Hick Meets and Greets

There are few things on TV that impress Hick. Of course he likes the Storage Wars. And the American Pickers. That's a no-brainer. Shows about doing stuff he does. But there's another show he hates to miss. One that involves his fascination with Alaska. No, we're not talking about the Alaskan Bush People. Oh, he watches it. But he's not obsessed. Like with Alaska: The Last Frontier.

Lucky Hick found out that Atz Kilcher, one of the main dudes on that show, was going to appear close by. Really close by. Closer than our new favorite casino. Atz is Jewel's dad, you know. Jewel. The singer. Maybe that's trivia that some of you didn't know. I guess it means that Atz can sing okay. Or else he wouldn't be having a concert. Not that Hick cares about singing. It's the Alaska living that impresses him.

Anyhoo... I looked up the info, and Hick drove himself down there to get a ticket. He was vacillating (even though he doesn't know what that word means) about getting a ticket for the Meet and Greet at a local tavern. I pushed him into it. "When will you ever have a chance to meet him again? You'll regret it if you don't." It really didn't take much persuading. Besides, proceeds were going to a veteran's project. It was a win/win for all involved.

The event was yesterday. I commanded Hick to send me pictures. No dilly-dallying like with the Pickers. He dutifully responded.

I'm sure Atz got an earful during that 15 seconds.

Hick wasn't sure if a meal was included with his Meet and Greet ticket. I thought no, because the ad didn't mention it, and that's probably why that tavern was hosting...to make some money on the eats. However...looks like for the only time ever in the history of her world, Val was WRONG!

Hick had some chicken.

And some cheese bread. Hick said they had meatballs on sticks, also, but they were at the other end of the table, and he didn't get a picture. He ate two, though!

He also got his actual concert ticket, an autographed book, and a CD. Atz used to be a music teacher in Homer, Alaska. Did any of you know that? I, myself, did not. After the Meet and Greet, where Atz performed a few songs that he was not including in the actual concert, everyone moved to the concert venue.

Hick said that Atz usually wears a cowboy hat on the show, but he was wearing a baseball cap for the concert. And KNICKERS! That's Hick's word.

"What do you mean, knickers? Like football pants?"

"To his knees."

"Like...long shorts?"

"I don't know. Just to his knees."

"I guess 95 degrees is pretty hot for him after Alaska. He must be sweltering here."

Let the record show that Val has been to Alaska, and knows the whole state is not snow-and-ice covered. But having been there in August, with temps in the 50s, and seeing dudes jogging without shirts...I figure 95 degrees would feel pretty hot to them.

"Was Atz wearing a fanny pack???"

"Yeah. He always does, even on the show. I guess he keeps his stuff in there."

Not sure what stuff, and why (why, WHY???) the fanny pack. But maybe he had his guitar picks in there. Hick said the songs Atz performed were ones that he had written. And when I asked about the veteran thing, about which branch of the service Atz served in, Hick said the Army, in the Vietnam war, as a cook. Huh. The things you learn in person that they don't mention on the show.

That's not a lot of pictures, but considering how Hick usually takes them, I'd say he did okay!