Last Stand in Louisville

[jacksoncooper]

Yesterday I purchased my tickets for the Louisville Waterfront show. It's a bittersweet event for me, because this will be my last hometown show as a Louisvillian, at least for a while. I am moving to Chicago to attend law school at DePaul. Classes start on August 20 so this show will be my last chance to see MMJ in Louisville as a Louisvillian.

I know that living in Chicago will likely mean that I have MORE opportunities to see the band live. But I've seen them in many cities and there's nothing quite like the energy of seeing them here in Louisville. My first show was in October of 2001 in the basement of the Barret Bar (Barretones) with about 120 other folks packed tight. Since then I've taken every opportunity to see them again and again.

My most memorable shows have all been here. I took my wife (then girlfriend) to the Waterfront Lebowskifest show with Bobby Bare Jr. on one of our first dates. We saw them play at The Palace shortly after I lost my mother in a car accident and Jim played "I will Be There When You Die" solo acoustic at my request, bringing tears to my eyes.

The music of MMJ has been a big part of my life ever since that first show at Barretones. This won't change, but as I prepare to leave Louisville I find myself lamenting that I will be a visitor the next time I see them here.

Jackson

[Angry Ewok]

Final show as a Louisarvillian, eh? It'll be an awesome show. Look forward to meeting you there.

[ms. yvon]

jackson, don't rule out travelling to louisville to see the band when they come to town.

it's just down the highway from chicago.   :)

it will be a homecoming for you and the band.

see you at waterfront in august!

[EC]

jackson!! hi!!
congrats on going to law school, that's really awesome. :)

[ycartrob]

one of the best posts I have ever seen here. Congrats on all levels

[cmccubbin25]

congrats with law school!

i graduated from UK in 2006!

[Taterbug]

As a current Chicago suburbanite and member of the welcome wagon  :D.   Welcome to the city of big shoulders.  Your going to a great school in the heart of the city.   You will find Chicago also has a great music vibe like Louisville.   Get your tickets for the 2 October shows  at the Chicago Theater. I think there might still be some available. That is if your don't have your nose buried in a big thick law book  :)

[jacksoncooper]

Thanks for the kind responses.

One small correction: After checking here: http://www.magnix.demon.nl/mmj/archive/live2001.htm I realize that first show was in fact on September 22, 2001 at Barretones.

[Rusty Reds]

Great post, Jackson!  I'm a new member on the boards here, but I thought I would post something here.  I graduated from U of L a couple of years ago, and now live in the Cincinnati area.  Unfortunately for me, I didn't really start getting into MMJ until after graduating, so now I am kicking myself for not seeing them live the years I was in Louisville.

I bought tickets for the Waterfront show, and it will be the first time I've seen MMJ live other than when I saw them open for Pearl Jam at a show in Cleveland.  Good job on seeing them live all those years in Louisville, I wish I would have done the same.  By the way, I miss the city since graduating, but love going back a few weekends out of the year.  It's an awesome city.

Rusty

[dragonboy]

Great post Jackson! Best of luck in Chicago  :)