The world is a stage. And someone has to protect it.

If you have ever been to a music concert you have seen them. Those guys dressed in all black or sometimes an orange or white SECURITY T-shirt, who stand around the stage area looking imposing and intimidating, seemingly devoid of personality or emotion.

In my spare time, for "fun," I work "stage security" at Lexington's Rupp Arena, a 24,000-seat arena, for concerts and events. It's a fun way to spend a few hours and see a lot of touring acts. The idea behind stage security is simple: the "act" stays on stage, while the sometimes overzealous concert-goers stay off. And no one gets backstage that doesn't belong there. That can be easier said than done. If you think about it, there's ten to twenty-thousand people in the venue, and only a handful of security.

If you like music or comedy and learning what goes on behind the scenes, it can be a fascinating job. Some of the acts who have come through in recent months/years: Kenny Chesney, Cher, Elton John, Tina Turner, U2, Backstreet Boys, Allison Krauss, KISS, Rodney Carrington, Bill Cosby, Jay Leno, Wayne Brady, Montgomery Gentry, Gavin DeGraw, the Pussy Cat Girls, and many, many others. Some are nice, some are not. Some are high maintenance, some are as down to earth as you or me. And other than the occassional self-absorbed management person who thinks they are King, the gig can be quite interesting and entertaining. (Give some folks a walkie-talkie and a little power and it goes right to their head.)

Fans are very insistent and very creative from time to time in their quest to make contact with their favorite singer or group. You learn quickly how to read body language--and if you're smart, how to maintain control of the situation and how to persuade people to do what they should be doing in the first place. When people lie their body tends to give them away. Most people are good-natured and mean the act no harm, but you can't make that assumption and drop your guard. You wouldn't believe who has legitimate stalkers out there trying to come in contact with them. Who knows what they have in mind.

So the next time you attend a concert and those hulking security people look a little too intense, they may be observing you and those around you, and for a very good reason. After all, it's what they are paid to do: Be one part diplomat, one part defender. 99% of the time it's nothing more than standing there. And that's all right too.