Wrote this before.... Keiko Matsui at Coombs Ranch.... large grass area on the San Joaquin river with giant oak trees all around..... perfect temperature, perfect skies... plus the fact that Keiko is a phenomenal artist... made for perhaps my most pleasant concert experience of all time.

A Tangent... you East Coast people. Living out west I think the characteristic I found most odd about East Coasters was their sense of 'distance'. Not so much in NC, where you are... but certainly in the states north of you.

Distances that out here in the west we consider a mere Sunday afternoon drive east-coasters consider a major excursion requiring baggage, planning, telling the post office to hold your mail, etc.

I'm exaggerating a little.

But I can recall many times with friends, when I lived briefly on the east coast, who if presented with a 100 mile trip, 200 round trip, thought I had suggested a trek to the outback in Australia. 100 miles where I live is in the neighborhood. I remember once wanting to go to a concert in Philadelphia, I was in Belmar NJ, about a 75 mile trip. My friends were aghast... surely the artist would play at a closer venue.

Which brings up... farthest you've ever traveled to see a concert. Well, for me, been to Reno, Tahoe, Vegas, many MANY times.. just for a concert. Reno is 300 miles distant, Vegas about 420 or so. But my record, (I think), is Portland to see a jazz fest. Portland is 750 miles from my home.

Of course, if you live in a major city...like LA, or Portland, or Philly.. I can see perhaps not wanting to drive 100 miles because every artist known to man WILL be in your city, eventually. - JamesJM