Lady Armadillo and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary on April 17th 2012. Well, I celebrated and she lamented, but that’s another story…

Since this is the only thing we really celebrate, we go all-out for this each year. The Armadillo ‘Tween had emptied one of her many piggy banks (the kid has better cash flow that me!) and bought us tickets to see Bonnie Raitt at the local Indian Casino Event Center. She only had enough money for two tickets, so she opted to miss out so we could have this time together (very sweet of her, I thought).

Well, Lady Armadillo and I talked about it and decided to score another ticket so the ‘Tween could go with us…we didn’t tell her this until the day of the show (May 3) and this thrilled her to no end.

One problem—we didn’t have three tickets together. We approached the managers of the facility, explained that she had bought the tickets with her own money and asked if it would be ok if she either sat in our laps or just squeezed in beside us.

The manager asked, “You bought these tickets? How did you do that? Do you work?”

Armadillo ‘Tween said, “I just saved up my money…”

“She works her Grandpa, is where she works!” was my reply.

He frowned at the tickets and said, “No that won’t work, that isn’t right at all.” Then he reached in his pocket and pulled out three front-row tickets and said, “This will work out better!”

We thanked him profusely and went to our seats. Before the show, one of the announcers asked who was sitting in Section 205, row A, seat 6…they were the winner of an autographed guitar (pretty cool in my book). I didn’t get to see the guitar, but I met the person who won it (later) and I was glad she seemed grateful and thrilled not just, “Oh, ok.”

When she came out (no opening act), I was struck at how young she looked—especially from the neck down. I don’t know what kind of workout program or diet she has, but it clearly works. Lady Armadillo said, “I hope I look like that at 62!”

I do, too!

There were dozens of signs that politely said, “Bonnie requests that no pictures or video be taken during this show. Thank you.” So I put my camera back in the car, dang it. I was hoping to get some pics of her gear as well as some videos. Before the show, I did take a couple of (very bad) shots of her Bad Cat amp with my phone…


And George Marinelli’s (the “second)” guitarist) Ampeg amps…


And his guitars…



One thing I found interesting—the guy was playing cheap guitars! Two Tradition guitars, a Danelectro DC3Pro, a good-looking no-name Partsocaster Telecaster (looked like a butterscotch ’53 except for the rosewood fretboard), a First Act (not one of the Wal-Mart ones) and a Mexican Standard Strat…to be honest, my herd is more impressive, vintage- and pedigree-wise. Now, if I could only play half as good as him. I highly recommend checking out Marinelli—he’s an excellent axe-man.

Bonnie used her old beat-up Strat with the giant headstock, her blue-burst signature model Strat and a Guild acoustic. The lady can rock, both slide and “normal”…I went in expecting to be impressed and walked out more impressed than I expected.

A good combination of new and old songs—her new ones were as good as any of her classics, IMHO—and great interaction with the crowd (She wisely didn’t make any political statements in this very redneck part of the world) and lots of fun moments.

Her long-time rhythm section, Ricky Faatar (drums) and James “Hutch” Hutchison (bass) filled out the band nicely. Her guitar tech played third (rhythm acoustic) guitar on a few tunes as well. The whole group was tighter than a fat man’s waistband…

Her piano/keys man, Mike Finnegan, was excellent as well—I would go see him play a solo show. You may not know the name, but you’ve heard him play before. He’s a great singer (he led the band during a raucous hard-core “she done me wrong” blues song) and excellent keyboardist…amongst all the great songs, his stood out pretty dang well.

Toward the end of the show, the manager came over and sat beside the Armadillo ‘Tween and asked if she was enjoying the show. She said yes, so he asked if she wanted to go backstage and meet Ms. Raitt…’Tween’s smile lit up the entire room, “Only if my parents can come, too!” He laughed and told us to go to a particular corner after the show, but he was sorry, there would be no autographs…and sure enough, we got to have a very brief “Grip and Grin” photo op. This is where we met the woman who won the guitar.
I told her that I had stolen a dozen slide licks from her, and she said, “Yeah, it’s a lot easier to play that way (with a slide)—I can’t make my fingers fly all over the guitar the ‘normal’ way…”

Talented, good looking and humble—rare combination.

Overall, a great anniversary gift.

From left: Screamin’ Armadillo, Armadillo ‘Tween, some red-headed lady and the lovely but shy Lady Armadillo…

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

Wow, great story SA. It seems that the whole Armadillo family had a total blast on that show. Thank you for the report and the pictures. I found the cheap guitars notice interesting too. And by the way a belated Happy Wedding Anniversary to both of you.

@Claude--thank you for the happy anniversary wishes...

@SuperKid--She's 10...and her parents are really cool.

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

What a great birthday
Congrats

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http://www.guitarmotel.com

Great anniversary, congrats! And many more to come, better and better.
Thanks for the report, very interesting in many ways. \m/

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La vie est belle, le monde est pourri, make the most of it!

Great post and pic's Matt!! A belated anniversary wish, Happy Anniversary!

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Wow, what a great gift, and congats on being married so long.



Mike Finnegan played organ on Jimi Hendrix's 'Rainy Day...Dream Away' track on 'Electric Ladyland' http://youtu.be/xQteSSBg6vE.

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Tony Houston

Congrats on everything connected with your anniversary and more importantly, congrats on such a beautiful family!

By the way, what is the name of that red-headed stepchild?

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You dig?

Well done SA you have an awesome family. You are blessed in many ways including your gift with the written word. I would suggest posting a few pics of your gun collection along with your guitars if only to keep SK in line... Great story

Thank you for your kind words--I am blessed by having such a family!

As for the written word part, hopefully someday I'll figure out how to use that to my benefit.


This is all I have to say:

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

Great Story...Happy Belated Anniversary.

I Just picked up Bonnie Raitt's latest CD ( yes I prefer a CD instead of Downloading Compressed Music ). It Rocks......

Not only that but the 1st song is pure Funk and the second...Gerry Rafferty...I would have never guessed in a million years.
Miss Raitt pulled off a great rendition which brings that 30 year old tune up and center and fresh.

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

I hate to say it, but to me the best part of that whole post was your daughter! Bonnie is great, but I think your 'tween takes the cake. Awesome kid! Reminds me of my daughter, who is now 34.

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

''How much for the women?'' - was a line from the first Blues Brothers movie , if I remember it right! It seemed adequate to ask the same - however - not appropriate
I agree - the 'tween' is the big hero here !
I am also very satisfied w my kids , but there has been different 'wifeys' around.......
Anyway : Nice story , nice family. Belated congrats on the Anniversary

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A-man

I agree, the 'Tween is a keeper.

I'm so glad we didn't sell her to Gypsies when she was younger...I may reconsider as she goes through insanity, erm...the teenage years.

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

Great story SA and Congrats on your Anniversary