Meet the Goo Goo Dolls

johnny rzeznik = awesome.

i wish i could meet the goo goo dolls woo der proper amazing im listening to them now

i wish icould see them in conerct i wud die if i did

love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them love them

My one true dream in life is to meet Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls. I have loved the band from day one, and much of his music is so inspiring.

It was literally 5-7 seconds. We stood in line, single file. Each of us was greeted by Robby Takac (bass) who took our hands and led us to the “fan photo spot” between him and Johnny. I asked Robby how the road was treating him. Then Johnny and I exchanged a couple of lines about the weather. I was sunburned to a crisp (see photo). Their Inner Machine girl snapped the photo and sent me on my way. I did meet a cool woman named Robin while we were waiting. Anticlimactic, yet a nice memory at the same time.

I just got the email today. Should be cool to meet them. Of course there’s the whole “now-what-in-the-world-do-i-say” problem, but I’m sure I’ll figure something out. Then forget it when the time comes. Funny how that works.

I met all the guys from Copeland at the Montgomery show last weekend. They were all really nice, but I could tell they were pretty tired. I’ll be seeing them again this weekend when they go up north (OH and MI). I would still like to hang out with Johnny, Robby, & Co., but I’m not going to become obsessed with it.

I went to the Myrtle Beach show last night – AMAZING. I got there at 6am and waited in line until 8pm. Most of the time was spent with a few other die-hards. They gave me an orientation to the floor culture – I’d never gotten on the front row before. Two of them knew some of the roadies, so I met the guitar tech (!!!!) and one of the lighting/sound guys. Nothing big – just a quick hello. I don’t know if I have what it “takes” to get in with that culture, though. Goo followers are pretty hardcore! I could drop everything and follow them around, I guess, but what would that get me? Johnny might talk to me from the stage like he did with my two new buddies. They got invited to the after-show party. That would be awesome, of course, but is the level of obsession worth it? Or productive at all? Or is the obsession necessary?

I listened to conversations with a few of the women that post stuff on the fansites. The gossip was intense. And I’m not into the “Johnny trivia” game. It just seems so dehumanizing – consuming every detail of his life that you can find out. To prove what? How much you love the music? That you love the music more than anyone else? That you want to sleep with the band? It’s a real obsession; I could go there – I have the potential to be a real obsessive fan – but what would be the payoff? Even these women, who have been to LOTS of shows, haven’t been able to have an in-depth conversation with the band members.

That’s what I would want, when it gets right down to it. I don’t need the meet’n’greet photo. I did that with Jennifer Granholm (governor of MI); it doesn’t mean much because there’s no human connection – just “permagrins” and 5 seconds of niceities. I’d just love to talk politics with John Rzeznik over a bottle of red wine. But fans don’t get to do that.

I did talk to James, the bassist for Copeland (the opening act), for a few minutes. Cool guy. But, then again, I guess most bassists are…

I have met the Goo Goo Dolls three times. The last time was through a meet & greet, and was really rushed. They didn’t even give us enough time to hugh each one of the guys. The 2 times before that, I met them when they were at a smaller venue, and people were just waiting outside after the show ended. They were a lot more friendly at that point, cuz they didn’t have security and their tour manager rushing them around. It was a great experience, and I would love for it to happen again, even if it was just a quick rush by them in a meet & greet.

aug 25th!!!