The best weekend -- EVER!

This weekend I went to Philadelphia to see my favorite band, Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers. They reunited for the closing of the Stone Balloon, a club in Delaware that has featured great musical acts over the last 30 years like The Ramones, Metallica, Bruce Springsteen, and Bonnie Raitt.

As soon as I got my rental car and settled in my hotel room that Saturday morning, my first order of business was to drive 40 minutes to Delaware. Since I had never traveled to this part of the country, I wanted to do a "dry-run" drive for getting to the concert later. Once I found the club, I decided to look for a box office so that I could get my ticket early, in case they sold out later. (Even though I paid for my ticket online, I was worried that if the place got packed, I wouldn’t get in.) I went around the back and saw some guys standing around the back door. I asked if any of them worked at the club. In the conversation, I mentioned that I had just taken a flight in from Dallas, when one of the guys came forward and said, “Well, come on in to the club – I’m sure we can find someone to help you.”

This guy was Chris Day, guitarist for the Young Rumblers. I didn't realize it was him until he told me his first name. As it turns out, the Rumblers were getting ready for their rehearsal -- and there was my guitar idol onstage -- Tommy Conwell! Chris said that he didn’t see a problem with me being there since I had come a long way for the concert.

I found an inconspicuous corner to watch the guys set up onstage. I was so excited to be there! One of the crew started chatting me up about my trip -- when Tommy walked by, the guy said “Hey Tommy! This girl came all the way from Dallas to see you.” He gave me a big hug... (That's Tommy --- always caring for his fans. A genuinely good guy.)
Right before rehearsal, Tommy called me over and told me to take the stairs on the side to get on the stage. He then introduced me to each of the Young Rumblers as the girl who was a fan and came all the way from Dallas to see their show for the first time ever. I was so honored. Chris Day told Tommy that he was the one who let me in the club!

The band kicked off rehearsal with Here I Come – also one of the opening songs at the concert. The band gave me permission to take pictures for the entire rehearsal. It was so great to hear all my favorite Rumblers songs – and I knew the words to every song they rehearsed – even Space Cowboy! Tommy forgot the lyrics to the last part of If We Never Meet Again, and said “I’ll remember it by tonight.” Chris Day said, “Just watch Catherine!”

The concert later on in the evening was absolutely incredible. It was so great to be there, to share in the history of the event, and to see the last concert at The Stone Balloon with Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers.

Although the reunion of the Young Rumblers was an event unto itself, Tommy made sure that the emphasis was on everyone realizing that it would be the last night for music at The Stone Balloon. One of the more poignant events of the evening was when he shared his memories of all the people who played there, including how he had once sat outside listening to music when he was too young to get in. He ended each of his tributes and remembrances with a thoughtful “Cheers, cheers…”

The Stone Balloon ended its last show with a class act, indeed.

What a weekend in Philly!

Pictures from my awesome weekend to see Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers at The Stone Balloon in Delaware. Pictures of Tommy at rehearsal and the concert itself....

...some girls have all the luck.