September
2010
Tommy Shaw is literally the hardest working man in music – he has three major album projects on deck (more on that later) and he’s gearing up for Styx’ fall tour, where the band will perform 1977’s “The Grand Illusion” and 1978’s “Pieces of Eight” in their entirety. He always puts his audience first, unless they are fellow artists. Shaw blogs about why musicians should never sit in the first row and why he’s always watching you, yes you.
Artists do not make good audience members. No, this is not a case of self-loathing, but don’t discount that attribute; I think it’s one of the important oars in the water that helps propel many an artist’s vessel.
It’s more of a practical matter. Most people make wonderful audience members. They benefit from the distraction of watching others who feel the need to get up under the lights and express this inner song or dance that is dying to be let out. Praise be to those who come there to be utterly distracted by the stories they can relate to, the laughter, the reminders of good times and bad, to be reassured that they are not alone but in fact their feelings are part of the whole human condition. THIS is who you want to invite to your show, not the insiders!
I was reminded of this recently in Atlanta when STYX manager Charlie Brusco was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame at the 32nd annual awards ceremony. Rolling Stones musical director/pianist and former Allman Brothers Band member Chuck Leavell stepped up to lead the all-star jam where Henry Paul (the Outlaws), Michael Cartellone (Skynyrd, Damn Yankees), Jeff Carlisi (38 Special), Bo Bice and Ace Young joined my STYX band mates on stage to close out an evening where the Black Crows and India Arie were among a distinguished list of 2010 inductees.
Having attended enough shows, I have finally come to the conclusion that I am not a lone freak, I am in a class of freaks of artists that just don’t know what to do with themselves from that perspective. Looking out that night at the audience, brightly lit because the event was televised, I could see them all.
As a rule, I enjoy sizing up the audience members as a whole, but more importantly as individuals. It’s almost a compulsion. I can’t wait to get a look. (My wife) Jeanne tells me I make people nervous when I stare because I’ve got these crazy eyes that are like staring into the eyes of a blue-eyed Alaskan Husky
<. So, I try not to linger when making eye contact. It’s my compulsion, not theirs.
So there we were starting into “Blue Collar Man” when I looked out and saw them: Artists, musicians, their spouses and dates, their handlers and relatives everywhere, most of them friends.
I recognized that look on their faces – awkward helplessness and ‘fish-out-of’ water syndrome.
I think artists will agree, we just don’t know what to do when we are audience members. It’s difficult to suspend your disbelief as an audience member because you have too much experience from the stage and you instinctively take on the same reflex reactions as if you were up there, except now you are helpless because you are not in the mix.
A normal, happy audience member might not notice they were sitting next to an artist. (Often times when women flash their breasts at us, the people sitting around them don’t notice because they’re focusing on whoever is on stage.) Too many artists in an audience create a bit of a black hole.
When artists make eye contact on the stage, we are all part of an organic living experience that is enhanced when we lock. Looking into the eyes of fellow performers sitting in the crowd is a whole other animal. As if you are the magician performing for other magicians who have a basic understanding of how you are doing whatever it is you are doing. When you’re prepared and warmed up, you can hold your own, and not hopefully not embarrass yourself amongst your peers. It’s just not the same as doing it for you, a real audience.
We’re at ease with you the true fan audience, feeding on your reactions. We watch you give in sometimes immediately, sometimes slowly and even reluctantly, allowing yourself to escape. We see the events and stresses of your day peel away as your inner movies cue up, the combined forces of familiar melodies and words sung, solos played and decibels of sound setting you free.
You aren’t burdened with how it’s being done, the team effort of the crew who is manning and maintaining the whole thing, while the artists pour their souls into the individual channels of audio being mixed by the person at the console out there in the middle of the room. All right there on the gear laden stage, under the lights so carefully set and focused before you arrived. You don’t care and you shouldn’t.
It’s flattering to see artists in the crowd, because you know they feel a bit like a fish out of water.
So if you are new to the stage and you look out there and see people who look a little bit like you, but look like they need to jump back into the pond, take it as a compliment.
My defining moment as such a fish happened on October 24, 1997 sitting front row and center at the Fleetwood Mac concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Our friend had invited Jeanne and I, and secured these enviable seats. We were actually closer to Stevie Nicks than Lindsey Buckingham was that night.
There was the usual drunk girl squeezing into a non-existing seat between me and her new friend who’d paid for the seat next to me. You know the one I’m talking about, right? I like her better when I’m on stage.
As it got near the end of the show, there was that moment where you decide, “Do we bolt and beat traffic? Or do we stay to hear that big song they’ve saved for the encore?” There had been the usual Hollywood Bowl traffic jam getting in, so it had to be on other’s minds as well, but they were not the two closest people to Stevie Nicks. I looked towards Jeanne just as she turned her left wrist towards her face to see what time it was. Stevie Nicks saw her do it too and there was a very uncomfortable moment. (For the record, we stayed for the encore.)
As awesome as Fleetwood Mac was, we were just too close, but we learned our lesson. We make it a point not to sit in the front row after that. My apologies to Ms. Nicks. We should have traded seats with drunk girl! She could have brought a friend!
Thank you for being you, the true, dearest, wonderful qualified members of the audience who continue to do what it takes to get there and know what to do. From the bottom of our hearts, a collective touch of knuckles from us to you all.
Here’s looking at you!
T Shaw
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musiclover
Wow, I never thought about your perspective looking out at us adoring fans! Awesome blog, Tommy. Thanks!
Denele71
Love Tommy Shaw!! We had the awesome opportunity to sit in the front row of a concert once (someone else, not them,never been that lucky at a Styx show), believe it or not, I was intimidated!! It was as though the lead singer didn’t quite know where to look because we were so close. Nice to hear it from an artists perspective. Rock on TS, I’ll be the one dancing around wildly at your next PA show, whenever that may be!!
jeffinraleigh
Saw Tommy and Jack Blades in a <200 person venue in Mooresville, NC. Actually was outside by the bus when T&J came off the bus… just a couple of nice guys… also front row @ STYX/Boston in NC…. Rock on Tommy…. as the years go on… I’ll be in my wheelchair watching….. All the best!! Jeff
GenieG
Great to get the artist’s perspectiv on the audience! I so know the feeling about the drunk person who worms thier way to the front and makes it a bit uncomfortable. I am wondering if that is why those of us fortunate enought to get comp tickets are a few rows back so we wont distract y’all too much! Love to go tot he shows and wish you did a few more in Austin. Tx. Although I love The Woodlands and the shows there have been great!!
pundah
Tommy really gives us a great insider’s view of what the audience means to them. It’s wonderful to understand and feel the appreciation is mutual. I’ve been so lucky to see Styx from 2nd and 4th rows! I’m a clinically deaf person who lipreads, so I need to have visual contact. Here’s a new perspective for ya Tommy - to a person with little or no hearing, can you imagine what it FEELS like when the reverberations pour forth from you? I always think I should have a little sign that says “Deaf Girl—Make me FEEL it!” It’s absolutely indescribable. Maybe it’s true that losing a sense heightens others. I only know there is (almost
nothing in the world like the feeling of those vibrations. And that eye contact - so critical for a deaf person - from the front rows. Never intimidating. It’s how we speak, and I’ve noticed at every show how you do that and had commented on it to friends. Got my tix for the Pieces of 8 tour in Atlanta in November and holding on till then. JeffinRaleigh - you lucky dog! I wish I’d had known about that Shaw Blades show. Love the new song, Tommy, keep en coming and rock on!
dreamer71
Tommy, I have always loved watching the band perform on stage! You guys take me to a world that is free of my every day worries and allow me to release my inner passion for music. You have connected eyes with me at one of the shows and I was caught in your glance hoping that you would connect again. Since I started managing bands and after reading this, I realized that I do exactly the same thing when watching new bands. I have taken what I have learned from Styx’s and other well-known bands and passed that on to the countless newbies who show as much passion for music as you, me and all the other music lovers. Thank you so much for sharing the music with me! I am eternally grateful
lmee524
As always, awesome blog. Thanks for the insight. Can’t wait to see you at the Genesee on October 16th! I happened to get 2 of the coveted front and center seats - thanks Styx lounge!!!! Just look for the 40ish crazy blond women singing every word to every song in the Styx playlist. Your music was the soundtrack of my teen years and I continue to love the music and am so grateful that you are still touring. Peace. LM
WoodenBadger77
Yes, great blog….but AAAHHHH I’m left hanging….what about the “more on that later” in regards to the 3 major album projects on deck!!! When is later??? Need the info
tvnewschic
I’m afraid I did that to you at a show in SC. Stood in the front row staring, clapping, swaying… awkward. I realized I was the boring audience member and you were unable to feed off the (lack of) energy. I was kind of glad when the drunk crowd moved up to the front… took the pressure off. Next time, I’ll be in the 4th row.
Tracy
Hello Sir… It’s a delight to read your blog; you write eloquently and passionately. You are one of the BEST musicians that I’ve had the pleasure of seeing live. I’ve seen you with “STYX” and “Shaw Blades”, and it’s obvious that you love performing; your joy and passion are evident in your performances.
I’ll always be a fan, and I hope that you never get tired of entertaining the fans. We appreciate it! 
LONG LIVE TOMMY! 
MiaHalliwell
Tommy, I really look forward to your blog posts. You give us so much insight to what you are thinking and it amazes me. I enjoy being front row and it doesn’t have to be front and center, but front row. It is the best feeling when you make eye contact and don’t hesitate to hold your gaze for as long as you want, I love your beautiful blue eyes and I have 2 huskies, LOL. I am looking forward to all of your upcoming projects and all of the opportunities that I have to see you and Styx live. I hope for a Shaw Blades tour in the near future, I can’t say enough about how much I love when you and Jack perform together. Anyway, thank you for all you do, it really is an escape when at a show. I love dancing and singing along and adding to the energy as well as being surrounded by friends that you met by being a fan and it is a great thing. Styx fans are the best. I can’t wait to get together with all of my Styx friends and rock out in Niagara Falls. Travel safely and see you soon!
lyricalgirl7
I enjoyed reading your thoughts on sitting in the audience so close to the stage. The first time we saw you perform was in Calgary whenIi was a teen, and I remember waiting in line for hours to get tickets, and then rushing to get as close to the stage as possible—no one was sitting for long, as I recall.
I also had the privilege of seeing Styx live in Brussels, Belgium back in ‘82—and my friend reminded me recently that she was quite envious when I told her that you sat down on the front of the stage and did some acoustic pieces, which really made everyone happy, and added to the intimacy of the experience. I just found a video of you performing Boat on the River at that concert. Love the mandolin!
Thanks for all the great music over the years. Hope to see Styx again sometime soon in the bay area. Cheers.
pundah
I wish one of those three projects involved Damn Yankees!
Tommystalker
What a great blog Tommy! I have had the pleasure of looking into your eyes a couple of times, once at the Luxor theatre in Vegas, standing right at the stage and once at the Ogden theatre in Denver when Shaw/Blades made an awesome appearance. I also made you laugh once at Rock Jam 2007 - I’m the crazy person with the “Tommy can STYX me anytime” t-shirt
Thank you for all of the great concert tours and you can continue to look at us for as long as you want!
pat dcubs
Thought about this pic when I read Tommy’s blog. I was literally 3 feet away from him when I took this. He certainly knows how to do his part on stage!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=259448&id=1614206253&fbid=1070690660202&ref=nf
Anaylist
Tommy, from a fellow Alabamian, you make us proud! You have a wonderful way of connecting with the human spirit- the musical nature- that is within all of us. You do it in a progressive rock format with a twinge of Southern folk rock. You are a living example of how passion, spirit, and the refusal to give in to the mundane demands of life can prolong the energy to keep giving. I hear you brother! I have been “with” Styx since 1973. When I first heard your voice, after the Curlewski days (God rest his soul) I knew there was a new shining star on the rock horizon. What can I say but thanks, thanks, and thanks again. ( and by the way thanks to you and your very supportive spouse Jeannie for allowing the picture at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame induction.
See you in Nashville on November 11th!)
modopub
Hi Tommy,
You hit it right, now my wife on the other hand having never been on stage, still goes wild when she sees you. Gotta love that, which thrills me to see her really have FUN… Hope you enjoyed her brownie at our garage sale. She’s proud to know Jeanne can use all those wine corks… Rock on~!!! Don and Monika :o)
marj1961
This is really funny that you wrote this, we (my daughter and I) just saw your show in Plymouth, WI. On the way home she said “Mom, is it crazy how it looks like he is really looking at you.” I said “YES” I do think your peeps do not really think you can see them for real. I will never forget the shaw/blades eye contact at WEEDS in Chicago. You make the event even better with the looks and the music together. Thank you for making is REAL
Manny_monster
Excellent commentary Tommy. As an audience member it’s great to know what’s going through the mind of an artist like yourself. We only see the outside and few of us “blue collar” fans know the real you. And so, in my case anyways, there can be a perception that “these guys” (the artists) seem detached and insulated from the audience except when they “have” to perform. But now I know a little more of what is really lurking behind those “Alaskan Husky” eyes. But as old and maybe cynical as I may have become in my older years I am so glad you were out there in my teen years. You’re voice and your songs resonated with my experience so much I can’t imagine a world without your music! Peace be with you forever and ever Amen
daynasteele
Great post Tommy. As a professional keynote speaker now, I could appreciate the perspective from the stage and from the audience. Thanks for all the great interviews and shows with KLOL. Hope our paths cross again in our ‘old age!” Dayna Steele
feefeechop
Had my first experience of being in the “pit” at a concert and Tommy you confirmed my wondering if you guys on stage see us in the crowd. I’ve seen you guys every time you’ve been to the Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky area, so many times I lost count. STYX has been my favorite since I was 14 and my cousin got 5th row tickets for my birthday for the show Sep 4th @ the Florence Freedom Ball Park. Noticed James Young makes a lot of eye contact too. I wanted so badly to bring in my poster from my “record album” yes I’m still sportin stuff for a turntable. I have had this poster since I purchased the album in the 70’s it is in mint condition took it to kinko’s and had it laminated. It would be a dream to have you sign it but I left it in the car and thought what would be the chance I could arrange that. I also though what a great gift it would be to give you that poster for a keepsake. I wonder if young actors/musicians etc ever save things like that and if not wish they would have, but when we are young we don’t think that way so I thought maybe you didn’t and I’d be willing to part with it for you. Don’t know if you ever read these comments but would like to extend the offer. Anyway thanks for all the years of joy you’ve brought to my life and for giving me 1 thing to share with my cop brother being a STYX fan it’s the only thing we have in common.
maggie
I have to say styx was a great concert last night at the Falls View Casino and there is 2 more shows This weekend ,But how ever they played last night it was a awesome concert .Tommy Shaw Rocks !! And the rest rock to but Tommy is a awesome guy and so good looking to all the best to all of ya,s and to Tommy Shaw u rock Tommy Shaw !! Hope u and the band will play again in our town .Take Care Tommy Shaw .And I would like to say u also played a great concert in our town last yr for New Yr,s Eve in the park .All the best Tommy Shaw love yr music and yr videos to yr number 1# to me Tommy Shaw .
kimmelsplash
omg you were that close to stevie nicks…wow very cool, i’m sure she understands, i think when i go to see bands I am horrible as an audience member too, because i do look at them like a musician would , like not as special as a normal audience member would, that’s putting it nicely, i sometimes feel like i’m picking every note apart they do, and so I always hope I don’t seem to critical for them when they look at me, I sang lead for over 20 yrs in southern rock bands and was pretty good, but not as good looking as tommy hahaha, anyway she probably did something similar at someones show too..
beside jeanne is so sweet stevie couldn’t have taken it wrong,
keep on rocking tommy and jeanne
REOrocker234
I love reading your posts Tommy. The way you look at life is very interesting, and i really enjoy your thoughts. I have wanted to see Styx for so long, and never had to opportunity. Come up to northern WI sometime soon. I’m sure there are a lot of people up here who would appreciate a visit from you guys. By the way, “Just Be” is such an amazing song, one of my favorites. Much love to you Tommy Shaw, from a dedicated Styx/Damn Yankees fan. Please keep in touch, with your posts.
-T-
LindaOfficial
Oh my gosh, Tommy! I have always felt this way anywhere I go, anytime I’m in an audience, my entire life. I want to be ON the stage. Period.
Let me come up and do a number!
And always sorta thought, “How ridiculous is that? As if they’d ask.” DUH.
Just another sign I can’t kick it out of my blood and better do something about it before I die.
It never leaves you… does it…. whether successful business-wise or no.
And I don’t know where mine came from. I seem born with it.
Thanks for posting this.
It was strange reading along and going, “Uh-huh, uh-huh, that’s exactly what it feels like,” even though I have so little experience being on the stage like you do.
When I *am* up there, I suddenly belong.
Wish me luck in my journey. haha.
Jaclynh
I doubt you’ll ever see this since you guys keep so busy. I went to see you guys in Louisville Sunday night. It was my first concert. You and JY are my heroes. That was the best night of my life. JY threw a pick straight to me and I caught it. Then you made eye contact with me and for that few seconds, you knew I existed and I felt like I was thanking you for all the years of wonderful music. I hope someday I get to meet you guys just to shake your hands and take a picture.
MusicGirl515
Hey Tommy!!
I just saw you guys in Atlanta on the 13th. It was my 5th time seeing you guys in my 16 years of life and I loved it as usual!! In fact, out of your usual kindness, you guys signed a picture for me (I’m the teen who had a brain tumor until a few months ago). But even as a 16 year old amateur musician, I know what you mean about “audience rules”.
I am that crazy (probably annoying) kid you see out there, constantly air-drumming Todd’s beats and fills, or doing what I call the “air-tab” guitar parts that I know with you or JY. I just can’t help it!!! It’s like I KNOW the parts, so I feel like I have to DO them, even though no one cares or can hear my imaginary instruments. It just feels like a duty for some reason. Whether I look stupid or not, I don’t care, because I’m always sent out with that great post-concert adrenaline that you guys give off so well!!!
Oh and yes. We are the constant customers of the seats right in front of the drunk asshole guy. In fact, we had one last Saturday at your show. Thankfully he shut up while you played though. (I would have lost it if he hadn’t haha). But you know, if you didn’t have those people, it just wouldn’t be a rock concert.
And I’m ashamed to say, that we HAVE left before a concert was over, even at one of your co-headliner’s shows, but NEVER have we left a Styx concert early. My parents and band member and I love you all. Saturday was my band member Jonas’ first show and he was astonished by not just the music but the showmanship that all of you put into the show collectively. I definitely agree.
Cheers to you Tommy!
Can’t wait for the next blog.
-Sarah Sterner
Atlanta, Georgia