This was our first trip to an Atlantic City concert and I had heard it was a wonderful concert so we were certainly looking forward to this weekend. We knew it would be physically hard because we would be going to Reading the next day.

The first thing we did was get to the Sheraton (Andre fooled us this time and stayed somewhere else) but we immediately found all our friends and had a great time catching up on all the news. We knew our good friend DJBob and his wife Maria and their friend would be joining us later at the luncheon so we were quite excited.

Laurie did a wonderful job with the luncheon, plenty of good food and we had a great time talking with fans we had just met and renewing acquaintances from past concerts. As usual I don't eat much before a concert because my stomach is full of butterflies and no space for food. We of course played lots of Andre music and ended with a group photo thanks to Doug Whalen and John Dijong.

Our seats were front row dead center and I can hardly tell you how exciting this was. I was counting the minutes until I heard that familiar "76 Trombones" and then you really get the butterflies, goosebumps and everything I can think of. We had just seen the Florida concerts two weeks before but you still get that same feeling that I cannot describe. Andre looks the same and played the same songs but that did not stop me from taking several hundred photos. You just never get enough of that face and those hands playing on that beautiful violin. (I swear he must taking good-looking pills because he looked more handsome than ever.) The songs pretty much followed the program except he did not do "Gold and Silver" at either concert and I am trying to remember if he did "Sportpalastwaltzer" at these concerts. I know he played it in Florida but after seeing four in several weeks they kind of blend together. This time in addition to photos I took some movies of several songs; "Salome", "Komm Zigany", "Oh Fortuna" and "Rosen aus dem Suden" and of course "Nessun Dorma" by the Platin Tenors.

The encores this time included "Amazing Grace" and "Marina" as he did in Miami. I was once again on the flowers at the stage and tried to keep my composure as I snapped photo after photo. All too soon the concert was over and Andre was saying "goodbye" and throwing kisses to us which I very enthusiastically returned one hundred-fold.

We headed home after the concert and picked up a few hours sleep so I would be ready for Reading. This concert was just as fantastic and even had another Andre surprise!! Carmen was at both concerts but did not sing solo in Atlantic City but did sing "Song of Vilja" and after being ill sang it beautifully. It was so good to hear her again. Our seats were quite good in spite of the thought that I would be back further. We ended up in Floor 3, second row, seats 1 and 2 and you know what that means!!! Andre came down the aisle and I just slipped over to the other side because I wanted that "high five" again and sure enough that beautiful hand smacked right into mine and I was even higher than I usually am. It took me a day until I had to finally wash it but I scanned it before I did so. I got that idea from DJBob so I am not the only crazy fan I guess.

At the encores I found myself at the flowers again but closer to the left and Andre was standing directly in front of me big as life. This is a moment that is indescribable so I will not try. I am hoping my photos will do the job for me. What a happy moment that I can treasure forever. When Andre was playing "Marina" there was a dad beside me holding his baby, I would say several months old and Andre so quickly took the baby from the father and started to dance with him. My camera was hanging down around my neck so I had to act quickly and try to get some photos. I managed three and you have seen them on the blog. The baby was so cute and what memories he will have when he gets older. On the final song "Lullaby" I was holding a balloon and it broke in my arms and scared me so bad I jumped. Andre just looked down but it was a nice look. I hated that but they do break. That reminds me of something that did happen in A.C. A lady beside me took some of the broken balloons and started throwing them at Andre, one piece hitting him. He gave her a look that I would never want to get. Then he walked over to her and pointed his bow right at her three times. This was happening right beside me and I didn't know what was going to happen next. Evidently this was a sign to Johann who immediately appeared in back of us and put his hand on her shoulder and told her she must stop doing that. After that I did not see her again. So several of the concerts this Spring had surprises some good and one not so good. They say that time flies when you are having fun and this is certainly true of Andre's concerts; lets hope it flies as fast to the next concert wherever it may be for all of us. These are the times I look forward to just as all of you do.

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God speed Andre and may you "live long and prosper"! We all love you.

Love and hugs,

Jeanine Ann