Meet-and-greets with artists are usually boring for everyone involved. The privileged people waiting backstage to say “hi” to the artists usually include retail, radio, press, record company and distribution personnel, promoters, friends and hangers-on. Having participated in them from all sides, I usually avoid these invitations. Most artists dislike these affairs but realize that they need to thank fans and people behind the scenes who help sell their music. Nevertheless, in any crowd, there’s inevitably one person struggling to convince the artist that he’s met her before; the artist always graciously pretends to remember.

For this reason I was reluctant to take up the kind offer to meet Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris before their show at Radio City Music Hall in June. But I had to get into the city early to pick up our tickets and figured “why not?” They’re musical giants and I wanted to see how they’d do it.

What I experienced was so surprising and uplifting that I can’t believe others haven’t done it before. About ten of us were gathered in a hot and humid room to await the arrival of our heroes. After about twenty-five minutes, five musicians walked in. They carried a stand-up bass, a drum with brushes, two ukuleles, a fiddle and lap steel (with small amp). These men sat down and began to play a joyful Hawaiian-sounding instrumental. When that tune ended, Mark Knopfler strolled in, quickly walked up to each guest, introduced himself, and thanked each for coming to the show. He then sat between the other musicians, picked up a guitar, and accompanied them on another instrumental. Emmylou followed with her hellos and then stood like the rest of us and watched and listened to a set of four wonderful songs. I realized that they’d turned the meet-and-greet into a band warm-up. It was like being invited into the bullpen to watch Roger Clemens prepare for the game’s first pitch. I think it’s safe to say that we were all amazed by what we were watching. When it ended, the band stood, Mark thanked everyone again, and Emmylou said she hoped we all “enjoy tonight’s show.” They had swiftly turned what is often an uncomfortable grip-and-grin into a relaxed, memorable time for all.

My jaw is still open. (See Melanie’s review of the show below.)

–Sean Coakley