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(I
really liked this story... first because it is from a
"first-timer" and those are always great :-) And second, because I was very touched
by Melissa visiting the soldiers at Walter Reed Army Hospital. I don't know if she knows it, but
these VIP visits do WONDERS for their morale! WAY TO GO MELISSA!!!)
From: Julie (sent to the Melissa Etheridge List)
Hello...
This is my first posting... I just joined the group. I am a studying
scientist from the suburbs of DC and have been a long standing fan
of Melissa's, and for once in my busy life things fell into place
and I got to see her in concert for the first time at the Sunday
night DC show. This is how it went from my point of view:
The venue was kind of different for me... DC backstreets can get
scary if you aren't used to the urban life... and though the club's
looks left a lot to be desired, I think it contributed to the
awesome intimate atmosphere with Melissa and her music. Cool thing:
she is the first artist to have done 4 sold out shows back to back
at their club. Way to go Melissa!
I purchased the SuperME package and right at 5:30 the doors were opened to us VIP people and we got to chat up fellow VIP'ers. The food that was out for us was good: vegetarian friendly (YAY!) by far. All drinks were free (my choice was Coke... I am allergic to alcohol) for us from the reception to the end of the concert. We had access to get on the floor before general admission started. My friend and I opted to stay up on the roped off balcony that was "guarded" by the club's staff.... it looked out to center stage... just a superb view.
While up there we had the pleasure of meeting and chatting up 2 of Melissa's staff members that do the ticket packages. Those 2 ladies ( I can't remember their names to save my life ) went well out of their way to make sure we were having a good time. When Melissa took the stage the crowd went wild... and for me it was like seeing a myth that I had only read about, heard, and seen pictures of, come to life. I love her music and so much of it has played as a soundtrack to my life that seeing and hearing her face to face was awesome. She rocked us for well over 2 hours and her voice and enthusiasm was strong from beginning to end. She had great chemistry with the crowd and her band was just awesome. I apologize that I can't recall her entire set list for that night, but I was so lost in the moment... to me it was Melissa and she was singing and it was GOOD. Her banter with the crowd showed that she was really into her fans having an awesome time.
She elaborated on her day to us: (as I can recall how it went) she talked about having visited Walter Reed hospital to meet some of the soldiers before the show that were at Reed recovering from injuries they received while in Iraq. She said it was a very moving experience when she met a gentleman by the name of Santiago that she pegged as the kind of person that wouldn't listen to her music... but he told her that he had taken her music with him to Iraq. It really touched her. Later she joked that she would never stereotype her fans again. The whole place erupted in laughter and cheers. There was also a comical situation going on in the background of sorts when she was at Reed: Donald Rumsfeld showed up during her visit... so staff was trying to keep them from running into each other. In the end they DID end up in the same area waiting on an elevator... so she introduced herself. She laughed as she explained that he is SHORT. She said she is short and she was on the same eye level with him. I found that funny because to me he comes across as this big controlling abrasive man.
Anyhow, her band was great... Philip Sayce is phenomenal. He and
Melissa flowed together like you would not believe. Melissa's
playing was awesome as well... she melted into her guitars and
songs with ease. During one song she pulled a Peter Frampton, using
a TalkBox, and it just blew me away. By that time she did her
encore, my voice was GONE, but I so did NOT want the
concert to
end. I'm sure I wasn't alone in that thought.
Halfway through the concert, one of Melissa's staff that was sitting
in the VIP area with us, tapped me on the shoulder and mouthed to
me "Having a good time?" to which I nodded yes, like a nut (well I
am a nut so that's how I nod)... she gave me a big smile and a
thumbs up. Honestly, "good time" doesn't adequately cover
the time
I was having... it was such an awesome experience. Melissa drives a
darn good show... her staff are down to earth and personable and
really care about the fans. I have been to numerous concerts by
many other artist and I have NEVER been in such a satisfying and
intimate atmosphere with a chart topping artist such as her. The
friend I took along is heavy into concert going and she agreed that
the show was something special that you rarely find in other live
venues. If you haven't seen her yet, SEE HER!
I was so pleased by
the concert that I am currently trying to find where there is an
open space in my schedule, so I can go on one of her tour packages.
Sorry if this is kind of long... but sometimes you just have to
share a good thing. :)
~Julie
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