TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA tomorrow night!

OMG I'm about to jump out of my cleats. Tomorrow night is Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Savvis Center in St. Louis. I can not wait. What is xmas w/o TSO? Not much. Look at the numbers: $16 million in ticket sales in 2004. That same year they sold more than a million copies of their latest recording, "Christmas Eve and Other Stories." Last year's tour was, according to Rolling Stone magazine, one of the Top 20 money-making tours. That's a lot of money. Toss in the merchandising and I'd say TSO founder Paul O'Neill (not to be mistaken with the former treasury secretary who once traveled to Africa with the amazing Bono of U2) has got a pretty good gig here. Let's just hope he doesn't fudge it up tomorrow night.

We diehards call ourselves Siberians. Kind of like Buffett fans call themselves Parrotheads. Some Siberians structure their whole xmases around these shows. Last year's show kicks some high holy ass.

One good thing is that the concert's on home turf. I'll be able the weasel my way anywhere in the place. Fewer people know Tony La Russa in Seattle, so sometimes it's tough. But I know a few ushers at the Savvis. Ushers are not like umpires. Ushers can be bought and sold. Grease a few palms, next thing you know you're standing at the side of the stage watching Whitesnake kick out the fucking jams. The whitesnake is a beautiful snake. And David Coverdale straddlnig a mic stand is like watching Bob Gibson's stroke when he throws a slider. It's this thing to behold, a perfect melding of graceful physicality, ritual and consistency. Sorry for the diversion. I just think Whitesnake rocks. So does Bob Gibson. So does TSO!


I CAN NOT WAIT FOR TSO TOMORROW NIGHT! THIS IS GOING TO BE AN EXCELLENT XMAS!

tony