Cleveland is definitely the capital of Rock-and Roll and last Friday night proved it over at the Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival where John Waite (former lead singer of the Baby's and Bad English) rocked the house. He is one class act artist and displayed a great appreciation for his fans.
I had the pleasure of meeting John Waite before his show and told him how excited I was that he was at the festival this year. He took the time to meet with the entire festival committee and a few select die hard fans. He even stopped to talk to my ten year old daughter and her friend who were there because of their mothers. After explaining who he was to the girls, he told them that he started singing many years before they were a "gleam in the eye". He asked these new young fans if he could have a photo taken with them. Those who he spoke in depth with kept saying the same thing, he is so down to earth, very funny and a genuinely nice guy.
Of course, I shared with my daughter prior to the festival about who he was and had her listen to some of his songs. My daughter immediately recognized his song "When I See You Smile" because it was featured on a commercial for a dentist office on the television. Why do you think John Waite took the time to talk to these two young girls? I think he knew that they were the future of his fan base to help carry on his music legacy.
During the show, John signed a few autographs and interacted with the fans through the connection of the stories he would tell on stage and with his music. There were even a few fans at his show who are petitioning to get John Waite nominated as an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. After the show, John Waite took the time to sign more autographs for the fans who were purchasing his cd's at the merchandise table. When I observed that, I knew John Waite delivered the complete package to his fans as an artist.
If you think about it, John Waite is a very famous artist who has performed around the world with two very famous bands, and as a successful recording artist. He could have just hid in the trailer until his show, not taken the time to sign autographs, or most importantly, avoided his fans all night. Instead, he continues to connect with his fans because he understands that fans are the heart and soul of why he is able to keep doing what he is doing, and that is making music.
Music is a universal language and if you are an artist, it is a part of the "job" to stay connected with the very people who support your music. Take the time to meet & greet your fans, sign autographs, take photo's with your fans, and always thank them for supporting your music career. If you are doing anything in the entertainment industry, leave the arrogance at the door and embrace your fans. Your fan base will grow from the simplest gestures. When you give a little, you will receive a lot.
(Marnie Butler volunteers serving as the Parade Coordinator for the Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival.)