www.patty-loveless.net || Patty Loveless Net

Birchmere
October 27th, 2004
Alexandria, VA
Review by Cole

Tuesday night around 7:30, Tammie arrived at my house, ready to hit the road. We headed out and decided to see how far we would make it until we HAD to stop to get a few hours of sleep. We were able to make it to Wytheville, VA, which took us about 6 hours or so to get to. I was growing QUITE tired...and started to drift off a bit. We had Patty cds playing (obviously) and had been singing along quite loudly, but after awhile, I just couldn't seem to keep my eyes open. Now...Tammie found this quite humorous, and although I don't remember it.....she SAYS that I fell asleep when "On Down The Line" started playing (and she knew I had because I was being quiet...not something I'm too good at!)...and then suddenly awoke to loudly sing out, "RIDE SWEET BABY RIDE". By then it was almost 3 a.m, and we just were so exhausted that we knew we wouldn't make it all the way to Roanoke to stop, so we stopped in Wytheville, grabbed a hotel room, and crashed for four hours. Around 7:15, I hopped out of bed and started to get ready. Surprisingly enough- it only took me around an hour to get ready (that's not a usual occurance!), so we were able to get BACK out on the road before 9 am. Alexandria was still about 4 hours away, and we wanted to be there a little early to have time to chit chat with everyone prior to the show.

It was muggy, rainy, and foggy on our way to Alexandria. It rained the entire drive through Roanoke. But, alas, the POP kicked in- and rain spared us once we got into Alexandria. I was amazed at how close the venue really was to DC! We pulled into the venue parking lot and were quite impressed that the trip there had only taken us 10 hours. However- at first glance of the Birchmere building- we were NOT impressed. I looked at Tammie and asked if this was really the venue.

But, with open minds, we hopped out of the car and went up to the front of the line in search of Richard and Patti. Mega thanks to our beloved Patti who slept in the car the night before, which caused our group to be the first into the venue! We went up to Richard and Patti, and it was fabulous to see them since I'd not had the chance to spend time with them since Pigeon Forge & Renfro Valley in May. We were also greeted by Teresa and Jackie, and it was great to see them again as well! While chatting with Richard and Patti, I noticed that Tammie wasn't around, and looked around to see if she had disappeared;) A few minutes later, she popped up with Mike D. walking right behind her, which was the first time we'd had the chance to meet Mike D.

We stood outside to chat and eventually were graced with presences by Bob J & Barbara (Bob...trying to make you feel special here, buddy!), who also brought us our new Patty Mascot, whom we affectionately call "BJJ". Melinda & Todd showed up not long after they did, and I was quite pleased to then spot Wanda & Denny! We had a great crowd there for the show, and the promise of having us all front and center to cheer Patty on.

At 5:00, we were able to pick up our tickets, and walk around the bar area (or whatever you wanna call it...it had a bar, so I'm calling it the Bar Area), and I noticed that Jess & Mike had finally arrived. Then at 6:00, we were taken inside via line numbers. Our large group went in on Richard & Patti's line number, and scored the center two tables directly in front of Patty.

As you've read in Richard's review- the venue is pretty intimate. The stage is NOT high up at all, and the tables are right up to the stage, barely any room in between them. I was quite pleased! I headed back to the car to get a gift I had for the Band & Crew, and came back to find menus on the table...now...I don't eat on days I see Patty, or I have to eat breakfast so that it's early enough before the show....so I chose not to eat. But, I was sitting in the immediate area of Richard, Tammie, Wanda and Denny, who did order some food. When their plates arrived, our jaws dropped (minus Richard, LOL, since he had been there before). That place believes in the phrase "large portions"...the plates were ENORMOUS! If you attend a show there, don't eat for a few DAYS before the show!

Patty and the band hit the stage around 7:30 or so, and to my delight, the crowd was packed- and loud! And believe it or not...I don't have to moan about people yapping during the show, because that didn't HAPPEN this time! It was nice to finally be treated to a killer show - that was matched with a wonderful crowd who fully appreciated Patty's talents.

The only appropriate way to state how great Patty & the band sounded on this night is to say that they kicked ass! They were top notch, and sounded absolutely amazing. It was somewhat depressing to think during the show that this was almost the end of the tour for us. Patty spoke during the show of how gas prices keep rising, and how she really appreciated so many of us traveling to her shows, and then laughed and said that it cost a lot to fill up that bus too, so she thinks we're even!

I wont post the whole set list- prior to the show, Shayne gave me an extra set list, which we turned over to Barbara as she wanted to copy it down. So I have the feeling you'll be reading the full set list on Barbara's review- so I'll leave it out of mine. However, thanks to Richard's speaking up during the Bluegrass segment, we were treated with, "I'll Never Grow Tired of You", which prompted enormous cheering from our two tables! It was by far one of the highlights of the night- most of us had not heard it since the beginning of the tour, and were pleased she agreed to do it. I thought it was quite funny that she was so surprised that it was requested.

Patty was in rare form....she explained to everyone that this was the end of the tour, and the last time this year that they would all be "playing together", so she was a little ornery. That didn't even begin to describe her! During the band introductions, she spoke of how much she loved Martin- and how he had such a jolly laugh. Martin started laughing, and Patty said he needed to go try out to be Santa Claus...because she's been wanting to sit on his lap! She then started backing up to the drums, and had everyone laughing, Martin included! When she introduced Guthrie- she made sure to mention that her husband knows she's a big flirt- but it's harmless flirting!

But, she proved later on in the show that she was definitely still lively....when Guthrie and Martin were whispering things to eachother as she spoke of a song during the Bluegrass Segment, Patty turned to Guthrie and asked, "Is there something you'd like to share with the class?". Everyone laughed, and Guthrie had a surprised look on his face! He quickly said No, and Patty announced that she felt Guthrie needed a spanking. We all burst out laughing!

It was nice to fully be able to enjoy "Grandpa" at this show- everyone in the audience went crazy for the song, and she recieved a standing ovation afterwards. She actually receieved quite a few ovations, one also for "On Your Way Home", which was absolutely SPECTACULAR on this night!

Having such a low stage was fantastic during, "Blame it On Your Heart". Once we stood up, we were practically at Patty's height! Richard handed Patty his hat, which she wore for most of the song, and Tammie, Wanda and I stood next to him, directly in front of Patty and all sang at the top of our lungs. It was great to have such a huge crowd there- once we looked back behind us, most of the folks at our table had moved up a little bit, closer to the stage.

Tricking us after "Blame", the band bowed and left the stage. We had assumed she was doing encores- but surprised they had already bowed! But to our delight, they walked back out, and began the intro to, "Lonely too Long", which was wonderful to hear live! We'd heard it during Soundcheck earlier in the year- but had yet to hear her do it live at a show. She closed out the show with "On Down the Line", which obviously was a crowd favorite, because the whole place began to cheer when she started into the song! Tammie and I just couldn't help but laugh during the song, thinking back to our trip on the way up there!

After Patty sadly left the stage, we all piled up to the front of the stage to take some group photos, and say our goodbyes to the band. I immediately went in search of Jimmy J, since he's my bass man....and was pleased when he came out and gave me a hug. He's been fantastic all year long about commenting about the site, but this time he surprised me by commenting about how I've changed the site look, and he really liked it & though it looked great! After a bit- I scoured around for who was gonna be my "potty buddy" and walk to the restroom with me, to which Barbara volunteered. Off we headed, as I heard about her love for Garry, to which I reminded her- Patty herself even said that Harmless flirting was OK! We were delighted to finally get Barbara her eagerly anticipated "Garry Hug" (in which we didn't think she was going to let go!), and then get a great picture together! Barbara was cracking me up (we had a blast with you, girl!)- now, I always thought Garry was cute, but having Anita and now Barbara crazy about him was cracking me up!

We piled outside for more pics together, and then go scope out the bus scene, and to our delight, David brought Patty out to sign autographs. I decided not to go up this time around, and just decided to observe. I was so pleased to see everyone getting their thing signed- I must attest that Bob's jacket looks superb now with Patty's auto on it! And Mike D. went up to just talk with Patty, and I happened to hear my name be mentioned. I didn't quite hear what he was saying- but we'll just hope that it was good ;)!

Tammie, Bob J. Jr and I decided after a little while, we really needed to get on the road....we were traveling to Ashland over night to see the show the next day, and it was about a 6 hour drive. So we gave our last hugs and headed out on the road, ecstatic about seeing Patty again, but hating to leave everyone! We had a great time getting back out on the road, and discussing what a great time we had though! I felt the entire trip like I was coming down with a cold, so we stopped at a gas station to gas up, and I ran in and got some Vick's 44 medication, took double the dosage, and on our way we went!

On one final note.....I really love the band for 2004, and really hope they all choose to return. However, if we get a band change next year...it's my fervent hope that Patty keeps the trend of having a young, hot guitar player. I've been enjoying the eye candy the past few years:)