LeAnn was my first fiancé. To say it didn't end well would be an understatement. We met through a mutual friend in high school and hit it off. She liked the fact I was pretty goofy back then and I like her for her curiosity. After a few years she became increasingly antagonistic towards me over race and I finally had enough. Last thing I ever told her was that it wasn't my fault my ancestors conquered her ancestors. But this is a story of happier times. This is a story about the intersection of Beltway 8 and I-45. Oh yeah, and Huey Lewis and the News.

   It was July 7, 1989. The Sam Houston Tollway was almost finished and the Tollroad Authority wanted to celebrate not only finishing on time, but coming in millions under budget. So to get the party started KLOL was brought in to through not only a large concert, but a large free concert. Back then Huey Lewis and the News were of course on top of the world then, so this was going to be a huge concert. 100,000 people does tend to make a huge concert. Especially when you are literally standing on the road.

   Being the cheapskate I am I had to go to this concert. I don't go to a lot of concerts, they cost too much and the smoke bugged me. LeAnn got me AC/DC tickets for my birthday and I had to be at Metallica/Guns N Roses/Faith No More because it promised to be legendary. (It lived up to its promise.) But generally I only go to free concerts. LeAnn wanted to go, I wanted to go so it was done.

   We got there with her cousin and Theresa, the friend that set us up together. The roadway was packed. She lived within walking distance so we avoided that nightmare. You thought Greenspoint Mall was bad around Christmas, every parking lot for miles was filled up. Being underage we got through the crowd easily, everybody else was stopping early on the road to get beer. We got about fifty feet from the stage before we were set.

   The KLOL morning crew was there to greet the band, along with County Judge John Lindsey. 93Q had a plane fly over with a banner welcoming Huey Lewis and the News, too which 100,000 people flipped off the Morning Zoo at the behest of Stephens and Pruitt. The late great Kevin Dorsey showed up a bit drunk and had us flip off the plane again. Judge Lindsey politely declined to use profane gestures.

   The concert rocked. I will give it to the man, he puts on a show. He played all his greatest hits, and everybody enjoyed themselves. Theresa started us doing some sort of hip swaying side by side dance. The open air meant all the cigarette and pot smoke didn't bother me for a change. LeAnn told me this is what we need to do more often. Her cousin just tried to get into Theresa's pants. The concert lasted until twilight and 100,000 people staggered home. I was hot and tired, but for a day I was happy. Too bad it wouldn't last.