It Just Never Gets Old When You See the Man - Oct. 27, 2011

 It was Portland, Maine and I shouldn't have been there.

 But I was.

 Hey, when you're a teenager you can do things you're not supposed to and talk about it later.

 Much later.

 Yep, as a 15-year-old I haad the chance to see my first major concert, taking in who was then known as Johnny Cougar.

 It was the Nothing Matters and What if It Did? tour from way back when and I knew right then and there who my favourite artist was and would be.

 Certainly didn't think in 2011, I'd be getting my ticket checked for my 12th concert with John Mellencamp.

 Fortunately, my dedication to Mellencamp has been shared with my bride. I've lugged her to a number of his shows including this past Tuesday in Boston's wonderful Wang Theatre.

 He brought the house down...of course.

 He never disappoints and the show he put on in front of a fullhouse was once again lights out.

 I honestly could care a less about his hits from the 1980s such as Little Pink Houses, Smalltown and the like. Great songs, yes. But he's written so much tremendous stuff in the past decade that it's what I wanted to hear.

 Having said that, Rain on the Scarecrow had the hair on the back of my neck standing up as his band blasted its way through that farming song.

 It all seemed a bit unreal to be standing in Animal Essentials last night, one day removed from the show.

 One day you're in the Boston Commons and at the Wang, the next you're at home helping out with the business.

 Oh well, it's great to take some time out of reality, eh?