(This is a continuation of the previous post Collective Soul Pt 1- Feb 1/08 – the next night)
The comfort doll photo with the band was done and in hand, the band had the doll (almost no thanks to my forgetfulness) and during the show, Joel had tossed a guitar pick out and it had literally landed on my shirt, so I added that into the auction package for later. I had also proofed the photo that night once I got home, and sent an email with a crazy idea to their lady manager -on a weekend- at nearly 10pm her time! But… with Blackberrys and iPhones, people collect their email on the go and she replied to it the next morning – Yes, my name would be on the list for that evening’s meet and greet session so I could have the photo autographed by the band!
That night I headed out to the Richmond near the Vancouver airport to the next venue on the band’s tour list. I always get lost in Richmond and the venue was a fairly new casino. I knew roughly where it was – in the daylight! I got so mixed up with direction – and with new construction for our overhead train system looking distinctly like freeway off ramps in the dark, it was maddening. I could ‘see’ the Casino at every turn but I couldn’t get across the short stretch of water to make it into the venue!
Finally in desperation I called the Venue, gave the fellow two cross streets that I was at and had him literally walk me through the rights and left turns needed to see the venue at the end of a long street! I was running late due to being lost, and again could find no parking. So.. I pulled up behind the band’s tour bus! 🙂 Saying a prayer for not being towed, I was off to make it to the ticket window ‘just’ in time… the security fellow was taking the group down for the meet and greet with the band. I saw the same two ladies that had helped me the night before and we chatted while going down a service elevator and through a maze of winding hallways, up and down stairs and generally into the very bowels of the building… good thing we had a guide!
The room this time was small and much dimmer but again those huge lights on 7ft high stands to accomodate the pro photographer. We all stayed in a small group and the band came in again to hushed tones – seemed odd to talk loud in such a small space. Again I chose to go last and watched the band with the fans. Again I was impressed at how each person was made to feel at ease and the particular band member’s attention didn’t waver from who they were speaking to until they were done. Each person had their item signed, and a photo with the band, and then it was my turn. I dont think they remembered me from the night before – until I held out the photo. Then they all gathered around to look at it and sign it and they thought I wanted it personalized – I had to stop Ed from writing my name on it! Once it was signed, I thanked them again, and that was that. We all headed upstairs with our guide and while the others went to find their seats for the show, I went to see if I’d been towed away… nope 🙂
We auctioned off Collective Soul’s photo in March, along with The Tragically Hip’s photo, and it was our most successful auction up to that time! We raised a staggering $220.00 for World Vision – the most money a single band photo had ever brought in for us. The auction was amazing, the band was very giving… but that’s not the end of our story with them. More to come later 🙂
For a full list of what our auction was able to fund through World Vision’s Gift Catalog, go HERE
