Chicago, IL:
PART I
They keep saying “we’re back after 15 years!” but Kristen and I know it was 14. We were at their last concert together in May 1994 in St. Louis, MO, and then they announced their breakup June that same year. I guess 15 sounds better for publicity reasons and, really, they’re BACK. Who cares how long it took?
If you know me at all or have read any of my blogs in the past year, I am referring to the reunion of New Kids On The Block. Tonight, I made my pilgrimage to Chicago to see the group that had a huge part in shaping who I am and what I do today. My friend, Kristen, flew down from San Luis Obispo, CA to join me and it only seems right since we not only saw the last show together 14 (er, 15?) years ago, but we also met each other at a New Kids concert in 1989.
It was after that concert and the concert following it that I decided I HATED to be just another face in the crowd; just another girl that was being mashed up to the front of the stage, screaming as the boy band seductively strutted past us on stage. There had to be a way to get out of this mess of people and up there – on stage – or at least somewhere closer to them and further from these mere groupies surrounding me.
It was then that my mission became very clear – I need a job in the music industry. And now, 14ish (how’s that?) years later, here I stand.
Except that’s the problem tonight. I’m among about 50 other fans (all groupies, I’m sure) at a soundcheck party where I was told I would be able to meet the group. Of course, in my mind, that included laughing, sipping cocktails and sharing stories of our teen years – them: traveling the world, living the dream and making girls cry; me: living in the Midwest, living the dream that I would be traveling around the world with them someday and yes, at their concerts, the girl they made cry. However, the reality of my night is that I am, once again, just another face in the crowd; another girl trying to look excited and unfazed all at once.
But, at this point, I’m happy to have whatever I can squeeze out of this moment. We’re in the front row of the ‘party’ so we get a close up view of Donnie and Jordan rehearsing one of their new songs. Donnie points the microphone towards us and tells us to SINGGGGG! Except it’s off their new CD and I have to admit, I don’t think I know this one. In the past, when they released albums (in cassette tape form, of course), I would buy them on the day they came out, race home and listen to them over and over again until I knew each word of each new song. With this one, though I did buy it on release day, once it was downloaded to my iPod, after the first track, I would be shuffled to another song by another artist and forget to return to the album at hand.
Kristen and I do our best to keep up with the gaggle of girls that have memorized the lyrics. At one point, Jordan is suddenly in the front row, grinding with the girl next to me. Of course, once again, I am the girl NEXT to the girl Jordan is dancing with. 14ish-year-old memories of lack of self-confidence and slight jealously resurface. Oh, and there’s a guy shooting B-roll with a video camera of the whole event. So now, someday, if it ever makes it to print, you might be able to see past the ‘chosen one’ and notice me in the background. And if it really ever does go to DVD, there goes my tour managing street cred out the window too. Oy vey.
Next, Danny sheepishly strolls up and asks us if we wanted a picture with him. I wonder if he did this when he was not playing the role as a New Kid. Perhaps he would go grocery shopping with his four kids and stop women in the produce section, “Ma’am, did you want to get a picture with me?” But, of course, who are we to say no to Danny? So Kristen and I take one together, which looks vaguely reminiscent of the photo we took with him all those years ago. (Which, now looking back, makes me wonder if all I did was listen to NKOTB and EAT!)
Oh yeah – forgot to mention that part. When we had arrived, my buddy, Mauss, who hooked us up, brought us back to his office. He had warned us, “they walk around here a lot, so are you going to be cool?” Of course! We are professionals! We know how to be backstage! We would never… As I reassure my touring comrade that we’ll be on our best behavior, Jordan walks by the office and Kristen yells out,
That’s the thing about this crowd – there are TONS of women there, most in their mid 30s, some with their children! Women don vintage NKOTB t-shirts and large, overside buttons (think boy band trekkies). I also see a beach towel, a bed sheet (sewn into a dress), a fanny pack, the original $100 bomber jacket and girls that have reinterpreted the 80s genre all together.
But I soon lose interest in everyone else around me when the house goes dark and the ear-piercing sounds of screams fill the Allstate Arena. After who-cares-how-many-years, they truly are back.
modeling the '08 tour jacket.... she spent the $75, I decided the photo was enough!
It was after that concert and the concert following it that I decided I HATED to be just another face in the crowd; just another girl that was being mashed up to the front of the stage, screaming as the boy band seductively strutted past us on stage. There had to be a way to get out of this mess of people and up there – on stage – or at least somewhere closer to them and further from these mere groupies surrounding me.
It was then that my mission became very clear – I need a job in the music industry. And now, 14ish (how’s that?) years later, here I stand.
Except that’s the problem tonight. I’m among about 50 other fans (all groupies, I’m sure) at a soundcheck party where I was told I would be able to meet the group. Of course, in my mind, that included laughing, sipping cocktails and sharing stories of our teen years – them: traveling the world, living the dream and making girls cry; me: living in the Midwest, living the dream that I would be traveling around the world with them someday and yes, at their concerts, the girl they made cry. However, the reality of my night is that I am, once again, just another face in the crowd; another girl trying to look excited and unfazed all at once.
But, at this point, I’m happy to have whatever I can squeeze out of this moment. We’re in the front row of the ‘party’ so we get a close up view of Donnie and Jordan rehearsing one of their new songs. Donnie points the microphone towards us and tells us to SINGGGGG! Except it’s off their new CD and I have to admit, I don’t think I know this one. In the past, when they released albums (in cassette tape form, of course), I would buy them on the day they came out, race home and listen to them over and over again until I knew each word of each new song. With this one, though I did buy it on release day, once it was downloaded to my iPod, after the first track, I would be shuffled to another song by another artist and forget to return to the album at hand.
Donnie & Jordan at the soundcheck party
Next, Danny sheepishly strolls up and asks us if we wanted a picture with him. I wonder if he did this when he was not playing the role as a New Kid. Perhaps he would go grocery shopping with his four kids and stop women in the produce section, “Ma’am, did you want to get a picture with me?” But, of course, who are we to say no to Danny? So Kristen and I take one together, which looks vaguely reminiscent of the photo we took with him all those years ago. (Which, now looking back, makes me wonder if all I did was listen to NKOTB and EAT!)
Kristen, Danny & me... Chicago, IL - 2008
Kristen, Danny & me... St. Louis, MO - 1994
Joe shows up too and I get a picture with just the two of us together... mainly because there was no way Kristen was going to share space with her favorite Kid! No sign of Jon, but we had seen him earlier backstage.
Joe & me
Oh yeah – forgot to mention that part. When we had arrived, my buddy, Mauss, who hooked us up, brought us back to his office. He had warned us, “they walk around here a lot, so are you going to be cool?” Of course! We are professionals! We know how to be backstage! We would never… As I reassure my touring comrade that we’ll be on our best behavior, Jordan walks by the office and Kristen yells out,
“HI JORDAN!!! REMEMBER ME?!? I HAD YOU ON MY RADIO SHOW THREE YEARS AGO IN FRESNO!!!”
So much for nonchalant-ness.
Surprisingly, he DOES remember her as she continues to jog his brain about their meeting (which I was fortunate enough to be a part of as well). Jon walks in next and she is quick to brief him on their past introductions. As her rapid talking continues, I stand back by Mauss, quietly observing and taking it all in. Being a fan for you know how many years now, I've got a lot to say, but since I work on this side of the business, I comply with backstage etiquette 101 and act accordingly in front of my peers. You never know how your actions may affect future potential job opportunities. I’ll save my role as fan when I’m out in the crowd.
But there is one thing I’ve GOT to say. I need to let them – one of them, at least – know what a huge impact they’ve had on me. I know it seems silly to some, but had I not hated being that blank face in the crowd so much that it would force me to find a way in, I don’t know if I would have so passionately fought my way into the industry. I don’t attribute all my successes to them, but I give them credit for lighting that spark or putting the idea in my head or giving me some reason to choose the path I’m on.
Cut back to the soundcheck party. Donnie is now walking on the backside of the barricades, taking pictures with each person. Ok, so I’m still such a fan getting a pic with the pop star (as is appropriate to do at a soundcheck party!), but this was my moment to let him know who he was really dealing with. So I told him my story. Not as eloquently as I had hoped in my head, more like a version of “I hated this so much that I became a tour manager!” Babble, babble, you get the point, right? He cocked his head sideways and gave me a nod and a smile… then a little punch-knuckles-thingy. I don’t really do that (ever), so I was a bit confused by the exchange, but I’m guessing it means… good for you? Whatever. The point is, I told my story and I met the people that had started this whole crazy life I lead. Which, really, is the point.
PART II
Though I’m amped up from seeing / meeting / being embarrassed in front of them, I’m ready to see a New Kids On The Block concert. The same songs that made me swoon at as a teenager and cringe at when people bad-mouthed them in my college years – I was ready to relive them all again live.
Before we take our seats, Kristen and I check out the merch booth, filled with bright colored shirts and tanks and shorts, some reminiscent of their 80s heyday, others trying for a more edgier feel. I laugh out loud when I see the baby onesie that says “Step By Step.” You know you are truly an adult when the group you liked growing up sells a ONESIE for their fans who, obviously, are old enough to have kids of their own now.
But there is one thing I’ve GOT to say. I need to let them – one of them, at least – know what a huge impact they’ve had on me. I know it seems silly to some, but had I not hated being that blank face in the crowd so much that it would force me to find a way in, I don’t know if I would have so passionately fought my way into the industry. I don’t attribute all my successes to them, but I give them credit for lighting that spark or putting the idea in my head or giving me some reason to choose the path I’m on.
Cut back to the soundcheck party. Donnie is now walking on the backside of the barricades, taking pictures with each person. Ok, so I’m still such a fan getting a pic with the pop star (as is appropriate to do at a soundcheck party!), but this was my moment to let him know who he was really dealing with. So I told him my story. Not as eloquently as I had hoped in my head, more like a version of “I hated this so much that I became a tour manager!” Babble, babble, you get the point, right? He cocked his head sideways and gave me a nod and a smile… then a little punch-knuckles-thingy. I don’t really do that (ever), so I was a bit confused by the exchange, but I’m guessing it means… good for you? Whatever. The point is, I told my story and I met the people that had started this whole crazy life I lead. Which, really, is the point.
I tell Donnie my story and I get... a knuckles-punch-thingy.
PART II
Though I’m amped up from seeing / meeting / being embarrassed in front of them, I’m ready to see a New Kids On The Block concert. The same songs that made me swoon at as a teenager and cringe at when people bad-mouthed them in my college years – I was ready to relive them all again live.
Before we take our seats, Kristen and I check out the merch booth, filled with bright colored shirts and tanks and shorts, some reminiscent of their 80s heyday, others trying for a more edgier feel. I laugh out loud when I see the baby onesie that says “Step By Step.” You know you are truly an adult when the group you liked growing up sells a ONESIE for their fans who, obviously, are old enough to have kids of their own now.
Another piece of merch for the 30+ crowd with kids.
That’s the thing about this crowd – there are TONS of women there, most in their mid 30s, some with their children! Women don vintage NKOTB t-shirts and large, overside buttons (think boy band trekkies). I also see a beach towel, a bed sheet (sewn into a dress), a fanny pack, the original $100 bomber jacket and girls that have reinterpreted the 80s genre all together.
Blasts from the past (bless their hearts....)
But I soon lose interest in everyone else around me when the house goes dark and the ear-piercing sounds of screams fill the Allstate Arena. After who-cares-how-many-years, they truly are back.
