Release (form) me

1990 was a rather important year. This is primarily because Wilson Phillips debuted the single, “Hold On” – a song I and others having been belting out ever since. Sleepless and I have made it our signature karaoke song and, while singing it one evening, That’s Not Chinese’s mother was so moved, she had to get up and dance.  “Thank you. Wilson Phillips has gotten me through some really tough times,” she informed us when we finished singing.

 

So, when That’s Not Chinese advised me they would be at the state fair, I immediately requested vacation time. Nothing was going to get in the way of me seeing the girls.

 

Day of, I went to the fairgrounds to retrieve the free tickets. The line wasn’t too long and had it’s mix of true Wilson Phillips fans and the group that frequents furniture stores for free hot dogs. “I heard their Christmas album last year and really liked them,” one of the male patrons in line told me and another fan. “You know Hold On, right?” I asked him. “No.”  “Really? Wow. That song is epic. It was the Billboard Hot 100 Single of 1990. We sing it all the time at karaoke,” I advised him. “OK, sing it to me,” he challenged. So I did. “Are you with the band,” he asked after I sang a few bars. “Yes, it’s me, Chynna. I wanted to see what the fans were saying, so I hopped in line. Watch for me on Dancing with the Stars.”

 

With two sets of six free tickets in hand, both in relative closeness to the stage, I headed home to pick my best 80s outfit. I thought I had my outfit picked when I received a text from Sleepless about her attire, “Jeans, pegged at ankle of course, grey loose tank w/bedazzled like stuff and then big earrings, rat my hair and a headwrap thing (like a sweatband).” Although my pink “Risky Business” dress shirt was cute and I knew two of the hottest cops at the fair – Addly and Bitchin’ Camaro – I thought it might be risky business to only wear the shirt, tube socks and boys’ briefs to the fair.

 

I, instead, opted for black leggings, black high-heel boots, black tank top, denim shirt and a scrunchie. While I was applying my blue eye shadow and Madonna mole, I received a text from Bitchin’ Camaro. “Addly and I are standing here listening & watching Wilson Phillips warm up.” Shortly after that she sent me a picture of her, Addly, Chynna, Carnie, Wendy and Lola (Carnie’s daughter).

 

I coveted their moment for a few seconds, then threw my Goody hair comb, lip gloss, and liquid eyeliner in my purse and was ready to go. BioMom, Tree, Sleepless and I met for pre-drinks and Tree commented on my shirt. “Nice prison shirt.” “It’s the only denim I had from the 80s,” I replied while running my hand over the prison number that was stamped on the upper left side of the shirt. We had a few drinks and were ready to leave when I knocked my purse off the seat and my lip gloss, liquid eyeliner, and Goody hair comb fell out,  “Shit. My 80s just fell on the floor. Would you like a mole?”  Sleepless was interested, but Tree and BioMom respectfully declined.

 

Once we arrived at the fairgrounds we assessed our seating options, decided to grab some beers, and take the seats closest to the front once we returned. Although seats were assigned, we figured if they were empty we would take them and could always move to our seats if needed.

 

To our luck, there were four empty seats, front row, center stage. We took the seats and I asked the man seated next to us if he would mind scooting down one seat because we needed five seats – Ice Cream Man had joined us. He obliged and we ended up with the five best free seats in the house.

 

As we were waiting, with great anticipation, for the concert to start, BioMom made an observation, “You know you’re old when a band you listened to in high school is playing, free of charge, at the State Fair.” Although her point was valid, we were all still very excited to be a part of such great gratis.

 

The concert finally started and we were singing and chair dancing like there was no tomorrow. “Are you singing loud enough?” Tree asked Sleepless and I and added, “You’re supposed to be the audience, not the lead singers.” He continued to shush us throughout the concert. “Are we here with That’s Not Chinese?” I asked Sleepless. “It appears that way,” she replied and then we belted out, “Come on baby, come on baby. You knew it was time to just let go…release me.”

 

It was about this time that one of the staff approached and asked us to sign release forms for the reality TV show – apparently our boisterous behavior had been caught on film. We, of course, obliged and preceded to be in several camera shots – tambourine and all. The best shots, however, were at the end of the show, during the encore. As we were all singing Hold On, the camera panned across the fans and Tree, who had tried to remain cool and nonchalant the entire show, had tears dripping down his face. “I don’t know what happened. I just started crying and couldn’t stop,” he told us and then ran over to Carnie for an autograph and teary picture.

 

Even though the concert was over, we had our memories, we’ll probably be featured on the reality TV show, and Chynna is going to compete on Dancing with the Stars. The Dream is Still Alive!