summer concert series : meeting an idol

so...once again i'm behind in my blogging (errr, grrr) as two weeks have gone by without an art post, a self portrait post, though I have pictures I've been editing...and all that other good stuff. would you believe it if i said i have a special folder on my desktop of photos waiting to be blogged?? yes, i know you would.

so i have to start somewhere, right? and why go all the way back when i can share something super that i experienced this last week *insert cheesy grin here*

going back to my 'girl crush' post, i know i had mentioned one of my favorites, Brandi Carlile, there. i'll admit i didn't know about her until the first season (i think?) of Grey's Anatomy where her song, 'the story' was featured at the end in a type of season montage. i was hooked instantly. her voice is so soothing to listen to, so heartfelt as if she were reaching down into her own soul with her vocal gift and showing the world some of the deepest things that lie there. i have been to her concert now three times and every time it gets better and better. thankfully, my great friend, Amanda, has always come with me and so we can share in that excitement together. each time we have brought along various friends who haven't really heard much of her and they come out feeling very similar to us. she is easy to adore.

 the concert this last week proved to be no disappointment. we had a fun evening planned of dinner, the concert, and then post-concert drinks downtown. the opening band, "Ivan and Alyosha" were really great, and we got to meet them afterwards and visit awhile. they definitely are worth listening to, though my mind searches for words to describe what i think their style would be, i am at a bit of a loss. so....go google them! :)

(our random but very fun group of 6)

(pre-concert dinner...excitement building!)

(concert roadies!)

(getting to know the opening band, "Ivan and Alyosha" from Seattle)

the drummer got on and started doing his thing which was very neat (drummer's always know how to pump up the crowd, don't they!) and then Brandi and her crew jumped onstage to open with "Dreams"...one of my favorite songs of hers (though i'd be hard pressed to pick only a couple favorite songs). of course we all went crazy! it was the best time. i laughed during the concert and i cried during it, mind filled with things dear to my heart, got up on my feet several times, clapped wildly, and i even shouted out that i loved her (which surprised even me. yes, i'm not that shy, but i have moments of shyness that shock even me. i can't quite reconcile it). haha. i giggle remembering it.

i kept looking back towards Amanda, a row behind and a little to the side of us. this marks the second year we have gone but not been able to sit next to one another. boo on that pattern. when we discovered that tickets were on sale we both hopped onto our computers at work and promptly purchased as many as we each could (though we were unable to sit together) and we didn't have a clue who would take the extra tickets from us, but we knew we'd make it work. and it did. it was so fun. it ended up being 6 of us altogether which was honestly a really fun number of people to have. none of the other ticket-takers had been to her concert or knew a whole lot of her stuff before the show, and some of them had never really heard anything. but i think everyone had a great time.

probably THE highlight of my night was after the show. Brandi announced that she and the band would be out at the merchandise table to sign autographs and such, but that no photos with her would be taken due to time. when we got out there, the line was long. and we were at the end. not just towards the end....no, the END. everyone wanted to head over to begin the post concert celebrating and have a drink. i was kind of a downer for them in that i decided to stick it out and told them to go on without me, that i'd catch up.

it really did take some time. finally when we got up there, and i was basically the last one or near it by now, i was super excited. she was being so kind to everyone, not fake in the least. she is the mark of a genuine soul. ahead of me there was a boy on crutches. she asked him what had happened to him and he told her. among the things he said was that he had been learning to play guitar. she reached over and grabbed a songbook for him, autographed it, and handed it to him for free while telling him to keep practicing and get better, then come back. it was very neat to see that. finally, when my time came i was so excited that i was getting all teary-eyed. it is that moment when you want to say something super great, but are too humbled to really speak almost. among the things i said was that i had been so moved by her music, and that even though she probably heard it all the time...i thought she was amazing and loved coming to see her shows whenever i can. she signed a CD i had with me and a t-shirt i bought from her a few years back. she wanted to know what my name was (how easily you leave out details in these situations, haha).

the brave moment came when i asked her if she would take a pic with me if i was willing to wait until the end...and she said sure!!! ahhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!

i was on cloud 9!!!!.......i was over-the-moon happy!!!! what a lucky girl i am!!! i still feel excited about it when i talk about it! only one thing was missing, but it was perfect otherwise. a very very happy night!

Comments

[Terry Hewlett]

your giggling is shaking my computer all the way down here!!!

[Sheila]

I'm sooo happy for you that you had a wonderful time and were able to get your picture taken with her. Your happiness shows from your inner soul right through your beautiful smile of joy.