The Man in the Black Hat
Bo Bice came out on stage in Troy, New York tonight, wearing a hat.
We at Bona Fide Bice may never be the same. That hat is not just any hat. That hat has a history.
Almost a year ago now, Bo appeared on stage with Lynyrd Skynyrd in Atlantic City wearing a borrowed hat. It was a glorious sight, Bo looking perfectly at home in a southern rock hat singing with the southern rock band.
Fans at BFB and at The Bice Effect decided Bo had to have a hat like that for his very own, and we had to be the ones to give it to him. And so the adventure began – finding the right hatmaker, tracking down photos of the top of Bo’s head, debating the merits of beaded vs rattlesnake (ick!) hatbands, wondering whether Bo would guess something was up if one of us ran a tape measure around his head at a meet and greet – and that was the easy part! But it was a hoot, and it was exciting, and it was truly a labor of love.
But just when the hat was finally ready, Bo wasn’t. He had to cut his tour short because he needed surgery. As Bo recovered, it became even more important to us to get him the hat. We wanted Bo to know we adored him, we wished him every good thing, and we’d be waiting for him when he was ready to resume his career. It took a few months and a couple of Mysterious Middlemen and an Elf, but Bo got the hat at last, and we rejoiced. When Bo started getting out and about again, we started to hear that he was wearing Teh Hat, and looking gorgeous indeed, and we rejoiced again. But still… we wanted more. We wanted to see Bo and the hat, together on stage, before our very eyes.
Tonight, it happened at last.
What can I say about Teh Hat? I was in a little frenzied clump with DeeFender and lulu and suedel was right in front of us. When we saw him coming up to the stage we just gasped and started screaming and clapping and stomping our feet! We all turned bright red and then suedel turned around and looked at us – I’m laughing now just thinking of the expression on her face.
Seeing him come bounding on stage wearing Teh Hat (and gorgeous jeans with leather back pockets and a beautiful black embroidered shirt) was worth the crazy 4+ hours of driving today.
After his big entrance with it on, he very tenderly took it off and put it back with the guitars. He was a vision though when he came on stage with it. I will never forget that sight.
The BFB ladies were all beside me in front of the stage and they literally fell over themselves when Bo walked on wearing “Teh Hat.” You guys did great–he looks incredibly sexy in that hat!
It’s hard to explain why this means so much to us, or why we bought an absolute stranger a hat in the first place. There’s a lot about being a bit obsessed with Bo, about babbling for hours online and traveling long distances to multiple shows and getting giddy over the joy on his face when he’s on stage that’s really hard to explain, even to ourselves. But for tonight, at least, it all seems to make perfect sense.
Thanks to Deefender for the photo, and chefgirl, Talli, suedel, and laytah for their descriptions of The Moment!
May 19th, 2007 at 12:43 am
You did a good job and it was a great choice as a gift.
By the time I ended reading that line “Tonight it happened..at last” I was misty-eyed.
I just keep feeling all good things are coming Bo’s way and that feeling gets stronger every performance he’s making since last week. Bo feels it, too. He’s proud of the hat. He knows that he has us his fans to keep him keeping on. He knows no matter what happens in sickness and in health, through hell or high water, we’d be there to support him. And because a good soul like him deserves it. The inscription on the inside of the hat is just apt..
“I’m not alone, if you sing this song.” Yes Bo we’ll keep singing with you.
May 19th, 2007 at 4:47 am
I had just joined this forum when Teh Hat had been delivered and I remember everyone’s excitement when the pictures were posted. I’m sorry that I wasn’t here in time to participate in the long and loving process that everyone went through, but I know that I’m truly blessed to be part of a community (and to think of so many of you as friends whether we’ve actually met or not) that would work so hard to bring that much joy to Bo – who deserves it all.
May 19th, 2007 at 4:55 am
As much as we love him, could that man love us any more! It only took a hint from Micavaga to bring out teh hat and please his ladies one more time! He deserves all the good things that are happening to him, and that wonderful future just down the road. Aren’t you glad you are along for the ride?
May 19th, 2007 at 5:58 am
It doesn’t get much cooler than that! The Cat in the Hat! Whatta guy Bo is! Freaking awesome.
May 19th, 2007 at 6:16 am
Bo did look beautiful in the hat and the whole outfit he had on was great looking. The man knows how to entertain! Sorry I didn’t meet any of you, I was on the end of the stage towards Thomas.
May 19th, 2007 at 6:32 am
That was such a cool way for Bo to say, “Thanks BFB, I love the hat!” You all did a great job on Teh Hat and I hope he keeps wearing it cuz he looks damn good in it!
May 19th, 2007 at 7:54 am
Yougottaluvhim you are so right! His coming out in teh hat was such a loving *shout-out* to us! Then the fact that he placed it so tenderly with his guitars spoke volumes. What a fantastic way to communicate his love for us! He is such a good soul..who does deserve it all!
I am so grateful to be along, with all of us, on this magnificent journey with Bo Bice!
As he said “this ride is everything”!
May 19th, 2007 at 8:18 am
This is a wonderful post, Jenn. It was so incredibly special to see him in that gorgeous hat – it was like a little special nod to all of us who participated. I came into the process very late and am so grateful that I did. What a sweetheart he is – we couldn’t have chosen a better guy for that gift.
May 19th, 2007 at 8:28 am
O come, let us adore him
O come, let us adore him
O come, let us adore him
Bice, the Lord (of the Stage)
May 19th, 2007 at 8:38 am
I think Bo wore the hat not as thanks to any particular group of fans but to all of us. He really does love each and every fan who comes to the shows and sighs over his lovely ass and screams approval of his great new songs. Plus I think he really likes how smoking hot he looks wearing it. ;-)
May 19th, 2007 at 8:52 am
True Jennifer. The beautiful turquoise belt buckle was given to him by fans as well. I think he loves to acknowledge all his fans, because he’s grateful & really believes that he wouldn’t be where he is without us. Makes him even more special to me!!
May 19th, 2007 at 9:39 am
My trip to Troy:
Ticket $22
Ticketbastard add-on charges: $8
Motel room: $90
Gas: $40
Seeing Bo wear Teh Hat? Priceless.
May 19th, 2007 at 10:04 am
I’m just so glad you followed your heart & went to Troy Lulu!
Your heart…..that is what you followed right? LOL!
May 19th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Last night I mentioned Teh Hat to Mr. Denizen including Teh Cost of Teh Hat, and he did a world-class splutter. I explained that no one kicked in more than $20 each, and he still spluttered. Jealous much? :)
So glad Bo showed up in Teh Hat. He’s mixing up his physical appearance and set list with each show, and his voice gets better and better (I was worried he’d blow it out, but evidently not!).
All bow to the glory of Teh Hat.
May 20th, 2007 at 3:31 am
SMOKIN’!!!!!!! Yeah baby.
May 20th, 2007 at 9:39 am
Oh yeah SMOKIN’ and the belt buckle has history too LMAO
May 20th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Don’t even get me started on that belt buckle. lol
May 20th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Lord almighty, Bo looks hot in that hat!