I got to stand before upwards of 10-thousand people Saturday night at Recreation Park in Willimantic with a fabulous band behind me. If only I could sing.

David Foster (right) and the Mohegan Sun All-Stars (AKA the Shaboo All-Stars) staged a concert to raise money (thousands of dollars, as it turned out) for Windham Hospital. (See previous post.)

And for some reason, David (AKA "Lefty") asked me to introduce them.

This was one of those events where they were happy to have me, but they couldn't have any idea how happy I was to be there. (That happens a lot with charity golf tournaments, too.)

The show opened with Jonathan Edwards and the James Cotton Blues Band, and let me give you a couple of snapshots.

One was seeing Edwards meandering the grounds after his set (in orange shirt, red pants, and sandals). I briefly thanked him for being part of the soundtrack to my college years.

Another was seeing Cotton, after his set, leaning against a trailer doing...well...I wasn't sure. Simply surviving, I think. I left him alone, which I'm sure he appreciated.

And one more was seeing old friend Wayne Norman of WILI (voice of the Huskies, along with Joe D.) with UConn hoops great Wes Bialosuknia in tow. Wes seemed quite content to just be there with a cold one in his hand.

And what a great crowd. Before I introduced the band, I had to read a letter from the Governor congratulating Lefty and recalling the Shaboo years. Nothing like a show-stopper, reading a letter from the Governor. I may have embellished that letter a little bit...deleting a line here, inventing a line there.

The crowd went nuts, and I'm glad the Governor wasn't there, though I know she has a sense of humor. (God, she'd better have.)

Sometimes this job brings attention that I don't care for, and I don't need or want. But this was one of those nights that really makes it all worthwhile.

And on the way home...a State Police DUI checkpoint! Lucky me. All I had do drink all night was cold water.

Round out the weekend with a nifty 43-43-86 at the TPC with an old friend on Sunday...and the weekend was a good reminder that I lead a charmed and lucky life.

And I appreciate every minute of it.