I am pretty new to the forums and realized I have a fun Tom Petty close encounter I can share! In 1997, I saw Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at the Fillmore in San Francisco. We were right up against the stage, and there was no gate or anything, we were really actually touching the stage. It was AWESOME! They played so many great songs, some of their own, and lots of covers, the music that Tom said inspired him. It really just was great. At one point I called out "Hi!" and he looked over and smiled at me and said hi! He also played guitar right directly in front of me, and seriously, I was so close I was looking right up his nose (skinny nostrils, lol!). At the end of the show, after the encore, he came up and was shaking people's hands. When he took my hand, he didn't let go right away, and was sort of pressing on my palm and I was wondering what he was doing... until I realized he'd given me his pick! It was really just the most amazing concert, the most amazing night. I was going to try to upload a picture of the pick on here somehow, and if I can figure out how to do it I will (maybe I can attach it?)... it's really a really cool pick, on one side it has an alien face and on the other it says "You had a close encounter with T.P."!! Isn't that just so cool? Have any of you guys gotten a pick? Share your stories!

That's a great story, Jodi! Welcome to the bbs!! That just had to be so exciting.

On the last tour in Chicago, I was front and center (separated by gate & guards). After the band finished Refugee, but before they left the stage for the encore break, Mike tossed me his pick. When I caught it, he said, "Good catch." I kissed the pick and blew him a kiss, and he blew a kiss back and then up to the audience. As they walked off the stage, Benmont gave me a thumbs up. I was up in the clouds for hours after that show.

The pick says, "Mike's Pick," on one side with the logo on the other. I keep it in a little ring box on my computer desk.

Thanks for sharing your pictures. You have beautiful dogs, BTW.

~Susan

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SingsInFrench,

Love these stories! And love both dogs of Jodi's! Welcome to the bbs.

Ha ha! What a cool pick! And I love your photos, too. Thanks for posting them!

why can't i see this picture???

^ It's in the next thread down - called, "cool pix".

SingsInFrench ~ That is a great story too! And you actually caught the pick and Mike noticed! AND you got a thumbs up and blown kisses. Very, very cool. Isn't it just great to have memories like these? And thank you for the doggie compliment! He is quite a handsome boy, even as an old guy!

Oneworldview ~ Glad you like the story, and of course glad you love my dogs!

Magnolia1 ~ It really is a cool pick, I need to post a picture of the other side of it, it has an alien face! Pretty funny.

Jwhite315 ~ I made an album separate from this post, it's "cool pix" and is one post down from this one. I thought I could put the pictures with all this text, but am not very computer savvy and couldn't figure out how to do it

Thanks for all the comments! Jodi

Great stories. Mine is not so exciting, but Mike did wave at me at Bonnaroo in 2006. It was the first time I had been that close and I was soooo excited! I was in heaven!

quote:

I made an album separate from this post, it's "cool pix" and is one post down from this one. I thought I could put the pictures with all this text, but am not very computer savvy and couldn't figure out how to do it

I guess you just comment in another post after your pictures. But no matter. I don't even know how to post pictures!

Nice looking dogs!

Great pick story. Thanks for sharing.

We should keep this thread going with all the 'close encounter' stories. Sort of a historical documentation. Who knows what might happen as the dream unfolds.

And Jodi, what are your dogs names? Dogs tend to get wings around these parts.

I have way too many stories to tell

Me too!

Me too baby!!

^Aww, come on guys. Not all of us have heard them!

^I agree, come on, tell us the stories! Liven up this joint!

Now I've told all my stories before... plus I don't want to rub it in that the guys love me a hell of a lot more than anyone else in this joint!!! LOL!! J/K

My mom dated Tom Petty once....

OK just kidding!

Lets see - my first near encounter with one of the band was by pure chance in Las Vegas. Athena and I had tickets for the TP&HB gig at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas and were staying there.

So the day of the gig we spent by the pool area, and when it was time to start getting ready to get in line we headed into the dark hotel, our eyes still squinting from the bright sunlight.

We walked to the elevator and Mike Campbell had just stepped inside but I didn't recognize him. Athena said, 'C'mon lets get into the elevator!' but I let the elevator car go and after the door closed Athena kicked me a little.

I think she wanted to take a ride with Mike

Later that night the band blew the house down!


Oh, and I do a lot better job recognizing Mike these days. I have to if Athena is there.

( Especially around elevators. )

^How funny. I have a TPATH elevator story! Was at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis standing in the infamous 'duck' lobby before the show at the Orpheum Theater down the street (first of two shows later that night). All of a sudden I heard Jeri yell out, "It's Ron!" and I turned to see not only Ron, but Mike, Steve, and Scott coming off the elevator, walking right towards us, then passing by. They laughed as we attempted to "remain cool". Like it was possible after the verbal introduction.

Of course, there are many other fans who had much more intimate experiences at the Peabody bar that weekend with some band members. They should tell their stories here too!

Still have my duck soap from the Peabody. Wonder if it will ever turn to stone?

Memphis was a great trip. So glad I took that chance. Even if it meant I had to have a close encounter myself with a skunk in our b&b room literally hours before I flew off to Memphis from the coast.

Oneworldview ~ My dogs' names are Bob and Bella, with the German Shepherd being Bob and the little Australian Cattle Dog being Bella... I also have two more dogs, an Australian Cattle Dog mix named Sam and an Australian Shepherd named Amy! My husband and I are dog lovers with a houseful of herding dogs!

^How sweet Jodi. I have a mut named Hopi that has some 'sherder' in her. Part long-haired German Shephard and part either Golden Retriever or Irish Setter. Then there is the Chow portion as well-blue tongue and obsessive personality. Do your dogs try to herd your feet? Hopi has this weird habit of trying to bite your shoes while you walk across the yard. Cannot break her of it so I gave up and figure it must be a genetic trait. And I know that any intruder to the property is going to have to be careful of his feet!

Of course, some folks around here have described Hopi (and her 40 pound lap-dog insistence) of being part "cat".