December 5, 1998
We rushed home from Wisconsin last night, so I could get a review
up before we went to bed, ----- and came home to a dead phone line!
Wow, - the phone I can do without, but NOT the internet connection.
:( But as you can tell it is back now so, here goes!!!!
Jessica and Jamie, and Al and I left about noon for Neenah, Wisconsin,
and Jessica colored pictures for the Riders to pass the time; Christmas
Teddy Bear pictures for all... and James road shotgun for Al, and was
in charge of toll fees. ---- It wasn't as far as I had figured, - only
about
a four hour ride, and we arrived in plenty of time to have dinner and
find a motel room, --- lounge around a while, -- and still get to the
theater about a half hour early. ---- Seating was just about to capacity,
- and we were front row, just a tad to the left, - in front of Woody and
Joey. (I couldn't have planned it better) --
It was show #55 for me. I don't believe Doug gave a number for them,
as they did not come out with their usual opening. It was a Christmas
start, and it was WONDERFUL. The orchestra only did two numbers
alone, at the beginning of the sets, - and most of RITS numbers were
Christmas one, intermingled with a few of their own numbers.
the official program read like this.
Sleigh Ride
Intermission
Hanukkah Songs
and it looked short when first read, - but we were please to see that
the guys added more of their own top numbers in, such as
Hoop Dee Doo (Which Jessica absolutely loves to sing and clap to)
Palindrome (one of James favorites) and "Questions for Riders".
I once again asked a question for "Too Shy" Jamie, and this time
we hit pay dirt!
I ask them that since the sing "Rudolph", -- could they name all
10 of the reindeer in the song. ---- Not much interest was shown
in the question, and it looked like it might fall on the floor, but
Slim finally bit, and started naming the first eight, -- and
remembered Rudolph, ----- and just stopped and thought for the
tenth.............. I said, --- "You know the other one, don't you?"
while he did a puzzled take, and I (in my very loud best stage
voice) said "You know, --- Olive!!!!" to which Slim looked
perplexed, ---- and Doug was ready to go on to another question.
I said "Olive...the other reindeer!!!" --- and the house roared!!!
Slim asked Jamie if he wanted to write for them, -- said they could
use him, and doubled over laughing as he walked to our side of
the stage and gave us the tape and shook hands, and said he loved it
-- And Jamie was thrilled that after the show folks kept coming up
to him and telling him how great a question it was.
Cyberpals score two night is a Row. Wahhhh hoooooo!!!
This had to have been one of the best shows I have ever seen! What
more moving combination could their be! Our guys, -- a symphony
orchestra, -- and Christmas Music!!!!! I was overwhelmed by the
beauty and emotion of the evening.
With the orchestra on stage, their wasn't much room left for the guys,
and their monitors were right up to the edge of the stage, - about 3
feet in front of us, and the guys were right behind them. Sitting in
the front row had us literally sitting at their feet, and it didn't take
me but about two numbers to figure out that I couldn't sit the evening
with my head tipped up looking at them, so I just slid down in my
seat, rested my head on the cushioned back of the seat, -- and settled
down to melt to their music. With Jessica cuddled up on one side,
and James on the other, ---- and the house lights on for the orchestra,
we had lots of interaction with the guys. Jessica would wave and
smile and they would back... then she would squirm and giggle, -
and snuggle up to me more. ----- ahhhhhhhhh........... you'd have to
go a long way to find a happier couple of cowgirls!
Riders of course received a standing ovation, and came back with
the medley of songs that they do on their Christmas Album, with
Ranger Doug's beautifully written ending............and as they left
the stage for a final time, Woody stopped and did a few rope
tricks, -- and hit them! Way to go Woodrow!!!
Normally we sit and wait for the crowd to thin, but the kids were
tired of sitting, so we went out in the lobby, --- where Jamie was
almost a little star with all the comments on his question. And an
older couple who hadn't heard the answer came up and asked what
it was, and then the man introduced himself as Joey's dad. He said
they could tell we were big fans by the way we were dressed. (jeans,
Riders Denim Jackets and cowboy boots, --- and Jess had her Roy
Rogers Cowboy hat). He asked where we were from and such and
if we are going to be in Madison in Feb. at the Civic Center, to which
I said "Of course!" (roads permitting)
I had left my Riders Roundup in the van, so we walked out and found
it, -- killing a little time, --- and Jessica got her colored pages for
RITS,
and we headed back in. --------- Slim was the first to see us as the crowd
thinned, and he thanked Jamie again for the question. I told him about
the gift bag full of presents that was waiting for him on the bus, and he
sent his and Bert's thanks to all of the cyberpals for thinking of them.
Jamie got his 8 track tape signed, I got my Roundup signed, and Al had
his program signed --- as we stood around and talked with the them.
Slim said that he hope the baby waits till he's home, - it's due the 21st,
- and Woody is having his left hand operated on for the same problem
he had with the left hand on the 21st. The tendon in his little finger is
pulling the finger inward restricting movement. -- So after the baby and
his surgery, there will be a couple week break from the road.
Jessica, who in the past has been very shy with they guys, was bold
and loud armed with her colorings, and talked up a storm. Jamie
and Woody compared the after affects of surgery, -- and all
Riders moaned about the trip ahead of them. -- 2500 to California
-with arrival planned for this evening. -- WOW!
Not a single flashbulb went off during the show, so I had kept my
camera holstered, --- but as everyone left, on person asked if they
could get a group picture of the guys, --- so as soon as they were
done, I tried to scoot the kids in for a photo, too, --- but Grampa
had to coax Jessica up to them. -- She remembered that she was
shy. ---- And I, with a disposable camera that I didn't know how
to operate, ---- tried and tried to get the flash to work, and on the
fourth try it finally did. --------- then, ---- as always happens, ---
it was over. --- With goodbyes and best wishes, --- we let them
kick us out. ---
Wow!! Not only did we get to attend a wonderful concert with
America's favorite Cowboys, -- but we know those guys toooo!!!
Heaven don't get no better than this! Sighhhhhh..............
Bobbie
Christmas Times a Comin'
Corn Water and Wood
White Christmas
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Old Fashioned Christmas Polka
Riding Home on Christmas Eve
and The Christmas Yodel
Merry Christmas from Harmony Ranch
Tumbling Tumbleweeds
Ghost Riders in the Sky
Cool Water
Sidemeat's Christmas Goose
Virgen Maria
and The Last Christmas Medley
Cyberpals
All photos and material © 1998 by contributing cyberpal.