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Meeting The Band


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I've met the band twice. First time was after the Tanglewoods show and then again last summer after the Lowell show. It would be an understatement to say they were nice. Both times I was with my kids (now 8 and 11) and on both occasions all of the band members were very attentive to my children. Pat asked them what their favorite bands were (Wilco duh!) then recommended some other stuff. Nels and Mikael seemed genuinely impressed that my oldest plays the mandolin. And all of them were happy to have their picture taken with my kids and sign whatever. I didn't detect any distractedness or superior attitude at all even though they were just some random children backstage at a concert.

 

However, the best was the first time they met Jeff. My boys idolize him and I said as much when we met. I also thanked him for creating music that has encouraged them to play their instruments (which is the truth -- both play and sing daily and have for years and its been almost exclusively Wilco songs). Jeff looked at my youngest (7 at the time) and asked if it was true. When he sheepishly responded "yes," Jeff got down on one knee put both hands on his shoulders, looked him in the eyes and said, "You are the reason I make music, and it makes me so happy to know you are playing my songs." My son still talks about that moment. It meant so much to him, and by extension, as the parent, meant so much to me.

 

Wilco is the nicest band EVER!

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I've met the band twice. First time was after the Tanglewoods show and then again last summer after the Lowell show. It would be an understatement to say they were nice. Both times I was with my kids (now 8 and 11) and on both occasions all of the band members were very attentive to my children. Pat asked them what their favorite bands were (Wilco duh!) then recommended some other stuff. Nels and Mikael seemed genuinely impressed that my oldest plays the mandolin. And all of them were happy to have their picture taken with my kids and sign whatever. I didn't detect any distractedness or superior attitude at all even though they were just some random children backstage at a concert.

 

However, the best was the first time they met Jeff. My boys idolize him and I said as much when we met. I also thanked him for creating music that has encouraged them to play their instruments (which is the truth -- both play and sing daily and have for years and its been almost exclusively Wilco songs). Jeff looked at my youngest (7 at the time) and asked if it was true. When he sheepishly responded "yes," Jeff got down on one knee put both hands on his shoulders, looked him in the eyes and said, "You are the reason I make music, and it makes me so happy to know you are playing my songs." My son still talks about that moment. It meant so much to him, and by extension, as the parent, meant so much to me.

 

Wilco is the nicest band EVER!

 

Wow, that's a life changing moment for a kid. Cool story.

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Guest Speed Racer

Hahaha, from everything I've heard, bringing a kid with you to try to meet the band is the equivalent of slipping the doorman a $50. :lol Those guys are so easy for kids, and nothing could make me happier.

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However, the best was the first time they met Jeff. My boys idolize him and I said as much when we met. I also thanked him for creating music that has encouraged them to play their instruments (which is the truth -- both play and sing daily and have for years and its been almost exclusively Wilco songs). Jeff looked at my youngest (7 at the time) and asked if it was true. When he sheepishly responded "yes," Jeff got down on one knee put both hands on his shoulders, looked him in the eyes and said, "You are the reason I make music, and it makes me so happy to know you are playing my songs." My son still talks about that moment. It meant so much to him, and by extension, as the parent, meant so much to me.

 

Great story, and I'm hoping for a similar response when I sheepishly tell Jeff I play his music. Think he'll get on one knee for a 37-year-old dude? :stunned

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I just got a little teary. I'm so bringing Maddie to the show if they make Cle. She'll prolly be 7 or close to it by then.

 

 

Do it, especially if she likes the band. The crowd at their shows are surprisingly kid friendly. Just bring ear-plugs and be prepared to answer, "What is that funny smell?" :)

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He's pretty short, so you'd better be really short for that to work. Or, you could sit? :lol

 

It wouldn't work on any level, I wouldn't want him kneeling before me. Unless I were General Zod - then I'd both order him to kneel before me and sing all the songs off Summerteeth. :stunned

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I've met Jeff 5 time(see #5 in my profile picture) and I always make an ass out of myself: Told him he looked skanky: my camera didn't work and I stood next to him like an ass for a few minutes while some random dude tried to take out picture; said his Nudie suit had hummingbirds, when it was Cardinals; asked him if he wanted to see my hummingbird tattoo, which he demurely declined; ran across the parking lot -- in heels -- to tell him breathlessly that I had to drive up to go to Columbus OH (from NJ -- was in Cincinnati for a business trip) to see "Ma boyz."

 

The last time was at the benefit show at Beacon HS. The best part was that when I walked in the room, he looked at me and said, "I remember you." I'm hoping it's because I'm so cute,not cos I'm so crazy and he's alittle afraid of me. All my friends say it's the latter.

 

My assumption is that these fan episodes make him uncomfortable and he'd prefer root canal.

 

John seems to be the most fan friendly, followed by Glen and Nels. Pat and Mikel always seem aloof when I've met them, but it could have just been a bad day.

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I've met and either spoken to at length or actually "hung out" with nearly everyone that's ever been in the band. Of the latest incarnation I've only not met Nels.

 

My best connections have been with Glenn, John, Pat, Jay Bennett and Jeff. I spent the most time with Jay. I've run into Jeff outside of Wilco things and had nice chats with him.

 

They're all good guys. None of them have ever been nothing short of kind.

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Jeff always seems freaked out, but why wouldn't he? Anxiety'll do that to you when a bunch of freaks are staring out you. Nels, cool as a cucumber. We had his full attention at a solo show in Columbia, MO awhile back...due to there only being 25 people there. Met the others too. Just said, 'howdy'.

 

Coolest cats I've met after a show has to be Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses. We snuck back to the drinkin' room after the show. Bingham gave me his last dixie cup of Jim Beam. After we helped them load their shit up, they bought us drink across the street at a bar. A great memory...and I didn't even video tape it..hahaha. Got some fuzzy, shitty, disposable camera pictures though.

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I came within 5 feet of Nels at the Halifax waterfront show. It was about 4 in the afternoon and we were waiting to snag a spot up front for the outdoor show. Only a few other people were around that early, probably because of the blistering heat. I was sitting on the curb and looked up to see Nels sauntering over in those red flood plants. He walked right up to the guy in front of us who ended up being a buddy of his and I froze. He was right there! And I blew it.

 

I made up for it kinda by meeting Glenn before a Massey Hall show in Toronto. I knew not to let the opportunity pass again :).

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