Admiration

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Last summer an Irish singer named Daniel O'Donnell toured Australia with his band. He worked mainly our Concert Halls, the Melbourne one sits 2,500 approx. Daniel mainly appeals to the older generation and they come in by the bus load for his gigs. He has toured here on numerous occasions.
After every gig Daniel will sit at a table, walk around and talk, sign and photos with any of his fans who remain. Quite often the Stage crews have packed up and Daniel is still there and has to get a ride back in the truck as he has long missed returning to the Hotel with his band. 

My son worked the tour doing all the lighting tech and set up for the entire tour around Australia and this happened every night he sang. The last gigs for Daniel were in Melbourne which is where our family lives. Yes, free tickets were offered to the family and my wife with her mum who decided, "yes we are going". Well, Lo and Behold, Daniel heard and said to Luke "would your mum and Grandma like to say hello before the show"? Of course they did.

When his final last show was held as usual Daniel was still busy signing etc with his fans when Luke had packed up all his gear and noticing that Daniel was still busy he mentioned to the band members to thank him and wish him all the best as he had to get back to the factory with all the gear. Luke had been heading back and his phone rang, "Hi it is Daniel to thank you Luke", he had to get Luke's number from the band as they all socialised after most concerts and in between during the tour.

Just a story about a lovely musician and I wish that more followed that path. 

I am horrified personally when I hear about these Meat and Greet things where fans have to pay big money to get an autograph. At least there are musicians out there still doing the right thing like Daniel.

Edited by Matt - 18 Nov 2014 at 3:26pm

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Matt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Admin Group Jazz Reviewer Joined: 16 Jan 2011 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 2527	Post Options Post Reply Quote Matt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Admiration Posted: 18 Nov 2014 at 3:25pm
	Last summer an Irish singer named Daniel O'Donnell toured Australia with his band. He worked mainly our Concert Halls, the Melbourne one sits 2,500 approx. Daniel mainly appeals to the older generation and they come in by the bus load for his gigs. He has toured here on numerous occasions. After every gig Daniel will sit at a table, walk around and talk, sign and photos with any of his fans who remain. Quite often the Stage crews have packed up and Daniel is still there and has to get a ride back in the truck as he has long missed returning to the Hotel with his band. My son worked the tour doing all the lighting tech and set up for the entire tour around Australia and this happened every night he sang. The last gigs for Daniel were in Melbourne which is where our family lives. Yes, free tickets were offered to the family and my wife with her mum who decided, "yes we are going". Well, Lo and Behold, Daniel heard and said to Luke "would your mum and Grandma like to say hello before the show"? Of course they did. When his final last show was held as usual Daniel was still busy signing etc with his fans when Luke had packed up all his gear and noticing that Daniel was still busy he mentioned to the band members to thank him and wish him all the best as he had to get back to the factory with all the gear. Luke had been heading back and his phone rang, "Hi it is Daniel to thank you Luke", he had to get Luke's number from the band as they all socialised after most concerts and in between during the tour. Just a story about a lovely musician and I wish that more followed that path. I am horrified personally when I hear about these Meat and Greet things where fans have to pay big money to get an autograph. At least there are musicians out there still doing the right thing like Daniel. Edited by Matt - 18 Nov 2014 at 3:26pm
	Matt

js Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Forum Admin Group Site admin Joined: 22 Dec 2010 Location: Memphis Status: Offline Points: 34134	Post Options Post Reply Quote js Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Nov 2014 at 10:06pm
	Daniel sounds like an admirable person for sure, but I wouldn't be too quick to condemn what other musicians have to do to pay the bills these days. The greed of those who would steal music via illegal downloads etc has had a disastrous effect on musician's ability to provide, so they must now go to other means, thus ticket prices are going up and the musicians will be working the merchandise table after the show. I recently finished reading Bill Bruford's swan song to the music business and he talks about how the day's work no longer ends with the last note of the show, these days there is the added necessity of the after show merchandise table with its signed CDs etc. Times change and we all learn to adjust, but don't blame the musicians, blame those who steal from the musicians.