I was lucky enough to see Clay both nights in Atlantic City (July 30 and 31). Here's my (lengthy) story from the weekend (copied and pasted from the Clayboards):
Before I get in to the story of the weekend, I have to post some background information. I tried unsuccessfully to get tickets to either Atlantic City show via Ticketmaster; we had air conditioning repair people at our house all day the day tickets went on sale, so there was no way I could make it to Caesar's box office. After not getting through, I posted on the boards hoping for a ticket angel. A ticket angel did come through for me for Saturday night, but it all hinged on her high roller friends. Unfortunately, her high roller friends didn't come through for Saturday, and I didn't find this out until last minute. But, this was the worst of the weekend - the weekend turned out fantatic despite this.
Now, on to the weekend. We got to Caesars early on Friday in hopes of getting tickets for Friday night's show. Our hopes weren't too high, as we knew this concert was sold out and trying to find a high roller willing to part with tickets would be next to impossible. Our only hope was a standby line, and we weren't even sure if there was a standby line to be had.
As you walk in to Caesar's from the parking garage, off to the right there is a large statue of Caesar with a fountain in front of it. I threw in a penny, wishing for tickets for either night. Since I hadn't heard from my ticket angel by this point, I was already becoming nervous that the connection wouldn't come through; if the connection had come through, I would have heard by now. So, I threw in the penny with the best hopes. After gambling (and losing) at the slot machines for a bit, we went to the box office to try for standby tickets. We got there shortly before 11:00AM, and there was already a line forming. About 1:00, the box office manager came out and shooed us away; apparently it was a fire hazard to form the standby line this early (the line formed in front of the hallway leading to the bathrooms). We were further back from the bathrooms, so this seemed strange, but we milled around for a while.
We kept coming and going all day, and finally about 7:00, we re-formed the standby line. My mother and I were the first two in line, so even if there were two seats available in the theater, they were ours. After seeing high rollers giving away tickets to others just milling about, we were starting to lose hope - we were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The box office manager kept reminding us that the show was sold out, and any tickets that would become available were going to be minimal. There was already a three page waiting list for any comp tickets that didn't get picked up, so the only hope for us would be any general admission tickets that didn't show up. Thankfully, we stuck around, because she was wrong. The show started at 10:00, and we were let in about 10:15; 50 or so of the standbys were let in. We were seated in the center of the theater, stage right. These were terrific seats, but unfortuantely we missed the songs that Clay performed at the top of the stage, as there were speakers and lights hanging from the ceiling that blocked our view. If this was the worst of it, we definately weren't complaining!
With my first ever penny wish coming true, I was one happy camper Friday night. I totally didn't expect that penny wish to come true, so when we went back on Saturday, I didn't want to press my luck a second time. Now, I'm glad I did. I threw in another penny, wishing to have my picture taken with either Jerome or Jacob. I know this is a corny wish, but we had seen them milling about on Friday (we actually talked to Jerome for a bit Friday afternoon; he is a really nice, funny guy when he's not on duty), and I didn't think quick enough to ask them for pictures. So, I threw in a penny and hoped for the best.
As we were standing in the standby line, I got an overwhelming feeling that my connection wouldn't come through for that night. Sure enough, I got a call about 4PM that the connection indeed didn't come through. Although disappointed, I didn't let this get me down. I had a strong feeling that we'd get in standby again Saturday night, so this didn't upset me as much as I thought it would.
Not long after I got the call, we saw Jacob coming in to the theater. He started talking to someone, and then started taking pictures and signing autographs. The sweet woman in line behind us promised to save our places while we went to ask for a picture. We were at the front of the line for a picture when Jacob announced that he had to go in for the soundcheck. Bummer - I knew my second penny wish wouldn't come true. I had one penny wish come true, so I wasn't too upset by this.
Not long after seeing Jacob come in and out, I went to find a place to sit; after standing since 11:30AM (it was now closer to 5PM), my feet were pleading with me to sit down. No sooner had I sat down and breathed a sigh of relief did the standby line start shouting at me, "Debbie, she got them!" I had no idea what anyone was talking about, so I got up and went back to my mother (another huge Clay fan). Sure enough, a high roller had came over to my mom and offered her two tickets. I was in a state of shock! After hugging this woman a little too tightly, we walked over to the line to get in to the theater. It was now a little after 5:00, and seating didn't start until 7:30. My feet were definately waiting for a break, but I was too excited to get out of line.
While standing in line, we spotted Jacob out signing autographs and taking pictures again. This would be too surreal to have a ticket angel come through and have my penny wish come true within an hour of each other, but thankfully the woman in front of us in line promised to save our places while I go have my picture taken. Jacob was such a ham! Before I could ask him for a picture, my mother blurts out, "Can my daughter take a picture with you?" Jacob smiled and said yes, and proceeded to put his arm around the girl standing next to him - he didn't realize that she wasn't my mother's daughter. Mom told Jacob that wasn't her daughter, and Jacob became very embarrassed. We all got a huge laugh out of it, especially the random girl. She stepped back, and Jacob put his arm around me for the picture. I forgot to open the lens, so Mom couldn't figure out why the picture wasn't taking. I told her to open the lens, which she did, but she still couldn't take the picture. Jacob told her to hold down the button for a little longer, which my mother did. But, this time she was holding down the wrong button - she was holding down the button for the flash. Jacob reached over and took my camera, and pointed to the button that she needed to press. Now, it was Mom's turn to be completely embarrassed. She has never understood my camera, even though it's a regular film camera; nothing fancy. So, after she gets situated again, she's back to the beginning - not holding down the button long enough (you have to hold down the button on my camera for about 3 seconds before the picture takes). Jacob again reminded her to hold down the button longer, and he'd let her know when the picture takes. Finally, Mom takes the picture! Hooray! I commented to Jacob that he knows my camera better than I do, and he got a kick out of that.
After we got back in line, I realized that I would die a happy woman. Not only had both of my penny wishes come true, but I was standing in the high roller line. Wow! In the meantime, PSBonnie and Beans were behind us in line, so we started chatting with them, and time passed quickly. Before we knew it, Jerome was out auditioning people to sing with Clay. Our own Broadwaysinger auditioned for him, and she did an incredible job. We all thought she was a shoe-in for the job. Even though she didn't make it, it was still incredible to hear her sing, and even Jerome was impressed. Broadwaysinger, you will make it on stage with Clay some day!
Following the auditions, Jerome started signing autographs and posing for pictures, so I caught him as he was walking down the line and was able to take a picture with him. Even though we had chatted with him in the casino earlier in the weekend, I didn't realize just how big he was until he put his arm on my shoulder for the picture. This is the first time in my life that I was intimidated just from standing near someone - wow! He was very nice about signing autographs and taking pictures; he is a very nice guy if you ever have the opportunity to talk to him.
After I had my picture taken with Jerome, I commented to my mother that the only thing that would make this night better is if we were seated on the floor. I realized that I had jinxed myself upon saying that, but it was fun to dream.
Fast forward to 7:30. Security let in the first 100 or so people, so we were in the first group to go in. After about 5 minutes of waiting on the steps to the theater, the maitre'd took our tickets and seated us. Mom was walking one step ahead of me, and flashed the maitre'd $40. She asked her if it was possible to sit front and center. The maitre'd looked at the tickets, and said to her that she couldn't seat us center, but she could sit us front. I didn't hear this whole conversation as I was looking for Bonnie and Beans (where did you ladies go?), so imagine my surprise as the maitre'd took us down tier after tier. As soon as we took the last step down and I realized we were on the floor, I nearly collapsed - just when I thought I had jinxed any chances of sitting on the floor, we were seated on the floor. We were all the way on the right of the theater, second table from the stage. Fantastic seats!! As we sat down, Mom went to hand the money to the maitre'd, and she refused it - strange!
So, after thinking that we weren't going to attend either show and not being really hopeful on Friday, we wound up getting in to both shows and met up with some fantastic people. Beans, PSBonnie, Clayfan5, spedmom and Broadwaysinger, you are all fantastic people, and it was such a pleasure meeting all of you. Please keep in touch!
A huge {{{hug}}} to everyone that made this weekend possible. Clay wishes really do come true!
i'll post the few good ones i do have though...i'll try and get those up today if i can!
What a sweetie your dh is, Brandie. I hope you guys have a wonderful time!
