September 14, 2002: Mississippi?? Really??!!

Tunica, MS
Horsehoe Casino

The places I travel to see this band! Never in a million years did I ever expect to voluntarily go to Mississippi, but there I was, a California weather wimp in the humid south.

While the weather sucked most of MY energy dry, it sure didn't affect the band or the 1500 people in the tiny Bluesville room at the Horseshoe Casino. When I first arrived at the venue I was amazed that they had managed to fit all their equipment on such a TINY stage. Deen looked to be a little more boxed in than usual, but it worked.

While there were very few bad seats in such a tiny venue, I was in seventh heaven with my 5th row center seat -- very close. My only complaint being that the seats were tied together so you were very cozy with the person sitting next to you! I thought I was going to luck out when the 6 seats to my left didn't fill up immediately, but, alas, the latecomers arrived about 3 songs in to the set!

The set was the same as they've been playing this whole tour, and when the lights went down and the intro to the show the crowd was on their feet screaming. This was the first show I've been to at a casino that the front rows weren't all filled with the "high rollers," but actual fans who were on their feet cheering! Everyone was on their feet for the entire night (at least in the front section -- friends reported the second section was a bit more sedate.)

About 30 minutes into the show, security allowed people up to the front of the stage. Well, you don't have to tell me twice! Once I freed my purse from the tangle of the chair, I was down at the stage front and center. And man, this is the closest I've ever been to the guys. The stage, as I said, was tiny. It was also LOW -- probably about 3 feet from the main floor. Steve and Neal were right in front of me all night, but one of the more amazing things is that I was able to actually watch DEEN for a change. He's usually so hidden in the back that I can only see the top of his head. It was cool getting to watch him go to town on the drums.

I realized I've been to a LOT of shows when Jon started his solo intro to Open Arms -- he's changed it!

After the show was over my friends and I saw the tour buses waiting out side, so we went over to see if the guys were coming out. Deen was already outside and signing autographs. He was looking around too see if there was anyone he missed talking to when I walked up and when he saw me, he pointed and said hi. Then he came over and gave me a big hug. (Woo hoo, personal thrill!)*

We hung around for a while and Deen was finally dragged off by one of the road crew. The crowd had grown a bit, and after about 30 minutes or so security started shooing everyone off saying "they're not coming out, they're staying the night and leaving in the morning." Uh... yeah, really? Then why are the buses still sitting here with their engines running??

Eventually we were shooed off to the hotel lobby where, lo and behold, Steve, Neal, Deen, and Jon were walking through a small crowd of people! We got to chat with them briefly. We never did see Ross, but we had passed him at the hotel buffet, so that was good enough.

All in all, another all-to-short trip to see Journey and of course the wonderful Journey fans! A very SPECIAL thank you to Mary Ann for all her southern hospitality -- you went WAY beyond the call of duty -- I'm so glad we got to spend some time together!

Set List:

Intro/State of Grace
Separate Ways
Ask the Lonely
-- Neal Solo -- Star Spangled Banner
Stone in Love
Only the Young
Send Her My Love
Lights
-- Jon solo --
Open Arms
Feeling That Way
Anytime
I'll Be Alright Without You
Trial By Fire (acoustic)
Liberty (acoustic)
Higher Place
The Time
Don't Stop Believin'
Chain Reaction
Faithfully
Escape
-- Neal solo --
Wheel in the Sky
Be Good to Yourself

Encore:

Any Way You Want It
Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'

*Still one of my favorite Journey memories!