My DMB Fat Tuesday

First off, I do not have a band that controls my life. For the past 4 years, the Dave Matthews Band has influenced my life and helped me find a place of solace. Whether it's been finding secret messages to help me with everyday challenges, a subtle reminder of how great life is and to cherish it, or to cope with the loss of a loved one, DMB has helped me get past my shitty days and has driven my best.

So with less than 14 hours left of DMB listening, I have decided to listen to atleast 2-3 shows during the day. I'm going to be starting with 8/9/08 from the Alpine Music Theater in East Troy, MI. It's a great show featuring the famous Anyone Seen the Bridge -> Too Much (fake) -> Halloween.

The next 3 shows I'm considering. One is 7/10/04 in Hershey, PA. This show is amazing and features all four 2004 songs (Sugar Will, Crazy Easy, Good Good Time, and Joy Ride). All are pretty much defunct with the exception of Sugar Will. It also features a great Rhyme and Reason and one of the most amazing versions of Jimi Thing I have ever heard.

The next show is 10/2/07 at the Hollywood Bowl in California. This show was incredible featuring an amazing #41 with John Mayer, Exodus with the Wailors, and five sons featured Danny Barnes on banjo. The show also had an amazing encore with American Baby Intro going into Grey Street with a nice transition by Butch Taylor on the keys.

I am currently downloading this last show, 7/7/01 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. This show features the 5 or 6 famous Pig teases where Dave refused to play it because so many people brought Pig signs to the venue. He states many times angrily in the IEM recording of the show how he won't play it to the band. The show opened with Grey Street which is personal favorite of mine, especially that version.

Since I've listened to 7/10/04 so much, I may start with Alpine into Chicago and maybe try to fit in Hershey or Hollywood. So there we go. My last 14 hours with DMB before I go 40 straight days of fresh music and new inspirations.

"Find some inspiration, it's down deep inside of you." - Boyd Tinsley "True Reflections"