[Tim]

Continued .................

We walked around the block and found the backstage door. There was another familiar sight that I always liked to see: the white semi tractor-trailer backed up against the loading dock area, and a couple of rental cars. There were probably about a dozen people out there, of which about 4 were security or theater personnel and about 8 other fans like us. The size of our proletariat group was small compared to the elitist line of people that got to visit with him inside after the show. (that’s a little tongue in cheek humor, I’m not a Marxist, honest!) but we were determined.

One of the first things I noticed in the parking lot behind the theater was Peter’s good friend …… the same security guard. He seemed marginally friendlier. I did take the time to gently needle him by saying: “all I wanted to do was to place my daughter’s note next to the microphone.” But then I quickly added “But I know you were only doing your job.” I felt I had to add that last concession because he might have had the power to keep us from meeting Gordon. The wait was over an hour, and during that time, the crowd dwindled down to our family of four and another gentleman who had been a fan for many years. He had a 45 RPM record of the single “Sundown” that he wanted Gord to sign.

Trivia break: What song was on the flip side of the original “Sundown” 45 RPM?

There was another security guard, a young lady who was as sweet as could be. She took the time to talk to us and really helped to make this night a memorable one, especially for my son Tim.

Tim has been playing the guitar for several months now. He listens to Gord’s music all the time, he watches the PBS DVD frequently to zero in on what Terry Clements is doing on any given song. While Tim is near the loading dock, where we see the staff loading the equipment into the truck, he starts to chat with a gentleman who I later learned is Gord’s truck driver (Bill). Another coincidence. Remember the song “Long Thin Dawn?” There was reference to a truck driver in that song whose name was also “Bill.” Well, Bill seemed quite taken with Tim. Anyway, during this talk, we notice the unmistakable figure of Terry inside the building passing by the loading dock door. But in a flash he was gone before we could get Tim’s attention to notice him.

However, several minutes later, a figure comes out of a more distant door. I see that it is Terry. I asked the security guard if we could go over to that area to meet him. She not only seemed agreeable, she led us in that direction. But just at that time, Terry retreated back into the building. I had the feeling maybe he was not in the mood to talk to anyone. We head back to the main door where the security guard (the friendly one) told us that Gord would be coming out of. We wait a bit longer, then Terry emerged from the other door again, perhaps to take a smoke break. This time, the lady security guard went over to Terry by herself and asked if we could speak with him. Then she motioned us over.

We all greeted Terry with smiles and handshakes. I thanked him for touring with Gord all these years and providing his phenomenal talents to his albums and concerts. He was very modest. Then I noticed Tim wasn’t saying anything. He was standing there with his mouth wide open and muttered something like “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I’m meeting you!”

“Terry, this is my son Tim. He’s been playing the guitar and is a great admirer of you.”

Terry brightened and began to chat with Tim. Tim quickly overcame his loss for words and began to ask him how he plays certain leads on certain songs like “Waiting for You,” “Old Dan’s Records,” and “Endless Wire.” Terry explained the chord structure of certain songs, used the “air guitar” method and actually hummed the measures to which he was referring to.

I had a notebook with me and Tim quickly commands me to “Write this down! Write this down!” Terry chuckled. I think he was taken by young Tim’s exuberance.

When I could get a word in edge-wise, I asked Terry what music he liked to play when he was not out on the road with Gord. He indicated he likes a variety of music, specifically mentioning country and classical. He talked about the classical guitar, so I think he enjoys that genre of music quite a bit when he is relaxing. Then he says to Tim “I’ve been playing guitar for 55 years and I found out that the more you learn, the more you don’t know.”

Tim, always noticing subtle details asked Terry about the guitar he used tonight. I noticed that it was not his typical Martin D-18 that he had been using at most appearances. Terry said that is was a special hand-made guitar by a gentleman who had since passed away. He uses it now to get a slightly different acoustic sound from Gordon’s. We tell him that the guitar sure sounded great to us in the theater1

I told Terry that my daughter Angela plays the cello, to which he was very pleased to hear. He told her that it’s a great instrument to play, and encouraged her to keep at it. I asked Terry if he wouldn’t mind us taking some pictures, to which he gladly obliged. He snapped one with him and each of my kids.

Then there was some activity at the main door. We thanked Terry and moved back over there. It wasn’t long before Mike, Rick, and Barry Keane emerged. We greeted them warmly. Tim mentioned something unique and complementary to each band member: to Rick, it was how much he loved his bass on “Early Morning Rain;” to Mike it was how he enjoyed his keyboard on “O-D-R.” Mike chuckled that Tim new the songs so well he was using initials to identify them, and he thanked Tim. We had a special connection to Barry, because Tim wrote to him about 9 years ago, and Barry remembered that. About a year after that we were fortunate enough to meet Barry and the band. When I brought this up to Barry, he not only remembered that we were living in New Jersey when we met him about 7 years ago, he remembered Tim’s first and last name!! We were floored by that. We got individual pictures of Terry & Barry with the kids. I told each of them how many of Gordon’s fans also appreciated their dedication to Gord and coming out on tour year after year. They all said that they were happy to do it and were looking forward to next year!

Then Gordon came out. We approached him, thanked him for a really good performance and I reintroduced him to my wife and kids. It was my daughter that spent the most time with Gordon this time … she told him how happy she was to meet him and that she met him 7 years before (7 years is a long time to a 12 year old). Gordon thanked her for coming out and asked where it was she met him last. She replied that it was in New York. I added that it was in Purchase, New York in March of 2000, on the tour that was gearing up for the PBS Special concert in Reno. He seemed to remember that. Both my kids thanked him and he very happily agreed to pose in a photo with both of them.

The kids are very drawn to Gordon’s music. I know I can only take credit for introducing Gordon’s music to them, but the fact that they love Gordon’s music is all up to them. My kids both told him how great they thought he was. Sensitive to the fact that Gord and entourage were trying to get to the airport and on a plane back to Toronto, we bid them good night. Just as we were leaving, Terry approached Tim and held up a Dunlop Guitar pick and recommended that he try them out. As Tim looked at the pick that Terry was holding, just to get the brand name, Terry handed it to him. “Here you go” he said.

Again, Tim was floored, and also speechless. We thanked him and the entire band. As the cars pulled out of the theater they all gave a friendly wave, they turned the corner and then were gone.

Another set of memories recorded for a lifetime. We are all drawn to Gordon’s music for many reasons but I think most of us agree there is a goodness to the man, and his work. He has given much more to this world than he has taken and we are all the better for it.

My kids are already watching for next year’s tour schedule and if Gordon and band come within “Songbook’s Proximity” to us, we are sure to be there. Who knows, some or all of us may get on a plane to Toronto if the Massey dates work into our schedule.

Thanks for listening, my apologies for the lengthy post. I attempted to upload a picture from that memorable time but I don't know if it worked. But, this story is all true, Honest !!!!