The "JB" Story
It was an ordinary day. We were on our way home from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. We are true “Parrotheads” now. The story started about five years before when we were visiting in State College with our friends Jerry and Sue. We were headed to Whipple’s Dam for a swim. Jerry turned on a new CD they had just purchased and “Margaritaville” started playing. Next was “Cheeseburger in Paradise”. “Who’s that singing?” I asked. Sue said from the back seat, “Jimmy Buffett.” We were hooked! I grew up with Elvis, Ricky Nelson, Roy Orbison, Little Richard, Bill Haley, Frankie Avalon ....... you know.... old time Rock and Roll. Carol was right behind me with The Beetles, Beach Boys and Robert Goulet (that’s what she told me!). So who is this Buffett dude? Seems he’s not really Rock and Roll, even though he is the same age as us, and he’s not really country. He has his own genre. And we love it and can relate to the music and the lyrics. We have almost every CD, Video and book he has made or written. We finally decided it was time to go to a concert! Yea, us! To a concert! Carol looked online to see where he was playing and found he was going to be in Philadelphia during his “Salty Piece of Land” tour. We had a month
to get tickets. Ticketmaster was our first choice. All sold out! We tried his website. No luck. We finally found 2 tickets online, but I can’t remember where. Doesn’t matter. Sounded like a great deal, and it was. 2 seats, 5 rows behind the dugout in Citizens Bank Park. I had been there numerous times to see the Phillies and knew that these had to be great seats. We assumed he set up the stage around 2nd base and we would be right in the front. Seat price online was a little high, but we were determined to see our new favorite artist. We mailed a check for $250.00 and received the tickets a few days later. Tickets were as advertised: Field Level 117, Row 5, Seats 11/12. “What’s this?” I asked Carol. “$88.00!” I think we were taken. Oh well, we wanted to see JB. Thursday, August 25 came and we headed to Phila. about 3:00 PM for the 8:00 concert. Had my Hawaiian shirt on since this was the closest thing I had to beach wear. Timing was great and we arrived about 5:00 and found parking in the lot adjacent to the stadium. Many tailgating parties going on already. We walked around
the outside of the stadium and visited all the displays that must travel with the concert. Had to get a “Tour” T-shirt and a tattoo on my head if I’m going to look the part. Taste tested quite a few of the sample concoctions at the stands also. We decided to head in to the stadium when the gates opened at 6:00 so we could get something to eat. “Let’s see where our seats are first,” I said to Carol. We headed toward home plate and yep, there they were. The only problem is the stage is set up way out in centerfield. The entire infield and outfield is covered with chairs. But, we are at a JB Concert and it really doesn’t matter. Headed to McFaddens Restaurant in the stadium for supper, then to our seats. The excitement was building! People were dressed in Cheeseburger hats, parrot hats, pickle hats and a variety of many other outfits. Then...........the musicians entered the stage. All of a sudden, “Piece of Work” resounded all over the stadium. And it was LOUD!!!! The next two plus hours were fabulous. Don't think we sat a minute. Then it ended. “ONE MORE” everyone yelled. The lights in the stadium had dimmed somewhat. All of a sudden a spotlight came on, shining on a large shark that was moving across the spectators. Then the band headed into “Fins” with everyone swaying back and forth with their arms above their head illustrating “fins to the left, fins to the right.” Chills up and down my spine! AND THEN IT WAS OVER. Easy exit from the stadium and out of the parking lot. What an evening. Now all I have to do is get me one of those parrot headpieces for the next one! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
to get tickets. Ticketmaster was our first choice. All sold out! We tried his website. No luck. We finally found 2 tickets online, but I can’t remember where. Doesn’t matter. Sounded like a great deal, and it was. 2 seats, 5 rows behind the dugout in Citizens Bank Park. I had been there numerous times to see the Phillies and knew that these had to be great seats. We assumed he set up the stage around 2nd base and we would be right in the front. Seat price online was a little high, but we were determined to see our new favorite artist. We mailed a check for $250.00 and received the tickets a few days later. Tickets were as advertised: Field Level 117, Row 5, Seats 11/12. “What’s this?” I asked Carol. “$88.00!” I think we were taken. Oh well, we wanted to see JB. Thursday, August 25 came and we headed to Phila. about 3:00 PM for the 8:00 concert. Had my Hawaiian shirt on since this was the closest thing I had to beach wear. Timing was great and we arrived about 5:00 and found parking in the lot adjacent to the stadium. Many tailgating parties going on already. We walked around
the outside of the stadium and visited all the displays that must travel with the concert. Had to get a “Tour” T-shirt and a tattoo on my head if I’m going to look the part. Taste tested quite a few of the sample concoctions at the stands also. We decided to head in to the stadium when the gates opened at 6:00 so we could get something to eat. “Let’s see where our seats are first,” I said to Carol. We headed toward home plate and yep, there they were. The only problem is the stage is set up way out in centerfield. The entire infield and outfield is covered with chairs. But, we are at a JB Concert and it really doesn’t matter. Headed to McFaddens Restaurant in the stadium for supper, then to our seats. The excitement was building! People were dressed in Cheeseburger hats, parrot hats, pickle hats and a variety of many other outfits. Then...........the musicians entered the stage. All of a sudden, “Piece of Work” resounded all over the stadium. And it was LOUD!!!! The next two plus hours were fabulous. Don't think we sat a minute. Then it ended. “ONE MORE” everyone yelled. The lights in the stadium had dimmed somewhat. All of a sudden a spotlight came on, shining on a large shark that was moving across the spectators. Then the band headed into “Fins” with everyone swaying back and forth with their arms above their head illustrating “fins to the left, fins to the right.” Chills up and down my spine! AND THEN IT WAS OVER. Easy exit from the stadium and out of the parking lot. What an evening. Now all I have to do is get me one of those parrot headpieces for the next one! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
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