John Santosh writes: >Danl, man, I wish I could be there for that final Wichita RM jam >on the 9th. I agree with you..Rich is at his best when he's by >himself. I wonder if this could be our last chance to get those >lyrics...well, I can hope, can't I?
[ed. note: Josh and I are trying to get the lyrics to "We're Not As Strong" Rich calls it a Christian 'break-up' song. Kathy told me he also wrote "The River" and "What Susan Said" about this particular breakup. Hopefully I'll be able to get the lyrics tomorrow night.]
>So, as I've been reading the different "rich" experiences - I'm >drawn to share one of my own. I think I briefly alluded to it >once when I wrote to you. >This past 4th of July, I went to Massachussetts (can't remember >the name of the school)to catch Rich in concert, and to hear >Brennan Manning speak. Apparently, they were touring together for >a bit. Massachussetts is a good ol' drive, but I went anyway >because I was still upset that Creation 95 was cancelled (which is >another long story). Man, the concert was just great. It was >Rich and Beaker playing on a wooden platform outdoors, and about >300 people in the audience. Here's the "rich" experience: >Third song into the set, Rich is banging away at the keyboard. >Wouldn't you know the song he's singing is "Let the Nations Rage"? >Even now it's tough to keep from laughing. So, as he's playing >the keyboard was shaking awfully hard. And I'm thinking to >myself, "Wow...Rich is really passionate about this." And then >around the middle of the song, it happened.... >*BANG* >The keyboard slammed to the floor. >Man, you could hear the crickets, it was so quiet. >Rich sort of froze for a second with his mouth wide open...his >arms were held in midair waiting to hit piano keys that were no >longer there. And the audience...it sounded like a mass case of >hypothermia. Okay, okay...I admit I was in shock, too. All of a >sudden, Rich clapses his hands together and says with a nervous >laugh, "OH...I guess I'll just stick with the guitar!" >The crowd joined him in laughing...nervously. >BUt the story doesn't end there. A technician ran to the >platform, surveyed the area, and after a few moments, he took the >keyboard stand and turned it RIGHT SIDE UP! Man, we all laughed >so much we were crying. Rich finished the song, made some more >funny comments, and took requests the rest of the way. Someone >asked for "Hold Me Jesus" So Rich begins, "Sometimes my life just >don't make sense at all..." He paused, giggled, and continued, >"Like right now..." >When I saw him last month, he recognized my friend Abey and I, and >I reminded him about 'the concert on the 4th of July where (his) >keyboard dropped.' Rich was like, "oh yeah...thanks for reminding >me."
Great story, Josh. Thanks.
Tulsa bound in 24 hours.