Hello Chuck. Great story...Mark Karan...Dave Alvin and my all time favorite singer/songwriter/guitarist (sorry) Richard Thompson. And I have a Thompson story which I will try and make as short and concise as possible. Fifteen or twenty years ago, RT was playing at the iconic Stephen Talkhouse out here in Amagansett, right next to fabled East Hampton, where we live now. Great little venue, you should definitely try it someday. My buddy, Bill, and I had our tickets and we were driving east. We got there VERY early and in those days they set up tables that ran perpendicular to the small stage, and since it was "first come, first served" we were sitting right at the stage which was basically at table height. But we were starving since we hadn't stopped for anything to eat and we ordered cheeseburgers and fries and a couple of beers. Well, the beers came but the burgers didn't and we waited patiently for our food. And waited...and waited.... and waited. Now it was nearly showtime and our food was nowhere in sight. Then three things happened simultaneously. First, the lights dimmed, then a huge, juicy cheeseburger platter was dropped in front of me and Richard Thompson stepped up to the microphone and launched into his first song. I'm staring, no, drooling, over this burger, trying to figure out what to do with it. RT is looming over us, so close that he had to have smelled the cheeseburger on our table right in front of him. I said to myself, "Maybe if I take small bites he won't notice me eating in front of him like a starving homeless person", so I did, nibbling on the cheeseburger like a rat. After the song ended, he looked down at me and said derisively "Hey mate, enjoying that burger?" I froze for a moment, facing ridicule at the hands of one of my musical heroes. "Richard" I said, "We've been waiting for our food for over an hour and we're starving." He gave me a quick, thoughtful look and shifted his attention and looked back towards the kitchen. "Hey, you blokes back in the kitchen, take care of....what's your name mate?" he asked. "Mick", I stammered. "Hey, take care of me mate Mick now." Our plates were scooped up in an instant, burgers deposited in containers and returned to our table. The burgers and beer were all on the house. "Everything OK, mate?" he asked. "Just perfect", I answered. So I guess you can say that I got served a delicious cheeseburger by Richard Thompson. How many people can make that claim?
Wish I could have been there, but I won’t lie, it wasn’t bad being in Groningen seeing Neil and Van. Between sets tens of thousands of people got to see your mug:
So bummed I missed the show. Still in tears about it. You and Dave are my two all time California musical faves—up there with Van and Jerry! Thank you for the good musical times. Oh how we need you right now—more than ever!
Love you even more for your RT and Fairport Convention references.
Head north my friend to Duluth, Mn next time you venture to our great state. Would love to see you, and any configuration of your bandmates rocking Sacred Heart Music Center.
2.5 hr drives one way on a week night to St. Paul are rough on this fan (as much as I love the Turf Club as a venue).
Saw you're coming to Groningen again on November 1st. Great news!There will be screaming outrageous fan-behavior and cookies. I'll try not to leave them in the most inconvenient spot on the stage this time. Also, you're all welcome to a home cooked meal prior to or after the show if you want.
Oh man, you and Dave. So many great gigs at Club Cafe over the years watching you two peal the paint of the walls. Looking forward to seeing the Cumbria Shoes at South Park, such a fabulous record!
Whoa. That dude is something. Glad it was a fun day. Off-topic, but formally requesting a cover of "La Cumbia del Amor" at the Cumbia Shoes show in Charlotte. Or maybe just play what you want. I'll keep stalker bride away from you.
Hello Chuck. Great story...Mark Karan...Dave Alvin and my all time favorite singer/songwriter/guitarist (sorry) Richard Thompson. And I have a Thompson story which I will try and make as short and concise as possible. Fifteen or twenty years ago, RT was playing at the iconic Stephen Talkhouse out here in Amagansett, right next to fabled East Hampton, where we live now. Great little venue, you should definitely try it someday. My buddy, Bill, and I had our tickets and we were driving east. We got there VERY early and in those days they set up tables that ran perpendicular to the small stage, and since it was "first come, first served" we were sitting right at the stage which was basically at table height. But we were starving since we hadn't stopped for anything to eat and we ordered cheeseburgers and fries and a couple of beers. Well, the beers came but the burgers didn't and we waited patiently for our food. And waited...and waited.... and waited. Now it was nearly showtime and our food was nowhere in sight. Then three things happened simultaneously. First, the lights dimmed, then a huge, juicy cheeseburger platter was dropped in front of me and Richard Thompson stepped up to the microphone and launched into his first song. I'm staring, no, drooling, over this burger, trying to figure out what to do with it. RT is looming over us, so close that he had to have smelled the cheeseburger on our table right in front of him. I said to myself, "Maybe if I take small bites he won't notice me eating in front of him like a starving homeless person", so I did, nibbling on the cheeseburger like a rat. After the song ended, he looked down at me and said derisively "Hey mate, enjoying that burger?" I froze for a moment, facing ridicule at the hands of one of my musical heroes. "Richard" I said, "We've been waiting for our food for over an hour and we're starving." He gave me a quick, thoughtful look and shifted his attention and looked back towards the kitchen. "Hey, you blokes back in the kitchen, take care of....what's your name mate?" he asked. "Mick", I stammered. "Hey, take care of me mate Mick now." Our plates were scooped up in an instant, burgers deposited in containers and returned to our table. The burgers and beer were all on the house. "Everything OK, mate?" he asked. "Just perfect", I answered. So I guess you can say that I got served a delicious cheeseburger by Richard Thompson. How many people can make that claim?
Love it Chuck - and who DID have the van keys?! Hope to see you guys again soon x
Absolutely there with you on the RT geekery. Van misID, well … at least no one had to prove they had legal standing.
Was that too bleak?
What a beautiful event, Chuck! We had the best time…the music was SUPER! And Daniel is a beacon of light!
Wish I could have been there, but I won’t lie, it wasn’t bad being in Groningen seeing Neil and Van. Between sets tens of thousands of people got to see your mug:
https://share.icloud.com/photos/093EDyKshqmq_UvAfElmcQp6A
That was an awesome and hot night in Groningen!
Indeed it was.
So bummed I missed the show. Still in tears about it. You and Dave are my two all time California musical faves—up there with Van and Jerry! Thank you for the good musical times. Oh how we need you right now—more than ever!
Love you even more for your RT and Fairport Convention references.
Head north my friend to Duluth, Mn next time you venture to our great state. Would love to see you, and any configuration of your bandmates rocking Sacred Heart Music Center.
2.5 hr drives one way on a week night to St. Paul are rough on this fan (as much as I love the Turf Club as a venue).
Rest up, thanks for all you do!
How great is that? Two massive faves in one dark, smokey, bar parking lot giving me the best belly laugh of the day. Thanks Chuck
Saw you're coming to Groningen again on November 1st. Great news!There will be screaming outrageous fan-behavior and cookies. I'll try not to leave them in the most inconvenient spot on the stage this time. Also, you're all welcome to a home cooked meal prior to or after the show if you want.
Oh man, you and Dave. So many great gigs at Club Cafe over the years watching you two peal the paint of the walls. Looking forward to seeing the Cumbria Shoes at South Park, such a fabulous record!
…looking forward to the summer gigs. We will be celebrating a clear scan from the big C at your show in Pittsburgh (South Park).
Thanks, Chuck, we had a wonderful time at Rio Nido. Much appreciated.
Was Michael Jerome the drummer for Richard Thompson the last several years?
Yeah, that's the man himself. Greatness.
Whoa. That dude is something. Glad it was a fun day. Off-topic, but formally requesting a cover of "La Cumbia del Amor" at the Cumbia Shoes show in Charlotte. Or maybe just play what you want. I'll keep stalker bride away from you.
Go Giants!
See you in Dayton,Ohio in a couple of weeks!
Walking into your van and bumping into the great Dave Alvin is like a fabulous dream.