I am still up in the air somewhere, not ready to come down. I have had the most incredible experience I believe in my entire life other than the birth of my children and my marriage to my husband.

The NYC Concert was Awesome. I don't even know where to begin my report. I guess it should be at the concert itself. When Russell and the band T.O.F.O.G. came on stage I was awe struck, as you would expect me to be. He started off with "Mickey." One of my favorite songs. He looked down at me and I just melted and thought don't you dare pass out. From that point he sang his heart out. They did three encores which were several more songs each. I think if they could of he would have sang all night. His whole Aurora on stage was magnificent. He was covered in sweat, hair dripping and his unshaven face just beautiful. I am sure by now thye were all but give out.

I had also brought a gift for Russell, which I know he does not like to accept gifts but this was a special one. At this time in May we have Harley Bike Week here in Myrtle Beach for 2 WHOLE Weeks. For the bikers it is fun, residents not fun. So anyway I brought him a Bikers baseball cap and a Bikers T-shirt which says Myrtle Beach, SC on it. I wonder why? Bruno said he would give it to him. Now Bruno was taking orders for things to be brought back and signed. I got my t-shirt signed with a personal autograph "To Bobbie, Russell."

I was so ecstatic at this point I could hardly stand it. I thought I would explode. Previously to the start of the concert I had most of the band members sign my shirt. I lacked only a couple signatures which I was fortunate finally to get. My homemade shirt was a hit. Lots wanted to know where I got it. I want to mention also, I even got to meet Murph. What a pleasant lady she is. She also signed my shirt.

Now for the next absolutely awesome event was now going to happen for me. We were out side the concert hall and out of the door he came trying to get to the SUV in waiting. Step by step signing autographs as he worked his way. There were at least a hundred people there if not more. Slowly he made his way through the crowd of fans signing and being photographed. Tired as he had to be, he was sweet and charming to everyone there. Butttt now realizing he was coming right at me. His path was toward me. OMG what do I do try to take pictures or get "MYMH" album signed. I don't know how I did it but I got the plastic wrapper off the album with my teeth. You know how difficult that can be right. Next he was almost up to me, I handed him the album. He asked for my name and signed it to Bobbie. At this point I am saying to him "you are real," feeling his arm at the same time. That's all I could mutter. He said to me "How are ya doin' Luv. I could barely stand up. MsDarlyn was there with her camera and asked if it was alright to take a picture. She snapped it. Great picture WOW, now I am up on a cloud of some kind. To see this man up close in person was beyond my expectations.

Later like 11:30pm I am back at the hotel reliving my experiences. Like a kid at Christmas time with sugar plums dancing in their head. I'll bet I did not get to sleep till 3 or 4am. Finally again it occurred to me just how tired he had to be an yet there he was inching along a path to the SUV. Signing, talking and being photographed. So gracious and bigger than life itself. It was an ultimate experience. I did it all and just in one concert.

I know I want more now, but if I never get to go again, I have all my memories of this concert to relive and look back at. I did more than just go to the concert. I knew everyone was waiting for this part of my trip. Believe me I Am Absolutely Awestruck!!

Cheers Mates BobbieMsDarlyn [Darlyn], Me[Bobbie], & MommaBear[Margaret] Notice R.C.F.U. on My Shirt

It was an eleventh hour decision on my part to go to this gig and I ended up booking my ticket literally a couple of days before the event.

Some of my fellow fans are aware that I injured my back earlier this year and had to undergo some weeks of physio. I wasn't sure if flying all the way to New York and dancing around at a gig would be the best way forward with a back problem. LOL!! I ended up booking the trip, unbooking it, then booking it all over again. I don't know if I even knew myself whether or not I'd be present in that hall on the night.

What eventually decided me to get on that plane and support the band was when I finally got to hear the radio interviews Russell did with the US radio stations (especially the one where he chose the songs on the air.) His eagerness and enthusiasm about his other baby (no, not little Charlie or Stinky - but his music and what it means to him) was so apparent and genuine... when he talked about the band and the new songs and gave the gig as many plugs as he could fit in (in the hope that folks would just come along, give it a listen and judge it on it's merits) ....... I couldn't not get my ass out to New York!

Luckily my back held out (well, they do say endorphins are potent painkillers, right?) *grin* I got to the show and had a fantastic time. As I was so late in booking I ended up sitting in the balcony section, front row and that turned out to be not a bad option actually. I got a birds-eye view of the band on stage, the sound was better than when you're crushed up against the speakers at the very front stage, and there was plenty of room to dance around (which I feel is impossible not to do at a TOFOG gig.)

Due to having a lovely dinner at a neighbouring chinese restaurant with a couple of fellow fans I was a bit late and missed the opening act altogether but I got there in time to hear the strains of "Weather With You". (Is it just me, or does hearing that tune trigger a Pavlovian response of excitement to other TOFOG fans too? LOL!!) The hall was not full (indeed the balcony was almost empty.) I remember looking around me and thinking "look at the number of folks that could be here having a fun and enjoyable evening and they missed out on it". Ah well, it was their loss!) Those folks who did turn up seemed to a man (woman?) to get into the vibe of the night. Well, that's not strictly true. One or two drunks ladies made a bit of an arse of themselves and there was the obligatory "I must have a flash photo right up at the stage" brigade. I confess I did take photos but without a flash as it's so distracting to the guys when playing. Sorry to say they did not turn out for that very reason (see an example below. Isn't it a beauty........not!) LOL!!

I'll not repeat the set-list parrot fashion as it has been included in other gig reports before now. But to mention a few stand out points for me. I loved the longer version of Full Length of the River; Worst in the World just rocked; Testify..... goes without saying... it gets bums off seats and tappin' feets! Land of the Second Chance, Barry Kable (the intro to this version makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck every time I hear it.) I had to go get some water during the spoken intro to Mr. Harris but got back in time to hear a goosebump inducing a cappella delight that deserves more exposure. (And talking of exposure, I have a wacky theory about the songs the band perform and the fact that their repetoire includes such diverse genres. I suspect that in order to get the airplay that they sorely need they might need to carve a more definitive niche for at least the first commercial album, in order to hook a wider fanbase. For example, an album containing, say, the songs, Testify, the latest version of Barry Kable, Second Chance, Worst in the World, Full Length of the River, Another Girl, One Good Year, The Photograph Kills and Memorial Day would contain enough "air-play type" friendly songs. As much as I love Mr. Harris, My Hand My Heart, Raewyn and especially the band's version of Breathless etc. I think that having a combination of these slower, more reflective songs could be off putting for a record label trying to "place" the band's product. Once a band is more established it can often try to diversify a bit once they've gained more main-stream music fans who might be willing to give a listen to different genre albums based on a developed liking for the artist/group.) Anyway..... what the hell do I know..... and I digress.

Back to Wednesday's gig.... on the whole I found it to be a little bit more subdued and reflective (there's that word again!) than I was anticipating. Ending with My Hand My Heart was a culture shock but it seemed to be kinda fitting with this evening's vibe. There was still a lot of energy there but not quite as much as I've felt at one or two of the smokin' gigs I heard earlier in Oz. I wonder if it was maybe the location, accoustics or external factors at work. The absence of Maestro Doyle was a bummer and maybe that in itself was a bit of an anti-climax for the guys. But hey, after such a long and gruelling tour, it's inevitable fatigue and a degree of repetitiveness will set in. I have to give this band their dues..... they have played and sung their hearts out - each and every one of them - in a myriad of venues all over the world to promote their latest album. They've given so many fans such fantastic gig experiences, many of which I've ben privileged to attend. Those folks who haven't heard of TOFOG or enjoyed an evening with them when they're "on fire" don't know what they're missing. One of these days a record company will realise that.

So thanks to all the guys for a stellar night in the Big Apple - under some early and trying techncal difficulties - the boys did good. They also showed what troopers they all are by signing autographs and posing for pics with fans outside the venue, late at night, when they didn't have to. Kudos for that TOFOG.

One more thing before I finish.... I have to admit I was irked by that plexi-glass obscuring our view of the lovely Dave K. By mid-gig I was being distracted from the music by constructing a campaign in my head to "Free The Kingsford 1". *wink*

Rock on boys!!

Avril

Carrie

From Ann

I had the good fortune to attend Wednesday night’s concert and I have some comments about that event and then some thoughts on Russell, his career and on how the current celebrity craze is impacting him personally. These are things I want to say, and if Murph chooses to print them I am most grateful, and if she doesn’t, I won’t go to a message board, or an alternate venue. I have to remind myself that, just because I hold an opinion it is not necessarily something that the rest of the world needs to hear, or something that must be said. This era of blogging, a period of time when anyone with access to a computer and the Internet is able to improve mankind with their opinions and philosophies, can be dangerous for someone like me, who holds strong opinions and has never been afraid to voice them. I would like to make this short and sweet, but as people in my email circle know, “short and sweet” is not in my DNA. But I will rely on Murph to use her blue pencil, and ultimately decide whether this report is deserving of space on her website.

Wednesday was the second concert I have attended where Russell is front man. The first was in Chicago at the House of Blues and I will be honest and say that if I had not been told of the concert by the Hotel staff, I most likely would not have gone. And while I will admit to having had a bit of a crush on Russell after seeing “Gladiator” (c’mon, ladies, how could one not), I was unaware of his band and was unaware of his fandom. Some very nice surprises were in store – Russell and his band provided an enormously entertaining evening and I must say that I thought the band was good, but not great. The songs were enjoyable and Russell’s patter had all of us in stitches, held us spellbound, and again, in stitches – the time simply flew. And the other nice surprise was the friendliness of his fans. I was amazed that they all seemed to know each other, which I learned was the result of Internet message boards and various websites dedicated to him and his craft. I was told of “Murph’s Place” and started paying her visits after I returned home. It was there, and through the links to other sites, and to message boards, that I learned more about Russell Crowe than probably even Russell knows.

Well, the years passed, Russell appeared in more films, I learned of his movie career in Australia before the blessing (or curse…or perhaps, both) of stardom in the US befell him. I ordered and watched many of his Aussie movies, developed a real appreciation of his talent, dedication and work ethic. Oh, and that crush I had on Russell? – it was on Maximus, not Russell. I mean what woman would not want to have a man like Maximus as her mate? I have a wonderful, loving, handsome husband, but even he could not measure up to Maximus – and most likely, Russell does not either. Hard guy to emulate – all that athletic ability, not an ounce of fat, absolutely ethical, moral, attracted to women but able to resist for the sake of his wife and then for her memory, incredibly handsome. And so, around him (the human being, Russell Crowe) develops a circle of adoring fans, and Russell loses every ounce of privacy he ever had, and he finds he can’t eat a meal, go for a walk, even go to the bathroom without being studied, poked, prodded, photographed, speculated on, lied about and become the victim of other famous people’s ridiculously negative comments about him (are you listening, Ms. Rivers?) And so Russell perhaps didn’t instantly acclimate to this voracious, and sudden, attack on his privacy. It is a skill very few of us would have under the same circumstances.

There are those who would say, “Hey, he asked for it, when he became an actor. If he wanted his privacy he should have stayed in Australia.” Two answers to that one – any actor worth his salt would want as many people as possible to be aware of his skills and abilities, so of course he came to the US when given the opportunity. And secondly, guess where he has been for much of the last couple of years? – right! Australia.

And the years go by, and I find myself at another concert fronted by Russell Crowe. But this time, I know a lot about the guy. He has focused that same acting work ethic on his music and voila! – he’s actually good. No, he’s more than good. He’s almost great! That wonderful, sonorous speaking voice has become a wonderful baritone. He has found, and written songs that fit his style. (“Weight of a Man” has been on my iPod for months). And, perhaps his style isn’t “cool” right now, but it will be someday. His patter was entertaining as ever. He gave a woman an evening she’ll never forget when, in the middle of the show, he stopped everything to pose for a photo – and after, he politely asked that she not sneak down the aisle to take her shots.

I was thrilled to be invited backstage after the concert and this time also, there were surprises; Sting was there (wow!) I had a word with him and he enthusiastically agreed with me when I said I thought Russell was very good. And was that a hint of envy on Sting’s face when I spoke of Russell’s ability to hold an audience with his patter – and how entertaining he is, ad libbing. Sting just said, “Yeah, he is really great at that.” And also I observed Russell, who was charming and gracious and clearly exhausted, and who seemed genuinely pleased when thanked for a great evening, mustering a tired smile and an endearing, “Really? Cool!”

Because of my day job I have become acquainted with some celebrities, and I have had conversations with them. And you know what? - they are just people like the rest of us. If one greets them politely, in the same way one would greet any new acquaintance, they reciprocate in kind, most of the time. I have come to greatly respect their right to privacy, which they deserve as much as any of us do. If you think about it, how would any of us feel if a total stranger interrupted a meal we were having with dear old friends, or if we were walking in the park and a total stranger jumped in front of us and began snapping photos without identifying himself, or asking permission? – I would be more than a bit frightened – most of us would. I know that, for me, the price of fame would be too high. But I have been able to watch Russell grow and deal with his fame from a bit of a distance, but also from the point of view of someone who knows the downside of fame, who knows that people who have become celebrities are just that – people, and reading ugly untruths or half-truths about themselves hurts them. I am awed by the courage it took for Russell to appear on Letterman a while back. Who among us would have that kind of courage? Not I, I’ll have to admit. It’s been fun, Russell – “Weight of a Man will be on my iPod for quite some time to come. And thanks to those wonderful folks who work with you. The fact that you hire people of such quality shows just the kind of man you are.