# One of those "die happy" experiences... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 20, 2016, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421 "2016-08-20T16:39:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2016, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/1 "2016-08-20T16:39:16Z")
I’m sorry, I’m going to be a bit spooky-mysterious here, because I’m still waiting on some details. But I just gotta sound off/gloat/yell _yee-haaaaa_. In a couple of weeks, I am attending a reception. A small, intimate reception. A small, intimate reception for two artists I hold in the very highest regards - well into the legend category, including one I thought I would never have the chance to see from nosebleed seats halfway around the world. Said legends will be accompanied by at least two more legends of possibly even greater stature. If I said it was a green room pass to a Stones/Dylan concert, you’d be getting the idea. And even most of the guests are justifiably famous and regarded individuals as well. And I get to hang and try not to feel like a truly insignificant worm. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2016, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/2 "2016-08-20T17:17:16Z")
Ooo-kay. I’m secretly happy for you then. More details when you can please. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2016, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/3 "2016-08-20T18:48:23Z")
And this is where you find out WHY these people are so successful…they made a deal with the Debble. And he requires a yearly sacrifice. Just sayin. ---
**Author:** ![bobo\_blesinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecae2f/32.png) [@bobo\_blesinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobo_blesinger)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2016, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/4 "2016-08-20T20:23:50Z")
And you can’t tell us who they are because? Are they superheros or something? Undercover CIA superheros, maybe. You live such a mysterious life. I, for one, am incredibly envious of you. Feel proud ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2016, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/5 "2016-08-20T20:39:39Z")
Is it Tom Jones? Because that’s… not unusual. ---
**Author:** ![splatterpunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3be4f8/32.png) [@splatterpunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/splatterpunk)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2016, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/6 "2016-08-20T23:59:03Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > I’m sorry, I’m going to be a bit spooky-mysterious here, because I’m still waiting on some details. But I just gotta sound off/gloat/yell _yee-haaaaa_. > > In a couple of weeks, I am attending a reception. A small, intimate reception. A small, intimate reception for two artists I hold in the very highest regards - well into the legend category, including one I thought I would never have the chance to see from nosebleed seats halfway around the world. Said legends will be accompanied by at least two more legends of possibly even greater stature. > > If I said it was a green room pass to a Stones/Dylan concert, you’d be getting the idea. > > And even most of the guests are justifiably famous and regarded individuals as well. > > And I get to hang and try not to feel like a truly insignificant worm. 🙂 Tending bar or waiting tables? ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/7 "2016-08-21T00:27:46Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > And I get to hang and try not to feel like a truly insignificant worm. 🙂 Lowly Worm had a [pimpin’ hat.](http://loudcrow.com/wp-content/uploads/LowlyWorm-269x300.png) And an [awesome car.](https://mylandrestorationproject.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/lowly-worm.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/8 "2016-08-21T16:12:02Z")
I will spill all the details as soon as the final announcements are made; I am privileged to be in an early group of invitees and cautioned to at least quiet mumbles, if not silence. And no, I’m not there in service and I’m not with the band. This is way, way, fuckin’ cool and I’m only being an annoying ass by posting early because the walls are tired of hearing me scream it at them. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/9 "2016-08-21T20:02:31Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > Lowly Worm had a [pimpin’ hat.](http://loudcrow.com/wp-content/uploads/LowlyWorm-269x300.png) And an [awesome car.](https://mylandrestorationproject.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/lowly-worm.jpg) Yeah! He was always my favorite. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/10 "2016-08-21T20:10:15Z")
A musician friend of mine was once invited to play with several legends of his genre at a festival. I was just off stage and at one point he looked at me with a dazed, manic expression and said, “What am I doing here?!” ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2016, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/11 "2016-08-21T21:01:48Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > A musician friend of mine was once invited to play with several legends of his genre at a festival. I was just off stage and at one point he looked at me with a dazed, manic expression and said, “What am I doing here?!” THAT, I understand, at least secondhand. My son is a rising jazz performer, and he recently was invited to sit in with some middling-big New Orleans names. He’s still bumping into walls and staring at the ceiling. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2016, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/12 "2016-08-23T01:10:09Z")
Hey, I did a thing once too. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2016, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/13 "2016-08-23T14:37:19Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Hey, I did a thing once too. You lucky dog. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2016, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/14 "2016-08-23T20:04:12Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Hey, I did a thing once too. > [@gigi](#): > > You lucky dog. I heard it wasn’t that big of a thing. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2016, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/15 "2016-08-24T03:23:53Z")
So, it’s been half a week (not that I keep checking back or anything…); when do we get to find out what The Big Deal is? ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2016, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/16 "2016-08-24T12:25:54Z")
So? I got to kiss Tom Baker once. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2016, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/17 "2016-08-24T12:51:45Z")
> [@digs](#): > > So, it’s been half a week (not that I keep checking back or anything…); when do we get to find out what The Big Deal is? Still waiting on confirmation of part of the event. Sorry, I’m not in any way in charge of it, so I have to wait on the organizers to make the announcements. I will apologize personally to anyone who thinks I’ve overhyped things. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2016, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/18 "2016-08-25T04:25:54Z")
Oh, I have faith. I think you’re _under_hyping things… And there will be awesomeness. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2016, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/19 "2016-08-29T15:20:49Z")
Okay. Sorry to have done the mysterioso posting thing; I guess I could have waited. I was waiting for confirmations and some updated info, but the info is still some number of days out, so I thought I’d go ahead and spill thuh beans. In a couple of weeks, I will be attending an awards ceremony at a fancy-dancy level of the audience. That gets me very preferred seating and some other minor perks; okay, big deal. After the awards, I get to attend the reception; the very small, very intimate, very elite reception, for the honorees, judges, guest presenters and other members. The awards are going to Tom Waits (and his co-writer wife, Kathleen Brennan), and John Prine. Right there, I’m good; as I never even expected to catch Waits in concert, even the briefest chance to meet and chat has me stunned. Moreso for his wife, who is usually on the private/family side of things that Waits scrupulously keeps out of the limelight. I love Prine as well and am looking forward to that. The MC and chief judge is Elvis Costello. Judges (not all of whom will be there; it’s a crapshoot) include Peter Wolf (J. Geils/Starship), Roseanne Cash, Paul Simon, Bono and a few writers… including Salman Rushdie and the current US Poet Laureate. There will be many others of this level, as yet unknown. What I was waiting to hear, and what may not be known until the ceremony, is the special guests who will present Waits and Prine with their awards. They are traditionally peers or peer-mentor types and have included Smokey Robinson, Lyle Lovett, T Bone Burnett and others. Whoever is chosen, they play one of the honoree’s songs and then present the award. There are many luminaries who could fill this role for either award, but there’s one… a friend and collaborator of Waits’ who just happens to live up this way and is not particularly long odds against. You know him for being indestructible, even when he falls out of palm trees. Do I owe anyone an apology other than for being a little tricksy with my post? ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2016, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421/20 "2016-08-29T15:58:01Z")
It sounds like an awesome night. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-those-die-happy-experiences/763421.md?page=2)