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Posted by Alice Leon
on 6/23/2008, 8:50 pm
68.192.136.47
SO... I drove down to Asbury Park (just after my son's (Eli) first piano recital). I think I was more nervous than him. I held my breath thoughout his performance. Thankfully it wasn't a long number. Anyway... back to Asbury. I had mixed feelings on my way down. Asbury Park for me was from another lifetime entirely. I was playing the Stone Pony each Thursday night and lots of Saturdays as an opener in the mid to late 1980's and although I hardly remember specifics...I remember the butterflies and excitement I used to get. I remember the smell of the beach, the seediness of the town, the overrall energy and excitement about new music. I remember being in the eye of the storm when Bruce Springsteen would show up and take the stage after we'd finish our opening set. Seeing Ian Hunter, Mink DeVille, Gary US Bonds,. We even did a show with Jon Bon Jovi. I remember Glen Burtnik holding court and hanging on his every word after a Bar Anticipation gig. I remember being there yet always still feeling like an outsider. One of the very few girls to front or even be in a band. Felt like the "old boys" club. I was also alot younger than the others. I'm also very myopic (near sighted/legally blind) so my sense of the place was in blurred shapes, sounds and smells. Returning there last night filled me with a mix of emotions. I received an email from an emerging artist Christine Martucci who said "you were the shit back in the day", and it made me reflect a bit. I suppose when you're the "shit" you don't realize it. I feel that this is all one big continuum of one long day. Last night was beautiful...warm, clear and alive with music. Every single venue and shop was filled with music and music lovers. I felt real acceptance for the first time in Asbury Pk...and even comfort being part of such energy. I was alone with my guitar, singing my songs, telling my stories and the audience listened. I couldn't have played in a more beautiful spot. Inside the grand old Paramount Theater overlooking the ocean. I was surprised to see Glen Burtnik had come to say "hi" and hear me. My old/young friend Michelle Leone was with me and has been supportive of my music since the early days and there she was with her big bright smile, filming me and hanging. Some things never change...thankfully...
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