May Birthdays 
Just like the title says, I hung out with Dick and Lana Dale today! Let me start from the beginning. I had been planning on going to see Dick Dale since I first discovered he was coming to Memphis, back in early March. So today, April 29th, I checked the website of the venue and to my surprise, it said that the concert had been cancelled.
I couldn't believe it, in fact I didn't believe it, so I picked up the phone and called Lana Dale. I honestly thought I would get a voice mail, but to my surprise she answered the phone (Insert the Dun-Dun-Duuuun sound clip right about now)! I immediately got more nervous than I already was, but some how I worked up the courage to talk to her. I explained my situation to her, and let me just say that she is the kindest, sweetest, most outgoing lady I have spoken to in a long time.
She explained to me that due to business reasons, the concert had been canceled. Low and behold, she said "hold on a minute, someone wants to talk to you." Would you believe Dick Dale is now telling me about all of his animals, Leo Fender, all the amps that he blew, and how and why he plays the music that he does.
I am just in shock right about now. I work up the courage to tell him that his versions of "The Wedge" and "Miserlou" on "The Tigers Loose" album give me goosebumps every time I listen to them. He turns to Lana and says "Hey, this guy has the Tigers Loose album." I say some more things, and he keeps turning to Lana and repeats what I am saying. At this point I wonder if this is really happening, and it gets even better.
Lana gets back on the phone and says, "I don't normally do this, but would you like to meet us at Sun Studio" (Dun-Dun-Duuuun)? So I rush to leave work and head down to Sun Studio, call Dick and let him know I am there. About 30 minutes later, he calls me back and would you believe I didn't feel my phone vibrate? I missed his phone call.
He leaves me a voice mail saying he needs some help with directions because his GPS is acting up. I immediately call him back and help him out with the directions the best I know how. Low and behold, about 20 minutes later, he and Lana are walking up to the studio.
I walk up to greet them both. I tried to shake their hands, but I was met with warm hugs instead. Lana is not only sweet, but very beautiful as well. They are both very kind to me, and invite me to go inside with them. Lana takes a bunch of photos of Dick and I, and we talk a little more, and then I politely tell them I am going to leave now and to enjoy their tour of Sun Studio.
I didn't want to impose, or overstep my boundary. I also made it clear that I am not a weird, stalker type of person. 
They honestly went above and beyond for me, and that is something I will never forget. This has honestly been one of the best days of my life. Thank you Lana and Dick!
MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale. New EP Louder Than Life available on bandcamp and website. Taking guitar lessons from Jimmy Dale.
Last edited: May 04, 2015 16:58:16
