ROAD TRIP TO BRISTOL AND GREENVILLE
BY CRUSHER

I had such a Great Time on the Bristol & Greenville Road Trip I had to Share it.... The Lake Marie crew arrived in Bristol by noon, found the Paramount Theater and our hotel in that order. As we brought in our gear I heard a car door outside and WOG had come over to welcome us to our new home, as we visited Kathy 47 and her Hubby Tom, also from Wisconsin pulled in to join us. We all shared a few stories and Smiles, We then wondered aimlessly back to the stage door area at the Paramount and walked in with our man WOG (thanks again Jerry)  visited with Mitchell and Eric till John, Jason and David came in, We then just took a seat in the theater to enjoy a nice long soundcheck, I even got to help John with a line in a song I've never heard him do live. "A Good Time" has been a favorite of mine for many years, I helped with "point of view", John said "Thanks" and kept on singing. We also met up with Trout at the soundcheck and he was staying at the same place as the rest of us, so we headed back to the hotel. The phone rang and I smiled cause I knew that meant we had more company, as Fannie, Donna Donna, Spin and Christine invited us to the luxury suite they were staying in (looked alot like my room, just had wallpaper) as I walked to the room. Two Beautiful Young Ladies charged out from under a stairwell and jumped on me, This was turning out to be one Heck of A Great Day for me. We all hugged and swapped stories and Smiles till it was time for the show. We all had seats in row 2 except Donna Donna, she had no ticket to a sold out show.  She found a single ticket at the box office in the First Row:-) When John, Jason and David came out the place went nuts and you could feel the warmth from John's Big Smile, He was truly glad to be back!!! The show was wonderful with John sharing stories with us all, told everyone what has been going on in his life and everyone missed him, He could tell.  After a Great Show we exited thru the back door to the rear parking area and stood around visiting when Jason, David, and R.B. came out.  We walked over near the door and Fannie got to give John the book she put together from the Shrine, John was with his wife and Al Bunetta but he stopped and talked with Fannie and Donna Donna, I even got a good picture of the moment!! Everyone was too excited to sleep so it was Laugh, Joke, Smile, Beer, Smile and more Beer till the wee hours:-) Breakfast came early but everyone still seemed giggly from the previous night. I could not say toast so they ordered for me and I got Grits and some really good gravy. Parting ways was a Bummer, everyone made me feel like an old friend. On to Greenville and a new home again, As Spike and I wondered the downtown streets we bumped into a couple faces we saw the night before in Bristol, John Prine , Al Bunnetta and his wife, John recognized Spike and I so we walked and Talked for a block or so. We talked a bunch about Reeda and Fannie, the Shrine, being a Dad, how he was feeling and the shows we go see in Wis. He is such a warm and Friendly Man...Gave him a hug and told him we were all so glad he is O.K. Went to the soundcheck again but missed WOG so we stood in the back for a few songs, got some guitar picks from Eric for friends back home, and he told us we need to bring Wis. cheese next trip. Met up with WOG and NUTT and enjoyed another Great show with a New Song, Think it's called "Bear Creek" water tasting like sweet cherry wine!!! Could more new songs be far away??? I think it's a song for the Bear from the left coast!!! Got to visit with Nutt and WOG after the show and then it was time to pack it in for the ride home. After 2 Great Shows, some Great New Friends, Visits with John, Many Many Big Smiles I have a warmth in my heart and this Big old Goofy Grin on my face, wish we could have shared this with everyone, Reeda and Fannie you got gold inside of you, Thanks for all you do...

XXOO Ride Safe Everyone...See you in Wisconsin...