I feel a strange vibration in my thigh and wonder if it is another muscle spasm now that I am getting older. The vibrations continue until I realize that it is my phone ringing, some how set in vibration mode. I answer the phone and the voice says, "Habibi, howareyamate", it has to be one of the Newsboys, but which one? My voice recognition scanner is working overtime, add that to the triple shot espresso I just started sipping on in my car, and I can see Peter's face like a hologram on my dashboard. Yes, it is Peter! I feel like Bond talking to M, getting my new orders. In this case I would be talking to P!

"Are you going to be in New York City this weekend?" he asks, I respond with " Not that I am aware of". Always a safe answer when talking to P. "Good, we are playing the Nokia Theater on Times Square, and we want you there!" "Oh yeah, you might want to pack your freshest jocks and socks, cause we go on from there, seeyamate." That was P. Now I need to call D to sort out the details, including a last minute Russian visa. D would be Q other then that I have to supply my own laser beam watch and Astin Martin.

My jet touches down at La Guardia and I jump a cab to the upper west side to pick up my Russian visa that has been expedited to my friend H who I trust and who I have known since fifth grade in the middle east. Our childhood past includes low grade explosives and stolen mopeds (more on that later), and so we decide to meet at a discrete little restaurant for the exchange.

I call Peter to check in and let him know that I am in Gotham. I find him and Paul at the Sam Ash music store off Times Square; they are looking at vintage guitars played by the Stones with price tags of +10k. I on the other hand, could use a doppio over ice, shaken not stirred, no splenda. The guys are excited to play tonight's show, and then get on the road to Scandinavia. Paul gives me the run down while Peter talks tech with the boys at Sam Ash. It seems we are going from New York City, to Norway, Denmark, Finland, and then Saint Petersburg, Russia. So that's why I needed the visa!

I exit the cab with Peter and we walk across Times Square headed to the Nokia Theater. As we approach the venue I see the Newsboys banner and live shots scrolling across it. On the other side, U2 and the new singles album flash down on unsuspecting travelers buying hotdogs and chestnuts and watching the stock market numbers scrolling along under the latest news from around the world. I almost trip over the curb when I realize that the pictures of the Newsboys flashing across Times Square are mine! I try not to smile, but when I look back at Peter, I loose it!

We walk into the venue with no passes and there becomes a fork in the road, Peter can prove he is in the band, but security wants a closer sniff at my credentials. Mentally I am in the band but I am never allowed to touch any of the instruments under any circumstances. Peter vouches for me and I am in. I follow him all the way onto the stage and meet up with the other guys mid sound check. I quickly scan the stage, Duncan, Paul, and Jeff, yup, the rapture has not come yet, and we are all here ready to rock! There are things to be adjusted and sorted before tonight's show and there is an energetic excitement fueled by adrenaline and the realization that the doors open soon!

I follow my nose down the hallway, the familiar scent of Newsboys rock and roll dragging me like a fly to the wax paper; yes it's a little pre-show Chicken Makani, a splash of Vindalu, some Lamb Curry, and Samosas! This is a pre show feeding frenzy at the Great Barrier Reef. I carefully carve a nice plate of Indian food from the remaining carcasses left on the catering table. So the band can't see what I have taken, I place a piece of naan over the top and move to an open seat in the shadows of the corner of the room.

Steve, NB road manager and predator handler, comes in the room with the announcement that it is time for a "Meet and Greet" with the fans. The boys quickly tidy up and lick the last remains of the butter chicken off their fingers and we are off to a quick round of hugs and kisses, pictures with the youth group, and signatures on posters.

Jeff Nolte enters the green room with ear monitors in hand, this means it is just seconds before show time! The guys put their monitors in their ears, Duncan is warming up his arms by rattling off a set of drumbeats on his knees and thighs like a machine gun! I often wonder if he has any feeling left in his legs. We are given the signal, and it is show time. We leave the room through a cloudbank of sub continental aromas, adding a touch of rock and roll to the overall experience.

Tonight the guys are on and we are rocking Times Square. There is a wonderful connection with the crowd. Peter decides to see just how much the crowd really loves the Newsboys and jumps off the stage. The last time I saw Peter in the air like that was over a cactus on his dirt bike in Baja! The crowd and Peter become like Velcro as Peter shares some love one hug at a time. The crowd goes crazy and want more. Peter takes his wireless mic with him and runs to the back of the venue where fans are hiding in the dark. I grab my camera and chase Peter from side to side. I am a superfan and I have never seen anything like this before! What if Peter tries to hug me? Who will take my picture?

Back on stage Peter grabs a freshly tuned guitar from Monty his guitar tech and the show goes on! The night comes to an end with I am free, a special Times Square extended mix is enjoyed by all and then the band disappears. All that is left of the night with the Newsboys are a million pieces of paper flakes scattered across the floor of the theater.

Out on the street in front of the Nokia Theater I take one last look at the scrolling electronic banner as it moves across the evening sky on Times Square, and say good night to each of the guys as they roll past.