Allman Brothers with Eric Clapton: "Layla" 3/19/09 New York City, Beacon Theater

Why do I post this, you ask? Well, my brother and I were in New York City when this concert occurred. The Allman Brothers go to the Beacon Theater every March and play nearly every single night for the entire month. I went online to Stubhub and saw the tickets listed at $200 a piece. That was a little steep for me, as I had seen the Allman Brothers twice before. Kicker: Clapton was a surprise guest and nobody knew it. So, we went to the Beacon and waited until the concert started and tried to scalp some tickets.

"$700," says the man in the Coogi sweater and Timberlands. "$700?!? The concert is already started, you still holdin' tickets!" I said, exasperated. A man with long hair, a bandanna, and a leather vest looks at me and says, "Clapton is on stage, dude. Playin' all night." Matt and I felt our stomachs sink to the dirty Broadway and 74th Street sidewalk. Would I pay $400 to see Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes and Clapton play? You bet your sweet ass I would. So, we went to McSorley's and showed some Brooklynites how it's done in Cassville. Great night, but I still kick myself every time I think about it.

Lesson learned. Money comes and goes every day; Clapton and ABB....only once. And I missed it.