posted
Okay, two weeks ago, I received a mail supposedly from this guy that I took to be a mass e-mail out informing me that he was playing in Texas, and if I was near any of his performances, I should show up to hear him.
Well, I picked up his CD over the Christmas break - One of the Ones. It's one of the best cd's I've heard. Ever. Period.
So of COURSE I'm interested in seeing the guy perform live!! Hmmmmmm ....... Austin is close by and easy to get to, but that's designated as a private party. Can't go to that one. But Dallas is do-able. And that's actually tonight. But I looked, and there's Houston. Just about two hours away from me. That was last night.
Anyway, I get on the phone to StarGazer and we hash things out and decide we're gonna try to go listen to this guy.
I left work a *little* early yesterday and got on the road. I knew traffic was gonna be bad, but I had hoped I would be going AGAINST most of the traffic, and I was, except for about 10 minutes to go about half a mile on I-10. So I can't complain.
I get to the club where Levi is holding his concert and walk around. Guava Lamp is actually a very nice place!!! NOT what I was expecting!! If we had a place like that closer to me, I might actually consider going back to a club every once in a while.
Anyway, I get a raspberry Long Island Iced Tea and sit down next to an open door. A minute later, Levi walks in with some of his equipment. Or at least he tried to. He bumped the door and it closed on him. So me, being the nice Texas gentleman I am, got up and held the door open for him. He smiled and nodded and thanked me. I guess I became the unoffocial doorman at that point, because I opened the door for him and for the other guy performing last night as they continued to bring in their equipment.
After they get everying in and set up, some of the people in the bar/club begin talkin' to both of the guys. Once things clear out a bit, I drain the last of the some-what flat drink and walk over. Levi sees me, pops up and shove his hand toward me, asking my name. I was able to squeak out "Allen." *I was so proud of me!!!*
Anyway, he wanted to know if I lived in Houston, and I had to tell him I lived about two hours away. Then he wanted to know if I was really a NYPD officer, or if it was just a souvinere. I had to explain to him that it was a shirt from a friend of mine when he visited NYC.
THEN he wanted to know if I got the e-mail he sent out. I kinda grinned and told him that I got it - AND that e-mail was the reason I was there. He thanked me again!! THEN I had to do it. I told him I knew he got tired of these two questions, but "How do you pronounce your last name? And will you be doing autographs?" "ummmmmmm ....... let's see. It's Kr-eye-sss. And yes, I will be signing autographs."
We continued to chat for a few minutes, talking about him touring with Eric and how happy he was that people were enjoying "One of the Ones" - Levi's album, and even him waiting tables and such. I finally let him continue with his work after a few minutes because I really didn't want to hog all his time.
It took him a few minutes to finish up, then he started milling about the room, cutting up with the patrons and just enjoying himself. I know as a performer, you're supposed to work the room, but he just did an incredible job of it. He came across as very genuine.
So while he's milling around the room, I slipped back out to my truck and get my cd and tucked it in my back pocket and headed back in the room. A few minutes later, he walked by and spoke to me again ,calling me by name, and I sheepishly pulled out the cd and asked him to sign it. He pulled out his pen and took the insert out of the case and signed it "To Allen, Thanks for coming out to see me! All the best, Levi."
Okay, okay, okay - so it's not a big deal. But the thing that impressed me the most was that he did NOT ask my name again, NOR did he ask how to spell it. He nailed it the first time.
Stargazer showed up, and I'm doing my best not to just GUSH over poor Mr. Kreis. I told 'Gazer that I was able to talk to Levi, and he even remembered my name. Yeah, I think 'Gazer rolled his eyes as I was telling him some of this.
Well, Levi's buddy was first on stage. Levi said it was a dream come true to be touring with one of the guys he looks up to. And Eric did a good job. He had fun up on stage. But once he was done, it was Levi's turn.
HOLY COW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE WAS FANTASTIC!!!!! As great as his cd is, he's that much better in person. I've had his cd since the Christmas break, and it's the most played on the iPod. So I like the guy. A lot.
Anyway, when it was over, 'Gazer got some cd's of the performers, and asked Levi to sign one of the cd's. When he handed the cd over, Levi glanced at me and said, "Hi Allen!" >snicker-snicker<
Yeah - Levi rocks!!!!!!!! And if you ever want to catch a great performance and a great artist, go see him!!!!
If you want a great cd, get "One of the Ones" - cdbaby.com carries it!!!
-------------------- You can never quit believiing in your dreams ... or yourself. ----- You GOTTA listen to Levi Kreis.
From: Aggieland | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
And did you ask him to drop by Legion World? There's always room at LMBP Plaza for an up and coming artist
Of course, you could have just said that your name was Michael... then you could have just sent me the autographed CD
-------------------- Some people are like slinkys: not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when you knock them down a flight of stairs
From: Penthouse atop Levitz Hall, LMBP Plaza, Embassy Row, Legion World | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
*sigh* I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so selfish. It just kinda comes naturally. =Ž
But I told him that if he's ever back in Texas, I'd love to come back to another of his concerts. He said he's hopeful his next trip will include MANY MORE stops in the South.
-------------------- You can never quit believiing in your dreams ... or yourself. ----- You GOTTA listen to Levi Kreis.
From: Aggieland | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
According to his tour info on his site, he will be at the University of Maine in Orono on 4-5-06
-------------------- Five billion years from now the Sun will go nova and obliterate the Earth. Don't sweat the small stuff!
From: Boston | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
Or maybe he could just wait until Levi's next swing down south, and just go with me.
-------------------- You can never quit believiing in your dreams ... or yourself. ----- You GOTTA listen to Levi Kreis.
From: Aggieland | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I don't know if I'm willing to drive 3 hours one way just to be someone's doorman
-------------------- Some people are like slinkys: not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when you knock them down a flight of stairs
From: Penthouse atop Levitz Hall, LMBP Plaza, Embassy Row, Legion World | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
Awwwwwwwwww ........... He quoted a line from "Sordid Lives"!!!!!!!!!
AND he did a song in the style of David Gray!!!!
It might be worth it. =Ž
-------------------- You can never quit believiing in your dreams ... or yourself. ----- You GOTTA listen to Levi Kreis.
From: Aggieland | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
Beagz, you didn't say he was cute. I checked out his web-site and he's a hottie. Was that why you were squeaking? The web-site also has some of his music on it. I liked it.
[ March 12, 2006, 04:45 PM: Message edited by: Semi Transparent Fellow ]
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
If it helps, the pics on his site DO NOT do him justice!!!!!!!
errrrrrrrrr ... and yeah - that was part of the reason. >blush<
-------------------- You can never quit believiing in your dreams ... or yourself. ----- You GOTTA listen to Levi Kreis.
From: Aggieland | Registered: Jul 2003
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