This is going to sound like a Penthouse Forum letter. "Dear Penthouse, I never thought it would happen to me..." But the difference is this really did happen, and music club members were there to witness it.

The night of my life was April 6th, 2002.

At around 5:30 or so we were ushered in. He was on stage playing an instrumental of "The Work".
As I was making my way to the front row seat he made eye contact with me and gave me
"the nod". "There," I thought, "My night is complete. I made eye contact with him." As the soundcheck continued he was very relaxed and personable, talking with us between songs. Then, in the middle of some song, can't remember what, he walked over to the hornz section, grabbed a cowbell and drum stick and brought it over right to me! TO ME! "There," I thought, "My night is complete. He brought me a cowbell." Now the next song was a slow jam, so I felt a little stupid playing cowbell to it...but I did anyway! Annoyed the people around me I'm sure but hey...he gave the cowbell to me, I'm gonna play the damn thing! So after that fiasco I thought "There, my night is complete. I jammed with him" A few more songs later and the soundcheck was done. I was on cloud nine, I got a chance to watch him work without the pressures
of performing and the concert was going to be in an hour. I never expected what happened next, and I've learned that there's a cloud ten...Before he left the stage he stopped, walked directly over to me and asked..."Do U wanna play?"

Time stopped. Welcome to cloud ten.

I've played guitar for many years, and fantasized so much about jamming with him that when the time came...I was ready. I hopped up, his guitar tech gave me his hollowbody guitar with the signature on the back, (By the way, if anyone can
tell me something about that guitar it would be great, what's the signature...etc.) Prince stepped back and gestured to his mike. I walked up and started playing "I could never take the place of your man." Then, if that wasn't enough, he let my best friend Ryan, who's a phenomenal bass player, up to play as well. Welcome to cloud eleven. When the song was done he came over to tell me we were "outstanding". I now had the chance to tell him what I've always wanted to tell him: "You've been my mentor since I was 15, I've led a good life because of you, and I just wanted to say thank you." He seemed legitimately touched and for a few moments he dropped being the persona of "Prince" and we were just two guys having an interchange. He looked me in the eye and listened to what I had to say, and for a guy has busy as he is, to me that's a big deal. We shook hands and both departed the stage.

I give props to all club members who were there. We didn't get dirty looks or anything like that, people seemed happy for us. All of us deserved to go up, it was just luck that I was able to

The rest of the night he would make eye contact and at one point he asked me my name during "Family Name", then made fun of me, but I'm not really sure what he said. If anyone could help me out with that, that would be great as well. I know he didn't call me "Lynch", someone on stage left was that. But I feel bad, because I didn't really understand what he was saying!

I'm still processing it all, remembering little details, that sort of thing. I don't think he knew how much last night helped me. I'm going through a divorce and this was this concert was my first time doing something besides working and feeling sorry for myself. Today though, I am a new man. I have a new sense of confidence because Prince has given me the nod. I know I never needed it, but it's nice to say I got it. So once again, Prince if you do ever read this, thanks for the opportunity to see what it feels like. My music career has been given a significant shot in the arm because of last night. My clouds no longer have numbers.

Bill VonTobel

Bill..didn't he rename you "outlaw"..you ARE the man,I told you that

UR one lucky individual! Congrats 2 U!

aaww how awfully sweet of Prince . . .

That's cool dude. Happy for ya.

Peace

Congrats on getting to play with the band...

About the guitar - it was given to him by George Benson at the Irving Plaza show in NY a few years ago - the one with Chaka, Larry, and Doug E Fresh.

bill,
i was so happy to see you playing up there - you did an incredible job!!! if it hadn't have been for you, i don't think that i would have been able to bellow my "call me" line later on in the concert...it was just so inpirational to see you take advantage of the moment....and i know EXACTLY what you mean when you say that Prince really helped you....it's almost as if he has a way of knowing just who really needs a jolt of joy in their life.
anyway, i'll never forget how happy you looked when you were singing ICNTTPOYM!!!!!
andrew

that gave me the goosebumps

Very special - happy 4 u.

thank u 4 the report.

OK, I must be a complete dork! I am actually crying...that was incredibly touching. Congrats!!!

Wonderful story ... thanks for sharing.

Nisha you are no dork. What a wonderful night!

"My clouds no longer have numbers." I don't think a greater compliment could by paid.

Oops! by=be
[This message was edited Mon Apr 8 18:23:52 PDT 2002 by Nothinbutjoy]

That is a stunning story, and you have told it in a stunning way. A post such as this I have never come across.

I hope that both Prince's inspiration and your own strength do you the justice you deserve...

Another great story from this tour!

But Bill, I have to ask, how did he know that you could play guitar? I can't imagine that he picked you randomly. And the same question for Ryan regarding the bass?

I know that someone, when asked, said they didn't have a name that evening. Prince seemed amused and said something like, "Oh, now you do, you're Outlaw."

Was that you??

once again Prince is making some 1s dreams come T. r. u .e ,
true

"...My clouds no longer have numbers" ... BEAUTIFUL

Bill:

I'm so glad that an experience like this was bestowed upon someone like you.

Great story bill. prince seems to be telepathic alright, when it comes to "sensing" what people need. he communicates in MANY ways with people. he seemed to have sensed somethin in u when he 1st caught your eye. he is very charismatic isnt he? very sensitive. i, myself never met him face to face, but i feel that i WILL one day. it's like a connection u have with him. even from afar. strange...

I certainly would not have given u a dirty look, but man oh man am I jealous!

Great story, very well told: congratulations!!!
I think we all dream about such an opportunity.
I dreamt that I was harmonizing "How come you don't call me anymore" with him singin' and playing the piano, but I don't know if I would have the strength to do that!!!!
Didn't you fear his judgement????

Wow, I think these "little" moments alone will make this tour legendary. This could not have happened on any tour before.

Beautiful story Bill. Thank U 4 sharing. Eye hope that U will continue 2 b graced by such loving spirits as were with U that night. Much Love.

Bill I'm glad to hear how happy u were because of that amazing xperience. I know everyone wishes something wonderful such as that happens to them someday. As long as you r a Prince fam and love his work I feel in a way we all had a chance to meet and know the person inside of the persona Prince. Prince does amazing things and it's wonderful that he is willing to share his xperience with his fans the way he does unlike many artists. All my love 2 Prince and all the Prince fams of the world. At least we can begin to break down the wall of ignorance-stand up organize. Love4oneanother

VERY COOL STORY...

Hey, Nisha, I too got a little misty eyed...count me in as a dork aswell.

sigh...what a wonderful experience...moving.. I can only hope that I meet Prince at the soundcheck in Houston, so I can tell him my little story...(read my profile)
peace and blessings

WOW great review by a great man... I cannot tell you all how bullshit free that story is... A cooler story couldn't be made up about the show, everything was perfect. And for the rest of the NPGMC, thank you so much for being so kind. Music Club members are the coolest people in the world. And that Bass player was FUNNNKY! had some cool shoes too.

This is sooo HOT!

Congrats 2 u! Very moving story. Wow!

Peace and B Wild!

Nisha42272 said:

You're not a dork, it was touching...
Congrats Bill! I can't say that enough! I'm extremely happy for you. Things happen for a reason, it's no coincidence you're going through a divorce and you happened to meet Prince. That's an act of Fate, again congrats...I hope the rest of your life goes smoothly after that.

Blue Cashmere
"Don't Play Me"