Close Encounters With Carole King

Bob Meets Carole in Charlotte 6/2/10 and NYC 6/16/10--

The first visit in Charlotte was the really special one. Joe and I were among a few 'guests' waiting to meet her backstage. She had 2 personal friends with her Captain Greg and his wife --they're under "Friends" on her website. They wound up sitting next to us. He said to me at the start of the concert --"So you're the super fan?" I replied --one of many. Briefly discussed my CK fan tribute/website with him. He was friendly throughout the show and like all of the men in the audience seemed to enjoy "Natural Woman" as much as the women did. He owns a sailboat charting company in Virgin Islands. They've been friends since '92 or '93.

Anyhow, after the concert, most of the people waiting backstage were JT folks since he's from NC. Carole walked right into the lounge and said "Hi Bob -- thanks for coming. Thanks for all of the work you've done on your website." I said something like, well, now with your official site, my site is nothing," but, she, always able to say just the right thing, said, "but, you were there in the beginning and we really, really appreciate it." I nearly melted! I thanked her for "coming back on the road." She just shook her head, smiled, and said "We're having a blast."

Having just seen the nearly 3 hour "in the zone" performance she had just delivered to the sell-out crowd -- I could not believe that a) she was standing right before me, b) she had the energy/inclination to even take 5 minutes out of her schedule to meet me and the few others gathered. I would not have been surprised if Elissa Kline, her tour personal assistant and tour photographer had come into the lounge and told us she was not up to the meet and greet.

I proceeded to tell Carole that she sounded great that night. She smiled. Joe thankfully interrupted me from stammering and blabbering on by asking "Carole can I get a picture of you and Bob." She replied --"Of course, that's the least we can do." Again, I nearly melted. I usually hate the photos taken of me, but, I must say, I do like the one which Joe took and is now my FB profile photo. Carole then asked Elissa to take one of the two of us. I also like Elissa's shot. Joe and I were so nervous --nearly bumping into each other, but, CK put us at ease by saying something like "oh they're so cute, or oh they're so funny" -- I think she meant, good gracious what two bumbling idiots! Nah, I'm just projecting. But, I did feel awkward, numb, and inarticulate. I felt that anything I said could not come close to expressing the gratitude for the years of inspiration, joy, entertainment, and peace that her music has given to me. Carole's music has gotten me through many bad times in my life ("Morning Sun;" "Someone You Never Met Before," "Someone Who Believes in You," "City Streets"), challenging times, ("Wasn't Born to Follow," "Directions," "You've Been Around Too Long,"), deaths (family and far too many friends during the AIDS epidemic in the early 90s ("In the Name of Love"), as well as the good times "Going Back,"("Song of Long Ago," "Brighter" "The First Day in August,""Now and Forever,").

Mary R. from Idaho recently mentioned on FB that CK and JT darn near raised her and our generation. So true. Carole has been like a spiritual adviser -- an avatar-- to me over the years. To this day, I believe that God speaks to me through other people. When I listen closely to Carole's lyrics and hear her melodies, my soul smiles. "I'm listening and I Think I Can Hear You."

In NY, there were so many people in her lounge that I simply waited for a moment, and Lorna drew her attention to a few of us standing along the sidelines. My sister swears Carole remembered me by name. I don't know how that could be possible. Regardless, I told her that it was the 20th time I had seen her in concert and she sounded better and better each and every time." My sister asked her where she got all of her energy, she laughed, and replied that after the show she goes home and collapses.

I had just seen Katie Couric, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Matthew Broderick --all present at the 6/16 Madison Square Garden show, but, I didn't even look twice at any of them. I've met many of my heroes over the years ranging from Bruce Springsteen to Jane Fonda -- but, nothing compared to my two 2010 encounters with the woman who has so greatly influenced the course of American pop and rock music in the 20th century and, more importantly, and stirred my soul and guided me along a spiritual path to help me to become the person I am today.

Contact:Bob/Webmaster

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