Sarbear - 12-5-2009 at 09:11 AM
I have been talking with Alex's father about this concert. After it happened he had forwarded me this summary of it that he had also sent to some one
else. And now I'm sharing it with you.
"Brian, they were awe-some! Spontaneous, passionate, alive, Alex was psyched, his voice sounded good, the crowd was pure dynamo, all standing in front
(first three rows were taken out), jumping, waving, cheering, singing, and YES, it was SOLD OUT! Last minute, as you said; by 5 PM it was at 160, by 9
pm 220, sold out. When I got to the Opera House entrance, the sign was on the window and, like an old impressario, I heaved a sigh of relief,
adrenaline shooting thru me.
They scaled down the sound, made it more acoustic (with mikes, but nothing plugged in), we liked that, partly because it made Alex' voice more
prominent, partly because of the small space.
Unexpectedly, Alex invited audience members to come up on stage for his last song, "Brother". Barbara and I were standing at the edge of the stage; he
looked at me, waved his arm, asking me to come up; since stage level is over 3 feet high, he had to pull the old man up, by then bare chested due to
the heat, as was he. Old Man and son bare chested, sweaty, standing up there arm in arm. The crowd cheered wildly.
Alex announced Bluegrass - Wild Cheers! He handed the mike to me, I added "They will perform Saturday night, right after Sam Bush!" - Loud Cheers!
We invited more people on stage, including my daughter Gabi and Barbara, as well as about 15 others; we all sat on the stage floor, and he launched
into that beautiful lament about Heath Ledger. At one point he put his head on my shoulder, father and son blissed out. The crowd cheered again.
I never knew Heath, but being so close to Alex, arms around each other, I felt I knew him, as well as Alex' sadness having lost someone very dear to
him.
Lots of friends and strangers hung around long after it was all over. It was an evening of thrilling joy and excitement!
Thanks for all your friendship and care!
Daddy-O"
Sarbear - 12-5-2009 at 09:18 AM
Here's the first half of the email.
"Hi, Sara,
Thanks for asking. Brian Eyster is Planet Bluegrass marketing director. Like you, he was eager to know. Bluegrass is our biggest festival, Father's
Day weekend in June, 10,000 people show up!
The Sharpies were invited to perform, yesterday they were given a prime time slot, Saturday 10 PM, right after mandolin player Sam Bush, for many
years the biggest Bluegrass star! Couldn't be better!
Talk soon,
Daddy-O"
Sarbear - 12-5-2009 at 09:52 AM
Here is an article that was written before the concert.
http://www.telluridewatch.com/pages/full_story/push?article-...
imarob2 - 12-5-2009 at 05:03 PM
thanks for sharing.
what an interesting guy, although i wouldnt expect the apple to fall too far from the tree.
and i like that he calls the band the sharpies
Sarbear - 12-6-2009 at 06:07 AM
The apple has not fallen far from the tree. Not at all.