Back on New Year's Day of 2000, I left my Y2K stockpile of bottled water, batteries and canned food behind and joined my sister at a Barenaked Ladies concert at the Palace of Auburn Hills. I was 31 years old, had two children and had never before been crazy about a band. My generation dismally lacked bands with the life altering charisma of the Beatles or the Rolling Stones. You never see an Internet survey that asks whether you prefer Poison or The Cars.
That day, however, I fell head over heels for "The Ladies" who are, in fact, not ladies but most definitely men. And I didn't fall in love with any one of them, I fell for the whole kit and caboodle. I was so impressed by the charisma of their show. Perhaps I was just feeling down and dumpy, a stay-at-home mom with some packed on pounds from two kids. But those three hours inspired me.
I was inspired to love music again, beyond just the Top 40 drivel I had been listening to. I was inspired by the art these three otherwise ordinary men had created. To look at them, although I see them as quite handsome (every single one in their own way!), they are truly the kind of men you could run into every day. Yet their music is sublime. The tunes are fun, catchy, multi-layered. But what I most admire are their lyrics. Whether they are poignant or downright hilarious, they strike such a cord with me. I would even go out on a limb and say they inspired me to consider writing. While I had always felt intimidated, I saw this amazing group of 5 who had met (at least the founders) in high school and wrote in such an articulate and intelligent way, whether the lyrics spelled out humor or pathos. Not to mention the fact that these guys are married, are in the midst of having families (like me), and they play hockey (who can resist that?)
With the help of my husband (who was very gracious in indulging my collective crush) I amassed their CD's. He also pandered to my growing obsession by keeping careful track of their tour schedule and purchasing concert tickets consistently, whether for a special occassion or "just because". I can safely say I have rarely missed a BNL pass-through and have traveled to catch a concert. We have even dragged two of our children to Toronto for the express purpose of attending a BNL benefit concert at Ontario Place. It still reins as one of my favorite concerts (0k, 2nd the one where they lived up to half of their moniker, but that is a whole 'nother story, as they say).
It may seem frivilous to say they have been my life soundtrack, but in the last 7 years they truly have been. I listened to a variety of Barenaked Ladies CD's to distract me from the side effects of chemotherapy. I listened to their Greatest Hits CD to train for my first 3-Day Walk in 2004. "Everything to Everyone" was quite possibly my personal soundtrack while I trained for the 2005 3-Day. Their "Barenaked for the Holidays" is more of a standard in our house then "White Christmas". It has my kids fascinated with Hannukah.
I admire these guys. They are articulate and talented and socially conscious and involved. They are funny, VERY funny! Have I mentioned that intelligent humor (without pretention) drives me wild?
I am grateful to this group. They inspire me. They amuse me. Most of all, they show me that ordinary people may be the exterior for extraordinary talent. Perhaps there is hope for my writing.
So, am I a groupie? Well, I would say no. Just barely. I have all of the characteristics. Here is what holds me back: I am cheap. I cannot wait in line at the backstage door to stalk this group. Believe me, I would. Or at least I would be thrilled to meet them. But I generally have a "curfew" - a time my babysitter has to be home by, my kids should be in bed by, or just common courtesy for whatever family member might have felt sorry for me on this occassion.
So, my utmost compliments to my inspiration(s): the Barenaked Ladies. You are phenomenal and I can't wait until you roll through town again!
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