Middle Tennessee State University - Midlander Yearbook (Murfreesboro, TN)

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No Boos For Jackson Browne Somewhere in the vicinity of eight years ago, Jackson Browne made his appearance at MTSCI as backup to the James Gang, only to be booed off the stage. If Jackson Browne could have only wit- nessed the long line of ticket purchasers on August 21, 1980, he would have had little doubt of the increase of his popularity since that unforeseen day some eight years ago when students began to set up camp at MTSU ' s Murphy Center the night before tickets were to go on sale. By 9:00 that Thursday morning, the formation of the line of students awaiting their tickets was well underway. Passing the time seemed to be the main consideration of the students at that point. Onlookers witnessed card games, readers involved in novels, ice chests filled with drinks and munchies, and Frisbee throwing (in which onlooker and purchaser alike had the never-ending battle of staying out of the line of fire). As the hours passed, the line continued to grow. To those who had been there since the night before or who had come in the early morning hours, the hour of ticket sales, 6:00, seemed far away. After wearisome hours of cards and Frisbee, students began to take solace in socializing with the later arrivals. As the much anticipated hour neared, later arrivals were forming the line down Murphy Center ' s steps. Jackson Browne need have no fear, his concert could prove no less that successful with the interest be Ing shown in obtaining tickets. Finally, the hour arrived. As each tired and weary face took its place in front of the ticket window, it was transformed into an ecstatic face that walked away with tickets in hand. The many hours, that seemed like days, of waiting had ended and anticipation of awaiting tickets was replaced with that of awaiting the concert. Anxiousness and excitement hung heav- ily in the air in Murphy Center on the night of September 10, 1980. As the lights dimmed and the much-awaited performance was about to transcend, the appearance of Jackson Browne on stage prompted enough claps, cheers and whistles that could have brought the roof down. As the noise of the welcome subsided, J.B. smiled and thanked the crowd for a more cordial reception than that he had received years ago. His light hearted reference showed no signs of con- tempt, only that of one having been chalked up to experience. Beginning with Rock Me On the Water and going on to Here Come Those Tears Again, That Girl Could Sing and You Love the Thunder, Jackson Browne touched the entire audience. His style is unique and the privilege of witnessing J.B. in concert was felt by all. Next, Cocaine brought a thunder of claps and the audience enjoyed participation. The crowd applauded as the floating screen emerged portraying scenes from ghettos to faces of politicians. Flashes went wild as the projections changed from one to another. Finally, the screen was withdrawn, only to return later in the concert. As J.B. reappeared, the speakers blasted with Disco Apocalypse, Hold Out and Boulevard. Then came the old favorites, Doctor My Eyes, Running On Empty, and Pretender, which were greatly en- joyed by all. As the concert came to an end and J.B. and his band began to depart, the matches and lighters flared up around the entire center. Whistles, clapping and foot stomping gave Jackson Browne more than enough incentive to return for an encore. He and the band emerged from the recesses of the stage and gave the audience S-T-A-Y. But as this ended, the audience still demand- ed more. At this point, he came back with Dance Sweet Little Sixteen and the crowd went wild, rocking and rolling to the beat. At the conclusion, Jackson Browne gave his sincere thanks for the enthusiasm shown by all and left the stage. Cries of more still echoed throughout, but the coming pres- ence of the overhead lights meant the end. The concert had proved to be much more than just successful, it had been exhilarating and every bit worth the wait. Jackson Browne proved more than just an excellent musician. He had felt the mood of and had b)een totally involved in his audience. He had mirrored the crowd ' s appreciation of him. So true seemed to the comment of Mr. Harold Smith, in charge of MTSO ' s entertainment, he ' s just like you and me, only he sings a little better. Commentary by Sarie Doty-Hamlin Jackson Browne 33