DDY note

[Toph]

Hey everybody,

This weekend we had two shows that are of note for very different reasons. The Nashville War Memorial Auditorium Friday night was attended by one of the youngest and most enthusiastic crowds I have seen in Nashville ever. Though the band hadn't played together for over three weeks all cylinders were firing and the audience was on their feet with standing O's throughout the night. Not the biggest crowd I have ever drawn but the original Grand Ole Opry venue was rockin.

In terms of attendance Saturday was the polar opposite. We played in front of the largest crowd I have ever performed for in my entire career, Styx included. 85,000, EIGHTY FIVE THOUSAND people showed up for the pre 4th of July shindig. Now I realize the good folks of Allen Texas (Dallas suburb) weren't all there just to see me but the sheer size was mind boggling. It reminded me of when I played Woodstock...oh wait that was Santana.

Former Dallas Cowboy Tony Hill, event chairman, has been asking me to play this event for over 6 years and I'm certainly glad we finally got it together. A lot people singing Best of Times and Come Sail Away like it was yesterday. Wow! Chatted for some time with Tony about football and the 1985 Bears whom he played against. Tales of Walter Peyton and Randy White were shared to make the usual back stage banter far more interesting. He is a gentleman and a great guy and 4 time pro bowler. And speaking of sports...

BLACKHAWKS WIN STANLEY CUP!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats to the team and management of the Hawks especially Rocky Wirtz, John McDonnough and Stan Bowman. Quick story, I was having lunch with Rick Kogan of the Tribune last week when low and behold when I arrived he's sitting at a table next to Rocky Wirtz. Now I have never been a real Hockey fan, that was John Panozzo's deal, but I have watched both Stanley Cups the Hawks were in. So I admitted as much to Rocky and added that I was angry with him for fielding such a great team that I had to risk the stress of watching these gut wrenching overtime games unfold. I pointed out several times during the overtime I couldn't bear to look and kept clicking over to reruns of Downton Abbey for relief. He laughed and said he knew what I meant. Rocky was down to earth and completely without airs considering the amazing job he has spearheaded with the rise of the Blackhawks since taking the reins from his father.

At the end of the third period down 2 to 1 the Hawks scored 2 goals in 18 seconds to win. What a finish.

cheers ddy

[pinkfloyd1973]

A couple people corrected him, it was two goals in 17 SECONDS

[Abitaman]

wow 85,000