THERE'S A GIRL IN CEDAR RAPIDS

John Prine with Pat McLaughlin at the Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids, IA

I apologize about being tongue tied, he thinks it's funny and says that he was ready for me to try to stump him - (ouch, I kick myself again) 

At some point John asked for a Sharpie (knowing that I always carry 5 or 6 when I go to Prine show) and I'll be damned... (another boot falls) I only had a miserable little skinny thing and a thick red one. Oh sigh, it's not that big of a deal, but I really was as sharp as a marble tonight. I handed John a document full of questions that had come from the emails, chat room, letters and message board in the shrine. He looked at it, looked at me, looked at it again and said "Homework, huh?" Someday, maybe he'll answer a few of them, then again, I think he said he never was much of a student. I'll remain hopeful. 

Last of the highlights: Terry and I walked back to the hotel, got a little lost, looked for "likes2grow" Deb and her wild ones and came up with nobody. The hotel bar was closed so we rode the elevator up to our room and as we turned the corner, just ahead of us was the man himself.  I chuckle and my husband says something about musicians,  loud parties and our room being right next to the a noisy ice machine. John turned and grinned but appears to not be able to get into his room fast enough, says he'll probably make a trip to the ice machine but not to worry, and closes the door...it locks, I'm thinking that he's thinking we were following him like some insane fans with a website... it was just dumb luck.. it was just bound to happen sooner or later.. 

The next morning after breakfast on the very top floor, we again rode that magic elevator and who should be waiting for it... yeah, that John guy. NOW I feel like a stalker when Terry says something to John like "Are you stalking us?"  Niceties and goodbyes are exchange and John rides off into the down shaft. He's pretty together for not being a morning person. Do you realize that this basically normal ( what is normal anyway) guy went from a dare to career and and has remained an employed musician/songwriter ever since? That every single one of his albums are still in production today? That after 30 years on the road, he still brings us what we want and a little more? As his mother once told me, "I raised 'em right" and she did. I truly believe that he can sit back now and say "I Got Gold"

Bizarre and cool is how I would classify this concert experience, never mind the fact that a couple pairs of boots fell hard to the floor. I didn't have to perform any stupid human tricks this time but did someone say "Bizarre?" 

Hell, we must be in Iowa.

~2003 Reeda Buresh