Linda's Review
Casino Rama show

Saturday, August 12, 2006

I really thought that I would be seeing Air Supply for
the first time on November 4 in Aurora, Illinois.
Having rediscovered them in June when I purchased
Ultimate Air Supply (as soon on tv...lol), I started
searching the internet and was amazed to discover they
were still touring. I had not heard their music in
many years and was not familiar with any of their
songs after the big hits in the 80's. My searching led
me to the official website. I followed the links, one
of which led me to Heart and Soul. Before I knew it I
was a total Airhead, still not official as the link
still isn't working. (Note: AirHeads is now working again).

I was able to get tickets for the November 4th and
November 18th shows. Reading reviews of shows
and discussing them with other Airheads had me itching
to see them in person. Meanwhile I was playing their
music constantly and tracking down all the cds, dvds,
etc. that I had missed. My son Brian, who has downs
syndrome, loves music and was soon asking for his own
Air Supply cds. He begged to go to the Nov. 4 show
with me and began counting down the days.

Brian is 26 and so was finishing his time in the
special education program with a dinner dance on
August 10. I knew that the Casino Rama shows were
within driving distance from the Detroit area, where I
live, but it was so close to his graduation I didn't
try to get tickets. Then, about a week before
graduation I saw tickets for the Aug.12 show on eBay.
After considering it carefully (for about 30 seconds)
I bought the tickets so Brian and I wouldn't have to
wait so long to see the guys in person.

We set out for Orillia at 6:45am the day of the show
and enjoyed the ride through the Canadian countryside.
We checked into the Days Inn and went right over to
the casino to check it out. We managed to pass the
time until the doors opened at 8pm and were some of
the first people seated. When the show started at 9 I
was on the edge of my seat. Would it be all that
everyone said it was? Would they look old and tired?
(That was the comment one of my friends made when she
saw the Moody Blues recently.)Would Russell's voice be
strong? Would I be glad I had driven all this way?

From the moment the first notes of Power of Love came
soaring out of Russell's mouth, I knew it was
everything that everyone said it was...and much more.
True, his voice is a bit lower than it used to be, but
powerful, passionate and oh so beautiful. I was on the
edge of my seat through the entire show, singing,
swaying, yelling and clapping with the rest of the
audience. The crowd was really into it and the guys
put as much energy and effort into the old favorites
as they did the news songs like Faith In Love. I had
heard that Russell didn't sing Miracles on Friday
night. I have watched that song on the dvd many times
and was looking forward to hearing it in person. When
he stood in front of the drums and the spotlight was
on him, tears immediately came to my eyes because I
knew what was coming. He spoke about his older sister
and her first record player, how that had introduced
him to music. Then he sang that most awesome song with
such power.

When it came time for Making Love Out of Nothing At
All, I grabbed Brian's hand and hurried down to the
stage. We were right at the stage for that song and
cheered ourselves hoarse for the encore. I could see
that Russell was annoyed that security wouldn't let
more people come down, but it was very crowded. I
guess they have to leave a fire lane open just in
case. We had been told no picture taking (although I
managed to sneak in quite a few) but at the end people
were openly taking pictures and recording right in
front of the stage. I was so busy singing All Out of
Love I didn't get my camera out again. I really didn't
want to take my eyes off Russell, being only a few
feet away from him. My son was trying to get his
attention, but Russell was focusing on the ladies.
Suddenly he stopped, bent down, waved at Brian, winked
and gave him a thumbs up. Brian was so thrilled. They
had announced there would not be a meet and greet so I
thought, well at least he has this to remember.

After the show we met up with friends I had met
through the Now & Forever forum and went to the hotel
lounge. While chatting with many nice people I noticed
a tall man at the bar and someone from the crew. I
made my way over and saw that it was Graham. Soon
Jonni and Jed were there too. All three of them were
very gracious about autographs and pictures. They were
so kind to Brian, who stayed by Jonni's side at the
bar for a long time. When we were saying good-night at
about 1am Graham told Brian to be sure and come to the
meet and greet at the next concert we attend and say
hello to him. I know that the guys meet many, many
people, but something tells me that they will remember
my Brian.

Linda