2010 - DMB Fan Book

Did you go to a Dave Matthews Band show this year?  Maybe it was more then one? Well I would love to hear from you!

The idea is to put together a fan book, where every show of 2010 is covered.  As many words as you want about your experience!!  Include what you did for tailgating, or post show if you want.  Let us know why the show was special to you, or maybe why it fell a little short.  Funny things that happened to you, people you met, your favorite song, the biggest surprise.. etc.  If you have pictures with yourself in there, or just great shots of the band, feel free to include it.

The format idea:

The chapters will be each show.  The chapter will start with the show name, a picture of the venue or the band playing at the venue and a setlist.  Following that will be the fan accounts and a page or three of pictures from each show.  Include your age if you would like to show the eclectic crowd DMB has.  Include the amount of shows you have been to, and what show number that particular account is referring to. 

If we can get this going, my goal is to get every show of 2010, bind it and send it to anybody who sent me their stories and then start spreading the word that it exist.  Maybe someday it will reach the band.  Thanks.

Send to: cal.condon@gmail.com
copyright: Cal Condon January 2011

Update: This idea has become a reality.  The stories are coming in! Keep them coming, I want to make this something special for us to all hold on to.

Dave Matthews Band Addiction - A Healthy Habit

A life changing moment varies from each individual.  For some its graduation or you got hired for the job of your dreams.  It could be a day where you lost someone close to you, or fell in love with the person you planned on spending the rest of your life with.  It may be the day you received your first guitar, or even played your first gig.  Maybe, you won the lottery or went bankrupt.  These are moments that we experience in one way or another, and they can have a significant impact on your life.  They have for me.  I have graduated, won awards, lost people close to me and fell in love.  I also remember receiving my first guitar, but I've never had my own gig.  I definitely hadn't won the lottery, or gone bankrupt (in the legal sense).  Although all these things may provide a significant influence in my life, the day that has defined me, a day that started tradition, happiness and musical ambition, is a day that gave me an out when things were going bad as well as a time that brought much joy.  That day is June 29, 2000 at Soldier Field for my first ever Dave Matthews Band show, the start of my addiction.

Their music can be described as acoustic rock or pop, but in its one unique category.  Some may call them a jam band for their jams, or 14 minute long songs.  They have elements of jazz, and with Tim Reynolds and his electric guitar in the lineup they have added more of a rock element.  Their albums were successful and enjoyable, but when you see a live show for the first time you will be hooked.  I have been hooked since that day in 2000 and 35 shows later I continue to be, as I am about to take the 10 hour drive to Virginia to see their last show before their first break in 20 years.

Around 1997,  My best friend, who grew up a couple houses down from me introduced me to this squeaky voiced band that included a saxophone (Leroi Moore) AND a violin (Boyd Tinsley), something I would have never thought to listen to.  Dave Matthews played a type of guitar I haven't heard, Carter Beauford is the best drummer on the planet and Stefan Lessard, the bassist, was younger then the entire band.  Not to mention, the band was racially balanced, something you don't see often.  At the time we were obsessed with classic rock coupled with the R&B/Rap songs of the time, so Dave Matthews Band was a whole new vibe.  For instance, we had burned a few Cd's at the time on software that takes an hour to burn the disc.  The track list would look something like this:

1. Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven
2. The Eagles - Hotel California

3. Santana - Black Magic Woman

4. Ten Years After - I'd Love to Change the World

5. The Rolling Stones - Satisfaction

6. Yes - Roundabout

7. Boston - Foreplay/Long Time
8. Lynyrd Skynyrd - Freebird

1. City High - What Would you Do

2. Outkast - The Whole World

3. Nelly - Ride With Me

4. Jagged Edge - Where The Party At

5. Fat Joe ft. Ashanti - What's Love

6. Timberland & Magoo - Luv 2 Luv Ya

7. KC & JoJo - All My Life

At the time, to us, these songs weren't overplayed.  As a matter of fact, I apparently didn't know the magnitude of these songs when I asked my Mom if shes ever heard the song "Freebird" before.  She just laughed and went on to tell that story to everyone we know.  Now, as I attend a variety of musical acts in an array of venues, I have become "that guy".  You know, the one who yells "FREEBIRD!!" in between songs, for nothing more than to be "that guy."  All we cared about was the music and playing the air guitar.  These bands made us feel great and we looked forward to when we got old enough to step outside the walls of our bedrooms and see this music for ourselves.  It added a new dimension of idolization to my life.  I no longer only dreamed of being Ryne Sandberg, Michael Jordan or Walter Payton.  I dreamed of playing the guitar, going to concerts and rocking out.  I dreamed of meeting Gary Rossington, Steve Gaines and Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd and learning the guitar to rock like them.  We even had a binder full of guitar tabs consisting of songs we stood no chance of playing, considering we didn't really know how to play the guitar

At the time of this cross interest in music, Dave Matthews Band was always there in the background.  Their music was a lot of fun to me.  We would try to hit the high notes of "Satellite" and keep up with the end of "Ants Marching" or Dave's weird scats.  We analyzed the always interesting lyrics and argued over what songs are better.  It gave me a different opportunity to learn unique guitar rhythms and it showed me how a band can care so much about their fans that they play 100+ shows a year while allowing people to tape their shows and put them on the web for free.  The music we listened to before DMB was unreachable.  All the classic rock bands were either dead or insignificant, and the R&B/Rap "music" was all profit based and didn't provide an interesting enough live show, if they played any shows at all.  

DMB transformed me, not only in the type of music I listen to but who I became and what I decided to do with my free time.  They preached peace, they got me involved in politics at a young age and even gave me interest in protecting the environment.  Going away for the weekend, camping and going to hotels for the shows have formed traditions for friends you don't see that often, or just simply a way to get away from reality.

Being from Chicago, but living in Bloomington, Indiana for the last 6 years, I don't see my friends from back home to often.  In high school, we would pack the cars/vans and head to Alpine Valley in Wisconsin, and we decided to continue that tradition to this very day.  Every year, except this past tour, my Bloomington friends and I would make the trip to Chicago to meet up with some friends from home and then head to Alpine with everyone.  

Here in Indiana, we have started a tradition going to Deer Creek and camping right there by the venue, always a unique experience.  Other traditions are starting, and some are fading but its been a lot of fun and I hope to take time for these trips my whole life and I encourage everyone to do so as well.

It's hard to explain, but finding something that makes you that happy almost seems healthy.  When times are bad, as they have been for me the last few years, it gave me an out - something to look forward to and put a smile on my face.  It has become a hobby to follow their set list, listen to as many shows as I can and critique their every move like I would for my Chicago Cubs, Bears, Bulls, Hawks, and Indiana Hoosiers.  You become a part of something, a community of friends and people you don't even know.  If you have something in your life like that, don't make excuses not to go, including money.  You can always find a way, and it's important you have that time away from all the stresses of life. 

   

Total Shows: 35

First Show: June 29, 2000 - Soldier Field (Chicago, IL)

 - Dave Matthews Band

 - Ben Harper

 - Ozomatli

Most Recent Show: September 18, 2010 - Wrigley Field (Chicago, IL)

- Dave Matthews Band

- Jason Mraz

Next show: November 20, 2010 - John Paul Jones Arena (Charlottesville, VA)

- Dave Matthews Band

- Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave.

First song ever heard: #41 with Butch Taylor on the keyboards

Most common song heard: Grey Street (17) - First time seen: Soldier Field, June 29, 2000 (included 3rd verse)

Most common venue: Alpine Valley.  Most recent July 19, 2009 and first time on August 31, 2002

Most common opener: Don't Drink the Water (5 times) - First time seen: Allstate Arena, April 27, 2002

Most common Encore: Two Step (8) - First time seen: June 29, 2000 - Soldier Field

Favorite Song: Jimi Thing live @ Central Park ft. Warren Haynes

Favorite Studio Album: Before These Crowded Streets
Cities visited for DMB shows: Chicago, IL - Rosemont, IL - Bridgeview, IL - Bloomington, IN - Tinley Park, IL - East Troy, WI - Noblesville, IN - Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Pittsburgh, PA - Tampa, FL - Charlottesville, VA (Nov. 20)

"Eat, Drink and be Merry, for tomorrow we'll die"

NFL PREDICTIONS - Division & Wild Card Winners

AFC EAST

Patriots – Tom Brady has a newly signed contract and looks back to form. Moss is playing for a big contract, which means a career year for him (yes, even with all his HOF years) and the Pats defense will undoubtedly improve under Belichick who was not happy about the performance of their uncharacteristic 09’ performance. McCourty, a very talented CB, was picked in the 1st

round. Look for him to become one of the leagues next elite CB’s. Same ol’ Pats.

Jets – Revis, not surprisingly, ended his holdout and is back manning “Revis island.” #1 WR’s beware; you are going to be taken out of every game when playing the Jets. Yes, that means you Moss. This defense is stacked, and the offense will be good enough to push them to the playoffs. Mark Sanchez will be carried through the season with veteran receivers Cotchery and Edwards while Shonn Greene and LT provide the balance necessary to deceive opposing defenses. This team is full of Hard Knocks.

AFC WEST

Chargers – Even with Vincent Jackson missing the first few games, Philip Rivers will be targeting the likes of Floyd and Company, who are more than capable of putting up big numbers (even more scary when/if Jackson returns). The LT era is over and I see that as a benefit. Out with the old and in with Ryan Matthews (my pick for Rookie of the Year). They may be the healthiest team in football and based off of ESPN’s strength of schedule, they have the 3rd easiest schedule in the NFL.

AFC NORTH

Bengals - A COMPLETELY healthy Carson Palmer is one of the best QB’s in football. His options are all over the place, and Palmer is more than willing to please the Diva’s, Ocho Cinco and Ocho Uno (I think T.O. should change his name, it would be hilarious). With those two guys on the field, the newly acquired Antonio Bryant has an opportunity to shine as well. Benson won’t be as productive, but that is a good thing for the Bengals. He covered for a poor pass offense last year, but with a more balanced offense there will come a more efficient run game where the pass threat will give the Bengals better 3rd down options, in which they struggled last year. Defense should be in the middle of the pack. For some reason I think they’ll build a surprising rapport.

Ravens – These guys seem to be the popular pick lately for the Super Bowl, which I don’t see. That being said I think they take the wild card here. Their defense is getting old and I’m not sure if Ray Lewis and Suggs can carry this team too much longer on the defensive side. On the offensive side, Flacco has some options. They have 3 WR’s that were all at one point, and might still be able to be, #1’s on the depth chart. They acquired Anquan Boldin, who is easy to ignore because of his history of injury, but is a stud that will give Mason more opportunity and vice versa. They stole Houshmanzada from a desperate and stupid franchise in the Seattle Seahawks which gives them 3 WR’s that cover all aspects of the game. The deep threat, the red zone touches, the up the middle toughness - they got it all. On top of that, they have one of the best RB’s in the game in Ray Rice, who may also be the best receiving RB in the NFL. Watch out.

AFC SOUTH

Colts – Peyton Manning and his disciples (Wayne, Garcon, Collie, Gonzalez, Clark, Addai). No need for a complete sentence, I think that’s enough said about the offense. The defense, if healthy, could be a top 3 defense in the NFL. Enough Said.

NFC EAST

Cowboys – The Super Bowl is being played at “Jerry World” which gives them more incentive to push for the big dance. This is the year Romo comes into his own and makes use of his ENTIRE offense. Now that Miles Austin is no longer a surprise, teams will double up on him and open up the opportunities for Roy Williams, who has disappeared the last couple seasons. Dez Bryant will give them a boost as well, and their running game is well balanced with both speed and power. Watch out for this defense. If healthy I think they finish top 3 defenses in the league and DeMarcus Ware will lead the league in sacks and perhaps win defensive player of the year honors.

Giants – I really hate New York teams, but I am picking both of them as my wild card picks. The Giants, like in 07’, are flying under the radar. I am not suggesting they are going to win the Super Bowl but with no real big names or off-season acquisitions, no one is talking about them. Remember when Peyton was inconsistent, kind of like Eli? Remember that Eli actually started his career slightly better than the start of his superstar brother? Well this year he has returning starters that he slowly built a great connection with last year. Steve Smith is no longer a surprise and will become a pretty steady #1 option for Eli. Then he has Hakeem Nicks and Manningham to provide the deep threat. Who do you cover? He also has one of the best O-lines in the game and although shaky at RB, there are many different roads for the Giants to take on the ground. Defensively, I expect them to be middle of the pack. Eli will channel his brother this year and take it another step up.

NFL WEST

49ers – This one is easy. Worst division in the NFL, so this pick is by default. I love the identity that Chicago Bears great, Mike Singletary, has instilled in this team and his heir apparent, Patrick Willis, is one nasty dude. The defense will take on Singletary’s persona, which means 22 crazy eyes staring down the QB. Michael, neither Crab nor Tree, has a full training camp under his belt and if healthy will have his first full season to prove he is an elite receiver. After all, he is pretty much their only receiver if you don’t count Vernon Davis. Davis will lead the league in TD’s for a Tight End and will make you run in the opposite direction if you saw him in a dark alley (I don’t know if you would actually be able to see him… even scarier). If Gore can keep himself off the sidelines with injury he is one of the league’s elite RB’s. He alone can win this weak division.

NFC NORTH

Packers – Best offense in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers will contend for league MVP and will lead the league in passing yards as well as rushing TD’s for a QB. Ryan Grant is one of the best kept secrets in the NFL and this will be the year Jermichael Finley becomes an elite Tight End. Their defense hurt them down the stretch last year, but with a year of the 3-4 under their belts they may have mastered it by now. If they truly are going to switch up the defense instead of solely sticking with the 3-4, they may improve on that side of the ball, giving the offense enough room to go as far as they can dream.

Bears – Ok, so I am biased here but I legitimately believe they are going to have a big year in a tough division. No one seems to agree on what to expect from a new look Bears, some picking them to finish last and others picking them as a surprise in the NFC. I am going with the latter with much hope. Who was Kurt Warner before Mike Martz? How about Marshall Faulk? Fast receivers running downfield with a rocket arm throwing it to them in an offense that is structured for that EXACT formula should be fun to watch. Forte is one of the best pass catching RB’s in the league and Martz will make the most of that. The question mark is the O-Line which will no doubt be one of the worst in the NFL, but for some reason I think Cutler can overcome that and move up in the QB rankings. Peppers will be in contention for Defensive Player of the year, and if the ‘D’ stays healthy I think they become the top defense in the NFC. DA BEARS.

NFC SOUTH

Saints – How is this team flying under the radar in the year they will be defending their championship? I don’t get it. Ok, so there is that thing called a Super Bowl hangover, but I don’t think that will be the issue for the ‘Who Dat’ nation. The defending champs have one of the easiest schedules in the NFL this year and have kept their prolific offense intact. The starting O-line, WR’s and TE are all returning, which means an even more comfortable Drew Brees. Their defense is even healthier and that New Orleans crowd is going to be all-in, which is one of the biggest home field advantages in sports. No need to elaborate, their stacked.

NFC Champion - PACKERS

AFC Champion - COLTS

SUPERBOWL WINNER - COLTS

2010 MLB Predictions

NL CENTRAL

St. Louis Cardinals - This bothers me, but as a baseball fan it cant be ignored. Albert Pujols off to a hot start as always, a full season with Matt Holliday and a pretty solid pitching staff beats out the rest of a fairly weak division. Team MVP: Pujols. Team Cy Young: Wainwright.
2. Chicago Cubs - WILD CARD
3. Cincinnati Reds
4. Milwaukee Brewers
5. Houston Astros
6. Pittsburgh Pirates

NL EAST

Atlanta Braves - Bobby Cox will end his career in the most appropriate way he can, winning the division as he has done 14 times with the Braves and once with the Blue Jays all while knocking out the best team in the National League, the Phillies. Jason Heyward is going to add a huge bat to that lineup along with the addition of Troy Glaus and a full season of Nate McClouth. Their pitching could be a question, but their relief has improved. Billy Wagner is back to form, and when Saito is healthy their bullpen is set top to bottom. Team MVP Chipper Jones (if healthy). Team Cy Young: Derek Lowe
2. Philladelphia Phillies
3. New York Mets
4. Florida Marlins
5. Washington Nationals

NL WEST

San Francisco Giants - Pitching, pitching and more pitching. A consistent Cy Young candidate, again off to a hot start, Lincecum could bring the Giants 20 wins and save the bullpen every time he steps on the mound. Matt Cain may be the most overlooked pitcher in baseball. He is an ace on almost every other team, but stands in the shadows of Lincecum in the bay. The questions at the bullpen can be solved by having 2 Aces on your squad that can go at least 7 innings on any given night. Aubrey Huff was a huge addition to that lineup, and if Molina hits like he has shown us in the last couple years, Renteria brings back his old power numbers, Aaron Rowand brings that grit, and Kung Fu Panda makes himself an MVP candidate.. this is a scary team. Team MVP Pablo Sandoval Team Cy Young Tim Lincecum
2. LA Dodgers
3. Colorado Rockies
4. Arizona Diamondbacks
5. San Diego Padres

AL CENTRAL

Chicago White Sox - Arg. Its hard to look past that pitching staff. If Peavy is healthy and returns to form, he is downright dangerous. Mark Buehrle is the most underrated pitcher in the MLB and is a threat everytime he steps on the mound. Not to mention, the rotation is filled out with Danks, Floyd and Garcia... not one of those is a legit 5 starter. Dangerous. If Jenks maintains control he will be a top 10 closer, and the middle relief looks strong with Thornton and Pena. The Sox lineup isnt to shabby either. They did lose Jim Thome, but also gained the health of Carlos Quentin. Gordon Beckham will have a breakthrough year and Rios should be able to contribute what Kenny Williams was hoping for in 2010. Their bench was strengthened with Pierre and Andruw Jones, so overall this team has what it takes to win the division, unfortunately. Kenny Williams wins the GM of the year. Team MVP: Carlos Quentin Team Cy Young: Mark Buehrle
2. Minnesota Twins
3. Kansas City Royals
4. Detroit Tigers
5. Cleveland Indians.

AL EAST

New York Yankees - Like Reed, I hate following this trend, but its just the way it is. A lineup that can fill out an entire AL all star roster, a pitching staff led by a machine in Sabathia and Burnett, who could turn out to be "ace" calibur, and then of course the greatest closer ever to play the game, Rivera. With the World Series trophy in their locker room, its hard to say they are going to be giving it to another team after 2010. I need not to expand further, we all understand their greatness. Team MVP: Curtis Granderson Team Cy Young: CC Sabathia
2. Boston Red Sox - WILD CARD
3. Tampa Bay Rays
4. Toronto Blue Jays
5. Baltimore Orioles

AL WEST

Seattle Mariners - Pitching wins championships, and in this case, the division. Two Cy Young candidates, Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee, could be enough to round out that division, despite the question marks in the lineup. Milton Bradley is already causing problems in Seattle, but if he can get going, him and Kotchman can add a bunch of RBIs to their numbers if Ichiro, Gutierrez, and Figgins maintain high averages and get on base. A lot of middle tier players, but if they all perform and play their roles, I think Seattle can finally oust the other 3 teams in this division. Team MVP Franklin Gutierrez (best defensive CF in baseball - will surprise with offense this year) Team Cy Young Felix Hernandez
2. Texas Rangers
3. LA Angels
4. Oakland A's

LEAGUE MVP's
AL - Curtis Granderson
NL - Troy Tulowitzki

LEAGUE CY YOUNG's
AL - Felix Hernandez
NL - Roy Halliday

COACH OF THE YEAR
AL - Ozzie Guillen (white Sox)
NL - Bruce Bochy (Giants)