Sunday, June 10, 2012

Fenway Park With Jon Butcher


The end of an amazing day with Mr Butcher and Company.
   Over the years I have been in some very cool places with some very cool people but standing on the field at Fenway Park as Jon Butcher played The National Anthem on his custom Fender Strat may be the coolest moment yet.
   Walking into Fenway for sound check I had a feeling that the day was going to be one for the books but I had no idea how powerful and crazy 90 seconds could be.
I was about to find out...

FMan rolls film as JB rocks Fenway at sound check.

To hear the anthem through Jon's guitar, even in an empty park during sound check was amazing.
I have always felt that when the anthem was performed that it should move you, make you proud and stir your emotions. This was that kind of anthem. The notes went right through you and touched your soul, but then I would expect nothing less from a man that I have been a fan of for over 20 years.
   Jon, is without a doubt, one of the very finest singer/songwriter/musicians that I have ever had the pleasure to work with, and to be able to share this day with him was truly something special.
Jon and Charlie after soundcheck.
   It also didn't hurt that we were joined by Jon's partner in crime and music, Charlie Farren and their guitar techs, Dan and Mike. What a great group to share this experience with.
   After sound check Jon and Charlie left Fenway to tend to business which left Dan, Mike and myself alone with a limited edition guitar and all of Fenway Park at our disposal. A very dangerous combination.
   We took advantage of the situation and brought the guitar down to the field to have it photographed with as many people as we could find. Seemed like a good idea at the time...
Columnist Peter Gammons with the 100th Anniversary Strat.
   We got everyone from MLB columnist Peter Gammons to Kevin Youkilis and several people who we are still trying to figure out who they are. We had a blast and made some new friends at the same time.Never a dull moment around those two.
   On our search for a place to eat we even recreated one of the promotional photos we did for FBI a while back on Lansdowne Street.
MIke & Dan get their own promo shot.
   Note: We ended up having burgers at Jerry Remy's with the world's most timid waitress and mist being blown on us constantly but thats another story.
    Jon and Charlie returned in time for the end of batting practice and an interview with Jenny Dell for Jon.
   We all hustled down to the fabulous Green Room (also known as the security department's lunch/locker room) deep in the bowels of the park to get ready for "Show Time."
   We tried to talk Jon into maybe playing a few extra songs after the anthem or maybe even laying the guitar on home plate and lighting it on fire but he would have none of that (although I think with just a little more encouragement he might have done an few requests. I'm sure the players wouldn't have minded...).
Interview with NESN's Jenny Dell.
   After being escorted onto the field it was quite a sight standing behind home plate with Jon and Company and as Dan and Mike hustled Jon's amps into position.
   Then it was time for the anthem and needless to say, Mr Butcher rocked the song and the park.
It was the fastest and, at the same time, most unforgettable 90 seconds of music I think I will ever hear.
   My mind was racing as one part of it was concentrating on photographing the moment and the other part (that is roughly 14 years old) was thinking, "How cool is this to be on he field at Fenway Park three feet away from Jon Butcher playing The National Anthem?"
Great ending to a truly amazing experience.
   After the anthem we went to our seats to watch some of the game and I had a few moments to take it all in and realize just how lucky I am to be able to do what I do, with the people that I get to do it with.
It does not get much better than this...