Living in the Live Entertainment Capital of the World I often find myself out and at shows. After many of the shows the performers will come out and do a meet and greet to sign an autograph and take a picture. I say “many of the shows” because you will never see Criss Angel doing this or the Cirque du Soleil shows are just too big with too many performers and no ‘star’ per se. But there are people like The Mentalist Gerry McCambridge or Kevin Lepine from Hypnosis Unleashed who will come for a meet and greet after the show to thank the people for coming to see them.
So what is a ‘meet and greet’? According to merriam-webster.com it is a reception at which a public figure (as a politician or rock star) socializes with press members and other guests. They say the term was first used in 1986 but I find that hard to believe. Must have been long before that no?
Anyway, most of these meet and greet activities usually involve a quick hello and then the two of you standing there while the fan hands a camera to someone who fumbles around with it as if they have never seen a camera before and attempts to take a picture, which of course never comes out very good.
Henry Rollins is famous for, amongst other things, his post show meet and greets. Henry will leave the auditorium and hang out somewhere and talk to fans for as long as it takes for all of them to say what they want to say. Henry is good like that.
Usually at a post show meet and greet the performer will have books or CDs or DVDs or whatever they are hawking at the merch table. I am fine with that. The meet and greet environment that makes me smile is the one where the performer is happy to just chat with the fan.
Recently Brenna and I have been to some events to hear some of our… I don’t want to say ‘heroes’ or ‘idols’ so let’s say ‘mentors’ or ‘teachers’… speak. These are people we look up to for one reason or another and the fact they took so much time with us was super refreshing.
Zakk Wylde and Nick Catanese
There was a meet and greet with Zakk Wylde and Nick Catanese after their private show. Yes I get the point that Brenna paid money for the privilege but the point is they spent all the time with her she wanted.
Michael Grimm
There was Michael Grimm who, although having just been released from the hospital a week before, spent a long time chatting with us privately after his show along side his wife Lucie. Barely able to stand did not matter to him. He wanted to chat with us.
The Minimalists Ryan Nicodemus and Joshua Fields Millburn
Ryan Nicodemus and Joshua Fields Millburn make up The Minimalists. After a recent speaking program they spent all the time each person required afterwards to tell their own story or ask extra question. Ryan and Joshua made sure everyone got enough hugs as well.
Tyler Florence
We went to a book signing for Chef Tyler Florence a few months ago. Everyone waited in line for their turn to take their book to Tyler who would sign it and take pictures and shake hands. He gave people time to ask a personal question or two. I told Tyler I have a notion to write a children’s cook book and he turned his chair straight toward me and we talked for several minutes bouncing ideas off each other.
Freddie Mercury, one person I so wish I had the chance to chat with sang “You brought me fame and fortune and everything that goes with it. I thank you all.” When a performer or a celebrity remembers it is the fan who keeps them in that position and is appreciative of it, it is refreshing. When the individual takes the time at the meet and greet to actually engage with his supporters, well, that makes me smile.
What opportunities have you had to meet and greet with someone you admire? Who would you like to? Let me know in the comments. As always I love to hear from you.