no chocolate

No chocolate for a month.

That’s what I promised Collective Soul on their Twitter page 16 days ago. And I’ll stick to it even though they’ll never know if I cheat or not. Am I crazy? Just might be   But so is this band. Sometimes they exasperate me, often they surprise me – but always they inspire me.

Collective Soul joined Twitter a few months back and have not only followed all those following them, but engaged in two way conversations with as many fans, as often as they can. They’ve shared pics of their recording sessions for the next album with us -complete with singer Ed Roland resplendant in pyjamas in this photo. They’ve done Q+A sessions on 3 laptops in real time, and filmed various band members answering selected questions only minutes after fans posted those questions.

Just recently, they asked: “Tweeps- we are going to try to film and post the rehearsal at the studio tomorrow- respond to us HOW MUCH YOU WANT IT (for Ed)”

Without hesitation I said: “I want to see rehearsal video so much I’ll give up chocolate for a month, and I eat it EVERY DAY.”

They really tried – but Youtube was not cooperating that night, so we ended up seeing the video the next day. Was it worth depriving myself of the deep, dark, luscious, velvety smoothness for a day, let alone 30 days in a row? Yes!

So why haven’t I cheated? Why am I determined to make the one month chocolate free? Nobody would know.

Because.

Because this band gives their all in live shows, 110% of the time – irregardless of rented gear, shoddy house sound systems that they are forever having to ‘tweek’, broken down buses, etc – they may arrive hot under the collar because things are not going smoothly but the moment they step on stage, the fans are all that is important.

Because, I’ve seen Ed Roland sing his heart out even while nursing a bad throat; knowing full well he’s doing a show the next night too – the fans in that moment are all that matter to him.

Because even though the band sometimes stands in their own little corners, not interacting as much on stage as I wish (remember the ‘exasperated’ part?), they have a camraderie that is evident. They smile at each other, laugh when fans hold up ‘I love you Dean’ signs or clambor on stage to tackle Cheney, they pull together to get things back on track when a song starts to go sideways- no words; just a look, a gesture, and they all know. They’re a team – a complete unit – the epitome of their name; a Collective of Souls.

And, because they’re human beings who happen to be amazing musicians, singers, and songwriters. Human beings with the same contradictions of ego and self doubt, the same need for control while being overly generous to strangers, the same desire to be well received by their peers, the same feelings of wanting to be accepted for who they are, not what they look like, or how they sound.

Because they respect their fans. I’ve watched Collective Soul with their fans at a meet and greet – three times. I’ve purposely put myself last in the line up just so that I can observe the band with their fans – and it never changes. A desire to put the fans at ease; listening intently to each person with no distractions, as if they were the only person in the room. A quietness of spirit that is evident. And respect. No matter how good a band’s music is, if they don’t respect their fans, I have no use for them.

And because of their music-Ed Roland unashamedly wears his heart on his sleeve for anyone who takes the time to listen to the lyrics. Although many of Collective Soul’s songs are strongly emotional and somewhat sad, conversely they exude an eternal optimism and hopefulness that inspires and uplifts me.

So why am I determined to not cheat, to follow through on this? Because, as difficult as it is, Collective Soul follows through on what they promise fans (things such as fans voting on new exclusive photos for their soon to be released album, or adding additional dates on their upcoming 2009 tour, etc). Because as easy as it might be to have an off night on stage – to slough off here and there when tired, or to just think ‘good enough’, this band doesn’t cheat.

And that’s why I respect them in kind.

No chocolate for me till June 16

*edit. I didnt win the contest but it doesnt matter… I felt good for doing something and sticking to it. And it made the first taste of chocolate all the richer

Explore posts in the same categories: music, musings, ponderings, writing

Tags: cheney brannon, chocolate, chocolate deprivation, collective soul, collective soul behind the scenes, collective soul blogging contest, collective soul cheney brannon, collective soul contest, collective soul dean roland, collective soul drummer cheney brannon, collective soul ed roland, collective soul joel kosche, collective soul new album, collective soul new drummer, collective soul new record, collective soul new tour, collective soul sneak peeks, collective soul twitter, collective soul will turpin, dean roland, dean roland twitter, ed roland, ed roland singer, giving up chocolate, is collective soul worth giving up chocolate, joel kosche, no chocolate, no chocolate for a month, why i gave up chocolate, will turpin

You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.