I Got Some Beer And The Highway's Free

"Well I got some beer and the highway's free

And I got you, and Baby you got me!"

I have always loved that line from Bruce Springsteen's hit song "Sherry Darling". You know, it just is a reminder that no matter how much crap is going on in the world (the economy, layoffs, the stock market, international affairs, health care costs, etc....), the ones you love - and who love you - are what matters.

This weekend Sara and I celebrated our 17th Wedding Anniversary. We did so by spending part of the weekend with our kids, and then tonight we went to dinner with our close friends, Kelsey and Dave. After dinner (and some wine!) we all went to see the Bruce Springsteen concert at the Erwin Center (in Austin, Texas).

I first saw "The Boss" in concert in 1985 during his "Born in the USA" tour. Wow, 24 years ago. The guy can still rock the stage (he turns 60-years-old this year). The average age of the crowd was a little older (his fans have all aged, oh God, that means I have aged, too!), but the spirit was still there.

One of the best parts of the show was watching some guy in a red shirt across the arena who was just cutting lose dancing his heart out to every song while standing in the isle. This guy had passion for Springsteen.

My brother Bob introduced me to the music of Springsteen when I was 14-years-old. He gave me a copy of the double album "The River" for Christmas in 1980. I opened the package and my disappointment was evident. Bruce who? This unshaven musician's record, who was yet to reach his coming levels of fame, was not what I was hoping was under the tree.

But I began listening to the songs, and I was forever a fan. Most of my friends took to "The Boss" five years later when he hit the top of the charts, but my favorite songs go back to "The River" and "Born to Run" (He didn't play enough of my favorites in concert, but these old superstars never play a "Greatest Hits" concert. He was still great!).

The great thing about Springsteen is that he sings songs that speak to the soul of the human condition. He has added a 155-year-old civil war song called "Hard Times Come Again No More" (by Stephen Foster). The song sounds like it was written for the modern day world with modern day problems, as Bruce sings it his way that lets the audience know he feels our pain.

From Main Street to Wall Street, we can all relate "E-Street" (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are back together after a decade of him being solo). They wrapped a bow around the audience and made the whole evening a gift. For me, it was fun to celebrate our anniversary with friends, but also to wax nostalgically in the sounds of the music.

Have A Great Day.

thom