Cyndi Hackerott's Providence Story
Providence, RI 11-29-97
Cyndi and Margaret in front of the theater
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I attended my first John Waite performance on Saturday
November 29, 1997 in Providence, Rhode Island. My traveling companions were Elizabeth,
Ignition administrator and Net Waite webmaster, and Margaret, who has a phenomenal archive
of John Waite materials! John performed an acoustic set with guitarist Shane Fontayne.
Even though the set was short (it was only five songs), it was great!! The five songs that
John and Shane did play were among my favorites, so it was especially thrilling for me!
John and Shane were real troopers and didn't let electrical problems stop them from
finishing their set. John and Shane's performance was just one
part of a bigger Christmas show put on by the local "lite" radio station. The
show was a benefit for the Salvation Army. The set-up of the show was that of a wholesome
family (the family of a man who worked at the radio station) Christmas get-together,
during which, of course, the family members were constantly breaking out in song. |
John was fit into the set-up of the show by a skit in which John
"stopped by" the house. Upon entering "the house," John engaged in a
little chit-chat with the man from the radio station. The radio station man asked John
what Christmas was like in England. I recall that John said something about London being
an especially good place to be during Christmas, and then the guy from the radio station
asked him something like "Don't you think it [Christmas in England] has a certain (or
did he say "special?") charm?" John's reply was,"Well, I'm
English!"
A special thrill for me was when John said my name on stage. When he
was on stage and said hello to Elizabeth, it didn't surprise me, because, of course,
Elizabeth set up both Ignition and Net Waite for John and his fans and John has said her
name on stage at other shows. But, after John said Elizabeth's name, he said my name!!! I
had to catch my breath!! I was stunned--the very first time I met John and he said my name
on stage!
After the show, JD (from John's Gold Mountain management) took
Ignition members Elizabeth, Margaret, Steve (plus his friend Kim), and me backstage.
Before the show, I showed Elizabeth and Margaret a couple of photographs of me that were
taken in September 1997 (on my birthday) at the Hard Rock Cafe in Chicago.
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The Hard Rock Cafe in Chicago has an autographed self-portrait of John up front near the bar
area. The photographs were of me standing next to the self-portrait. When I showed these
photographs to Elizabeth and Margaret, they suggested that I show them to John. So, after
the show I did. John looked at the photos and said he didn't know that this self-portrait
was up in the Hard Rock Cafe in Chicago. Elizabeth asked him if he knew of any other items
from him that were in any of the Hard Rock Cafes, and he replied that he didn't know.
Anyway, John graciously signed one of my photographs. |
John also signed my When You Were Mine CD. Elizabeth had her camera
out and took a picture of me with John while he was autographing the CD, and then took a
picture of me with John. Both pictures turned out great--thanks, Elizabeth! (You're
welcome, Cyndi!--E.)
Later, JD took the Ignition
group photograph.
Then John had to go out to the lobby area to sign autographs for
some other audience members at the radio station's reception. Before heading over the
lobby, John invited us to go out there with him. We waited while John signed autographs
and we talked with Shane, JD, and each other. Shane kindly posed for pictures with us.
Shane is a friendly guy, and like John, seemed to enjoy talking with fans. It was obvious
that JD was working hard not only to help John and Shane, but also to make sure that the
Igniters had a good time.
After John finished signing autographs in the lobby area, he talked
with us some more, and before he left, he shook everyone's hand and wished us "Happy
Christmas."
I can't waite to see John in concert again!!!
Back to Providence main page
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Thanks to Cyndi for sharing her story with Net Waite.
You can e-mail Cyndi at Cynthia_Hackerott@cch.com.
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