Springing Forward

Another late night, more live music.

We went and saw Rhett Miller last night on his tour to promote his new cd, The Believer.

After I bought tickets, I also learned that two people I used to work with were also going to the concert. I knew it would be a fun night and I was right.

The show was at Sons of Hermann Hall on the outskirts of Deep Ellum. Again, another great venue - old, dingy, but no smoking in the main concert hall. I prefer the smaller places that only fit a few hundred people to arenas that fit 15,000-plus.

We got to the show a little after 9 because I wanted to see the opening act, a guy named Nicolai Dunger; he's a Swedish folk singer and I really enjoyed his music. His lyrics are well written and reveal a lot of pain and hurt in his life. I was put off, however, by the people there just to see Rhett and spent the opening act talking and not listening.

Melissa didn't care for him at all. After about two or three songs, she gave him the thumbs down and a raspberry, informing me she was going to find a place to sit down and come back later. I'd see her in another two hours.

Once Rhett took the stage, I spent a little bit of time thinking about how different people are impressed to different extents by various types of people.

For instance, it really does take a lot to impress me. Not to say that I don't find certain events extraordinary or memorable.

I'm sure there are people who view musicians and actors the way I view politicians. Then there are others who put musicians and actors in a different stratosphere and find anything they do as super-human.

I guess when it comes down to it, we're all people doing what our talents allow and hopefully it's something others enjoy.

That being said, the concert simply rocked.

And halfway through Question, Rhett paused and announced that somebody in the audience had a question for a certain young lady. Yes, an engagement proposal. While I am not a big fan of public proposals, I will admit this was a better way than on the scoreboard of an athletic event. And she said yes.

I was afraid that standing up for nearly four hours was going to hurt my back. I barely noticed the discomfort because I was enjoying myself so much. The music was loud enough that one could sing along and not be heard by the person standing next to you. Which, funny enough, completely contrasted with last Wednesday night. One could hear anybody else in the theatre singing along; it wasn't until the final song when Jenny asked everybody to sing along with her that audience participation was a good thing.

After the show, we ended up at a seedy diner that sold cheap but tasty food on a cash only basis. We were all grateful Angel carried enough cash to float us.

There was only one downside from the night - but not anything that I can blame on the show.

We got home at a respectable time, 2 o'clock. Then a minute later, it was 3:01. All of a sudden, it became way too late.