"What do you have in mind?" I replied.
"Nelson is playing in Iowa."
"IOWA? All the way in IOWA?"
"Yeah, it's only about a 2-2 1/2 hour drive."
"Really? That's it? Yeah, I'm in."
One week later, Kate and I trekked west to Iowa to see Matthew and Gunnar Nelson perform Ricky Nelson Remembered at the Isle of Capri Convention Center and Casino.
Kate and I arrived at the hotel attached to the venue and checked in. After getting settled in our room, we strutted over to the convention center to scope out Section B, where our general admission seats were located. Kate and I are "seat snobs" and like to get as CLOSE TO THE STAGE as possible. The closest seats to center stage were in Section A, which was set aside for high rollers--which Kate and I are NOT--so Section B was as good as it was going to get for us that night. FORTUNATELY, Section A was a small section in the middle, with Section B surrounding it, with front row seats on either side.
With our target seats in mind, we headed back toward the hotel. Kate, who is obsessed with her iPhone 5, which DOESN'T HOLD A CHARGE, noticed that she was running low on batteries, as usual. DUH! Which meant it was a life and death matter for us to find an outlet in which to plug Kate's phone. We found a cozy little corner with a bench, and outlet nearby, and sat down to check FB and Twitter while her phone charged. While we were scrolling through FB, Matthew and Gunnar passed by with their gear. We exchanged fast, "Hello's" as they were on their way.
Once Kate's phone was charged, we went back to our room to get ready for the show. The hotel attendants had advised us to LINE UP EARLY to get good seats. So at 4:00 pm (the show started at 7:30, with doors opening at 6:30), we got in line. We happened to be the first ones to line up by the door, with several other fans showing up to stand in line with us less than 5 minutes after we arrived. Within an hour the line had grown considerably. Not long after that, the convention center staff admitted all of us entrance to the venue ahead of schedule. By 5:45 Kate and I were in our seats, front row, Section B the two seats closest to the center isle.
I don't want to ruin any surprises in the show, so I'm choosing to leave out a lot of details that I could put in this blog. I would, however, like to share a personal story from the show. At one point Gunnar was in the audience playing his guitar--right in front of us--that was NICE, Kate, wasn't it? Anyway, there was a woman of mature age (Ricky Nelson fan, I'm guessing) off to the side of the front of the stage trying to snap a pic of Matthew. Gunnar happened to spot what she was doing. He snatched her phone from her, took it up to the stage and took a picture of Matthew up close for her and then handed her back her phone. Needless to say the audience roared with laughter. (Matthew and Gunnar are so engaging in concert...I hope you go see them if they swing by your way.) I was trying to take a picture of Gunnar while he was up close, but unbeknownst to me, I had my camera on video, so I got this scene--all 10 seconds of it--on video and I thought I'd share it with you.
Of course, Nelson fans, the guys always do at least one Nelson song for the Nelson fans in the audience. Here it is, Love and Affection. (Yeah, yeah, if you're one of my regular readers, you know that I am NOT the best videoographer around, but it's the best I've got...so enjoy it anyway!)
When Kate and I saw the Ricky Nelson Remembered show in the Chicago suburb of St. Charles recently, Matthew and Gunnar stayed after the show to greet any fans that wanted to meet them. But the Isle of Capri show was a bigger venue and a bigger crowd, and we both figured that there wasn't ANY CHANCE that they would stay after to greet fans again, BUT at the end of the show they announced that they would stick around to greet fans that wanted to meet them.
Before getting in line to meet the guys, Kate was lucky enough to snatch one of Matt's guitar picks and I got a set list, 'cause that's how we roll, right, Kate? Here's the pic!
With set list and guitar pick in hand, we got in line to for the after-show meet and greet. Here is Kate's picture with Matthew (left) and Gunnar (right). I know that you have glowing demon eyes in this pic (#eviltwin) Kate, but Matt looks way too good here not to share it. I know, I know, you're taking one for the team, and we all love you for it. Yes, Gunnar's right eye has a bit of the "demon glow." You're rubbing off on him, I see.
Aaaannnddd, here's my pic with Matthew (left) and Gunnar (right). Yes, you're right, Kate. This is a better picture of Gunnar than in the pic with you...he looks good here!
(Actually, when Kate and I saw Matthew and Gunner in St. Charles, our pics turned out way better. If you want to see those pics you can click here.)
Kate and I both had a great time watching Matthew and Gunnar perform, and I hope to see them again soon. Since the Iowa show, they've been promoting on both FB and Twitter a #Nelson25Anniversary tour. We're hoping to see them just once more...
On that note, here is the last song Matthew and Gunnar played at the Iowa show, Just Once More.
Kate says, who are we kidding, we'd see them more than, "just once more." Kate, STOP RUINING MY AWESOME OUTRO!
The BATHROOM song, Kate? That's how we're gonna end this thing? What's that, Kate? It's "cheeky?" No pun intended. Uh huh, right. You totally intended that pun. OK. Here goes.
Yeah, I can't top that. I've got nothing...nothing more to say.
Until next time...
All the Best,
Erica Basile
