great big clicky!

Skeerdee (Bob) Cat!

Alan

Darrell

Séan

Bob

Behold! It is a gang of those dang Newfoundlanders who call themselves Great Big Sea. My mom discovered them on her 25th wedding aniversary getaway in Nova Scotia, Canada. She quickly became obssessed (not as obssessed as I am with KISS -because it's hard to do- but obsessed nonetheless) and dragged her husband, daughter, co-workers, and friends along with her. They're actually quite good - very bouncy. Although, they do have quite the ballad writer amongst them, Mr. Alan Doyle. He's also the frustrated rockstar as you can see from the above picture I took in Herndon, Virginia. The band plays a unique blend of folk, rock, pop, and

celtic music. Somehow, it all makes a sound known only as Great Big Sea. They have 7albums: Great Big Sea, Up, Play, Rant & Roar (a "greatest hits" of Up and Play), Turn, Road Rage - a live album, and Sea of No Cares. On their album Turn, there's a song called "Can't Stop Fallin'." Some lyrics...     I wasn't looking for a lover     I wasn't looking for a friend     I wasn't working undercover     I wasn't trying to pretend     But when you walked across the dance floor     Just like the moon across the sky     I knew that I would have to see more     I knew that I would have to try     One look into your eyes     And I realize...     Oh no, I can't stop fallin'     My heart betrays me     And I know I'll start to feel it all again     Won't someone save me                  Now, on with the story!

Yes, I took this photo. I'm the concert photographer at GBS shows for me mum. This be from NY, NY on Canada Day no less!

Because my mom is a GBA (Great Big Addict), she follows Great Big Sea around the East Coast area and so on. Well, before we ventured on down to Herndon, VA for a concert, Klutz, the Third Generation (that's me!) decided she'd sprain her ankle. Never being one to miss a good time, I decided to poke fun at my clumsiness and made the shirt pictured to the right. A day later, off to Virginia we went for to see a Great Big concert!      The concert was outside in a park so it was standing room only. Since I am, afterall, the concert photographer for the Philadelphia chapter of the Great Big Sea Kitchen Party, I claimed a spot up front, stage Séan (GBS lines up on the stage like this, from the audience's left to right: Darrell, Alan, Séan, Bob.)      "Can't Stop Fallin' " was the third song and also my cue to show the boys my shirt. Unfortunately, being the nice person I am, I gave up my security fence I was leaning on and front row spot to someone who wanted to dance. It's a good thing I had my bathing suit top on underneath because I then had to take off my shirt for the band to see. The man kept dancing on my foot (by accident) and I was trying to take off my shirt. I was leaning on the crutches, looking quite awkward. Bob, of whom I was now in front, was looking at me with a look of concern while playing.

See? I told you I was a klutz!

Slowly but surely, he realized that I was indeed taking off my shirt and looked very worried, shocked, and appalled that someone was stripping at a Great big Sea concert. While he was playing, his eyes looked like a deer's in headlights and his jaw dropped down to the floor, without missing a beat! I swear, Bob looked just like this:

He then proceeded to poke Séan to get his attention in my direction. He saw me and went bug-eyed. If I could read minds, I bet his thoughts would have been, "Where do I look? Oh crap! Not there!" Both boys had a look of panic in their faces.      Finally, I succeed taking off the shirt without falling over. I nudged my way forward one row and threw the shirt over the guard rail for the band to see.

A look of relief replaced the look of panic and both Bob and Séan sighed, laughed, and went to grab Alan's attention. When they at last caught his eye, the dear boy wasn't wearing his glasses and he squinted to see the writing on the shirt. Finally he made out the words, pointed, and laughed.      I will never forget the look on Bob's face. Gas to get to Herndon, VA from Philly, PA: $60. Black cotton t-shirt: $10. Glue paints: $.99 each. Stripping in front of 4 men in their early 30s with your mother cheering you on: Priceless.

Click the pictures below to go to their respective nuggets o' joy