Subject: Re: Here we go . . .

Air Supply concert
March 15, 2003
Jannus Landing
St. Petersburg, FLA

A meet & greet was arranged for people with the VIP tickets while the cover band played. (The cover band, Sean Spencer, was quite good. Everyone especially enjoyed their Richie Valen's song "La Bamba".) We were led upstairs onto a long, narrow balcony and given a photo that looked like how the guy's web site home page used to look, in orange & blue. After a few minutes only Graham and Russell came out, no band members unfortunately. Graham wore his bright, print tropical shirt and Russell wore a spiffy, new-looking black t-shirt. They worked their way down the line signing autographs. At one point, I saw that I had one of the guys on each side of me, and I didn't know where to turn first, left or right! I had Russell, to my left, sign two old Air Supply 45 covers, a gift from a friend to me, and I gave him a Clearwater, FL t-shirt with an alligator sunbathing on a beach towel on it. I also handed him an e-mail I had printed out from an Australian fan. My daughter was getting her new Big Cat stuffed animal autographed (no koalas were for sale!), but Graham's silver marker wouldn't show up on it. So I got out the permanent, black marker my son gave me on our way over to the show. My daughter got both autographs on that cat and on her photo. Graham still has my son's black marker, though my son says he's thrilled that Air Supply has something of his now! When I was getting the marker out, I felt something heavy pulling on my wrist, looked down and saw my camera hanging from it's strap. How could I have forgotten that? I quickly asked if I could get a shot, and they said, "Yes, if you hurry." While I turned the digital camera on, the next lady in line said sweetly, "I'll take the picture of all of you." How nice! It turned out good too. By the time I asked Graham, on my right, to sign the 45's, he had already started turning away, so I had to thrust them into his hands. I also gave him a Clearwater, FL t-shirt, this one with playful, leaping dolphins on it. Both the guys asked if the shirts were for autographs, and I said, "No, they are for you to keep." They seemed genuinely surprised and pleased. I gave Graham a cd of an wonderful, fresh, new Australian singer, Mary Hogarty, for Jodi. Graham again appeared pleased and thanked me, leaning over to give me a big kiss (his new beard could very much be felt) before I even knew what happened!

We walked down the steps and when I got to the bottom, I said, "Oh no, I forgot to ask them about the Air-heads newsletter thing," and ran back up again. I said, "Graham, what about the Airheads newsletter?" He asked, "What's that?" So I said, "You know, the Airheads newsletter. Is it going to come out sometime soon?" He said, "It should be on the web site in half an hour." I said, "Good, because if you need any help with it, I'd be glad to. I'm pretty good at newsletters." I was thinking they might need a writer or some help with distribution. He replied, "Oh." I let him finally go back to that nice lady who took our photo before. We went back down to the audience area to see the show.

Later that night, when I got home and hurried to look at the web site, it wasn't the Airheads newsletter there, it was Graham's "News" letter. Like the guys put up once in a while. Now, I'm thinking he's wondering, "Huh? What does she mean she wants to help me write my letter? I can do this myself." I felt a bit embarrassed then. Not only that, but I still didn't even know about the Airheads e-mail newsletter. How would he know how to get in touch with me anyway, even if he thought I could be of some kind of help? How crazy it all seems now in the wee hours of the morning.

On the stage:
Graham wore a white, silky poet shirt with ruffled lapels and wrists, with a black loose tux-like jacket. and black slacks. His "beard" is getting a bit longer, his hair is getting short! Looks good.
Russell was in a white shirt with his blue brocade, long jacket over, and he wore black leathery pants. His hair, charcoal-colored, is a layered cut. Looks pretty darn good.
Jed Moss is in a vivid, red shirt. Jonni Lightfoot's shirt is what looks like a burnt orange color.
Mike Zerbe., the drummer, I think, has on a pink shirt. All handsome guys for sure! And all that talent!

What we heard:
1. Even the Nights are Better
2. Here I Am
3. The Scene (the harmony and rich fullness of this was even better live than on the cd)
Now, Graham took his jacket off.
4. Across the Concrete Sky, from the new album (never heard Graham sing so loud before, but it was good)
5. Your's Truly
6. Near or Far, I'll Find You Wherever You Are (a solo by Graham - don't know the name of it, but it's from the new album and is absolutely wonderful)
7. Jed's piano solo (simply amazing)

They came down into the audience:
Graham in a satiny-velvety, short-sleeved big shirt with leaves (?) on it in gold, maroon and black. It appears to change colors, depending on the stage lighting. The shirt Russell's wearing looks black or like a maroon-purple color, depending on the stage lighting too. He has on black velvety slacks and some fancy rings. A stage hand brought out a stool and put it behind Russell, who felt it behind his rear and looked perturbed. "I don't need that. I can stand," he declared. "I'm not that old yet!" That brought out the laughs.

Then they sang:
8. Two Less Lonely People
9. The One That You Love (both guys went out walking in and around the audience, interacting - especially with the older ladies, who sure got a thrill).

They went back up on the stage now but motioned for everyone to come to the front, below the stage, where we stood in a friendly group, singing along, moving back and forth, just like one big, happy family. Russell leaned over, put his floppy sleeve up, wiping off Graham's sweating forehead, which brought out lots of laughs among us too. Then he pushed his sleeves up a bit revealing some of his tattoos.

Russell then belted out:
10. Making Love Out of Nothing At All (this is really a long song, but you enjoy it so much, you want it to go on forever! I love this song, but never thought they'd do it at this show. What a treat!)
11. Good-bye (done really dramatically, wow!)

Everyone clapped and stomped to get them back for an encore, which they did . . . for us. They were wound up, Russell swinging that mike stand around something fierce, the band and the audience all were ducking at various times. Also, sometime in here, Russell pretended to hold open the top of the front of his shirt, showing off more tattoos! All just in fun.
12. Every Woman in the World
13. All Out of Love

Chat that took place:
During the show, Graham talked about liking being in St. Petersburg after such a long time. He said they like the weather and the stars (which were out!) He talked about all the lucky, tanned people in Florida. He had a silent moment later, and then talked about romance, passion, and love. He talked about people being together a long time, staying together. About knowing a couple that's been married over 50 years. About appreciating each other. He asked us that when we leave the show to say that you love the person you love. Not just think it, but say it.
Later on, Russell talked about the fact that we're in dangerous times as we might go to war. We must appreciate each moment we have in life, and appreciate one another. He asked us to be careful and safe always.

This concert took place in Jannus Landing, an outdoor area with a tent that covered only the first few rows of chairs. The rest was covered by sky filled with stars. Trees (and on one side, shrubs and buildings bordered the edges. Yet, we were pleased to be under the tent part, just in case it might rain. The stage had a roof and walls, etc. Luckily - no rain, wind or hail as the weathermen had forecasted. When I could see the stars, I doubted there would be any rain after all, and there were a few breezes here and there, cool - not cold at all. I thank God for providing such nice weather.

Everyone performing in Air Supply had tons of energy, and the audience picked up on that and eventually even danced, alone or with partners - slow dancing, or in groups, and swayed to the music, singing all the words to the music. Graham kept people busy by throwing his guitar picks out at the crowd all evening long. Russell threw out his water bottle. The lady who caught it yelled at him to autograph it, and he gave her a funny face - like, "That's not enough for you? What next?" Later on, when he came out for the encore, he had another water bottle which he downed quickly and then swung it over the audience which was still standing up front there. Cold water swished over everybody, and we all cried, "Oooooooo." Then we all laughed. I said to my daughter, "Hey, we got Russell's spit on us!" She said, "Mom, you're pathetic!" We all were fairly pathetic by then anyway, let's face it. Lots of applause, several screams of different unusual sorts, lots of cheering and many encouraging shouts were heard from the audience. One gal yelled out, "I love you." And another yelled out louder, "No, I love you." Everyone there was loving every second of it. Loving every single nano-second.

So, this is the record of what it was like, the first time my daughter, son & new daughter-in-law, and I saw Air Supply. (My husband and other son, not at this event, had seen them at the Iowa State Fair, years ago, lucky ducks.) I thoroughly admit I can't help hoping there will be many, many, many more times like this. I never thought Air Supply would get back to Florida, but they did. It really happened.

I have to add, that on the balcony before the show, the last thing I did before my final time coming back down the steps was to pat Russell on the arm, saying, "Thank you for being here, for sharing your amazing talents. I hope you guys keep together and keep performing." He nodded. Then I said, "Please keep on performing as long as you can, until - - - until you drop." His eyes kind of opened up at that! Immediately I felt embarrassed and probably turned several shades of red. I mean, should you really mention "dropping" to Air Supply? After all, hot air balloons floating and hearts beating and all? Drop is not exactly the word you associate with those things. Now, when I think about it as I write this in the wee hours of the almost morning however - I think it was a true thing to say. I actually do hope they keep on - - - until they can no longer, until they drop. Of course, I hope they keep on until they're 120 or so. But, hey, is there any better way to go? I think not.

Lovingly yours, from Air-SO

P.S. There is also the famous artist, Peter Max, in Pinellas County this week. He painted a gigantically huge, multi-shades of red tones, artistic heart mural on the side of a hospital here. He said something like this, "When we say love, we put our hand on our heart. That's because the heart is what we think of when we talk about health, and hope and especially love." Little did he know, he just made a fitting tribute to our other guests this week-end, the real heart people, Air Supply.

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