On April 6th 2002 I was truly blessed, With my best friend (the guy who got me into Prince) at my side, 10 years of dreams came true. We were selected to play on stage during the sound check. Sitting front row center, luck was on my side from the beginning. I was 15th or so in line, but, 15 minutes before passes were issued my roommate (Bill) still hadn't arrived, we split the membership, but he had the credit card and conformation number we used to get our tickets. He had 15 minutes to get into the line I had been standing in for 3 hours. The threat of not getting in was very real at this point. He did arrive just in time, and we got into the theatre with no hassles. Security guards sat us in rows exactly like 1st graders are sat at school lunch. You had to sit in the order and row you were put in... being 15th in line put us just a tad stage right (audience left) We made eye contact with Prince as we walked to our seat but played it cool. Throughout the sound check (short list available) we would make little comments insinuating we could play an instrument but no real serious thought of him letting anyone coming up and joining him.

Prince checked with the guitar tech (?name) for time, and I thought the sound check was over. But then he asked the NPGMC members who we wanted for the celebration... I said Victor Wooten and Prince asked Rhonda if she could talk to him. Many people shouted out many names, some were joked about and others where thought about... then my roomate shouted out 'me!' and I yelled ' yeah, we'll even do it for free.'

Prince came stage right and asked Bill if he played guitar, and Bill responded 'Yeah, can I?' And Prince let him up... so at that point the only logical thing to do was to ask if I could play bass.

Prince looked at me and said 'lets make sure he can play first.' So Bill played a quick little lick and took to the mic. At this point the back light was right in my eyes so I really couldn't see the back of the stage... I thought I was out of luck until I felt a tap from behind, and some guy (thank you by the way whoever you are was saying Rhonda wants you to come up... I jumped the 5 foot stage, and don't really remember touching the ground (cliche' I know, but nothing can describe it better). Bill was already into the song I Could Never take the Place of Your Man which happened to be the only song he tried to teach me on regular guitar. So I knew all the chords which was very lucky.... and then we just played....I didn't tense up and I didn't choke like I thought I would.... And NOTHING felt better. Prince and Ronda sat behind me and seemed happy... Prince laughed when I used his line from Sign of the Times {....And you know we wouldn't be satisfied 'I know HE wouldn't' } Bill got to play the hollow body with the (Benny King?) autograph.... by the way does anyone know the story behind this guitar? And I got to play Rhondas Fender Jazz bass... which as luck would have it... was the same bass I owned...

The song was done... And he came up to talk to us a bit. We were able to say in one breath everything we wanted years to say.... 'Thank You' for EVERYTHING! But the detail I will remember the most was when I was about to say something to him, and he leaned in to hear me better...that may seem small, but he cared about what I had to say...and as a fan you can imagine how much that means,,,

He commented on my Bass Playing and he loved my shoes...so I was able to used my favorite line... 'I am going to get some serious draws tonight... you think I won't But of course I didn't....in fact I got no draws that night, but it didn't even matter....

In closing... thank you NPGMC members... Jeff, Mark, Steve, Rich and Bryan... and everyone else I was able to talk to... Prince Fams are the coolest people on the planet... May U live 2 C the Dawn!

Ryan

It's so great to read all these experiences from the soundchecks! Thank you!

yet AGAIN another dream come True

Think CJ will report about this?

BanishedBrian said:

lol

Man, you were thumping on dat bass!

Peace

Let's be honest, they just did this to get exposure for their dumb playing. They don't realize their are one million guitarists in America who hunger for the same thing.

cool

BanishedBrian said:

...wouldn't it be great if cj was bombarded with letters from people who've had positive souncheck experiences?

I havnt stoped thinking about whether I will get a chance to play with P at a uk soundcheck.

Im so pleased u got 2 play with him. Thanx for ur report dude.

Lewis