Not a chance. Even though I caught the doubleheader Saturday at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago, I couldn't wait to see the guys again and even more so see what my son's reaction would be seeing them live. He has seen dozens of videos and LOVES (I mean LOVES) the official Marvin Gaye video as well as the Movie Medley video. In fact, those two songs were what he was most hoping to see/hear.
** Side note - I can't express enough how thrilled I am that he has immersed himself in SNC's music. But I'm a little concerned that I'm going to one day receive a call from his Catholic school principal saying "Mr. Bentel, can you come to school? Your son is Marvin Gaye-ing in the hallway.**
So off we go, according to MapQuest a straight shot east from Chicago to South Bend. On the way, no doubt worn out from eager anticipation, Cooper feel asleep. He only woke up when he felt the car turning around. "Where are we? Are we there yet?" "No," I told him, "we have to turn around."
Something didn't feel quite right when I passed a sign that said "WELCOME TO MICHIGAN". I'm not exactly Magellan, but even I understood that Michigan didn't stand between Chicago and South Bend. Not to worry, a quick U-turn and we were back on track. I had told Cooper that if we arrived early enough we could try to find SNC's tour bus. Well, we arrived early, but it was rather cool and windy so we hustled right into the theater, grabbed a beverage and found our seats.
The show started with Tyler singing lead on "Shut Up and Dance" and Cooper was captivated. He didn't have to wait long for Mike to knock Marvin Gaye out of the park.
*Oh, I should point out that no matter how many times you've seen SNC, there is always something you haven't seen. For instance, at the intermission we were fortunate enough to catch up with COTM Dottie Kovacs and her charming daughter Robyn. Dottie asked how this show compared to the two I saw on Saturday. In all honesty, the show was exactly the same, word verbatim on the intros, same set list (except that since we were in Indiana the boys added "Back Home Again in Indiana"), everything, so it was the same . . . except that it wasn't - courtesy of Mike Luginbill.
During Marvin Gaye the guys (namely Jerome and Steve) like to offer their talents and accoutrements to various female attendees in the first row. Mike, not wanting to be outdone, channeled his inner rock star and jumped up on one of the floor speakers. Or should I say "tried" to jump up on the speaker. Well, he made it to the top, but didn't stay there for long as the speaker immediately started to tip over and almost planted Mike in the lust filled and helping hands of some women in the first row. Showing cat-like agility, Mike managed to stay on stage, shook his head and in between lines said "I swear I thought that was taped down." He sang a few more lines, made his way to the other speakers and said "I'm just going to check these .. . ", kicked them, saw that they moved as well and finished the song without another Mick Jagger incident. BUT it was an awesome and different performance.
So the song ends and my son turns to me and says "When is the movie song?" I knew it came during the second part of the show so I said "It's after intermission."
"How many songs until the break?" Hoo boy, he came focused on what he wants.
Throughout the night I watched him as much as I watched the guys. As the show went on Cooper became more interactive, almost responding to things that were happening on stage. During the movie trivia and "12 Days of Christmas" as the guys were goofing around Cooper would shrug his shoulders and lift his arms almost as if to communicate "What? What are you doing?" He already knew the routine from numerous video views, but now he was getting into it.
When the concert ended we headed upstairs for the Meet & Greet. I made Cooper an autograph book
and to make things easy on everyone, we waited until we were last in line so the guys would have time to flip to their page and sign their name. Tyler was first (followed by Don) and Tyler asked Cooper if he made the book. Cooper said "Yeah, well my dad did" and then continued talking with Tyler. It was awesome. Don looked at Tyler's page and asked what song he was singing in the shot. Tyler said based on his arm position he was guessing it was the Four Seasons Medley (he was most likely right). Then Don signed his page and Tyler asked Don what song he was singing. It was the part of their ending medley from a few years ago where Don sang (mimed, actually) "Call Me Maybe" which led to the two of them to try and figure out when that picture was taken. Tyler finally nailed it down because he tied them doing that medley to when he met his current fiancée. That's awesome and all, but I'm thinking "Hey guys? Uh can that wait for the bus? Chaser here wanting to schmooz a bit." But seriously, they were awesome. Everyone was. Cooper told me on the way home that Walt (who was the last guy in the M&G line) figured out (at least verbally) that the book was in alphabetical order.
Then came the highlight of the evening for me (if there can be just one highlight). Time for the group picture. When it was our turn, Mr. Korby (did I mention before that he's a class act? Good lord, he's a class act) said to Cooper, "Ok, get in there! Where do you want to stand?" And with the energy and exuberance only an eight year old can muster he yells from deep in his throat "STEVE!!!"
Steve immediately celebrates "Alright!" and without missing a beat Charlie says dismissively "Well, there's a first time for everything."
Being the photographic genius I am, I chose to have him stand at the middle of the bus away from ANY supportive light. But here it is anyway.
Postscript: This weekend while we were making dinner, we listened to The New Old Fashioned. When the song got to the Chariots of Fire part, I started moving in slow motion and Cooper got this big grin on his face, shrugged his shoulders, scratched his head and ran past me like he was shot of a cannon (obviously mimicking DR's role).
Officially I can say, SNC through an eight year old's eyes is pretty darn cool.
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