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IN THIS ISSUE:
Mardi Gras! Who's That Girl? Fan Profile News & Links Map of Ezra TTPY Hall of Fame Archives
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NEW YEAR'S EVE - A FEW New Year's Eve is always a night that I put a lot of pressure on. I'm always searching for the perfect way to ring in the New Year – to ensure that greatness will enshroud the entire year to come. This year, I succeeded. I mean, what better way to ring in the New Year than with the one, the only Better than Ezra?
The opening band, a local DC favorite, Boogiehawg provided enough of an opening for me to down several Seabreezes and to meet a few of my fellow Ezralites. Please note that this event cannot be talked about without mention of the open bar. I do not know what everyone else drank – but I do know that everyone drank a lot. I saw only a handful of familiar faces. I was really glad that I had posted on the message board what I would be wearing because that led Megan to tap me on the shoulder and ask, "Are you Holly Golightly?"
Megan and Patrick were by far the best-dressed couple there. Megan had ordered a special made stamp with the BTE logo and stamped her dress and Patrick's tie. I'm expecting her to work with Stella soon on creating a line of BTE evening wear to be added to the on-line store.
As Uncle Mike, Brian, and Kenny began to set-up for the show, I asked Mike from which direction would the guys be coming on stage. Uncle Mike pointed to the ceiling and laughed. However, just after that, I noticed Tom peeking out at the crowd from stage left. I managed to catch his eye and he waved. What I've come to know as the usual sounds started the show and the guys took the stage. I am very disappointed to say that other than one finely dressed Mr. Travis McNabb, the guys did not dress up at all. KG, big surprise, was wearing a simple blue t-shirt and jeans ensemble.
The guys opened with the familiar "Recognize." KG said some personal hellos to the Ezralites dominating the front of the stage. I know that we all felt good to be recognized as well. After "Recognize," KG greeted the crowd with New Year's Eve wishes. He then told the crowd, several times, that the band is from New Orleans. I think that after the Christmas shows and with the Sugar Bowl being just a few days away that Kevin was waiting on someone to yell "Geaux Tigers." "Misunderstood," "Good," "Rolling," and "Get You In" followed. A pretty traditional setlist except for the fact that "Happy Day Mama" managed to make its way into the mix. It was great when we heard it at the NOLA Christmas shows and I hope that they plan to keep it in rotation. During "Happy Day," Kevin gave a little shout out to Tom and his sexy sound. It seems as if KG hasn't gotten over when Tom "turned him on" in NOLA. KG then stated that a certain sound in "Happy Day" reminded him of Cher. He proceeded to dazzle us all with his Cher impersonation, complete with hair flip. Then, without much warning, KG launched into "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." It was a very moving experience. Just before starting "KONO" he said "I'm ready to rock." And for the first time – in all of the times that I've heard "Debra" added to the "KONO" breakdown – Kevin Michael Griffin finally pointed at me. That's right – ME. And I pointed right back and sang my drunk heart out.
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After "KONO," the guys played "Rosealia." TMD looked our way and, I
believe, mouthed "Oh yeah, I rock," or something to that effect. I must
say, when the song started, I was a little nervous. I so look forward to
the James Arthur Payne ending on "Rosealia" and at my past three shows it
hasn't happened. In the middle of my panic attack that I wasn't going to
be able to ring in the New Year with this gifted display, another fan
tapped me on the shoulder. I looked up to see Jim Payne taking off his
guitar strap – the slowness of his efforts mocking me – and putting the
guitar down to come forward to Tom's microphone. And well, it was
perfect....
After "Rosealia," Kevin thanked us all for coming to the show. He said that he was impressed that we passed up on the chance to see Widespread Panic, but he assured us that we were saving more brain cells by being with them in DC. He then pledged that James Arthur Payne would take us on a "Widespread Galactic Trip" of his own. During Jim's voyage, Kevin went and sat down in front of Travis. I caught his eye and he said, "I don't know what I'm doing." Just before the midnight countdown to the New Year, the guys played "Desperately Wanting." Several people from the radio station promoting the party came out to help the guys with the countdown. Tom kept raising his beer trying to get someone in the crowd to toast with him, but it wasn't happening. At the end of the countdown, KG sang the opening to "Auld Lang Syne" and then mumbled the rest in true Griffinese fashion. And no worries, he toasted the New Year with a bottle of Red Stripe.
The guys began the encore with "Extra Ordinary" and completed the song with the traditional nod to Outkast with "Ms. Jackson." At this point in time, Kevin had skipped over a few important things in the setlist. I called him out and pointed to the heavily decorated setlist (we all put my note taking pen to work during the show). We demanded that he go back to "TTOY." Kevin, in all his New Year's splendor, gave a wink, a smile, and obliged our request.
KG brought up Richard Z as the guest guitarist. He was a very dashing figure as he was (properly) dressed in a tux. Not to be totally outdone, KG accented his own outfit by donning a New Year's tiara and feather boa. And, as it was New Year's Eve, he added some elegance to the Richard's "TTOY set-up" by placing him not in a dorm room or a cheap hotel, but in a hotel suite with a hot tub. The setlist also included "Allison Foley" and "In the Blood," but, sadly, the guys left us after "TTOY." "A Lifetime" was also skipped earlier in the set-list. One of the nicest things about the show was the amount of time that the guys spent with fans afterwards. If you haven't met them yet, hang in there, you will. And you will love them even more for it. Even Kevin Griffin didn't pull his "I'll be right back" move. The guys took lots of pictures with fans and answered lots of questions (even the random "What size shoe do you wear?" to KG). By this time, it was a few hours into the New Year and time for me to start thinking of my New Year's resolutions. I had been toying with the notion of not spending as much time on The Better than Ezra Message Board; however, after this show, I am convinced that should never be something I should resolve to do. How else would I get to meet people who are cool enough to think of designing BTE formal wear? Or where would I find people who would be willing to walk through the hotel kitchen with me in search of the guys? And how on earth would I convince another person to run, backwards down a hallway? To my fellow Ezralites, thank you for helping me ring in this most special New Year. Congratulations on another wonderful review, Laura Leigh. |
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