Date: Tue, 17 Oct 1995
From: Christine Hansen
To: RichMailList
Subject: [RichMailList 37]: Rich's concert in Eugene

I just wanted to share with the group my experiences at Rich's concert Oct. 5th in Eugene, OR. First of all, I was surprised by a message on my answering machine when I got home from a trip to Seattle in August. The Christian Book Store where I ordered Rich's new tape offered me two free tickets and two passes to the meet and greet reception beforehand, just because I was the first person who ordered the tape before it was released. I couldn't believe it! I asked my 16 year old daughter, Emily, if she wanted to go with me, and of course she said yes. My 17 year old son Matt and two of his friends, and my two younger sons, Jacob (age 11) and Nathaniel (age 7) decided to go with us, although Jacob was a little upset that he wouldn't get to meet Rich Mullins.

When we got to the concert, Emily and I went to the room where the meet and greet reception was and waited with maybe 15 or so other people. Rich arrived shortly after 7 PM (30 min before the concert), just out of the shower, barefoot and hair uncombed. He looked great! He talked to everyone in the room even as he greeted each person individually. I was glad it was a small group of people so that we could hear what he said to each person. He made his way around the room, shaking hands with everyone, signing autographs and getting photographs taken with people. He asked people how they got to come to the reception, and most had won tickets in radio contests. When I introduced myself to him, I told him I had sent him an email message through Danl Blackwood at his Farewell to Wichita concert. He didn't seem to recognize what I was talking about, but I'm sure it's because he gets so many messages that it would take him awhile to recall that specific group of messages. I asked him when he was going to get email, and he replied that he didn't have a computer, didn't like phones, and attributed it to his Quaker upbringing and love of silence. I replied that computers don't make much noise, but I don't think it convinced him he should get one!

When he asked the group what everyone did for a living, Emily told him I had just finished my Ph.D. and he asked, in what? When I told him nutrition, he wanted to know if jalapeno peppers were really good for you, because he's been eating a lot since he moved to the Southwest, and missed them while he was on tour. I told him they were and that I eat them everyday. I asked where his dog was while he was on tour, and he said he had left him with friends in Wichita; he has taken Bear on tour with him before, but Bear's getting older and doesn't adjust well to the unusual schedule on tour.

Rich seemed very much at ease talking to everyone, I think he enjoyed it. It certainly was a thrill for Emily and I; a memory to cherish. I also got to meet a member of this list, Joan Slonecker. Maybe she will share with us her experience of the concert.

Oh, yes, the concert! It was fantastic. Carolyn Arends and Ashley Cleveland were both really good, and Rich's part of the concert was wonderful. He played so many songs, and the concert lasted over three hours. Everyone left in a satisfied glow. Oh, and my son Jacob got to meet Rich, after all, and all the members of his band! While Carolyn Arends was onstage, Jacob went around back by a stage door and struck up a conversation with one of the security guards. The guard then asked him if he wanted to meet the band, and took him to the room where Rich and his band members were waiting to go on. Jacob shook hands with all of them and got to talk to Rich, so Jacob definitely went home happy!

I hope you all get to see one of his concerts, if you haven't already.

Christine M. Hansen, Ph.D. 
Dept. Nutrition and Food Management         e-mail: hansench@ucs.orst.edu
Oregon State University                     (503) 737-3561 (message)
Corvallis, OR 97331                         

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