Misty's Stories
Misty's Stories
Well, I just found this club yesterday and it took all day and most of this morning to read the posts starting at #1. I just love reading all your "meeting Andy" stories. Keep them coming. I too have a brief story to share.
My sister-in-law asked me a few weeks before our county fair if I wanted to go see Andy Griggs in concert there. She had bought tickets hoping I would go because she knew I love country music. I am so ashamed that I really didn't recognize his name. (I know you all want to slap me right now) But I love concerts and said I'd go with her. She said I would know Andy if I saw him. I asked what songs he did and new I've heard them before. All she said about how he looked was "He's HOT!!" I really haven't been to any county fair concerts before and didn't know if I could take a camera. Sorry me I didn't. The concert was on Aug. 3 at the McLean County Fair, Bloomington, IL (about 25 miles away from where we live). Brad Paisely was there the night before. I'm glad she didn't get tickets for that one - Andy's show was the greatest!! He did such a wonderful performance with so much soul and energy built into it. He really talks to the audience and cares about his fans. The whole crowd was on their feet most of the time. He probably got so much screams of "I love you Andy" from this crowd than he has at other shows
As I was typing, from his first words out of his mouth I was hooked as a lifelong fan! I can't believe the emotions he made me feel with his songs. I know I've heard them on the radio, but seeing him sing in person just makes his feelings so real. The show lasted about and hour and a half. He was great! At one point a lot of fans went to the front of the stage to stand, and of course we were right along with them. Before he ended "I'll Go Crazy" the security guards made us go back to our seats because people were complaining they could'nt see. But we did have second row seats off to the left and could still see just fine. He asked, "Where's everybody goin'? Well it was fun while it lasted!" He dedicated "She's More" to a couple in the first row who were to be married in a week. I thought that was so sweet.
My sister-in-law said Andy would probably be signing autographs after the show, and I almost died knowing I could get the chance to actually meet a performer I've just seen. Most other concerts I've been to were huge functions where the lines were about 20 miles long (o.k. I'm exaggerating, but you know what I mean). After Andy said good night we went to the merchandise table and bought the most awesome picture I've seen of Andy for him to autograph. The best is yet to come! To our surprise he came back out and sang "Sweet Home Alabama" and we rushed back up front of the stage to see him again. There were two people in wheelchairs who had spots right in front of him within reaching distance and CJ came over with t'shirts for both of them. Next Andy show I will suddenly have a disability or something (just kidding, but would it work?) After that song he said he really had to go. We saw two lines forming for autographs so we split up and waited in both. No one wanted to tell us which line he would be signing autographs at. Finally I joined my sis-in-law in her line (which she was really close to the front)
When it was my sis-in-laws turn she gave him the photo and he asked her name. He signed it and she said thank you. Now it's my turn and I was feeling a little numb because I was so close to him. I barely managed to hand him the photo when he asked "What's your name Ma'am?" My sis-in-law said to me "He called you Ma'am." Andy replied, "I call all the pretty girls Ma'am." I could have lost it right there, but for some unknown reason I was still standing. I told him my name was Misty and he said "That's a very pretty name. Is it southern?" I replied that I was originally from Kentucky and that my momma had named me after a race horse in the Kentucky Derby, "Misty Dawn". I asked him to sign "Love Ya Lots" on mine just to be different, and he did! He handed me the photo and said "Hope you had a good time, I know I did." I asked where he was headed next and he said New Jersey for a show tomorrow. I told him he had a long way to go and I hope he would get done here soon so he could rest. My sis-in-law had to actually drag me away from him! He is so GREAT!! I know I've said that about a trillion times already, but it's true, you all know it. I don't remember walking back to the car because I was floating on Cloud 9.
I only have one more thing to type and I mean this in a good, spiritual way (cause Andy is such a spiritual guy) "I love this man!"
Andy at Illinois State Fair
O.K. well here goes. I left work early at 4:00p to run home and change clothes and gather all the things I had for Andy. Kissed the kids and husband goodbye and went to pick up my sister-in-law, Hollie. She was ready so we headed off to Springfield, IL (about 1 1/2 hours). We pulled into a parking area around 6:00p and went to find the Grandstand area. There were already people lined up to be let in at 7:00p for standing room only (right in front of the stage)and Grandstand seats, so we waited the hour to be let in with the crowd. We did grab a bite to eat because my stomach was doin' flip-flops. 7:00p we're being let in and people make a mad dash for the stage. We were about four rows away from the stage and off to the left where Clay usually is. A few minutes later Ty came out to shine and tune the many guitars. He was the only one we saw before the show. I never heard them announce a meet & greet, so I don't think there was one. The security was Illinois State Troopers, and I didn't really want to cause any commotion with them or risk being taken to the slammer. (hahaha) The show started and only a few people started screaming. I guess most of them were there for Brooks and Dunn. So Hollie and I had the job of screaming the loudest so Andy would look our way the most (and he did!!) I know at one point during the show he had to be looking (or singing) right to me, his stare was so intense. He did pretty much the same show I saw at the McLean County Fair a couple weeks ago. This guy standing in front of me probably thought I was nuts or something 'cause I knew word-for-word what Andy was going to say when introducing the band members and when he talked about "Waitin' on Sundown". The whole show was still great even though it was almost the same! ANDY IS GREAT!! He just puts so much heart and soul into everything.
Now comes the good part. Before the show a radio announcer said Andy would be signing autographs under the Grandstand at the merchandise table. So right after Andy said "Goodbye All" we made our way to the t-shirt table. There was a mob of people waiting in line already and then it happened. Security was bringing Andy right through the middle of this mob and when I turned to see him he was standing directly in front of me. I just had to touch him and I grabbed his right arm! (I would have grabbed his butt if the Secrity guy wasn't standing in my way) Andy must have felt my touch 'cause he looked at me and smiled. One Security guard said we had to form a single file line up against a wall or else be thrown out. So Hollie and I zig-zagged our way into the line so we could stay fairly up front. It was my turn and I gave Andy my lure with the small card attached that read: "To: Andy From: Your Loyal Fans 'Andy's Anglers' http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/andygriggsfans" I told him he had received other lures from a couple of us from the yahoo club and that he needed to check it out sometime. He then said "Thank You. Do you know what this lure is perfect for? Night fishing. It's great. Thank you." I then gave him a picture of my two kids holding a sign that read: "Hi Andy Griggs. Happy Birthday! August 13, 2000". I had him sign it to Ashley and Austin and autograph it, then I gave him another copy for him to keep. I also had him sign my ticket stub (right over where it said Brooks and Dunn - hahaha). I told him that he was the only reason I was there, and he thanked me again. Hollie got her ticket stub autographed while I took a picture of Andy. The Security guard made us leave before I could buy a t-shirt for Andy to autograph (you had to stand in a different line for t-shirts, then go through the autograph line for Andy to sign it). I did end up buying a t-shirt, but Andy had been taken out already, so we left and went back to watch Brooks and Dunn (since we came all that way, why not see them too). I was a little down-hearted after leaving Andy 'cause I don't know when I'll get to see him again (in my dreams of course!!).
