In keeping with my husband's concert-going theme, which seems to be "go see 'em before they croak," we went to see Merle Haggard perform last night at the Mondavi Center for Performing Arts in Davis, California. This time we finagled seats in the 6th row, center stage. Since I've never sat that close to the stage in Jackson Hall before, I didn't know that this row of seats was designed like the emergency exit rows on planes. It has extra leg room, which was a far cry from being stuck in Row U.
Some people may wonder why I am care about seating arrangements, but I'm telling you, it's the little things in life that matter. Big things are often easy to handle such as getting a ticket to the show. It's the little things that can make the journey pleasant or unpleasant.
Noel Haggard, Merle's son opened the show, but it didn't seem like his heart was in it. He just did his thing and left the stage. He was followed by these two guys in pompadours, the Malpass Brothers. This duo was pretty good -- lots of energy and enthusiasm -- and they looked just like a throwback to 1952.
After a brief intermission to sell CDs, Merle Haggard hit the stage. I sort of expected him to appear in a freshly tailored suit jacket like you see him wear in his publicity photos, but he walked on stage, moving carefully and slowly for a man of 72 who beat cancer, wearing a beat-up old jacket with fringe on the sleeves. He played like he's probably performed hundreds of thousands of times before, like a professional, never missing a beat, but it was lacking passion. His band of country legends, however, were solid and tight.
I found out 3 things, though, that I did not know by going to the show last night. The first is The Flying Burrito Brothers did not write White Line Fever. It was Merle. The second is I now know why Merle Haggard wrote Okie from Muskogee, "Because I was the only one that knew the words." That, and it had to be written, he said. And even without teeth, that saxophone player could play a mean horn.
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Certified HAFA Specialist
My Sacramento Real Estate Listings
Elizabeth Weintraub is an author, home buying columnist for The New York Times-owned About.com, a Land Park resident, and a Land Park real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown and East Sacramento. Weintraub is also a Sacramento Short Sale agent who lists and successfully sells short sales throughout the four-county Sacramento area. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you. Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate. DRE License # 00697006.
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How fun, Elizabeth! Sounds like you and your husband had a great time. I like the see 'em before they croak philosphy. We've been catching lots of great shows at the hotels in South Lake Tahoe over the years with the same premise.
Elizabeth - Ya gotta just love your husband's theme - "go see 'em before they croak," I have a few regrets in life that follow that theme. One of the more notible is missing the Grateful Dead while Jerry Garcia was still alive.
By the way, I meant to ask, have you been to Burning Man yet? If not, I think we should make a pact to go:-)
Hi Christianne: I bet you get to see Merle Haggard a lot at South Lake Tahoe. I hear he's been traveling the casino circuit for a while.
Hi Myrl: Hey, I got ya beat on Jerry Garcia. I have been to a Grateful Dead concert. Not that I remember it, though. As for Burning Man, I would want a big tent, with an inflatable mattress and the ability to order out for sushi, and somehow I don't think I'll get it. I hear people stand around naked in sandstorms.
You get to go to the best shows! I'm envious. I like Country music and Merle is great.
Check that off your bucket list. It sounds like a good memory.
You know I saw Merle play in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry. I had to stop and think what year it was and then it dawned on me it had to be 1982 when the world's fair was in Knoxville, TN *as we did those on the same vacation. I don't remember if he had passion or not, at the time I could have cared less as I was a teenager on vacation with my parents. But it's just one of those things I'm glad I got to do.
Elizabeth - Ditch the tent! We need to rent a motor home, pack it full of the right beverages, and groceries. I'm a good cook! I like comfort too! Tents don't have airconditioning:-)