From: Tammy Park, unofficial CNN/RMNNews correspondent for Westbury, NY
Subject: Aug. 5th, 1997 --- Richard Marx concert
Destination: Westbury Music Fair, Westbury, NY.
Events that were held: Eat & Greet, Meet & Greet, and RICHARD MARX in CONCERT
Last night, all of Long Island, New York was rocked to the core by the sensational singer/songwriter, Richard Marx. However, before this awesome display of wonderful talent, the Repeat Offenders and their guests met for a time of fun, food and picture taking at the Long Island Brewery Company LIBC). Craig, my fiancee, took group shots with everyone's camera with some of us asking for more to be taken. Craig cracked a joke about it being a "repeat offense" for some of us.
Janet Blackwell was our very friendly coordinator who also passed out our tickets since Lisa C. couldn't make the trip. (Lisa, we missed you! Thanks for organizing the tix and hotel for us!)
The Eat & Greet was terrific...the weather afterwards was horrible! A SEVERE Thunderstorm happened. Hail, wind, rain, and lightening did not dampen our moods though! We all temporarily went our separate ways and then met once again at the Westbury Music Fair.
Once inside the building, everyone chated amongst themselves waiting for the doors to open to bring us one step closer to Richard and the night I've been waiting 10 years for. Mike took a few pics to end a roll of the poster that the Eat & Greeters made for Richard's dad. We converged on the concession area to see if and RM merchandise was on sale...Crapitol's done it again...no surprise...no merchandise either! The doors to the concert area opened and we all begain to filter in to find our seats. LISA was right, there wasn't really a bad seat in the house!
Janet went to check to see if we could go backstage before 8. We couldn't and Janet discovered that Richard was running late. We all hung back by the backstage door waiting for RM to show.
Meanwhile...Grey Eye Glances opened up for Richard. What a performance! Even got my fiancee to buy their latest CD because of their show!
Finally...the moment arrived...Richard...here we come! We were allowed backstage to see RM. Pointed to a little area next to a water cooler and vending machines. We patiently waited to meet him. Don walked by as I was walking to the area. We exchanged hellos (what a pleasant and good looking guy!) and I got ready for Richard's entrance. Hands shaking...stomach tied in knots. Much worse than when RM was at the Borders in Bryn Mawr on April 11th, 1997!
Meeting Richard was great. I managed to take a few shots of RM with other ROers before it was my turn. I gave Richard a hug and then presented him with a poster that the Eat & Greet ROers signed for his dad (Thanks Amy for getting it started!). He said thank you very much and said that he would make sure his father got the poster. I then asked him to sign the group shot from his Bryn Mawr Borders appearance and the press release kit of Flesh and Bone for me and he did. Alas, my time with RM was up, must go find my seat and wait for him to come on!
The lights go dark, Rob comes out to the keyboard and begins the music. Followed by Billy on drums and then Don and of course Richard, they start the concert off with UIFYA. The crowd goes wild, especially us ROers for the song and Richard! What an awesome show! Richard got roses from a girl, joked about being on a stage that goes around in a circle, the sound sucking (a guy agreed with him) and was presented with a big ole floppy bunny (or was it a dog?) from another girl when he asked "Where's the security" jokingly. Did the "best kept secret by Crap..Capitol" joke...double plywood and some more songs.
I myself took four roles of film and am praying that at least one shot comes out from the roles. I'm tired, my voice is starting to return to normal, and my throat is still a little sore, but last night is a night I will never forget!
Richard thanked our group for our prayers for his dad and just had a good ole time performing his music.
Oh, some of you know about the ring, well...I gave it to Craig during the first line of N&F... "You make sense of madness..." and yes, it was the right time to give it to him because even though the song is from a man to a woman, Craig is my rock of gibraltar and guides me when I need it (thanks everyone for the advice). Stacey and Geri! Thanks for being SOOOO supportive...Alex and Mike, you guys were terrific. You made Craig feel like he truly belonged even though he wasn't sure of the group of us at first. I can't say that we converted Craig, but after I gave him the ring, he saw Richard and RM's music in a better light.
Richard was exciting, fun, and awesome to watch. His show went similar to Atlanta with the same jokes, but it was new to me. Thanks everyone for sharing this experience for me and allowing me to go nutty! You all were fun to be around even if I'm weird! MaryEllen got some great shots! I want copies! I'll keep you posted on my pics. Camille keep your fingers crossed!
wuv, Tammy, the unofficial CNN/RMNNews correspondent for Westbury.
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