Well, here I am at the last review. My last Van Zant show (at least for
this
time around I say with fingers and toes crossed).
I left Myrtle Beach around 11 and headed for Raleigh, without any clue as to how to get to the Lincoln Theater. The show had been moved from The Ritz, but that was okay because I didn't know where that was either. When I got to Raleigh I bought a street map and found it after about a million turns down what seemed like every street in town.
I saw Brian and John right away, setting up (it was around 3:30, so way early) for the soundcheck so I kind of slid inside. I spoke to John and asked if it was okay if I just stood around a bit, because I planned to drive straight home after the show and not get a hotel this time. He said that was no problem, so I took a position near his soundboard (very very small little thing that was "house" equipment and he had to keep sending out to radio shack for parts for).
The place was very small it seemed to me and there wasn't much open space in front of the stage (there was an elevated row of tables and a bar cluttering up the place). I couldn't imagine Donnie and Johnny playing someplace that little (600 people capacity). The stage was barely raised at all, tiny, and there was a small barrier in front of it, set up at an angle so fans couldn't get right up to the stage. Mojo and Michael Cartellone were already there, working with the road crew on setting up equipment and trying to get the small area workable.
The band arrived and there were several comments made about the size of the stage (Johnny felt he might get killed by the microphone being slung by someone who will remain nameless haha). The first thing that Donnie took care of when he came on stage was the barrier in front of it. He wanted it straightened so people could get up closer, and more people could get up at the stage. We love you Donnie. The band then began running through some of their set, beginning with the sounds from Oklahoma. Donnie said he wanted to do some of Show Me, not all of it, and Johnny walked around the building
listening to the acoustics. Donnie ran through Wild Eyed Southern Boys alone, did parts of Heart of An Angel so they could hear the sound when a ballad is performed, and did most of Brickyard Road alone (WOW), with Johnny walking on stage to help him out a bit toward the end. Both brothers then did all of Downright and Dangerous and what a treat that was to see.
They were walking around, taking the time to chat a bit, and I thought they both seemed very relaxed and in good moods. They joked about the setting, and were meticulous about being sure they were comfortable with the set up and things being just right, before they left. It was so exciting to watch, and I feel honored to have had the opportunity.
Now, for the show. The Katies opened again, and again, the crowd reacted well to them. The singer/bassist kept us informed how many more songs they were doing before it was Van-Zant time all through the performance, so the anticipation was raised for Van Zant all through the Katies set. And I have to say I thought they were very good. The drummer even broke a drumstick and spent several minutes just banging away with one stick and his right hand. The show must go on indeed.....
Then came the time we had all been waiting for. The place seemed to be packed wall to wall and I thought we at the front row might get crushed when the guys came out. There was some pushing but we survived and didn't give an inch. It was so strange to be THAT close at a show, I have never been that close to the stage. It was almost like Donnie and Johnny were just standing directly in front of me playing. In fact, it was just like they were, because....well, they were. The stage was literally just one step up from the floor. Highlights again were Livin A Lie (you really just need to see and hear Donnie do this one live, it is the only one Johnny literally steps all the way back for him to do), Rage (which we in the audience screamed the words to right along with Donnie and Johnny), Brickyard Road....Okay, let me stop here and talk about this performance. Every night that song has been a major highlight, but on this night, up this close.....it was just magic. At one point Donnie closed his eyes and just sat there moving just a bit to the music. Johnny watched him and reached over and put his hand on Donnie's shoulder. Donnie then opened his eyes and looked at Johnny, smiled, put his hand up to touch his eyes, and gave him a little touch back. It seemed a personal moment that we were so fortunate to be allowed to witness. They both said the "Mama's in Heaven" line very forcefully looking straight at each other, and as the song closed, Johnny grabbed Donnie and hugged him. They kept holding to each other until the applause for that song ended. It was just a moment in time to always remember.
There was also much much cutting up during the whole show, with Donnie kicking at Jeff's back at one point then made a face because he had raised his leg a bit too high. When he saw I had noticed, he laughed and made another face. Donnie and Johnny both seemed to really enjoy the close up interaction with the fans, and the fans were the most respectful I had witnessed. The brothers stayed right down at the front of the stage and nobody grabbed them or tried to pull on them at all. It was wonderful. At one point a lady behind me handed Johnny a red rose, and he showed it to Donnie kind of bragging he had gotten it. Well, while Johnny went to stick it in the drum riser for all to see, Donnie walked down to the lady who gave HIM a rose also. The funniest thing was when he showed it to Johnny as if to say "SEE I got one too"...they both laughed a lot over that. Get What You Got Comin was sang very loudly by the audience, which seemed to know every word. All the new songs went over VERY very well, I know the guys must be so proud of that (I sure was). The close was again "Last Time" and again the words changed to "this WON'T be the last time" with the brothers making sure we got that and even asking the audience to sing the changed line with them. They definitely intend to do this again.
When I left I told Johnny it had been the best concert I had ever been to. And I meant every word. These two men gave it their all every night, had a BLAST doing it, and had as much fun as the fans did at every show. God bless you Donnie and Johnny, Eric, Michael, Mojo, and Jeff and thank you for all your hard work Mark Rogers, Brian, David, John, and BC!! It has been an experience I will never ever forget!
