Concert Diaries ~ Chapter 28: On the Road Again, Finally

Hello.  My name is Katherine and it's been 258 days since my last Gavin DeGraw concert.  That's a really long stretch for me since discovering this music that virtually changed my life.  I'd been used to averaging nearly a concert a month, having seen him 34 times in 36 months until last July.  July 23, 2015, to be specific.

Other fans seem impressed by that number but live music junkies know that numbers are meaningless; you just go because you have to.  And where you live has a lot to do with it anyway:  I live outside New York.  I can be in Boston, Philadelphia, Manhattan and all points between in a matter of hours.  I can be in upstate New York, farther down South and well into the Midwest within a fun road trip's drive.  I'm lucky geographically.

So when the nearest concert during my "personal Gavin DeGraw drought" was announced for Raleigh, North Carolina, it wasn't much of a decision.  Yes, a closer concert was also announced.  But it wouldn't be until June during graduation week at the school where I work and one does not ask for days off during graduation week.  Then there was one in my birth-town, but a trip to visit family and friends had already been planned for a couple weeks after.  One doesn't drive 12 hours to another country twice in two weeks.  So Raleigh it was.

But this concert was happening relatively soon.  April 8.  And so we, Phyllis and I, set out as planned, at 4 AM.  After a quick coffee stop, we made our way to the New Jersey Turnpike, successfully navigating a pre-dawn detour.  It's pretty well a straight shot from Northern New Jersey to Raleigh, including the beltways around Washington and Richmond.  The only traffic we encountered was the morning rush getting around DC.  It was so easy that the driver (me) could relax a little and enjoy the trip.  The bare early spring of New Jersey gave way to budding maples, cherries and crabapples the further south we went.  Naturalized daffodils along the roadways were waking up to a beautiful sunrise which I could see glowing coral in my rearview mirror.  It was a beautiful ride.  And that includes the completely predictable playlist that we were never without.  Everything Gavin ever recorded plus Train, Andy Grammar, Pete Yorn ... During long rides like this, I sometimes wish my daily commute was longer than my 7 minutes.  It takes three songs to get to work.  Some days,  I need more.

Photo credit: Phyllis

With a couple stops to check my home phone for teachers calling out sick (it was a Friday and while, as a 12-month employee, I do get days off, as the substitute scheduler, I'm always on duty without exception), stops for gas (the first while we were still in Jersey so these Jersey girls would have one less time to stress over pumping) and more coffee (because ... road trip, more coffee), we arrived in Raleigh within about 10 hours or so.  The hotel in downtown Raleigh was lovely and close to our ultimate destination, the Red Hat Amphitheatre.  It was marathon weekend and the hotel was filled with runners and their families.  The concert we'd shortly be attending was a part of the Marathon festivities.

I needed lunch and a little something to celebrate our arrival so we found the restaurant, a really warm and welcoming spot called Jimmy V's Osteria + Bar, named for basketball coach Jimmy Valvano.  A portion of their profits is donated yearly to the cancer foundation that bears his name which I found uniquely impressive for a restaurant.  The flatbread with fontina, fig, pear, proscuito and arugala and a glass of prosecco was just what I needed.  We ran into friends and fan family from Boston to Charlotte all over the hotel.  We know each other from previous shows, social media and as friends of friends (and often, friends of those friends).  It's a big fan family tree with branches all over the globe so meeting up at concerts often takes on the feeling of a family reunion--even when meeting for the first time.

One of our family had come up with the idea of sending a welcome basket of fruit to the venue for our favorite band.  It was such a good idea; those of us on the East Coast had not seen them in quite a while (some much longer than others) and it was so nice to have this opportunity to let them know we were excited for their performance and for their having brought us all together.  We were each in our rooms getting ready when the "thank you" arrive via Twitter and Instagram.  We didn't expect this shout out but were so happy to know that they'd received it.  And, who doesn't like chocolate dipped fruit?  Thanks to @TidewaterTina for making the arrangements for this! And thanks to Michael Baker (Gavin's drummer) for letting us know they'd received the gift.

Our tickets were for General Admission which meant we needed to be at the venue early to land in our coveted front row position.  Consequently, we headed over to the venue around 5 PM even though the doors wouldn't open until 7 and the show wouldn't start until 8.  We had VIP tickets which meant (we were told) early entry (less competition for the front row) and some free drinks.  I don't drink at concerts for a lot of reasons so for me it was all about front row.  We passed the time reminiscing, meeting (for the first time) people we "knew" from various social media platforms and making new friends.  It was several minutes after 7 PM when they finally opened the gates and we made our way to the front.  The ushers motioned us to small tables set aside in a separate section for the VIP guests where we'd be waited on during the show.  It was behind the standing room area next to the stage.  I think they were astounded when we passed on the seating and the drinks.  Who wants to sit at this concert?  Who would pay extra to sit behind the crowd?  We raced by and went straight to the front row.  However, the delay in opening the gate at our VIP entrance meant that the early entry advantage didn't happen.  I wasn't in my favorite spot.  But front row is front row and we all settled in to wait for the opening acts.  Another hour or so to go.

Jason Adamo

As so often happens when I'm out at a Gavin DeGraw concert, the opening acts were really good and I found new music (new-to-me music) to be excited about.  The first band, the Jason Adamo Band, was a local Raleigh favorite.  Jason is a singer/songwriter who's worked in Nashville and he won me over completely.  Before I'd reached home I'd download his recent EP and ordered his album, Transitor.  His full, rich sound with great backing vocals by members of his band and two divine back-up singers was beautiful and his Nashville vibey sensibility, totally up my alley.  I wholeheartedly recommend checking him out wherever you buy music.

Marc Scibilia

The next singer was Marc Scibilia, whom I'd heard of but not yet had the opportunity to listen to.  He brought so much energy to the stage that photographs were all but impossible.  He's currently from Nashville with roots in upstate New York, much like Gavin.  He was also really good and I downloaded some of his music as well.  See links to both Marc and Jason below.

This is one of my favorite by-products of buying tickets to see/hear bands I like:  discovering new or new-to-me music and expanding my music library and experience.  It's how I heard Rachel Platten (at Andy Grammar before she was famous) and Michael Franti (who was huge but I'd not heard of him) and Oh Honey who were, in my opinion, more interesting than the band they opened for.  It's how I discovered the smooth voice of Javier Colon (because I didn't watch The Voice back when he'd won it), Jaida Dreyer, Andrew McMann and so many more. It's amazing to me how music just keeps on giving.

So the first hour plus was wonderful and I knew it could only get better.  The lighting for the show was a bit off.  Only those in the center of the stage were lit and Jason Adamo's band was big so several members played completely in the dark on the right and left.  We were standing on the right side of the stage and I had the feeling that bassist James Cruz and drummer, Mike Baker would be unseen between the sun having gone down and the poor lighting.  I could only hope that Gavin would cover the stage as he usually does and the follow spot would get his band members once in a while.

When he took the stage, I felt every nerve relax.  Nothing in my life has quite the same effect as this man and his music.  Every worry, anxiety, every ache is replaced by pure happiness.  We'd heard he might be under the weather, but you'd never have known.  And even though the temperature had dropped considerably, between the warmth of Gavin's performance and the warmth returned by the crowd, I was completely unaware of how cold it really was.  It was a familiar set list ... something of a combination of his opening set for Shania Twain last year with some selections from the Europe run of last fall and other favorites.  He did cover the stage as I'd known he would and so there were occasional clear sightings of band members.  The sound from the unusually large number of speakers was almost numbing in the front row but I like that.  When the bass and drums can be felt in my chest and the music overtakes every other sound in the crowd, it's like I'm completely one with the music.  I know this is so for other live music fans, no matter the band or genre.  The live music feeling, especially at or near the front, is like no other.

I was secretly hoping for a new song.  It's been well advertised that Gavin is working on a new album and I've been privileged to be at world premier music twice in the past.  But this was not to be the case this time and I'm content to patiently wait for finished product, hopefully some time in the Fall.

I know a lot of people are excited to hear their favorite songs.  But I don't have a favorite.  The magic (or genius) of Gavin's music for me is that every song has a meaning for me.  And I never get tired of any of them.  There's not one that I "skip" when listening at home or in the car.  So as song after song rolls on, I fall deeper and deeper into my cocoon of joy--barely aware of the thousands of people around me.  I take far fewer pictures these days than I used to do.  But I still take some, and by some, I mean quite a lot; but no where near the hundreds that used to be my norm.  I'm much more focused on enjoying the therapy that hearing Gavin perform live affords me.  Because that's what this has come to mean.  I am reset, rebooted, realigned--whatever metaphor works--after hearing Gavin in concert.

The encores and curtain call signal the end.  Gavin uses this opportunity to reintroduce the band and thank his fans and those who were in attendance for the first time.  He's very appreciative of his public support always.

Afterwards, we lingered to speak with friends and take a couple of pictures.  We meandered around a bit before noticing that Gavin had come out to greet the crowd.  As he walked up and down the barrier he gave his full attention to each person he spoke with.  He took pictures with whomever asked and had a mini surprise reunion with a former neighbor from his childhood.  I'm always in awe of his ability to make a person feel like the only one in the area when he's speaking to you even though there are hundreds of people around.  It's a gift I wish I had; I'm working on it.  That ability to give a person your full attention and concentration.  It's truly a gift.  I can hear him saying "Thank you for that," "I appreciate that," and the other phrases he murmurs to people in these crowds.  He hugs some; high fives others.  He is generally this generous with his time until venue management or his tour manager pull him away as was the case on this night.

I had concert afterglow as we walked the chilly two blocks back to the hotel.  The bar was barely open when we got back but we managed to have a round of drinks, a small group of new and old friends.  Then upstairs to reminisce and catch up with some of my first internet friends for a while.  I had a hard time falling asleep in the wee hours of the morning.  There was so much to reflect on and so much adrenaline, but I willed myself to get some rest, knowing the 10-hour drive was coming soon.  Breakfast was leisurely but soon we were back on the road.  With music to propel us north and much to talk about, future concerts to dream about, the drive passed quickly again.  Although we did get hung up on the east side of the DC beltway, I think we navigated our southern road trip rather well.  We're ready for more adventures.  On the road again.  In 139 days.  Not that I'm counting ...


The Jason Adamo Band ~ Raleigh Nights
Marc Scibilia ~ Jericho
Gavin DeGraw ~ Leading Man

Photo by Phyllis.

It's April! The Last Part ~ Gavin DeGraw in Port Chester

I've decided that eggs are the older person's raman noodles.  I'm eating a lot of eggs this week, having had the wonderful opportunity to see Gavin DeGraw three times in five days.  It's a good thing I know about a hundred things to do with eggs since there are more concerts in my future.  How does that lyric go?  

Baby get used to that hole in your pocket

That's the price of love.

You know, a girl's gotta do ....

Last Wednesday:  Starland Ballroom, Sayreville
Last Friday:  House of Blues, Atlantic City

So, if this is Monday, I must be in Port Chester.

The Make A Move Tour was announced before Christmas I think (maybe not ... that's what happens when you get old ... the memory is the first thing to go).  In any case, I'd had my April tickets for months.  We  tweeted often "Is it March yet?" "Is it April yet?" "Is it May yet?" all winter long, depending on where we lived and when we were seeing Gavin in concert. Well, it's April now and I've had three experiences.  And I want to turn back the clock.

I'd barely recovered from the HOB concert when Monday rolled around.  My New York concert buddy, @SheeZAmaZing called me just after lunch to let me know that she would be able to use one of my extra tickets (long story there--but I'm glad I had them).  I was thrilled she'd be able to join me and hurried to get ready.  Sheeza lives in Manhattan so I was in for another mini road trip. 

I reached her place by about 4:00 or so and we headed out of the City for Port Chester, slightly north of Rye, NY.  The traffic was impossible and I got a little panicky at one point thinking we'd be stuck in New York all night.  It didn't help that I'd gone the wrong way over the Triboro  Bridge.  But eventually we arrived.  It was about 6:45 when we approached the Capitol Theatre and we had no expectations of front row.  And yet, front row, albeit far left, is where we found ourselves.  Because as the song says,

I want to be where you are

And I'm willing to get there.

The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester is a beautiful place.  Built in 1926, it has a story similar to many grand old spaces.  A one-time movie palace that fell on hard times after the big Hollywood studio productions had run their course, it was reinvented as a music venue in the 70's but eventually closed down for many years.  After changing hands several times, it's now been reopened for mostly music performances and it's stunning with gorgeous plasterwork and the most innovative light show on the side walls and domed ceiling.  It was dramatic.

I'd long ago decided on a second meet and greet opportunity tonight (one of the reasons I had extra tickets).  So after Rozzie Crane's opening set, I went back to the merch table to get in line.  We waited a long time but as usual, I met a new fan friend from Long Island.  I also ran into Delores and her sister Joyce again (they'd been at HOB, Atlantic City too).  And standing in line I recognized Deanna.  By then Parachute was on stage and it was really hard to chat but we managed to get a few words in.  I'd left the CD I wanted Gavin to sign in the car when we rushed to the venue.  So when we finally got downstairs ('way below the stage in the catacombs of the theater), I thought I would dispense with the autograph and just talk an extra second or two. At the last minute, however, I had him sign my ticket and I asked him to use my Twitter name:  @GSKath.  I told him how grateful I am that he and his music have brought so many new, interesting and special people into my life, that it was one of his greatest gifts ... bringing people together.  Finally, I managed to say something that was on my heart.  Because,

I just want to thank you baby

I just want to thank you.

I didn't get lost coming out of the bowels of the theater by myself (although at the time, it was actually a real concern).  I found my way back to the front row and it wasn't too long before the familiar darkness and smokey fog enveloped the audience and the music that "excites my every cell" flowed all around.  It was the third show in five days.  I knew exactly what to expect.  I closed my eyes and let myself be swept away.  For some reason I can't get enough of this music that seems to provide me with an energy that comes from nothing else I know.

The crowd was enthusiastically receptive.  There were only a few screaming teens and, near me, only one who sang loudly out of both tune and rhythm.  I watched Gavin use the whole stage as he always does, entertaining us with stories (well known to a lot of us by now), that trademark charm and moves that are uniquely his own. 

Song after song until the set list was complete.  Then, the now trademark selfie for this show and he disappeared from the stage.  I went off to complete my shopping list for fan friends at the merch table and SheeZaMazing stayed near the stage ... just in case.  Gavin did not come back out this time but she was rewarded anyway with one of the set lists.


I don't eat much before a show and I'm always famished afterward.  We found a nearby diner and I ordered, what else ... eggs benedict.  And lots of coffee.  Okay--not real coffee; I only drink decaf.  It wakes me up anyway.  We chatted, tweeted, read tweets ... I appreciate those who give us glimpses of their concerts when it's their turn.  I like to see what others are feeling who've just had the same experience as I.  

Back on the road we make it back to Manhattan in far less time than it took to get out.  I imagine the band getting on the bus and leaving for Toronto and the happiness in store for all my Canadian fan friends in a couple of days.  @SheeZAmaZing and I promise to make plans for another adventure soon now that the weather is on our side again.  And I point my little red car ... (hmmm ... my red carpet ride) in the direction of home.  Five days, three shows with three road trips and I can't help but think that  

A red carpet ride

can take your mind away from anything.

It did but this lovely red carpet ride is coming to a close.  For now.

Concert Diaries Chapter 20: Paramount 2013 (a Let's December It post)

Everything will change ...

After yesterday's adventure in the snow, I think Brenda and I were ready for anything.  We set off for Long Island around 11:00 but first had to make an all-important stop for me:  Best Buy.  Fangirl had to replace her camera before the evening.  iPhone pictures just don't cut it.

The roads were pretty good by the time we hit the highway.  Some slush on the road causing a filthy spray on the windshield was the worst we had to contend with.  We made good time and arrived in Huntington (central Long Island) around 1:30.  Plenty of time--"doors" wouldn't open until 7:00.  For this General Admission show, it was essential to be in the front of the line to assure that front row position.  We collected our tickets at the Will Call window and set off in search of food.

We found Portofino's, an Italian restaurant across the street from The Paramount that had been highly recommended and settled in for a leisurely lunch.  Just as we were enjoying dessert though, we saw a couple of people begin to line up.  It was only 3:00.  There was nothing else to do but get in line as well.  We met up with Courtney out on the street and together we joined the handful of people who comprised the front of the line. The long wait began.  It was below freezing but I was more prepared this year than last year even while still choosing a little black dress over jeans.

The time passed quickly with friends meeting us in line and chatting with other fans sharing the frigid yet friendly experience.  There's always a lot to talk about ... concerts we've been to, concerts lined up in the future, how we all became fans, favorite songs and more personal chat too.  Every meeting like this results in at least one person pointing out how many friendships have been formed because of this man and his music.

Someone from the venue came out to check ID's and give us wristbands.  I'm always amused at having my ID checked.   After all I've been legal to drink in NJ/NY since, well, forever.  The drinking age was 18 back then.  The guy really read it too.  I guess he could do the math since I got a bracelet.

Doors opened not long after that and the sprint for the front row began.  I lingered to make sure my new young friends knew how this venue worked:  stairs to the right and left, up and through the doors, run to the front.  They wound up stage left in front of the bass and drums.  Brenda, Courtney and I were smack in the center in front of the piano.  There was no railing between us and the stage this year. There often is--it makes an aisle for security, professional photographers and the artists should they choose to mingle a little.  This year we were pressed right up against the stage.  Pressed is the operative word--the room filled quickly and we couldn't have moved anywhere even if we'd wanted to.

The first opener was a pleasant young man named Jeff LeBlanc, rather young to be called a "former teacher" but he'd left teaching to pursue a music career.  He had a nice voice and was very appealing.  I'd like to hear him in a bar setting.  It was a little hard to hear him there as so many weren't paying attention to the opening acts.  I always feel sorry for the openers.  I know they understand they're paying their dues and probably even expect people to not pay complete attention but it must be hard when you have a lot riding on your performance.

The second opening act was Austin Lucas, a country singer who'd flown in in the wee hours of the morning from Chicago.  I found him somewhat hard to understand despite his standing right in front of me, literally.  I think he, also, would have benefitted from a smaller venue.

The crew stepped on stage to position the microphones, tune the guitars, place the piano in the exact right spot, sound check the drums.  When the band appears and the music swells, there is that reaction, a roaring that builds and exquisite anticipation that seems to go on for minutes when in reality, it's a matter of seconds.  We were in the perfect place.

This was my 15th Gavin DeGraw concert in 18 months.  I've seen him in bigger venues and smaller ones like The Paramount tonight.  Something felt different to me.  For one thing, there seemed to be a lot more clusters of really young fans--the kind who scream (picture a Justin Bieber concert).  Several of us caught Gavin exchanging looks with his guitar player.  The looks seemed to say "Wow.  This is insane." or "Whoa.  This is a little different."  There was really phenomenal energy in the room and he and the band seemed to take it in and turn it back out to us tenfold.

Since he didn't headline a tour this summer, this was the longest concert of the year for many of us.  Lots of older material and several from the new album, Make a Move, satisfied new and old fans.  I was a little surprised that the screaming group of girls (okay--I need to say it: they were by far the rudest people I've ever encountered at a concert) knew his older material as well as the new songs.  It was their only redeeming quality.  I was happy to hear Crush again--it's one of my favorites off the first album.  I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing In Love With a Girl, also from the first album.  Radiation, Sweeter, Run Every Time from the last album are some of my all-time favorites.  He sang Soldier which seems to continue to mean a great deal to him--with good reason.  The lyrics are pretty powerful.  Make A Move and, particularly, Everything Will Change from the new album have my heart.  Especially Everything Will Change--it describes the last 20 months of my life to perfection.  The first time I heard it (at Mixfest in September) I felt as though he'd written it for me.  "Take those boots off the shelf, Wipe that dust off yourself, Even if you've been through hell, you're back." I didn't exactly go through hell after my divorce (thanks to my family) but there were some hellacious days and I definitely had been living on a shelf ... for a lot of years.

This being a December concert, we were given a Christmas song.  I think he does one each year.  Last year it was Oh Holy Night.  This year he's been doing White Christmas.  He sat on a stool within arm's reach (check out the video that Brenda caught) and gave us his special rendition.

After White Christmas, the night became truly magical.  Gavin walked to the edge of stage right and got down low.  He was talking to a child in the crowd and we could hear bits of muffled conversation between them.  He asked him how long he'd been playing the piano and we could hear him say since he was a baby.  Gavin invited him on stage and disappeared behind the scrim to meet him.  When he was led onto the stage, it became apparent that this young man, Anthony, was visually impaired.  I've since read some posts that say he's also autistic.  I can't confirm what his disabilities are and truly, that's unimportant as I can confirm that he's a gifted and talented young person who stole all our hearts that night.  Gavin got him seated at the piano and he immediately captivated us with a classical piece.  No one was expecting a little prodigy!  Then he mashed it into That's Amore!  The looks on the faces of Gavin and the band were priceless.  Anthony then blew Gavin away with the opening chords of his huge hit, Not Over You.  Within seconds the entire room was singing with him.  To say it was a special moment would be an understatement.  I think on Twitter I said "Some kind of wonderfulness is happening right now at the @GavinDeGraw show at @TheParamountNY."  And it was some kind of wonderfulness.  Anthony took a bow with Gavin and then rejoined his folks.  It felt like a Christmas present--a lovely surprise that no one was expecting that made the already awesome night extra special. Since that night, I've had some interactions with Anthony's parents on Twitter and it's clear that this is an amazing family with a treasure in their midst.

And this is one of the reasons why this man is firmly lodged in the hearts of so very many of us.

Back to the set list, Gavin did his pre-Follow Through banter with the characteristic acting.  I've seen this so many times that I'm amazed I still find it amusing.  But I do.  It's part of his charm.  His heartfelt, Who's Going to Save Us blew me away again.  When it came to his closing trademark song, I Don't Want to Be, followed by the encore, Not Over You, I wished, as always, that he'd not stop there.  There are so many songs I'd love to hear him do live.  Songs from Free like Mountains to Move and Glass and I'd give anything to be in the room if he ever brings back Let It Go. In other words, I didn't want the night to end.  But you know what they say about all good things ...

We lingered for as long as we could.  I think everyone was hoping Gavin would come out and say hello.  He did last year.  But that was not to be.  I'm okay with that--I never expect those things to happen so I'm always surprised and grateful when they do.  There was no Cinderella party for us this year either.  Last year, we were lucky to attend the after party where Gavin and the band were on hand to talk to folks.  I call it the Cinderella party because that's how I felt that night, hanging out until the wee hours of the morning with my friends and chatting with his band all night.  Tonight Brenda and Courtney and I walked just a couple of doors down and had a drink at a pub (where Billy Joel used to hang out when he lived--for 20 years--in Huntington) with a bartender who told us some fun stories.

Courtney, from Pennsylvania, was staying over but Brenda and I had an hour and a half drive ahead of us so all too soon we said goodbye and got back on the road.  Two days, three states; two shows, unlimited happiness.

We talked on the way home about how different that show had felt to us.  I selfishly worried aloud if everything had changed--if the resurgence of success that appears to be coming would change things for our little fandom.  Terrible thoughts--I'm excited for his success and wish for bigger and better things to come his way.  But I'll miss the respectful crowds and the more intimate settings.  Tonight's pushing and screaming bothered me.  I wondered if I can stand in line longer than 4 hours if it comes to that.  We'll see.  One thing hasn't changed ... will never change:  the joy and energy that flows through me for days following a live Gavin DeGraw performance.  It's like a drug that went straight to the vein.*

*Make A Move

~~~~~

Brenda's video of Gavin and Anthony.  In the last couple of days since the concert, we've talked about this moment quite a lot on social media.  What a joy and privilege it was to be a part of it.

I love this picture of Billy.

Concert Diaries Chapter 13 ~ Mixfest 2013, At Which I Make My Radio Debut

Saturday, September 14.  It's MixFest 2013.  The annual free event put together for listeners of Mix 104.1 in Boston takes place this weekend every year.  It's my second time here.  It's the third visit to the MixFest stage from Gavin DeGraw.  I drove up for the concert yesterday and have met up with some special friends I've met through Twitter--yes, more friends through Twitter!  It's still astounding to me that I've done a complete social media about-face but I have and I wouldn't trade these new relationships for anything.  I mean that sincerely.  

So we're here at the Hatch Bandshell set in the Esplanade, three and a half miles of park set along the Charles River.  There are sail boats on the water and people packed in tightly from one end of the park to the other.  The bandshell is the outdoor home of the Boston Symphony and the Boston Pops hence the names of classical composers affixed to the levels of stage at the venue.  It's a beautiful setting and the day is pretty nice, more overcast and chilly than I'd thought it would be but the body heat from the crowd is making up for my lack of proper packing.

I got in line to be admitted to the park at noon.  My friends were all scattered in other lines; there were several places of admission.  I was at the corner of Arlington and Beacon Streets at the bottom of a footbridge that takes pedestrians over the busy Storrow Drive.  When we finally began to move, I saw the extraordinary security precautions the organizers and law enforcement were taking to keep everyone safe.  We were searched with wands and I had the most thorough bag check I've ever been subjected to.  In the wake of the Marathon day bombing, these are changes which were inevitable. 


I quickly find my friends near the front of the park, quite close to the stage but not front row.  We're next to the fence that separates the regular crowd from those who won VIP seats--they have chairs.  We are standing.  It's about 1:00 and we'll be standing here until the concert starts at 4:25.  After that we'll be dancing.  We pass the time catching up.  I've not seen one of these ladies in nearly a year.  Two others had come down from Boston to Yonkers a couple of weeks ago.  Two of us were together at Virginia Beach too.  We get around!  There may have also been a moment when four grown women hollered at drummer Ian O'Neill while he was out on stage during soundcheck.  It was some pretty loud yelling which attracted attention from everyone but the one whose attention was being sought.

Karen Blake is part of the weekend DJ staff and is a writer for the station.  She was out trolling the crowd for enthusiastic fans to chat with during live radio segments between the songs that are spinning at 104.1 this afternoon.  And this is how I came to make my radio debut--my three seconds of air time enthusiastically proclaiming I'd come to see Gavin DeGraw (not the Back Street Boys or Of Monsters and Men, the other two acts).  We all declare our unabashed adoration of the object of our musical affection and thank the station for the free event.  Karen hung out with for quite a long time while waiting for the cue to go live.  We chatted about the radio business and she was full of advice for my friend who dreams of a career in radio.

The station had run a contest for a local musician or group to open the show.  Alex Preston of New Hampshire was the winner.  He offered two selections that he'd written and they were pretty nice songs.  He has a good voice and I imagine if he can stick with it in this tough-to-get-ahead business, he'll have a career ahead of him.  It's not easy though, and he'll have to be pretty single-minded about chasing down his future.

Following Alex's performance, an interview that radio personality Erin O'Malley had done with Gavin backstage was aired on the jumbotron near the stage.  She's apparently a huge fan and was the first to play his first single, Follow Through, 10 years ago.  Gavin was charming as ever and Erin asked good questions that elicited hilarious answers about his recent performance in the air on a Southwest Airlines flight and singing in the shower from him.


A few more minutes of waiting, radio people thanking the sponsors, and last-minute soundchecking and then it was time.  Gavin took the stage and opened with In Love With A Girl, one of my favorites.  It's been the opening number lately and it's high energy gets the crowd in the right place for the rest of the set.  Radiation, another upbeat and truly sexy song quickly followed and we were all singing and dancing and typically enthralled.  The next song is a new one and is title of the new album (out October 15) as well.  Make a Move.  I love this and all the new material a lot.  I imagine that the new album will be my favorite.  Well, actually, I don't have a favorite record or even a favorite song.  There are records and songs for every mood and feeling I have.  Any day will find me playing one CD over and over or just one song or a playlist I've made to fit my mood.  James Cruz, the bassist, is one of the back-up singers for Make a Move.  I'm happy he's singing more this year.  He's got a fine voice and I enjoy hearing him blend with Gavin and Billy.

Gavin talks to us about the 10th anniversary this past July of his first album, Chariot and then sits at the piano to sing it for us.  It's a beautiful arrangement they're playing this year and I think to myself that his music director, Billy Norris who also plays guitar and sings back-up, has enormous talent and really good taste.  He balances the music and performances really well.  The band--Ian, Billy, James and Eric Kinney on keyboards--is as tight as ever today and each member contributes equally to the magic that is a Gavin DeGraw performance.  

We are beyond excited when Gavin announces that's he's premiering another song from the new album today for us.  It's called Everything Will Change and was utterly spellbinding--at least for me.  As I listened to the lyrics which seemed to me to be about growing up, making conscious decisions about your life and accepting that change is inevitable but how you handle it is what counts, I reached over and grabbed my friend's hand.  I've been through my share of "stuff" and I know she's been through more.  It seemed to me that he'd written that song for us.  It was a privilege to hear the first public performance.

A few more songs followed including the single available this week on iTunes, Who's Gonna Save, a beautiful song that I suspect was written with someone specific in mind.  It's another song that really speaks to something inside me and although I've probably played it nearly a hundred times this week, it sounds like the first time every time.  In fact, hearing it brings me back to the first emotional performance of it I'd heard in Virginia Beach.  There are no encores at this "Fest" and so after a rousing rendition of Not Over Year and his customary thanks, Gavin's set is over.

As we had no interest in hearing the retooled Back Street Boys who'd curiously brought out thousands of very young ladies (I thought it was curious since many of them appeared to not have been old enough for BSB the first time they were popular).  I'd never heard of the headlining act, Of Monsters and Men (or as I mistakenly kept referring to them ... Of Mice and Men ...  what can I say?  It was the literary part of my brain taking over.)  Later on, a friend whom we couldn't find in the huge crowd reported that the Back Street Boys didn't sing long and she thought the pieces Of Monsters and Men offered all sounded similar so she'd left as well.  Clearly, we think, the station had the line-up backwards ...

Crowds on Storrow Drive

We began to find our way out of the park to grab a drink and talk over the concert but it was hard.  The crowd had grown to the point where they'd had to close the park and the overflow crowd lined the other side of Storrow Drive, a major parkway on the river edge of the city.  They were on the other side of the lagoon too.  All the exits were closed so we strolled up a sidewalk hoping to find a way to cross Storrow.  We were stopped at a driveway while a large black van began to back into the busy roadway.  I said to my friends, "That's Gavin and the guys; they're leaving now."  And sure enough, it was them, making a quick getaway.  We waved and got a little excited (okay we were pretty excited) and Gavin and Ian O'Neill waved back.  We just happened to be there at the right time.  And we were the only ones there.  Probably the only ones not interested in the Back Street Boys because when we finally found our way out the State Trooper at the barricade seemed amazed we were leaving.  

Four friends relaxing at Tico (222 Berkeley Street)

Eventually we headed over the closed footbridge and made our way to, of all places, Tico, the restaurant my daughter had worked at until very recently.  It was great to sit down (really, it was about 6:00 and we'd been standing since noon) and have drinks and some food.  The talk centered on Gavin, the man, the musician, the instigator of new and rewarding friendships.  Our gratitude for our having found each other through his music and modern communication tools continues to grow within each of us.  It was another magical day spent with people I love, making memories and hearing music I love from the musician I love.

~

Everything Will Change