We (my PIC, Phyllis, and I) started calling October the magic month. I often say I'm geographically blessed when it comes to concert attendance. Northern New Jersey is less than an hour from New York, less than three hours from Philadelphia, five hours from Boston ... we can be anywhere in less than a day's drive. Whomever booked the Andy Grammer/Gavin DeGraw tour scheduled so many shows within easy driving ... and we went to them all including some bonus magic at the end.
Why would I attend so many concerts by the same artist? It's hard to explain. If you know, you know. For me, it's because he changed my life and when I'm in the same room as he, whether he's the opening act or headlining, I'm the most fully alive that I think I've ever been. I feel things again. I'm clear about myself. I feel strong and confident and profoundly happy and all the stress of my "real" life tumbles away--not just for the hour of the show, but for days and weeks at a time.
And no, the shows aren't all the same. There are always surprises, on and off the stage. Because of the magic.
Even though October held the most magic, our story began in August with the opening night of the "DeGrammer" tour, in Bethel, New York. The site of the original Woodstock Festival proved to be the perfect place to start the magic. I was captivated by the Woodstock museum on the property and could have spent the entire day there remembering the music of that time and wondering at the extensive influence the event had for years after the festival. I was haunted in a romantic way by the ghosts of the space we were in since I'm old enough remember Woodstock and the history of the place was not lost on me.
Both Gavin (born nearby) and Andy (raised nearby) had lots of stories and memories to share (or overshare). They had lots of family and friends in attendance and the night felt very special with those ghosts and memories filling the air. The set lists of both artists were a fan's dream come true and Gavin's inclusion of a short acoustic interlude was a perfect surprise.
Our next show was in Shelbeyville, Delaware on the Maryland border. We had a relaxing drive down while listening to dreadful weather reports which, unfortunately were accurate. After spending the night in Ocean City, we learned the outdoor concert was cancelled due to Hurricane Hermine. We drove out of the area in high winds and rain but soon found ourselves under magical blue skies, looking forward to October. Even a cancelled show can be part of the adventure, the memories, the magic.
Gavin and Andy donuts from Broad Street Dough Co. in Oakhurst |
Right after Reading, Phyllis received the email. The magic email telling her that she'd won a trip to Las Vegas to see Gavin DeGraw in concert complete with a VIP meeting. Even more magic for me when she invited me to go with her. There were lots of details to be ironed out, paperwork she needed to complete and it would be a few days before the trip would be really confirmed. We began to make plans. Plans on top of the plans we already had.
A few days after the magic of Reading and prize-winning emails,
Kelly Ripa & Carrie Ann Inaba greeting Andy after his performance. |
The concert that night at the Hammerstein Ballroom was exciting. The sold-out crowd was a little pushy and we weren't in the front row (second row fabulous that night) but the kind front row nurses (they were all nurses) that we became friends with made room for this arthritic older fan and I leaned on the barricade for the last half of the show. Gavin surprised the crowd by added another new song from the latest album to the setlist: You Make My Heart Sing Louder. He told us it was his mom's favorite and dedicated his performance of it to her. Her love beamed back at him from where she stood in the balcony. Lots of our old friends were in attendance that night and we became fast friends with new people as well. As I've mentioned many times in this space, this is one of the magical benefits of following this singer--the friends I've made ... both in person and in social media. The concert that night was another beautiful example of the excitement and energy the filled the stage every night of this tour.
Thanking service men & women. |
Wrabel |
The day after the Boston getaway, Phyllis arrived for what we had thought would be the rest of the October shows ... Sayreville and Morristown in New Jersey and finally, Philadelphia.
High energy from the Andy Grammer crew. |
Front row for Gavin. |
Post show. |
I was so looking forward to the Morristown show. I grew up in Morristown and was excited for my favorite band to be in my favorite town in a theater where I watched movies in high school. I will confess we could have slept in, taken it slow since it was a seated show and no early lining up was necessary but we actually went to town for lunch and spent time in the park (more properly, "The Green" if you're from these parts) as the day was really beautiful and we thought our favorite guys might be out and about. They weren't and in fact, Gavin's bus was no where to be seen. Andy Grammer tweeted that he'd hidden tickets somewhere outside the theater so since no one else was looking for them, we did. Phyllis found them but our seats were better so she taped them back into the hiding place. They were still there after the show. Apparently no one in Morristown is on Twitter besides me. That was the night we heard Gavin was ill with a really bad upper respiratory infection. We watched as his bus pulled in without much time to spare. Stephen Wrabel was out on the sidewalk doing Facebook Live. We waited a few minutes and then struck up a conversation. It was nice to be able to tell him how much we enjoyed getting to know him and his music. We took some pictures and then it was time to go inside.
Phyllis takes a selfie with Greg. |
A heartfelt hug for a blast from the past. |
The next day we were off to Philadelphia--early since we had to stand in line. Despite the date (mid October), it was 80 degrees so the five hours we waited, chatting with the folks we were in line with were hot and steamy. The Fillmore is a unique venue with rusty old gates out front and a very modern vibe inside. Somehow we got separated while we were checking in. I wound up in the front row at the end of the stage but Phyllis and our friend, Rebecca, wound up towards the middle near the front. I need that rail, especially after so many late nights, long lines and hours of dancing. I could hear my knees protesting loudly. We loved this show too. It was fun to see looks of recognition from many of the guys in the band. After the show, when he came down to greet fans, Gavin asked me if I'd had a good time that night (of course!!) and I asked him how he was feeling. He was still pretty sick, he said (actually he said "I feel like crap.") Again, you'd never have known. If it's possible to admire him more, I do. Powering through those shows was probably difficult. I have had some experience with respiratory infections. I have no idea how he was singing through the pain of whatever was plaguing his lungs but he did. (Later we'd learn he'd contracted walking pneumonia. Towards the end of the tour he was so sick, he did have to cancel a couple of shows which must have been a very hard decision for him to make.)
Curtain call at the Fillmore. |
Our fall adventures were filled to the brim with our favorite music, chance meetings with some of our favorite artists, scheduled meetings with Gavin, renewing friendships and making new ones at every show with hugs and smiles and stories and photos. I had filled my tank with the energy that only comes from these experiences and the magic that accompanies them. Nearly a month later, the concert high lingers, the happiness permeates most every minute* and since there is another concert to come in December, there is more magic to come.
*the election results notwithstanding ...