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The group at Journey Past and Present, known affectionately for the duration of this article as JPP, are about the most qualified, capable, devoted, and friendly group you can imagine. How these folks ever got assembled in one place at one time is a mystery. Many things were mysteries to me. Just what makes an event like JPP happen? What makes it successful?
First of all, let's start with an introduction to the JPP Committee. The Committee is made up of a group of very talented, devoted individuals. If you've spent any time at all on the Journey Digest, you'll recognize some, if not all of the names. There's Michelle, Leslie, Mary Ann, Darla, Cheryl, and Emerson. I've asked each of them many questions in the process of my 'journey' to know them better. So if some of the answers seem redundant, please bear with me, we fans tend to think alike.
One might wonder just where the idea for Journey Past and Present originated, and how. According to Michelle, some of the JPP members were no strangers to each other. Darla, Cheryl, and Michelle all participated in Perry Palooza in 2000 in Los Angeles, California. They enjoyed it so much they decided that there must be a way to honor the members of Journey in a similar but unique fashion. The whole idea snowballed into the first JPP, held in 2001 in San Francisco.
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Leslie: I am a new member to the committee this year. I attended JPP 2001. I first met Michelle at Journeyfest in Chicago in 1999. We then hooked up for some Bay Area shows. Michelle introduced me to Darla, Cheryl, Mary Ann and Emerson in 1999. Since they needed help this year, I was a participant in JPP, lived nearby and was very excited about another fan gathering. It naturally just all worked out.
Mary Ann: Darla, Michelle and Cheryl having the original concept, they asked me, Leslie Forsythe and Emerson Dong to join them in the planning.
Michelle: Well, I met Cheryl, Darla & Mary Ann through the Steve Perry List -- and actually that's where Emerson came from too! Leslie I met at Journeyfest in Chicago in 1999 (where I also got to meet Mary Ann in person for the first time!). Since we're nearly all in the SF Bay Area we've been hanging out and doing things for the last 4 years or so. Mary Ann is our long-distance member in Tennessee, but she flies out to visit periodically and Darla & I recently visited her for a Journey show in September.
Leslie actually joined the committee this year for the event after having been an attendee in 2001. We all just get along so well and like spending time together, so it was a natural that when we joked about having a Journey-related gathering we do it together. We all kind of feed into each others craziness for Journey, and that gives us lots of energy and excitement while we're planning.
Darla: We came to be since the three of us lived in the Bay Area, and we were all friends and love Journey. We then pulled in Mary Ann, our trusted friend from Tennessee, because she is just as much a Journey addict as we are. Then we met Emerson, I think he thought we were all a bit crazy over our love for Journey but he being the fan that he is couldn't help himself and wanted to help out. Emerson has also been a key factor in pulling the Journey guys together to do a personalized annual video for JPP. This last even that we just had we decided we needed more help to pull the event together, so yet another great friend and Journey diehard was asked to join us in our craziness...LOL.
Mary Ann: To have a get-together with the fans of Journey from across the world in an informal, pleasant setting, to share stories, life experiences, and 'all things journey' with each other. We wanted to bring together fans who would probably not have met in a concert experience so they could get to know one another while learning more about Journey's history past and present while taking in the Bay Area's sites and sounds with journey concert experiences.
Michelle: Well, the main idea has always been to have a group of Journey fans spend time together in Journey's hometown. We've managed to pull off most of the ideas we've had -- tours of The Plant studios in 2001 and Fantasy Studios in 2002, Journey trivia (I'm told it was too hard!), and of course concerts! The hardest things to do is to find Journey-related locations in and around San Francisco.
Most of them just aren't there anymore. We thought about having a walking tour in 2001, but when most of the places we found turned out to be (a) too far apart to walk and (b) mostly parking lots, we scratched that idea. Still trying to figure something out along that lines though I'm not sure what.
Of course, then there was the whole piñata idea... :-) [Okay, so that's an
inside joke....]
Darla: Just to have a fan gathering to honor past and present music and members of Journey, and it was also a very cool way to meet other Journey fans like us. We wanted to also treat the attendees to something special (since we do live in Journey land), so we went off in search of Journey places to take the attendees to visit, like where Journey recorded their music, where they may have hung out at onetime for food, where they had played when they were just starting out. In other words, we put mini tours together for the fans, which has turned out to be a huge success, everyone loves it.
Leslie: All of our ideas have come to fruition really. This group is very organized and for the most part, the ideas we have, we seem to make work.
Q. Did you all know each other before being on the committee?
Michelle: It's been a few years. I've known Darla & Mary Ann the longest from the earliest days of the Steve Perry list -- about 1998 or so (I know Darla & I met for lunch for the first time in early 1999). Leslie & Cheryl came into the picture later in 1999. Emerson is our 'newbie' having joined the group during the planning of JPP2001. (But what a 'newbie' -- he pulled off an interview with the band for us as a surprise at JPP2001. Then did it again in 2002!)
Darla: Most of us. Michelle, Mary Ann, Leslie and I all knew each other, and then Emerson came in to the picture shortly after we started planning the first JPP.
Leslie: I first met Michelle at Journeyfest in Chicago in 1999. Both realizing we were from the Bay Area we made sure we hooked up when we got back to California. She then introduced me to the Darla, Mary Ann, Cheryl and Emerson. We all see a lot of area shows together and then of course we get these great ideas about Journey fan gatherings and then, you know, the committee is born.
Mary Ann: I already knew Darla , Michelle, Cheryl and Leslie before joining the committee, but I gained a new friend in Emerson, whom I met for the first time at JPP2001. It's been a privilege to work with each and everyone on this committee. We all have a common bond of love for the music of journey and this special bond helped us all to work together to accomplish JPP.
Q. What were some of the things that drew you to Journey?
Darla: It was the voice of Steve Perry that drew me to Journey at first. The first time I heard LTS on the radio I was in love with Journey. Seems like most of their music carried me through the good and bad times growing up and through my adult years, in fact it still does most of the time.
Mary Ann: The voice of Steve Perry was the first thing that drew me to Journey. His voice was one that could not be imitated and it drew me to Journey's music. Many of journey's songs helped to get me through life's tough times and soothe my soul. The artistic ability of each of journey's members, past and present, was amazing to me and to me far surpassed members of other rock groups.
Michelle: God, how long do you have?? To be honest, the first Journey memory I have is hearing 'Lights' on the radio as a kid. Being a Bay Area native, I automatically loved the song. I grew to love the band over the next several years, and when 'Escape' was released, I was a goner. The bottom line of it all, though, is the connection I feel to the music. It's something that has been there for most of my life now and has gotten me through a lot of different phases of my life. I don't know if I'd be who I am and where I am today if I hadn't had Journey's music in my life. It was a candle in the dark for me at one time, and is now just part of me. Something that is always there when I want to celebrate or when I need comfort.
Q. What were your hopes and expectations for JPP? Did you expect it to be a recurring event?
Leslie: I hoped everyone enjoyed themselves. I attended JPP 2001, so as an attendee I was so impressed that I knew they had to follow up with other such gatherings. While working on Jpp 2002 we had so much we wanted to accomplish that at the midpoint of planning we knew we were going to organized JPP2003.
Mary Ann: I had hopes that the attendees would enjoy themselves, make many friends and go back home with the ultimate Journey experience by them winning an autographed prize, having a great time at the concert, and by possibly meeting the band members. I wasn't expecting it to be a recurring event at first, but the attendees seemed to enjoy the first one so much that the California crew (Darla, Michelle, Cheryl, Leslie, and Emerson) decided to have JPP2002
Michelle: We hoped to have fun. Spending time with fellow Journey fans is something that I enjoy tremendously, and we wanted to share that fun and excitement with other fans.
I don't think we ever expected it to become a recurring event, but so far it has. Heck towards the end of the planning for 2001 we were saying 'We are NOT doing this again!' But there we were, about a month after it was over, and in the wake of 9/11 saying things like 'well, next year we could have a picnic' Before we knew it JPP2002 was in the works. And to top it all off, about 6 months into the planning for 2002, we started thinking about what we can do for 2003! (We're sick, we admit it!)
Darla: The hopes and expectations were just to have fun and meet a bunch of new people, to which we have exceeded beyond our wildest dreams so far. I don't think any of us were sure if it would become a recurring event, but so far it has, and I think we all plan on continuing for some time to come.
Q. I'm sure that your music interests are varied; what about Journey makes them the object of so much devotion and fan dedication, as opposed to any of your other music interests?
Mary Ann: Journey's tunes have touched my heart in so many ways. The specific words of some songs, helped me to cope at times and I am now able to remember those times just by hearing the tunes. You seem to recall part of your own life, good and bad times, when you hear these songs performed by the band members.
Michelle: It goes back to the emotional connection to the music -- it's just a part of me and who I am. There really isn't anyone else who even comes close. I think many other fans feel the same way which is why there is such a devoted group of fans.
Darla: It's all in the music they create, the words, the feelings behind all of it. Seems like most of their music, people and myself of course, can relate to in one way or another. The music is just damn awesome, and they guys today are all so very devoted to their fans, and REALLY nice on top of it all. Love the rockers and the ballads, and I can't say that about all bands, it's usually one or the other, but with Journey all is good, all the time.
Leslie: It's all about the music. This band is so versatile. I think that's a big part for me personally. They are all great individual artists and when you put them together you are just 'wowed'
Q. How do you think Journey differs from other groups?
Michelle: They remain true to themselves and to their fans. They don't cave in to the critics to become the latest flavor of the month and alienate their fans in the process. They put out consistent material that connects. They've also managed to survive some major personnel changes that would be deadly to most other bands, yet keep that consistency. That's not an easy task.
Darla: They have remained consistent in their way of reaching out with their music to the fans, even with the numerous band member changes, and the criticism they have received for doing so at times. Nothing stops them when they want to perform, and if nothing else, just the fact that you can see they are all having a good time no matter what is inspiring in itself.
Mary Ann: Each member of Journey has an amazing talent and when you hear their tunes performed live, it sends chills over you. The journey concert experience is truly THE ultimate for me. When journey starts to jam on-stage, it's a magical happening that just can't come across the same way in a studio. I've seen some groups that after hearing them live, you say. 'the cd sounded better'. but not journey. the LIVE concert version when they add their gifted talents is the BEST!
Q. What did the breakup with Steve Perry mean to you personally?
Darla: Complete sorrow for me at first. To be honest it took me a while to get over Perry not being with Journey anymore, it was his voice after all that got me hooked on Journey in the first place. Would have been great if the Escape lineup could have remained together, but the newer members of Journey have done an awesome job, and the band has stayed true to their fans and music even with the new members, and that says a lot all in itself as to how devoted to their fans they are. Deen is an incredible drummer and very personable and Steve A has a great voice and is just the nicest guy anyone could ever meet. I think they have both done justice for the band.
Leslie: I was always a huge Journey fan. Steve Perry was a big part of Journey, so when he left I had a feeling the whole band was done. I was disappointed.
Mary Ann: I was afraid at first that it was the breakup of journey forever. I didn't think journey could survive at first without Perry's voice to the tunes. I was truly saddened and scared at first but my fears got put to rest in 1998 when I saw Augeri perform as lead singer.
Michelle: Which time? :-) Seriously, when it was clear Journey was going on with out Steve Perry, I was upset initially. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that after a 10 year hiatus, Journey had just come back with 'Trial By Fire'. I was so excited when it was released that when the reunion fell through, I was crushed. It was over. Again. I think that was more disappointing than when they kind of faded away after 'Raised on Radio'. A band can break up once and come back, but a second time? It was crushing.
Q. What were your initial concerns or notions of the current lineup?
Leslie: To be honest, I was VERY excited. To hear Journey play again would be magical. I had a feeling they wouldn't just replace Steve P. or Steve Smith with anybody. I knew the current lineup would and had to be good. I was very anxious to see that first show.
Mary Ann: I was scared that Steve Augeri might not be accepted by the fans. I knew from listening to Tall Stories that he had the voice like Perry, but it was the fans notion of him that scared me. I knew that for journey to continue performing, all the new members had to be accepted, which meant Deen as well. They have both proven to me that they are valuable parts of Journey and I have accepted Deen and Steve in a big way, as have many other fans.
Michelle: I didn't think Journey should go on with out Perry. It just wasn't going to be the same. Change the name. No way no how can Steve Perry be replaced. I was wrong.
Darla: My initial concerns were that Steve A would not be able to step in to the Perry shoes and pull it off. I just couldn't see how anyone could ever replace Perry's voice. Bottom line for me is he didn't replace Perry, but instead has become the best addition to the band, Neal, Jon and Ross couldn't have done any better in my opinion.
Q. Did those change? And if so, how?
Mary Ann: My fears about Steve and Deen were put to rest when I saw them perform in 1998 and since by watching the fans' reaction to them at the concerts. Steve and Deen are both so gracious to the fans on and off stage and both really appreciate the fans' support and will tell them so when they meet with them.
Michelle: Absolutely. My first clue that it would be all right was my reaction to the invitation that went out to Journey fans on line to a free show at the Marin Civic Center. This show was less than an hour's drive from my house, and I was going to miss it. I had planned a vacation with some friends and would be in Paris that night. My reaction to this news was to seriously consider rescheduling my trip and a strong desire to kick and scream and throw a temper tantrum suitable for a three year old. I was completely surprised by my response.
Still, I wasn't going to PAY to see this new band with this new guy until they'd released some new music. But I had friends at that first show and managed to get a bootleg. I liked what I heard. By this time I'd subscribed to the Journey Digest (for the specific reason that I wanted to read reviews of that first show -- I fully planned to unsubscribe when I got back from Europe) and saw reviews.
And then there were a few more shows here and there during the summer of 1998 -- and fans were reporting back. The new guy was good. He can pull it off. Journey was back.
I respected the opinions of my friends and fellow fans, so when the Vacations Over Tour started in October of '98 I shocked my friends and family by flying to Detroit to catch my very first Journey show. It came down to a choice between a new Journey or no Journey. I'd done the no Journey thing, and that wasn't something I enjoyed, so I gave it a chance. I haven't regretted the decision to take off to that show, and now hopping a plane for a show is a routine occurrence!
Darla: The change came when I saw the first show with the new lineup, I was skeptical till they started to play, and when Steve A took the stage I was dumbstruck pretty much, the guy was awesome. And then I got the opportunity of a lifetime and was honored with meeting him and the rest of the band that same night. Steve A and Deen were so warm hearted and nice, I just couldn't help but accept them as part of Journey.
Q. What was the highlight of JPP for you?
Michelle: Just one? Actually the best thing is watching how much fun the attendees had. I've met lots of wonderful fans in recent years and spending time with them and throwing one heck of a party is a great highlight.
Another highlight was the $800 we were able to raise for the Bright Star Foundation. We had gotten some awesome donations from both the band and former band members. We raffled these items off and I was floored when we tallied up the money.
Darla: Being able to meet so many Journey fans for the first time, and all the smiles we put on the faces of the attendees.
Leslie: The whole event was a highlight. Meeting all the fans, Michael Carabello attending our luncheon, raising $800 for Brightstar, sitting with fellow fans at a show. It's all good.
Mary Ann: Being able to visit with the fellow committee members first of all. Since I live in Tennessee, I am not able to attend the meetings in Calif., but the CA members keep me involved with phone calls and e-mails for my input. It's great to see the committee members once I arrive in Calif and to see the Calif sites. The other big highlight was meeting in person for the first time, a lot of journey fans I had only talked to online . Making new friends and putting faces with screennames is the best experience for any journey fan.
Q. Were there any surprises?
Darla: Yes, Michael Carabello was a surprise guest at our luncheon, including Neal's mother and father. They brought a lot of excitement to our gathering. Plus, Dennis Erokan from the Bay Area Music Awards also joined us later that day, and graced the stage telling the whole audience of our involvement with the Bay Area Walk of Fame, and how we would be having a bronze plate put in the ground for Journey next year in honor of 30 years of music.
Mary Ann: Yes, meeting Michael Carrabello of Santana. I had no idea he would be there and it was a honor to meet him. It was a surprise for the entire JPP committee to be acknowledged from the concert stage by Dennis Erokan, during the announcement of the Walk of Fame and getting our faces on the video screen for the entire crowd to see. That's a moment I will never forget.
Michelle: Well, this year we were pleasantly surprised when Michael Carabello joined us for lunch! We had invited Neal's mother and stepfather, and they invited Michael and his girlfriend. His arrival was timed perfectly -- we were playing a video of a recent performance of Gregg Rolie's band, and Michael walked in just as his solo started up on the screen!
Then there was the surprise that we had PLANNED on. One of the things we had hoped to do for JPP2002 was to get Journey a plaque on the Bammies Walk of Fame in San Francisco. The logistics of it were too complex to pull it off in the few short months we had to plan, but we did manage to arrange for Dennis Erokan, the producer of the Bammies, to come and announce Journey's induction during the concert. Trying to get out of our luncheon in time to meet with Mr. Erokan and Journey's production team to find out how the announcement was to be made was hectic!
Q. How was it received by the band and its management apparatus?
Mary Ann: The band and their management have been very excited and honored about the Walk of Fame. We have received personal thanks from them.
Michelle: They have been very appreciative. We've made an effort to make sure the band and management knows what we've been doing, and in return we have received items from the band for our event. I'm really amazed that they really acknowledge what we do. I mean, we're just a few fans putting together a little event for a handful of people. It's incredible to me.
Darla: Was VERY well received, they were all very very excited and appreciative about the Bay Area Walk of Fame, and the annual event we do in their honor. We recently received personal 'thank you's' from all of the band.
Q. How much planning goes into something like this?
Mary Ann: More planning than I ever expected. I will say that Michelle, Darla, Cheryl, Leslie and Emerson have done MUCH more for JPP2002 than I did regarding the planning. They started planning JPP2002 almost immediately following JPP2001 and they didn't rest 'til after JPP2002 was completed.
Michelle: We spend about a year planning. Not all day every day, obviously (we do have lives outside of Journey after all) but we meet monthly to go over ideas and plans and organizing. The big crunch comes in the month or so before, but there are the months of advance planning. Everything from putting together a web site to designing T-shirts to coming up with the next treat that adds that 'something special' for the attendees.
Darla: Lot's, we have meetings and work together all year long off-and-on, pulling JPP together. And we love every minute of it.
Leslie: WOW! Loads of planning time. Meeting once a month for 5 hours is a small part. We had daily e-mail exchanges, lots of phone calls, hours of prep time. Brainstorming sessions and more brainstorming! oh, and lots of running around to arts and craft places for Michelle & Darla ;)
Q. Would you change anything about JPP if you could?
Michelle: Nothing really. It's loads of fun to put together and even more fun to attend. Well, actually, no. I'd try to stop time. It always goes by so fast that I'm sad when it's over.
Darla: No, I think everything has been going perfect so far, it just keeps getting better.
Leslie: Not really. I believe this group is very organized and it just keeps on getting better somehow.
Mary Ann: If I could have my fantasy JPP, it would be to have all the band members there meeting the attendees 24/7, but that would be unrealistic, so I guess I wouldn't change anything else.
Q. Are you considering future JPP events?
Darla: Considering?? Heck we are already working on JPP2003..LOL
Leslie: You bet. We are looking at Journey's induction into the Bammies Walk of Fame. The JPP2003 will take place at that time.
Mary Ann: Yes, plans for JPP2003 are already in the works
Michelle: Absolutely! We're already making plans for JPP2003! It's going to focus around Journey's induction to the Bammies Walk of Fame. Again it will be in San Francisco, and once the dates are confirmed we'll be shouting from the rooftops.
We do expect it to be a little earlier in the year than the previous two (both held in August) as the Bammies have traditionally been a springtime event.
Q. Do you see any chance of JPP being opened up for a larger scale participation?
Leslie: Sure. I think everyone enjoys the event so much they'll talk it up to other fans. I think we'll see greater participation in 2003. Especially since we are celebrating the band's 30 years of music.
Mary Ann: That might be possible, depending on the time and location planned for JPP. So far the JPP's have been associated with Journey concerts so the tour schedules have played a big part of the planning so far.
Michelle: We opened it to a larger audience this year. We announced it on as many Journey forums and mailing lists as we could find. We had a 144% increase in attendance this year (from 15 in 2001 to 39 in 2002!!) We'll be announcing it all over again when we're ready for new registrations! We sure hope we'll get a larger group in 2003. I think word of mouth is spreading, so people know about what JPP is and how enjoyable it has been in the past. That's our biggest advertising-- past attendees.
We ARE keeping track of people who are interested so when we officially announce JPP2003 we can let them know. Anyone who is interested can contact me at mnmsjrny@att.net and I will put their name on the list of people to contact when JPP2003 goes 'live'.
Darla: Yes, we are already planning on a much larger crowd for 2003, and my feeling is it will grow each year.
I realize that this has been a lengthy venture, but I wanted to know more. At the beginning of my journey to know how something like JPP could happen, I sat down and laid out my questions on paper. Sometimes that's the simplest way to mudge your way through things. And for me, it is the purest, most logical way to keep from writing a fifteen hundred word article which could have been done just as nicely in five hundred words. I had to put down just what my questions were, and then set off on my journey for answers. Along the way I found many more truths. I found a small sample of the quintessential Journey fan. I found others who would do the same things I would do, because they felt the same way I felt about Journey. I found that when it comes to the hard-core Journey fans among us, we are not all so different. In fact, we are mostly the same. I think I found a little bit of what ties us together on the Journey Digest mailing list, a little bit of what keeps us together on the forums, some of what keeps us smiling and writing those e-mails. I found what makes us want to do those meet-n-greets before concerts, sometimes with people we've never even met. Michelle and my first Journey concert experience had coinciding date, time, place, venue, and even backstage experience. Since then, we've worked together on the Journey Digest web site, and have become fast friends. We weren't raised in the same areas of the country, we may or may not have much in common, we haven't really talked about all of that yet. But what we do have in common is Journey, and that's 'all that really matters.'
What I've found with each and every one of these JPP Committee members, I find on almost a daily basis. It might be from someone who e-mails me from the web site. It may be from someone who posts on the forums there, and I find their humor or perspective refreshing. It could be from someone posting on the Digest, and my recognition of things I used to ask when I first joined the list back in 1996. Oh the memories of first finding out that there is so much Journey information on the web. That, folks, is the whole reason behind our web site: exposing Journey fans, and would-be Journey fans, to the music, the talent, the personality, and the sound that is Journey. Many Journey fans express this same goal, whether it be through the Digest, the web site, maybe a personal web site about Journey or Steve Perry or any other member past or present, or possibly through fan meet-n-greets. It could be a personalized license plate, or a passing comment to a coworker when hearing Journey on the radio. For some it's Journeyfest or Perry Palooza. Then, there's Journey Past and Present.
The folks at JPP deserve our kudos. They've brought the fan experience to a whole new level, and they exhibit a level of class which is refreshing. The folks at JPP not only give us opportunity to meet with other fans, they allow us the opportunity to express our genuine appreciation to the band. Thank you, on behalf of this Journey fan, and I'm sure, many, many more.
A very special thank you goes to the folks at the Journey Past and Present Committee for taking the time to field my questions, and of course, on behalf of myself and many other Journey fans, for their labor, time and effort to help make our Journey experience that much more real. Thank you!
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