Owen's Groovies Adventure

The last couple of weeks have been crazy. I've been working nonstop with our big festival happening Sunday. I mean, truly, nonstop. In there somewhere, the three guys drove to Knoxville and bought a car. Then Ernie and Owen took off on Friday for DC. Oh, and we went to southern Illinois for the eclipse too. Crazy.

It appears that I hadn't told anyone about this trip. Perhaps it's because I was somewhat embarrassed. Back in June I think it was, the Flamin Groovies announced a tour. The top of Owen's head almost popped off he was so excited; he loves them with all of his heart (it's a good thing I love them too because I can not TELL you how much I hear the Groovies, whether their recordings or Owen's guitar). Owen loves hard, as I do, well, as we all do, and the Groovies just speak to him in a way nobody else does. There didn't seem to be any midwestern dates on the tour at that time and all I could think was, "DAMN, that boy needs to see them." So much in the tradition of my mother pulling me out of school to go to Michigan to hear Lowell Innes lecture on 19th century Pittsburgh glass (and no, it's really not that different), I decided we had to figure out how to make it happen. I started poking around online at all the venues. Most seemed to be 21+. I sent an email to Hill Country in DC, saying, "Are under 21 allowed in with a parent? My 15 year old is a die hard Groovies fan...." I got a nice email back saying he'd be welcome, and then it was followed by an email that tickled me, "You, my friend, have the coolest 15 year old ever," from John O'Neill, the talent buyer for the place. I decided that because Owen had never been to DC, I could somehow rationalize it. I went on a trip to DC in middle school, and we sent Leo on a trip to DC when he was in middle school. The school had stop offering them by Owen's time though, and somehow I feel it's important to see when you're young. So....NO, we couldn't afford this at all but I booked tickets. It was over the weekend of Matsuri, the festival at work, but I figured what the heck. And then I never mentioned it to anyone because I assumed they would say, "What the HELL Cynthia?"

Friday morning....oh shit, I just realized I forgot to call the school yesterday. Damn it. Anyway, Friday morning I got up at 4:00 am to drive them to the airport. Oh, oh, oh, and on Thursday I had gathered up my courage and emailed John O'Neill back saying...well, I'll just copy our exchange below:

Hello, I wrote you earlier in the summer about bringing my 15 year old to see the Groovies. He is indeed going to be there, actually with his father, not me, and is beyond excited.

I'm going to barrel ahead with this question even though I'm a bit embarrassed. Is there any chance he would be able to meet the band? I mean I realize it's up to the band of course, not you, but wondered if you had any recommendations on the best way to do that without being obnoxious.

I hope you don't mind me asking. If you only knew how excited this kid is....

Best,
Cynthia

 

Funny, I was thinking when you initially emailed that I need to get your kid in front of the band.

I happen to have a bit of personal history with Cyril from my San Francisco journalism days. I can’t say 100% yes, but let me see what we can’t pull off here.

John

 

Man, you are one incredibly kind guy. Of course, I totally understand if it doesn't work, but for you to make an effort is tremendously kind. Thank you so much.

C

 

Nah. I can just remember being a younger guy (pre-internet) when the Groovies were more of a whispered fable than a tangible thing and how I’d have given my right arm just to have the opportunity to get in any type of proximity to the band. Hell, I was 35 years old when Cyril’s voice appeared on my answering machine looking to chat and it still took me a few days to screw up the nerve to even call him back. At the end of the day I’m still that fifteen year old kid when it comes to my idols and thousands of shows haven’t changed a thing! So I think I have a pretty good idea of what this might mean to your guy.

So, what’s your boy’s name?  I want to have that when I call management today.

J

 

How lovely, huh? Truly lovely. I told Owen he shouldn't get his hopes up because you never know, and sent him off on the plane. He texted me from the plane saying he'd forgotten his (Dad's) western shirt he was planning to wear. $32.55 later I had overnighted it. Sweet Jesus I'm a sucker. The silver lining there is that it arrived late, just in time, as he and Ernie were leaving for the club, for him to wear it, but late enough that I can get my money back (and Chris Wilson told him he had a shirt just like it).

 

Owen said they got to the place, had something to eat, got in line, hit the merch table and wandered around. They ended up finding John and talking to him. He even kindly set aside their purchases for them. Then Ernie took off to get a beer or got to the bathroom or something, and Owen told me John came out on stage and beckoned to him. Owen did the "who me?" head swing and then went over and John took him backstage to meet the band.  Owen said John opened the door to the green room and there were Cyril Jordan and Chris Wilson. They stood up, shook his hand, and said, "Owen, it's good to meet you." OMFG. He ended up meeting them all, and a couple of other guys...oh, and the person filming for the Flamin Groovies movies. Cyril asked him if his band was writing and talked to him about writing Shake Some Action. Again I say, OMFG.

 

Do you hear doves fluttering? I think I did when Ernie texted me and said, "Cynthia I can't get any pics because your boy has been hanging out backstage w the band !!!! I hope you're happy." And oh, good God, I was.

 Cyril Jordan and all the guys could not have been kinder. Truly, truly kind and generous. They get it. As John said, we've all been that 15 year old. And yes, Cyril DID hand Owen his guitar. And I'm so proud that Owen was smart enough to ask someone to take a picture because, as he explained, "My mom will kill me if I don't get a picture." Yes, he knows of what he speaks. I would indeed have killed him.

I love this face which seems to say, "I can't believe I'm actually holding Cyril Jordan's Dan Armstrong:

 More to follow...as I'm rushing to work. They got in last night and I'm so glad they're back home but my heart is beyond happy that it was such a good weekend. And now Owen certainly can't bitch when I say I expect excellent grades this year. Ha!

Much love to John O'Neill, Cyril Jordan, Chris Wilson, Tony Sales, Chris von Sneidern, Barry, and argh...can't remember all the other names Owen told me---and now he's off to school. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your kindness, and of course, for the music.

Here's a video I found from that night...