In 1984, I was near the rafters at a packed stadium in Chicago just dreaming about seeing Prince in an intimate setting. I dismissed my dream then thinking he is a legend and could never do small shows, he's just too big of a star to cater to nightclub crowd. On March 16, 2001 my dream came true. My heart nearly pounded a hole in my blouse but my dream came true! We saw the Funkiest Rock Star of all time up close. Even closer than when were at the Riv in Chicago where we stood in line for 12 hours. I was close enough to smell his perfume and I nearly lost it from the joy and delirium I was feeling. I got excited as soon as my girl Jo emailed me. My only question was what time are we leaving. This is the only brother in the world that has the power to make me happy about working all day then hoping under the wheel to drive all night (into a snow storm), then bathing in the funky tunes and dancing until 5AM, then hoping back under the wheel and driving off into the sunrise. I usually travel solo but it was nice to have Jo riding shot gun doing the DJ thing. All Prince, all the time is my standard. She got a laugh out of my "security Prince tape" that automatically kicks in for those moments when I'm changing from one Prince CD to another. We were both beaming. I was looking forward to seeing the MN crew that was at the front of every line with me during the celebration. Tameko, Tia and Chris ya'll are some cool, cool people I knew you would be there representing the true fans, the people who really feel the funk. It was good to see Fred on the door too. I thought the place would be over run with people banging to get in, I just knew I was going to have park a mile a way. I was wrong, I swooped right up into the lot like a VIP and we didn't have to wait long at all. I always feel like I'm on hallowed ground when I make the pilgrimage to paisley park.(Though I missed the purple lights this time) We paid the token fee for an experience of a life time and collected our T-shirt, as if we weren't floating already they start the evening off with surprise gifts?! How glorious is that. After a little banter with the friendly staff we make our way into the room, I said a little d'oh because the lights were off down the hall with all the beautiful pics of Prince though that was soon forgotten because he was sitting right there as we walked. My mouth hit the floor as it always does when I see him, my girl Jo nearly hockey checked me but I wanted to make sure I got an eye-full of him in case he didn't join the others on stage. I still can't focus on him, he's got that mystical flawless thing going and I end up staring like a star struck doe in headlights. I tend to see him and the embodiment of all his talent and it's just overwhelming. The DJ was spinning some non-Prince noise as we made our way easily to the front of the stage Tameko, Tia and Chris were at their posts front and center so we went to hang out with them. It was good to be with people who were felling it like we were. The Funky BaldHeadz were good, the guitar solos were my favorite part of their show. Mike Scott was awesome as was the guy with the blue guitar and Kirky was real fluid. My heart didn't start the Mexican jumping bean routine until Prince gently slank to the keyboard. I knew we were in for one of those moments that you keep reliving with joy when he tapped the mike and in that voice that is soft and deep at the same time said "turn this on." AHHHHHAAAAAHHHH I've been smiling ever since I just get sudden flares of joy from the emotion they gave us. I can't tell you a set list because I was overcome with pleasure. I remember hanging on to Tameko with Jo over my shoulder singing "We gonna have a funky good time" at the top of our lungs As Larry Graham thumped the Bass and Prince shot us a smile from the keyboard for recognizing the tune. I remember Prince being inches from me. He was dancing, playfully responding as we screamed "Show us what you working with" I remember his angelic voice as he picked the notes for his song. I remember falling into a blissful state and feeling blessed and indebted for the opportunity to witness the greatest musician ever with a powerful band just having fun laughing and clowning and sending us into orbit. Next time we roll I hope we can bring more of the Chicago crew Like Jason, Anna, Carla, Julian and Jerome. I believe Prince would have played all night like James Brown used to with a whole crowd showing their love for him. Uh.. wake up MN there is a God-send in your midst. I give my deepest thanks; these are the experiences that make life such a lovely thing. I can't wait for the next one, though I'll be replying this one in my mind for a long time. Peace N B Wild April