Me and Joe | Teen Ink

Me and Joe

June 28, 2013
By D0rkl0rd BRONZE, Richardson, Texas
D0rkl0rd BRONZE, Richardson, Texas
3 articles 0 photos 13 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Impossible is only defined by the technology and ideas of the modern age" - Me


Every year, I go to festival in Richardson, Texas called the Wildflower Festival. With a roster of twenty to thirty bands, each play for an hour or two, the festival draws a large crowd. The shows are usually pretty good, but not many are memorable. By the time the next festival comes, I usually forget about the last one. But there was show that I will never forget.

My grandfather, who I have always called Pawpaw, volunteers at the festival every year, and has VIP access to the shows. As he was taking me to the VIP area, I looked at the common seating in front of the stage. The trampled grassy terraces baked in the midday sun as people slowly began to file in with lawn chairs and towels. Already the place was half full. One side was enclosed by an office building, the other by a building and the VIP section. We walked along the sidewalk, and then down the rolling green hill, covered in white plastic chairs. After a bit of searching, we finally found seats that gave us a good view of the stage. The first show was a Beatles tribute. I had seen them play a couple of years ago, and really enjoyed it. Pawpaw, who worked in the foot court, wasn't able to stay for long though. The next show, which I didn't really care about, was Lou Gramm, the singer from Foreigner. I stayed though, because by now the VIP area was filling up, and I didn't want to lose my seat.

As I watched the show, Pawpaw came back. But in his hands was a guitar. But this was not just an ordinary guitar. This was my first guitar. The red body was still covered in finger smudges, and it had a dull shine to it in the evening light. He led me out of the VIP area, and into the crowded public seating. I followed him around the terraced hills and to the other side of the stage. There, we found a large metal gate. He somehow managed to get us through and to the area behind the stage.

The entire time I had been asking him where we were going, but he wouldn't tell me. I saw the Beatles tribute walking around, and finally he told me why I was here. I was going to have my picture taken with Joe Walsh. I was stunned. Only a handful of people got to see him before the show started. We waited as the line of people slowly went into a large, well-lit, tan tent. It was made very clear that he would not sign anything tonight. I listened to Lou Gramm sing, and looked at the back of the stage. Finally, it was my turn, but before I went to have my picture taken, one of the stage crew took my guitar and went through the tent with it. Just as he reached the other end, Joe Walsh spoke up.

“Is that his?” He asked, making a motion towards me. Upon seeing the crew man nod, he simply said “I'll sign it” I stared on in amazement as he signed my guitar, and then handed it back to the man. Afterwords, I had my picture taken with him, and then exited the tent and then went with Pawpaw as he put the autographed guitar in the trunk of his car, and finally back to the food court. We bought some nachos, and I sat down near a small stage in the food court to eat. Having lost my appetite in all the excitement, I mainly listened to the people on the stage. The people performing were singer song writers who were just starting their careers as musicians. I told myself that I would be up there one day. When it was time for Joe Walsh to play, I went back over to the stage. I enjoyed that show more than any other performance that I had ever seen.

To this day, I still don't know exactly why he chose to sign my guitar. But because he did, that very same guitar, which I have named Joe, is now a beacon of inspiration to me.



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This article has 11 comments.


phishhead said...
on May. 12 2014 at 2:05 pm
phishhead, West Des Moines, Iowa
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment
I liked this a lot! it reminded me of a time when me and my went to a Joe Walsh concert. I also liked how you named your guitar Joe at the end!

on Aug. 1 2013 at 1:10 pm
Cutey-Beauty SILVER, Ulaanbaator, Other
6 articles 0 photos 65 comments

Favorite Quote:
Soli Deo Gloria.

I really liked this, though I think your emotional description and the general excitemental "vibe" and energy was somewhat lacky. The general structure and wording of this was, however, quite good, and I love it that you chose to write about someone awesome like Joe. I also liked that little twist at the end where you name the guitar "Joe". LOL. KEEP WRITING! :D

on Jul. 3 2013 at 3:03 pm
WriteOrWrong BRONZE, Grosse Pointe, Michigan
3 articles 0 photos 105 comments

Favorite Quote:
Sometimes you just need to take a nap and get over it. -Maura Stuard

No problem. Sure, i'll check it out when it is posted. I am waiting on a few pieces to be accepted at the moment so I currently don't have anything posted. Best wishes for your writing :)

on Jul. 3 2013 at 12:09 pm
D0rkl0rd BRONZE, Richardson, Texas
3 articles 0 photos 13 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Impossible is only defined by the technology and ideas of the modern age" - Me

Thank you so much. When I write, I hope that my readers will be able to put themselves in my shoes. It means a lot to know that not only are they able to that, but that they also enjoy my writing. Thank you :)

JB.313 said...
on Jul. 3 2013 at 10:33 am
JB.313, Rome, Other
0 articles 0 photos 6 comments

Favorite Quote:
As I look back on my life, I realize that every time I thought I was being rejected from something good; I was actually being re-directed to something better.

This writing is amazing.I love it cause it reminds me myself in the festivals.Well done  

on Jul. 2 2013 at 9:10 pm
D0rkl0rd BRONZE, Richardson, Texas
3 articles 0 photos 13 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Impossible is only defined by the technology and ideas of the modern age" - Me

Thank you so much for your responce :) It means a lot knowing that people enjoy my writing. Thanks for poiting out those few errors and the advice. I really appreciate it.   I have some new stuff that should be posted soon if you want read it.

on Jul. 2 2013 at 5:41 pm
WriteOrWrong BRONZE, Grosse Pointe, Michigan
3 articles 0 photos 105 comments

Favorite Quote:
Sometimes you just need to take a nap and get over it. -Maura Stuard

I saw that you wanted some feedback on this piece in the forum so I decided to read it. I adore how you described the scene. I am a huge fan of classic rock. I really like the ambitious vibe towards the end of the piece. I can imagine a kid dreaming while watching someone as successful and talented as Joe Walsh. The only thing I would suggest is changing the penultimate paragraph's ending. You built it up so much and now you are just going to say that you enjoyed it? Just enjoyed?  There were just a few minor typos that I noticed, I thought you may like them to be pointed out. In the first paragraph last sentence I think you should say 'one show' instead of just 'show'. Also in the second paragraph you accidently said 'foot court' instead of 'food court.' I really like the piece, great job :)

on Jul. 2 2013 at 9:38 am
D0rkl0rd BRONZE, Richardson, Texas
3 articles 0 photos 13 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Impossible is only defined by the technology and ideas of the modern age" - Me

Thank you :)   I tried to add a picture of it, but I couldn't.

on Jul. 2 2013 at 9:37 am
D0rkl0rd BRONZE, Richardson, Texas
3 articles 0 photos 13 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Impossible is only defined by the technology and ideas of the modern age" - Me

Thank you very much :)

on Jul. 2 2013 at 9:34 am
TrishDestiny PLATINUM, Jerantut , Pahang, Other
45 articles 2 photos 91 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;When it&#039;s over, I want to say: all my life<br /> I was a bride married to amazement.<br /> I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms. <br /> <br /> When it is over, I don&#039;t want to wonder<br /> if I have made of my life something particular, and real.<br /> I don&#039;t want to find myself sighing and frightened,<br /> or full of argument. <br /> <br /> I don&#039;t want to end up simply having visited this world.&rdquo;

I like how you narrated this piece!!! Its wonderful!
 

on Jul. 2 2013 at 9:33 am
Xandy_Day PLATINUM, Lexington, Kentucky
27 articles 2 photos 11 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;I&#039;m living in a world of goldfish.&quot;

I really like it :) It's sweet, and it allows us to see why it means so much to you. Good job. You should add a picture of the guitar xD