One for Record Keeping

Dear Kids,

Just a quick note for future laughs. There was an engaging question posed to my team at work over our holiday potluck, "What was your first concert?" It was extremely entertaining and I thought I'd try it out with our family over Christmas. Here's the results: (in order of age)

Evan: (Blank stare, couldn't think of one - this should be your goal this year!)

Jennifer: Garth Brooks, Nashville - loved it.

Calen: The Who, Wolf Trap in Washington D.C. (with Ellie and Dad)

Kristen: Garth Brooks, Memphis

Ellie: The Who, Wolf Trap in Washington D.C. (with Calen and Dad) can't speak for Calen or Dad, though I saw Dad rockin' out the entire show, but this was a great outdoor concert and they were awesome live.

Brian: The Beach Boys, San Diego, (need to follow up on how he liked it...)

Cindy: Janis Joplin, UT Knoxville: apparently, as the only daughter of an Air Force Colonel, Mom accompanied her parents to the UT homecoming weekend to visit her older brothers, Ray and Robert, who were in school there. Janis was the homecoming band. Really. Mom, only a junior in high school, got to go, likely because she was in tow of her brothers, and vividly remembers standing in a see of hippies wearing a nicely pressed sweater, wool skirt, stockings and snappy shoes. Hm... Probably a pretty defining moment, definitely a great memory!

Bob: James Brown, War Memorial Auditorium, Nashville: Dad thinks he was maybe 14 or 15, and went with a friend to see the Young Rascals (Good Lovin') open for James. Till this day he still can't believe this kids mom agreed to take them and just dropped them off. Dad is one for slight embellishment, but he thinks they were the only white kids there (this would have been in the early 60s). He vividly recalls that James Brown was ah-mazing and came out for multiple encores. He will imitate the dance moves if you ask. Still, pretty cool!

Maybe at our next gathering I'll inquire what was everyones favorite concert. I'm pretty sure Brian has been to more than many of us combined, so he, and my Dad because he can't just pick one, will have a hard time with this.

So far you kids haven't been to any BIG shows (trying to protect your ears) but you've definitely enjoyed more than I can recall smaller shows: Terry Pinnegar, a couple Live on the Greens, Deirks, the Nashville Symphonic and more.

Hope your first concert is memorable!