[News] [Community] [History] [Music] [Contacts] [Shopping] [Site Map]

Jack

 
Photos by: Tracy

My ToRI Journal

This is my journal from TORI. I was writing as things were happening, so, sometimes things may be a little clipped so I could move onto the next fantastic thing. Hope you enjoy!

9/23/00

I'm in Newport, Rhode Island! I've been walking around since 10:30; it's now 3. The festival is right in the harbor and there are rows and rows of ships of various sizes. One has a mast taller than any building around it. It's odd to be someplace I've never been and also not know anyone. No one met me at the airport and no one else in the hotel room.
There's someone wearing a Cowsills t-shirt. In some ways, I'm not alone. ( that person turned out to be Gary Strobl)
I'm now at the stage area. 2nd row, center. Paul and Rich are on the stage working out the set up. Paul was saying which microphone is whose and it looks like I'm sitting right in front of Bob!
I just met Norma K from Dallas, one of the message board posters. She's very nice and bubbly. She said, "Are you the Gay one? I LOVE YOU!" She says Bob is quite the diva.
I just met Carol. We had a good laugh over what dorks we are. She says that she and her friends used to do this in Atlantic City all the time. The C's would do several shows a day and they would sit through all of them.
Paul has just come down to say "Hi" to everyone. He's talking to Norma K, now.
John just came in. Looks GREAT. He's wearing glasses and looks really sharp in a black trench coat. Terrific bassist, Robbie Scharf is with him. Won't Barry be bassing?
Bob just came through. The man is SO handsome! One of the other fans, Stella, says Bill is the best looking. We'll see about that.
Norma K just introduced me to Bob!His gorgeous, tanned, gigantic hand shook mine and he looked me right in the eyes. I am dead and I feel flushed. Norma took our picture.
Susan's wandering around giggling. There's Cowsills all over the place and I still haven't seen Bill or Barry.
I just went out and met Susan and Peter. They're SO NICE; and I had my picture taken with Susan.
There's Bill. He does look good...but he's no Bob (sorry Stella!) Bill is wearing a light brown suede jacket with a Star Trek communicator badge on it.
Barry is bearded and wearing a cream colored jacket, a hat, and big sunglasses.
(left to right: Paul, Susan, Bob, Bill; in back, Rich, Barry, Robbie; John on drums, of course)

SET LIST - SET 1:

The Rain, the Park and Other Things
What About Love? (brought tears to my eyes as soon as John started singing; Bill broke a string)
Far Away (couldn't hear Rich; Bill likes to shake his hips)
Spring Day In Ohio (Continental Drifters song by Susan; love it!)
River Of Love (solo Barry song; really good! women behind me are screaming; Susan and Rich have left the stage; Barry's Danelectro guitar sounds so cool! John is an awesome drummer; I don't know the song but, I think Barry messed up the lyrics; at the end, Barry started singing Dylan's "All I Really Want To Do")
Under the Gun (my fave song from Global; great!)
Deliver Me (Bill song; it's GREAT! It's like "The Bob & Susan Show," up there; they're crackin' each other up; Rich is going to sing next; another Bill song)
"Nightfall?" (I don't know the real name)
Indian Lake (Bob: "This is from 1968, a year after Rich and I graduated from high school." Barry did a Townshend-esque windmill to the delight of Robbie; Susan is cracking up all over the place; people next me are debating: "Should we yell for Hair?" As if they weren't going to sing it)
Poor Baby (awesome! The harmony break was gorgeous)

SHORT BREAK

SET LIST - SET 2:

I don't recognize the first song of the second set. Bill sings it. Susan was late; she came running onstage a couple verses in, grabbed a tambourine and struck a pose. I guess the song is "Down the Road We Go."
You're Not the Same Girl (a Bill song that Paul is singing; REALLY good!)
Cross That Line (the acapella opening was stunning; the stage back by John is really bouncing. I hope it's stable; Robbie's bass entrance was jaw-droppingly beautiful; so is Bob's Gretsch guitar; They were just told to turn it down!! Apparently, neighbors complained. They've made a decision to do one more electric song, then go "unplugged")
Hair (Barry's on bass; I wonder where Robbie went; they got a standing ovation for the opening "she asked me why" part alone!)
(another Bill song that I don't know the title of; he really embraced his country heart; it's just beautiful! I have GOT to get his solo stuff!!)
When Hearts Collide (Barry song; He made an intro about it being inspired by "The Color Purple")
We Can Fly (stunning!!)
Doo-Wah-Diddy (Rich; lots of crowd rollicking fun)
ENCORE:
Nowhere Man (totally unexpected and beautiful! Harmonies perfect; Bill sang lead; BEAUTIFUL!)

We've all adjourned to the Narransett Cafe a few blocks over from the festival site. Barry says he's coming here to play; Susan, too, maybe. It's a small place; three video games and a pool table; nothing that resembles a stage.
Barry has arrived. 10:20 PM. Amazing to think that they've been doing this since they were teenagers. I'm so glad I've come but I wish Jason was here. Everyone's making fun of me for all my writing. Jokingly. I'm right up front. Susan is here, yay! Oh my god, Barry has just pulled out a genuine Hofner violin bass guitar! Apparently, a fan just gave that to him. I saw it happening but I thought they just wanted him to sign it; but, no. They gave him this beautiful Hofner violin bass. Amazing.
Barry just let me play his Hofner. He said I can come up and play any time.
Test opening with "Moon River."
"The Walk Of Life" He's got the great bluesy-whiskey voice.
"Route 66"
"Strangers In the Night"---broke a string
"Maybelline" teaser then he changed the string; now he says he's going to play his favorite; broke another string; doing his Ed Wynn imitation, it cracks me up.
"Wild Thing" Robbie just walked in. Barry was just asking if anyone could play bass.They're doing "Get Back" Bill is at the door, and Susan; they haven't gone to the stage area.
Barry just dubbed themselves "The Oy Meshuginas." They're doing "Brown Sugar," Barry is slapping his guitar case for drums.
"Badge"---sort of; no one quite knows all the lyrics He gave the mic over to his nephew, Brendon, for "Sunshine Of Your Love," the song his (Brendon's) dad did on the "In Concert" album.
Barry's back for "Be-Bop-A-Lula"
Now he's letting friends sing; Bill just left.
Susan got their Uncle Bob to go up and sing "Danny Boy" acapella; it was quite pretty; while he was up there, Susan sat right in front of me; I leaned forward and told her that this song always makes my mom cry; she said it always makes her cry; she squeezed my arm and smiled very warmly at me.
Susan has joined Barry for "Never-Ending Love" and Fleetwod Mac's "I Don't Want To Know."
Susan's gone, not wanting to strain her voice before tomorrow's show.
Barry's doing "Money For Nothing."
It was missing the harmony, so I went up and provided it! I performed with Barry Cowsill!! Afterwards, he introduced me as "Bernie, my long-lost cousin from Milwaukee!"
He's closing down with "Blackbird" and then "Bombay" from his own album.
Then Susan went back up and Barry started playing "Hello Hello;" Susan kinda gave him a "Oh, no you didn't just start playing that!" look and then went along and sang it with him.
WHAT A GREAT NIGHT!!

9/24/00

Meet & Greet:

The FIRST thing I did was locate Norma K. I went over and said "Please tell me you got last night on video." She smiled real big and said, "I did. How many copies do you need?" God bless Norma K!
Bill came over and sat down with me and Norma K and Stella(those are the only names I wrote down, sorry! I was trying to write quickly!)A fan, Howard (?) has come over with an incredible collection of Japanese imported singles and some import albums that are really impressive! Afterwards, Bill said, "That's sterling! Hey, I gotta go p--- like a racehorse," and was gone. That statement cracked us up! Norma and Stella are all giddy. Norma's so shiny, you'd think Bill polished her!
Barry brought some of his CD's and I rushed up and bought one. They were gone almost instantly. When I got to him in line, I said, "Thank you for being my back-up singer, last night." and he bellowed, "STING!" and grabbed my hand and shook it firmly. He signed my poster "To STING."
John still isn't here.
When Bob was signing my poster, I told him how I told my mom, about 17 years ago, that I would someday go to Rhode Island and tell the Cowsills how much their music means to me, and he said, "So, YOU'RE responsible for this! See what you manifested?" I SO love Bob!
John has shown up and is patently catching up with all the signing.
A really cool fog has rolled in towards this pier.
I had my picture taken with Barry and went looking for a poster tube.
(that's all I wrote about the meet and greet! It was so busy! Always moving, no time to sit! In reading these over, I'm very disappointed about how little I said about all of the other people who were there who were so, incredibly nice to me! Sorry, guys; it wasn't intentional!)

Sunday's show:
I'm now in the front row an hour and a half early with all of the other fans! We're such nerds! <LOL!>
Barry just came by and said, "I don't know if I can get Naragansett again, but if I can I will."
2:45- Susan & Peter just arrived; Rich has been lurking about the festival.
2:50- There's Robbie. I've definitely developed a crush on him. There's Brandon; Paul must be around somewhere?
3:10- John is behind his kit; Paul has walked in.
3:20-everyone is here. Lots of greetings.
3:55- They're making their way to the stage. The place is packed. Hundreds of people. They set up three rows of chairs to the right of the stage for family members.

SET LIST:

Rain, the Park & Other Things
The Rain Song (Continental Drifters song, Susan)
Rescue (Bill broke a string--SURPRISE! John is GREAT!)
Deliver Me (Bill song; WOW! His solo stuff is so GOOD! Uncle Bob just handed the Hofner too Barry)
--special request for Bob's youngest daughter:
Thinking Of You (sung by Susan; bee-YOO-tee-full!)
Far Away (again, can't hear Rich)
Poor Baby (stunning! One of my faves of the oldies; absolutely breathtaking; I used to listen to it over and over trying to figure out the harmonies)
You're Not the Same Girl (just great! It's simply one of the best pop songs I've ever heard)

BREAK--still no song from Barry or John; I just told Bill how I feel about "You're Not the Same Girl," he said, "Well, thank you!"

SET 2:

We Can Fly (Bill said, "This one's for you, Norma!" I'll bet she melted immediately. They have their Auntie Flo on stage. Bill: "She's Barbara's stunt double!" Barry did his windmill again)
Train(very rockin' song by Barry)
Vagabond (Rich was going to sing it but is too hoarse, so Bill is; It's, yet again, a great solo Bill song!)
Couldn't it Be Love (from unreleased "Cocaine Drain" album! It's excellent! Susan wasn't onstage when they started it; she came on and, afterwards said "It's the benefit of being chick singer." Bill: "Hey, Susan, how do you know when there's a chick singer knocking on your door?" Susan: "I don't know, Billy, how?" Bill: "She doesn't know when to come in." Laughs all around.
Think On It (Bill song; just beautiful!!)
Crying (as sung by John; this song is legendary on the boards; Bob is sitting so people can see John. Wow. Standing ovation. C's looking around slightly amused, Susan: "Well, GOSH, John...!")
Indian Lake (that opening bass is so fun and full of tension; just great! Now bringing their old friend John Flanders on for "Sultans Of Swing" Bob broke a string)
Hair (they're bringing all their kids up; an audience member's daughter went running up and Susan is trying to find out who her parents are; "She can stay, I just want to know where her parents are!" Barry's playing the Hofner bass)

ENCORE:

Shine (outtake from Global sung by Paul; it's GREAT! I want it!!)
ANOTHER ENCORE:
Bill, Susan, Robbie, and Peter; John just came on playing with brushes; slow song, Susan stands with her hands deep in her pockets; I don't know this song's name)
ANOTHER:
(Susan is apologizing; says it's a song they've never done before)
Some Good Years (For having never done it before, it sure was amazing! I'm all teared up! It's made Marilyn cry outright! This has been the best weekend of my life since I went London too long ago!)

Barry says he's going to the same cafe again, around 8 or 9. I've come to the HoJo's with Carol Fritz and a bunch of other fans for the nightly sing along; I also need food! I called Jason; sure do miss him. Katherine just gave me a picture of me and Barry from last night YAY!! I'm all choked up.
(that's all I wrote there, guys, sorry! I was singing, not writing!)

9:20, At the cafe. Barry's setting up and Paul just walked in. J.R. just said Bob's outside. Bill just stepped in, then back out. So did Robbie. Rich is hauling gear in and out. And there's Susan!
Earlier, we were saying how it seemed that the C's didn't want to stop singing. Sure looks that way.
They just lugged in some drums. Looks like it's not the Barry Cowsill show anymore. TOO COOL.
I love Barry's whiskey voice.
"Welcome to Uncle Spunky's Variety Show!" he said. "We have a lot of guests...Ringo Starr, Paul Cowsill..." He just strapped on the Hofner bass ad vamped the opening of "Dazed & Confused."
"Houston, we have uh, T-minus ten minutes until showtime." he said.
"Thank you, Uncle Spunky," said Rich, sounding like Wolfman Jack.
I see Bob lurking about the doorway. He's a right lurker. Robbie just walked in. Barry says they'll be playing until about one; it's only just ten, I'm SO excited!
Uncle Bob just gave the history of why dogs sniff each other's butts.
Starting:
"Smile Away"---"Bob McCartney on drums" Bob's not much of a drummer -LOL-
"Reelin & Rockin'"
John and Bill just came in and are at the back of the bar.
"Tell Me" This is so fun. All impromptu.
"Route 66"
"Sweet Little Sixteen," Barry said,"I'm starting to sound like f-ing Rod Stewart! Anybody wanna sing this one?" So I did.
"Hang On Sloopy" sung by another fan.
Barry keeps doing his Ed Wynn imitation. Hilarious! "I have a very sad story to tell..." is how he starts each of them. The blues girl from last night is singing "Pride & Joy."
A little break. Bill is leaving.
Rich has brought Paul's son, Brendon up to sing and play. He does a Matchbox 20 song. Another song that I don't know. Kids are peaking up over the window behind him.
Barry is now bringing Eddie Starr up. He's doing "Beautiful Beige." Susan has come up to provide harmonies. How cool is that? Bob has switched to bass. Now "Monday Monday." A girl has gone up to sing "Chain Of Fools." Her name is Heidi. Now Eddie is singing "Rain." Bob is really good on bass.
Marilyn's coming up to sing. She's doing Bonnie Raitt's "Love Letter." Now "Me & Bobby McGee."
Cameraman Gary Strobl is saying goodbyes. Really nice guy. I wish I talked to him more, but I'm very single-minded, here. Marilyn is doing "Hotel California." Rich is bringing up the "Hang On Sloopy" guy to sing "Folsum Prison Blues." Eddies's coming back up, but I have to get some air.
11:50, Bob has left. Robbie, too. When he saw me, he smiled really big and came right over and shook my hand and said goodbye. I love Robbie.
Midnight, the blues woman keeps belting 'em out. I'm still outside.
Barry's back on! Good ol' "Wild Thing" with Rich blasting it out with his raw throat. Barry has put a bag over his head, "Danger, Will Robinson, Danger!" The song's still playing, strings are broken, and the guitar is way out of tune. I LOVE THIS! It's morphing into "Louie Louie" as their way of saying "We gotta go!"
Barry cajoled Uncle Bob back up for "Danny Boy" and he put harmonies on. After that, everyone started filing out. I went over to Barry and said, "Uncle Spunky, thank you for letting me be part of your bombastuous variety show!" And he said it was great, had this amazing gleaming twinkle in his eyes and said "It's good to keep all the straights on their toes." I love him. I feel that he is the C I have the most in common with. He's very flamboyant and has no time for conventionality. LOVE HIM!

At the airport, heading home...I kept wandering around with the intense feeling that I was going to see someone I know. Sitting at a restaurant table, was Susan Cowsill in her army coat smiling at a kid at the next table. I walked over and said, "Well, ma'am, headin' out?" She looked up and smiled big at me and said, "Yes, I am." "Have a nice flight," I said. "You, too," she said and put her hand out to mine, gave it a good squeeze, " Thanks for coming." "It was..." I started and couldn't find the words. And she nodded her head vigorously, with a beaming smile and said, "Yeah it was! I agree!" And we said goodbye. I got to my gate two minutes before the plane started boarding.

TAH-DAH! The End!

So, I hope y'all enjoyed it as much as I did. Great ending, huh?

Love, Jack

Back to Cowsill Marathon 2000!

[News] [Community] [History] [Music] [Contacts] [Shopping] [Site Map]