• From: Oakley, CA USA
  • Registered: 2007-05-24
  • Posts: 40

Topic: Backstage (San Luis Obispo, CA) with Joe and an apology...

Let me start off by saying I'm new to this forum.
I am a guitarist and have been listenin to JB for a couple of years now.

I was at the show two nights ago in San Luis Obispo, CA (small and very cool venue)and Joe rocked the place.
Long story short, after the show, Carmine (bassist) appeared at the bar and a conversation started up. By the way, not only is Carmine a smooth bass player, but he is an exceptional person and very gracious musician. He treated us as if we were long time friends.
Anyway, Carmine escorted us backstage (thanx so much Carmine) to meet Joe and as we walked into basically what appeared to be the janitors closet, there stood Joe Bonamassa, my idol as a musician, and I was able to shake hands with the man, get autographs and hang around a bit.
I, like a dumbass, asked a question of Joe and now wished I hadn't as I feel I may have insulted him inadvertently.
I asked Joe quote "You're such a great musician, how come you don't have much radio play?"

Joe replied and with a tone as if I may have insulted him, "Because I don't need them"

At first I was thinking, man, what a snob! ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!...
Joe Bonamassa, IMHO is a gracious crusader in the sometimes dog eat dog music industry and is bent on making it with his play, his music, his originality and of course his outstanding fans without all the commercialism.
And ya know what folks, he'll do it.

With that being said, I wish to extend my apologies to Joe Bonamassa if I in any way insulted him that night and extend a huge thank you to Carmine for getting us there (backstage) and Joe for allowing it and above all to Joe Bonamassa and the entire band that played that night. It was an outstanding performance and you guys put a smile on every face in that building that night.

I still have a couple of folks every now and then come up to me and ask what that is I'm listenin to on the stereo and tell them, Joe Bonamassa.
And of course, I keep getting that same ole reply, "Who?"
But I think the tides are turnin and I'm getting less and less replies like that and more heads nodding with replies like , "Is that Bonamassa?"
You bet...

Rock on Joe...I beleive you are a legend in the making and look forward to seeing you again live on stage for years to come. Thanx again, a fan forever.

CURRENTLY: CAT5 JB PLEXI 50W, CAT5 1900 50W, Split 4x12 cab.
Fender Strat, Tele. Gibson LP including ole #174 JB Goldtop...

In heaven right now with the CAT5 rig!!!
  • From: Deep in the forest
  • Registered: 2007-02-11
  • Posts: 5,296

Re: Backstage (San Luis Obispo, CA) with Joe and an apology...

Hi Fan..Welcome to the forum. We all wonder how the whole world doesn't know Joe. At the same time he is slowly gathering forces. He's been very smart to build a fan base that is about the music!! He is as human as they come and wise beyond his 30 years! I'm certain he understood! Join the Street Team to serve penance!!!!     Cathy

  • From: Oakley, CA USA
  • Registered: 2007-05-24
  • Posts: 40

Re: Backstage (San Luis Obispo, CA) with Joe and an apology...

BluesMan wrote:

Hi Fandango1,

First let me welcome you to the forum. It's full of great people who take great pride in knowing just how great Joe Bonamassa is! (did I just use great 3 times in a sentence?)
Anyway, from what everyone has indicated and from what I've read, this fabulously talented young man's expertise in music is only surpassed by his kind heartedness towards people who are close to him and his fans. Joe has done it the hard, yet right way by building a fan base not by over-commercialization, but by using his rare skills to influence the word of mouth spread of his career. Since you have had the opportunity to meet Joe you're one up on me. Someday, I hope to meet the man with my children present so they know how someone famous should act. Not to speak for Joe, but I don't think he would hold a grudge over what anyone might say.

I look forward to more of your posts!

Thanx man, I felt terrible that night leaving. We drove 250 miles to see him that night and I walk in and diss my idol, what s wrong here, maybe too many beers!
Naw seriously, I think Joe is much more of a person to let that be a big deal to him.
He knows what he's doin and I admire him for that.
Hey, I will be getting back about 20 closeups of Joe I took that night. We wereright in front of him the whole night, almost could touch his sboot.
I'll post em on the other venue when I get em back (not digital unfortunately)

Anyway, thanx for the reply, ya kinda made me feel not so bad anymore, now lets get back to practicin, have a great Memorial Day weekend...

CURRENTLY: CAT5 JB PLEXI 50W, CAT5 1900 50W, Split 4x12 cab.
Fender Strat, Tele. Gibson LP including ole #174 JB Goldtop...

In heaven right now with the CAT5 rig!!!
  • From: Wheeling, IL
  • Registered: 2006-12-07
  • Posts: 618

Re: Backstage (San Luis Obispo, CA) with Joe and an apology...

Welcome to the board, Fandango1 (like the name)!

Don't feel too bad. I'm sure Joe gets that question a lot. I used to wonder why Joe didn't get more radio play and promotion until I realized he's decided to take a different tack. He's using the forum and the Street Team to get the word out, slowly building a fan base by playing smaller venues where he can connect more intimately with the fans. It's frustrating to see this musician who I think is the GREATEST GUITAR PLAYER ON THE FREAKING PLANET!!! not get as much recognition as we feel he deserves but he's doing it his way. And frankly, I love him all the more for it because I know that if he went the "traditional" route, I'd have to pay $100 to see him in a packed auditorium and wouldn't get to meet and talk with him after the gig. So it's all good.

Nancy

I'm just saying.
  • jim m
  • jim m
  • BONAMETAL
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  • From: Okie City, OK
  • Registered: 2006-04-24
  • Posts: 3,429

Re: Backstage (San Luis Obispo, CA) with Joe and an apology...

We all say things that are misinterpreted when nervous. When I talked to Joe after seeing him for the first time a few years ago I know I sounded like a babbling idiot. He hasn't held that against me yet. He even has told a story of meeting Sandra Bullock and how awkward it was for him.

The important thing is Joe is a regular guy with an extrodinary talent that is proud to be able to say that he has built a following with out mainstream radio airplay. That is a major feat. He is comfortable with how his career is progressing and not waiting for the mythical overnight success scenerio. That can sometimes be a curse instead of a blessing.

jim m's Website

  • Registered: 2007-01-29
  • Posts: 569

Re: Backstage (San Luis Obispo, CA) with Joe and an apology...

Hey, welcome to the board!! I don't think Joe was insulted...he's just very humble, and obviously a VERY nice person...don't take it that way.  wink

Mary

LOL-ler-tastic.
  • gary
  • BONAMETAL
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  • From: Palatine Illinois by Chicago
  • Registered: 2006-08-25
  • Posts: 4,767

Re: Backstage (San Luis Obispo, CA) with Joe and an apology...

welcome fandango[first thing I thought of was zz tops fandango album]. dont beat yourself up too much.I am sure joe hears alot of similiar things about radio airplay.Good thing is that he doing things his way. and I also selfishly enjoy seeing joe in a smaller venue.And it takes aman to come on here and appologize for something,even if it was only terrible in your  own mind.I think it would bother me too if I said something to someone I admired and it came out kinda mixed up bad sounding.

Your rock candy baby
Your hard sweet and sticky

gary's Website

  • Geko
  • Geko
  • Titanium
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  • Registered: 2006-12-08
  • Posts: 838

Re: Backstage (San Luis Obispo, CA) with Joe and an apology...

hi fandango first let me say welcome to the club !
i must lough and shake when i read your story  and again  llllloooollll  smile
Because i was in like same  situation i have drink half bottle uozo ....a greek drink
and heiniken beer that was to mutch for me
than i lost my money bag .....later found it
after that i went to the tour bus to get a picture with joe .to hang it beside my guitar that he has singned one gig bevore......but i head no camara what a stupid question to ask for a pic when you have no camera ??? but this can only happened when you drink to mutch
joe was shaking his head and went away in the bus an leave me standing it was terrebel
than the owner was coming out and has sayed to me if you like a pic its no problem
next time i will ask joe for you ,
than he gave me a cd of the blues garage (same name like the lokal)
and somthing for the night ,because i sleeped in the car ....so drunken my eyes were rolling arround
i have learned from this i dont have to drink to mutch its not gentle
i think joe and the guys have lough about it like me at the next day only different was my head was bumping.....and have 300 km to drive home ...lol


next gig i visit is Golsch blues festival  i go with my girlfrind and a good frind and his girlfrind  i like to show him who is joe bonamassa also we meet andrewittebroek and his musicfrinds mabye more forum people
i hope get my pic with joe to fill the free place beside my guitar this time i take a camera with me thats sure......lol
ok short story to take you up
greetz from out of germany
by geko wink

  • From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Re: Backstage (San Luis Obispo, CA) with Joe and an apology...

Fandango,
Welcome to the forum. I agree with most people here, Joe was probably unfazed by your question. He's certainly carving his own path and understands what goes along with that. It was nice of you to post an apology since you felt so bad about the incident. I'm sure Joe will read it at some point and understand.
Bill S

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"