Fall 2007 - Kait's Headin' For Another Joint Journal

This has been a busy summer for Bob shows and life otherwise. I’ve been excited about the trip to Austin especially because I have a special little place in my heart for Cowtown. The trip down to the airport was smooth, check-in at the airport a breeze and before I knew it we were cruising down I-35 towards one of my favorite places in the country. After we finally found the right Super 8 (they pack those things in close together in the Lone Star State), we headed down to town to see if we could get some food at my favorite restaurant Guero’s. No luck on that front, but we got to see a picture of Bill Clinton eating at the restaurant right then and there, drank a few good margaritas and caught up with old friends in the parking lot. After a few at the Continental Club complete with dancing we called it an Austin night. After we slept in for the only time of the trip Friday we spent the day at the festival catching some good and some not so good acts. Highlights included Asleep at the Wheel, Del McCoury, Mofro and Reverend Horton Heat. It was good we had a day to adjust to the temps in Texas or I don't know if we would have made it. After a day of leisurely day of music it was time to check into our new hotel and get ready for an early line experience at Stubb’s. It was a hot day in line but the end result was well worth it. We got to spend a lot of quality time with our friends from California, as well as right there in Texas and some from others. One of the coolest new people we met was Gavin from Austin. He was in line for his wife and daughters. We had a good time talking to him about meeting Bob and the Fan club too. Ali from N.O. was there too, as well as the usual Texas suspects. The staff was helpful and pleasant during the day, but dropped the ball at doors. During the day we saw many folks come and go, most noteably Kinky Friedman and Morgan Fairchild. I'd already done my chasing-down of folks for the tour so Caroline was given the task of passing a Fan Club button onto Kinky and she did a fine job. I didn't think to give Miss Fairchild one, but maybe she's have lived one too! Highlights of this hot, sweaty night were Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat, You’re a Big Girl Now and Beyond the Horizon. We hadn’t heard the later live yet, so that’s always a thrill. I haven’t heard Big Girl in quite awhile too and it was very well sung. Bob was very animated and dancing all over the place. We got some double pistols at the end and headed back to the hotel for a couple hours of well needed rest. We had no idea what time to get up for the fest. I went to the fest the first year they had it to see Charlie and his band, but I sure wasn’t lining up for anything. Luckily it was a pretty nice morning to wait there. We were both able to fall back asleep after talking to a nice woman from Florida who’d ferried herself and her two daughters to Texas to see Bob too. When we awoke our friend Carol was sleeping between us. She’s a real stoker and was happy to spend the day with us. We chatted with the security guy manning our lines and waited for the Star Wars music to send us in. Caroline was the runner and I toted all our backpacks and stuff. She did a great job and got a us a stellar spot. As people ran in they played the Chariots of Fire music that many people equate with shots of slow-mo running. People cheered and took pictures as we ran past and they had security positioned with water along the route cheering us on. Unfortunately, the music booked on the stage Bob was playing on included some of the worst music of the day. Top of the worst? Bloc Party. After we essentially stayed in the same place for 8 hours Bob came on and played a show that topped the one the night before thrilling the grouping of people that had waited all day, which happened to be young folks mostly. ACL is a very “younger generation” focused festival these days. If you’re heading to Austin for a festival and you’re over 18, I’d recommend SXSW rather than ACL. Bob was on fire from the start, thrilled maybe by the 77,000 people out there as Wilco finished up on the other big stage. Rain Day Women was a nice send off for us, as we were heading home to Humboldt. Another highlight was Tangled which was really great. Bob’s singing was clear and strong. The best part was the bit after “don’t tell me, I know your name” Bob make it really clear saying “NO! You don’t!” Also thrilling to hear was Things have Changed. I haven’t heard that much recently and it’s one of my faves so that was exciting. The most exciting songs to hear were Rolling Stone and I Shall be Released which have both become rarities it seems. Carol calls it the Love Pump and I think that's right on! We hopped a cab with Carol and headed back downtown to pick up the car and head to the hotel. It was a trying weekend in the heat for us cool weather, coastal folks. The heat and sweating and dirt all faded into the cosmos when Bob was on though and I’d do it again for a weekend of good times in Austin! It’s still one of my favorite cities in the world. -Kait