Fine in the ‘Pine – A rock ‘n’ roll excursion to Little Rock

By ROXANN CHAVEZ

I made it back from Arkansas, and that’s a story of its own, but I wanted to let you know that I went to Arkansas to watch my favorite band perform, Evanescence.

Amy Lee and Evanescence rock Little Rock. (photo by ROXANN CHAVEZ)

It was about a 24-plus-hour-drive to and from Little Rock Arkansas. I missed the Texas tour of the band, so one day it was just like, “Hey wanna go to Arkansas and see Evanescence?”

The great thing about my husband is that if I mention one thing he knows me and that means I want to go so he got us tickets and we got in the Tahoe and drove like a bunch of teenagers. We rocked all the way to Arkansas and laughed, joked, talked and even got pulled over but no traffic ticket, thank you super cool state trooper.

I love that we got to see Amy Lee and her band; her music is so inspirational.  It moves you. I know people see her and her group as a rock band, but come on, how many bands these days incorporate a piano and play a soft song, then two seconds later incorporate it into this awesome piece of work with guitars and drums.

I have to admit that Arkansas is a very beautiful state.  It’s filled with so many trees and water.  I got excited when we entered the state because it was different to me.  The traffic is not like in Dallas or Arizona. It’s steady and pretty tolerable and not hard to get around and the people were quite pleasant.  I really enjoyed Arkansas, and yes, we went to Arkansas to attend a rock concert.

We arrived and we stood outside in about 29-degree temperature waiting for the Verizon Center to open its doors.  Finally, the time arrived. I’ve been to plenty of concerts to know the drill so I prepared myself to get frisked and have someone run their hands through my hair checking for any sharp objects.  I was surprised to find that I was lightly frisked and welcomed as I walked in, wow!  I’m usually greeted by having a hand running up my crotch and around my neck and sleeve area but this was nothing so I was happy to get through that with no problem.  We walked up got our drinks and went and sat down.  We were able to watch and enjoy the two bands that were ahead of Evanescence.  I noticed that the Verizon Center was not packed which surprised me even more because Amy Lee is from Little Rock, so I figured it would be a packed house.

Anyway, the time came for her to perform, and her dad, who is a radio announcer, introduced the band, which I thought, was way cool.  It was dark and then they started to play, “What You Want.” The stage lights bulleted out colors of red and blue and I was standing up and yelling with my rock ‘n’ roll fist in the air but then I noticed people slowly getting up as to try it out.  I got my camera and started to shoot some video and take pictures all of a sudden I felt someone tap me on the shoulder and a man was screaming at me, “No video,” and to sit down.  I looked at him like he was crazy and I noticed that Ricky and I were the only ones standing up and acting like a normal human beings at a concert.  I sat down and Ricky looked at me like these people must be idiots.  He proceeded to videotape and I started to take pictures and security visited us often and so we stopped and enjoyed the music by singing along and standing and waving my fist in the air.  I looked down and noticed this guy in front of me was asleep.  Yes, asleep.  

I then looked over to his right and the lady sitting next to him had earplugs on.  I started to scan the area and noticed that people were just talking, sitting down as if we were at a kids recital or something and than I looked down in the pit and everyone was just standing there watching.  No moshing, no fist in the air, no singing, no nothing.

I tried to make the best of it but it was hard to have a good time when you feel like the outsider, but I did have a good time, and Amy Lee rocked it.  She has such a strong voice and the band is so talented.  She did sing a few of my favorite songs like Swimming Home, Weight of the World, Going Under and My Last Breathe but she didn’t sing my all-time favorite, “Everybody’s Fool.”

So Arkansas, you need to lighten up!  Now I know why performers say, “It’s great to be back in Texas.”  It’s because we know how to rock, party and have fun.  We’re not afraid to get rowdy and express ourselves.  Its true things are bigger and better in Texas.

Roxann Chavez is a longtime Alpine resident involved in the community and school. Contact her at roxannchavez@gmail.com.