Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Run - June 20, 2009

[Cheza]

More pics...Bobby first:

[Cheza]

The guys were so playful all weekend - it was a treat to watch.

[Cheza]

Jun 23, 2009 20:22:13 GMT -5 rockfan said:

Besides this show as being very fun and entertaining , it was also a very emotional one. I was tearing up when the Moms and Dads spoke about their sons killed in the war. It was very heart-wrenching to hear and they are the strongest people I know. Hats off to the Lovehammers for showing their love and support to these great people and great cause. [img src="martycasey.org/emoticons/heart.gif"]

[/IMG] [/quote]

I knew the folks from Arkansas. I taught the son who was killed. He was a wonderful young man. He was killed when his helicopter went down. He was only 21.

[Cheza]

[Cheza]

I love this one...even though you can't see his face...I just love the composition I guess...

[Cheza]

Still editing...may be more later tonight...*lol*

[Cheza]

A few more...

[Cheza]

[Cheza]

Dino asks what the deal is with the crowns...PARTY BUS was the response...



Blue Marty...



Bob:



The Mad Conductor is at it again:



Working the crowd into a frenzy...



So good to see them together again...

[jillywilly65]

Thank You Cheza for some way cool Bobby pics!!
It seems there's never enough of him posted?

[Cheza]

It's tough to get good shots of him due to distance, lighting, etc. So I'm pretty pleased...I haven't gotten all the way through Marseilles yet. I've probably got 20 more shots to review and evaluate...I'll post the good ones later.

[mcmaniac]

Thanks Cheza for the awesome pictures. Can't wait to see the rest. There will never be too many Marty pics..and the rest of the guys of course

[JoanACanada]

Great pictures in this thread!

It was an amazing night...... Loved to see how much fun the band and everyone there was having.

I don't think the town of Marseilles or the bikers will ever forget the Loverhammer fans - especially those crowns - they were priceless!

[cfbj01]

Thanks for posting all those great pics Cheza

Rachael I forgot about that T-shirt - it was HUGE

[dlh]

Thanks so much everyone for posting the pics/videos and reviews for all of us that were not able to make it to all of the concerts.

I agree, there is nothing like the LH's and their fans.


Den

[cfbj01]

Thanks Rachael

[Cheza]

I have a nice one of Cousin Bill from BAM, but I haven't gotten there yet...still need to finish Marseilles...more will be coming...I promise...I have to finish packing up my classroom for waxing first. YAY

[Cindy]

www.martycasey.org/photos_LH09.htm

We have photos from this show now posted on Marty's site. Thank you to Rockfan!!

[BBE]

Party bus to Marseilles, IL, 6/20/09. Many thanks to Stephanie and Susie for arranging this, and to their helpers, too! Marty got on the bus before the show and talked to us a little while. He looked around and said, “I know everyone on this bus!” with a big smile. Very cool of him to do that. The bus trip was a blast—we cranked some tunes, cracked open some drinks, and played LH-themed games. Everyone ended up with some nice prizes, including some goodies from the LH Store, so thanks to the Store folks for that. I guess the bus driver must have thought we were all having so much fun that we didn’t want it to end too soon, because he drove past the festival twice before he finally parked the bus! LOL!!!! We didn’t know it, but we had more visits from Lovehammers ahead before the evening was over.


Freedom Run rally in Marseilles, IL, 6/20/09. The presentations to the parents of soldiers who were killed was so moving. It was a reminder of why everyone was there, and not just for a rock concert. Jessica’s band, High Gloss Black, put on a good show, and I think the motorcycle dudes really liked her. ;-)
I had some worries that the motorcycle crowd might be rough, or wouldn’t like the LHs, but those worries didn’t play out. All of the motorcycle folks who I encountered were friendly and polite, and although they didn’t know LH’s material when they started playing, they were totally into the show very soon into it. Even the security guys at the front of the stage turned to face the stage and watch. I didn’t think it was possible, but this show was even better than the night before at HOB! The guys were taking it up to an even higher level. Billy’s playing was amazing! Cousin Bill was on rhythm guitar again. Marty was so energetic that I thought he really might fly a bit! It was a special moment when one of the organizers came out after the band had finished its main set, and said he had dogtags (with the names of fallen soldiers) for each of the guys if they would play one more song. The guys seemed genuinely moved to receive these dogtags, and put them on right away. Marty couldn’t get his fastened, so Sharon helped him with that—good job, Sharon! They played Clouds, and that was so moving. It really ended up the evening well.
After the show, when it was time to get back to the party bus, Dino and Bobby got on the bus for a while. (So did a bunch of random drunk guys who we had to kick out of our seats—LOL!!! It’s like—“dudes, this bus is going to Chicago, and you’re NOT on it!” LMAO!) Dino came to the back of the bus and did a ‘shotgun’ with us—that’s stabbing a beer can and chugging the beer while it shoots out. A couple of brave souls joined him with their own beer cans. Good times! The bus floor was sticky all the way back afterward from the beer. I think I may have an idea for an ode to the party bus……”IT’S STICKY---IT”S STICKY STICKY STICKY STICKY!” LOL!!!!

[Cheza]

Instead of blowing up this thread...I decided to post a link to my FB photo album. I just put the pics in order, so I now must say the pic of Dino and Marty wasn't them conspiring to leave the stage after all - there's too many photos between it and Billy's solo - including some of him with his "Willy" guitar...and the Goldtop was used for the solo.

SO, here ya go:

www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=275153&id=642010380&l=fd2995901e

There are a few more Marseilles shots that might be viable...but no promises. I have some of Jess & High Gloss Black as well, but I haven't edited them. Focusing on LH and HM now.

P.S. There are a few from Joan's album (some party bus shots) and one from Liz (bostongirl) too in that mix.

Cindy, if you want any of my shots for the gallery, just let me know and I'll be glad to share them with you.