So, what would you do…
While I’m trying to remember all of the events from NAMM weekend, there is one event that pretty much made the weekend, so I’ve gotta tell you about it…
During NAMM weekend the place to see and be seen after the show closes for the day is the Hilton. It’s right next to the convention center and has a very large lobby bar. (for those who haven’t been there in the last year or so, there have been even more changes since the last time you’ve seen the place) When there are no shows of interest, this is where everyone goes. This is where we went Friday night. We started off with dinner there in the restaurant in the lobby.
As I said, this is where everyone goes. In a short amount of time that after we arrived, I had spotted Mark “The Animal” Mendoza and Jay Jay French (Twisted Sister), Brad Gillis (Night Ranger), Ted Nugent, and Mandy Lion (WW3).
We connected with Gary Hoey and his band (Matt Scurfield on drums and Erik Konds on bass) relatively early and pretty much stuck with them all night. We set up shop at a table in the “Avalon Room” which used to be the main bar. At the table along with us and the band was Matt’s wife Debbi, and a few friends of Gary’s.
At this point we’re all talking, drinking, and just having a good time. I’m still seeing some of my musical heroes go back and forth throughout the room. Soon, I spot Dario Lorena, Chris Sanders, Marten Andersson and Lizzy Borden of the band… Lizzy Borden. Now mind you, this is one of my favorite bands. It’s very rare to find me without some of their material in my phone. (which is also my MP-3 player)
So, we’re there, drinking, having fun, and all that good stuff. I’m standing right next to Kristi. Lizzy walks up to Kristi and starts talking. He’s really leaning into it. Debbi motions me over and whispers in my ear, “You know that’s Lizzy Borden hitting on your wife?”
I respond, “Yeah, if I wasn’t such a fan, I would have stopped him.” This brings on a laugh from Debbi. I then return to my wife’s side. Lizzy still seems oblivious as to a) Kristi’s marital status and b) the big guy next to her being her husband.
Debbi motions me over again, she says, “You think she knows?”
I respond, “Oh yeah! She’s a fan too! I think she would have shot him down already if she wasn’t.” This brings on a bigger laugh from Debbi.
She then says, “I’m going to get a picture of this, you should get in it with them.” Now it’s my turn to laugh. I then take my place beside my wife and her “suitor”. Debbi prepares to take a snapshot of the moment. Me, being the goof that I am, make sure I’m out of the frame. Though I admit, in hindsight, it was a stupid move. It would have been comedy gold to have appeared in the background or even as a participant in the picture.
So, this goes on for a few more minutes and apparently the rest of the band want to move on. Apparently Lizzy leans in, nose to nose to my wife and says, “Hit me up.” And then leaves with the rest of the band.
We’ve had our lauhgs over it. And honestly, I don’t think we’re done laughing at it. I’m pretty sure we’ll get a lot of mileage out of the phrase, “Hit me up.”