My Association Experience, Part 2

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Added: Sun. May 03, 2009 9:14pm
Posted in: Music

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Again, taken from my Facebook profile:

Well, as if the concert in Mt. Dora, FL on February 21st wasn't enough, Saturday, May 2nd, I once again had the chance to see, as well as talk with my lifetime heroes before and after the concert in Ocala, FL. Yes, the following story is true, I am not making this up.

I arrived at the facility in Ocala where the concert was taking place at about 5:00, two hours before the show. I get out of my car, look across the back lot of the building, and Larry and Del Ramos are back there. I just casually walked over and said hello. Moments later, Russ Giguere walks out, and I reintroduce myself, and they all remembered me from the Mt. Dora concert. Shortly afterwards, Jim Yester walks out, and by this time, I'm more in conversation with Larry and Russ (Del was on his cell phone), and Jim says, "James!!!", and I said, "Hey, thanks for remembering me." I mean, how cool is this, that I'm chatting with my lifetime heroes BEFORE the show. Jim and Russ decide to go across the street to watch the Kentucky Derby, but the deli closed at 5:00, which negated their plans. By this time, Larry is telling me interesting stories from his time in the New Christy Minstrels, Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark, and life in Idaho, including telling me about his father-in-law as an avid golfer. I mean, here I am, hanging out with these guys, and they are being so nice and personable, and I am just in awe that they took the time to shoot the breeze with me. I really felt like a guest in their home, so to speak.

Then, 7:00, and the concert begins with a packed house. I know I'm the baby at this concert, as I see a lot of older people in the audience (not that there was anything wrong with that). But the group played all of the well-known hits, and Russ kept us laughing with his jokes in between songs; he could have been a stand-up comic if he wasn't a musician. The big surprise of the show was after they performed "Never My Love", Larry sang a Hawaiian version of that classic hit, as a dedication to his wife. It was very cool. They also did "California Dreaming", as a tribute to the Mamas and Papas.

They also performed a medley of classic '60s hits, and closed the show with "Along Comes Mary". And then, to cap it off, I had my picture taken with all of the guys, but my camera fell one picture short, and I wasn't able to get a pic with Del (Doh!!). That's okay, next time, I'll get two with him to make up for it. The special part during this time was when I reintroduced myself to drummer Bruce Pictor. I reminded him of what I told him after the Mt. Dora show, about how they made a lifetime dream come true for me, and he remembered that, and he gave me a hug. What a cool guy!!! I could not have asked for a better group of guys. They were so nice, so approachable, and so personable.

They made me feel like a good friend more than a fan, and I know I'm just one of many fans, but having the sort of night I had, I would not have traded it for anything else. I was glad to have been there, and I just want to say thanks to the group for their friendliness and hospitality, and for a tremendous show. I waited 40 years to see them, and now having done so twice in just over two months definitely makes up for lost time. I'm proud to be a fan of the Association.