Charlotte NC (July 22)

[patty b]

Wow what a night in steamy nc. Our seats were 3rd row center (15 yrs as a MEIN member paid off). This was the first concert we have been to since moving here 4 yrs ago. The last time we saw Melissa was 2006 at the Borgota, talk about needing a Melissa fix!! Melissa took the stage at 8:05 and played a mix of new and old for the next 2 hrs
and 45 mins. I didn't write down the set list but my better half got most of the concert on video, hopefully we can post some links later. Melissa looked good
and the banter with the crowd between songs was well received.. She talked about staying at a hotel on a golf course
and sitting on her balcony and watching the golfers and how after watching them for hrs she thought she should take up golf to keep her out of trouble She also asked us if we all wanted to take a road trip to Atlanta with her.
Most of the evening was really enjoyable but every concert has to have some folks that you end up asking yourself "why couldn't they stay home" I'll never understand the people who have to get intoxicated at a concert, how do they remember the night? Overall though it was a wonderful night out with my wife and I'm so glad we went.
One more thing....$35 for a t shirt ( the blue one) and Charlotte isn't even listed as a stop. What's up with that?

[ab15cb]

It was great! Loved the setlist and and all the new songs were great live. Does anyone know how long she played "Like the Way I Do"? Loved it!

[Jakesmom917]

I was there to! Had a Harvard Tshirt on. 8th row toward the end. I met a woman named Joanna? Said she was a featured member a bit ago!
GREAT show!

[sbassgva]

If "Like the Way I Do" was similar to the Lancaster and Bethesda shows, it was between 16 and 20 minutes.

[cprice]

Was at the concert 7/22 in Charlotte,NC. Completely enamored by the set her connection with the audience, the length of the concert. I miss the days where musicians would actually sign things after the concert, and now the adoration is about money. Join a fan club get noticed as a fan. I understand it was a million degrees outside Thursday night but it would have been nice if Melissa had stopped for a moment and sign things or even take a pictue. I guess those days are over, I long for the days where people were all the same they did music for a living but still put their pants on one leg at a time-and were approchable. However without doubt the music was excellent!
Cyndi Price

[deardeergirl]

Respectfully, Cyndi, Melissa gives a lot to her fans-- both on stage (1000%) and off... you said it yourself, it was 1000 degrees outside, and she'd just finished (what was, I'm sure) an almost 3-hour, very high-intensity show. I'm sure she was exhausted. Melissa has been known to sign for fans after shows and appearances, and it has nothing to do with being in the fan club (which I am, and I have yet to get an autograph...would I be thrilled to the gills to have one? YES! Do I expect it of her?? NO!).
I don't think it is at all fair to Melissa to say it is all about money. Yes, this is how she makes her living, but fellow fans I know that either know or have met Melissa say she is the most genuine, 'real', and gracious person you could imagine. Melissa has also touched a lot of hands this tour, and she acknowledges people's signs during the show, coming close to them and/or making comments directly to those fans. I've seen a lot of concerts, and can say I have never seen another artist connect with their fans so consistently to this degree.
So please, Cyndi, no sour grapes. It was just "Not Tonight"... Maybe another time. And like you said, the music was EXCELLENT!!!! And THAT, my dear fellow fan, is the only thing we can expect-- lucky for us, on that one Melissa ALWAYS delivers!!!

,
DDG

[Cruisin]

Agree with my girl, of course.....as I said most of this too, when we were waiting outside the venue in Lancaster...well, I was sitting on the curb exhausted from the show..while about a hundred fans waited for Melissa to come out of the venue and get onto her bus....had she took time to talk to the fans, and signed some autographs, it would have been another hour ......honestly, I felt bad for her.... she waived and everyone cheered, then she got onto the bus... TIME TO GO

I dont think she should have to stand around and sign shit.... Her show was the most powerful, energy packed, fan loving show I have seen since....well, since the last time I saw her, but even more so...... completely awesome tour....

[SandyL]

I must say, I agree totally with DDG and Cruisin! Melissa gives over 100% in her performances. I happened to get to the venue early and was there when she arrived. She was extremely gracious in greeting those of us who had gathered, signing autographs if we wanted them! I've noticed during her shows that she makes eye contact with as many people as possible and truly is energized by her fans and their response to her performance! I don't believe we can expect anymore from her than what she already gives!

[nybabe58]

I agree with the partners above and its not an expectation we should have even though a few of us have had that honor of her stopping and signing things for us before, after and even during events.

Its all about timing and I think because she gives so much during her shows its more likely you are going to get that chance if you catch her before a show. Doesn't mean she'll sign something for everyone one but a select few(or one)depending how many fans are there and time restraints.

I was fortunate to get my FL cd signed prior to the PC Richards show along with a friends Banner of her that she hadn't seen but for the first time and we were smart enough to scout out the entrance location watching for her to arrive.

Also during some events it can happens. The very next day a bunch of us attended her appearance on Good Morning America and she came down to the fans in between taping and a lot of us got things signed. A video of that I took is on Youtube I titled GMA #8 and she didn't have to do that but not only did she sign things she took the time to talk to all of us. Other times fans find her after the show and because there are so many she might just say hi and wave or take that time depending again on how many are there to sign things.

I think is not all about money and as she says at all of her shows she appreciate her fans spending their hard earned money to be there that night. I'm sure other artists appreciate their fans but Melissa makes a point of telling us so knowing it hard times (as she says). BTW that is the first time (well two days in a row) that I ever got her autograph. I happen to be lucky. One time when I was invited to see her on the Carson Daly show she entered NBC studios while I stood with a fan(coincidentally it was glow stick girl Jessie) and she was prepared with a sharpie and her new Lucky cd all set for mle to sign it. She did arrive right where we thought and I was standing right next to Jessie when she signed her cd but wouldn't sign mine(she said only one)....she was ready and all I had was a deck of I love Lucy playing cards I just got at the nbc store figuring let me have something for her to sign but she didnt. I guess now Ive made up for it. I didn't have negative feelings back then as she was in a hurry and only said one signature. It was just us and one other friend who stood back. All about timing guys and because she gives so much at her shows(hours of performing most of the time) we should appreciate that more than anything else!!

[adam_eve]

I agree with all of the above. The ONLY other singer that I can think of that signs things and meets fans for free at almost every show is Tori Amos. Since her 1994 Under The Pink tour she has been meeting fans outside the venues before AND after each and every show until 1999. 2001- now it is ususally just done before the show, and if her schedule is too hectic or the weather is bad (rain very hot) there wont be one. This si not meant to be a jab at mle butO I just like that I and MANY people have many times over teh eyars gotten an autpgraph AND a pic with Tori w/o paying for a travel package to do so as it seems with most artists the only way to get (a pic w them anyways) is a contest backstage m&g or a fan club tp.

[Kypride86]

I have been lucky enough to have met Tori at several of the meet and greets before the show. She is always gracious. I havent had the chance to meet Melissa at any of my concerts, but it will come eventually, and I do think that the travel packages are a great value for everything that you get.

[passionate_soul]

Cyndi - sorry that you were disappointed that melissa didn't sign items or take pictures. Many people would like for her to be able to do that for them - but - I agree with what the others are saying.
I also feel that Melissa is one of the most gracious artists out there. Since way back in the day - when she first started out - she was always appreciative of her fans and when time and schedule allowed- she would sign autographs. When she is interviewed on tv, the radio or for a magazine/newspaper article - often she takes the opportunity to mention her fans and expresses how thankful she is to have such loyal fans. Another example is the dedication on the Fearless Love CD...really... how very cool is that! Melissa does give everything to her performances - each and every time - and for nearly 3 hours! Like DDG,Sandy and others have mentioned she tries to connect with as many people as she can - with making eye contact or acknowledging signs (or other items) to touching"hands". With all the passion and energy she puts into each performance - I don't know how she is able to do anything else afterward.
Cyndi - just know that Melissa Etheridge is definitely not about the money... she is about the music, the passion that accompanies the music - and sharing that with her fans to give them the best concert experience ever!

[Kypride86]

Melissa is one of the most genuine performers out there. She makes an effort to touch as many people as she can with the shows. Its not about the autographs or anything, its the bigger picture. Her message is a great one and she is hands down the best performer you would ever want to see. We get just as much from her and she does from us.

[Ohio]

I think Melissa gives amazing concerts and gets tons of energy from her fans, but I think , and i will probably take many hits for this, she spends too much time on tour. I feel sad for her kids with her gone so much. She has said the oldest only wants to tour a little, it isn't fun going town to town and being away from friends all summer. This year during her tour she has talked about going back to Europe in the fall and downunder in the winter and maybe more in Canada in the fall. I had to be away from my family because of being in the military and my kids took a big hit from it and it was hard on them. I don't like seeing other kids go through it. I've been a fan of hers from way back and I am just fine with her not touring each year, like she used to do. I don't mind sharing her with her family.

[Kypride86]

If I'm not mistaken, Beckett and Bailey are both on tour with her this year.

[Lora]

We Are The Ones
Fearless Love
Miss California
If I Wanted To
Ain't It Heavy
Company
I Want To Come Over
The Wanting Of You
Let Me Go
Come To My Window
Only Love
Angels Would Fall
Indiana
I Run For Life
Drag Me Away
Nervous
I'm The Only One
Bring Me Some Water
Like The Way I Do

Gently We Row

[i'mfeelingcrazy]

Hello my friends.

Melissa was on FIRE at this show and she looked and sounded amazing! Incredible evening. I didn't want it to end. I drove (ALONE!) from Miami, FL to see her and It was worth every mile and penny it took to get there. I posted the pictures from Charlotte, NC and Atlanta on my face book page and will try to upload an amazing peice of video I got after the stage rush during Indiana.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?ai ... 183&ref=mf
http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?ai ... 183&ref=mf

I hope that works. If not someone please let me know how to post the link.

Hello to all the ladies I met and didn't get a chance to exchange e-mails with. In particular, Kelly and her girlfriend (sorry forgot your name) I gave you one of the glow braceltes I was wearing and you brought me much needed water during the concert, Thanks. and my stage buddies, Janet and a very nice women who's name I didn't get was to the right of me at the stage (you helped me find the pick). Great stage buddies. And to the lovey young lady to my left who took my water bottle and made a crazy gesture with it And a special hi and thanks to Ann and Richard. It was so nice meeting both of you and hanging out before and after the show. Sorry I didn't see you inside and rock with you at the stage. That would have been cool. Sounds like we were close
together.
One more show to go. Tampa, FL on Wednesday.

Theresa

[i'mfeelingcrazy]

Here is a link to a video you may enjoy. I took it at the Charlotte show during "Indiana" its a bit shaky and not that great at the beggining but I think you may enjoy some of it after the 3:00 mark especially.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0NjXwbdbGA

Theresa

[mlr22]

I was lucky enough to be in the crowd at the Charlotte, NC show on July 22nd. As usual, Melissa rocked the stage!! She was able to captivate my attention for the entire length of the show. I didn't want the night to end. When she performs, she takes you to a place of serenity, where nothing on the outside world seems to matter. The show in Charlotte was so good that it left me wanting MORE Melissa!! I went home and searched for tickets to her Monday night show in Durham, NC. I was able to get 4th row tickets to this show. Even though I had to drive 2.5 hrs there and back to see her, it was WORTH IT ALL and if she were going to be any closer to my area again, I would attend for a 3rd time!! You definitely get your moneys worth at her shows and THEN SOME!! I hope Melissa comes to the NC areas again soon.

[Kypride86]

I would love to see Angels Would Fall if anyone got this on video by any chance. One of my favorites and I havent seen a video of her doing it this tour. I was lucky enough to see her do it in 2008 and it was just fantastic.

[passionate_soul]

Theresa -

Nice photos and thanks for the Indiana video - it was really cool to see her so close up... man- you were right on top of her!

[i'mfeelingcrazy]

Theresa -

Nice photos and thanks for the Indiana video - it was really cool to see her so close up... man- you were right on top of her!

Thanks it was so exciting and so much fun. LOVE HER