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Years ago, I had the chance to meet some of the Doobie
Brothers after a rockin’ show. I’d like to share some of my
experiences of the event with you.
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There is no other rock-n-roll guitarist / singer /
songwriter I’d rather meet more than original Doobie Brother Tommy
Johnston. He’s been the biggest influence in my rock-n-roll career.
Stick, Frank, and
I were able obtain after-show, backstage passes and arrange to meet
several Doobie Brothers’ band members.
Tommy Johnston playing "China Grove" |
Our Buddy "Injun" (Doobie Front Salesman) |
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I got "Backstage Passes!"
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Cris Simmons and me |
~ Chatting With Cris Simmons While We Wait
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After a great Doobie show, we stuck our backstage passes on our coats.
The theater manager (Blair) escorted us down to the
side of the stage. We stood anxiously waiting by the stage as the road
crew was tearing down. Stick asked a roadie for a Doobie set list – and
got one!
While waiting by the stage, we met Cris Simmons, wife of
original Doobie GREAT, guitar player, singer, and song writer Pat Simmons.
Cris handles a lot of the Doobie’s public relations and was fun to chat
with. She talked about the band members, the tour, and other behind the
scenes stuff (Cris and I talked a little about our kids too). Being a little
nervous, I enjoyed Cris’ conversation as she helped create a relaxed
atmosphere.
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Here Comes Pat
Pat Simmons and Mike Hossack (long time drummer for the
Doobies) came out first. Pat Simmons is known vocally for such
great hits as “Jesus
is Just Alright for Me”, “Black Water”, “South City Midnight Lady”,
“Dangerous”, and others. Pat was soft spoken, amicable, and interactive
while signing autographs. Pat actually offered to
sign Stick’s Doobie set list. Of course, the first words stumbling out
of my mouth to Pat were unintelligible. Like Tommy, Pat has been a
long-time favorite of mine too. Pat is a cool guy and very laid
back. After recollecting my thoughts, I was able to at least conduct
some small talk with him. He also gave us some Doobie Brother guitar
picks with his signature on the reverse side. Pat was just a
super nice guy!
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It was exciting to meet such a musical icon of the 70’s rock-n-roll
music era and Doobie Brother co-founder guitarist, singer, and song
writer like Pat.
Pictured:
My son Stick (bass player in
our band), Pat Simmons, buddy Frank (occasional sit-in guitar player in
our band), and
me. |
~ Gentle Giant Mike ~
Doobie drummer Mike Hossack was a gentle giant and witty
too. He was a big guy that you don’t appreciate until you met him up
close. Like Pat, he was very happy to conduct small talk. I introduced
him to my son and Frank. Mike then quipped, “Your son is a bass player;
I won’t hold that against him.” During his lifetime, Mike had been in several potential life
and career ending accidents but still toured with the Doobies until his
death in 2012. He always make it a
point to come out to say hello to awaiting fans. 
Stick, Frank, Mike Hossack, and me |
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~ Clearly Thinking Unclearly ~
At this point in my story, I want to make it clear that
no matter how many times you’ve practiced and went over in your head
what you want to say to people you’ve idolized for many years, it all
goes out the window when you meet them. You enter a different
realm of
mental existence as it becomes difficult to grasp the moment and
navigate your thoughts.
I’m an entertainer, outgoing, and never short
on words…. except then!
~ Won’t Be Meeting
Tommy
Johnston Tonight? ~
Will I finally get to meet Tommy
Johnston….? PROBABLY NOT! Another person with a backstage pass who has
met the Doobies before said that Tommy Johnston doesn’t come out for
these things. I walked over to Cris Simmons and asked if that was
true. Cris stated that Tommy usually doesn’t come out for the meet and
greets. OH LORD, could this be it? I came so close in
meeting the legendary Tommy Johnston only to have my hopes dashed? |
~ Wait a Second… ~
Wait, all is not lost…Here’s the most special part of
this story! Cris Simmons then added, "I told Tommy that you were the
one that sent him the heartfelt e-mail about wishing to someday meet
him." She told Tommy that Dave and his son are waiting out there to meet
him.
The next 15 seconds were incredible. I noticed that Stick and
Frank were raising their eyebrows along with their cameras. At the very
same time, Chris says to me, “Here comes the guy you’ve been waiting to
meet.” I walked over to Tom Johnston, blurted out a few
meaningless words, and
shook his hand. I tried to get my head together and tell him I’ve waited 38 years
to meet him. Again, all thought patterns become scrambled as you’re
trying to hang on to the moment. We exchanged greetings and small
talk. I mentioned that Lucky Afternoon plays three Doobie songs
quite frequently. At one point, I remembered I told him he was the entire package… great guitar
player, great singer, and great showman. He smiled at me and said,
"Eh…. it’s a living." He also said, "Isn't it great to
get paid to do something you love?" |
The moment of truth... I met Tom Johnston!
(Chris Simmons left, John McFee in background
and Mike Hossack in
foreground) |
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~ Tommy Johnston ~
Enjoying a moment in time...with my son! |
Tommy Johnston is actually quite different in person
compared to how we see him
onstage. He’s calm, relaxed, and yet appreciative of the people who
admire him. I wanted to chat with him about guitars, pickups, amps but
realized he was exhausted after just finishing a fabulous show and the
fact that he had
about 15 people after me to at least say hello to and sign autographs.
I did not want to appear as selfish or annoying. Tommy did chat
with me for about a minute but I honestly can’t remember a lot of our
conversation as I was somewhere out there orbiting the planet Jupiter.
If ever given another chance, I think
I'll be more at ease and not act like a typical "blubbering" fan;
rather, I want to be relaxed, casual, and talk about his PRS pickup
configuration, his favorite guitar amps, touring in the 70's, how often
does he go to the gym, and if he likes M&Ms...
(last one for my son).
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~ What I Take With Me ~
First and foremost, TOM JOHNSTON MADE A
SPECIAL EFFORT
TO COME OUT AND MEET ME! That’s a moment I'll take with me
throughout life. I wasn’t
interested in Tommy’s autograph or picks – those are just material
things. I got to meet, shake hands with, and tell a rock icon that he
has been the biggest guitar, vocal, and stage entertainer influence in
my life. Singing hits like “China Grove”, “Long Train Runnin”, Listen
to the Music”, "The Doctor" and many others, his guitar licks and chops, his command
of a crowd, and Tom Johnston’s lofty presence on stage is comparable to
none.
Don’t believe me? Catch a show!
No
matter how we view our idols, they are people just like us. Tom, Pat,
and Mike along with Cris Simmons, were so nice to meet and talk with.
Pat is just a chillin' Doobie Brother! Mike is like the neighbor next door who you might
stop in and have a beer
with. Tommy quietly walked out with a small black gym bag, sucking on a cough drop
(Vicks?), looking to meet me and shake my hand. |
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Frank, Tommy, Dave (me), and
my son Stick |
Add a few other items
to Tommy, Pat, and the Doobie Brothers' list…
They have consideration and appreciation for
true fans like me – They never forgot their roots.
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Thank You Tommy, Pat, Mike,
Cris, & Injun
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