I recently had the privilege of meeting and seeing one of my favorite bands in concert — Dashboard Confessional. Chris Carrabba started the band over 10 years ago and he’s currently doing a Swiss Army Romance 10th Anniversary Tour. For my birthday, Tara got me the “meet and greet” ticket package for the January 20th show at the Troubadour in Hollywood, CA (they weren’t coming through AZ). It was an amazing night — one I’ll never forget!

First, we arrived 45 minutes before doors opened, as the email instructions stated, and jumped in a line of about 50 people. We waited. And waited. Then waited some more. If you’ve ever been to a show at a smaller club this always seems to be the routine. However, I started getting a little nervous so I decided to walk up to the will call booth. I spoke with an employee of the club, asking him about the “meet and greet” to which he responded, “there is no meet and greet tonight.” I insisted there was and even showed him the email with the instructions. He still insisted there wasn’t a meet and greet. I asked to talk to a manager, to which he replied, “I am the manager.” Confused and frustrated, I got back in line to process through my options. Not long after a security guard came walking by the line shouting, “Jared…Victoria….Jared….Victoria.” I didn’t know who Victoria was (and I didn’t care) but all I knew is that this must be my ticket in. It was indeed, but the best part about it was that Victoria (whoever she is) and I were the only ones for the meet and greet that night. Even better, Victoria never showed up so it was just going to be Tara and I hanging out with Chris for a bit. I was happy!

The guard took us to the entrance of the club and I must say that it felt so good passing by all the “others” in line, knowing were being ushered in to hangout with Chris one-on-one. They brought us inside were we waited for a few minutes for him to finish up an interview. Then his manager took us into the staging area where Chris greeted us. We introduced ourselves and did some small talk about random things. When he found out we traveled from AZ to see the show, he was surprised and thankful. After that, he invited us back stage to hang out for a bit. It was pretty stinkin’ cool just to talk to him and see who he really is — just a normal, down-to-earth guy who’s passionate about telling stories through music. I asked him about “Get Me Right” (one of my favorite songs) and he shared a few details about the message behind it. After 20 minutes or so, his manager came up and said he needed to go eat dinner so we said our goodbyes. Good times!

The show was great too! Here are some pics, videos and more thoughts about the whole experience.

GET ME RIGHT lyrics:

I made my slow way home
Limping on broken bones
Out of the thickest pine
Across the county lines
On to your wooden stairs
I know you can repair
I know you’ve seen the light
I know you’ll get me right…right….right…right

I own a sinners heart
I know the rain falls hard
I know the currency
I know the things you’ll need
I hope he hears my prayers
I see you cut your hair
I know the saving type
I know you’ll get me right…right….right…right

But, Jesus I’ve fallen
I don’t mind the rain if
I meet my maker
I’ll meet my maker clean

But, Jesus the truth is
I’ve struggled so hard to believe
I need my maker
I need my maker

To cure of my doubting blood
And drain me of the sins I love
And take from me my disbelief
I know it should come easily
But it remains inside of me
It battles and devours me
It cuddles up the side of me
And whispers it convinces me I’m right…