This post is going to have to be of the super-quick-first-draft variety because my battery is almost dead, and there’s just no way that I’m going to get out from under this toasty warm blanket to go fetch a power cord. Nonetheless, I feel like I need to document for all posterity what happened last night in Memphis.
Besides the walking, of course. Because I think it goes without saying that there is always walking in Memphis.
Sometimes people even people walk with their feet 10 feet off of Beale.
But do you really feel the way I feel?
(I’m so sorry.)
(I’m just so sorry.)
Yesterday I drove to Memphis because Sister, Janie (our sister-in-law) and I had big plans to go see Dave Barnes’ Christmas Show. I missed it when he was in Birmingham, and since Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors AND Gabe Dixon were also playing, it was a must-see event for me. The mere thought of it was almost more musical happiness than I could bear.
Well.
I wanted to leave Birmingham yesterday morning, but It took a wee bit longer than I expected to get out of town. It’s a long, dramatic tale for another day, but it involved an oil change, a false alarm with a tire, a dropped box of cupcakes, a very short temper, a small emotional breakdown, a good bit of apologizing and a lunch at Chipotle that brought about some restoration and healing. ANYWAY, when I finally turned onto Highway 78, I let out a huge sign and couldn’t wait – COULD NOT WAIT – for a night of great music.
Have I mentioned that I couldn’t wait?
Sister and I got to Memphis about the same time, and around 6:00 we all headed to dinner. After a great meal we drove to the concert, and we were tickled – TICKLED – when we found a parking place super-close to the venue. STEPS AWAY, in fact. The night was full of promise.
There was a huge crowd for the show, which was awesome, and after we claimed a little piece of the back wall as our own (the tables were full by the time we got there), we settled in for our big-night-o-fun. Not too long after 8:00, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors hit the stage, and the three of us were immediately captivated by Ellie Holcomb’s voice because OH MY WORD. Plus, she had on this really cute dress that I can’t even begin to describe except to say that it was sparkly and flowy and festive-y. Her hair was also a point of obsession with me, but the main thing, the biggest thing, was her voice. And her husband’s voice. Together.
See?
I noticed during the first song that the people in the audience seemed to be talking a lot, but I sort of chalked it up to the fact that there was a big college crowd there and people were getting re-acquainted after a semester away from home. But during the second song, the talking continued. Oh, there was applause at the end of each song, and the audience was enthusiastic enough, I reckon, but they NEVER QUIT TALKING. EVER. AT ANY POINT IN THE SHOW.
Gabe Dixon sang? They talked.
Dave Barnes sang? They talked.
Drew and Ellie Holcomb sang? They talked.
They talked and they talked and they talked and they talked.
By the fifth or sixth song, I was just undone. There were all of those incredibly talented musicians on the stage, and people were talking like they had run into each other at the mall or were trying to kill some time in a waiting room. There were loud, active conversations going on all around us, and when I reached the point when I couldn’t take it for one more second, I did the only thing I knew to do.
I shushed them.
I did.
I said, “SHHHHHHHHHHH!” really, really loudly. And then I said it again. And then Sister chimed in and said, “HUSH!” And then I think I shushed once more for good measure.
You’ll be shocked to know that people were not terribly responsive to our demands for silence.
But seriously – what is up with paying good money for a concert ticket and then thinking that you’re somehow entitled to carry on conversations while people are performing? I don’t get that AT ALL. I mean, if you want to talk while somebody is singing, then maybe you should just stay home, invite some friends over, and listen to the CD. Or get in your car and ride around and listen to the CD. But don’t pay money for a concert ticket and then treat the musicians like they’re background music at Starbucks, for heaven’s sake. Every single person who was on that stage is so stinkin’ talented, and all the Chatty McTalkersons in attendance missed a real treat by not giving the musicians their undivided attention.
IN MY ADMITTEDLY UPTIGHT OPINION, OF COURSE.
All the incessant mumbling and murmuring aside, we really did have a great time. The music was incredible. And when we got in the car to go home, we laughed until we cried about the fact that I thought I could shush a room of 500 people. Apparently when I feel that others are misbehaving I turn into a cross between a PE teacher and an assistant principal. All I needed were some gym shorts, a whistle and an intercom system. And a stack of detention slips, of course.
Please let me know if I can be of service at any of your holiday gatherings.
Love,
Mamaw
Dear Mamaw,
I wish you’d been present when we went to the 40th Annual Christmas Spectacular at Liberty University last week. Two women behind us talked through the entire spectacular and oh how I wished I had the gumption to shush them.
Oooooohhh, that would make me SO mad. The closest Dave Barnes has ever been in concert to my town was an 1 1/2 drive, and we usually drive at least 4 hours to see his shows. This would DEFINITELY have made me lose every bit of my southern charm!
hearing this tale makes me even more grateful for the experience a friend and i had – showed up at a church in Greensboro, NC, and watched them sing with maybe 100 or so high school students. turned out to be the best listening experience ever! so sorry to hear that yours was not up to par…but at least you got a powerful “shush” in!
I am quite amused that when I clicked through from Google Reader, the ad on the top left is headed by the words “Shhh” and “clubmum.net”. Bahahaha!
That would drive me NUTS, too… but, in Atlanta at least, at some venues (such as where there are tables/meals) it’s considered normal to talk during the concert. I wonder if that was the case here?
I wouldn’t attend one of them. :)
1. I can’t believe they were talking!
2. I can’t believe you were in Memphis and didn’t come to see me! Oh wait… you don’t know me.. but I’m sure we would have fun:)
3. I can identify with the overwhelming urge to demand that others behave appropriately. I really can’t help it… I’m a firstborn (bossy), former lifeguard (bossy with a whistle!), nurse (bossy some more), and daughter of a no-nonsense teacher.
oh.my.word.
i am a shhhh-er and it makes my family nuts, but i am JUST SO SURE.
i am actually more happy sitting under a blanket with the twinkling lights of the xmas tree and listening to the cd, just becuz of THIS.
I drove to Memphis this summer to see Amos Lee and the same people that were at your concert must have been at my venue as well. They talked throughout the whole thing. I finally got up and stood off to the side so all the talking sounded like background noise. Otherwise I was feeling compelled to chime into other people’s conversations since I could hear every word they were saying. Although, I don’t think they would have liked what I had to say. I’m hoping to have better luck when I see him in my hometown at the Ryman this spring. If you don’t know Amos, you need to.
I love when you sign off as mamaw. Makes me laugh.
Speaking as both a musician and as someone who enjoys concerts – Thank you! I can’t stand it when I’m at a concert and people just keep talking. Really, people… take it outside.
L.
Dying laughing at the thought of you “shushing” those college kids. I would have wanted to too.
And I’m trying to figure out if I could grow my hair a little to look like Ellie’s now.
In our pre-baby years, Jim and I went to see one of our fav-o-rite musicians play in B’ham. And same thing! People were chatting and milling about like they were at a frat party. It really put a damper on the evening, since we wanted to settle in, relax, and enjoy the music. Shortly after that experience, on an airplane ride back from San Francisco, I told some teenagers seated behind me to pipe down, because they were disturbing everyone.
After these two incidents, I knew it was time to hang up my coolness and become a mom. When you start making that face like you’re smelling onions more times than you can count in a given day, it’s just time to embrace the Mawmaw. Now please excuse while I go drink my Ensure.
I don’t shush much, but I’m a big “turn around an give them the stick-eye’er”. It’s just about as effective as your shushing seemed to be. : /
Where is Sue Sylvester when you need her. And since you enjoy music so much do you watch Glee? WOW the vocal stylings. But the Christmas show w/ 2 guys singing “Baby Don’t Go” was a little much for this Southern Baptist
I am from Memphis…
On behalf of the non-talkers I send you and Sister a very big ole “I’m sorry on behalf of my rude city!”
And I must be living under a rock – I had no idea Dave Barnes was here! Would have been a great Friday night thing to do – I was cleaning the toilets!
I’m so glad you posted the information on your blog a few weeks ago about Dave Barnes Christmas concert tour. I had never really listened to him, but after reading all the good things you and AnnieBlogs had to say about him, I downloaded his Christmas album and I’m pretty sure I have listened to it about 100 times since then. I even finally figured out how to listen to my iPod in my car because I need to be able to listen while in the car.
My husband and I went to the show in Atlanta and it was FABULOUS! So festive. Thankfully, we did not have trouble with all the talkies, because I have no problem with the shushing, even though it embarasses my husband!
And can I just say that the last time I really shushed someone was at church last year on Christmas Eve. We had 2 women and a man that whispered the ENTIRE service. Loud whispering. DURING THE CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE. Even during the prayers. People kept turning around to give them dirty looks. Finally, I got up and said “We can hear everything you are saying. Please stop.” The lady then said “Oh, I’m sorry, I’m translating.” AH! I felt a little bad about it at first, but then I decided that I didn’t because it was just so darn distracting!
We went to see Paul McCartney in Nashville a few months ago, and a couple behind us talked through the entire concert. I never wanted to shush more in my life!
It was beyond me why anyone would want to sit and talk through “Hey, Jude” or “Yesterday”…besides the fact that I’d be embarrased for anyone to even know what we paid for those tickets.
I’m feeling your pain, Mamaw!
boomama,
did you not LOVE the show!?
YOU are who turned me on to dave barnes when you posted the workout video but, honestly, i didn’t remember who he was (ie, all my children) until he talked about it when i heard them {ahem…at their *first* show…in raleigh…excuse me, please, and yes you can have my autograph…}
anyway, boomama, because of YOU i’m just a little bit slightly obsessed sorta/kinda with dave barnes. mostly because HE IS HILARIOUS!
BUT…the *REASON* we went to the show is because of drew & ellie. did you not adore her?! we heard them at the windy gap women’s retreat in september and all fell in *love* with her (and him. but mostly her. because it was a women’s retreat and all and she was the highlight of the weekend.)
i am SO GLAD you gave them such a huge shout-out because they. are. AWESOME. and she is as cute as her voice is incredible. and drew a*dores* her (in case you couldn’t tell. which i’m sure that you could.)
so happy you got to hear them, boomama.
{even if the people around you did not. good GRIEF! i *totally* would have shushed them. don’t you think i wouldn’t have.}
xo
I got a much needed giggle out of trying to picture you shushing those people. I hope you don’t mind that it delights me to learn of your temper.
Let me explain.
I have a temper.
I feel much better (so very sorry, of course) that the ever sweet and delightful Boo Mama has a temper. And I can imagine my wanting to get the attention of those 500 plus people and get them to shush. I can just imagine it. The fury. The trying to concentrate on the talent. You are responsible for introducing me to Dave Barnes. Well, not literally. But I LOVE HIM! My four-year-old (Sophie) loves him. And I cannot imagine the excitement over seeing him (and other awesome talent) and then dealing with a room full of what quite possibly was college students CHATTING!
It’s like teens in church giggling and talking during the sermon. Or adults. It happens. And then I imagine you handled the fact that they ignored your shushing pleas with class.
Not sure I would’ve. Merry Christmas, Sophie!
P.S. I will try to remember the reconciliation ability of chipotle. I never considered it. ;) It could come in handy. If I have a blow up or something. Which I often do. At least once a month.
You cracked me up! I guess it so funny because I’m the same way! I also have a hard time not getting on to other people’s children in church. Their parents can be sitting right there and know their child is misbehaving, but they just act like it’s ok…and in church of all places! I love children…a good thing since I have one…but I have some pet peaves that I just can’t shake.
I enjoy reading your blog :)
Geez, that’s really annoying!
Mamaw or not….you are right!
Boo! to rude audiences!
Glad you at least could see the awesomeness in stage fashion! ;)
I have a pretty magnificent glare when people are talking/laughing/making noises when everyone around them is trying to listen to the focal point of the event. Group leader is giving instructions? You’d better listen up. Watching The Nutcracker at Bass Hall? The five children behind me have about 1.5 playbook-crinkling giggle sessions until they get more than just a deathly glare. Etc. and so on. I may or may not be a bossy oldest child…
And was there aimless wandering and milling around too? I will NEVER understand why people can’t go to the bathroom BEFORE the concert starts, or why they can’t just hold it for an hour or so. It seems now that people just get up and leave as soon as the urge hits them, then wander back in, stepping over and on people’s feet and not saying excuse me. OK, you got me riled up now. Someone please tell me to shhhhhhh!!!
Sometimes a good shush is totally necessary. Don’t ever feel bad for being the “mama” of the room.
And DON’T EVER apologize for quoting “Walking in Memphis”, which is quite possibly one of the top ten best songs of all time (I prefer it sung by Jon McLaughlin). :)
And now I want to go to a concert w/ you! So hilarious that you shushed them! Love it.
Well, if you’d have combined the Teacher Look with the Shushing, I think you’d have been in control of the entire crowd! LOVED this post.
That drives me crazy too. And just so you know, the musicians notice it and think it extremely rude. I’m not a musician but I have friends who are and they make fun of and laugh at these chatty people who are inevitably at every concert.
I go to a lot of concerts and people talk through ALL of them. No matter how expensive the tickets, they sit there and chit chat. It’s so rude to the artists and those of us who paid good money for the tickets. I just don’t get how people can think that’s okay. So I don’t feel bad at all about shushing and giving them the evil eye. It never works, but it makes me feel better!
Oh, honey. Couple years ago my (grown adult) son gave me Eagles tickets for Christmas. Just me and him. I couldn’t WAIT and they were AWESOME, but there were 2 heavily inebriated SCHOOL TEACHERS from Auburn behind us who chattered CONSTANTLY. That’s how I knew they were SCHOOL TEACHERS from AUBURN because they said that a lot. Sorry for you folks who have elementary school kids in Auburn. I mean, who chatters while Don Henly is singing a ballad?? I was finally turning around to grill them with my stink eye look (my kids just call it “the look”) and an usher was asking them to step into the aisle. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who was fed up, because the usher asked them to be quiet. And this was a rock concert, mind you, so if you get asked to hush up at a rock concert, you ought to get the clue that you were TOO LOUD! Glad you asked them to hush. Kids don’t have much manners any more!
This made me laugh SO hard!!!! :)
Loved the post and your experience. I never heard of the Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors..just loved the song and how they did it together. Are they a Christian group? Do you know anything else about them. Merry, Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Sweetie,
Love that you actually tried to “shush” all those rude folks.
We share a gene pool…that’s all I’m sayin’.
And, may I just tell you that I thought you might be talking about a group like one might find in Branson, MO (talented family of “show folks”), but I watched the clip you shared anyway and – OH MY WORD – love them!
Thanks for sharing their music (apparently it’s not the first time you’ve done so). I’m looking forward to looking for them on iTunes!
Warmly,
Mo
I am catching up on my blogs and delurking to say I AM A SHUSHER. I will absolutely shush people. I will shush adults and children. I will give you the stinkeye if I can’t get up the guts to shush. I about wore out my stinkeye at a piano recital the other day. I scared some kids years ago during King Kong because I shushed them. I wanted to go get an usher. But I don’t know if they even have them anymore. I am that mean old lady (is 40 old? *cough*cough*) who was brought up to have manners. Oh but I shushed MY MOM at said piano recital! She was not amused. I was not amused that she was whispering during a performance. The problem is my patience is getting thinner therefore my tendency to LOSE MY COOL is getting higher. That is not polite! But yes I have gotten to the point where I have exclaimed loudly in a movie “FOR GOODNESS SAKES!”