Show the Love!!

[mmt]

Hey guys,
I'm new at this, but I've been reading this message board for a while now, and tonight I saw something that I want to personally address! I was at the Johnson City show (my 3rd), and afterwards the group came out to meet the fans, as usual. I noticed something pretty disturbing, however. Sara and Chris each had a huge line of people waiting to meet them, and Sean was kind of standing off to the side, trying to stay out of the way of the fans that were looking past him to the other two! He ended up leaving early to go back to the bus. I know that he's an introvert, and I know you'll try to reassure me that he was probably relieved to get to leave rather than stand and talk to a bunch of people he didn't know, but I don't agree! I'm an introvert as well, and, although talking to lots of strange people would NOT be fun for me, it would hurt my feelings if it seemed as though everyone wanted to be with the others instead (maybe just my selfish nature?). So, my suggestion -- to those of you who care, and I assume that, since you're in this particular forum, you do -- is that we somehow make sure that Sean knows that he's loved as well! Obviously (as seen on the poll in the General discussions forum) I'm not the only one who likes this guy. So let's tell HIM that, too, by showing appreciation after his solos and songs (I've also noticed that he gets less applause than the others), and by letting him know afterwards how much we enjoyed the show. I bet he'll appreciate the attention.

For a first post (from an introvert, at that!), this is quite long. my apologies. The fact of the matter is that those of us who favor Sean are most likely introverts ourselves (as we are drawn to people similar to us), thus we have more trouble going up and talking to the guy. That's MY excuse, at least... but I'm working on it! Thanks for humoring me by listening to me vent... :)

[jaceyhomen]

mmt: What a lovely post! Good for you.

Question: do you think what you saw was Sean trying to get away from fans, or was he shyly waiting until someone came up to him...and nobody did? I think if fans approach him and he rebuffs them....well, he simply isn't into small talk with fans! It's hard for many introverts, as you pointed out.

Hopefully, fans like you will make an effort when you see him to at least let him know he's your favorite. If you see he is uncomfortable, just give him a thumbs up or blow him a kiss or something.

Sara and Chris are so on all the time, outgoing and articulate...it probably makes it even harder for Sean. As I think I posted someplace...our family thinks Sean is the most talented of the three. Let it Fall is a masterpiece, we play it all the time!

Still rivers run deep, they say. We suspect Sean does. Everybody can't be upfront, nor wants to be, all the time.

You are a good fan and a good poster!

[mmt]

Wow, thanks for the encouraging reply!

Sean was definitely shyly waiting until someone came up to him rather than rebuking people that wanted to talk. To give the fans last night some credit (I fear I was a little too harsh before!), there were some people around him at first. I remember thinking that he truly seemed to be making an effort to be a little more outgoing and to reach out to the fans a bit more than he did at the other after the concert greetings that I've been to. His fans diminished however, while the others still had mobs of people around (some reaching into Sean's area -- he was in the middle -- but making obvious their intentions of wanting to speak with the others). But you're right, Sara and Chris have that dynamic personality that draws people. And they ARE so easy to talk with!

Good to know that Sean is other fans' favorite as well. I agree that he seems to be the most talented. (I love Let it Fall, too, although Cloudbreak is also a favorite!) And his quiet support and focus somehow seem to be the strength of the group. However, as a single, Christian grad student, I could be a little biased, huh? :)

[jaceyhomen]

mmt thanks for answering my question.

You know, Sean is only 25. He won't be doing NC all his life. I suspect someday he will be where he is most comfortable...behind stage, behind camera. I know he writes classical music, is learning about writing soundtracks. We see so many possibilities for him over the next 50 years or so and none include uncomfortably standing on any sideline. But, as my son observed...for Sean those years will include standing in line at the bank making big deposits!

As I have posted before, and as mandobob and I have discussed, being a musician is a treasrued thing. No matter what you do for a living, whether it's actually music based or not, your life will always be enriched by playing an instrument, or singing, or writing or arranging, etc. My dad was a musician, band leader... turned banker. But his music was the focal point of his life always just as it will always be Nickel Creek's. One way or the other!

What are your graduate studies in?

Jacey

[nitejule]

yeah i know what you can mean about people wanting to see sara and chris alot. but many of us do show alot of sean love. i know i try. when i saw them at my last show i wrote all of them letters and such. i think sean really appreciates it. it could have just been the crowd you were with. most of the people on this board, when we meet them they all know we love em'!!

[mmt]

I totally agree with you, Jacey... As I mentioned to some of my friends last night, Sean's great at being a musician -- the others are great entertainers! I think you're right; we'll soon be seeing Sean behind the scenes, doing what he does best and what he's most comfortable doing (writing, producing albums, etc.). And nitejule, I'm thankful that there are other fans that show their appreciation, too! Maybe you're right, and I just happened to show up at the wrong time and misunderstood the situation!

Jacey, I'm working on my M.A. in English, hoping to be an editor when I finish next year. My particular interest is in Southern lit (Faulkner, Welty, etc); that's what I'll be doing my thesis on... thanks for your interest!!

Miriam

[mmt]

To clarify a statement in my previous post -- Chris and Sara are amazing musicians as well. By saying they're entertainers, I in no way meant to imply that they weren't talented musicians too! They are definitely both, and I don't want to be misunderstood...

[nitejule]

yeah i try to show my appreciation as much as i can. and tellin them all is one way that i can show it. but we love them all. so....i also just think that everyone just has there days too!!

[jaceyhomen]

mmt I knew just what you meant by Chris and Sara being entertainers. Very true.

Southern Lit? Interesting. I'm rereading Steinbeck after many years. I always thought that had I finished college and gone on...I'd have focused on literature.

[sarah]

if i were there i woulda gone to sean first!!!

nitejule i love your av! hayden christensen rocks!

[nitejule]

yeah i agree sean was the first i went to see too!! thanks!! i just love HAYDEN!!!

[jaceyhomen]

Okay, kids. Who's Hayden? Does he have a NC connection like Bela or Glen (is it Phillips? The one who does vocals on Let it Fall...) I am very dumb about so many things..... Not everything, however.
Jacey

[mmt]

I'm with Jacey on this one... who IS Hayden?? I know, I know, I'm out of the loop...

[lruthie]

I was at the Johnson City show, and I agree with all that is being said about Sara and Chris getting the most attention. But, apparently along with some others here, Sean was the one I anxiously awaited talking with. I met him first and got his autograph, did the picture thing, talked with him about some stuff. But after that, what can you do? Its like, you don't want to take up all of his time blabbering to him (which I couldn't do anyway cuz of the whole me being an introvert thing). But just so you know, I was trying to show my love!

[nitejule]

i just think that sean gets a little nervous at times too. and then again he could just be having a bad day!!

hayden christensen is who my icon is of. i made it until i can get my other nickel creek ones made. he plays anakin in the new star wars episode 2, and i kinda have a little celebrity crush on him :) what can i say i just think he is such a cutie!!

[mmt]

I know what you mean, lruthie. I was the same way last night, along with the other couple of times that I have met him. What ARE you supposed to say in those situations after the usual enjoyed the show, sign this please, etc.? That's always been tough for me! Not just with Sean, but with anyone in those circumstances! Once again, the pesky problems of an introvert get in the way! :)

Glad you were there and talked with Sean last night. Like I said before, maybe I just walked up at the wrong time! I'm definitely preaching to the choir here, if you know what I mean...

Miriam

[nitejule]

its all good!!! we all show sean love here, well at least i think so. but most of the male fans huddle around sara, and most of the younger/and teen female fans swarm around chris, then whats left leaves us sean fans!!!

[mmt]

Well said, nitejule...

[nitejule]

LOL
i think thats they way it is....but its ok i love sean to death. i admit i was more towards chris, but then i saw sean in person and heard him sing and i was like OMG hes such an angel, lol. oh well but i love them all. they are great people!!

[sarah]

hey nitejule have youseen hayden on the tv show higher ground? i have every ep on tape. haha. he looked much better as a blonde. i'm going to toronto next week! yay! (that's where he lives. dunno if you knew that)

[nitejule]

yeah i knew he was canadian :) i haven't seen higher ground :( could i get copies, lol. i could copy them at my house, lol. i just love hayden. toronto?? kewl i haven't been there, i hope that your trip goes well!!

[creekster_anna]

Sorry this is a few days behind. Just wanted to say that you guys are so lucky to get to meet Sean. I saw them at Riverbend and as far as I know Sean didn't even sign autographs other than in their meet & greet that I didn't know how to get in to. Sara came out before and after the show to sign and I got to meet her, which was cool, and some girls ran down Chris to get autographs back behind their merchandise booth. However, if I had the choice I definitely would have tried to meet Sean first. It probably would have been awkward though because I too am quite shy until I get to know people.

[nitejule]

i am sure that alot of us are very grateful that we have met them. i for one think they are all great. seans just a little shy. but we love him just the same :)

[oogabooga]

I am so late on this thread and I know I have probably said this on other boards, but I was so impressed with sean! I got to meet him with Ruth at the johnson city concert and he was so nice when he answered my questions, and he didn't just answer them with yes or no's either. But there were not sean crowds like tfor the other two. We got to him very quickly. Too bad because he is such a talent.

Katy

[Chip]

My own experience with Sean is that while he's definitely more quiet than Sara and Chris, he also seems pretty comfortable with his lower-key role in NC... I've never gotten the impression that he feels underappreciated. He's actually pretty talkative once you get past the shyness. (I'm kinda the same way myself, so I know what that's like).

As to what to say when you meet one of them... well, the best thing you can do is to treat them the same way you'd treat any *ordinary* person you meet for the first time... If you're into surfing, ask Sean about that. If you're a baseball fan, talk to Chris about baseball. Sara seems to love travel and visiting exotic places.

I'm sure that they all get tired about talking about themselves and their music day after day (try answering the same questions 400 days in a row and *still* keeping it fresh and interesting... they manage to do that pretty darn well, I'd say.) and I'm sure they'd appreciate conversations where they're *not* performers on a pedestal.

It's hard for us fans to remember it, but Chris, Sara and Sean -- like *any* entertainer -- are just ordinary (albeit extremely talented) people who happen to have jobs that put them in the limelight. If you can remember that, you'll be ahead of 95% of the other people there.

[jaceyhomen]

Good advice, Chip! And if you know your celeb well before meeting him/her, you will know that they surf, or they love cats or you just visited the town where they were born, or they just read a book you just read. And this will make for interesting small talk.

I was on the staff of a prominent person once and the hardest thing, when we were out in public, was getting people to stop talking. On and on and on....with others in line hoping to shake hands, etc. On and on and on..... We would literally have to physically move some people...

My Prominent Person could be at a restaurant eating, mouthful of food, and someone would come up and start yakking.... So rude. I think we need to be sensitive to celeb's privacy, their right to eat a meal in peace, for instance. Of course, after a concert, when our NC goes out to meet the fans, that's different They expect to be approached then. But, even then, we should be aware of others waiting their turn.

That's Mom's word for the day.

[alysonluvsNC]

i definately saw a lot more people head over to chris and sara after the lancaster show.
i watched the whole thing - sean came out a few minutes after them, but no one ran up to him right away. he just sat on the stage for a few short seconds until i realized the opportunity to meet him. i snapped a picture with him, which btw turned out awesome! and talked to him for a few moments, then more people started to come over.
i like sean a lot. he is soft-spoken and shy - it is very sweet. to record your own album being as shy as he is a great thing - i give him all the credit in the world!
and i agree that he has a wonderful voice! i heard him sing the lead in their new song this side and thought he was wonderful! i am looking forward to his new cd!
i believe each of them has awesome gifts - and together they sound unbelievable!!

[NCFan4Ever]

I love Sean so much! I think his shyness only makes me like him more! He is such an amazing musician, I can't imagine having even one-one thousanth of the talent he has in his little finger!

[NickelCreekFan1]

alyson!!!!!!!!!!! where did you get that picture!!! it looks amazing!!!!!! [eek!!] [eek!!] [eek!!] [eek!!] [eek!!] ive never seen it before!:-))

[nitejule]

lol that is a great pic!! you can get it from the sugarhillrecords site for NC. we all show sean love, lol!!! how can we not, lol

[NCFan4Ever]

OMG! If you go to the Sugar Hill publicity site (www.sugarhillrecords.com/publicity) and go the Nickel Creek section you can see that pic blown up and OMG it is great! I think it's my favorite picture of Chris ever! And Sean looks good too! (but my fav pic of Sean will always be the one on the second-issue of the NC cover!

[nitejule]

lol i know what you mean i love that new pic. i am working on actually making different wallpaper/graphics with that pic and some of the other pics, and i am gonna try to get some of my pics together to make some backgrounds, avatars, and aol icons :) then of corse i will share!!

[NCFan4Ever]

you BETTER share! :-)) I have NC on my background right now but it is a really old black and white pic of Sean and Chris...not that I am getting tired of looking at them...;)

[nitejule]

LOL i have 4 backgrounds made right now, lol if you have AIM message me there and i can send you what they look like. i have smaller versions. you will be the first creekster to see, lol. i won't put them out in the large format til i am done with all of them, lol and get them on my site that i have been saying that i am gonna make forever!!

[NCFan4Ever]

just wanted to say again that those backgrounds are awesome! you're a true creekster!

[nitejule]

thanks alot!!! i am gonna try to work my butt off and get them done though. as i said it takes a little while to make them the way i have to do it with the programs i have on here. but i like them so far and i know that everyone else will also.

[NCFan4Ever]

well it'll be worth the wait!! [noise]

[alwayslisten]

About Sean being shy....I just wanted to say, that after my last concert (Midland...with the Flecktones...) that when NC came out to sign, Sean's group was just as big as Sara's! (Maybe not Chris...but come on;) ). And I also wanted to say that when I met him this time (but not the first time...that was a little different) he was totally at ease! He even managed to get off a few good jokes!
Maybe he's getting better? Or maybe I'm just so blinded by adoration that I don't care that he's an introverted hermit?

Anyway.
There's my take on the situation.

[NCFan4Ever]

Well, I don't care if Sean is introverted...whatever he is, he's perfect! Lol!

[nitejule]

well all i can say is that sean is just sean!!