Whitefish, MT
|
Whitefish, MT |
|
|
With temperatures rapidly dropping, and a wind blowing in over the mountain, the John Prine Concert was delayed a few minutes. Crew came out and squee-geed the wet stage floor, and moved John's collection of guitars back into usable position. With a set predetermined to take just one hour, John and his crew wasted no time in rolling. "Blow Up Your TV" was played, and the crowd started screaming. The front of the stage suddenly had a few people standing, cheering, waving, approving already of John and his music. "6 O'Clock News," drew more patrons, and the cheering never stopped. More people joined the ranks at the stage to see John closer. John was in great spirits again, and smiled to the people in his audience. This concert was held in late afternoon, and it was daylight. John could see his crowd, could watch them, could hear them. He was having a ball with the show. By the time "this song's for Andy and Opie!" (Fish and Whistle) was over, the standing at the stage front was 10 feet deep.. It was getting difficult to see John and the band at all from a little farther back on the slight grade down to the stage. "You've Got Gold," and "All The Best" came and went with the normal high approval of these songs. Men were heard yelling, "WE LOVE YOU, JOHN!" and the guys screaming all looked quite straight...John has that effect on men and women! "Picture Show" was a screamer for the audience, appreciating the fine guitar licks by Jason and the antics of Phil Parlapiano. "Dude's taking videos of US!" was heard from one fellow, as Phil, during his performance, would pick up his camera and scan the audience, take pictures of John performing, and of the crowd yelling and waving at John. Constant talking, off-mike, by John to Jason and Phil gave the whole concert the happy, fun-feel that it emitted. These guys were working, but by God, they were also playing and having fun. It was not lost on this audience. John could have played to this crowd for the rest of the day, and they'd have all stayed. But "Big Head Todd and The Monsters" was due up for a two-hour show, and John's show had to be shortened. Instead of holding "Illegal Smile" for an encore number, John kept the band after their normal break at the conclusion of "Angel From Montgomery" and they launched in to it......and yes, the people in Whitefish, Montana, 10,000 miles away from anywhere in the universe, also know every word in every line to that classic, and they proved it by singing all the way. John's enjoyment was evident, as he wandered about the stage smiling and nodding, watching his fans, encouraging, and then, as usual, yelling "WELL DONE!" "Daddy's Little Pumpkin" and "Ain't Hurtin' Nobody," were included in John's act tonight, and the talents of his band members was amply displayed and put out for the entertainment of the fans. Fans love John, but they really appreciate the help given by this collection of Lost Dogs, and their applause should never leave any doubt with the band members. This group is almost like a single unit, knowing when each of the other is going to breathe, and their team effort is never less than remarkable. "Lake Marie" would have brought the crowd to their feet, except they already were, all the way back for perhaps 200 feet. As the people in front of the stage grew deeper, those behind had to stand, and soon the dominoes went all the way back. Everyone in the meadow was standing before "Lake Marie" and certainly no one was about to sit down after that performance. How many songs can John do in sixty minutes? Trivia answer #1 today...was....a dozen! Concert: Big Mountain Resort, Whitefish,
Montana JOHN PRINE'S SET LIST, LATE AFTERNOON CONCERT, BIG MOUNTAIN 1. BLOW UP YOUR TV Just 200 miles away from Sandpoint is the scenic mountain-top site of the Whitefish, Montana, John Prine concert. Reached by highway, gravel roads, and much patience, the normal 4-hour drive is more like six hours with the road construction and mountain switchbacks. Arrival at John's site, however, makes up for all the frayed nerves of the anxious traveler: the scenery is breathtaking, situated atop a mountain, literally, with both forested and snow-capped peaks within view of the eye. Whitefish is a vacationeer's destination, a place to escape reality. Boasting probably a hundred motels, nonetheless they were filled for miles around; reservations are a must if you plan on spending the night in this mountain paradise. The seating, like most outdoor venues, was lawn chairs or standing, or sitting on the ground. The large stage was set up with a view of ski lift cabs in constant motion rising up the mountain in the distance, up, up, and then taking a turn at the top to proceed on, out of sight. Even a non-skier might enjoy the floating up the mountain over the ski trails below. Crowds at this concert were enthusiastic and generally orderly. Two girls, however, before RB's great performance, were physically removed from the center of the audience after having a fight. Motorcycle enthusiasts were in ample supply, bringing lots of leather and not much soap, and forgetting altogether their mufflers. 60's look-alike ladies were evident all over, featuring straight graying hair in many cases, full cotton skirts, and generally carrying with them an attitude of peace and solitude. Small children were present, but the majority of the audience probably averaged about 30 years old. There was evidence that John was known to them, by the old Prine T-shirts sported by the concert-goers. Outside cooking seemed to garner the most business, although there was also a bar that sold food as well as drinks, located nearby and inside. Tickets were purchased for burgers, cheeseburgers, sausage, and pop, and then exchanged for the diner's choice of food. The cooking smells on the mountain breeze made the attraction of a $5 sandwich or a $3 beer irresistible, and business was brisk. Threatening weather was there, and after RB began, it rained...and rained...and rained. Stage helpers came out while RB was singing, and moved equipment back farther into the safety of the overhead canvas. It grew colder. The rain continued. RB sang. Souvenir shirt sales were overtaken by baggie-like "poncho" sales for a half hour. For $2 you could get a printed "Big Mountain" trash bag with drawstrings and arm and head holes. It was a timely and valuable purchase, as the temperature there on the mountain dropped at least 10 degrees during RB's performance. Looking at the crowd, RB decided, as they remained, listening, applauding, laughing at his stories, to stick it out, and he never stopped. He had won their approval when he first came out and before beginning his second song, "Devil Woman," he said...."Hi, I'm RB Morris, and I know you've never heard of me! Well, that's OK, 'cause I don't know you either!" He then went on to mention his travels as an eighteen-year old and his passage twice through Fish Lake, and he was in: this was practically a local boy, and besides that, he had a great sense of humor. RB left with some new fans, and now they have heard of him in Whitefish, Montana. --Jerry Briggs--(WOG)--Aug 8, 1997.....Whitefish, Montana, Big Mountain...
|
|
|
©1996-2016 John Prine Shrine |
