JEFF PIKE - MANIA - FALL 2022 TOUR BLOG - DAY 29

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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.

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