LA - March 10 from Carole:

Random Thoughts:

How DO they get those damned show rooms so hot? Don't they understand that the geriatric faction is already hot enough?

Would you like me to tell you all I know about the shoes each member of the band wears? When you are eye-level with their knees, you see a lot of their shoes.

How do the shows just keep getting better and better?

Did you realize that if you stand close enough to the stage the drums will reverberate through your rib cage? For hours? After three nights, maybe days.

Now for the report:

Pretty much the same set as Wednesday and Thursday with the following changes -- they opened with "Darby's Castle" -- and they do it so well!

We were treated to several reincarnations of The Preacher this evening. He came out early and promised us that he'd be back later and he was. We were all welcomed to the membership of the Church of Lost Souls of the traveling Church of the Vanguard (or some thing that sounded sort of like that. In addition to the Poseidon Adventure tale featuring Shelley Winters and Gene Hackman's hair we got the entreatment to purchase take-out food at the neighborhood fast food joints because for every meal we purchased the restraurant would donate $1 to the church.

And then we all testified -- after Russell pointed out that the band was at that approximate time performing the same song on the Leno Show.

At one point in the evening I began to suspect that not only was Russell "channeling" a Preacher -- but that Elvis Presley was trying to break through as well -- I'm telling you that Russell can move! It's more than an old lady's heart can stand.

The band was wonderful again. I wish you could all hear them sing "Mr. Harris" one time live -- the harmony is just remarkable.

When they left after the encores and Stewie left his trumpets, I knew we were in for a treat. Stuart Hunter came back out by himself and began a beautiful version of "The Star Spangled Banner" and we all sang along -- at one point getting ahead of him -- he was great.

In the meantime, the stage crew had come out and moved the microphones around --- very mysterious!

The rest of the guys came back on the stage and Russell told us that we were going to do some more group singing and that since we were going to sing an Irish song, we were going to be joined by the greatest Irish singer in the world -- and (as you know by now) Elvis Costello took the stage.

He played Russell's Gretsch and we sang what might be the worlds longest version of "Molly Malone". Chris handed Elvis his electric guitar (and he played the accoustic guitar) while Elvis sang "I'm Just a Man Who's Misunderstood". The band was rocking -- and so were we.

They closed with Folsom Prison Blues -- and it just couldn't be any better.

Jax (Russell Crowe Heaven) was standing beside me and she took excellent notes, so journey over there for a more detailed report.

It's been a hoot! I'm so sorry that you ALL couldn't have been here with us -- and hope that all of our reports have conveyed our joy to you and that you shared in the fun we were having.

Oh, Yeah! Leno! You are not going to believe this, but there were other people from Panama City, Florida in the line right behind me. One of our great local ministers, his wife, and her mother were right there! That was amazing.

But it gets better! We were shown to exactly the same seats that we sat in two and a half years ago when we went to Leno to see Russell and the guest performers were ZZ Top!

The show was hysterical -- I mean, Terry Bradshaw's naked butt followed by a woman who revived a dead chicken by giving it a blow job (her brother-in-laws words, not mine), followed by TOFOG II singing Testify? What's not to love!

The band did an outstanding job and the sound in the studio was great -- I just hope it was great on the tape. Russell then went over and talked to Jay for a little while, explained about changing the name and keeping the same initials so save money on shirts and equipment -- and then announced "just between you and me, Jay" that the new baby was going to be a boy.

Charlie's 1st choice for a brother's name was "Pumpkin head" -- he lated opted for "Stinky".

The absolutely funniest thing about the entire show won't make it to the tape -- but the young people sitting around us didn't know who Terry Bradshaw was.

The HVAC unit at the Hyatt has taken a dive and we are informed that the rooms are either freezing or jungle hot --- you can automatically guess which one I got -- and I'd kill for a freezing room right about now -- they brought me a fan and it's making a marvelous difference.

I'm going back down to the bar now and hang out with the kids! If for no other reason than to remind them that they don't know where their parents and grandparents are. My grandson is now "lurking" here to follow my travels -- is that amazing?

Good night and God Bless!

Report on LA HOB - Part 1 from Carole:

Well, I lost another brand new, perfectly good shirt last night -- and probably pi$$ed Mickey Mouse off! I got Russell sweat on my beautiful new shirt from Disney -- black shirt with a gorgeous MM head in Svaroski crystal. Now I'll have to encase it in plexiglass for posterity! Oh! The price one pays!

I'm not going to address the sound problems or the mike changes except to say that I have mucho faith in Bruno's ability to "explain" to the sound guys the difference there will be for tonight's performance.

Two opening acts -- a beautiful young woman from Sydney with a gorgeous voice and a great deal of skill on the guitar sang some great songs. Do not let the fact that I can't remember her name diminish her talent. She was quite good.

And then there's Darren (or it might be Darin) who never fails to entertain. His program was longer than on Wednesday and we got some Bob Marley, and his own creation "The Ordinary Fear of God is Coming" (thank you, thank you, thank you). This is one gifted young man.

The set list was the same as last night with the addition of "Easy and Free" and yes, DEAN DOES SING -- I was pained to discover that there were several who doubted my previous "Dean sings" report. I really enjoyed that one, as well as "Mr. Harris" -- the tight harmony is marvelous.

The crowd was a bit loud -- Russell looked out at one segment of "hollerers" and one point and said something like "Let me guess ---- you're from Canada, right?"

There was once again a great gathering of "us" from Croweland -- at one point I looked around the restaurant and the bar and there were TOFOG shirts as far as the eye could see. One enterprising fan had had "TOFOG" embroidered on her Chicago HOB shirt / jacket and it looked great. Some were lucky enough to be seated by the glass wall which looks down on the stage as the band was doing sound check. When they got to "Testify" and the onlookers raised their hands for "take me down to the river" their motion caught The Preacher's eye and he waved up at them.

And "The Preacher" was there! In full bloom! I'm not sure there's an adequate way to describe "The Preacher" for those of you who have never seen an old-fashioned he!!-raising gospel preacher "perform" on T.V. -- but Russell has obviously putting some of his midnight hours in hotels to good use watching them because he has got the performance down pat.

The Preacher's rug was in place at the beginning of the show (complete with taped down set lists) and I think that the carpet is there so that Russell doesn't fall down on the very slippery stage and break his beautiful young a$$.

I can also report that quite a few of us who were ready, in Chicago, to "stomp over" others less fortunate than we were as we raced toward the stage, are now finding ourselves on the "handicapped list" and certainly appreciate the HOB's special care in seeing that we get in without being "stomped over". Keep Penny in your prayers the first of the week as she goes in for a complete right knee replacement.

I won't be far behind her if I continue my "groupie" ways of dancing into midnight! And I committed last night to go to two weekends of a Jazz Festival in New Orleans! I can't wait to tell Mr. G.A. that he's committed to at least one of those weekends.

Security was "airport tight" with bag inspections and metal wanding. The lucky guy who got me didn't quite understand why I needed a plastic bag full of little TOFOG I & TOFOG II bookmarks.

The "show" was great! In spite of the fact that the sound sucked during the first portion. Now, not only is Russell picking on Stewie, Bones has got into the act and I thought Stewie was going to deck him with a trumpet. And Dean! I know I'm getting on up there and my memory is not what it once was, but I can't remember seeing Dean enjoy a show any more than he did last night.

THIS IS A GREAT BAND! And I'm going to continue yelling that out because it is the truth!

After the show and after they threw us out of the HOB, those still young enough to walk and celebrate continued on in the bar at the Hyatt. The walking wounded found their ways to their beds, where they slept with their feet up on the headboard to encourage the swelling in their legs and ankles to go down --- never away, just down!

Mary Murphy -- you are loved!

Carol

I have to share my personal joy at being reunited with one of my heart's friends last night (and again today and tonight). The internet is a great "friendship" tool, but there is nothing like a dozen or so full body "hugs of joy" with a loved one to brighten your day!