World of Weird Al Yankovic

I liked the way Ram's Head Live set it up for last night's show. Security came out and just had us form a reasonable line, and promised everyone would have their turn. Went very well, as I'm still coming off my AIH. TWO Yanko-hugs for me!!!! (Al signed my Al Team shirt (I let him pick where, and he picked the left sleeve), and Jim signed my Slack Key West CD.) Now, I just hope the Al and Me pic comes out...

Would those of you who have met Al suggest going to find the buses as soon as the show ends, or would it be better to hang around by the stage for a while?

We headed right for the buses. If Al had some post-show guests, it didn't take long. We only waited about 45 mins- 1 hour.

For 2 out of 3 shows I've been to that were indoors, two had signings. Iowa City was inside while the show in Lincoln was in the back. The Omaha show back in 2000 was my first show, I was a newbie, so I didn't know about things like that back then.

For the other 11 shows that were outdoors has been pretty good. Usually each time I've been to OC, I've met Al. Hope it happens this time too, I have something for him to sign for a friend. One of my friends has an a fanart that made it on the Mothership. I think he would love it if I had Al sign it. My friend doesn't even know I still have the original. It would be a complete surprise for him.

The oddest time being turned down was at Kansas City. The security guards were nice and told us they wished Al was doing a signing, but it was pretty unlikely since the bus was attached to the venue.

Miss Janine @ May 9 2007, 07:48 PM wrote: We headed right for the buses. If Al had some post-show guests, it didn't take long. We only waited about 45 mins- 1 hour.

Thanks for the tip! That's what I was planning on doing. I'll probably look around before the show to make sure I know where the buses are parked.

Both times I've met Al we headed for the bus. worked both times.

(I met Al at a now-defunct concert tent in downtown Pittsburgh. There, it was easy to figure out where to go... we just stood by the bus!)
...................................
was that next to railroad tracks?

I agree with those that say theater shows are probably more difficult. Most places of these type have private parking for the performers, and once the show is over, are pretty strict trying to shuffle everyone out as soon as possible.

spmahn @ May 10 2007, 03:05 AM wrote: I agree with those that say theater shows are probably more difficult. Most places of these type have private parking for the performers, and once the show is over, are pretty strict trying to shuffle everyone out as soon as possible.

The theaters are where I met Al both times. no private parking for him there. The buses were parked on the street in Kazoo and and very visible from the exit at the Murat. I'm not holding much hope for meeting him at LMC or Merrilleville. I've seen him at both places before and didn't meet him at either place. Of course when I saw him at LMC I didn't know there was such a thing. Mabye I can talk to Kevin and try to pull a few strings if he has any.

Jenni

I'm going to disagree with the idea that you are less likely to get a meet n greet at a theater. I've been to 39 shows over 3 tours at this point, and here is my breakdown by tour:

Running With Scissors (22 shows, 18 venues)

Misses:

theaters-7 shows (2 of these were 2 shows deals, so there are 5 venues involved)
amusement park-3 shows, 1 venue (Hershey)
outdoor venue-1 (Stanhope)
"Performing Arts Center"-1 (this was a high school)

Hits:

theaters- 8 shows (I had passes for one of these, but there WAS a MnG after)
outdoor venue-1 (not that I was in the right spot to wait, but oh well...)
Hampton Beach Casino...not sure how to characterize this one. It is not a casino.

Poodle Hat (13 shows, 12 venues)

Misses:

theaters-3
fairs-3 (1 of these was 2 shows back to back)
casinos-4
Performing Arts Center-1 (a real one...NJ PAC)

Hits:

theaters-2

I had a pass to one of the casino shows, but I counted it as a miss since there was no other MnG

Straight Outta Lynwood (4 shows, 4 venues...so far!)

Misses:

casino-1
festival-1

Hits:

casino-1
theater-1

So, with my geek full on:

Of these 39 shows:

21 (53%) at theaters with 11 "hits" (52% of theater shows, 28% overall)
3 (7%) at amusement parks with 0 hits
2 (5%) at outdoor venues with 1 hit
6 (14%) at casinos with 1 hit
4 (10%) at miscellaneous venues with 1 hit
3 (7%) at fairs with 0 hits

Now, obviously, your experience may vary as there are other factors involved that have nothing to do with the type of venue--how far it is to the next show, when the next show is in relation to the one you attend, how Al is feeling (I have notes from several shows where Al was sick and thus a MnG did not occur at a venue where one had happened before.) So, I don't think its easy to say anything about any particular place--for example, the first time I went to the Mid Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, NY, nothing happened. The second time, there was one. There was a MnG after my first show at the FM Kirby Center in Wilkes Barre, PA, and none the second (Al was sick per my notes)

However--I have had a great experience with theaters overall. About a third of the shows I have been to have been theater shows WITH a meet n greet that did not involve having a pass.

Jackie