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WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 3007
Today I leave
with Webb Wilder and the Nashvegans for Lillehammer, Norway for the annual
Lillehammer Rock Weekend festival. We also have John Kay & Steppenwolf on the
event. We all checked in at the Nashville airport, everything was on time,
arrived in Newark – no problems. Got on the plane and found Bill Monnot, he’s
the agent for John Kay &Steppenwolf from Paradise and is traveling over for
John’s show. Our plane was scheduled to leave Newark at 8:15 pm and we ended up
leaving about 9pm. Once we got on the runway, we sat in “traffic”. Guess it
was their rush hour.
J
THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2007
Landed in Oslo about
15 minutes late due to our late departure in Newark, and gathered all of the
luggage and gear. Rolf was waiting for us just outside of the arrival area.
Was great to see him again and catch up a bit on the ride to Lillehammer. Bill
went into Oslo for the night for a business meeting.
The last time I was here was in April 2006 and there was a beautiful snow on the
ground. Everything was white and the lake that goes from Oslo up to Lillehammer
was frozen. Today it’s a warm 50+ degrees and the grass and mountain side is
beautiful and green, a much different view than before. The ride up to
Lillehammer is so breathtaking. The countryside and the lake view are amazing.
Arrived at the hotel about 1pm, got everyone checked in and all of the gear
locked up. Everyone went to their rooms to rest and freshen up. I called home
to “check-in” and found out that Andrew was sick, he had to stay home from
daycare. L Luckily my mom is a
nurse and was coming down to take care of him. I hate being away from him and
hate it even more with him being sick, but I know he’s in good hands.
I had a meeting with a new buyer that we are working with for a Bellamy Brothers
tour in September 2007 and possibly again in 2008; really nice guy.
J Went downstairs to the show room
and checked out the new layout of the stage. They have moved some things around
and it’s a great improvement. Had dinner and then had a meeting with Andree,
the promoter for this event.
Back in Nashville, Judy met Steppenwolf at the airport and got them checked in.
I will go to the airport and meet them in the morning. John Kay is flying from
Vancouver and will arrive tomorrow evening.
FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2007
Up about 5:30 AM to
get ready, have a quick breakfast and head to the airport. Met up with Bill
when we arrived, and we chatted while we waited for the band. Everyone arrived
safely, but it took a little extra time getting all of their gear. Had another
“beautiful” ride to the hotel. Got Steppenwolf checked in, and then I headed
for the Longhorn Club “pub” in the hotel for Webb’s sound check. After sound
check I headed to my room, figured out how to long on the internet via the
television. Was wonderful to be able to check email.
Freshened up and headed downstairs for Webb’s show at the Longhorn Club. The
weather is perfect so they had the doors open to outside, the patio area and the
club was full of people. There was one guy who was getting an early start on
his partying. It was about 6:30 pm and he was already wasted. He stood right
in front of Webb during part of his show. I thought he was going to fall over
several times, and then he would look around at everyone like he was trying to
be “cool” or something. J The
promoter came and “removed” him and took him outside. About 20 minutes later,
he was back. Again, the promoter had to take him outside and I didn’t see him
again for the rest of the night.
After Webb’s show, I went out front just as John Kay was arriving. It’s very
exciting to meet such a rock legend like JK. We all had dinner and headed to the
main stage.
Headed down for the show and got Webb’s merchandise counted in. Caught part of
Manfred Mann’s show and some of Ian Hunters show. Got to bed about 1:00 am.
SATURDAY, MAY 26, 2007
Got to sleep in this
morning! J Up about 8:30 am, got
ready and had breakfast. After breakfast, I went to the main stage for Webb’s
sound check. Everything ran smoothly.
Steppenwolf began their load in and once everything was underway, I went back to
my room and checked a few emails. Headed back downstairs for John Kay’s sound
check. John Kay is celebrating his 40th Anniversary of touring and
this is their Farewell tour as well as their last tour to Europe. They are
having a special meet & greet with the “Wolfpack” fan club members as a “thank
you”. Had a group of about 25 members and we all met in the library. John was
very personable, chatted with everyone and had pictures made. He’s met many of
these fan numerous times as they have been fans for many years. He was telling
someone about his childhood. Seems as though he lived in East Germany when he
was a very young child, he and his mother lived with a family until they escaped
and somehow ended up in LA several years later. He’s written a book about his
life, and Charlie is going to send me a copy to read. I can’t wait to read it.
John Kay is a very intelligent man with a fascinating life.
John Kay & Steppenwolf and Webb, both, had a great show. The place was packed
about 2,500 people. Got to bed about 2:30 am.
SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2007
Up at 5:30 am to get
ready to leave and a quick bite. Luckily I had started repacking yesterday
afternoon. I had also printed out everyone’s boarding passes for our flights
which made check in SO much easier. Steppenwolf had excess on the way over, but
because we were all flying out together the airlines didn’t charge anything
going home. J Landed in Newark
without any problems, all of our gear made it. Left for Nashville and landed
there to find that 3 pieces of Steppenwolf’s gear didn’t make it. The plane
from Newark to Nashville is “tiny” and they obviously didn’t have enough room
for their gear and Webb’s. They are supposed to deliver the gear to Chris on
Monday.
Made it home safely
and was welcomed by Andrew. Arriving home and seeing his little face is the
best part of the whole trip. I love traveling, meeting new people and seeing
new places, but there’s nothing like being with Andrew.
J
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