It's April! Part II ~ Gavin DeGraw at House of Blues, Atlantic City

Sometimes I wonder about this concert writing ... after all, I've been to a lot of Gavin DeGraw concerts now.  What is there left for me to write about?  But every experience has been unique:  new people to meet or friends I'm meeting up with again, something new to discover in the music, a unique highlight that becomes the theme of that concert diary's entry.  Sometimes it's a cool venue.  Sometimes it's just an idea or feeling that comes during the waves of happiness that swirl about me while this man is singing.

Last Friday's show at the House of Blues in the Showboat Casino, Atlantic City had a couple of unique and memorable aspects. First of all, my mom came along for the ride!  I was going for the music and my mom had a good time checking out the hotel and casino.  It was also finally time to deliver drummer Ian O'Neill's birthday present from some of his fans.

If you're a fan of Gavin DeGraw and connected on Twitter, you probably know @GDGBirthday.  This twitter account is managed by a couple of dedicated, creative fans who help others of us celebrate and appreciate Gavin and the members of his band around the time of their birthdays.  They've organized us--this rather random, loosely gathered group of fans in the Twittersphere--to make a sizable donation to the Wounded Warrior Project for Gavin's birthday back in February.  This is a well-known veteran's charity that we know he supports.  For guitar master Billy Norris's birthday last fall we raised money to donate a selection of                      learner's guitars to the music school that was instrumental in the foundations of his music education in Tampa.  It was drummer Ian O'Neill's birthday last month while the band was out of the country.  This was the first opportunity for someone to "make contact."  I was sent the gift that @GDGBirthday had had specially made: a drumhead with thirty words we'd sent to celebrate Ian's many talents and engaging personality.  There were cards for him as well as belated cards for Gavin and his bass player, James Cruz who also recently had a birthday.  Putting the GS in @GSKath, I tucked lots of Girl Scout cookies into the packages.

After checking in, my Mom and I went in search of lunch.  Immediately we ran into Phyllis whom I'd met a while ago on Twitter and in person finally on Wednesday. The three of us walked over to the House of Blues restaurant which wasn't busy.  The hostess seated us immediately--at a table just across from Gavin and his tour manager, Chris Freeman.  Phyllis and I were so happy to see them and I was thrilled that my mom would get a glimpse of this guy who has a special place in my heart.  We didn't bother them--that's not how we roll.  I had a "meet and greet" later anyway so there would be time to have a little conversation then.  Phyllis managed a "hi Gavin" as they left the restaurant and he said hi back.  Then I think I started breathing again.  No kidding.

After lunch we parted ways, mom to enjoy the casino floor a little and Phyllis and I to get in line.  It was about 3 PM again.  Up to the House of Blues venue we went.  This sign was out front.  The instructions said we could line up an hour before the show.  Nice try HOB.  Security was there putting up rope lines so we chatted and found out that if you ate in the restaurant you were entitled to "skip the line" cards.  These entitled you to get in a line that "got in" first.  I dashed back to the restaurant to pick up cards and we were the first ones in the skip the line line.  Front row insurance.  This was a pleasant long wait--it was inside; there was a ladies' room right there; the security guys were friendly and helpful.  Once again the time went by much faster than you'd suppose given that we were standing there for four hours.  Courtney arrived and then we were eventually joined by fan friends from Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts.  Because that is how we roll--friendships formed through a common appreciation of this talented guy, his band and the music that brings us together whether in person or in cyber communities.

Boston, Virginia, NJ, Baltimore, PA, NJ 

Eventually the doors opened and we walked quickly to the front of the stage, arranging ourselves squarely in the center.  It would be an hour before the concert started and Courtney and I needed to plot the logistics of leaving our prime location for our meet and greet appointment.  With so many of us there to spread out and occupy our space, we were pretty confident we'd make it back.  This crowd was different as you needed to be over 21 or with your parents to be in the room.  There was no pushing.  There was, however, a lot of drinking.  And that made for some interesting moments as the night went on.

Before we knew it Rozzie Crane took the stage again.  She didn't impress me any more than she had the first night.  The only song that made any impression on me is one she wrote called "Crazy Ass Bitch" but I wasn't so "crazy" about it that I'd go out and buy it.  After Rozzie's set Courtney and I pushed through the crowd to report to the meet and greet location at the "merch" table.  We received the stuff that comes with the purchase of the meet and greet (poster, tote bag, laminate, tee shirt)--stuff that I usually don't want.  I just appreciate the opportunity to speak with him.  There were a lot of people--more than at my encounter last summer.  In the room that we found ourselves in, Gavin's "people" were ushering the line through very quickly.  I spotted Chris, the tour manger and I finally was able to give the bag of gifts to someone I knew would deliver it.  I finally started to relax a little.  Courtney and I were towards the end of the line.  I tried to compose myself and remember what I want to say.  Of course, I really have little idea of what I said.  I think we talked about the east coast tour dates.  Not at all what I had in mind.  Time was very tight.  He signed my copy of Free (the third album) and Chris took our picture.  He was warm and lovely as always.    Courtney had a photograph signed, her picture taken and then we gamely made our way back to the front row.

We'd missed most of Parachute's set.  As we settled back into our spots, we noted that a couple of people behind us were significantly more drunk.  Fortunately, they were more funny than obnoxious.  Jarrod, the husband of a fan (men on their own are in the minority at Gavin's shows--but they become fans through their girlfriends and spouses), was really drunk but quite entertaining.  The solo woman directly behind us--well she was a different story.  Suffice to say, our encounters with her were 'way too close.

Soon we had that first thrill of lowered lights, smoke and the shadowy figures of Billy, Ian, James and David finding their spots.  The opening chords of Make a Move announced that Gavin was taking the stage and our exciting ride, so familiar and yet so distinct to this evening, began.  Courtney, Phyllis and I had seen the show a couple of days earlier but Jenna, Nicole and Kris were seeing this new show for the first time.  It's relentless, in the best possible way.  Hard driving, sexy and highly energetic most of the time with quiet moments interjected so we can catch our breath with the plaintive beauty of songs like We Belong Together and Follow Through.  The set that Gavin and Billy have put together is like a feast.  It's carefully paced so we (and they) can enjoy each course on it's own but strung altogether they make up a whole experience that is greater than the parts.

We are all singing and trying to slow down time--wishing the night would never end.  The set covers so many favorite tunes--Gavin DeGraw standards like Chariot and Soldier--and very nearly every song from the current record.  As always, we are also captivated by his band.  Billy's brilliant solo in Every Little Bit makes my pulse race and I could listen to him play longer every time.  Gavin covers the stage from corner to corner, interacting with both the audience and his band in a seamless performance.  As usual, I'm transfixed.

When I let it, my mind wanders a little.  I wondered if Ian had received his gift and if he liked it and realized how appreciated and admired he is.  His performance, too, was wonderful.  When you've been to as many shows as I have, you begin to recognize the unique characteristics of each of the guys.  Ian is focused and driven.  Billy is equally intense, controlled and completely synced up with each person on the stage.  I don't mean musically ... they are consummate musicians so that's a given.  I mean I can sense the music director in him keying in on the vibe in the room and communicating with the other band members.  James has a steadiness and a deliberate, dependable quality that I imagine is essential in a bass player.  David, the "new guy," fits in well.  He appears laid back behind his fenced in bunker of keyboards.  But I've no doubt he's every bit as compulsively meticulous as the others.  Simply stated, when it comes to the band ... the word perfect gets tossed about a lot.

All too soon the first closing number "I Don't Want to Be" is being played.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who realizes this means the end is near.  It's too upbeat of a song to allow me to give in to my feelings of sadness that the end is in sight and so I ignore the ache and sing.  Lights are lowered and the stage is emptied but just for a minute.  Crew members reset a few mics and instruments and set the smoke and fog to rolling again.  Before we know it, the Billy, Ian, James and David take their places again and our Leading Man appears to give us "Leading Man."  Then Not Over You signals that this amazing experience is nearly over.  I do have trouble concentrating on his biggest hit because I'm acutely aware when the song is over, this concert is over.  As always, Gavin encourages us to sing the chorus after the bridge to him and we do.  This crowd, with fewer young people, manages to sing it pretty well.  After the song, Gavin thanks his band and performs some distinctly Gavin-like dance moves (nothing that you saw on Dancing With the Stars) and then he is gone.

We linger a bit, hoping that he'll come out and chat for a while.  And shortly, he does.  There are a lot of people on the right side of the stage and he signs autographs and speaks with them all.  We're patient but suddenly the schedule kicks in and Chris whisks him away.  However, I've had the answer to my wonderings. Ian opened the gift and sent his fans a message.  His Instagram thank you note was a thrill for me to read and I saw the drumhead get tucked by a crew member into the box that holds his "drum stuff."  Delivering Ian's gift was a highlight of this show for me.  These guys put so much positive energy into our world that it was a pleasure to be a part of letting this one in particular know how much he is loved.

Strolling around the casino, we actually had a hard time finding a place to have a drink and relive the evening, but eventually we do.  We see Chris and have a short conversation with him.  He's as charming and personable as everyone associated with Gavin.  He has surrounded himself with people who are much like him ... fun-loving, professional, caring and approachable.  Courtney has to drive home but Phyllis and I are staying over.  We grab some dinner at the only restaurant still open and I suppose it was about 3 AM when we finally turned in.  Twelve hours of magic.

The next morning my mom could tell I'd had an amazing night.  You'd think I was twelve as I enthusiastically fill her in on my latest concert adventure.  She seems genuinely happy that "Operation Birthday Gift" has gone so well.  We found a place for breakfast, visit the casino floor for a very few minutes and then head for home.  I don't like to impose my musical tastes on her but shortly after we head out, mom says she can't hear the music.  I'd had it playing very softly.  I respond I didn't want to make her listen to it if it wasn't her cup of tea.  She told me that it was okay--she liked it.  And that made me happier than anything could have.  

#Imseriously