Wednesday, November 9, 2011

On Cloud Straight No Chaser

Earlier this year, I wrote a blog about my bucket list. Can anyone guess what item was next on my list? That’s right! It was going to see Straight No Chaser live. You win the prize **Clap Clap Clap** What is the prize? A hearty pat on the back is all this poor person can afford.
Moving on to better things, I went to see Straight No Chaser on November 3rd at the Palace Theater with a good friend of mine Kristen. She had never heard of Straight No Chaser (what?) and came along so I didn’t have to go by myself. I would have gone solo (if I had too) but that would have been awkward. After all, who would take pictures of me and the guys? I was not going to have that awkward moment of asking “Hey, can I take a picture with you?” and then searching the crowd for some poor unfortunate soul who might decide that taking a picture of their thumb was far more interesting than what I had in mind. No sir, I brought a capable individual who was familiar with my phone camera and could point and click like a pro. No mistakes made here.

We ended up arriving at the concert at 7:15 pm (it started at 7:30pm). Yes, it was close but after all I had the tickets and no one would take our seats. I had purchased tickets for front row balcony so I could see everything. The place was so beautiful until I looked down and realized how high I was off the ground. However, my fear of heights was quickly forgotten as Straight No Chaser sang their opening song “Get Ready ‘Cause Here I Come.” Oh boy was I ready. I screamed like a 13 year old teenage girl seeing Justin Beiber for the first time. I had waited 3 years for this moment and I wanted to savor every second. Now, I can’t remember every song they sang but I knew that I liked, no loved, all of them. Yes, all of them. I have always been that one person to go to a concert and hear that one song that just irks me. It kind of ruins the experience. With Straight No Chaser, I loved every single song they sang and so did the crowd. The audience was on a Straight No Chaser high by intermission and by the end of the concert we would die for them if needed. There was this likability about all 10 of the guys. I felt so comfortable with them and felt like I knew everyone of them personally. It was like I was sitting in their living room watching them goof off and sing. Not all artists have likability like they do.


They sang a multitude of songs: I’m Yours/Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Big Girls Don’t Cry/Walk Like A Man, Billie Jean/Poison, You Make Me Wanna Shout, and my all-time favorite song Fix You. Fix You was so overwhelming. The emotion that all 10 of the guys put into it must be draining. As the tune sweeps over the audience, you begin to feel like they are the Pied Piper and we are the children. The coolest thing about this song is the end. You forget for a moment that they’ve stopped singing because you are so entranced. Sadly, I didn’t record them singing it but I did record Bridge Over Troubled Water, 12 Days Of Christmas, Stayin’ Alive/Superstition, So Sick of Love Songs, I’m Yours/Somewhere Over The Rainbow, and the Buddy Holly Tribute Song. Those are all on my YouTube channel minus most of the screaming (sorry). 


Two songs into the concert, my friend turned to me and said “I’m in love!!” I said, “I told you so.” I told my friend that it was on my bucket list to see them and she said it was on hers but she just didn’t know it. I laughed. I took great pride in pointing out all the guys, introducing them to her (last names included), and letting her know if they were single or married. What? I am not a stalker. If I am, may lightning strike me down, right now. What are you backing away for?

After the concert, we stayed for the Meet and Greet with SNC. This is where I lost my head and all common sense bestowed upon me. I wanted to get my picture taken with Jerome and Mike (Remember, this is where my friend came in) and I had a purse and jacket that I needed to dispose of. After all, no one wants to make a bad impression by leaving someone with a headache after your purse decides it doesn’t like staying on your shoulder and wants to move to your elbow which just happens to be near someone’s head. So, instead of me leaving my purse and jacket with my friend who I trusted, I left it with a complete stranger who I had never seen before. What a dumb blonde! After the picture was taken, I walked away to meet Seggie. Thankfully, Charlie and Ryan pointed out the fact a complete stranger still had my belongings. After almost turning 10 shades of red, I thanked the stranger and moved on down the line. The guys were signing t-shirts and CDs. Since I have their CDs but forgot to bring them, I had them sign my ticket. The only thing is I forgot my ticket had my name on it and Seggie turned to me and said “Hi, (name).” I replied “Hi Seggie Isho (pronounced E-show).” He looked puzzled and said “You got it right.” Inside I sang “Victory is mine, Victory is mine, Victory, today is mine.” My friend looked directly at him and said “She’s obsessed with you guys.” If looks could silence… However, I still wanted my picture with Ryan (see below) so I was nice to her until we got back to the car. Thankfully, at this point, my face had returned to a normal color and my common sense was restored in order to have a normal picture taken with Ryan.


I know I have rambled on and on and on and on about this concert but I can’t believe how good these guys actually are. YouTube cannot touch the awesome power of hearing them live. I have caught the SNC bug/spell and it doesn’t look like I will ever recover. It doesn’t matter though I’m okay with that. They have inspired me in ways I can’t even begin to talk about it because it’s the end of the blog. So I leave you today with a line from one of their songs Don’t Dream It’s Over “Hey now, hey now don’t dream it’s over.” Oh it’s not over….

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