July 1, 1999
Norman, Oklahoma
Of course, fan club folks were first in line (a line that eventually stretched around the interior of the store). I heard a rumor that said over 1000 people showed up to meet Rick and get his autograph. It can't go unsaid that, despite the fact that his time was limited, Rick stayed and very patiently met everyone who had been in line since 7pm (or so I was told by folks near the end of the line who got their chance).
Yep, my husband is the one taking the pic (this seems to always be the way it goes).
When we saw Rick in Tulsa 2 months earlier, he mentioned during the show that he really liked the ball cap I was wearing (I painted it similar to the cover of the "Karma" CD.) Rick jokingly asked if he could keep it, then gave it back. After the show, I offered it to him but he said I should keep it because it looked like it took a lot of work. Before he left, though, he jokingly said I could make him one. Never one to refuse a challenge, I made a 2nd hat and took it to Wal-Mart to give Rick.
I know he gets lots of cool things and can't possibly keep them all, so I told him he wouldn't offend me if he gave it away to someone who would think it was cool. Anyway, the cap is what Ronnie is looking at. I probably should have assured them I had no intention of producing and selling them (Duh!) I paint and write and work in a library so I know how territorial artists are about their work. Even if I wasn't anal about copyright, the darned things are just too much work!
My husband is a relatively recent convert to Rick's music (he must've slept thru the 80's) and went with me to get his own autograph. Did I mention how patiently he waited til I was done? How he made absolutely sure that he got a good picture of me with Rick? Did I also mention that his inconsiderate wife ran off as soon as her picture was done? (oops)! He and Rick actually had to yell at me to come back and take their picture! In fact, I think Rick's exact words were "not very attentive, is she?" Of course, my husband agreed (truth is truth, right?), but I did go back to take their pic. So I guess you could say they got to have one of those little bonding moments that only men share - you know, the kind that happen when women are total airheads.
