So they don’t call me Rajdeep for nothing! I like to dig deep when I meet someone, especially when I like them. That’s what I get for reading all those Encyclopedia Brown and Nancy Drew books growing up. Somewhere deep down, I think I’ve always wanted to be an investigative reporter of sorts. But in the end, its people I adore, individuals and their stories, and when I am drawn to you, I just need to ask you a question. Or two.
Hubby, accepting this side of my quirky personality, in conjunction with supporting my writer dream, splurged on a V.I.P. pass for me for the Deep Hits Tour, in hopes that I could get up close and personal with some of the performing artists and write-up a story or two. Of course. Truth is, I’ve never been a V.I.P., and I had no idea what the extra ticket actually encompassed.
I arrived on the day of the concert and hubs and the girls dropped me off in the already assembling line an hour before the doors opened. Wow. Did that guy in the front camp out last night? I’m glad I got here when I did. There are at least thirty or so folks in front of me.
When the doors open, I stroll in, following the crowd and adhere to the usher’s directions, “You can make your way up to the stage. There are no assigned seats.” So what do I do? I walk right up to the first row and find the one empty seat next to a big guy who is sort of spilling over to the empty seat and put my purse and coat on it. “Is this seat taken?” He shakes his head no, so I say, “It is now.”
But I’m not planning on sitting, so I pull out my handy-dandy iPhone5 and look over my questions that I typed up on the Notes APP while driving over. I want to sound prepared if and when Toby and his crew give the audience a chance to interview them. And then I lean up against the railing only inches from the stage, anxious to see who will come out first. And within minutes, the 200 or so seats are filled and out comes one of the lead band members from Toby Mac’s band, Gabriel Patillo, AKA Toby’s Main BeatBox.
And he’s quite the natural M.C. as he introduces Mandisa and Group1Crew’s Blanca and Manny. And I am transported into fan-coma. You know the look. When you’re debating the consequences of jumping on stage and hugging your favorite singers? Will they arrest me before I get the interview? Will hubby have enough change after posting bail to still pay for tolls to get back to New York? Will I get tweeted on Instagram and the photo be sold for millions? Some day? Hey, that’s happens tomorrow, right?! Anyway,
I behave. But I have to admit, I am thrilled to pieces when they start singing and rapping and free-styling and Manny actually works me into the last line of his beat-boxing ditty.
“And I so like the fact that this girl is standing!” Or something like that. And how do I know he’s referring to yours truly? Easy. I am the only girl standing! In fact, I’m the only PERSON standing.
Not sure if the rest of the fans are saving their dance moves for the actual concert or maybe they travelled really far to get here and they need to rest, but it’s a little out of my control and I just accept that I’m different. When I hear music, especially music with rhythm, my legs shoot up and my hips start a’swaying. Not that I’m a natural-born dancer, but I can hold my own. My sister gave me a little tip back in the day. “Don’t pick up your feet and you’re very likely not going to trip. And you look cool while you’re at it.” And those words have been golden. So, back to the pre-game show, if you will.
After the little song and some fun back and forth between the artists, Gabe asks us if we have any questions, so I make like an anxious first grader, and shoot up my hand to the sky.
“Okay, someone came prepared. Lady in the front.” And he handed me the mic! No joke. He had no idea who he was handing this weapon, I mean, microphone too.
“So, how many questions can I ask?” Yes, I wasted my first question on this question! I know, cheesy!
“Maybe two or three.” Really, Gabe! “Go ahead and ask away.”
“Okay! So, I know Christmas is coming up and all. Is there anything in particular each of you is hoping to get for Christmas? Do you know what you want for Christmas?” This is my relaxed, reporter voice speaking.
“A tall, single, dark and handsome, bald man who loves the Lord!” Mandisa just busts out with her answer! The crowd bursts out with laughter.
So I follow up with, “Does he have to sing?” See how Gabe should have checked my references before he handed me this fun little projection of my voice thingy!? 😉
“Nope. In fact, I’d prefer he not sing. Maybe an accountant. Or something like that.”
“And the rest of you? What do you want for Christmas?” I move the mic away from my mouth. Someone get this out of my hands before I interject. Again!
Manny says, “Nothing.”
“O come on, there must be something.” I love this mic!
Someone shouts out, “Shoes!” because he’s on stage in his socks. More laughter from the crowd.
“Well, I want to say, but I don’t want to. Okay, fine. A backpack. But a specific one. Which I’m not going to mention. Next!” And later, Manny actually tweets me saying, he doesn’t want to say the brand for fear people might think of him differently.
Blanca of Group1Crew answers, “Well, Toby gave us each a mini iPad for Christmas.” Cheers and claps follow. “So, I kind of want a case for it so I don’t break it.”
“That makes sense.” Who gave this chick the mic!?!
Gabe says, “What’s your next question?” I guess I’m not being gonged yet, so I continue. Still standing.
“So, when each of you gets inspired to write a new song, what comes first, the tune or the lyrics?” Yes, I really did think about the wording to this one!
And each answers a little differently.
Mandisa, “Every song is different. Sometimes I come at a new song with just an idea. But the process is always organic.” I like that word! Organic.
Manny says, “Well, since I’m a rapper, it’s a little different. The beat often plays right into the song from the beginning.”
Mandisa, “In fact, someone just sent me a song that I think might just be making it onto my new album.”
Manny starts jumping up and down. In his socks. “Really! Now that’s what I really want for Christmas!” [See this LIVE on YouTube!!] <—-notice how he looks right at me at the end of his sentence! 🙂
And then they sing a little more and I am back to dancing. Swaying without moving my feet, to be exact. Hey to the hips. I had so much fun being a V.I.P. for the first time. And the best part, immediately afterward, I kept the communication going through the wonderful tweet tweets of Twitter. Tweeted Group1Crew, “Thanks for putting me into your rap! #TheGirlInFront” and “What kind of backpack did you want for #Christmas?” And Manny actually responded! And right there in the stands, I did a cart-wheel (My goto response when a rock star tweets back!) Not really. Because, with my gymnastics skills, I would have fallen off the balcony and landed on stage and ruined the show. And that is not how I wanted to be remembered!
So I stuck to the plan. Write up a blog or two. Tweet some more. Send out some cyber love, and call it a day! Merry Christmas Disa! And to you, Blanca and Manny too! 🙂 You all have already filled my stocking with so many songs I love, feel like Christmas came early. And the best part, with the mere press of the shuffle button, I can listen to your voices—all year round!
**Come back tomorrow for some fun VLOG-action [More YouTube Videos of The V.I.P. time!!] on In Search of Waterfall Tunes! I promise…it will be worth it!!
**And you and your family? Do you guys do the stocking thing? Do you find the smallest gifts are often your favorite? Is there something you really want to find under the tree this year?
