How Bono helped me meet Kathleen Edwards

Monday April 2, The Aladdin, Portland Oregon. 

After spending four days in Seattle last week at NCECA, I had a couple of days to really relax. I also had one last thing to look forward to prior to coming home to Bend, Oregon - a Kathleen Edwards concert in Portland! I've been listening to Kathleen's music for a couple of years now and really enjoy her songwriting, singing, and musical ability. When I found out that she would be in Portland a couple of days after the clay conference, I was more that happy to adjust my schedule!

Kathleen Edwards' Twitter Mug

I didn't just plan to go to the concert, however. I had discovered that Kathleen is a regular Twitter user and I thought that it would be a nice way to thank her for her great music by giving her a Twitter mug. So, I made this mug and showed it to everyone who stopped by the studio. Given that not many around here know who Kathleen Edwards is, (she is pretty well known in Canada and has a loyal following in the US) my enthusiasm for this mug resulted in looks of concern for my mental well being from my family. (That all changed after we saw the show - as I knew it would.)

The show was held at the venerable Aladdin Theater in Portland. A few hours before the show was to start, I wandered around the back of the theater and gave the mug to Ryan, one of the stage technicians. We chatted a bit and had a laugh as we realized we had both been born just a few miles from each other in Southwestern Ontario. When I showed him the mug he said "Kathleen will really like this!"

Live at the Aladdin - Kathleen Edwards!

A few hours later Susan and I met up with our daughter and her beau and together we took in the show, which was jaw droppingly good - this one goes down as one of the top shows I've seen over the years.

After the show, I wandered around the back of the Aladdin, hoping to say hi to Kathleen. Gord Tough, the guitarist, and bass player John Dinsmore were there. I thanked them for a great show and mentioned that I was hoping to meet Kathleen, and that I was the guy who made her a mug. Gord said "She was drinking tea out of that mug before the show, it's really nice!" I asked if they would mind if I hung out, was told no problem, but that it might be a while before Kathleen came out.

While I was waiting, a thought occurred to me and I pulled out my phone and pulled up the photo of Bono holding a mug I had made for him. I showed the photo to Gord and John who both said "Holy shit - is that Bono?" And then, Gord said, "I'll go see if I can find Kathleen," and he disappeared inside the Aladdin. Thanks Bono!

Bono holding a Moonalice mug that I made in 2010.

 A few minutes later Kathleen came out and I had the pleasure of chatting with her for a couple of minutes. The best thing I could come up with for her to sign was a Canadian five dollar bill which I had put in my wallet some time ago. I thought this was kind of cool in a Canadian sort of way.

My autographed five dollar bill - spend not, indeed!

So far, mugs for Bono and Kathleen Edwards. Who's next?

[Update 9/30/2012] I just saw this photo and had to post it here, Kathleen posted this photo of the mug recently on her twitter feed - I'm glad to see it is getting used! By a rock star!!