In addition, I remember that I had to attend solo. This is a great outdoor venue despite long beer lines. It is Utah and only one beer stand, but I digress.

I was staying at the hotel across the street. My wife had broken her ankle about two weeks prior and returned to Ohio to recuperate. I went to the show and checked in at the historic hotel across the street. My R-n-R collection is huge. I was missing anything autographed by Tesla. Well, I was sitting outside and across the street walks Troy. The band was staying in the same hotel. I asked for an autograph and discussed the photo his wife took for me a couple years earlier. Later, Jeff came walking across the street and signed my cd cover for me. Unfortunately, I had no Tesla on vinyl. I would remedy that a few years later. Troy returned downstairs, stopped by, and indicated his wife remembered taking the photo in Cleveland a couple years earlier. WAY COOL.

This night was just starting. Great show, good times. Troy mentioned an after show meet n greet, so I decided to try to sneak in. I succeeded. I waited at the end of the line so the paying customers could meet the band. While I waited, a young boy asked Jeff why they didn’t sing Mighty Mouse. Jeff immediately launched into a verse of the song for the boy. AMAZING.

As the crowd left, I got in at the end of the line. The manager said they could sign only one item. I said, what about Frank and Brian signing two cds – since I already had Jeff & Troy. Troy said that is fine. Again, my appreciation to the band. Brian asked me very directly (as I had Into the Now and Mechanical Resonance being signed) which was better? I responded for individual songs, probably MR. However, (and I still believe this) from start to finish, Into the Now is better. More solid from beginning to end.

So…first time I met the band. Two signed cds. Troy being incredibly nice. Brian putting me on the spot. Jeff singing to a young child. AWESOME!