java and tried again and got the response that the code was already used.  When I contacted the provider, I received no suggestions back.  Any suggestions Tony or Sharon?

jcooprx

 

Done deal - a lot of votes but now down to 5%.  Let's go!!!!

jcooprx

You bet - my old stomping grounds and it has been awhile.  Got great tix - in the pit, second row, and 4 or 5 seats in -- in front of Andy!  I could have gone to Denver (another old stomping ground!) but could get better tickets in Houston.  So stoked by the reviews of the first show - please, please, John, don't change that setlist.  I have always wanted to see the Real Life in concert and it sounds like a jazzed up version of Walk Tall is there, which was on my wish list.

Wish I didn't have to wait so long to see this show!!

jcooprx

Would absolutely LOVE to see the band do the Walter Reed version of Walk Tall.  Absolutely a fantastic arrangement!  My other 2 favs are WIICK and Longest Days.  We can all hope I guess. 

jcooprx

After seeing Dylan live (I think) in Missoula, maybe I understand why!   

Absolutely great pictures of John and the band.  Did they have any pictures of Dylan?

jcooprx

Hey, I agree!

jcooprx

Miriam is a fantastic musician - it was very interesting to find out about her past learnings.  I have to say that yell for her the loudest when band intros are made by John because she can make that violin scream and adds so much to John's songs.

I also had the pleasure of meeting her in 2005 at Red Rocks in Colorado and she is very genuine, down to earth and funny.  Guess she continues to have FUN!

jcooprx

 EXACTLY.  Now some of my friends don't think I am so strange about hitting as many Mellencamp shows as I can.   Most are onboard!  You just can never get enough of John and the band.

jcooprx

An absolutely AWESOME show by John and his band.  Not much talking as he probably wanted to get as many songs in as he could.  They were on for an hour.  My friends who went with me who had never been to one of his concerts were blown away -- as were the other people I talked to around me who "liked" Mellencamp but had no idea what they were in for!  Without any effort (thanks to the presale tickets and that gate opening first) we were able to get right down by the stage.  Got several smiles from John and some of the band since I had on my infamous T-shirt that they always recognize.  Same setlist as the second Troutdale show and "Take Some Time to Dream", while unfamiliar to most, was clearly a standout for all.  Now that I've had my first Mellencamp "fix" in 2 years, I think I might make it to the next leg of the NBTT tour - hopefully he will be out west.  There is a great small theater (a historic landmark) called the Wilma which would be great for that show!  Tony, pass the word.

Only stayed for a few Dylan songs because I had never seen him before and wanted to see a real legend live.  With John, the legend continues and I think I have seen him 16-18 times but it NEVER gets old!  Nor does he 

jcooprx

We will have a fantastic time!! Can't believe there are no Mellenheads in NW Montana - no one is responding to my request about who is going.  Bummer.  At least I will be there in full Mellenhead, Mellencamp Tramps glory!

jcooprx

Anyone going?

jcooprx