As I write this, I'm exhausted to the point of near-collapse (endless anticipation followed by three hours of manic excitement followed by a day of recapping the party while trying to look casually-cool in front of Lisa Desjardins will do that to you.)

(This just in: read Byron Beck's piece about the party right here.)

Before this weekend fades into a haze of sleep, binging on EasyMac, and trying to get the "Popcorn" song out of my head, I just wanted to say thank you. This is easily the biggest, best, boldest party we've ever thrown, and to have it go so swimmingly was gratifying beyond all imagining.

To Viso, to Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, to The Crystal Ballroom, and to every other sponsor and supporter...thank you.

To Emerson Starship, the baddest band in the land...thank you. You raised this one to the roof and beyond.

To Nickel Arcade...thank you for sharing your genius with The People.

To every roaster: Byron Beck, Cort & Fatboy, Aaron & Scott, Peter Carlin, Storm Large, Sarah X. Dylan, Lisa Desjardins, and roastmaster Carl Click....thank you for doing the work while I sat in an overstuffed chair and let people talk about me.

To Joni DeRouchie and Todd the Corpse: Thank you for sheparding this many-headed creature through to completion. It was taxing and trying, but worth every moment of your effort. I salute you.

Special thanks to Joni DeRouchie's genius video creations...you have once again set the standard, my dear friend. WTPA!

To Tim Riley, Sarah X. Dylan, and Ritchie Bristol...I'd be nowhere without you.

To Susan Reynolds, Bridget, Cheryl, and everyone on the AM 970 promo/street team...thank you for doing the million-and-one, often-unsung jobs that you do. You are true radio soldiers.

And, finally....to every listener, every fan, and every person who came out, laughed, cringed, cheered, groaned, or simply watched us do our thing. You are truly the best audience anyone could ever have.

Thank you. We love you all.

Just when you thought Listener Party 2008 couldn't get any cooler....this.

I just came from a full rehearsal for Emerson Starship. The baddest band in the land did not disappoint. When you hear the music that they've put together for Emerson's Eleven, your jaw will drop, your mind will be blown, and you will be agog.

I actually ducked outside during a spare moment...just so I could start calling people to rave about the band.

You have never heard anything like it...I assure you. They'll bring the face-melting rock, but it's so much beyond that. You will simply have to hear it to believe it. This is one for the record books.

Emerson's Eleven happens today, Thursday, May 15th at The Crystal Ballroom. Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm. Be early...and be ready. This is like no other.

The Rick Emerson Show...bringing people together, one listener party at a time:


"Rick, Sarah and Tim,

I need you to help me get a date for the listener party. It's not that I'm creepy or can't meet people, It's just I wanna go with someone who digs the show as much as I do.

I have always made it to all the past listener parties, this is just the first time I'm single. I just stated a new job and haven't been able to convert any of the single guys to listeners yet, and It seems all the other guys I know that listen are attached at the moment.

I'm the twenty-five year old girl who's never seen Star Wars because my dad is a HUGE Trekkie and a few listener party's back I won the tour of paranormal Portland with Clyde - I wrote 'ground zero' on my ass.

I'm really just wanna go with someone who is excited and know the show, wouldn't mind if I dress like a school girl, scream until I'm horse and drink a lot of beer.

I'll include a link to my myspace page, if that helps.

www.myspace.com/tobielove

Can you help a girl out?


-Bobbie"

Just added to the list of events at Rick Emerson Listener Party 2008: Emerson's Eleven.....the world premiere of a new short film starring Tim Riley.

Debilitating Degeneratism and You, a send-up of 1950s classroom films, will receive its grand unveiling at Emerson's Eleven...just one more reason to make absolutely sure you don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Also on tap for the evening:

• The Rick Emerson Roast, with roastmaster Carl Click and such roasters as Storm Large, Peter Carlin, Sarah X. Dylan, Byron Beck, Cort & Fatboy, Aaron Duran, and Scott Dally, as well as listener-submitted roasts.
• Music from Nickel Arcade, creators of the smash hit "I Hope There's Vodka in Heaven"
• A special set from Emerson Starship, featuring rock versions of Rick Emerson Show themes, watches, and bumper music, as well as the 80s metal hits you've come to know and love.

All that, plus the entire Rick Emerson Show cast and crew.

No cover, no charge, no ticket required, and no dress code. Just be 21, grab your ID, and be there.

Thursday, May 15th, 8pm at The Crystal Ballroom: Emerson's Eleven. Be there!

I must own these.

Join us Monday, as we welcome Portland's own Dry County Crooks to the show. They'll be in studio, playing some songs off their new album, When Hearts Break. We're huge fans of the Crooks, so make sure you catch the performance, and then hit Dante's this coming Saturday the 17th for their CD release party.

We'll also (finally) catch up with The Oregonian's Peter Carlin, and we count down the remaining few days until Rick Emerson Listener Party 2008: Emerson's Eleven. The roasts are written, the bands are practiced, and the final tweaks are being added. Write it down, and save the date---it all happens this coming Thursday, May 15th, 8pm at The Crystal Ballroom. Be there!

Friday is already massively-crowded, and we've barely begun.

• We'll welcome Dorothy Carcerceri from The National Enquirer, and find out of they've got someone on permanent "Kirstie Alley's Ankles" patrol.
• We'll talk to CNN's Lisa Desjardins, who will weigh in on Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and the coolest Patrick Swayze movie you've never seen.
• Scott Dally joins us, as we look ahead to Indy, Batman, and Clone Wars: The Movie.
• We chat with author Steve Alten, who will tell us if hundred-foot Great White sharks still exist.
• And....the Top Five songs about transvestites.

All that, plus the Noon News Hour with Tim Riley, your calls, and the countdown to Listener Party 2008. Be there!