Except it wasn’t.
It wasn’t a nightmare at all. In fact, it was more like a dream. A dark, yet happy, disco ball-lit dream. There were no big, pink pointy birds. The drums and the bass pounded off the walls, and echoed through the dimly lit bar. Keyboards electrified the air and the guitar ripped endless power chords of rhythm. The spunky, blonde female lead vocalist flawlessly executed notes with each new melody while the bodies in the crowd moved in tempo. We were surrounded with the pulsating beats of the dance-driven sounds of one of Detroit’s most favorite cover bands…the Killer Flamingos. I had the honor of attending a good friend’s birthday celebration which happened to be taking place at a local bar. Of course, that particular venue was picked because her favorite band was playing. If you want a night of great music, spectacular stage presence and dancing, the Killer Flamingos are for you. From Lady Gaga and Ke$ha to Cheap Trick, Cee Lo Green and Michael Jackson, they play it all and they play it well. Each time I see them, I’m more impressed with their musicality. On this particular night, four of the five band members performed lead vocals. Having so much range in their sound allows them to cover a huge variety of music and fans never get bored listening to the same voice sing lead. Not only do they perform the songs well, they are really having fun up there. Huge smiles, crowd interaction and genuine joy for their craft is evident when you watch the Killer Flamingos perform. If you are a music lover, you will love this band.
I did occasionally hold my ears, as I felt they might start bleeding from the sheer volume of the music, but I think that had more to do with my close proximity to the giant speakers towering over me. Overall, I danced and talked (okay, shouted) all night and basically just got a huge kick out of watching them play. Having seen them perform several times, I decided I was finally gonna get my picture with one of them. Yeah…I was crushin’ on the bass player. Hey! Don’t get the wrong idea! I’m married and all…Sheesh! But I can totally appreciate the cute boy, his infectious smile and his obvious love of performing. Plus, I’m at a point in my life where I feel like people need to hear good things. Too many times, we don’t give credit where credit is due. Why is it so hard for people to give a compliment? They are rarely handed out and it’s practically unheard of to give one to a complete stranger. But I think those are the best kind. Have you ever had someone you don’t know give you the most unexpected compliment or praise? It feels tremendous. I get so high from it that I beam from ear to ear and I feel like I'm walking around in the clouds for the next hour. I remember one particular time when I was walking into a wedding and a group of super posh-looking girls shouted out to me that my hair “looked awesome” and was “really beautiful.” I felt like a friggin' supermodel the rest of the night. Or how about when the person standing behind you at the grocery store admires something you're wearing, or praises how good your child’s behaving…it’s a rock star moment. You feel good. I have decided that I am all about the giving of compliments to strangers now. Not only am I speaking what I think is the truth to them, but I also know it might brighten their day.
So, since I’m on this “Let’s be nice to strangers kick,” (and I really wanted my picture with him) I decide I’m gonna embarrass myself and go for it. He’s like a local celebrity or something, right? Here it goes...
The band just took a break. I’m just gonna march up there and ask him for a picture. Ugh. Deep breath in. Deep breath out. I jump onto the stage and walk up to him. (Or, maybe I kind of ungraciously hopped, and nervously jump and stumble over some speaker or amp cable trying not to trip over my feet…but whatever. I’m sure I looked and sounded cooler in my head.) So, now I'm standing about four inches from him. Yikes. He is cute! I hope I chomped on enough of those Ice Breaker fruit mints...I suck a deep breath in and I quickly stutter out, “Hi,Ijustwantedtosayyouaresooomuchfuntowatch (I shove my sweaty hand in front of him to shake his and I inhale),“annnnndIthinkyouaresupercute. CanIgetapicturewithyou?"(Whew. Deep breath out.) And yes. I said it that fast. He probably thought I was on speed or drunk out of my mind. (Which, by the way, I was neither.) He stood there kind of laughing, kind of smiling, shook my hand and seemed genuinely happy to oblige. My friend was standing nearby, camera in hand, ready to paparazzi us. There we were, all nicely posed with me smiling like a big dork, and then…
Nothing.
Nothing happened. Stupid, shitty camera.
The flash didn’t go off. “Hang on a sec,” I say to Mr. Cute Bass Player boy. I nervously fiddle with the camera, shove it back in my friend’s hand and cheesily grin again. As I’m yelling at her to make sure the flash goes off, FLASH! It goes off. Awwww crap.
I grab the camera out of her hand and quickly look at the picture. Yep. My mouth was open. Dammit! I shove the camera back to my friend, mutter an apology to Mr. Cute Bass Player and smile again. FLASH! YES! Finally. I got a picture. Third time's a charm, right? I didn't bother checking it this time. I’ve wasted enough of this poor man’s break with my stupid, shitty camera escapades and verbal retardedness. By this time, I just wanted to get the hell off the stage. Even though, all the while, Mr. Cute Bass Player stood there with a friendly smile, and patiently waited for my stupid, shitty camera to work. The man must be a saint.
I hopped off the stage as quickly as I hopped on (and I’m sure, just as gracefully) and headed back to our table. (I may have told him "thanks," but honestly, I can't remember. My brain was acting like oatmeal.) I quickly scrolled through the pictures….WHAT THE HELL?!? Gahhhh! It. Was. The. Worst. Picture. Ever. In the history of bad pictures, this had to be top 10. UGH. Oh hell no. This will not do. I shook my head and blew out a deep breath. Well, since I’ve already made a fool of myself, what’s one more time? I grab my friend, scurry back to the stage (where Mr. Cute Bass Player is still messing around with buttons and cords and other technical music stuff) and I interrupt him, YET AGAIN, for another photo op. (I should have pre-empted the interlude with, “No. I am not a stalker.” But of course, I’m not that bright.) I quickly spit out something to the effect of, “Worstpictureever!!!Canyoupleasepleasepleasetakeanotherpicturewithme?”
He laughed. And obliged. Again. I thanked him, shook his hand and managed to lamely mumble, “I don’t know what your name is.” (Yes. It was a statement, not a question. Could I be any dumber?) “It’s David,” he kindly answered. I was so flustered I don’t think I even acknowledged that I heard him. I’m sure he thought I was a complete whack-job by this point. I hopped off the stage once again and scampered back to our table.
I didn’t care if I looked like Atilla the Hun in that last picture. I was not going back up there. However this picture looked, would have to do. I was glad I did it. It definitely made my night. And, I'm pretty sure many of the other chicks in our huge group were jealous. I smugly thought to myself, “Too bad, Suckas! Go up there yourself if you want a picture with a hottie from the band.” (Hey, I just made a complete jackass of myself. I deserved one smug thought.) We enjoyed the music the rest of the night and went home smiling. The band was well-loved by the crowd.
So. You may be wondering why I just poured out my bass-player-crushin’ story for all of you to devour? Eh. I don’t really know. I mean, I’m just a nobody, right? But here’s the deal: everyone, no matter who they are, where they are, or what they do, can use a pick-me-up sometimes. And everyone, no matter who they are, where they are, or what they do, needs a taste of courage sometimes. I managed to do a little of both that night. I had the courage to go up and ask for a picture. (More than once!) And, I gave a stranger a compliment… I told Mr. Cute Bass Player (excuse me, David) that he is fun to watch. Cuz he is. Why shouldn’t we tell people who are doing something great that we appreciate them? The next time you have the urge to say something positive to someone or to do something just for yourself but you’re too nervous to do it, just take a deep breath, hop over those speaker wires, and spit it all out. It might just make your night! Who knows, it just might make theirs too. Remember: you have the power to make someone feel like a rock star.
Oh…in case you’re wondering how that final picture turned out, it was decent. Not my best, but it’ll have to do until the next time I can harass him. (Scroll to the bottom of the Art & Stuff Tab…I’ve posted it for your viewing pleasure.)
A special thank you to the Killer Flamingos for putting on a great show (as always) and giving my friend, Robyn, a spectacular night to remember for her birthday! We love to watch you perform!
**If you are interested in seeing the Killer Flamingos live, check out their show schedule at www.killerflamingos.com.
To subscribe to this blog, click the link on the top right side of this page. Don't forget to click the FB Like button at the bottom!