Duncanville Today (July 1996)

Rock n' Rollers Can Be Nice Guys Too

- Kevin Balentine

So you want to be a rock-and-roll star?

I think many of us have shared that dream, and for a special few it comes true.

It was my pleasure to meet one of those special few last Saturday night in that vaunted temple of music, Trees. Jeff Ament, bassist of the Seattle band Pearl Jam was in town with a few of his friends performing under the name Three Fish.

My best friend Laurie and I decided to go to the show because we figured it wouldn't be too crowded and the music might be good.

I hit the bar as soon as we got in and asked who would be opening the show.

"Kristen Barry," he said.

Who?

"Kristen Barry, she's a singer from Seattle with a killer band," the bartender said.

Cool.

I didn't know what exactly was going on for the first few hours we were in Trees, because nobody was playing music on stage and sitar music was filtering in over the PA.

Barry took to the stage about 11pm and belted out about an hour's worth of music that got the crowd, sparse as it was, moving. I was digging it. I loved her stuff. Some guy handed out post cards pumping her upcoming release from Virgin Records.

When she got done, the sitar music returned. As the stage was cleared and Three Fish prepared to play, Barry came walking past the booth Laurie and I had claimed for our own. I was about to get up and talk to her when she slipped into the ladies room. I didn't follow.

When she exited the ladies room and made her way to the bar, I approached her, post card in hand, and asked if she would sign it for me since I really enjoyed her set. There have been very few occasions for me to meet "rock stars" and often times they seem too busy (or too stuck up) to notice the people that make them shine as bright as they do.

When I asked Barry to sign my card, her face lit up in a big smile and she thanked me for coming forward and telling her how much I loved her music. I talked to her for a few minutes and told her I was going to try and find her 10" single somewhere, even though I don't even own a turntable. Laurie owns two, but they both play just a little fast, about 34 rpm's instead of 33 1/3.

Barry said there were some on sale at the show, but I had to tell her (with just a little chagrin) that I was really broke. You know, journalists really do live right on the poverty line.

Barry said don't worry about it, she would take care of it for me. Meanwhile, Laurie was anxious to get her card signed as well, so I made my way to the booth to save our seats.

They got the chance to talk for a few minutes and then Barry was off. Minutes later, she returned and slipped us each a copy of her four-song EP "Man of the Year".

After the show, Barry's band and Three Fish were climbing on a bus for a pleasant drive to Denver. I don't envy that lifestyle at all. Considering the energy and charisma Barry put into her show, I don't know how she does it.

I feel drained after I drive home from work.

The event marked my second meeting with a rock star in less than a month. The Hazies were in town and played at Trees, the first of seven bands to play that night. I ran into the guy inside Trees and he complimented me on my Bad Religion shirt. I didn't even notice the guy. He was relatively nondescript, and in all honesty, I wasn't that impressed with the band when I first heard them.

Later, I was outside the club (there was an outdoor stage set up) and he came walking by again. This time I recognized him and called out, "Hey that's the guy from the Hazies."

He came walking over to us, me, Laurie and two of my co-workers, and stood with us for a good 10-15 minutes, shooting the breeze and listening to the bands. He was explaining that it was his first time in Texas.

Oddly enough, Barry said it was her first trip to Texas too.

I understand how hobnobbing with the crowd can get old after months and months of touring, but it was so refreshing to meet two articulate and genuinely friendly people with (potentially) great careers in front of them.

I used to think the only way to buy music was to buy it used, and I still think it's the best way to go, most of the time. But after seeing Barry and the Hazies, after talking to them, I'll buy their music new. They deserve my money for the joy they have brought to my life.