On September 23, music legends Michael McDonald and Earth, Wind & Fire stopped here in Denver at Red Rocks to perform their greatest hits and latest music before thousands of appreciative fans. It was my first concert at the famed amphitheater and let me tell you, it was beautiful!

Prior to the concert, I decided to hike a trail behind Red Rocks to discover a hidden utopia of nature’s most beautiful creations. I was in awe and it reminded me of all the reasons why I chose to relocate to Denver two years ago.

Michael McDonald opened the show at 7:30 and played through the Doobie Brothers hits, his own and material from his latest CD, ‘Soul Speak’. It was a real treat to hear his latest single from the album, ‘Enemy Within’, performed live. I’m quite amazed by Michael’s evolution as an artist. I recall hearing his music all over the radio in the 80s as a child and I eventually ventured out to acquire all of his recordings for my personal enjoyment.

The Red Rocks concert was also a special moment for me: It marked 10 years to the day when Michael and I first met in 1998 at Pine Knob in Clarkston, Michigan. Michael has been one of many heroes and role models that I’ve admired most of my life. I’m really grateful that I’ve been able to enjoy friendship and conversation with many of them over the years.

Michael and I laughing about being silly

Michael and I catching up backstage at Red Rocks

Meeting my favorite male vocalist, keyboardist and songwriter for the first time

Here’s a picture from my first Michael McDonald concert in 1998 in Michigan. I had just turned 18 and recently graduated from high school. I had also just recently lost 75 pounds after I decided I had enough of being a fat teenager (I was about 240 lbs). The concert was a birthday present from my Mom. Little did I know that Michael already had plans on meeting me as I discovered in a local newspaper interview a day after the concert.

Michael and I became acquainted through fans, friends, tour promoters and others as word traveled back to him in the latter part of the 90s about a web site I maintained covering his career and music over the years. It was the first of its kind in the U.S. I was truly a kid at heart that night.

Red Rocks showing Michael a lot of love

Hiking behind Red Rocks before Michael McDonald’s performance