BRUSH WITH GREATNESS: Katie meets Ben Folds and you don't
by Katie McRae
I love Ben Folds.
I’ve loved him since I was in middle school and he was still with the Five.
I went to his concert last year at Wharton, and watching him improvise and interact with the audience made me love him even more, to the point where I was pretty sure it wasn’t possible to be more of a Folds fanatic than I already was.
Oh boy, was I wrong.
Yes, his concert last week was amazing, but nothing can make or break a fan’s love better a face-to-face meeting. Ben Folds definitely made my life last week.
It all started last Tuesday. I was on Grand River waiting for a bus to take me back to my apartment. I had to pick up Jordan, pick up our tickets to the concert, go to a Study Abroad meeting, and finally meet Emma and Jordan at the Aud.
Of course, I was excited about the concert. The Folds concert last year was one of the best I’d ever been to and couldn’t wait to see him again.
I was listening to “Landed,” my favorite Ben song, getting into the mood, when suddenly the piano was interrupted by the thumping beat of my Justin Timberlake ringtone.
It was Jordan. I figured he was wondering when I was going to get him, so what came next was a huge surprise:
Jordan: “Guess who I just met!”
Me: “I dunno. Who?”
Jordan: “No, you seriously have to guess.”
Me: “I don’t…OHMYGODYOUDIDNOT!”
Jordan: “I DID!”
Me: “WHERE?”
What Jordan told me next changed my fan life forever. Apparently, he had been walking down the street and thought he recognized the guy walking towards him. He couldn’t place the face for a minute, but then he realized that it was The Ben Folds. No one was freaking out, so Jordan didn’t know what to do.
Luckily for him (and me), his friend Jenna did. They sprinted over to Ben and introduced themselves. Ben, good guy that he is, even said Jordan’s name.
After a little chat, Ben and his posse – of two – went into Potbelly’s. This is where I come in.
When Jordan told me that Ben Folds was a block away from where I was standing, I had a decision to make: Walk away and let the man eat in peace or let my idol know just how much I love him.
Of course, I chose the latter.
I was freaking out as I walked up to the restaurant. I thought about turning back for a split-second, but I was too close now. I took a breath, opened the door, and sitting at the first booth was Ben Freaking Folds.
I somehow remembered to be cool, and did a planned double-take, or as Jordan said, “a double-fake.”
Then, I just went for it. “I don’t want to bother you,” I said, even though I kind of was already. “But I just wanted to let you know that I think you’re amazing.”
Then Ben Folds said thank you. To me. Ben Folds addressed me.
I couldn’t stop there. “I was at your concert last year, and it was so amazing. I’m really, really excited about tonight. I can’t wait.” “That’s great to hear! It’s good to be back. I’m glad you’re coming!”
Yes, folks, Ben Folds was glad that I, Katie McRae, was coming to his show.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
I thought I’d leave the man alone and let him finish his chili before I drew too much attention to him, so I ever-so-casually excused myself and went and bought some Key Lime soda drink that I’ve never seen before, so I didn’t look like a total stalker. I don’t like Key Lime, for the record.
I left the restaurant and did what any respectable person would do next: Called every single one of my contacts in my phone, changed my Facebook status to let the world know, and then, just to make sure that my big news got to everyone I’ve ever met, put up an away message that said something to the effect of, “I MET BEN FOLDS AND YOU DIDN’T AND NOW WE’RE BEST FRIENDS HAHAHAHAHAHA!”
Of course, the concert was great. Amazing. Incredible. Beyond any words. The piano lost a pedal during the show, so as the crew was fixing it, Ben kicked around beach balls with the crowd. He took requests – when he could pick out a single song title from the hundreds being shouted at once. He even brought Rick Shaw, Big Daddy taxi driver, onstage to play the harmonica for the second year in a row.
But the best part of Ben Folds shows are the impromptu songs he sings in response to the audience. A “Fuck yeah, MSU!” shout from the crowd turns into a three-minute ditty with harmonies and full lyrics. Each show is a different experience and each audience member takes away something different.
Next time Ben Folds is in town, definitely get tickets to check him out. And if you ever want to meet him, or any other artist who happens to be in East Lansing for the night, don’t forget: Musicians have to eat, too.
