This weekend I attended my 15th and 16th concert/event with Gavin DeGraw.
When I tell people about this, a handful few will go; Lucky you! They get it.
The rest always ask why. Why that many, why again...
I'm gonna try and explain to you the answer to this question without being sentimental about it.
It's the travelling.
It's planning, months ahead.
Nervousness about where to go, how to get there, do I get the tickets I want, who do I go with, how much money can I spend.
It's sacrificing that new outfit that you really wanted because you just want this more.
It's packing, making sure you know what to wear, did I remember my tickets, what shoes do I bring?
It's the intense jittery feeling when your alarm-clock rings at 3am because you have a 7am fligth.
It's meeting up with best friends who share your "obsession" about this man and his music and travelling with them.
It's being dead tired on a train or a bus or a plane or in a car, because you were up all night, talking and laughing so much.
It's discovering new places, cities, hotels, restaurants.
Places you've dreamed about seeing that you now have an "excuse" to go see.
It's the People.
Everywhere I go I meet someone that I have already spoken to on the internet.
I have yet to go to a concert and not know anyone.
And I am grateful and humbled about this.
I know I forget to tell people, but I am so happy when you guys come up to me at a show to say hello.
Even people I don't really know, who know me somehow - you're all amazing! Thank you for making it special to me.
It's the Music!
Now, of course, this is the main reason I go anywhere at all.
My first concert with Gavin was in june of 2008 and I'd been listening to Gavin way earlier than that and all the way through I've grown with this music, just as Gavin has.
Gavin developed his unique sound early and has evolved every step of the way.
Some are not happy with this, some say he needs to go back to being his "old self."
I'm gonna go ahead and say; GO GAVIN!
Where would you be if you didn't try something new.
Heck, WHO would you be if you didn't.
You have kept your essence alive and well in all your new songs.
They speak tons if you just bother to listen! Listen to the details. Don't just run through them once and say you don't like them. Listen to them! Hear him. You'll find Gavin there, where he's always been.
It's the band!
Oh My God, the band!
Obviously talented, obviously tight knit, obviously in love with what they do.
Lead by Musical Director/Guitarist/Vocalist Billy Norris, this is a band of pure perfection. Their take on Gavins songs are fresh, daring and LOUD and they bring out the best of every song.
Billy Norris, who started perfecting his guitar skills at the ripe age of 8, is given his well deserved spotlight during concerts, and pays his dues by completely owning the stage during his solos.
He provides us with smooth riffs and a little more edge than on records, but for concerts - it's just as it should be.
Holding down the baseline is James Cruz, doing so brilliantly on his G&L M-2000 basses, while "screaming like he just doesn't care."
Pearl drummer Ian O'Neill is, on the stage, slightly out of sight, slightly anonymous, although his kick-ass kit is very much "in your face."
In every other aspect, his beats are ear-popping, crisp and so loud they'll make your body tremble.
You know it's good when the rythm of you heart follows the beat of the drums.
Although fairly new to the Gavin DeGraw Band, David Maemone is no newbie to the Music industry.
Having played with people like Andy Grammer, Fifth Harmony and Colbie Caillat, it should come as no surprice that this guy does justice to Gavins songs.
I wish I had a better way of giving these guys the credit they deserve.
Image credits to @kal3idoscopeyes
It's Gavin DeGraw!
Now, I know I said I'd do this and not be sentimental about it, but when it comes to Gavin, I'm finding it a little difficult.
I have, to this day, never come back from a show and not felt like a million dollars.
Like I said, I've been to 16 shows and I have met Gavin at all of them except for one.
There have been M&G's, press passes, VIP, just general "run-ins" before or after shows and I'll tell you this much; Gavin DeGraw is beloved by his fans for a reason.
One to one he is warm and friendly, passionate and patient, interested, present and funny.
From the stage he is inclucive and flirtatious, emotional and energetic, now more so than ever.
At every show, Gavin expresses his gratitude towards his audience, thanking us for making it possible for him to live his dream.
I'll end this with Gavins own words, although they are not even close to being adequate: "I wanna be where you are."
When I tell people about this, a handful few will go; Lucky you! They get it.
The rest always ask why. Why that many, why again...
I'm gonna try and explain to you the answer to this question without being sentimental about it.
It's the travelling.
It's planning, months ahead.
Nervousness about where to go, how to get there, do I get the tickets I want, who do I go with, how much money can I spend.
It's sacrificing that new outfit that you really wanted because you just want this more.
It's packing, making sure you know what to wear, did I remember my tickets, what shoes do I bring?
It's the intense jittery feeling when your alarm-clock rings at 3am because you have a 7am fligth.
It's meeting up with best friends who share your "obsession" about this man and his music and travelling with them.
It's being dead tired on a train or a bus or a plane or in a car, because you were up all night, talking and laughing so much.
It's discovering new places, cities, hotels, restaurants.
Places you've dreamed about seeing that you now have an "excuse" to go see.
It's the People.
Everywhere I go I meet someone that I have already spoken to on the internet.
I have yet to go to a concert and not know anyone.
And I am grateful and humbled about this.
I know I forget to tell people, but I am so happy when you guys come up to me at a show to say hello.
Even people I don't really know, who know me somehow - you're all amazing! Thank you for making it special to me.
It's the Music!
Now, of course, this is the main reason I go anywhere at all.
My first concert with Gavin was in june of 2008 and I'd been listening to Gavin way earlier than that and all the way through I've grown with this music, just as Gavin has.
Gavin developed his unique sound early and has evolved every step of the way.
Some are not happy with this, some say he needs to go back to being his "old self."
I'm gonna go ahead and say; GO GAVIN!
Where would you be if you didn't try something new.
Heck, WHO would you be if you didn't.
You have kept your essence alive and well in all your new songs.
They speak tons if you just bother to listen! Listen to the details. Don't just run through them once and say you don't like them. Listen to them! Hear him. You'll find Gavin there, where he's always been.
It's the band!
Oh My God, the band!
Obviously talented, obviously tight knit, obviously in love with what they do.
Lead by Musical Director/Guitarist/Vocalist Billy Norris, this is a band of pure perfection. Their take on Gavins songs are fresh, daring and LOUD and they bring out the best of every song.
Billy Norris, who started perfecting his guitar skills at the ripe age of 8, is given his well deserved spotlight during concerts, and pays his dues by completely owning the stage during his solos.
He provides us with smooth riffs and a little more edge than on records, but for concerts - it's just as it should be.
Holding down the baseline is James Cruz, doing so brilliantly on his G&L M-2000 basses, while "screaming like he just doesn't care."
Pearl drummer Ian O'Neill is, on the stage, slightly out of sight, slightly anonymous, although his kick-ass kit is very much "in your face."
In every other aspect, his beats are ear-popping, crisp and so loud they'll make your body tremble.
You know it's good when the rythm of you heart follows the beat of the drums.
Although fairly new to the Gavin DeGraw Band, David Maemone is no newbie to the Music industry.
Having played with people like Andy Grammer, Fifth Harmony and Colbie Caillat, it should come as no surprice that this guy does justice to Gavins songs.
I wish I had a better way of giving these guys the credit they deserve.
Image credits to @kal3idoscopeyes
It's Gavin DeGraw!
Now, I know I said I'd do this and not be sentimental about it, but when it comes to Gavin, I'm finding it a little difficult.
I have, to this day, never come back from a show and not felt like a million dollars.
Like I said, I've been to 16 shows and I have met Gavin at all of them except for one.
There have been M&G's, press passes, VIP, just general "run-ins" before or after shows and I'll tell you this much; Gavin DeGraw is beloved by his fans for a reason.
One to one he is warm and friendly, passionate and patient, interested, present and funny.
From the stage he is inclucive and flirtatious, emotional and energetic, now more so than ever.
At every show, Gavin expresses his gratitude towards his audience, thanking us for making it possible for him to live his dream.
I'll end this with Gavins own words, although they are not even close to being adequate: "I wanna be where you are."
He makes fans feel like we are all his soldiers. Gavin's music lets us leave all our troubles behind just for a little while and go to a "happy place". The band and Gavin always put 110% into every show. If you go to just one concert you will understand.
ReplyDeleteWOW! I got goosebumps reading this, and I must admit a little emotional. Every word is as should describe this "gavin mania" we are a part of myself. But you do it so much better!
ReplyDeleteYou go girl!!
xoxo
Merethe
Thanks Gry for a well written blog. I think many of us recognize what you describes :)
ReplyDeleteBarbra, I totally agree with you #SpotOn
Gavin DeGraw has a great personality and he is an amazing singer/songwriter/musician/artist/performer.
Gavin's lucky to have you in his corner. This is a beautiful write-up. xo
ReplyDelete