24 hours before Bonnie Raitt would hit the stage at the Bluestem Amphitheater in South Moorhead, two tickets were plopped into my hands. So I, along with a co-worker and member of our award-winning KFGO news team Bonnie Amistadi decided we’d use the tickets. Bonnie had never been to Bluestem for a show and then again Bonnie hadn’t either. (Trying to be funny there).
Spider John Koerner and the Rag Tag trio was hand-picked by Bonnie Raitt to be her opening act. Spider, who is a legend in Country Blue Grass is a long-time friend of Bonnie and her father the great John Raitt. John Raitt is best known for being part of a number of hit musicals on Broadway and even did some feature film work with Doris Day in “The Pajama Game”. Bonnie (Raitt) has another famous relative I’ll tell you about at the end of the article.
Spider and the Rag Tag Trio started things off promptly at 7…I think! You see there was a “NO PHOTOS, NO CAMERAS” policy marked everywhere in Bluestem. Now as I try to get into the 21st century, I don’t wear a watch anymore. If I want to know what time it is, I pull out my phone and look at its face. Plus I wanted to show Bonnie (Amistadi) a photo I was sent on Facebook. This lady in a loose fitting security vest, approached, pointed at me and said “No photos, put your phone away.” Before I could say a word she continues…”Do you want me to call Security?” Lesson learned….next time I go to Bluestem, I’m bringing a watch.
After Spider had finished, the wait for Bonnie Raitt wasn’t long. She performed selections from her latest CD including “Right Down the Line” by the late Gerry Rafferty, who she had wanted to record the song with. “Nick of Time” was one of my favorites during my earlier years of radio. Bonnie Raitt surprises some of us because of the song she’s best known for “Something to Talk About” was done fairly early in the show. A song some would have been saved for the encore. But after the audience shouted for more she came back with one of her classic ballads “I Can’t Make You Love Me”, a song I had almost forgotten. But it was a wonderful version.
She had mentioned several times how she thought that Bluestem was a wonderful facility for this or any kind of show. It just shows you the impression it will leave with her and hopefully she’ll relay those positive thoughts to her fellow artists.
One last point about the show that I found interesting. Bonnie Raitt has been an advocate on a number of different issues. She made a statement on the Keystone pipeline, the fact that a concert in a facility like Bluestem could someday be solar powered. The troubles in this world are not just in the U.S. Even mentioned that Winona LaDuke was in the audience who is an activist, environmentalist and twice ran for Vice President under the Green Party with Ralph Nader. But the comments were concise and to the point, and in one case a song was sung in dedication to the cause. Bonnie gave her thoughts as statements and not a lecture like some singer/activists have done. She made her point quickly and moved on with no complaints from anyone. At least where we were sitting.
I’ve been lucky! I’ve seen two great concerts this year at Bluestem. The Beach Boys, and now Bonnie Raitt. If you haven’t been to this wonderful showcase we have, check the upcoming schedule and make sure you take in a performance.
Oops! Almost forgot! Bay Raitt is an American digital modeler and animator. He and his team were responsible in creating the computer-generated face for Gollum in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. He’s Bonnie’s nephew.