22 Comments
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Beryl Gunn's avatar

That wasd such a delight to read and the memories it stirred up in me are so special.

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

It was so fun to remember it all in a good light 🌟 Great opportunities and blessings 🙏🏻 Thank you mom. Love you 😘

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perfectlight's avatar

just don't tell bono you call it "st patty's day" coz he won't be your friend anymore 😁

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Doubt I'll get the chance (lol)

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Jenni Madden's avatar

Thank you for this! I saw U2 at a tiny club called "Dooley's" in East Lansing, MI, a college town. This was just as "October "came out. I brought my camera and I got some good photos because I had a table very close to the stage. It was an indescribable experience because of the energy of the band. After three encores, Bono laughed and said, "Go home!"

Here is the odd part. I bought two tickets and none of my friends wanted to go. Then last year, one of those friends contacted me and told me they realized how much they missed by turning down the ticket. (cost of ticket $6). The first CD I ever bought was "Boy" and it cost $20 at a time when LP's were $4. THAT is how much I loved that band. So now I get to listen to your brother's band, a U2 tribute band, and see your photo shoots with them! This world is filled with surprises, Deb! So glad to be able to remember my days of discovering U2's music through your essay. :) <3

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

What a GREAT story Jenni!! and Bono saying “go home!” Hilarious! and your friends regretting it! It’s important that we just do ourselves in the end. Can’t make people appreciate anything they aren’t open to.

Music is so subjective for all of us. I couldn’t give away two tickets to Alison Krauss (long story) — but kept praying and just the right people came along. A total blessing. Love you friend. ox

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Mark Foard's avatar

That was a fun read, Deborah, and the photos were great too. Also, I’m not a fan of clowns either 🤡

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you Mark! That means a ton! and ha ha! What is it with clowns? Like I told Stone Bryson, I don’t mind rodeo clowns though. lol.

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Charlotte Pendragon's avatar

John's band couldn't have asked for a better photograph! Wow, Deborah! Those shots beautifully capture the tranquility of the desert, with a stream of water reminding us of its life.

John looked fantastic during his acting career. You both are so genuine, which is rare among Hollywood actors. Thank you for sharing this glimpse into your life!

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you Charlotte! So Adam Gunn, my brother is the one who was in the Vegas bands (and the industry with me) - but my John has a bluegrass band (the other story about Alison Krauss and Union Station’s tour) — So sorry for any confusion! In fact, I just noticed I had repeat words/typos in my piece about the Arcadia tour. I think I was so excited I didn’t take as much time like I normally do.

It was so much fun to photograph Arms of America, especially after the monsoon came through. I will never forget the buildings lighting up with that weather magic. Thank you so much for reading this friend.

I’m going to take a break too. Working on a poetry book :) oxox

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Stone Bryson's avatar

This was such a fun recollection, Deborah, and told very well - happy you shared it! Your brother seems like a cool cat... :-)

Also: Not a fan of clowns, either ;-)

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you so much Stone! It was fun to reflect! Always is. Adam is a great guy. Very funny. Hoping he'll talk to me about all the bellman stories in Vegas with some pretty famous people. I'm trying to convince him to write a series here! And. No. No clowns. Ever. lol. The rodeo ones are okay though. Not sure why? ha ha.

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Stone Bryson's avatar

Because rodeo clowns are far away from the crowd... and also run the risk of being impaled by a bull in any given moment; much less chance of creepy shenanigans from them 😉

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

ha ha!! You’re right! They can’t get us!!!

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Michael Newberry's avatar

Oh gosh wonderful piece Deborah! Love the reflections!

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Thank you again Michael. ox

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Michael Newberry's avatar

You are welcome Deborah. We have some overlapping similar experiences. When I was a kid my siblings and I got paid 40 bucks each for being in a car brand photo op. Near Scripps Institute on a hill under some eucalyptus trees. First thing I did was buy some sunglasses as now I was a “Hollywood star!” Lol.

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

ha ha! That’s a great story! The industry can sure make you feel rich! We got paid like $75 an hour to model for Robinson’s Dept Store! WOW. That was in 1976ish. And although we both worked on set with some pretty good roles - it wasn’t a fortune in the whole picture of things. It bought some clothes, college and a little savings. For me, a beater of a VW bug that I dragged home for dad to fix-up into a Baja Bug. Don’t ask! I’m weird! ha ha! He broke his back to fix it up for me while I supplied the funds. I think I did it more for dad :).

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SonOfaGunn4321's avatar

Love you Sis & thanks for breaking out the fun files 😎🎶

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

I love you brother. ox

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Julie Dee's avatar

I enjoyed this Deb. What a cutie your lil bro was and I love the shots of the band with the puddles ❤️

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

I know I already thanked you - in a reshare - but wanted to say thank you again friend! ox

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