Stevie Nicks AHI Benefit Review
I just have to share my incredible experience at the AHI Benefit in Phoenix with everyone. I started my trip from Providence, RI on Wednesday morning Dec 5th. I was so excited because I had a donor ticket in the front row!
I had a beautiful flight into Phoenix, however it was a little colder there than it was in RI.
I met some very nice Stevie fans at the Hard Rock Café on Wednesday evening and had a wonderful time. I got a few of the “O” pins with Stevie on it that said “Phoenix”. I also got some nice photos of the Stevie cape that was on display over the entrance.
Thursday the big day was here! I was nervous all day I could not even eat. I put on my purple evening dress and I went and had my nails and hair done at the Crowne Plaza salon. I had a few people in the hotel lobby tell me I looked like someone who would be in Stevie’s entourage. This was such a big complement for me.
I was at the pre-concert party when I realized that I did not bring anything for Stevie to autograph, I had left everything back in RI. A nice fan I had met offered to give me the article from June’s US magazine so I took it just in case I met Stevie. Finally it was time to go to our seats. I sat right down in front row about 4 seats away from Stevie’s mic.
Well than the time came, the High Priestess took the stage in her hometown. This was the first time I have ever seen Stevie so close. She looked so beautiful; I was just in awe of her throughout the whole show. She just rocked the arena. The musical guest highlights for me were Lindsey and Mick. I wish that Stevie had done one more song with them. One other highlight was when Stevie and Don Henley sang Leather and Lace. I almost died when Don took his arm around her shoulders. She looked so adorable. The whole concert was great and very similar to the TISL shows. I was wishing for a little variety, but I was just happy to be there to see Stevie in her hometown. This was the first time I was able to touch Stevie’s hand during Edge of Seventeen. She stopped right in front of me and bent down quite a bit, I was kind of embarrassed.
Then the big event, we went to the after show party at Kincaid’s. They had drinks and appetizers, but I did not really have anything. After about an hour and a half Stevie, Mick and her Mom and Dad walk into the restaurant. Stevie was presented with a gift but I did not get to see it from where I was. I could only hear something that it was purple and her favorite color. A table was roped off and set up as kind of a receiving line. Stevie’s Mom Barbara, Stevie and Mick sat down at the table. The event was poorly organized; they should have lined us up in some kind of order, maybe giving us a number. I waited in the line and it was finally my turn. I look at her and she has the most beautiful brown eyes and her skin glows. I gave Stevie a Kirks Folly Fairy Pin holding a US flag. It was in a box with a card taped around it so she couldn’t open it right there. I said to her” Here this is for you.” She says “Oh for me? Thank you”. I hand her the article and ask if she can sign it. She looks at it and goes “Ohh” like she is pleasantly surprised. Then she says “and you are”? I tell her my name and spell it out.” PATTIE”. She looks confused; I guess she couldn’t understand my Rhode Island accent LOL. She says, “What was it again?” Maybe she can’t hear that well after doing a concert because the second time I told her she watched my lips move. Then she says “oh” as if to say I got now and wow that was quite simple. She signs the article and says “Thanks Pattie and thanks for the gift”. I then go down to Mick Fleetwood and tell him he is the greatest drummer, he shakes my hand and says thanks and I get him to sign the article as well. I appear nonchalant but inside I can’t believe this is really happening to me. I see that some people are going up again and I realize that I did not bring the POTU CD that they gave us up to have signed. I felt very guilty but hey others were doing it and I did come over 2000 miles. I get up to the front and there was a man taking names and he says “Stevie this is Pattie. And than he asks me with a “y” and I and say NO IE!! I am so embarrassed my face is beet red and my hands are over my face. So Stevie sees me and gives me a huge smile and says “Hi Pattie” and I say “Oh, um hi Stevie”. Then she says “Thanks Pattie”. I say” OK Bye now.”
Well that’s all. That was my Stevie experience. I only wish I was a little more brave taking photos at the concert. I took a few. It was very hard for a short person to take photos with all those people in front of me at the party. I plan on going again to the benefit next year. I met so many nice fans my entire trip. I just wish I could have some more time to talk with them. I hope to get to next year. It was an experience I will never forget.
Patricia (AKA Pattie) from Providence, RI |
