Anna, Susan, and Derek!
For some time, Teresa and I had been looking forward to the weekend preceding November 2nd. Anna was due from Atlanta Thursday night, and we could not wait to see her! During our introduction to Federal Hill, the three of us became a close group of friends. Unfortunately for Teresa and I, she found an excellent career opportunity down South. We were so excited to relish the first meeting since her big move.
The only real concrete plan for the weekend was on Friday. The Susan Tedeschi Band and Derek Trucks Band were performing at the Rams Head Live at the Power Plant Live. How is that for an excellent blues line up? Justin convinced me to attend the moment he mentioned the show. We proposed the idea to Anna, and she was all for it.
After Teresa and I returned from work, we decided to eat dinner before the show. My favorite spot on Friday afternoon's is the Thirsty Dog so, we made the short walk. I was somewhat worried about the potential seating arrangements. Normally, Teresa and I grab bar seats. We did arrive early enough to procure a table and a spot for Anna. For some unknown reason, we were ravenous. Almost immediately, we put away two of there famous pizzas, Bahi Chaloopa and Wing Dog. The tasty tasty Dogtoberfest did help the cause. The meal was the perfect beginning to a long evening.
We quickly stopped back at the house to change and grab our tickets. The Ram's Head Live is just across the harbor. It is completely walk able in better weather, but late fall is rearing its head. The general consensus was to schedule a cab ride through the blistering wind of the harbor. It is interesting to me that a cab ride to Power Plant Live is only about six bucks. A cab ride over to Fells Point is almost sixteen. Somehow that math doesn't add up to me, but what are you going to do.
I was surprised at the crowd turnout. I expected a sell out, but we didn't expect such long lines before 830pm. I guess, we should have known better. Derek start the show right at 830, and he and the band were on stage while we waited to get into the venue. It was packed. It was packed with above average height middle-aged men. If you have been to the Ram's Head Live, you know this can be problematic for normally height twenty-something woman. Needless to say, the front bar took too long to serve our first round, and we couldn't see the stage from anywhere on the first floor. It was good to know, Justin had probably secured some space on the second floor. We pushed through a lot of mom dad age couples to reach the stairs.
The taping section is above the soundboard on the second floor. The view from the balcony there is awesome, but the sound isn't up to snub. At least they were able to tape at all. The crowds were just as tall and tight at this location so, we hung back by the wall awaiting the set break. I was able to catch up with Justin, and everything is going extremely well. He and Tonya our expecting their first child! Teresa and I are so excited for the wonderful news. On the complete opposite side of the spectrum, he talked up some war stories from last weekend's Vegoose. Specifically, the D&T show at the MGM. Maybe one of these day's I'll head out to Vegas, but it would have to be for an event of that nature.
I cannot forget to mention the quality of rock ‘n roll being played while this conversation took place. Derek and his band are unstoppable. The even seemed happier then normal. More than once, I saw Derek smiling on stage. To close out the set, Susan made a trip to the microphone. Of course, the played "The Weight." Teresa, Anna, and I showed the over 50 crowd how to dance, but more on this later.
During the set break, we squeezed up to Justin's enclave at the balcony. The girls could now see the stage with minimal obstructed views. The Susan Tedeschi Band took the stage, and she was quite chatty. Then again, I can't remember whether that is characteristic of her performances. If I have seen her band before, I don't remember. She explained why Derek's band was on stage first. They had been switching the line up throughout the small fall tour. It was completely a family affair with the kids along for the ride. Then she began to sing, and does she have a voice. You would take one look at the petite blond in nice jeans, and say, "She couldn't belt out the blues." You would be wrong. It was a treat to here her sing for the rest of the evening. She played a few songs off the only album I own.
As the show entered it's last third, the crowd began to thin. This was good for us because; the balcony emptied for better views. Some people even started dancing. Teresa was poking fun of a couple of forty plus women dancing and spilling their drinks. I said, she'd better be careful because; that was here in Anna in a few years.
Susan's finished up her bands set with a revolving door of musicians. STB and DTB were merged in ever combination imaginable. We could see Derek waiting in the wings to take his spot on stage. Again, he was smiling ear to ear. It must have been his hot talented wife that got his blood going. She is more attractive than say Gregg Allman or Eric Clapton. He definitely doesn't smile when playing with their bands.
It has been years since I routinely purchase anything from the merch table, but this night had to be an exception. The tour poster was gorgeous! It was a limited edition of 350 signed by the artist for only $20. It features the blending of two guitars in red and blue with holograms. It was so sweet. Justin grabbed one earlier, and I picked up mine before the show finished.
After the encore, we said our goodbyes to Tonya and Justin. Congratulations again! It was easy to leave the venue because; most people had left early. I can understand being tired, but the music was just too good. Because Power Plant Live is party central for the kids, the cabs were lined up at the curb. We were back at home with in ten minutes. It was another successful night of non-stop good music. I know Teresa and Anna both had a great time. It was an awesome beginning to the anticipated weekend.
