John Prine & R.B. Morris star in
"The Drama of Des Moines"

Getting There

Nobody likes going to a John Prine concert more than I. Okay, I can't really say that, once you've seen a Prine concert, then you will join the throngs of folks that will continually try to see him whenever the change jar is half full...

 I had arranged to take my 20 year old daughter to this one, she'd just grown up and moved out and we hadn't spent some quality time together. (At least that's what I thought) Really, she was going to go in pity for her father ("to give dad a break") Now the 20 year old's definition of a concert is: "the more bruises and bumps you get the better the concert was." (I just don't get it)  

   The afternoon before the concert she informed me that she really didn't want to go, but if I had no one to go with, she would accompany me. Now I know better, she would have gone and been in a foul mood the entire time. Ah to be 20 and have to live furiously again. I appreciated her honesty. 

  Upon hearing this my eldest daughter jumped up with an "I'll go!!" then later when the 18 year old found out, she wanted to go too (and the drama begins) - so I worked it out in my head and started looking for an extra ticket and a car. Oh yeah, 20yo had the car that would drive better than my "Prine-rollerskate" a 15 year old Festiva.

  Thanks to all those who made it easy to take the short cut through a guilt trip. I'd always been the passenger, so this was an adventure to be the responsible driver. I didn't get lost,  not even mislead - although, my navigators tried.. 

Buzzard Billy's

  We parked in the cop shop parking garage and jaywalked our way to the Civic Center - which if you find the umbrella skeleton, is due North. I always like to find the venue and get my bearings, so I can feel really stupid when I get lost later. All sorts of healthy folks were running around in spandex because of the "Drake relays" also that same weekend. (No Leonard, I don't mean duck races either). We were lent a hotel key headed to Buzzard Billy's for a little Prine priming. 

 Deb "likes2grow's" and Todd were just gettin a smoking table and we met in the middle.  followed by her kids and friends. Deb daughter "POAS" was so excited for the show, that we had to hear what an inspiration he has been to her throughout her whole life. She had enough spazzing for herself, brother and I think now ex-fiance.  We shared stories, shots, and a meal. Taught the waiter what "au jus" was (because meat juice just doesn't cut it in the food biz) Lots of laughter and more shots. We had 3 Prine virgins in the crowd and the time got closer to go clean up and find our tickets.