02/11/94 - MAGOFFIN AUDITORIUM, EL PASO, TX

This was a rehearsal show Bryan called to keep the band nice and tight during the support shows for the Stones. Below is a fans story of how they came to work during this special little practice only show. The full article can be read the next day on Nov 3rd at the Sun Bowl, also in El Paso.

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Review by Elissa Contreras:
I was to report to the auditorium at noon, I was there at eleven. Okay, so I was a little excited. The equipment truck was there but the crew was not. They were late...or I was early...in any case they arrived at 12.30 and it was time to work. Dressed in my Bryan Adams paraphernalia, I began to help unload the truck. This was a big truck! The crates were big and bulky but were on wheels. They were to be pushed down a ramp, into the music building, down a hallway and finally onto a maintainance elevator where they would be taken up to the stage. It was a long trek but having the words 'Bryan Adams' printed on each box, made me forget about the work and I enjoyed it.

I was introduced to each member of the Bryan Adams road crew while we were working. I met Robbie Jarvis, in charge of wardrobe, when a piece of clothing was dropped from the bag he was carrying. I did not ask who's undergarment I almost ran over, but I will say, Robbie was quick to pick it up and we moved on.

After the truck was unloaded I seemed to have attached myself to Lance Stadnyk, (Bryan and Dave's guitar technician). Maybe it was vice-versa...well I began laying out cables, monitors and microphones. Lance was great to work with and when it was time to unload guitars he explained to me which guitar would be used for each song. I have to admit though, when the Stratocaster on which Bryan had composed 'Everything I Do' emerged, all I could say was "May I hold it?" I mean come on...this is a piece of rock 'n roll history here!

Everything was setup and I was to return to the Sun Bowl until the rehearsal was over. I was crushed so I simply said, "Lance, give me something to do", and he did. He sent me to the grocery store. No problem! I was able to stay! Once everything was ready, Pizza was ordered and we waited for the band. I was on pins and needles. I was also reminded by my boss that the stage hands are not allowed to speak with the artists unless spoken to first. All I could do was hope.

When the band arrived it was difficult not to walk by and say hello. Difficult? It was horrible...but this was my job and I wanted to keep it. I was on top of the world though when Bryan walked over to the crate on which I was sitting and said hello...actually I believe I melted into a puddle at his feet and stayed there the remainder of the rehearsal.

The rehearsal began and as soon as the band kicked into 'Kids Wanna Rock', I swore I was in heaven - no pun intended. It was almost like my own little show, that is until I was handed a radio and told to oversee things and call if anything was needed. No problem! It was a responsibility I was proud to accept, considering it meant I would have to stay through the whole rehearsal!

After about the 3rd or 4th song (which I believe was 'Please Forgive Me') Bryan casually asked WHO had called the rehearsal. I would have volunteered that I had, but they quickly filled him in on the fact that HE had! The rehearsal was now over and it was time to get back to work.

The equipment had to be taken down, reloaded and moved to the Sun Bowl where we could start over Thursday morning. I was able to speak to Bryan before he left and that was when he asked me to write this article...I was honoured. I felt as if I had made great friends with the members of the crew. They were all fabulous people to work with as the truck was loaded and pulling out, I knew I would see them the day of the show, and it was time to return to the Sun Bowl.
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