The First Time we Ended up Backstage with Wilco
Early in 2012 Shannon told me the great news that Wilco was going to be in Oregon during her birthday in February. It was perfect timing; Shannon was still pregnant with our daughter, and the show gave us an opportunity to enjoy a quick trip with our concert-going friends to Eugene, Oregon.
One of our concert-going friends was Ian, who is probably one of the biggest live music fans I’ve met. He loved being among the group of fans who made it up to the guard rails next to the stage. He also was moonlighting as a contributing music writer for The Source Weekly, interviewing local bands and talking to touring bands coming into Bend.
Shannon posted on the twitter feed of Mikal Jorgensen (the keyboard player of Wilco) that she was excited to give our daughter her first concert experience, while she was still in her belly. Shortly following, Mikal sent Shannon a direct message asking how many people were in our party. She said four, and he followed up by telling her that there were going to be all access passes available for us at will call.
“You better not talk about your music stuff Brian,” Shannon warned me. “It’s not about you or your music, it’s about Wilco.”
I laughed out loud. “Of course Shannon. Nobody wants to hear about a dad rocker.”
We attended the show and enjoyed their latest release, “The Whole Love”. It was fantastic with surprising new twists to their sound. As the show winded-down with a four song encore, ending with one of my favorite songs, “Heavy Metal Drummer”.
As the crowd left the auditorium, we excitedly waited to go backstage. I needed a bathroom break, but waited it out until they escorted us to the back. There I quickly went to the restroom. Inside was a man taking a shower. He reached over top and grabbed a towel, and opened the door while I was doing my business. It was the band’s drummer, Glenn Kotche. It was a pretty awkward situation, so I didn’t say anything while washing my hands and getting the heck out of there.
When I opened up the door the rest of the band (Nels Cline, Mikal Jorgensen, Pat Sansone and John Stirratt) was filing out of the greenroom, on their way to where the backstage guests were waiting. I walked behind them and witnessed the small groups eyes open with star- struck delight. The energy was vibrant and electrifying.
The band was so gracious, making their way to each group of fans. I had brought in a poster we purchased at the lobby and each of the band members signed the poster for Shannon. All accept Jeff Tweedy, who had never come into the guest room.
“Jeff doesn’t do guest greetings anymore,” said our host Mikal Jorgensen. This wasn’t an issue for our group.
“I’m not sure I want to meet Jeff anyway,” I said to Shannon privately. “I kind of want to keep him as the performer on stage, and not a person I chatted with in a short conversation.” A few years later, during the holidays, I surprised Shannon by getting Jeff to sign the poster. I was able to coordinate with their studio in Chicago of sending the poster signed by the others. Jeff signed it and his team sent it back.