Show #3010 part II
We packed up and left home about 9 am, - I had forgotten
to ask what time the first show started, and we wanted to be
sure to get there in time to get good seats, as it was general
admission. The trip went very quickly, listening to RRT
shows that we had not hear before, thanks to donna j., and
we arrived in Baraboo to find the the show didn't start until
3 pm, and we had plenty of time. As James and I walked up
to the Wisconsin Opry barn, we were greeted by Joey, with
a big Joey hug. What a way to start the day! And after we
talked a moment or two and parted, James asked me who it
was. He was totally shocked to hear that it was Joey, as he
remember him being much heavier!! (and had he know it was
Joey, he would have hidden, because he, like Jessica, is very
shy around all of the guys.)
I had called in advance to see if seating could be arranged for
the 15 cyberpals and guests who were going to attend, and
although it had not been saved in advance, I was immediately
taken in to pick out our seats. Pickings were slim, though,
because the center section and most of the right sides were
reserved for the Opry's Diner patrons, and the left side
was already sparsely filled. The front of the right side was
empty however, so we quickly claimed all of the seats.
Dannielle was the first to arrive, followed by Jill and her
kids, accompanied by Donna from Canada. -- Donna is one
of Riders most dedicated fans. She was at the first fan club
Luncheon, -- and has seen them as far away as Elko. I've
seen her at shows from Minnesota to Michigan. Unfortunately
she does not have computer access, but I gave her a Cyberpal
button, and she is an honorary Cyberpal for sure!
Next to arrive was Nancy Jean's gang. We didn't get much
time to chat, --- but having all of us sitting together was the
"cyberpal" way, and Nancy Jean, Skyler and Robert added the
Western look to the group. I wore my "Woody Paul" shirt.
-- It has the graphic of Woody and Katie/Katelyn/Chrissy/
Jessica/'every little girl' on it, that appears on some of our
web pages as background, and says "Have you Hugged a
Cowboy today???"
I won't go into the details of the first show, as it has already
been covered, but after the show, James decided for the first
time that he would approach the guys for autographs, so we
bought him a picture. And he did indeed go up to each of
our cowboys, and not only got an autograph, but a picture
with each as well. --- The last time he had his picture taken
with them was in 1992 when he was 2 years old. Since then
he has always been tooo star stuck to get close enough for a
photo. This was his 14th show - my 53rd, and Jessica reach
the big 5 at BCF.
I gave Woody his birthday present (two "Woody T shirts"
like mine, one for him and one for his daughter Katelyn)
and a card, --and then Jamie took photos of me hugging
Woody, first a "my caboose" view, and then to keep it fair,
we did a "Woody caboose" view tooo. Jamie got a real
kick out of them.
Then it was off to the Motel 6 for a quick swim, and a
change of cloths, and back to the Opry for the 8 pm show.
The Opry performed their part of the show, and then it
was time for our guys.
They did "Texas Plains", "How the Yodel Was Born",
"Tumbling Tumbleweeds", "Wah hoo", - and Slim recited a
poem he had written about his rented bass's strings 'a
flyen' in Calgary at a Ground Hog Days Show. The
topper to that was that Donna poked Al and said she had
attended the show where it happened! After "Rawhide" and
'Bowlin', Woody sang "Cherokee" accompanied by a baby
'scat' singing in the audience, and we all joined in clapping
for "Hoop Dee Doo", and the guys sang "He Walks With the
Wild and the Lonely" gathered around one mike, at Woody's
suggestion.
Then it was on to the questions. Amongst others, there were
"What are your hat sizes" to which Doug and Slim answered
"7 3/8" and Woody answered "Not quite the right size! Mine's
a little small" and Slim and Woody exchanged hats! Jill's
boy asked "What IS an 8 track" - which lead Slim into a
short rendition of "Staying Alive". Then Donna asked,
why Woody always wears the dresses, and Woody replied that
he's the only one they fit.
Other questions were "Do you eat alot of beans", which lead
into "Miriah","How much weight has Joey lost" 35 lbs, and
"did you ever work with Roy Rogers", with the answer of
"Many times". Donna was presented the 8 track for having
the longest question (It was rather lengthy getting to the
actual question) - and that lead into a little "Oh Canada"
The show continued with "That Silver Haired Daddy of Mine"
"Riding Down the Canyon" and a Joey instrumental that I
wasn't familiar with. Then in response to a request, Slim
sang "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" - and Joey
played it as a Jig, and then a Polka!
After "Cool Water" and the "Roy Rogers" tribute medley,
the came back with an encore of "Strawberry Roan" by
request, and then "You Are My Sunshine" ---- and it was
over. --- It seems no matter how long you wait for a
show, ---- eventually, it's over. :(
But after the show we hung around until most others had left,
and it was just us diehards. -- We talked to Woody about his
diet, - Got our new "A Great Big Western Howdy" T shirts
signed, --- hugged our guys, --- and headed out for an
evening ride around the Wisconsin Dells, and some dinner.
Then next day we stayed and did the Dells thing, Duck ride
and all, and headed home about 11 pm that evening after
eating at "Black Barts Buffet".
My pictures aren't all back yet. I'll post them when I
get them, and time allows.
The Wisconsin Opry is one of my favorite venue for
seeing the guys. --- It's a rather small, intimate
audience, - the Opry is in an open sided "Barn", and
the show although short, is always one of their best!
Sooooooooo, I'll send this out, and toddle off to bed.
Catch ya further on down the trail, Cyberpals!
Bobbie