About a month ago, we were doing our thing; hanging out at home when the telephone rang. I answered it and it was my brother. He said, "Hey, did you know that Randy Stonehill is coming to Muncie next month?" I said that I knew about the possibility of the show but didn't know of the date. He gave me the details and I was so excited. Randy Stonehill is a legend and his music has been a part of our (Chad and I and my family) lives since his album Paradise City (which was released in 1976) which became one of our very favorites and still is. He is amazing. Chad got to see in him concert in the 80's at Taylor University. I have never been able to catch a show. While he still tours alot, he hasn't been back to Indiana in many years.
Okay, well here's where it gets exciting!
My brother asked if we wanted to help with the show. I was so exited to help, I would have done anything. In fact, that's what I told him. "Yeah! We'll do anything!" Then Todd asked the ultimate. He asked if we would be interested in picking RANDY STONEHILL UP FROM AIRPORT!!!! Holy Cow! YES, YES, YES! Totally! So on Thursday night, Chad and I went and did just that!
It was so great. What an amazing guy. Randy is so down to earth, so funny, very kind and is such a storyteller. We had such a great time. He told story after story of people he'd met, experiences he's had, about his family, about his music. It was so incredible. We just sat and listened and laughed while he told about things like the story behind King of Hearts (my personal favorite) about I Turn to You and about picking out the female voice for that duet. He talked about getting to meet Ray Charles and working with Larry Norman. I love Amy Grant and he did a duet with her a few years ago. I have always loved her and wanted so badly to ask him about her and what it was like to work with her but I didn't want to bombarde him with questions and was pretty content to listen to him and whatever he wanted to talk about. Fortunately for me, he brought her up on his own. He talked about her and what it was like to record that song. It was unbelievable. Perfection!
He had us laughing so much that the trip just flew. We took him to his hotel and helped deliver his bags to his room. After he thanked us for the ride and the help, we left him and together Chad and I walked down the long hotel hallway. We couldn't speak. We just looked at each other with these huge smiles on our faces. Finally once we turned the corner, we turned to each other and started talking all at once. "Oh my gosh! He is so cool! That was so amazing! We just spent the evening with Randy Stonehill!" Needless to say, we are such geeks but it was all I could do not to run through the hotel sqealing and jumping. It was so unbelievable!
The next day, my brother called me and asked if Chad would want to be Randy's security at the show. Chad? Are you sure? My quiet, very sweet, sometimes shy, husband? Well, Chad got the honor of a lifetime. He had one on one time with Randy, was there when he made his set list, was with him when he warmed up in his dressing room, he got to escort him to and from stage, carried his guitar, and got him water. Very cool!
Last night was the show. He delivered an incredible, very personal and intimate performance that everyone loved. He sang such favorites as Great Big Stupid World, Shut De Door, Your Love Broke Through, and I Love You. He was so funny and his voice was impeccable. It was a great show. It was everything I had ever thought a Randy Stonehill show would be.
Afterwards, we got autographs, pictures and everyone there got to meet and greet Randy. I know he was exhausted after the show but he was very kind and very gracious to everyone. By the way, our kids loved the show too and Sydney and Elijah got autographs. They were thrilled.
Chad got to keep his set list and we got some pictures. Here are a couple. I hope you enjoy them. It was a once in a lifetime adventure for Chad and I and one we won't soon forget.
Thank you to Brent and Stacey Gardiner for this incredible opportunity and thank you to my brother, Todd for asking us to help. We couldn't have been more thrilled!
3 comments:
Congratulations!
My husband and I, too, have gotten to spend a few hours with Randy, after years of adulation and dozens of concerts. We sat around a college lounge and he fielded questions, fun!
Honestly, this man changed my life when he was 18, on his first tour, when he came to Taylor U in a terrible ice storm and played for hours. We had driven through life-threatening weather in the back of the Bennett's van.
His hair was like mine, then. I rather miss his curls, but he really is a guitar genius, and yes, one of the sweetest people on earth. So gracious.
Hi, I was good friends with Stacey Gardiner in high school when she was Stacey Boguske. Do you know how I could get back in touch with her? Is that a photo of her on your blog from the Randy Stonehill concert? Is she on facebook, do you know?
Thank you so much and God bless!
Lisa Ragan
Lisa,
I know her husband, Brent is on Facebook. I don't think Stacey is. I know you can look him up there and get in touch with them that way. They also own their own business called No Limits A/V in Muncie. Hope this helps!
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