Air Supply concert
March 15, 2003
Jannus Landing
St. Petersburg, FLA
8 pm.
Audience of about 300 plus people, I'm guessing.

A meet & greet was arranged for people with the top tickets while
the cover band played. (The cover band, Sean Spencer, was
quite good. Everyone really enjoyed their Richie Valen's song "La
Bamba".) We were led upstairs onto a long, narrow balcony and
given a photo that looked like how the guy's web site home page
used to look, in orange & blue. After a few minutes only Graham
and Russell came out, no band members unfortunately. Graham
wore his bright, print tropical shirt and Russell wore a spiffy,
new-looking black t-shirt. They worked their way down the line
signing autographs. At one point, I saw that I had one of the guys
on each side of me, and I didn't know where to turn first, left or
right! I had Russell, to my left, sign two old AS 45 covers, a gift
from a friend to me, & I gave him a Clearwater, FL t-shirt with an
alligator sunbathing on it. I gave him also an e-mail I had printed
out from an Australian fan. By the time I asked Graham, on my
right, to sign the 45's, he had alread started turning away, so I
had to thrust them into his hands. I also gave him a Clearwater,
FL t-shirt, this one with playful dolphins on it. Both the guys
asked if the shirts were for autographs, and I said, "No, they are
for you to keep." They seemed genuinely surprised and pleased.
I gave Graham a cd of an wonderful, fresh, new Australian
singer, Mary Hogarty, for Jodi. Graham again appeared
surprised and pleased and thanked me, leaning over to give me
a big kiss (his new beard could very much be felt) before I even
knew what happened! My daughter was getting her new Fat Cat
stuffed animal autographed (no koalas were for sale!), but
Graham's silver marker wouldn't show up on it. So I got out the
permanent, black marker my son gave me on our way over to the
show. My daughter got both autographs on that cat and on her
photo. Graham still has my son's black marker, though my son
says he's thrilled that Air Supply has something of his now!!!
When I was getting the marker out, I felt something heavy pulling
on my wrist, looked down and saw my camera. How could I have
forgotten that? I quickly asked if I could get a shot, and they said,
"Yes, if you hurry." While I turned it on the next lady in line said
sweetly, "I'll take the picture of all of you." How nice! And she took
a good one too. We walked down the steps and when I got to the
bottom, I said, "Oh no, I forgot to ask them about the Air-heads
newsletter thing," and ran back up again. I said, "Graham, what
about the Airheads newsletter?" He said, "What's that?" I said,
"You know the Airheads newsletter. Is it going to come out
sometime soon?" He said, "It should be on the web site in half
an hour." I said, "Good, because if you need any help with it, I'd
be glad to. I'm pretty good at newsletters." I was thinking they
might need a writer or some help with distribution. He said, "Oh."
I let him finally go back to that nice lady who took our photo
before. We went back down to the audience area. Later that
night, when I got home and hurried to look at the web site, it
wasn't the Airheads newsletter there, it was Graham's "News"
letter. Like the guys put up once in a while. Now, I'm thinking he's
wondering, "Huh? What does she mean she wants to help me
write my letter? I can do this myself." I just knew I'd do or say
something embarrassing, and I did. Not only that, but I still don't
even know about the Airheads newsletter. How would he know
how to get in touch with me anyway, even if he thought I could be
of some kind of help? How crazy it all seems now.

On the stage:
Graham in white, silky poet shirt with ruffled lapels and wrists,
with black loose tux-like jacket. Black slacks. His "beard" is
getting a bit longer, his hair is extremely short! Looks good.
Russell in white shirt with the blue brocade long jacket over.
Black leathery pants. His hair is colored charcoal, it's a layered
cut. Looks pretty darned good.
Jed Moss is in a vivid, red shirt. Jonni Lightfoot is - it might be
burnt orange shirt.
Mike B., the drummer, I think it might be a pink shirt. All
handsome guys for sure!

What we heard:
1. Even the Nights are Better
2. Here I Am
3. The Scene (the harmony and fullness of this was better than
on the cd)
Now, Graham takes his jacket off.
4. Across the Concrete Sky, from the new album (never heard
Graham sing so loud, and it was good)
5. Your's Truly
6. Near or Far, I'll Find You Wherever You Are (a solo by Graham
- don't know the name of it, but it's absolutely wonderful, believe
me)
7. Jed's piano solo medley (so amazing)

They come down into the Audience:
Graham in a satiny-velvety, short-sleeved big shirt with leaves (?)
on it in gold, maroon & black, it actually changes colors
depending on the stage lighting. This shirt of Russell's looks
black or like a maroon-purple color depending on the stage
lightning. Black velvety slacks. Gold rings. Some stage hand
brought out a stool and put it behind Russell, who felt it behind
his rear and looked perturbed. "I don't need that. I can stand." he
declared. "I'm not that old yet." That brought out the laughs.
Then they did:
8. Two Less Lonely People
9. The One That You Love (both went out walking in and around
the audience, interacting - especially with the older women, who
sure got a thrill.)

Back up on the stage now, but they motioned for everyone to
come to the front, below the stage where we stood in a friendly
group, singing along, moving back and forth, just like one big,
happy family. Russell leaned over, put his floppy sleeve up,
wiping off Graham's sweating forehead, which brought out lots of
laughs. Then he pushed his sleeves up a bit revealing some of
his tatoos. They belted out:
10. Making Love Out of Nothing At All (I actually believe they sang
it through twice! I love this amazing song, but never thought
they'd do it. What a treat!)
11. Good-bye (done really dramatically, wow!)

Everyone clapped and stomped to get them back for an encore,
which they did. They were wound up, Russell swinging that mike
stand around something fierce, the band and the audience all
were ducking at various times. Sometime in here Russell held
open the front of his shirt, showing off more tatoos! -
12. Every Woman in the World
13. All Out of Love

Chat that took place:
During the show, Graham talked about liking being in St.
Petersburg after such a long time. He said they like the weather
and the stars (which were out!) He talked about all the lucky,
tanned people in Florida. He had a silent moment later, and then
talked about romance, passion, & love. Talked about being
together a long time, staying together. Knowing a couple that's
been married over 50 years. Appreciating each other. He asked
us that when we leave the show to say that you love the person
you love. Not just think it, but say it.
Later, Russell talked about the fact that we're in dangerous
times as we might go to war. We must appreciate each moment
we have in life, and appreciate one another. He asked us to be
careful and safe.

This was an outdoor area, the tent covered only the first few rows
of chairs! The rest was covered by sky filled with stars. Trees and
buildings boardered the edges. Yet, we were pleased to be
under the tent part, just in case. The stage had a roof and walls,
etc. Luckily - no rain, wind or hail as the weathermen had
forecasted. When I could see the stars, I doubted there would be
any rain after all, and there were a few breezes here and there,
cool - not cold at all. I thank God for providing such nice weather.

Everyone performing had tons of energy, and the audience
picked up on that and danced, alone or with partners - slow
dancing, or in groups, and swayed to the music, singing all the
words to the music. Graham kept people busy throwing out his
guitar picks all evening long. Russell threw out his water bottle.
The lady who caught it yelled at him to autograph it, and he gave
her a funny face - like, "That's not enough for you? What next?"
Later on then, he came out for the encore with another water
bottle he downed quickly and then swung it over the audience
which was still standing up front there. Cold water swished over
everybody, and we all cried, "Oooooooo." Then we all laughed. I
said to my daughter, "Hey, we got Russell's spit on us!" She
said, "Mom, you're pathetic!" We all were fairly pathetic by then
anyway, let's face it. Lots of applause, several screams of
different unsual sorts, lots of cheering and lots of encouraging
shouts were heard from the audience. One female yelled out, "I
loveyou." And another yelled out louder, "No, I love you." Everyone
there was loving every second of it. Loving every single
nano-second.

So, this is the record of what it was like, the first time my
daughter, son, new daughter-in-law, and I saw Air Supply. (My
husband and other son, not at this event, had seen them at the
Iowa State Fair, years ago, lucky ducks.) I thoroughly admit I can't
help hoping there will be many, many, many more times like this.
I never thought Air Supply would get back to Florida, but they did.
It happened.
I have to add, that on the balcony before the show, the last thing I
did before my final time coming back down the steps was to pat
Russell on the arm, saying, "Thank you for being here, for
sharing your amazing talents. I hope you guys keep together and
keep performing." He nodded. Then I said, "Keep on performing
as long as you can, until - - - until you drop." His eyes kind of
opened up. Immediately I felt embarrassed. Should you really
mention "dropping" to Air Supply? After all, hot air balloons
floating and hearts beating and all? Drop is not exactly the word
you associate with those things. Now, when I think about it in the
wee hours of the almost morning, however - I think it was a true
thing to say. I actually do hope they keep on - - - until they can no
longer, until they drop. Of course, I hope they keep on until they're
120 or so. But, hey, is there any better way to go? I think not.

Lovingly yours, from Air-SO

PS. There is also the famous artist, Peter Max, in Pinellas County
this week. He painted a gigantically huge, multi-shades of red
tones, artistic heart mural on the side of a hospital here. He said
something like this, "When we say love, we put our hand on our
heart. That's because the heart is what we think of when we talk
about health, and hope and especially love." Little did he know,
he just made a fitting tribute to our other guests this week-end,
the real heart people, Air Supply.