On Wednesday, July 25, 2012 I went out to the National in Richmond by myself to see my old favorites Michael Franti and Spearhead. I had debated buying tickets and unreasonably long time, because it was a Wednesday night and I had to work and I am unbelievably boring like that nowadays, but at some point the old me took a stand and said "screw you, you're going".
So I went. I grabbed a good drink as I walked in, and made my way to the front side stage. Small crowd due to the weeknight, but already could tell it would be a fun crowd. I made friends with a woman next to me who had won the poster contest for the night and had been back stage before the show. I was on my iphone and had posted on facebook joking that I would be getting on stage tonight. The show started with that energy that Spearhead shows are classic for. Everyone Deserves Music - one of my favorites.
A few songs in I left to get another drink. Contest lady saved my spot. Those drinks are very strong, funny how that happens when you drink doubles.
So about 4-5 songs in, they start playing "All I Need Is You" which is a great song, very sexy, but it's a slow song, which allows the ADD part of me a little window of "hey, I wonder what fascinating things are happening in my iphone" so I look down and start reading responses to my post on facebook. The post I'd made about getting on stage. And then it came to my attention that something was happening. I can't remember if someone tapped me on the shoulder or I just naturally looked up, but when I did, I saw Michael Franti on the end of the stage pointing to me and crooking his finger - come up here. I didn't hesitate, and that must have been the liquor. I knew I was busted.
In retrospect, it all happened in slow motion. I walked up the steps to the stage, he held out his hand and pulled me up. I just stood there, didn't know what to do. He walked up to the mic - I couldn't hear everything he said but I knew he was calling me out for "texting" during the show, and that we weren't going to text we were going to dance. Then he pulled me off to the side, and we danced. Together. All I remember is that smile. That gorgeous smile. I said "we've met before my friend". He probably couldn't hear me. He then walked back to the mic and continued singing "All I Need Is You" - get it - all he needs is me, to get off my damn phone and pay attention. He turned and motioned to me to come to him, so I did, and we put our arms around each other. He was sweaty and gross and glorious. It was about in that moment that I realized in my vodka induced haze that I was on stage. With Michael Franti. With a whole hell of a lot of people staring at me. He then said something else into the mic, and asked what my name was - I sad KC and he said "give it up for KC". I then quickly got off stage.
The rest of the night was a blur. A high from the moment, people coming up to me and saying things about me being on stage. Vodka. It really was a bit too much for a drunk introvert to take in. I'm now convinced I looked like a fool, and just stood there like a dumbass. But man, what a story..
Showing posts with label Richmond. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Richmond. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Marc Broussard, Richmond, VA 8.16.06
My night as a wanna-be roadie..
Tonight I volunteered to work the merchandise booth for Marc Broussard. For those of you who have never checked him out, I cannot recommend him enough. He's from Louisiana and is what good old fashioned Southern Rock is all about. I simply love every single song on his Carencro album. He was performing tonight as the opener for Umphrees McGee and Bela Fleck.
I arrived at the show not really knowing what to expect. It's really just a tiny stage in the middle of a gravel parking lot, with a small segregated seating area and then people with lawn chairs and standing in the back. I arrived and picked up my ticket from the Guest List. I asked for the merchandise manager, Brian, who turned out to be an insanely adorable little guy. He told me to go enjoy Marc's set and then meet back afterward. Turns out the ticket I had was "Gold Circle" which meant I could go into the seating area and sit right there in front row. Marc is a genuine little rock star and I loved his set. Looking around, there was only maybe 50-100 people there that early.. Bela Fleck sat in for a song and I am convinced he and I had a little moment.. :)
When the set was over I went to the booth, which was set up within feet of the stage. Brian explained the merchandise and gave me a wad of money and then went on his way. The night was perfect weather, and perfect for people-watching.. my favorite stories of the night:
One of the first guys to come up was proclaiming how amazing Marc was, how he was blown away. He bought a CD for his girlfriend, then asked for a t-shirt. "Twenty dollars," I said. He handed me a wad of money and said "keep it, keep all my money, give it to him, he's amazing." I open the wad and sure enough there's a $20 along with several ones and fives.
Absolutely stereotypical hippie boy with the loose clothing and tye-die and dreadlocks comes up and asks to use my pen. He's getting the phone number of another guy and I listen to his conversation. He is in law school at UVA. I mention I live in Cville and we get into a long conversation. He says how proud he is to have been accepted into UVA and how it took him 6 years and how he will be a first generation college graduate from his family. He owns his own home and has some investments and hopes to be able to open his own practice one day. In the end, he thanked me for being so hospitable. Yet another reminder that you can't judge a book by it's cover. Oh! And the guy who he was talking to? His email addy is bikerslutt. I asked him if he puts that on his employment applications. He said yes. I told him we laugh at him.
Drunk guy walks up and asks me to get him some beer coupons. I tell him I have no idea what he's talking about. He goes on to tell me how much he likes Marc but he really came for Umphrees McGee. He LOVEEEES Umphrees McGee, he exclaimed. I leaned in close.
"Do you really,LOVE Umphrees McGee?"
"Yes!"
"Well, you may be interested to know they're standing right next to you."
The guys backs up like he thinks I am crazy, but when he looks around and actually realizes those guys were indeed standing right next to me signing stuff for people, his mouth dropped open - "OH SHIT!" lol
All in all, it was quite the fun experience. I was a bit put off by the fact that Marc walked around a lot after his set - went and got beer, in fact, but never came up to the booth. I would think he would just to sell more merchandise, but also to maybe shake the hand of the fan who volunteered to work for him for a night? But maybe I expect too much...
Umphrees McGee and some of Bela's people were around a lot. Too bad I couldn't have picked them out of a crowd. I actually had people asking my permission to go up to the artists. Of course, I had a power trip and told them no.... ;) Just kidding!
The encore of the show, with all three bands on stage, was amazing. Me and the merchandise guys for the other bands were dancing our butts off. Brian came in and out during the show and we chatted some. He told me stories of going out with the band, and we compared notes from him visiting Louisiana for Mardi Gras. At the end, we settled up money-wise and he told me I could take any merchandise I wanted.. I just settled for a couple live recordings.
And thus fulfilled my dream of working on a tour!
Tonight I volunteered to work the merchandise booth for Marc Broussard. For those of you who have never checked him out, I cannot recommend him enough. He's from Louisiana and is what good old fashioned Southern Rock is all about. I simply love every single song on his Carencro album. He was performing tonight as the opener for Umphrees McGee and Bela Fleck.
I arrived at the show not really knowing what to expect. It's really just a tiny stage in the middle of a gravel parking lot, with a small segregated seating area and then people with lawn chairs and standing in the back. I arrived and picked up my ticket from the Guest List. I asked for the merchandise manager, Brian, who turned out to be an insanely adorable little guy. He told me to go enjoy Marc's set and then meet back afterward. Turns out the ticket I had was "Gold Circle" which meant I could go into the seating area and sit right there in front row. Marc is a genuine little rock star and I loved his set. Looking around, there was only maybe 50-100 people there that early.. Bela Fleck sat in for a song and I am convinced he and I had a little moment.. :)
When the set was over I went to the booth, which was set up within feet of the stage. Brian explained the merchandise and gave me a wad of money and then went on his way. The night was perfect weather, and perfect for people-watching.. my favorite stories of the night:
One of the first guys to come up was proclaiming how amazing Marc was, how he was blown away. He bought a CD for his girlfriend, then asked for a t-shirt. "Twenty dollars," I said. He handed me a wad of money and said "keep it, keep all my money, give it to him, he's amazing." I open the wad and sure enough there's a $20 along with several ones and fives.
Absolutely stereotypical hippie boy with the loose clothing and tye-die and dreadlocks comes up and asks to use my pen. He's getting the phone number of another guy and I listen to his conversation. He is in law school at UVA. I mention I live in Cville and we get into a long conversation. He says how proud he is to have been accepted into UVA and how it took him 6 years and how he will be a first generation college graduate from his family. He owns his own home and has some investments and hopes to be able to open his own practice one day. In the end, he thanked me for being so hospitable. Yet another reminder that you can't judge a book by it's cover. Oh! And the guy who he was talking to? His email addy is bikerslutt. I asked him if he puts that on his employment applications. He said yes. I told him we laugh at him.
Drunk guy walks up and asks me to get him some beer coupons. I tell him I have no idea what he's talking about. He goes on to tell me how much he likes Marc but he really came for Umphrees McGee. He LOVEEEES Umphrees McGee, he exclaimed. I leaned in close.
"Do you really,LOVE Umphrees McGee?"
"Yes!"
"Well, you may be interested to know they're standing right next to you."
The guys backs up like he thinks I am crazy, but when he looks around and actually realizes those guys were indeed standing right next to me signing stuff for people, his mouth dropped open - "OH SHIT!" lol
All in all, it was quite the fun experience. I was a bit put off by the fact that Marc walked around a lot after his set - went and got beer, in fact, but never came up to the booth. I would think he would just to sell more merchandise, but also to maybe shake the hand of the fan who volunteered to work for him for a night? But maybe I expect too much...
Umphrees McGee and some of Bela's people were around a lot. Too bad I couldn't have picked them out of a crowd. I actually had people asking my permission to go up to the artists. Of course, I had a power trip and told them no.... ;) Just kidding!
The encore of the show, with all three bands on stage, was amazing. Me and the merchandise guys for the other bands were dancing our butts off. Brian came in and out during the show and we chatted some. He told me stories of going out with the band, and we compared notes from him visiting Louisiana for Mardi Gras. At the end, we settled up money-wise and he told me I could take any merchandise I wanted.. I just settled for a couple live recordings.
And thus fulfilled my dream of working on a tour!
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