Last fall, before our 2021 MANIA North American Fall Tour, I decided to try something I had never done before. With the encouragement of others and my curiosity, I decided to write a tour blog while on the road. I knew it would be an undertaking, but I was willing to try it. It was time-consuming, just like I thought, and I fell behind for a time or two. I enjoyed it, however, and it could turn into a lovely coffee table book if given more time. (Don't hold me to that)

When it was all said and done, I chalked it up to a one-off experiment simply because it did take a lot of time, and there is never enough time, especially on the road and with the number of shows we do. 

I have often said that if there is one thing to remember in moving forward is never to say never, for anything can happen. Well, bringing that thought to the forefront today, here we are. I did decide to write a tour blog for the fall 2022 tour. 

Below are my blogs from our performances on our Fall 2022 tour. Filled with pictures, videos, stage walks, etc., that a lot of you have come to love and request. It covers 29 shows, so I would not recommend you read it all in one sitting! I hope you finish it, though, and I would love to hear your thoughts, comments, and suggestions once you are through. Also, if you were at the shows and have pictures not posted here, I would love to look at them and possibly include them. Thank you for being part of my journey. 

Jeff "Benny" Pike
12-05-22

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MANIA - The ABBA Tribute (Formerly ABBA MANIA)
November 20, 2022
The Buckhead Theatre
www.livenation.com/venue/KovZpZAJAllA/buckhead-theatre-events
Atlanta, Georgia

It is finally here, the last day of the tour and our first performance in Atlanta, Georgia. I want to thank our manager and fearless leader, Todd Littlewood, for finally making this happen. Today is a memorable day, and tonight's show means an immeasurable amount to me. 

The Buckhead Theatre has a long history dating to when it was first built in 1930. I first attended a show there in 1979. At that time, it was called The Capri Ballroom. I saw two shows at The Capri Ballroom before it became The Buckhead Cinema and Draft House and The Roxy. Those two shows were 'Atlanta Cruisamatic.,' which later evolved into 'The Swimming Pool Q's' and Karla Bonoff. I have seen countless shows at The Roxy and The Buckhead Theatre over the years, so it is very special for me to perform here tonight as we close out our 2022 North American Tour. 

You can check out the history of The Buckhead Theatre at the following website:
 https://www.buckhead.com/buckhead-then-now-the-buckhead-theatre-2022/

Since I joined MANIA - The ABBA Tribute Show in December of 2013, I have been consistently asked by an ever-growing number of people when we would be playing in Atlanta. It is challenging putting together a national tour; for many reasons, Atlanta only lined up now,  although we did try very hard! So it was important to me that we pack the place and give a helluva show. 

I have so many memories here. When we pulled in today, I spent a lot of time in the theatre alone, walking around and letting the memories and the music of over 40 years in this venue wash over me. It has been renovated since the last time I performed here, with A1A, well over 15 years ago, so things felt a little different backstage. But the improvements have been well worth it. If you haven't figured it out by now, I am old school and would prefer it the way it was when it was The Roxy, but the improvements on the new Buckhead Theatre are impressive and have made a significant difference. 

I had a lot of people coming to the show, so I spent some time before and after soundcheck making sure everyone was taken care of. I was highly excited about everyone coming, but most excited because my daughter, Ashton, and her new husband, Blake, were coming. Ashton had never seen me perform with MANIA, so I was more than a bit nervous. 

Catering was minimal today, so I battled the cold weather before the show and went down to Woody's for a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich that hit the spot. When I returned to the theatre, the doors were already open, and show time was near. I had the chance to catch up with many friends and family in the lobby before I left for dinner, so I was in excellent spirits. 

Everyone was in a great mood backstage and ready to rock. Our show starts right on time, so I was in place and eagerly prepared for the curtain to rise at 7:55 pm. I could tell by the noise from the other side of the curtain that tonight had all the ingredients for the magic to happen. When the curtain rose and I raised my hands to greet the crowd, I could immediately feel that tonight would be everything I had hoped it would be. 

The following two hours passed too quickly, and there was a surge of applause and response after every song. Many people dressed up, and the house looked completely sold out, which was very cool to look at from my point of view on stage. The floor was rocking, and the balcony was seriously rocking. I couldn't think of a better way to end the tour than by playing well, performing well, and being cheered on by our hometown peeps. 

​When the final notes to Dancing Queen had faded away and the curtain had dropped, I immediately went out front to meet my friends who had come to the show. There ended up being way more people to see me than I had initially assumed, and they had to usher us out to the lobby bar so they could have room to clean the theater. :-) I had a fantastic time talking to everyone and taking pictures with many friends and fans who had waited a LONG time to see us perform. Best of all, my daughter loved the show. :-)

When everyone was gone, they kept the front lobby bar open for the band for one last celebration before going our separate ways. We all hung out for about an hour, and then it was time to move on down the road. It was time to turn out the lights - the parties over. 

When the final notes to Dancing Queen had faded away and the curtain had dropped, I immediately went out front to meet my friends who had come to the show. There ended up being way more people to see me than I had initially assumed, and they had to usher us out to the lobby bar so they could have room to clean the theater. :-) I had a fantastic time talking to everyone and taking pictures with many friends and fans who had waited a LONG time to see us perform. Best of all, my daughter loved the show. :-)

When everyone was gone, they kept the front lobby bar open for the band for one last celebration before going our separate ways. We all hung out for about an hour, and then it was time to move on down the road. It was time to turn out the lights - the parties over. 

Except for my mother being unable to make the show, the evening turned out exactly as I wanted. Being on the road is difficult; time sometimes stands still, and sometimes it flies faster than a rocket. You don't know what town you are in half the time and what happened two days ago can seem like a week ago or longer. It is challenging to stay healthy on the road, but I did my best.
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​I have about a month and a half off before we leave to go out on tour again, but in the meantime, I have a lot of work to do. So I better wrap this blog up and try and get some sleep. :-) You know? I usually can't sleep because the bus makes too much noise. When I get home from the road, sometimes I can't sleep because it is too quiet, and I MISS the noise, and then again, none of that compares to the noise that constantly rumbles around in my head. But hey, it is the life I signed up for. The Rolling Stones said it perfectly a long time ago... it's only rock and roll, but I like it, like it.....yes, I do. Thanks to everyone who came out to see us perform on this tour, especially Todd Littlewood and the entire MANIA - The ABBA Tribute crew. Love and respect to all of you. 

Ok, I am tired, and it is time to bring the mirror ball down for 2022. See you all on the disco flip side in 2023.

MANIA - The ABBA Tribute (Formerly ABBA MANIA)
November 19, 2022
The Lyric Theatre
www.lyricbham.com/
Birmingham, Alabama

Over the years, I have performed many private functions in Birmingham, Alabama, for friends and fans I met through performing with A1A. Still, I have never had the opportunity to perform at two venues where I have always wanted to play. These venues are The Alabama Theatre and The Lyric Theatre. 

My first experience with The Alabama Theatre dates back to 1999 when my Mother and I drove here from Atlanta to see Gino Vannelli perform. I fell in love immediately upon entering, for it reminds me deeply of The Fox Theatre in Atlanta. FYI - The Fox is  #1 in my heart as venues go. My Mother and I also traveled here to see Jackson Browne, and I later had the pleasure of seeing Jethro Tull perform at The Alabama a couple of years later. I have yet to make it to the Alabama Theatre stage, but we have now performed at her sister theatre directly across the street, The beautiful Lyric Theatre, so I am getting closer. 
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We pulled in this morning, and it was freezing outside, so I opted to stay in for the day. Everyone was in good spirits and looking forward to this evening's performance. Not only because it was the next to last show of the tour but because it was officially Alison's Birthday and the hometown for Keith and our soundman Jake. Keith was incredibly excited, for he had been going to great lengths to hide from all his friends and family in Birmingham that he was even on this tour! His Mother was the only one in on the plan, and it was her job to get everyone to the theatre. 

Todd was very kind to send Alison a surprise Birthday cake, which we presented to her at soundcheck with hugs, kisses, and a round of Happy Birthday. I had the pleasure of meeting Jake's lovely family, and we also played a hilarious practical joke on Keith. We announced that we would be doing the short set instead of the long one, which would cut his solo out of the show. He bought it, and it was a hilarious moment. But since we all love Keith, we didn't let it drag on too long. 
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The audience tonight was entirely off the chain, and the response was overwhelming. The surprise  Keith had in store for his family and friends was a big success, and he was delighted. We had a fantastic time, and we were all happy to see that the last shows of the tour were going over so well. Ultimately, the two Alabama shows and our Atlanta show probably had the best audiences on tour. This in no way takes away from all the other incredible venues we have played and the fantastic audiences we have played for. It just shows that we are very well-loved in Alabama and Atlanta. 

Afterward, Keith took off with his entourage to hit the town while Alison, Kirbi, Chris, Wayne, and I went down the street to a cozy, dark little sushi bar. I was pretty tired and did not want to stay too long, so I returned to the bus to turn in early. Tomorrow was Atlanta and the last night of the tour, and I knew I needed to be rested and on top of my game. Ahhh...I do love sweet home Alabama. :-)

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MANIA - The ABBA Tribute (Formerly ABBA MANIA)
November 18, 2022
The Mars Music Hall
www.vonbrauncenter.com/marsmusic/visit-mars/about-mars-music-hall/
Huntsville, Alabama

I have wanted to get MANIA to perform in Alabama for a very long time, but somehow it has eluded us until now. I have a long history of visiting and performing in Alabama as a solo artist and with A1A. I could write a  book on the memories of events, friends, fans, and relationships with Alabama at the center of them. Oddly enough, however, I have never made it to Huntsville, Alabama. This fact is even more perplexing given that the U.S. Space and Rocket Center is located there. Anyone who knows me well is aware that my dream of being an astronaut and going to space trumps any other dream I have ever had here on earth. It isn't going to happen at this stage of the game; however, I am still extraordinarily interested in our space program, our journey into space, and the search for extraterrestrial life. But that is a long story for another blog. 

I had some friends and fans coming to the show this evening and had already made plans to spend time with two of them, Ed and Ruby Winkles. Ed and Ruby are long-time friends whom I met through my travels with A1A and The Montgomery Alabama Parrot Head Club back in 2001. I had not seen Ed and Ruby in a very long time, and I was looking forward to spending the afternoon with them. Unfortunately, my U.S. Space & Rocket Center trip would have to be postponed. 

The venue we were playing this evening, located in The VonBraun Center, is relatively new and aptly named for its location, The Mars Music Hall. I have been looking to book A1A into this venue, so I was looking forward to performing here. It holds around 1,600 people and is laid out nicely so the audience and the band can interact well with each other. 

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I was meeting Ed for lunch, so I exited the bus earlier than usual and made my way in to find my dressing room, check out the venue and get set up. The dressing room area was very nice but small, so Keith, Chris, and I had to share a dressing room. It is a good thing we all like each other. :-)

After getting set up, it was time to meet up with Eddie. I was starving and told him I wanted lunch. He was delighted to hear this, for he was anxious to take me to Huntsville's oldest and most popular diner. Unfortunately, as I write this blog, its name escapes me now. That shows how your mind and memory can be wiped out on the road. :-) What hasn't escaped me was how delicious their locally famous hot dogs and cheeseburgers were. Yes, yes....I went off my diet, but it was worth it. 

Afterward, Ed and I went back to the house so I could see Ruby. It was wonderful seeing both of them, catching up and reminiscing about old times. During our long conversation and reminiscing, Ed gave me some very cool unexpected news. As it turns out, his dreams were like mine when he was a young boy, and he wanted to be an astronaut. Ed was brilliant in math, so his parents saw this as a possibility. They had big connections and friends at NASA, so little Eddie got to meet ALL of the astronauts and witness everything firsthand in the space program that went on in the 1960s and up to the end of the Apollo program. His connections and friendships with people in NASA went as far as those who helped build and design the space shuttles. So when Eddie whipped out his memory book full of personally signed autographs from EVERY NASA astronaut and then some, I was ready to find a Benny substitute for the night and hang with Ed for a couple of weeks!

I stayed with Ed and Ruby as long as possible and returned to the venue just in time for sound check. The sound check was quick and uneventful, and I felt a bit tired. I was still full from my big Alabama lunch of hot dogs and cheeseburgers, so I decided to forgo dinner, take a short nap, and chill in the dressing room. 

By the time I was dressed and ready to go, things were heating up. Judging from the buzz in the air and noise coming from the other side of the curtain, we were in for a good night. When I pulled back the curtain to make my entrance on stage (I am the first of the four to enter), the place erupted, and I could see that it was a packed house. There were many people in costume, and you could tell that the crowd was eager to have a helluva good time. It was a great show, one of the most fun of the tour, and I was sad to see it end. The crowd was incredible. Immediately after the show, I went out front to get some pics with Ed and Ruby, say goodbye, and thank them for coming. 

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​The proceedings from here will be different than most of the ones I have been sharing with you recently. Alison's Birthday was coming up, so we were all going to go out after the show and celebrate. We found a very cool local restaurant bar with live music and walked there after the show. Alison was in fine form and, as always, in charge of holding court. In all honesty, nobody does it better. :-) I often tell her I want to be her in my next life. :-) We ate way too much good food and drink and pretty much closed the place down. But the celebration is still ongoing when Alison is in charge. :-) The party continued on the bus into the night, but I hit the sack before everyone else did. Times like this make many dull times on the road worthwhile. This group of people is so much fun, and we love each other so much. It gives me time to sit back, enjoy each other's company, blow off some steam, be grateful for what we have, and, most importantly......watch Alison Ward dress like a cow and dance for us. I do love this job. :-) Mooooooo!!!!

MANIA - The ABBA Tribute (Formerly ABBA MANIA)
November 17, 2022
The Ovens Theatre
www.boplex.com/our-venues/ovens-auditorium
Charlotte, North Carolina

I was very excited to be traveling to Charlotte, North Carolina, for I was going to see an old and dear friend I had not seen in many years until last year at an A1A concert! Her name is Vikki Earnhardt, and we go back 33 years. Damn, that looks wild just reading it. How and why does time have to go so fast? I met Vikki when I had just started performing solo again in the late 1980's. When we met, Vikki was working at a club in Norcross, Georgia, called Pufferbelly's, which would play a big part in the story of my career. (A story for another time) We shared many drinks, laughs, and crazy times together, and I was really looking forward to seeing her. 

I had been thinking so much about our reunion I had neglected to look into the auditorium where we would perform that night. Once I did, I was now doubly glad we came to Charlotte! The historic Ovens Auditorium has held the spotlight for performers at the pinnacle of their careers and rising stars who would go on to be music and comedy legends. The historic Ovens Theatre set the stage for soulful vocal icons like Louis Armstrong, Diana Ross, and Ray Charles; played backdrop to rock and pop superstars like Elvis, Bruce Springsteen, Smashing Pumpkins, Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys, and John Legend; and filled the room with laughs for comedians Jay Leno, Carol Burnett, Steve Martin, Jerry Seinfeld, Aziz Ansari, and Jeff Foxworthy. 

​I slept in a little late this morning and was the last to leave the bus again. It was frigid and freezing outside, there was no catering today, and I was starving. I was pondering the situation when I noticed a big sack of breakfast biscuits from Bojangles on the table. Shawn, our very cool bus driver, had taken it upon himself to buy a lot of biscuits for the band so we would have something to eat. Extra rock and roll points for Shawn. I had two biscuits, corralled my wardrobe and suitcase, and set off to find my dressing room. 

The building is 67 years old, and the long hallway of dressing rooms did a great job letting the cold air in. Luckily, there were a lot of dressing rooms, and I was able to locate a small cozy one with a shower that stayed nice and warm. 

I was hoping that Vikki and I would be able to spend some time together before the show, but that was not to be. However, she arrived early enough to let me know where she was sitting so I could spot her easily from the stage. I like searching for and finding friends and people I know in the audience. Vikki and her husband were up close and well-lit, so it was a fun evening. Unfortunately, they both had to leave directly after the show, so we only got about 30 minutes to hang out before it was time to head on down the highway for all of us. I have said it many times, and I will repeat it. Quite possibly, the best thing about this gig is that I get to travel the country and see old friends and fans I have not seen in years and may have never seen again had it not been for the opportunity to play with MANIA. I do feel very blessed. Oh, I am also tired...and cold...and sore....and grateful and ready to go. Heat up the bus!

MANIA - The ABBA Tribute (Formerly ABBA MANIA)
November 16, 2022
The Harrison Opera House
www.vaopera.org/norfolk-harrison-opera-house/
Norfolk, Virginia

The last time we performed in Virginia was in 2021 in Virginia Beach at a fantastic, small rock club whose name escapes me. I have friends and fans in Virginia, so we had a great time then, and I was anticipating a great time tonight, also. 

I am an enormous American and European history buff, and Norfolk, Virginia, had a lot to offer. Again, if you have been reading all my blogs, you are starting to see a trend, I was fatigued, and it was extremely cold. Thus, I again decided to stay in, take a nap, and rest before the show. I apologize for starting to be a little less interesting, but I encourage you to please read on and stay with me. 

I want to add something here about remaining in the theatre and not venturing out into the day. I do not take what I am able to do for granted. To have the opportunity to perform in many of the country's most beautiful theaters, performing arts centers, and concert halls is a dream come true. I am a loner at heart and by nature (though many would seriously fight me on that), and I always enjoy spending time walking about and discovering more about the venues where we perform. 
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​On this tour, I have had an added pleasure. My brother and I have had years of long conversations about how important the music played over the sound system before and after a concert is critical. It has the ability to set and enhance the mood of the audience considerably before the concert begins. We both firmly believe it is part of the show itself when done correctly. Sadly, this has become a lost art to most newer generations. As an avid concertgoer, I often feel saddened when I see the many wasted opportunities. So on one of the early shows of this tour, I was out in the hall by myself after soundcheck, and Jake, our exceptional soundman, was playing a playlist he put together just for this tour. It completely caught me off guard. It comprised many classic and beautiful songs and hits from the 1970s. All of them being close to my heart and many I had not heard in years. Some of the most emotional moments for me on this tour revolved around hearing the playlist before and after the show. I spent time alone onstage or in the audience on many days just listening to Jake's masterful playlist and losing myself in time. It brought back a flood of memories and filled me with an ocean of waving emotion. Naturally, I thanked Jake profusely time and time again. 

I should add here that by this time on the tour, everyone is feeling road weary, tired, and worn out. Granted, some more than others. But being the senior member, I assume I start to feel the aches and pains before the rest. Although, I do take great pains to care for myself out here, even if I fail more than succeed. So now that I have all that out of the way let us move on. 
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​The Harrison Opera house is a very grand and elegant music hall. I was impressed, grateful, and humbled to be performing here, and looking forward to our evening performance. Once a World War II USO theater, this historic venue was lavishly renovated in 1993. With 1,632 seats, the stunning Edythe C. and Stanley L. Harrison Opera House retains an intimate ambiance, but one adorned by the beauty of glittering chandeliers, sweeping staircases, and bistro tables where you can sip champagne and drink in the glamour.

I was thrilled when the curtains rose, and the house was almost full. I received a message from my friends, and they were all set in their seats and ready to have a good time. I was looking forward to meeting up with Mary Glenn and her friends after the show. The crowd was fantastic, and we gave an excellent performance. Afterward, I posed for pictures and caught up with Mary Glenn and her friends for a while before heading back to my dressing room. I love it when my friends and fans across the country come to the show. It is a running joke in the band how I have people, friends, and fans in every state. That is a joke I will be happy to be the brunt of. I enjoy making people happy and helping them forget their troubles for a while. Life is too short, not too. 

MANIA - The ABBA Tribute (Formerly ABBA MANIA)
November 13, 2022
The Sheldon
www.thesheldon.org
St. Louis, Missouri

I was looking forward to playing in St. Louis, mainly because I hoped I would have enough time for sightseeing and walking. It has been a while since I was in this lovely city, and I have always looked forward to returning. Unfortunately, it was freezing, and by the time it came around, I was not feeling very well and knew I needed some rest before showtime, so I opted to stay in. 

On a positive note, I was very excited to be playing at The Sheldon. The Sheldon is a very old, high class beautiful intimate concert hall. The stage is small, and the audience feels almost right on top of you. Upon first walking into the theatre, I wondered why we were booked there, and it seemed to me that the theatre would work best for smaller, intimate acoustic ensembles. But once I looked at the star-studded roster of classic artists who have performed on this stage, all those feelings disappeared, and I simply felt honored to be there. 
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​Like the Rococo Theater in Lincoln, Nebraska, and the Suffolk Theatre in Riverhead, New York, the stage was too small for me to use my large, white 'Benny' piano shell, so once again, I would be putting my NORD Stage 2 HA88 on a keyboard stand, and that would be that. Many people think I am playing an old, white Yamaha CP70 like Benny used to play, but in reality, it is just a piano shell where I place my electronic piano/synthesizer. I need access to several different sounds while performing the MANIA show, and simply having a piano would not work. Ahh, modern technology saves the day again. 

We all wondered how we would be received once we started our high-energy show, for, as I mentioned, the ambiance seemed to call for a quieter, more intimate performance. Since he was from St. Louis, I contacted my old friend Peter Mayer who has been playing with Jimmy Buffett for the past 30 years. As many may know, Peter is also a highly gifted and successful solo recording artist. He told me that The Sheldon is one of his favorite places to perform and that we would have a wonderful time. So with my mind put at ease, I took a short nap after soundcheck and looked forward to the show. 

Since we are used to performing at much larger venues, it did feel a bit strange waiting to walk on as our intro music was playing, but once I ventured out to center stage to open the show, all my feelings changed almost immediately. The venue was not sold out, and the audience was older than I had expected, but they were lively and genuinely thrilled with our performance. Although, I did feel odd about performing 'naked' with no piano shell so close to my audience. But then again, I have performed countless shows over the decades in small venues, and I have always enjoyed it. So, I would love to return to The Sheldon and do my own thing one day. Preferably with just me and my acoustic guitar, like Willie Nelson. But in the meantime, it was time to put up our disco ball and get 'on the road again.' Farewell, St. Louis, until we meet again. 

​MANIA - The ABBA Tribute (Formerly ABBA MANIA)
November 12, 2022
The Cox Business Convention Center
Legacy Hall
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Have you ever seen the 1982 movie Spinal Tap? If you love music, comedy, and movies, then you should. It is a legendary spoof on what it is like to be in a rock and roll band, and it is a classic. There is a hilarious scene in the movie where the band gets completely lost going from the dressing room to the stage. Believe me when I say everything in this movie is based on reality, and that scene has happened to me more than once. I laugh every time it does, but trying to find my way from the bus to the dressing rooms at Legacy Hall at The Cox Business Convention Center became irritating and frustrating. When I say this place is huge, I mean this place is HUGE. It is so big that it belongs in Texas. It must have taken me 30 minutes to locate the dressing rooms and the stage. The oddest thing is that the place is so enormous that it seemed empty on every level! 

I finally found a young girl to help me, and even she got lost for a few minutes! They must have anticipated our frustration, for when I got to the dressing room, they had a very nice care package for each front four members of the band. They had gone to great pains to find out where each member was from and filled our package with lovely items from our home state to remind us of home. It was very thoughtful and impressive, so I was willing to forget the unwanted workout I had just received in traveling from the bus to the dressing room. 

I was late arriving, and the rest of the band was nowhere in sight. They had gone off to find food and did not return until it was time for sound check, so I got my keyboard ready and rested in the dressing room until everyone returned. I was tired and did not feel like going out, so I had veggies, fruit, and a couple of power bars for dinner. I know, I know. No lectures, please. 

The show was a big success, and the crowd was fantastic. At first, we were concerned. A large dance floor was in front of the stage, and then seats were positioned all the way to the back of the room. Everyone stayed seated until Alison and Kirbi told everyone they were welcome to come down to the front of the stage and party with us. When she did that, the floodgates opened, and it was on. 

After the show, I made it a point to pack up as quickly as possible and make my way to the bus in case I got lost again! Thankfully, Alison and Keith went with me. There must have been strength in numbers, for we made it back to the bus in under 30 minutes. By the time I got settled in, it was time to hit the sack and get on to the next town. Livin' on Tulsa Time, baby!

MANIA - The ABBA Tribute (Formerly ABBA MANIA)
November 11, 2022
The Rococo Theatre
www.rococotheatre.com
Lincoln, Nebraska

The Rococo Theatre, restored to its 1929 condition, is Lincoln's high-end concert venue that provides the intimate setting for the region's best entertainment and the hottest national touring acts to perform live on stage. 

There was a lot of excitement about performing at the Rococo Theatre. Mainly because it is Kirbi's hometown, and almost all of her local family and friends were coming to the show, including her husband, Laz, and her adorable son, Corbin. She was nervous, which was interesting because she is a fearless professional, but we all get that way from time to time. 

I was excited because I had two very old and dear friends coming to the show whom I had not seen in at least ten years. Todd Rule and his lovely wife Maureen have been good friends for about 28 years. We met through A1A and the Colorado Parrot Head Club. We also did several cruises together and had way more fun than we should have been allowed. They are very good people, and I was excited to see them. 
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​I was surprised to find out how seriously cool and intimate The Rococo Theatre was. The stage was a wee bit small, so we could not use my piano shell. That is always a bummer, but then, on the other hand, I get to sit down for the entire performance. When I have my white piano shell, I must get up and down a lot so the audience can see me. (I prefer having the piano shell) When you come off stage right, there is a curtain directly to your right that empties directly into a cool backstage bar called Barrymore's. Opened in 1974, Barrymore's is one of Lincoln's downtown nightlife staples. It was originally the theatre's backstage area where the Rococo is now located. The light board and curtain pulleys are still attractions to this day.

Soundcheck was lovely because Laz and Corbin showed up. Corbin had not seen his Mommy sing in quite some time, and he was very excited. He also found me and my piano, and we played around a bit together, which warmed my heart.  

​The show was completely sold out, and all of Kirbi's family and friends were out in full force. The audience was loud, excitable, and completely into our performance. It was one of the tour's better crowds, and the room's energy was high and contagious. 

After the show, we all went next door to Barrymore's to meet friends and family and hang out for a while until the crowd died down, and it was time to leave. I sat at the end of the bar, and two lovely young, well-dressed ladies who had been in the front row started a conversation with me. I spent the next couple of hours hanging out with them before we had to empty our dressing rooms and get to the bus. I had a blast. Hell, everyone had a blast. A night like this made some stressful and dull days and nights on the road worthwhile. I hope we get to go back there again. Lincoln rocked. :-) Turn the page...

MANIA - The ABBA Tribute (Formerly ABBA MANIA)
November 10, 2022
The Adler Theatre
www.adlertheatre.com
Davenport, Iowa

I was excited for us to be performing in Davenport, Iowa, at the historic and gorgeous Adler Theatre, which was built in 1926. The beauty of the original Radio-Keith-Orpheum's Art Deco style was reflected in its gold leaf ceiling, crystal light fixtures, and black ebony, walnut, and marble detail. Much of that original movie theatre style remains and continues to recall the rich history of the Adler Theatre. TODAY The beautifully restored theatre continues to present a diverse line-up of live theatrical productions featuring celebrity headliners, first-rate Broadway shows, comedians, musical groups, and more.

While playing at the beautiful theater was great, I was mostly looking forward to seeing my good friend Libby Lystiuk, her Mom, and a host of other people I have met during my time in Iowa. 

If you have been keeping up with my blogs, you will remember a couple of blogs back; I informed you that Hana felt she was getting ill. She did not improve and unfortunately developed COVID and had to leave the tour unexpectedly. All of us were severely disappointed, but none as much as Hana. Thankfully, Kirbi Jo Long was available to fly in and cover the rest of the tour for her. For long-time fans of MANIA and ABBA MANIA, you will remember Kirbi Jo Long very well since she and Alison Ward were the first touring ladies for the band. While I was disappointed and sad that Hana had to leave, I was excited to see Kirbi again, for it had been a few years since our paths had crossed. Being the pro she is and being very well-versed in the show, it only took two shows for everything to return 100%.

The day passed quickly; before I knew it, I was having dinner with Libby at a local Indian restaurant and catching up. Believe it or not, I have never had Indian food before, and she raved about it, so I was looking forward to trying it. Well, I loved it, and we both stuffed ourselves. I was pretty satiated and looked forward to an energetic show. Much to my surprise, just the opposite happened. I don't know what they put in Indian food, but it was like I had taken three sleeping pills. When I got on stage, I had to fight the urge to yawn frequently and concentrate hard to make it through the show! I found Libby in the audience and noticed she was often yawning, also. HaHa! Note to self, the next time I eat Indian food, make sure I am going directly to bed after dinner, not onstage! 

The theatre was packed, and the audience was very enthusiastic and responsive. Kirbi and Alison rocked, and it seemed like old times again. Afterward, I went out front to see Libby and her Mom and to take photos with some of Kathy Mullen's friends who had also come to see me. We all had a few laughs, took some pics, and then I took a quick shower and headed back to the bus. It was a great night, even though I felt I got more sleep onstage than I usually get on the bus. :-) 
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