Sometimes its just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
That's about the only way I can summarize a series of events that took place over the past couple of days that led to one very memorable evening. I saw that BB King was coming to Wausau several weeks ago when I was still in the interview process for my new job here. I also saw that the show was sold out. I was happy to see that such a great performer would be here and probably in a small way it contributed to my growing interest in the job and the community.
Sometime on Monday, Tom, one of my team members told me there was an "extra" ticket to see BB King and he asked if I'd like it. Well, an offer like that cannot be turned down. I was all set for an evening of fun with some of my new friends and colleages and the chance to hear BB King for the first time. The night went well. The Grand Theatre is very grand. I met a number of interesing people prior to the concert including the Grand's director who mentioned that we could come back stage and meet Mr. King following the concert. Good idea I thought but it was soon time for the show to start.
I think I can speak for most of us in attendance when I say that we were in awe of BB King. At age 81 the man can play, sing, and tell incredible stories. He and the band played for a solid two hours and when it was over nobody wanted him to go.
We filed our way out and down to the main floor...and then to the back of the theatre area where we were asked to wait in a small room to visit Mr. King for a few minutes in groups of five people. We waited through about three or four groups and finally were on our way in. He sat in the back of his tour bus in a room with very comfortable seating. He invited us all to sit down while he talked to us and continued to tell stories. He graciously signed every piece of paper put in front of him and even granted a very rare interview to the local WPR radio newscaster.
Our few minutes were up soon but nobody moved and BB King just kept on talking to us, listening to our questions, and sharing from his life as a bluesman. Probably twenty or maybe thirty minutes went by and we remained in our seats with him in what was probably one of the most incredible times of my life. Finally we got up to leave and he let us take a few pictures and then shook hands and waved good bye.
I waited a long time to see BB King for the first time and I don't expect I'll ever be as fortunate to see him again in a situation like this. But know this, I'll go a long way out of my way to see him again. He signed a vintage-style poster of this year's tour for me and when the frame gets here it will hold a place of significance in my new Wisconsin home.
BB King sings "The Thrill is Gone," but for me the thrill will last a long, long time.
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