If you know me in real life, or if you have been following this blog, then you know that I have been a really big fan of Brett Kissel and Dan Davidson for a very long time. Brett was the fifth person that I did an interview with for my website, and Dan was the first person I did an interview with for this year.
In 2018, I saw Dan a total of five times and Brett a total of three. With Brett, I was pretty lucky to be able to spend time with him at all three shows. The first show was at London Music Hall in February and I bugged Brett's media contact (nicely) for months about a meet and greet. Finally, it was granted and I was told I had to be there at 6:30. Due to the bad weather, my wheelchair got stuck in the snow and someone had to pull me out, but I got there at 6:27! That show sold out and Brett added a second show a week later. That day was much better weather-wise and I got to see Rick Mercer and an oven of all things. The oven was in an alleyway. I will never forget that. Anyway, after visiting the oven, they let me inside early and I came across another one of Brett's team members. He asked me if I was here for another meet and greet and I asked if that was allowed. I was only supposed to have the other meet and greet but he said, "As long as you're with me it's allowed!" So away I went. Brett signed everything I brought and was very patient with me when my camera wasn't working. He also slipped another autograph in my bag when he thought I wasn't looking. I am always struck by how kind he is.
I missed Brett at Lucknow's Music in the Fields this year, which is where I first met him. This made me sad, but that festival has gotten too expensive for me and is quite a long trip from London. However, when it was announced that Brett was coming to Meaford, I asked my mom right away. I have been going to Meaford Hall for ten years now. Brett came almost 10 years to the day of my first concert there with Jaydee Bixby. The building never changes. They have an old yellow couch and a strict rule that you cannot take pictures during a performance. Brett called bullshit on that rule, but by that time, everyone was standing so I couldn't take pictures anyway.
However, I got something better before the show. When we got there, mom asked where we should park, and I said by the tour bus. So we watched that for a little while.
As mentioned before, whether he realizes it or not, Brett Kissel has been a big part of this blog. Earlier this year, Brett shared some of my photos from the Music Hall after I voted for him to win the Fan's Choice Award at this year's CCMAs. (It was a tough choice because I had seen or met all of the nominees.)
Because of this, these photos were seen over 6000 times! More recently, I made something for Brett as part of Inktober. One of the prompt words was "Star" and while I thought of Zac Efron first (haha) I thought I would have a greater chance of getting Brett to sign something but to also take something home. Over the last two years, I have been giving or selling my work to artists in hopes that they will enjoy it, but my more selfish hope is that they might keep me in mind for a project of theirs. This hasn't happened. Yet. But I do think they enjoy my work. (Or they throw it away when they go home. Who knows?)
I really like cutting up old newspapers and things to make word collages and then laying an image over top. I used to do this with sticker paper, but I found an easier way on the computer. So I used this photo and merged it with a photo of Brett. Then I ordered two canvases: one for me and one for him.
It's always fun to see what will show up in the end. There was no guarantee that Brett would see this in real life, so I tweeted it to him, which he retweeted and it has now been seen almost 5000 times! Even the fake Brett Kissel accounts were sharing it!
So back to the tour bus. My mom said she saw someone in the tour bus and asked if I had a plan. We also had to buy a toilet seat that day so I said make sure we have the right bag.... Then I went ahead and saw that sure enough, he was in the bus. I didn't want to be creepy, but I ended up at the door at the same time as him. I said hello and then he did a double take and said hello. He hasn't seen me with my walker and glasses. I told him I brought something for him and he said "Oh my goodness! Let's go in where it's warm!" So away we went. He looked at it and said "This is so wonderful and kind! 'Hire a stud!' I'll take that!" I asked him to take a picture of it in his home so I can see, which he may not, but he said he has a music room and he knew exactly where he was going to put it and that felt good.
Here is my copy:
After that, Brett said goodbye and mom and I went to check out the yellow couch. Then Davidson came by. We should have sat together.
Back in 2008, I made creepy shirts. Now I hand out art to people.
