James McMurtry at The Strand

Our main man was in Maine. When we heard this while listening to public radio on a Sunday morning, we both looked at each other and said, "No way." Jim got on the computer and for $20 a head, we were second row with James McMurtry. It was just him and his guitars. I was in heaven. I cried during "Ruby and Carlos" and swear he was singing to me. His third song was "Rachel's Song" which is a top-of-the-list favorite (I have so many favorites) - it's the song that taught me I love this man's lyrics, voice and perspective. He sings about some sad stuff. Unfortunately, sad is a rural Maine reality and I can relate. He was absolutely amazing.

I scoped out a few state parks in and around Rockland, so we spent the afternoon near the ocean with Dixie running around and us marveling at Coastal Maine. Gotta love Maine - the woods, the mountains, the rivers, lakes and the ocean to boot. Love it.

So the "find your seat" plan at a general admission show at The Strand is AWESOME! We walked to the box office and picked up our tickets. Then we got in line with other fans; there were maybe 30 people ahead of us. When they opened the doors, we made our way to front and center of the show and landed two seats in the second row. Beer was allowed into the show. Jim saved seats while I went for a pre-concert walk around the little town, down the side streets to find this church and other quaint, picturesque images. Then back to my seat to wait for the man...

Must be a cold front coming/Cause I saw the eastbound C and O/And the coal cars were dusted with a half inch of snow/ And that boy'll drive me crazy/ Don't know what I'll do with him/ School will be out tomorrow if that cold front moves in/ Calling out/ To the dying daylight/ The shadows of the mountains/ Bringing on the night// The old folks like to whisper/ He favors your side in his face/ When he gets a little older/ He's going to lead a merry chase// (Chorus) When I'm all alone it's all right/ It Isn't going to wound my pride/ If anyone can claim they're all right/ So can I...So can I (from "Rachel's Song")