Last night, John Waite put on an incredible show at Penn’s Peak. It was my first rock concert since seeing KISS at MSG in December 2023 and my first time seeing John in far too long.

John was gracious enough to spend 15-20 minutes with me backstage afterward. When he came out of his dressing room, he saw me right away, pointed at me, and came in for a big hug with a smile on both of our faces. I told him he’s legitimately one of the greatest singers and songwriters ever, which floored him. We talked about his documentary, cruises, including one he recently was part of, the state of US politics, COVID, the wildfires in California, how he inspired me to visit the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, how I sing “When I See You Smile” to get Oliver to smile big for photos and more.

John gave me a fistful of guitar picks, embraced me before I left and told me to stay in touch. It was a wonderful reunion with a friend I’ve long admired.

At 72, John continues to inspire with his passionate, energetic performances and masterful command of the stage. His timeless songs keep people coming back for more, and I’m glad we got to see each other again. Until next time!