Last night Eileen and I had tickets to see Marc Broussard (w/Charlie Mars opening) at the Birchmere. For those of you not in Virginia, the Birchmere is a great little music venue with table seating. You line up for a number when you pick up your tickets at will call and then they let people in based on the number. We were 11th in line and ended up with seats in the very front, about a foot from the stage. And, it turns out, directly in front of Marc. :)We started a conversation with the others at our table and learned that one of the ladies (Becca) was a member of Marc's fan
club and had meet & greet passes for the show. She was a die hard fan and we found out we had both seen Marc in Pittsburgh a few years ago at Mr. Smalls. She left to go pick up her meet & greet wristbands and when she came back, she had 2 extra with her. She graciously offered them to us and we were thrilled! After a quick trip to the Birchmere gift shop to buy a CD for him to sign (since I didn't have one with me of course), we got in line for the meet & greet. While we waited backstage (only about 20 of us!), we heard Marc and his band doing a little rehearsing. Then he walked out, said hello and started chatting with everyone. We took photos, he signed stuff and thanked us for coming. It was over quickly, but he was amazing.
I knew he was fantastic live, but this show was the best I've seen. His guitar player (Joe Stark) is young and talented and amazing and I love him. The band (Marc, Joe and Chad the drummer) seem to be good friends and have a great connection with each other. It was the first show of their fall tour and I imagine they'll only get better as the tour goes on. If Marc Broussard is coming to your town...GO SEE HIS SHOW.The opener was Charlie Mars...a great singer/songwriter from Mississippi. He's beautiful to look at and listen to. And he has a southern drawl that melts me. :)
A great night of music was enjoyed by all who were there...and it was finished off with a kickass version of Steamroller Blues...one of my favorites. Thanks to Becca for letting us join her backstage and thanks to Marc, Joe, Chad & Charlie for sharing your incredible talents!
