I was fortunate to do a really nice acoustic concert last week with my daughter, Lexie Roth, and though she had to leave early from the show, I stuck around at the end to do the old “meet and greet” with the fans who came, and who wanted to talk and also buy some cds.
It’s so great to get that immediate reaction from the folks, and to feel their enthusiasm, and to trade fun stories etc.. Let’s face it, you really never know who is actually there at your show, and who you may see after a long, long time. The hardest thing for me is that since I really put a lot into my shows both physically and emotionally, I need some real time to “come down” from that higher place I need to get to when I play live. Unfortunately this necessary time is greatly shortened by this new “meet and greet” time, so I must rapidly sort of put “myself back together” before coming out of the dressing room to see everyone, sometimes meaning changing out of a sweat-drenched shirt, as well!
Still, it is so important to meet the fans, and get their reations, and to be sure that they are left with a good impression of you. After all, it’s all really them who make it all possible! I used to love touring the world doing clinics and meeting the fans, as it was a great way of keeping my finger on the pulse of what folks were thinking about, and I have always likened it to being on the “campaign trail”, si milar to what politicians do before an election!
The world of Country Music really “gets it” when it comes to this fan/artist relationship with their annual “Fan Fair,” in which many of the artists get to meet their fans first hand for photographs, autographs, and just general connection. It’s a great thing to do, and Country music has always understood the closeness the fans feel with the artists, and the closeness and unification of their mutual roots. This is something I also never want to lose or forget, so thanks to all those fans I see at my shows, and I hope to come to your town soon!