They called for the M&G BEFORE the show. Obviously they had given M&G's to hotel guests, or whatever their protocol is, as a lot of people lined up, me included. But, when they looked at my M&G, they said "Oh, she's not yellow!" I said, "am I supposed to be yellow???" She said no, that there would be a M&G AFTER the show, and I could "hang with him then". The one before the show was no autographs, click a picture, move on to the next person, and was located behind a curtain beside the stage.
Vince came on at 9:00, and of course, was as amazing as ever. He told us up front that he wouldn't be talking very much. He said when he plays a casino, he's not supposed to take time talking because the casino wants the concert goers out there gambling. That was a little disappointing to me because I LOVE his humor and funny stories. But, he did exactly what he said. He talked very little, and went from song to song. I didn't write down what he sang, but there were lots of his oldies, and a couple of the ones on his new CD. He said he wasn't sure when the CD was coming out, but this year some time. They played for a little less than two hours, and he and the band all left the stage. But, after thunderous applause, they came back and did an encore.
For the M&G after the show, we went to the opposite side of the stage, through a door, and through another door and into a beautiful room with sofas and chairs, TV, and along the back wall, was the huge buffet set up for the band. Vince came through once and said he'd be right back. The folks in this M&G were in groups of 3 or 4 people - sort of like a casual get-together in someone's home. Vince stopped at the first little group, and talked a few minutes. I heard him say he was playing a private party in Dallas the next night. (Wouldn't that be nice??!!!) All of the Dallas/Fort Worth area is buzzing with Super Bowl fans this entire week, so more than likely it was one of those parties, and there are many! There was one lady who came in and began talking to me who had a life-size, stand up cardboard cut-out of Vince from 1997. I guess it went to the concert with her!
Vince came up to me, we shook hands, and I told him how happy we were to have him in Oklahoma and Texas. He signed the cut-out for the lady (I got a picture of him signing) and signed a couple of CD covers for me. He sort of plopped down on the back of one of the sofas. I told him I was sure he was tired, and he said "Oh, it's OK. I just got off work!" Always a jokester!! Vince put his arm on my shoulder, and the lady snapped a picture. He patted me on the back, and called me "Sweetie" - sigh - and moved on to the next group. The setting for this M&G was great!! Couldn't have been better!! I think we are VERY lucky to be privileged to have the superior treatment from being in the fan club. My only negative would be the fact that my friend, who is a member, was not allowed in. One more person in that setting would have been perfectly fine, and Vince would have been just as cordial as always. All in all, it was a GREAT experience, and I couldn't be happier!! If any of you haven't experienced a M&G, go for it!! It's something you'll always remember! He's a terrific, amazingly talented guy who loves what he does, and to "hang with him" is more than wonderful!!
