Hello, Mr. Mason

When I was 14, living in Elk Grove Village and very much into Christian music, Jars of Clay (with special guest Plumb) came to town. Because we didn’t have all sorts of money to throw around, my brother and I (I think my sister was in on this, too) decided to meet them in person at a Christian book store signing.

Now I won’t get into how the lead singer looked particularly glazed over, or how none of them apart from their lead guitarist said a word (or even looked at us), or how that same lead guitarist shook my hand (and made me inwardly squeal with delight), because all the assumptions and judgments would all just be hearsay, and in their defense, they WERE like only 24 years old and had already reached MTV stardom.

But I will say that regardless of the oddities of the meet and greet, the entire experience was super awesome, because “Whoa! They’re like right there and they’re so … real!”

It was so awesome, in fact, that I began feeling sad that I hadn’t pressed my parents to buy us tickets. I mean a totally great concert was going to take place THAT VERY NIGHT and I wasn’t going to be there. Me! The future wife of the guy who shook my hand!!

I started to plan. Scheme. I could win a radio contest! Or convince my parents to drive us out there in hopes some tickets were left! Or maybe I could even hang around the building and jump them as they exited!!

But the minutes passed and nothing happened. I knew any last-minute attempts would be frivolous. So I stayed home. (After my family had a celebratory meal at Denny’s in honor of my engagement, of course … what can I say, we’re classy folk).

And that was the end of that saga … until last night.

I really believe Christian music is the only division of music in which you can, as a listener, leave it all behind as you dabble in mainstream music … and then return thirteen years later to find the stations are playing the same songs by the same artists and the local events are headlined by the same bands.

So although it was kind of weird, I wasn’t all that surprised when I found out who would be taking the stage on Family Night at Three Rivers Festival here in Fort Wayne:

Jars of Clay.

With special guest, Plumb.

Needless to say, I went. And although it was kind of sad (because hello! Plumb is now like 35 years old and she’s still trying to rock out), it was also very fulfilling.

Mostly because, since I’m now married, I knew things between the lead guitarist and I were officially over.

I mean he didn’t even look at me.