SOUTH POINT HOTEL CASINO
LAS VEGAS

I had the extreme pleasure of being at the Vegas South Point Hotel Casino for both Pauls' concerts on March 21 and 22. I am so happy and it was so great that I hardly know where to start! Paul put on show with more vigour and energy as if he was 30 years younger than he is. No performer half his age could have put on a better performance. He had the fans rocking in their seats and tapping our feet and everyone--not to mention myself--had the time of our lives. You could just see it on their faces that everyone loves him. Paul wore a dark suit, tie and mauve shirt and he looked absolutely wonderful. You would not be able to take your eyes off of him. He sang beautifully, his voice, was strong, clear and sang many of the oldies we know and love, and opened with a wonderful, rousing "old fashioned love song." He never failed to so beautifully connect with his audience as only he can do, with the wonderful, humorous stories about his life and recovery and background of many of the songs before singing them. He had the whole audience smiling, and laughing in an evening they are sure not to forget. One of the highlights of his performance, was he held the final note of the song Evergreen, for an extremely long, beautiful note and his voice never faltered. It was absolutely gorgeous! Then he quipped, "that's a non smoking note."

My South Point experience with this gifted man came after the performance. As I live in Winnipeg, I had the extreme pleasure of being able to meet Paul at Phantompalooza in April, 2006 (See here for a readers account of that event). I realized then just how sweet and humble he is during that meeting in Winnipeg. During Phantompalooza, I had been interviewed by a film crew filming a documentary on Paul. I remember speaking of how Paul's music has so positively affected my life as he writes such beautiful music and those wonderful lyrics that touch all of us, I am sure. I think he is truly the greatest living songwriter. I remember saying that his music and words always has a positive, uplifting message, always connected to our own emotions. Anyway, during the concert, I was sitting at the very back of the showroom, which for me was somewhat of a bummer because I was too far back and I am near sighted to be able to see his face. But he sounded great! I had been assured by a very nice waitress in the showroom that Paul would indeed by greeting fans after the concert. One of the nice things about sitting at the back of the room was that I was one of the first ones out of the room after the concert and Paul was not even out yet. I had my Muppet Christmas Carol DVD ready for him to sign. I struck up a conversation with a nice woman standing behind the table where Paul would be, waiting for him to come out. She said he was changing and he would be out very shortly. Almost at the very moment that she said that, there he was! The songwriter who I have listened to and adored since I was 12 years old was standing no more than two feet from me!

He looked very happy and I had the pleasure of witnessing him start to mingle with other fans closer than I was in his ever so warm, gracious way. I patiently waited my turn. I could hardly wait to tell him that I had come to Las Vegas from Winnipeg to hear him perform. Although, I did have a feeling that he might recognize me from our meeting at Phantompalooza, I was not prepared for what happened next. I am still not down from the clouds! He looked over in my direction and his facial expression was "I think I know you" kind of look. I thought I saw him do a bit of a double take. The first thing he said when he noticed me was, "you're from Winnipeg?" I could not believe it! And I don't mean from just him recognizing me, but I was standing directly in front of Paul Williams. The personification of musical genius, (and I am sure a lot of other people share that opinion) and he was talking to me! "How did you know?" I asked. (a very rhetorical question on my part!!) Then he mentioned the documentary. And the person (Steve Kessler) who initiated it. He had recognized me! He asked me my name. I told him. Believe me, this is not a moment that I would have given up for all the wealth in the world! I could not contain my excitement in meeting him again. I was overjoyed. I asked him if I could hug him. He said sure and we hugged, making me even happier. He proceeded to sign my DVD for me. By this time, scores of other fans were now lined up waiting to meet this incredible man. I stepped back to give them their own precious moments with him. Then, I remembered I have my camera with me and I forgot to ask Paul for a photo. I remember thinking, after Phantompalooza, how silly it was of me that I did not have my camera with me to that event and therefore, missed a picture with Paul then. This time I had it!! He was in the process of mingling and signing for the other fans. I called out to him and asked if I could have a picture with him. Of course, being Paul, he said yes and I patiently waited. (Believe me, this was not an evening I wanted to end any time soon). After just a couple minutes, he beckoned me to come to behind the table where he was standing for the picture. A lovely woman and new friend who I met in line graciously agreed to shoot the picture. Because my camera is probably as old as I am, and I don't trust it, I asked her to shoot two pictures of us. Paul, ever the great guy and trooper that he is, posed for two incredible pictures. What's more, he totally acts as if he wants to spend all the time that he can with you--and this was still with many more people still waiting to catch a glimpse! Immediately after the poses were taken, Paul turned to me and said that I would probably be used in the documentary.

At the time of Phantompalooza, when I got interviewed, I remember relishing in that moment. After all, this was a film crew doing a documentary on the man who I have adored since I was a pre teen and I find myself being interviewed for a documentary on HIM. And Paul Williams and his music is my most favorite subject in the world to talk about.

When Paul told me this, it did add to the wonder of the evening, but I never truly believed for sure that they would want to use my segment, even though I did fill out and sign the release. I had NEVER considered myself to be anything to look at. There are billions of women far better than me. When Paul had said that I was being used in the documentary, I made a remark about myself of what I have thought of my own appearance. Paul, without a moment hesitation, said, "You're beautiful!", touching my cheek with his fingers as he said it. (His wife Mariana, I think, is far more beautiful!). That did it! This very moment was a culmination of what was already the most wonderful, most memorable evening of my life.

We hugged again. Then, I asked Paul if I could just tell him something. Saying, "sure," I proceeded to tell Paul of my mother's passing away from cancer just two months before on January 5. Of course, being the great guy that Paul Williams is, responded with a very warm and genuine, "I'm so sorry." The weeks immediately after her passing had been especially stressing--including having to sell the house to take care of debts she left behind.

And if this is not a perfect example of how Paul's life and music has touched and uplifted me, then I don't know what is. Paul's beautiful concert, a wonderful combination of the toe tapping hits and the great job he did, which were perfectly balanced with his beautiful and well known ballads, and the energy he emitted from that stage with every song from the The Family of Man to We've only just Begun, literally made the terrible memories of the time I had been through in the past couple months before the concert fly away from my mind and I will never be able to thank Paul enough! I now can remember my beloved mom the way she had deserved. And it gave me a great deal of added pleasure to be able to tell this incredible performer of this to his face. If that is not touching someone with your music--not to mention his magnificent performance on that stage--then I don't know what is. I hope that Paul himself realizes just how much he has uplifted and touched peoples lives with his music and that he has a gift. Paul, you are so incredibly talented!

I also attended the second performance on March 22. At both concerts, Paul announced that on the previous weekend, March 15, he celebrated 18 years of continuous sobriety. (good for you Paul!) This time, I was right up at the front almost directly next to the stage. He looked and sounded as good as ever. During the meet and greet after this performance, I had the pleasure of meeting briefly his lovely wife, Mariana. Once again, I went to meet Paul. This time, as I was leaving the showroom, a uniformed person was beckoning to me, with a piece of paper in his hand. As I finally made my way to where this person was standing, (it was a packed, seemingly sold out house that evening) he handed me a piece of paper and it turned out to be the song play list. Of course, I was thrilled to see this thing but I asked why was he giving it to me? His reply was that I was a huge Paul Williams fan and I was being given this. He said, "if you take it out to Paul, he will sign it for you." This time, by the time I made my way out of the Showroom, with the capacity crowd, Paul was long since already out.

As I patiently waited to see him just one more time, I bought the DVD and the Japan Concert CD. (They are both great. I have not stopped playing them!) Paul so graciously once again signed for me, not just the ones I had just purchased but several of the great movies DVD's he wrote the great soundtracks for, which of course, included my Phantom of the Paradise DVD. His stepson, a very nice young man, tapped Paul on the shoulder after he was finished signing for me if I could have another picture taken with him. (I had asked the stepson--I do sincerely apologize as his name I do not remember--if I could have another picture taken with Paul. He had already posed for two of them with me the evening before. The stepson said he would ask Paul but said he was sure he would be willing again) To my very pleasant surprise, Paul agreed again for another picture. And there were even more people tonight waiting than there were the previous evening--much more. (Paul had his work cut out for him that night). Instead of trying to weave through the hordes of people in line, we leaned over the table towards each other, and his stepson snapped the picture. (Unfortunately, I never got that picture. The cartridge turned out to be blank!) Needless to say, these were two evenings that I will NEVER forget. Paul, I cannot thank you enough and how happy you have made me!--as you do all of your fans. I am still on cloud nine from having attended his concerts and it has been a couple of weeks since. You are the best! Never give it up. You have been given an incredible gift with your songwriting and your singing. In fact, I much prefer hearing Paul sing his own songs than any other performer.

God Bless you in all that you do!!