O.A.R.

some thoughts on the show, the city and beyond.

Knoxville has been good to me in the past. the last show i went to i had 2nd row/center seats. i talked to Marc and Jerry for the first time there. oh, and Knoxville is lucky enough to have one of the BEST pizza places ever, Mellow Mushroom. they also have a very chill place called The World Grotto (http://www.worldgrotto.com). a great place for music downstairs and art and food upstairs. actually, the last time i went there i found Benj bought a photo from there earlier in the day.

so i knew this year's Knoxville show would be nothing short of incredible. of course, having front row/center stage seats was enough to make it just that, but the crowd's energy (even though kinda small) was infectious, as the band acknowledged early on. the setlist was pretty awesome too, the highlight being "Tonight" for sure. in meeting the guys after the show, Marc and Chris talked to my brother on the phone. it was a much needed pick-me-up for my brother, who was just leaving the Air Force and entering civilian life with no idea which path to take for the next stage of his life. i am sure he gained some inspiration from talking to Marc, especially. and it scored points for me being his big sister. after all, o.a.r. and the last Knoxville show i attended are the reason we met each other after a 17 year separation, and upon first talking to him found he loves o.a.r. (almost) as much as i do.

even though i live in Columbus, i dont know many people who listen to o.a.r. as much as i do (well, at least no one my age anyways.) when i go to shows here it seems i, at 26, am one of the oldest fans. and people my age say "yea, i used to listen to them a lot, used to go see them back in high school, but these days..." like they grew out of them.

i, on the other hand, have grown WITH o.a.r. and all i can say is "thanks" to the guys for another great show. and i can't wait for the next. and the next. and the next...so don't you ever quit, don't you ever stop.