Meeting Al and the band

whatmepolka · Post by **whatmepolka** » Tue Nov 20, 2001 7:43 pm

This was prompted by an e-mail I recieved yesterday. It occured to me that people just can't get enough of these stories.

So, now, we can share.

1) Have you ever met Al? What was it like? What was he like? Who else from the band have you met?

Personally, what I find interesting is my experiences with Al and the band vs meeting other singers and musicians.....

Let me tell you.....THESE guys, are THE BEST!

[ This Message was edited by: whatmepolka on 2001-11-20 18:44 ]

[ This Message was edited by: whatmepolka on 2001-11-20 18:44 ]

Post by **WHiZZi** » Tue Nov 20, 2001 10:15 pm

I never met Al

.

I have contact with Bermuda though...

Alapeleke · Post by **Alapeleke** » Tue Nov 20, 2001 11:03 pm

Alas .. not Al. But I have as you said "met" Bermuda. Twice actually. At my concert he came out a few hours before and signed some stuff for us WAY early psychos (Oh only.. 4 hours early

)

And at Dementia 2001. I got his autograph both times.

And Jim which I don't remember I just know I must have cause I have his autograph too heh

Is that a good story?

Justmac · Post by **Justmac** » Tue Nov 20, 2001 11:46 pm

Sadly, I have never met Al:(

Someday, if I'm lucky enough, I hope to someday get to say "Hi" to Al and the band, shake their hands (hugs would be better) and thank AL for the many laughs he's given me.

Debby

p.s. Is it just me, or does anyone else feel like someone is 'watching' you as you type. Hey..it's AL!--he's looking at me, with that LOOK. It makes me nervous. lol "Hi Al..nice shirt. You look good in yellow".

Post by **algonacchick** » Wed Nov 21, 2001 3:03 am

Alas, I, too, have not met Al...yet. But I did meet Bermuda! I got two hugs and a kiss on the cheek! (Only after insisting, because I gave him chocolate! hehe) Very nice man! *Hi, Berm!* He also signed my t-shirt and my son Marshall's RWS cd. I hope to meet Al and the rest of the guys next tour. That would POLKA!!

Patti

Post by **weird_el** » Wed Nov 21, 2001 5:56 am

I've met Al twice. The first time was at an impromptu autograph line after his concert in Madison, WI last year. The second time was after the 2nd show in Morristown, NJ and was one of the highlights of my year. Here's the story . . .

Al's Morristown, NJ concerts were just a few days after his birthday last year, so I thought it would be a good thing to get him a special gift. I'd read the intro Al wrote for the book "Mad About TV" where Al says he used to drag his parents around to used magazine shops to find old issues of Mad magazine. From this I was inspired to find an October 1959 issue of Mad to give to Al for his birthday. I found one on ebay and got it in time to take it down to the concerts with me.

After the second show, I found Skip (stage manager/lighting guy), and told him about the gift. He said it would be alright for me to stay and wait for Al. So, about 20 minutes later (after the backstage meet and greet), Al come out into the theater where I was waiting and I was able to personally give him the magazine. He seemed very pleased about it. He told me his mother had tried to find that very issue for him, but was unsuccessful. He thanked me with a hug and nice kiss on the cheek. I was on that high for quite awhile. Just thinking about it brings me back there to my happy place.

I was able to say a quick "hi" to Bermuda that day too. Hopefully, I'll be able to meet the rest of the band sometime during the next tour.

[ This Message was edited by: weird_el on 2001-11-21 04:57 ]

Cartunedude · Post by **Cartunedude** » Wed Nov 21, 2001 7:28 am

On 2001-11-20 18:43, whatmepolka wrote:
This was prompted by an e-mail I recieved yesterday. It occured to me that people just can't get enough of these stories.
So, now, we can share.

1) Have you ever met Al? What was it like? What was he like? Who else from the band have you met?

Yes, I have met Al on a few occasions. The first time was so surreal... it's a really LONG story (I'll provide a link to the whole story in just a minute). But, each time was something else, lemme tell ya. Al is so cool! I had especially hoped to meet him after reading an online transcript of the booklet that came with Al in the Box, and seeing the Behind the Music special. I had no idea that I would meet Al so soon afterward... and how I met him was unbeleivable, too... I never dreamed in a million years... a-anyway, enough yakking and on to the link- this is how I met Al (the first time)

http://www.geocities.com/waystupidclub/CartunAl.htm

He was as cool as I thought he'd be, and then some. Very nice and friendly, and doesn't have that "celebrity ego". It's very gratifying to know that he really cares for the fans.

I've also kinda met Jim, Steve and Bermuda... what I mean by "kinda" is, I saw them backstage at the last two shows I was at, but was too nervous to say anything. I did manage to get Jim and Bermuda's autographs in Toledo, but I was so nervous, I couldn't really say anything other than "Um.. uh... duh... could you sign this?" And I kinda got to talk to Steve for a little bit at King's Island, but I really didn't have anything for him to sign, so it was a very breif conversation. And, it was kind of a surprise meeting, so naturally, I was once again too nervous to say anything coherent. So, yeah, that's my story... but I must say, in my experiences, everyone has been so cool!

Let me tell you.....THESE guys, are THE BEST!

I'll second that!

C-type

Post by **algonacchick** » Wed Nov 21, 2001 3:17 pm

Hey, C. Diddy! I love that story! I've read it before, but I'm glad you're sharing it with everyone else. Just proves how very cool Al is!! I hope to tell a cool story about meeting him someday. Thanks for sharing yours!

Patti

Post by **stupidsurgeon27** » Sat Nov 24, 2001 12:48 am

I have never met Al or any of the band members. :sad:(

I am determined to do so next tour!

Bob, that is such a cool story! That is amazing!

Actually...after about 2 months after my concert last year...I found out my cousin worked at the hotel Al was staying at during that time! Argh!