Meet The Author Week 3

Do you like to read? Wouldn’t you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the MMB Open Book Blog Hop each Wednesday and they will tell all. Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride! Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box.

This week they asked:

Tell us about your first concert.  Who did you see?  Who did you go with? Did you enjoy it? Have you seen that band/artist again in concert?

I have a confession to make. I don't remember the first concert I went to.

Despite being in chorus in  high school, despite teaching myself to play guitar, (well, trying to) despite being exposed to large variety of musical types throughout my life, I was never really "into" music. Yes, despite participating in a musical my freshman year in college, and working backstage for one of the concerts that came to the campus (and no, I don't remember the band) I never "followed" a group.

Sure, I was a fan of John Denver, but the only time I had a chance to attend one of his concerts, I didn't go. It was at Christmas time, money was tight, and I felt guilty buying a ticket for myself instead of spending it on my kids. Although I regret never seeing  him in person, I'd still put my kids before myself any day of the week.

But I spent a number of years in Daytona Beach, and had the opportunity to go to a number of free concerts that were part of the Bike Week celebrations. I have to admit, I don't remember all the bands, but one of them was Lynyrd Skynyrd. The perfect band for a biker audience. Me and my husband were fairly far back from the outdoor stage, but we could sit back, relax, enjoy the music, drink a beer and stay away from the hard-core fans crowded up close.

That was also the era when MTV was filming Spring Break on the beach in Daytona, and hosting a number of free concerts. The trick to getting in was to show up close to where the bands were playing and hope the MTV representatives invited you in. My daughter wanted to go, and was too young to go by herself, so I took her. And yes, we got tickets to the Head Banger's Ball filmed on the beach. My daughter would probably remember better than me, but I believe one of the bands playing that night was the Stone Temple Pilots. We managed to have a great time while avoiding the mosh pit. I think that night ensured my designation as a "cool mom."

I've never seen either of those bands again. It might be fun to catch a concert by one of them for kicks, but it's not on my bucket list. Both bands are still out there rocking which I find amazing, and when I catch on of their songs on an oldies station, it still makes me smile.

Want to find out what Christine Ardigo has to say? Check out her post at Christine Ardigo