Gavin DeGraw in Central Park (A SummerFun Chapter)

At first I was impatient.  When the dates were announced for the summer tour--#SummerTour14--I didn't think I'd last until August, when my local shows were scheduled.  But as it turns out, the anticipation has been half the fun.  Reading posts, checking out pictures, watching videos from friends who have been attending concerts all summer long has been almost nightly fun.  I think I've known a couple of people at least at every show.  I'll be seeing Gavin along with Matt Nathanson, who is co-headlining this tour, and Andrew McMahon, who opens for them, a few times over the next two and a half weeks.  I can't wait for the adventures to begin but I dread the moment the last song is sung.

photo credit @jbjlover86

The SummerStage in Central Park is the first concert on my schedule.  I'm meeting friends from as far away as California, Pittsburgh and Buffalo along with those of us in the greater New York/New Jersey area.  The NJ contingent met at the Port Authority having arrived by car, bus and train. The SummerStage was an easy cab ride away and it was just after noon when we arrived at the gate to the venue.  Five hours to go until the gates would open.  Six hours until showtime.  There were 11 people ahead of us.  Mission accomplished.  Front row secured.  

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

It's April! Part I ~ Gavin DeGraw in Sayreville

It's finally April and Gavin DeGraw has made his way to the East Coast after playing elsewhere in the U.S. and all over Europe since February.  I can feel my nerves tingling and my heart beating faster as I make the short drive down to the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville in Central New Jersey.  I've taken a half day off from work in order to get in the line for this general admission show early. Early today means 3 PM for an 8 PM show.  That's what we do...

As always I've met some fun people--all younger than I--in line.  Most are seeing him for the first time tonight.  We compared thoughts and "favorites" for a while--there were only about 6 or so of us there for quite a while.  My concert buddy, Courtney, arrived and joined me on line. Suddenly Gavin was spotted near the buses.  My new young friends dashed around the corner of the venue while I held their places in line.  They'd never met him and I have a few times.  They returned, all smiles, thrilled with the new pictures on their phones.  Courtney and I started around the corner but he was on his way back to the bus while explaining that there was an interview waiting (you can read it here).

So we settled into the line and the wait.  Three hours to go before the doors would open. Kelly was dropped off and then Phyllis arrived, more fan friends. As usual, I marvel to myself that I've connected with so many wonderful people through this man's music.  It's a richness that I appreciate as much as any other aspect of this new concert-going addiction I have.  Amazingly, this time before a show always seems to pass by quickly--at least it does for me.  Shortly before 7 venue personnel came out to wristband us and check ID's. There was another line of folks on the opposite side of the entrance who'd paid a premium price for parking in advance.  They were the first to enter the venue.  So, despite having waited 4 hours in the April chill and being the 3rd, 4th and 5th people in line, we were not in the coveted front row.  Not only that, the room had a lot of young people who were very pushy (shades of the Paramount, back in December).  It was uncomfortable.

Another hour went by and finally the opening act appeared on the darkened stage.  Her powerful voice cut through the darkness; the lights sparked on and a young lady with a bit of a band stood singing on the stage.  Rozzie Crane is the first singer signed to Adam Levine's new record label.  She sang well but she reminded me of someone else ... I've yet to figure out who that is.  I can't say that I'm sure she's the next best thing despite having Adam Levine behind her.  I find it really hard to judge singers who are just starting out unless they are very unique and special.  Rozzie sang 5 songs to warm up the room.

The second opening act, Parachute, had a lot of fans in the crowd.  They have two or three albums and EPs out so they've had some exposure.  I'd downloaded their latest album, Overnight, and listened a handful of times.  It's a good record.  One member of the band plays saxophone and I always love when the instrumentation includes more than the basic four.  They were high energy and included a cover of Bruce's Dancing in the Dark which is always a dependable way to impress a New Jersey audience. There were 7 songs on their set list.

An odd thing about this tour is that if you are a holder of VIP tickets to meet Gavin, you miss the Parachute set (or most of it) while waiting to chat with Gavin.  You also lose whatever space you had claimed in the crowd because the moment you leave your spot, people fill in from behind.  It seems rather unfair that the people who've paid nearly triple the price of the general admission ticket miss hearing one of the bands and are relegated to the back of the room once they've met Gavin.  When you're paying that much, you should be allowed to be close to the stage.  Phyllis had a meet and greet ticket so we did not see her again until after the show.  I was worried about this arrangement as I had VIP tickets for two more shows on this tour.

No time to stress though--all right that's not quite true.  I was slightly stressed over all the talking, loud singing and pushing that was happening all around me.  But all anxiety vanishes when first his band and then Gavin take the stage.  He's as generous a performer as ever--giving everything he has and leaving nothing behind.

David & Billy backing up Gavin.

Talking about Billy Joel

I love the set list for this show. From the opening title track of the current album, Make a Move through the older hits and other songs from this record, I'm spellbound, hearing them live.  Every song he's singing this time out, I count as a favorite (except for Rumor Has It by Adele, that is; I don't care for that song very much.  He does, however, sing it incredibly well.)  There are some very special moments like his bringing back some older songs (We Belong Together and More Than Anyone) and his talking about his childhood idol, Billy Joel, and then singing Always A Woman.  Rumor Has It is paired with his new song Every Little Bit which has a similar driving beat and sexy vibe.  Always A Woman is paired with the gorgeous and equally sentimental I Want to Be Where You Are.  Both are perfect pairings like a fine wine with the perfect entree.  It occurs to me as I write this that this is an apt comparison given that Billy Norris, Gavin's musical director, is a wine aficionado as well as a stellar musician.

The audience was singing along to everything.  I was surprised that the youngest ones in the room knew songs from the first album.  They were probably only 5 years old when it came out.  Their chanting and pushing continued all night and I wondered what the point of security was if not to curtail this rudeness.  But mostly my mind never strayed from the stage.  Gavin seems to enjoy it (I imagine all songwriters do) when the audience sings to him.  It must be amazingly gratifying to hear your artistic endeavors being given back to you by a thousand people.  He's always so appreciative of this.

James Cruz on bass.

The night passes by far too quickly. I'm excited to hear Finest Hour live for the first time.  Since I'm on the older end of his demographic, I have lots of "finest hours" committed in memories.  I don't know what others are thinking when they hear it, but I see a lot of my youth flashing before my eyes and I feel pretty nostalgic for spontaneous adventures which rarely happen these days.   He closes with his huge hit I Don't Want to Be.

Ian O'Neill

The first encore was Leading Man.  I would love to sit down for five minutes with him and ask him the true meaning behind a few of these lyrics and where they came from.  Or perhaps, it's more fun to weave my own interpretation through his words.  Either way it's an outrageously good song and his performance is spectacular.  He closes, as always, with Not Over You.  I'm always slightly sad when I hear the beginning chords of NOY.  It means this bliss I've been experiencing is coming to a close.

But I'm lucky.  There are two more shows within a 5-day period for me.  So as sad as I am for this evening to end, I'm already looking forward to Friday and Monday.  Courtney and Phyllis and I will meet again in Atlantic City.  Kelly and I have a show together later on in May.  I drop Kelly at her place and head north for home.  The concert high keeps me awake past 3 and I arrive at work the next day having had about 2 hours' sleep.  But the energy I absorb at a Gavin DeGraw concert always fuels me for days. 

Who needs sleep?

~~~~~

Experience Leading Man the way I did.  This is where I was also standing.  Thanks for sharing this video MedicoMG!

Walk Journals: The Winter Walks

Making Tracks ...

Not so many walks this winter--weather and road conditions have been less than cooperative.  I've lost track of the number of snowstorms we've had but we've used six snowdays at school this year so there's six right there.  We stayed open during a couple snowy days and there was at least one snowy weekend.  I've had to content myself with shoveling for my workouts.  As it turns out, shoveling is counted as an activity in my Weight Watchers app (10 minutes of shoveling equals 1 point) so the hours spent clearing away light fluffy flakes, water-laden slush and shards of ice have counted for something (besides aching muscles).

But ... a few days were above 22 degrees (my bottom threshold for spending a couple hours outside) or were dry enough or had a brilliant sun that lured me out to see what my world had to offer.  

And there was plenty to see and admire and wonder about.  The Rockaway River was spectacular locked in ice in January.  With many consecutive days failing to reach over ten degrees, she had frozen in several places from shore to shore, pushing ice over the banks and encasing everything in her path in a glassy coating.  The January sunsets cast an orange and pink glow in the winter sky that failed to warm despite the flushed hues.  But they do bear the promise of warmer times to come.  These days before the huge snows were such a gift.  The paths in the parks were still passable and sidewalks were clear.



 There were a couple of nice days that allowed for walking across the highway to Indian Lake. 

It's always been amazing to me how the days really do grow longer after December 21.  I mean, I know they do but in the depths of winter, it sometimes feels like it's never going to get light again.  But every minute of light counts and the slightly longer daylit days of January also speak of the promise of spring--and allow for longer walks making visiting the lake a real possibility.  Once upon a time, there was a New Year's Day skating party on this lake (we lived a block from the little beach at the time).  The lake was frozen clear across and the day was brilliant.  I remember we skated limbo-fashion under this bridge, the entrance to Lenape Island, a tiny miniature island with maybe a dozen homes where I'd dearly love to live.  We skated for hours and hours that day.  It's one of my fondest memories of our little cottage by the lake.

Where the water from Indian Lake spills over a little dam into a lagoon, the water wasn't frozen.  These swans were captivating.  This is the first time I've seen swans in the dead of winter.  We have several different pairs that stop by in October for a few weeks on their route to their winter homes in the south and then return for a few weeks, usually in March, on their way north again.  Perhaps I've never been in the right place or maybe this is the first time a few stuck around for a New Jersey winter.

This sign has been on Franklin Road near the little beach bridge for quite a while now.  Whatever road work the town has been doing here seems to be stalled and I can't help but thinking that is a metaphor for this winter.  With all the snow and ice, there've been no end to the bumps and slow going.  Or maybe it's a metaphor for those rough, icy patches in life.  Some of the winter walks have been like that ... 

Slip sliding ...

and it's all night.*

We all have our bumps in the road and icy patches that cause us to slip and slide.  This is why I love these walks so much:  they often cause me to reflect on the evident connections that are to be made between the walking and the living, between the sights I see and the memories they trigger, between the ups and downs, the rough and the smooth going--it's obvious, I know, but that whole "journey" idea has been bubbling close to the surface the last year or two.

Before the snow got too deep, walks to the pond were possible too.  Lately, even the sidewalks that far up the road have been impassable but a few weeks ago, if I set out early enough I could make it up that far before sunset.  The pond seems so plain in this state ... no sturdy lily pads, no waving grasses, no ducks, geese, dragonflies or frogs jumping out of the danger of my footfalls.  But there is a sort of forlorn beauty in the starkness of the bare trees, the dark reflections and the encroaching ice.  

I keep thinking I need some new places to walk.  I've walked these roads and paths so often, photographed the river, the lake, the pond from almost every angle and in all types of light.  But the truth is, I love these places and visiting them in every season, in all types of weather, on sunny days and dreary ones--it all recharges me.  They're my places and are important parts of that more recent journey of the past couple of years.  I will find some new places to walk but these local spots--they'll always be my favorites.

~~~

*if you've read these pages before, you'd have guessed this is a Gavin DeGraw lyric and you'd be right:  Leading Man

Winter playlist, eclectic sampling:

Hot Chelle Rae - Don't Say Goodnight
Pharrell Williams - Happy (or if you have 24 hours to spare ... 24 hours of Happy,) 
Joey DeGraw - Miracle of the Mind

Concert Diaries Chapter 18 ~ Leading Man

I'm rather impatiently waiting for December holiday concerts and acutely aware of how lucky I am because I have two concerts in December on top of the several times I've seen Gavin DeGraw already this year.  I have no business being impatient.  I should just enjoy this time of anticipation.

And there is much to enjoy while waiting for the next round of concerts.  There's been lots of promotion of the new album, Make A Move, so there've been glimpses of our Leading Man here and there and everywhere since the summer tour ended.

There have been some fun interviews like this one that was live on Cambio:  Room Temperature Cheese.  I love his recent observations about how supportive the mainstream music community has become and how there is less competition and more collaboration lately.  It was so evident during the Train tour this summer and at the WPLJ summer blastoff where Gavin and Ed Sheeran got together for the first time.  And I like cheese at room temperature best too.

The interviews from the brief trip to Europe were good.  It seemed like a different place every day and the performances and talks with radio and other media personnel made each day of that week a little special.  I liked this one:  I Failed Algebra.  "If it doesn't rhyme, it's not a song.  So  .... at the end of the day it's this version of sociology and psychology.  It sort of an uneducated version. And that's songwriting."

This interview with CBS where he talks more about the songwriting process sheds light on all the cowriting he decided to do for this album despite the weirdly worded questions from the interviewer--"Was it hard to relinquish the creative process?"  What artist relinquishes the creative process?  He's good though--he answers her with details about what it's like in the give and take of writing with another person.  He also explains, I think to those fans who were disappointed that this record wasn't in the vein of Chariot or Free, why an artist needs to grow and try new approaches.  

There have been lots of US television performances with more to come.  The day the record was released Gavin was on the Today Show.  I love how they played "We Belong Together" during the introduction.  Somebody on Kathie Lee and Hoda's staff is pretty familiar with his discography.  I'm kind of sorry I didn't go into the City and hang out that day.  I also loved the amount of camera time James Cruz had on this stop.

Then there was his ill-fated co-hosting appearance on The View when the hosts wouldn't let him get a word in.  Charming as ever, though, Gavin just rode with it and allowed those five women to cut him off and talk over him.  Frustrating for the rest of us who had thought this would be an hour-long opportunity for everyone else to get to know him.  The cooking segment with his friend Sheri Shepherd was funny though and he sang Best I Ever Had Again and kissed Barbara Walters.

Last week he appeared on the Rachel Ray Show, with an acoustic performance of Best I Ever Had.  His parents were in the audience that day.  Hearing him speak about his close knit family is one of my favorite topics of his.  I admire how he wears his heart on his sleeve where they are concerned.

I've decided that one thing that really irritates me is the rather fake way that TV hosts clap along to guest musicians.  It just looks odd.  Their "enthusiasm," I think, achieves the opposite of what they're intending.  Rather than appearing to be fans, they appear clueless.  They should just be more natural. That over-the-top flamboyant act is embarrassing.

With paralympic alpine skier Alana Nichols.

How about this...  Gavin performing in Times Square 100 days out in front of the Sochi Winter Olympic Games.  There was literally no notice of this appearance or I'd definitely have take the day off and headed into New York.  His gorgeous anthem, Everything Will Change, has been selected as the US Olympic Team's song--a completely fitting choice.

Hey, before it gets too late,

Before the night is over, before the world's awake,

Everything will change.

Hey, I feel it coming on

Starting like a fire, tonight you lit the flame

Everything will change.

Last night there was this appearance on the Conan O'Brien Show.  I think this must have been the television debut of the new single Make A Move.  And by the time I hit the "publish" button on this post, he'll have reprised the performance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.  Earlier tonight Direct TV broadcasted an episode of Guitar Center Sessions featuring Gavin and the band.  Beautiful direction and sound in this and I loved the Behind the Scenes interview.  And he's not terrible on the guitar.  He has to stop saying that.  He's really pretty good.

More to look forward to:  Riding on a float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.  He's participated in the parade in the past.  2004, actually. A friend and I were chatting on twitter this week and concluded he must really hate lip syncing in these situations--he's such a consummate live performer.  Then in early December an appearance on the hysterical NBC game show, Hollywood Game Night, hosted by Jane Lynch.  It's a perfect show for him and I think he'll have a blast doing it.

So ... no concerts on the East Coast right now ... but lots to tide me and my fellow fangirls/guys over until we find our way to live events.  I feel my patience returning.

~~~

A fan made this video montage for Leading Man, the last song on the new album.

A few of weeks ago I had a fun twitter exchange with Jim Shearer, the host of the Saturday morning show VH1 Top 20.  The video for Best I Ever had been entering that chart at the time and our back and forth tweets resulted in this:  A little fun with Jim Shearer . Oh, and for the record, I did not "yell" at him like that ... Bottom line:  I've now had both my quasi radio and television debuts thanks to Gavin DeGraw.  Loosely speaking, of course.  Really loosely speaking.

Earlier this afternoon, I felt
the need to straighten out
the racks at Walmart.

Pretty happy when he shows
up in my living room.