Winter is a slow time for concert tours, as many artists take holidays off, and avoid traveling in the snow. So it's always nice to catch a show from an artist you really like in January.
One of the things I always enjoyed about working at 96.3 in Detroit in the early 2000's was that we did "Intimate and Acoustic" shows. We'd invite maybe 100 people (listeners, station staff and clients) to come see an artist perform in a small room. It was pretty cool. A station will still do that kind of thing here and there, but back around 2003, we did them often. We featured Nelly Furtado, Train and many more, including David Gray.
One of the things I always enjoyed about working at 96.3 in Detroit in the early 2000's was that we did "Intimate and Acoustic" shows. We'd invite maybe 100 people (listeners, station staff and clients) to come see an artist perform in a small room. It was pretty cool. A station will still do that kind of thing here and there, but back around 2003, we did them often. We featured Nelly Furtado, Train and many more, including David Gray.
The afternoon of his show, David performed to around 100 people at the original home of Second City Detroit (now the City Theatre), next door to the Fox Theatre.
Seeing a favorite artist live is always a treat, but a little show like this on a Sunday afternoon was really neat. David played a few songs, and was interviewed by our Music Director, Ann Delisi.
Seeing a favorite artist live is always a treat, but a little show like this on a Sunday afternoon was really neat. David played a few songs, and was interviewed by our Music Director, Ann Delisi.
He seemed a little quiet. Probably tired. It wasn't detrimental to the experience, it was just something I noticed. It can be strange for an artist on the road to have to break routine. The dude was probably sleeping on the tour bus a half an hour earlier.
Or, maybe he's like that all the time. I wouldn't have a clue!
That's something that I tried to remember back in my Golden Age of Meeting Famous People. You're only meeting this person for a little tiny slice of time. It may be the most exciting moment of your life, but they may have had a bad turkey sandwich the night before. Maybe they're concerned about a family member back home. Maybe they just got Skyrim and they can't wait to play it. Whatever it is, they just ain't feelin' it.
I'm not saying that's how this Sunday went at all. It was a really nice experience, just quiet. David was nice, friendly and took time for pictures and autographs.
Or, maybe he's like that all the time. I wouldn't have a clue!
That's something that I tried to remember back in my Golden Age of Meeting Famous People. You're only meeting this person for a little tiny slice of time. It may be the most exciting moment of your life, but they may have had a bad turkey sandwich the night before. Maybe they're concerned about a family member back home. Maybe they just got Skyrim and they can't wait to play it. Whatever it is, they just ain't feelin' it.
I'm not saying that's how this Sunday went at all. It was a really nice experience, just quiet. David was nice, friendly and took time for pictures and autographs.
 He literally bent over to make us happy. |  |
[Looking at that picture of him signing that magazine for a fan, I recall that it may have been his first look at that particular article.]
Later that night, the show was at the Fox Theatre, which is always warm and inviting. If you're going to see a winter show, it's the perfect place.
He was touring in support of the New Day at Midnight album, and still riding the buzz of the previous album. Because White Ladder took a long time to gain traction in the US after its release in 2000, it was still fresh in the minds of a lot of fans in the States.
Later that night, the show was at the Fox Theatre, which is always warm and inviting. If you're going to see a winter show, it's the perfect place.
He was touring in support of the New Day at Midnight album, and still riding the buzz of the previous album. Because White Ladder took a long time to gain traction in the US after its release in 2000, it was still fresh in the minds of a lot of fans in the States.
It was a great show, and I was lucky enough to get good seats because of my job. But the section was fairly empty due to Super Bowl XXXVII happening at the exact same time (The Buccaneers defeated the Raiders, 48–21).
There were two gentlemen in our section a few seats down who were obviously either record company representatives or something else having to do with the tour. (Baseball caps and lanyards are a dead giveaway.) They were chatty, and I actually had to "shush" them a couple of times during the acoustic numbers. It didn't ruin the show, but it's kind of a bummer that that's my most vivid memory of it.
I lost touch with David Gray musically over the years.
There were two gentlemen in our section a few seats down who were obviously either record company representatives or something else having to do with the tour. (Baseball caps and lanyards are a dead giveaway.) They were chatty, and I actually had to "shush" them a couple of times during the acoustic numbers. It didn't ruin the show, but it's kind of a bummer that that's my most vivid memory of it.
I lost touch with David Gray musically over the years.
It might just be time for me to get reacquainted with Mr. Gray!
Please share your David Gray memories in the comments below!
Please share your David Gray memories in the comments below!
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