from the audience.

A group of college friends decided to get together for a Dave Matthews concert last summer in Indiana.  A big group, headed "home" for an epic reunion. People flying in from all over the country for a chance to re-live the crazy-college days.  Definitely not a party to be missed.  Plus, I had just finished my first tour and was soaring off the freedom of unemployment.

A concert though. For fun?  In the last year, there had been to a lot of concerts.  In total: 71, plus, 2 awards shows, 4 TV specials, 4 festivals, and the opening of the World Cup.  Concerts everywhere.  Shows in such a variety of venues.  Backstage passes everywhere, because I was being paid to attend.  Well, I was being paid to build them.  It was work.  Sure, there was the occasional backstage pass to John Mayer I found from a roadie friend of a roadie friend, but overall shows meant work. The novelty wears off quickly.

But, why shouldn't I be able to celebrate music and summer with some friends?  It was too late to buy tickets, so I embraced the perks of the experience and got myself on the pass list.  That morning was craziness.  Coolers, outfit changes, liquor store runs, who will drive, more outfit changes, limo rentals, another beer run, who isn't here, get everyone here, we need to leave here to get there on time, sunglasses, solo cups, stop at the gas station for cigarette, stop at another gas station to use the bathroom, pay to park....and we're in.  And I thought putting on the show was a lot of work!

See, that's what I forget.  I think that's what all of us in entertainment forget.  This whole experience is suppose to be fun.  The audience wants  to be at these shows.  They plan ahead.  They coordinate groups and outfits and count down the days until they get to share in the experience.  An experience I have forgotten how to enjoy.

So, I set forth the challenge at the start of every run:  Take a moment to watch the show.  To watch the audience.  Take a breath.  Stop.  And remember how much fun this all should be.

going home.

Bill Holm once wrote “Humans travel to see their own homes more clearly.”  A beautiful truth.  Ask any kid home from their first time at camp.  The warmth of familiarity is intoxicating.  Waking up to family in the house. The smell of your laundry detergent.  The local coffee shop that knows exactly what you want and how you want it.  Little markers of belonging to a place. So many people don’t even notice these things day to day.  But spend some time away, and every aspect of home seems to be waiting with a warm embrace.  Even the angsty teenager at the grocery seems nod a welcoming under her pink hair and pierced eyebrow.   This is home.  It belongs to you, and everything has been waiting.

back-lounge* excerpt

"All these kids are going to be learning all this computer shit these days, so knowing about computer shit will stop being such a damn special thing."
"No way. The nerdy computer guys who really know computers will still be the same nerdy computer guys."
"Well.  Let's ask the kid."

They must be talking about me.  I haven't said anything in about seven minutes.  Four other guys have been rambling on about the local stage crew for far too long.  Plus, Family Guy is on behind Rabbit's head.
I happen to know "the president", as he's called, has one computer.  A 1998 PC Desktop he bought at a garage sale and keeps in his basement at home.  He also has an email he checks every three months or so for coupons from the guitar stings company.  They no longer send hard-copy coupons.  It's against new policy.  He had asked, once, to use my computer to access his "electronic-mail," only the MacBook was a little too much.  They sent free strings to the lead guitarist anyway.  No need for coupons.

"So, what'd you say?  Are you all too smart for your own good, or are there still nerds in the world?"
"I'm not a computer genius.  I mean, I know how to turn on a computer.  Like, I know Control +Alt + Delete can force quit a PC, but I don't know anything about coding or programing a system to actually cause a computer to force quit a frozen program."
"Well damn to shit. Looks like we lost that war."
"Yep. They are all nerds."



**unsure what I mean by "back-lounge"?  In brief, the lounge at the back of the tour bus, where groups can congregate and hang out.  But more on that later, so keep reading littlemissroadie.blogspot.com. Ok, you're right.  I'm sorry. That was most definitely a shame-less plug.