For those who have been to a meet & greet.... (Page 1 of 2)

Great question that I wish I had asked prior to my meet and greet.
I too was afraid I would screw up.  Remember Joe has done this thousands of times so it will be ok.

Make sure you take something to have him sign.  I took the Liner notes( insert) from a couple of the tour de force dvd sets for him to sign.  He is really  very unassuming and kind of shy.

If you have a guitar for him to sign he will be very chatty.   In fact they came thru the line before the meet and greet started looking for any historic guitars.

We had a gift for him which he liked .  Gave him some liquor and some goofy socks that he actually wore later when he played. (Really cool for us)

As he was signing the liner notes for the TDF Royal Albert hall show we asked him about playing Gary Moore' s guitar.  He was very detailed in his response.  I think if you stick to music or guitars you can't go wrong.   He also likes to collect music related antiques etc.  Often tweets about items he has scored in his visits to pawn shops and guitar shops around the venues he plays.  Remember it only lasts a few minutes.

Take a camera to document the moment.  Clay his road/tour manager will be there to take the photo for you.   Best advice, just try to relax.  I was so nervous I literally can't remember all of it.  He is a great guy.   Kind of cool to meet him upclose and personal and then see him perform.  It's a total transformation.

One last thing, Be at the meet and greet location early or as close to  the time they give you.   Listen to Bob, the crew member that takes you to the Meet and Greet location.  He is very nice.  Remember Joe is on a schedule, he does sound check, meet and greet, dinner then the show.  A lot to pack into one night.  Hope this helps.    Can't wait to hear how it goes

Just relax Joe is very down to earth.
Enjoy
Cheers Ron

My only piece of advice, if needed.... Just be yourself!

Depends if you're a local... might ask them where they got lunch or if he's been getting any sleep lately. Sometimes casual conversation turns into a chuckle or two. I would definitely introduce yourself as someone who posts on the forum.

I myself have met him probably 8 times now, and I always introduce myself the same way. "NPB from the forums" or "Nic from Detroit" ironically I hardly ever M&G him in Detroit, LOL... but he usually remembers me from the posting in the forums so much. And Joe, he has a memory like a steel trap, so I doubt I have to keep introducing myself like that - but it never hurts to say who you are so they don't have to wonder or feel like they "should" know you for some reason.

Last time we talked, fans were flabbergasted when he asked me how I liked my latest guitar purchase. I posted photos on the forum and he remembered that. Some fans at the M&G probably thought he knows me personally. The guy pays attention to what goes on on this forum, make no mistake about that.

In closing, I would stay away from any questions you could find by doing a search on this forum, like what kind of guitar pick he uses or what his favorite guitar amplifier is, etc. Even if you DID ask that, he'd probably tell you his favorite stage amp "of the week" and maybe also his favorite amp for playing on the couch. So even if your question is an old standard he might find a new way to answer it.

The fact is we are lucky to have a short conversation with someone who is not only a hard worker, but friendly to fans from over 1,000's of stories many of us could tell. M&Gs can be a chore at times when a schedule like his is so hectic, so I prefer to keep it casual and talk to him like any other person. The signature and photograph is cool, but just to be able to shake his hand and chat for a few seconds is the part I don't forget.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping.

I know that most bands do this kind of thing but even so....I"ve seen videos of him at these things and he's always so responsive and friendly. Not just the perfunctory answers.

I wouldnt' know a pick from an amp anyway. I"m lucky I can turn on the computer much less know anything about guitars or the like. At my age I'm lucky if my socks match.

I've heard he remembers people.....wow. Amazing. Hopefully this will happen to me too. And I don't trip over him. Sigh

He signed my goldtop in Charlotte (one of 300) and the next night, at his next stop, he signed another guitar for me. He not only remembered me from the previous signing, but also remembered the serial number of the guitar. Yeah, he's got a good memory.

I really need to do a meet and greet.....I have e-mailed Eric about getting some flyers for the Columbus, Ohio show nov. 29th....but never heard back 

If I have too.....I will buy a meet & greet.

Joe just seems so down to earth, and it is so refreshing to see someone like that.

I was a semi-decent professional athlete, back in the day.  I have been around, all pro, Heisman winners and Hall of Fame players for many, many years.  I am not "star struck" easily.  The two people, in the world, I would like to have lunch with is Joe and the Pope.  Preferably together.