So, in December of last year we took Griffin to see
Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Christmas show at the Pepsi Center in Denver. We had
seats about ¾ of the way back from the stage. It was a great show, and we knew
that we wanted to see them again. So, during a song break Al Pitrelli of TSO
announced that they would be back during spring break this year to play the
Beethoven’s Last Night concept album. The album is a rock opera of a fictional story
of Beethoven’s Last Night. It was perfect. Griffin was going to be on spring
break and he loved seeing them in December. So, we decided to get tickets. At
first I looked at tickets way in the back, because from there you can see TSO’s
visual presentation in all of its glory. I wasn’t very happy with the locations
of the seats that I was pulling so I opted to see what was available on the
floor. On my first attempt at picking seats on the floor I pulled first row
dead center. I went ahead and got them. That may be one of the best decisions
that I’ve ever made. So, for Griffin’s birthday we bought him some 3M noise
reduction headphones, because we figured that the volume would be pretty high
that close. We gave Griffin the
headphones and a printout confirming our ticket purchase on his birthday.
Last night we walked into the arena and Griffin was
oblivious to where our seat location was. So, we kept walking and walking and
walking until we were first row with no obstructions, and dead center. About 30 minutes after arriving the show
started. The fog machines turned on and smoke billowed off the stage and right
into our front row seats. I will never forget the look on Griffin’s face. For
the next 2.5 hours TSO proceeded to blow the roof off of the Budweiser Events
Center. To make it even more incredible it was exactly 185 years ago last night
that Beethoven passed away. Vocalist Rob Evans played the part of Beethoven,
and at one point in one of his songs he pointed down at Griffin. We all were
shocked, but had no idea what was coming in the hours to come. Vocalist Andrew
Ross was singing a Savatage song, which was the band that would become TSO, and
he went into the crowd. From my perspective it didn’t appear that he would be
coming our way, but then Andrew made the turn that would lead him right in
front of us. My wife and I both nudge Griffin to put a hand out. Andrew
stopped, grabbed Griffin’s hand, and sang another couple bars of the song. But
wait!!!! There’s more. TSO played an incredible last song with all of their
signature pyrotechnics, lasers, and lights. Then the band all comes up front
for a bow. After the bow a member of the band comes to the edge of the stage
and motions for Griffin to come up to him. It’s the drummer, and he’s got two
drumsticks in his outstretched arms towards my son. Now you have to understand
where I’m coming from. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a music fiend. I
live and breathe it. I’ve been to so many concerts where I’ve never even been
close to catching that thrown drumstick at the end of a show. My son just got
two!!!!
After what I just witnessed I had to see if there was some
way that I could express my thanks to Jeff Plate for his generous donation to
my son. As we were leaving we had heard that the full band would be available
for autographs in the concourse. That seemed perfect. We ran up front and
purchased a tour program. In the middle of the program there is a picture
listing of all of the musicians in the band. We decided that it would be
perfect to have the band sign the sheet. I also wanted to make sure that I
talked to Jeff. As we got closer and closer to the tables I saw Jeff in the
very first spot. Jeff saw Griffin and said “Hey, it looks like you got some
drumsticks.” I leaned over to Jeff and told him thank you, and told him how
excited Griffin was to take them to show and tell next week. He smiled and
said, “man, I had those drumsticks earmarked for him minutes into the show
tonight. I knew exactly where they were going.” Wow!!! I shook Jeff’s hand and
told him thank you. Then we made our way down the line. I had held up the line
a bit talking to Jeff, so I thanked everyone quickly and moved down the line.
Griffin and my wife had made it down to Natalya, and they were both talking
about how they were both “Aquarius’.” Everyone down the line knew exactly who
Griffin was. “Hey front row buddy.” “Hey you were the kid in the front with the
headphones.” Roddy Chong gave griffin a fist bump and told Griffin that he
appreciated Griffin’s claps during the show, and that he was great at keeping
the beat. My son just fist bumped Roddy Chong. Yeah, that’s Roddy Chong playing
with Celine Dion, and Shania Twain in the videos that I posted earlier today.
OMG. We get to Rob and he looked at my wife and I and said that 8 shows in 7
days has been really brutal. It’s been a really long week. “Everytime that I
was looking for inspiration during the show tonight I looked down at your son.”
What?!?!?!?!?! What?!?!?!?!?! Is this happening. Yeah, it was. And while it was
happening Griffin had already made it down to Al Pitrelli, who was up from his
chair and giving Griffin a bear hug. What?!?!?!?! Al, who has worked with Alice
Cooper, Megadeth, and is the director of the Trans Siberian Orchestra is giving
my son a bear hug. Al sat with Griffin for a couple of minutes, and pulled out
an envelope from behind the table, and helped Griffin select a photo from the
stack. Al then signed the photo personally to Griffin and gave him another hug.
Then Griffin stood up at the end of the table and gave the “horns”
rock sign to the group at the tables. Once for the band members closest to us,
and then another time for band members down the row of tables who did not see
it the first time. Al yells down to all of the people in line, “Let’s hear it
for Griffin!!!!” Griffin gave out another “horns” rock hand gesture to the band
and the crowd and band cheered and clapped.
So, then the whole drive home we tried to understand what
had just happened. Griff with two drumsticks from Jeff, two TSO guitar picks, a
personalized autograph from Al, and an autograph of each of the members of TSO.
These guys and gals are a class act. Thank you Al, Chris, Johnny Lee, Georgia,
Jeff, April, Kayla, Rob, Roddy, Mee Eun, Vitalij, Chloe, Bryan, Chris, Andrew,
Ronny, and Natalya. It was a night that we will never forget. You guys are
amazing musicians and amazing people. Thank you so much.
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