Musical Journey of Coach Hughes: Chicago

Chicago
July 18, 2009

Last May just before our season, I knew things really start to heat up before the season, I wanted to do something with my daughter. Sara is an assistant volleyball coach at UIC in Chicago.

I saw where Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band was playing at the United Center, just a few miles from where my daughter lives. So I said, "I'll come to visit and you and I will go to the show."

We were both excited to be able to spend a little time with each other and created a memory that she and I could share.

So we go to the show and as we watch the show unfold, Bruce Springsteen announces that Max Weinberg, his drummer, would play the first half of the show and Jay Weinberg (Max's son) would play the second half. Max had obligations to Late Night with Conan O'Brien, where he is the band leader and would not be part of the European leg of the tour.

I really thought that was kind of neat.

Sara and I are standing and watching the show and they make the switch. Max's son comes on and we're watching him drum and it was just a great atmosphere.

Suddenly to our left, I turn my head and there is Max Weinberg about three feet from us watching his son drum with Bruce Springsteen.

You could just see the proud father looking at his son going to work on the stage with Bruce and at the same time I'm standing there with my daughter watching Bruce. I thought of how interesting life works, both us proud parents, him watching and sharing that moment with his son and me standing there watching sharing a moment with my daughter. It just was a very unique memory for all of us involved.

Born to run - this is my musical journey.