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The official beginning of summer is still 12 days away, but mine began in a big way this past weekend because of a stroke of luck.
I’m not an overly lucky person. Every now and then, I win $1 on a scratch-off lottery ticket. On a good day, maybe I’ll win $5. Once, I even won about $80 after dropping a few bucks in a slot machine.
Besides those couple of instances, I’d say my luck is normal. All of the luck in the family lies with my grandma, my dad’s mom. She has won more than I can think of, let alone write about. Most people in my family could probably buy 20 lottery tickets and not win anything; she could buy one and win $500.
We’ve just all accepted that she has all the luck.
But, every now and then, I try to win something. Such an opportunity came Sunday, May 31, as I was driving to school to catch up on some work.
I was listening to 95.1 on the radio when the disc jockey came on and said that caller nine would win two tickets to see Coldplay perform at the Verizon Wireless Music Center in Noblesville that Friday. Coldplay, an alternative rock band from England, has been one of my favorite groups since their single “Yellow” came out several years ago. One of their newest songs, “Viva La Vida,” has been a huge hit across the country.
I decided to try my luck to see if I could win some tickets, but I was pretty sure my odds weren’t that great. I dialed the seven-digit number and much to my surprise it started ringing. After about five rings, however, the operator came on to say that all circuits were busy.
I decided to try one more time. This time, at 12:26 p.m., it began ringing again and I expected to once again hear that annoying operator’s voice.
But instead I heard a second of static and a person on the other end, “Hello, Magic 95.1,” she said.
OK, she didn’t say I was caller five or six, I thought.
“Hi, am I caller nine?” I asked, somewhat expecting her to say no.
Much to my surprise, the friendly voice on the phone congratulated me on being the ninth caller and said I would be seeing Coldplay in person five days later.
I’ve tried to win contests on the radio before but haven’t had much luck. I was almost in disbelief that I finally won something that I was really excited about: tickets to see one of my favorite bands!
My next phone call was to my dad. With Father’s Day just around the corner, I thought this would be a perfect gift for my dad because he’s a big music fan, too.
We drove down Friday evening and stopped for dinner beforehand. (My sister made it a point to say I should at least take my dad out to dinner since this was a Father’s Day gift and the concert tickets were free. I was going to do that anyway, but she still thinks her frugal brother needs reminders from time to time. But, I digress.)
We arrived just as the first band was finishing and Snow Patrol, another alternative rock band from Ireland and Scotland, was preparing to perform. We heard their one of their biggest hit, “Chasing Cars,” during their 30-minute performance.
I had never been to the Verizon Wireless Music Center before, but my dad had gone several times. We walked around for a little while before finding a spot to sit on the lawn. The lawn seats are cheaper than those under the pavilion, but I think I would much prefer being in the grass than under a roof on a beautiful Indiana spring evening when it’s not raining. There are a few big screens that show video from what’s happening on stage to make up for the distance.
The place quickly filled up as Coldplay prepared to play at 9 p.m. I’m sure it was a sell out, as it was packed by the time the band performed.
We may still be in a recession, but an outsider would never know had he attended Friday’s concert. The tickets weren’t cheap, and the concessions almost everyone was buying were quite expensive.
The concert exceeded my expectations, which were high because this band is one of the world’s best rock bands today. They won awards for song of the year and best rock album at this year’s Grammys.
From dazzling light displays to big yellow beach balls flying and tumbling atop the large crowd, lead singer Chris Martin and the band performed a very entertaining show. It was the best concert I’ve ever attended.
It was a great beginning to the summer season that will soon be upon us.
I wonder if we can get Coldplay to come to Wells County? It would be a great addition to the summer Kehoe Park concert series!
by JUSTIN PEEPER
jdpeeper2@hotmail.com
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