So back to the Styx concert. For the first time ever we left Kaelyn with non-family as we went out for the night . . . well, if you don't count the three weeks when she was in the NICU it was the first time ever. Ed and Sheryl offered to watch her [THANKS AGAIN, GUYS!] so Kelly, Larry and I met up with Tim at Corwin Nixon Park and found a good place to watch the concert.
Spending three years in Mason gave me a good community sense, so I feel I can authoritatively offer that it was a good mixture of residents and non-residents alike. Masonic influence was present as people instinctively lined up their lawn chairs in meticulously ordered rows without being directed. But the non-Mason goyim were there as well, identifiable by their denim cut-off shorts and fishing coolers lined with beer. Yes, friends, you could sense a good time was to be had by all.
It was great to run into some people from Christ's Church who were there. The crowd was so large, there were probably some there we didn't get to see. I'll bet the seniors group was somewhere near the front, showing some skin in the hope of getting called backstage.
Beyond the actual concert, the city did well to be as lame as possible. The "opening act" was selected individuals singing the same patriotic songs in different forms. Then the city officials felt obligated to milk the opportunity for some free face time. I will say that the mayor's remarks were so laughable I'm not going to repeat them here suffice to say that, according to her, I think Styx won our freedom from the British.
And then the band played.
The band opened with "Blue Collar Man" which I found ironic since the city is rather white collar. A quick transition to "Grand Illusion" and, before I knew it, we were singing the tribute to my niece. Of course, they finally decided to play the notorious "Obscure Song From The First Album That No One Knows Except Die-Hard Fans." I looked around the crowd, wondering if anyone was familiar with the song, and I saw him. "He" was the ultimate Styx fan. I was impressed. Very impressed, in fact. I'm just saying that he knew the verses to songs the band didn't even remember. I had to take a photograph of him so Tim and Larry parted the waters so I could snap this:
It wasn't a good pic, but something to remember him by. He was absolutely amazing. I shall never forget him and his devotion to Styx-ism.
The ninety minutes flew by. Before we knew it, it was over. But we didn't go far, knowing that an encore was in store. There was but one song that remained. A little "Renegade" to serenade us home. They did not disappoint. Oh mama, they brought it home.
As we walked away, the fireworks exploding above our heads was the exclamation point on the perfect night. We rocked out friends. And freedom rang.
For a little more, refer to this post or gaze longingly at this picture:
