| You know, I
really have to hand it to these guys. Their single stays
at #1 for months, the album goes platinum, the tour is
sold out. However, they don't seem to have let any of
this go to their heads. We're talking about the
friendliest, most down-to-earth guys you could ever
meet. After meeting them, you walk away feeling not like
you just met three stuffy music superstars, but as if
you just made three new friends. That is just how I
felt, and still feel to this day.
I have had the privilege of meeting them not once,
but rather four times. I know, there are some of you out
there who have been lucky or diligent enough to see them
more than that, but I feel honored to have had the
chances that I did.
 The
first encounter was at the local radio station. The guys
were doing an interview on the air. I just happened to
work in the building immediately next door to the
station, so I wandered over and asked if I could meet
them. The DJ and the guys said it was ok, so I sat down
and waited.
A few minutes later, out came John and Dan. John
walked over and shook my hand. I told him that I'd be at
the concert that night, but that I'd really appreciate
an autograph. He took the pen and paper I had, and
started to write. In the meantime, Dan had walked over
and sat down next to me. We started chatting, and John
kept writing. I laughed and asked John if he was writing
a novel. Dan grinned and said no, he was probably
writing me a song.
Now, out comes Dylan, stumbling through the door with
a guitar case. The four of us gabbed for a few minutes,
everyone signed my paper, John kissed my hand, (blush!)
and we all rode down in the elevator together. My day
was made!! |
|
However, I bumped into them by their bus later that
night, after the concert. John looked up and said
"Hey, you're Dora" I was tickled pink. We hung
around and talked about nothing in particular for about
45 minutes.
On with our lives. The sold-out tour was reaching an
end, and I wasn't sure what these guys had up their
sleeves for the future, so I figured I'd better do
something fast if I was going to insure I'd see them one
more time!! I made my airline reservations to New York
City, made my hotel reservations, and ordered my concert
tickets. I was determined to go to their final show at
Tramps. When everything was set, I called John at the
venue in Minneapolis. Naturally, he accepted the call
without a problem. (see, I'm telling you, these guys are
GREAT!) I told him I'd be in NYC, and wanted to know if
they'd have time to do dinner or something. Well,
understandably, he said he'd want to spend time with his
wife and son.
New York City, Tramps, 21st Street, March 23, 1998.
The place was packed!! The guys looked rested and
relaxed. Glad to be home, I'm sure. The concert was
great!! John had to go and make some comment about
surfing the crowd, and being in New York, the crowd
obliged. Kept security busy!! But, I found myself
backstage after the performance. I walked over to John,
his eyes got really big, he smiled and said "I can't
believe you're here!!" He looked at a friend of his
nearby and said "She told me she was coming, but I
didn't believe her!" Then he hugged me and told me I was
nuts. It was worth it, though. Nuts or not, I had the
best time of my life. And that is why I named my page
Marcy Nuts, 'cause that's me!
Then there is Austin, Texas, May 25,1998!! The guys
were on tour with Fastball and Everclear. I got to see
them again, I had a blast. John even dedicated
Love Bug to me onstage!! In front of 2800
people!! I blushed SOOOO bad and My knees were weak!!
John broke a guitar string on stage during Secret
Squirrel, but the determined John finished without it!!
The crowd in New York was mellow in comparison to these
people. It was wild in that place!!
NEW! April 16, 2004, I saw the guys at LuvShack
in Houston Texas. It was for the Buzzfest 2004
pre-concert party. I must say, they were simply
amazing! Even after nearly six years, they still
got it!!
They played a few old songs, and quite a few of the
new releases. The crowd seemed to have approved!
There were some guys who kept yelling "SECRET SQUIRREL"
to John. He told them "Yeah, I heard you about ten
times now!" But, they didn't play it
anyway!!
There were two new additions to the band, Gonzo on
the drums, and Jon Dryden on the keyboard. Definitely a positive addition!
They were both great!
This is a great life, especially when John, Dan, and
Dylan, and now Gonzo, are a part of it!!
MY MESSAGE TO THE GUYS OF MARCY PLAYGROUND: Guys,
don't forget where you came from, and PLEASE don't
ever change who you are. That's what sets
you apart from and above all the rest. I love you guys!!
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