My first CD was Boyz II Men’s first album “Cooleyhighharmony” from 1991. My mom got it for me for Christmas later that year and if you could ruin a CD, I would have. I played it over and over again, especially the song “Motownphilly”. They became my favorite group, even above my other favorites, Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson. This was the beginning of a decade of hip hop and R&B love. It was all I really listened to.

Many years later, when I got the chance to see Boyz II Men in concert, I could not wait for the day. They were performing at Desert Sky Pavilion, one of the outdoor venues in Phoenix, on June 6, 1998 (P.S. I had the look up the date before writing this…). I remember getting up in the middle of the night and going to stand in line for tickets at the venue. This was long before ticket sales on the internet were a thing – you could still go and get tickets the old fashioned away at the box office. I took a lawn chair and sat with a security guard in the dark for literally hours, before another guy showed up to stand in line too, only to find out he was there to buy tickets for another concert. I was “it” for the Boyz II Men concert. I was determined to get front row tickets and I did.

A friend of mine I’d had a couple of classes with that year (since I had just finished my sophomore year) was joining me for the concert. She was a fan too but probably not quite as much as me but I was glad to have a true fan with me regardless.

It was hot as hell as usual in June but I didn’t care. I proudly bought the black “Evolution” tour shirt and made a quick change in the bathroom to wear it. Our seats were excellent. Dead center of the stage in the front row. And this was so long ago that there really wasn’t a “pit” area at this venue then. They just allowed all the front row people the option to stand right at the stage. And we did. The concert was everything I had imagined, complete with long-stem red roses they tossed to the crowd while singing “I’ll Make Love To You”. I luckily nabbed one and managed to get it home that night in one piece. I’m fairly certain I even had some tears when they sang “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” and “End of the Road”. I was that fan. I can still picture standing there at the stage 19 years ago, swaying back and forth with my friend, clutching the rose in my sweaty hand. It was a great night.

This past weekend I got to see them again as they toured with both Paula Abdul (which was a first for me because again, small town = almost zero concerts) and New Kids on the Block (NKOTB), which was the second time I’ve seen them and that was just two years ago. It was great to see all the fans for all three of them, dressed up, singing along, reliving the 90s. Boyz II Men and Paula have both been performing for 25 years, with NKOTB a little longer at 29 years. And the arena was packed. I think there may have been a handful of nosebleed seats left but it was close to a sellout. They played all the favorites and I teared up. Every junior high and high school dance came flashing back to me. I remember the days when I used to be the DJ at my junior high dances and would finish every dance with “End of the Road” because it was fitting. Paula’s “‘Rush, Rush” was always a slow one that we never missed playing and the NKOTB’s “I’ll Be Loving You” typically made the playlist. It was a big Friday night of nostalgia. I could only think and hope that Syd will be as emotionally tied to groups and songs as I was, that in nearly 30 years, she’ll be standing with tears of joy coming down her face at a Katy Perry concert. One thing is for certain though. I’ll continue to get my 90s fix as long as they all keep touring. And maybe the next time I can find my damn “Evolution” shirt so I can wear it. My closet is not at all user-friendly. Don’t get my hubby started. 😉

When The Bodyguard debuted at the movies in November 1992, I remember my mom and I were there as soon as it showed up at our little theater in Bishop, which may have not been opening weekend. We were lucky if that happened but since there was only two screens, there was a lot of competition so we sometimes saw new movies a few weeks later. Just a product of living in a small town but we were used to it.

There was rarely a movie with Kevin Costner that we didn’t see. We were big fans. And this one was even more exciting since Whitney Houston was in it. We loved her music. Who cared if she could act or not – we knew the soundtrack would be great. And it was. We listened to it over and over again, singing along. And we enjoyed the movie, regardless of what critics thought. It was good fun. We continued to watch the movie for years to come and I still watch it if I see that it’s playing on TV.

For Christmas, I always look for a fun event to get my mom for one of her gifts – something we can do together and extend the holiday. To my surprise during my search back in December, I found that there was a touring Broadway show of The Bodyguard at this awesome theater in Hollywood, The Pantages. We’d seen Mama Mia and Dirty Dancing there, and my hubby and I had seen Book of Mormon as well. It’s the most awesome theater. Still standing after all these years with so much history.

The very-talented singer Deborah Cox was playing Whitney’s role in the show so I knew she would be able to sing. I couldn’t buy the tickets fast enough.

The show was finally this past weekend and it was awesome. It not only included all The Bodyguard soundtrack but also a number of Whitney’s other greatest hits. It was an awesome tribute to her and Deborah was so, so good! The theater was packed, as it was the second to last day for the show. It was so great to see so many people there, enjoying the music of one of the greatest singers of our time.

I will always be sad that I never got to see Whitney in concert. One of those bucket list items I wasn’t able to cross off before she passed away. But seeing Deborah sing like she was the late great singer was a close second.  And if I didn’t have so many TV shows, I’d re-watch the movie this week but it’s going to have to wait, just a bit. And, if the tour makes a stop in your city, see it, especially if you’re a fan. You won’t be disappointed.

The older I get the more I love storytelling. I feel like I’m a good storyteller and can weave a tale, especially after a few beers.

The older I get the more nostalgic I am as well. Comes with the territory, I’m sure.

This past weekend I enjoyed two events that included lots of storytelling and were also very nostalgic for me. My mom was in town for Mother’s Day so I treated us with tickets to see Rob Lowe at the Mesa Arts Center on Friday night. He was doing a one-man-show in place of writing another book. We found out when he took the stage that this was his first time trying this format, to see if people enjoyed it. I’d say a sold-out crowd was a clear sign he could go on tour.

Rob was very entertaining, telling stories of his time in Hollywood and lots about his family. The show included fun photos on a large screen to help paint the picture of his stories. It was a lot of fun. His wife was in the audience, supporting him on his maiden voyage. He laughed they’d been married for 26 years, which in Hollywood that’s more like 126 years. After hearing him talk, I am very interested in reading his two books to find out even more. Such a talent and best of all, he’s very thankful for his fans and the long career he’s had. And he’s not stopping. He’s only 53 so there’s still a long road ahead of opportunities for him. I grew up watching his movies and still love seeing them when they show up on my movie channels. And his character in Parks & Rec is still one of my favorites on TV. He mentioned when asked by someone in the audience that that character is the closest to how he is in real life BUT that it’s actually modeled after a close family friend, KENNY G! Who knew! So many fun memories of Rob – I was so glad he chose Mesa for his debut show. That has to be a first for Mesa too!

My hubby and I then saw Kevin Smith on Saturday night. I can’t even count how many times we’ve seen him. We’re big fans. He’s always at San Diego Comic Con every year too, which we did cry some nerd tears that we won’t  be seeing him this year.

He told all his usual stories. I love that he’s as big of a fanboy of the pop culture he talks about as everyone in the audience is. His Star Wars stories are always the best. He told the story of the time at Comic Con when the whole audience up and left before his panel because J.J. Abrams invited them to a Star Wars concert with the San Diego Symphony. We were part of that audience.

I remember how excited we were, as we were being escorted down the street, behind the convention center, by a group of Stormtroopers, only to then realize we would miss our annual Kevin Smith-tradition. It was one of those rock and hard place situations. We knew in our heart of hearts, even as devastated as Kevin would be to see an empty room, he would want to be with us at the Star Wars concert and would understand why we all had to go. And he did but he’s still scarred by it. So scarred that he convinced J.J. Abrams to put him in the Force Awakens movie as a Stormtrooper. I think that was a fair trade.

And talk about the ultimate fan of fans. Multiple people asked Kevin to sign things and he doesn’t skip a beat. One guy even had him sign his arm, over a Dogma tattoo, and he was going to have the signature tattooed as well. That right there is dedication. He did tell him to think long and hard before he made the pen permanent.

I’m always amazed by how many people I mention Kevin Smith to that don’t know him. And my reaction always is  “You’re missing out! You need to watch this, this and this” and a rattle off all my favorite movies.

I’m really glad he came to town this year, especially since we won’t see him in San Diego, sniff, sniff. As Rob Lowe said, he’ll keep showing up, if we keep showing up. And I will for sure continue to support both these talents for as long as they’re continuing to entertain us.