TAILGATING, NEW YORK CITY STYLE
Your mode of transportation is the commuter train system. For Jen and I that means the LIRR. Taking the train leaves one at a
disadvantage when you’re looking for a tailgate to sit on, but it sure helps to improvise.
When Jen and I pack up for a road trip, we don’t leave much behind. When we depart for a show in NYC, we tend to travel
very lightly. Our usual travelling budding would be surprised at how light we travel. The reason being, whatever we take with
us, we are stuck carrying for the day. So, what did we bring with us for the day? Just a few survival items, a liter of Jim Beam, a
few bottles of soft drinks (with sport bottle tops from some Dasani water bottles that were purchased by yours truly during
her last visit to DisneyWorld), a 5 x 7 of Phil Vassar and the guys in his band, gloves, and in my case—thermals.
Somehow Jen and I didn’t get too distracted during our walk from New York’s Penn Station to 42nd Street. Believe me,
there’s plenty to be distracted with during that eight-block walk. As the marquee for B.B.KINGS became visible, we could
see Phil’s name proudly displayed on it. No sooner did we see the marquee when we noticed a couple of people already
waiting on line.
It’s always fun to meet fellow country music fans. It’s really cool to meet fans that live in “our area�. Our area
being anything in the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. You gotta love the ones that show up as early as
we do. We shortly found out that one of them had been waiting since 10 AM. You see B.B.KINGS has general admission
seating. Even though it’s a small venue, with not a bad view, we wanted to be by the stage.
My goal for this trip was to take lots of pictures of everyone waiting outside until the doors opened at 6pm. Being that it was
so cold that day, B.B.Kings Grill side opened a bit early, and we got to do most of the tailgating inside, where it was much
warmer. So we ate and drank inside, in the comfort of heat. Unfortunately, I only got one picture of us tailgating New York
City style. Back in October, when we went to the MWL show they had here, I didn’t think to take pictures of the huge
crowd of people waiting outside.
When we were finally allowed inside the entertainment side of B.B.Kings, the rooms was set up a bit differently than the last
time we were here. The dance floor in front of the stage had tables and chairs set up on it. They wanted us to have dinner before
the show started. Jen and I had already had dinner on the other side when they first let us in to get warm. Anyhow, we ordered
a fruit and cheese platter, which I ate as I rested my left elbow on the stage.
Blue County (not Country) was the opening act. If you don’t know them, they’re the ones who sing “Good Little
Girls�. They did a fine 30-minute set. It was just the two guys. Some guy named Aaron and Scott Reeves, formerly of
YOUNG AND RESTLESS fame. If I heard them right, they haven’t released an album yet. That should be happening some
time this year. They had no band behind them, just those two guys, each playing a guitar. Scott always played an acoustic and
Aaron would play either acoustic or electric, depending on the song. They were very entertaining and did seem to make a good
connection with the audience. By the way, have to add this, Scott wasn’t skeered or intimidated with an audience filled with
New Yawkers, since YOUNG AND RESTLESS is actually filmed in New York City.
With a short stage changeover, Phil Company took the stage. They played for almost two hours. Phil did all of his hits, plus
some of the hits he’s written. One of my favorites being MY NEXT 30 YEARS. Phil even debuted three new songs from
his upcoming album. All three were in the usual Phil fashion, very well written with lots of meaning. My favorite new song was
HOT TUB, possibly because it’s my favorite way to tailgate.
At first no one was standing, since we were seated in chairs by tables. Slowly, a few people would stand at the end of a song.
Eventually, Jen and I just wouldn’t sit any more. We just stayed on our feet. People were slow to follow, but since we
make better doors than windows, most of the crowd eventually did stand.
Phil did a great job. He was as entertaining and as energetic as I remember him from Kenny Chesney’s NO SHOES NO
SHIRT NO PROBLEMS Tour. His band does a great job of backing him up. They most definitely were having a good time and
seemed to enjoy the good crowd. And yes, Jeff did his usual solo in the middle of Phil’s rendition of Queen’s WE WILL
ROCK YOU, where they go into Jackson’s Browne’s STAY. Jeff does the high part, quite well too.
Although I could hear the sound of a drummer, I never did see him. Rumor has it his name is Angelo. Phil’s piano
completely blocked the drummer from my view. Then again, I found it quite strange that all the previous shows that I’ve
seen Phil at, I don’t have one picture of the drummer. I’ll just have to make way to another show and investigate this a
bit further.
When the show was over, which I don’t think eve Phil wanted it to end; Jen and I were chatting with some of the girls we
had met while tailgating. In between talking to different people, Jen and I both managed to get autographs from most of the
band. We also took a picture with one band member, something neither of us remember doing. That is until we got our pictures
back.
As we were still talking to different people and getting autographs, a bunch of people were allowed to go backstage, so I
followed. Unfortunately, somehow I lost Jen. I went back to get her and got yelled at by security. Seems I’m always getting
myself in trouble. The dude from security said that they were taking people backstage in groups of ten. I decided to wait with
Jen
When it was our turn to go backstage, we were first in line in our group, and we were having a few problems. Most of which I
do believe were caused by a liter of Jim Beam. Jen’s camera was out of PHILM. I was trying to give her a roll of my
PHILM to sue, but she didn’t want to use her camera since it kept giving her a problem throughout the night. She wanted
me to use my camera, but I couldn’t find my camera. Seems I’m always losing stuff when I’m with the Beam. Well,
this is where we were at when Phil walked up to us. Then as Jen was trying to get her camera out with mine being lost; she
starts passing me everything in her hands. She gave me her bag, her jacket, her pictures for autographing, and my camera. My
camera, that’s where it was. It wasn’t lost. How she got my camera, we will never know.
After Phil signs and takes pictures with everyone else in our group, he comes back to us; “You girls got it together yet?�
He was such a sweetie. Since Jen failed at getting most of her pictures signed by the band, Phil took it upon himself to
autograph all of her pictures that were yet unsigned. Actually, before he did that he looked for the few guys so that they could
sign them, but since they were around he did the only noble thing. While Phil was still on stage, I had him sign a picture for me.
I wanted to have him sign by ticket while we were backstage, but never had a chance to look for it. So, I had him sign the
ticketmaster stub that came with the tickets. You know the part that says your name and address. Only thing, it was Jen’s
name and address. Phil was phunny. He turned to Jen and asked her name. Then he signed the stub for me and put a smiley face
on it.
I have met a few other artists, some multiple times. I have to say that Phil was the most at ease and very relaxed. He definitely
was making the most out of meeting new fans. We both thanked him for coming to New York City. In the past few years,
without having a radio station, not that many artists come him to perform. So when they do, we make sure they know that we
want them there. Phil said something about how he wouldn’t mind being the “house band� they’re every night.
It was definitely a good show and a good time.
Your mode of transportation is the commuter train system. For Jen and I that means the LIRR. Taking the train leaves one at a
disadvantage when you’re looking for a tailgate to sit on, but it sure helps to improvise.
When Jen and I pack up for a road trip, we don’t leave much behind. When we depart for a show in NYC, we tend to travel
very lightly. Our usual travelling budding would be surprised at how light we travel. The reason being, whatever we take with
us, we are stuck carrying for the day. So, what did we bring with us for the day? Just a few survival items, a liter of Jim Beam, a
few bottles of soft drinks (with sport bottle tops from some Dasani water bottles that were purchased by yours truly during
her last visit to DisneyWorld), a 5 x 7 of Phil Vassar and the guys in his band, gloves, and in my case—thermals.
Somehow Jen and I didn’t get too distracted during our walk from New York’s Penn Station to 42nd Street. Believe me,
there’s plenty to be distracted with during that eight-block walk. As the marquee for B.B.KINGS became visible, we could
see Phil’s name proudly displayed on it. No sooner did we see the marquee when we noticed a couple of people already
waiting on line.
It’s always fun to meet fellow country music fans. It’s really cool to meet fans that live in “our area�. Our area
being anything in the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. You gotta love the ones that show up as early as
we do. We shortly found out that one of them had been waiting since 10 AM. You see B.B.KINGS has general admission
seating. Even though it’s a small venue, with not a bad view, we wanted to be by the stage.
My goal for this trip was to take lots of pictures of everyone waiting outside until the doors opened at 6pm. Being that it was
so cold that day, B.B.Kings Grill side opened a bit early, and we got to do most of the tailgating inside, where it was much
warmer. So we ate and drank inside, in the comfort of heat. Unfortunately, I only got one picture of us tailgating New York
City style. Back in October, when we went to the MWL show they had here, I didn’t think to take pictures of the huge
crowd of people waiting outside.
When we were finally allowed inside the entertainment side of B.B.Kings, the rooms was set up a bit differently than the last
time we were here. The dance floor in front of the stage had tables and chairs set up on it. They wanted us to have dinner before
the show started. Jen and I had already had dinner on the other side when they first let us in to get warm. Anyhow, we ordered
a fruit and cheese platter, which I ate as I rested my left elbow on the stage.
Blue County (not Country) was the opening act. If you don’t know them, they’re the ones who sing “Good Little
Girls�. They did a fine 30-minute set. It was just the two guys. Some guy named Aaron and Scott Reeves, formerly of
YOUNG AND RESTLESS fame. If I heard them right, they haven’t released an album yet. That should be happening some
time this year. They had no band behind them, just those two guys, each playing a guitar. Scott always played an acoustic and
Aaron would play either acoustic or electric, depending on the song. They were very entertaining and did seem to make a good
connection with the audience. By the way, have to add this, Scott wasn’t skeered or intimidated with an audience filled with
New Yawkers, since YOUNG AND RESTLESS is actually filmed in New York City.
With a short stage changeover, Phil Company took the stage. They played for almost two hours. Phil did all of his hits, plus
some of the hits he’s written. One of my favorites being MY NEXT 30 YEARS. Phil even debuted three new songs from
his upcoming album. All three were in the usual Phil fashion, very well written with lots of meaning. My favorite new song was
HOT TUB, possibly because it’s my favorite way to tailgate.
At first no one was standing, since we were seated in chairs by tables. Slowly, a few people would stand at the end of a song.
Eventually, Jen and I just wouldn’t sit any more. We just stayed on our feet. People were slow to follow, but since we
make better doors than windows, most of the crowd eventually did stand.
Phil did a great job. He was as entertaining and as energetic as I remember him from Kenny Chesney’s NO SHOES NO
SHIRT NO PROBLEMS Tour. His band does a great job of backing him up. They most definitely were having a good time and
seemed to enjoy the good crowd. And yes, Jeff did his usual solo in the middle of Phil’s rendition of Queen’s WE WILL
ROCK YOU, where they go into Jackson’s Browne’s STAY. Jeff does the high part, quite well too.
Although I could hear the sound of a drummer, I never did see him. Rumor has it his name is Angelo. Phil’s piano
completely blocked the drummer from my view. Then again, I found it quite strange that all the previous shows that I’ve
seen Phil at, I don’t have one picture of the drummer. I’ll just have to make way to another show and investigate this a
bit further.
When the show was over, which I don’t think eve Phil wanted it to end; Jen and I were chatting with some of the girls we
had met while tailgating. In between talking to different people, Jen and I both managed to get autographs from most of the
band. We also took a picture with one band member, something neither of us remember doing. That is until we got our pictures
back.
As we were still talking to different people and getting autographs, a bunch of people were allowed to go backstage, so I
followed. Unfortunately, somehow I lost Jen. I went back to get her and got yelled at by security. Seems I’m always getting
myself in trouble. The dude from security said that they were taking people backstage in groups of ten. I decided to wait with
Jen
When it was our turn to go backstage, we were first in line in our group, and we were having a few problems. Most of which I
do believe were caused by a liter of Jim Beam. Jen’s camera was out of PHILM. I was trying to give her a roll of my
PHILM to sue, but she didn’t want to use her camera since it kept giving her a problem throughout the night. She wanted
me to use my camera, but I couldn’t find my camera. Seems I’m always losing stuff when I’m with the Beam. Well,
this is where we were at when Phil walked up to us. Then as Jen was trying to get her camera out with mine being lost; she
starts passing me everything in her hands. She gave me her bag, her jacket, her pictures for autographing, and my camera. My
camera, that’s where it was. It wasn’t lost. How she got my camera, we will never know.
After Phil signs and takes pictures with everyone else in our group, he comes back to us; “You girls got it together yet?�
He was such a sweetie. Since Jen failed at getting most of her pictures signed by the band, Phil took it upon himself to
autograph all of her pictures that were yet unsigned. Actually, before he did that he looked for the few guys so that they could
sign them, but since they were around he did the only noble thing. While Phil was still on stage, I had him sign a picture for me.
I wanted to have him sign by ticket while we were backstage, but never had a chance to look for it. So, I had him sign the
ticketmaster stub that came with the tickets. You know the part that says your name and address. Only thing, it was Jen’s
name and address. Phil was phunny. He turned to Jen and asked her name. Then he signed the stub for me and put a smiley face
on it.
I have met a few other artists, some multiple times. I have to say that Phil was the most at ease and very relaxed. He definitely
was making the most out of meeting new fans. We both thanked him for coming to New York City. In the past few years,
without having a radio station, not that many artists come him to perform. So when they do, we make sure they know that we
want them there. Phil said something about how he wouldn’t mind being the “house band� they’re every night.
It was definitely a good show and a good time.
S E T L I S T
- PHIL VASSAR 02/2004 -
42Pics at B.B. KINGS, NEW YORK
CITY - ">X