The stage was actually a trailer that had been converted so that one wall folded down. (It was portable so they could move it to different locations for shows.) It was a beautiful late summer evening and the audience was sitting on the lawn on blankets and folding chairs that they'd brought. We had inserted a bit into the show where we'd ask the audience for requests and people would yell out "Tom Dooley", "Greenback Dollar", "Tijuana Jail" or some other Kingston Trio hit, and we'd play it. I heard a female voice shout "Wake Up Little Susie" and I spotted the source of the request - a beautiful red-haired girl in shorts - nice legs! I responded that the song she'd requested was from another group's repertoire and we went on with our show.
But I couldn't take my eyes off this girl and after the concert they had a little reception area where we could sign autographs and talk to the fans. I saw that red-head in the crowd and walked over to her and introduced myself. I don't why I did that - horny I guess. We chatted a bit and I told her that we'd been invited to a party at a local restaurant nearby. Would she like to come with us?
Well, she did, and we talked and danced and ended up spending the night together. And now, Meri and I are spending our lives together. So my answer to your "best audience" question is without a doubt: Lakewood, Colorado, September 6, 1987. We were married three years later on September 6th.
A few years after that The Trio was booked on a tour with The Everly Brothers. I took Meri on that tour so she could finally hear her request from that first night when we met.
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