Austin, TX, August 13, 2003. Today, Steve Burns of Blue’s Clues fame launches his World Tour in support of his new album Songs for Dustmites with an in-store performance at Waterloo Records. I am chronically early to everything and this event is no exception. Arriving at approximately 3:00 p.m. for the 5:00 show, I admire the banner over the store entrance welcoming Steve, while trying to figure out what I’m going to do for the next two hours. For starters, I browse the store for any conspicuous Steve goodies that may be lying around for the event. Lo and behold, there are some! The first is a mini Steve button about an inch in diameter that the store appears to be giving away with album purchases (so I purchase another album natch!). On this is printed a picture of what I call the "growling dustmite" surrounded by the words "steve burns…songs for dustmites." Another is a postcard size ditty with a Public Advisory message about dustmites which, I am told, will be used for autograph signing after the show. I promptly steal about twenty of them. If I can get the scanner working, I will post for all to see.

After killing another 45 minutes over a couple of beers next door at the Icehouse, I am ready to head back over to see what’s going on. The following provides a general countdown and accounting of events after this point and through the show. Enjoy.

T-minus one hour (about 4:00 p.m.CST): The man of the day arrives at the store. The wardrobe consists of a grayish "Flaming Lips Experiment" T-shirt (Experiment, Experiment, Experiment!), gray Cargo-type pants, and Saucony running shoes (I am nothing if not meticulous). The hair is short, somewhere between shaved and Blue’s Clues hair, but more on the shaved side. Very similar to "Mighty Little Man Video hair." In a relatively uneventful entrance, Steve strolls in through the front door and engages the Waterloo staff in the usual logistical mumbo-jumbo involved in locating the stage, setting up the equipment, etc. The crowd, which is thin at this point, doesn’t seem to notice, with nary an eyelash batted at the "greatness" in their midst. As I stroll around the store feeling the buzz of the event-to-be, I catch Steve browsing through the various CD selections offered by Waterloo (in the "B" section, of course). Not being one to waste my moment, I approach. "Welcome to Austin, Steve," I say casually. With the smile that won the hearts of millions of "kids, moms, and stoned college students," he thanks me for the welcome and actually asks my name. To borrow an appropriate word for the occasion: Wow! Then as quick as a handshake, the moment’s over and Steve’s off to tune his equipment and prepare for the gig.

Aside: for those interested, the gear for the performance is pretty basic, consisting of Steve’s acoustic/electric guitar and a simple drum set (that looks like it came from Toys ‘R Us) emblazoned with a dustmite, of course. The next 30 minutes I spend watching them set up while chatting with others there for the show.

T-Minus 15 minutes (4:45 p.m. CST). Notes on the crowd: The crowd is definitely starting to grow. One person came in earlier wearing a Dustmite T-shirt (who I later learned I was supposed to say hello to, but was busy as the time talking with others). There are plenty of folks who obviously look like they are there for the music (or maybe it’s the free beer!). And then there are the mothers (and fathers) with the yunguns. I would guess about 10 to 15 parents showed up with kids, some clutching Blue plush dolls and other related merchandise. The parents quickly grab most of the up-front spots near the small stage. Steve is overheard to tell some of them that he will not be doing any Blue’s Clues material. This doesn’t appear to faze the kids much as most are either agog at the "Steveness" or trying to pull down a nearby Pez display.

T-Minus Zero Minutes (5:00 p.m. CST): Showtime! Steve lubricates his vocal cords courtesy of St. Arnolds Brewing Company, and straps on the guitar to go to work. Although I couldn’t hear it well, one lady near the stage apparently comments humorously about "Steve" drinking beer. Steve explains (equally as humorously) that believe it or not he is 29 years old and has been drinking beer for some time now.

Ahhh, but before he starts, he chooses to tease us even more by bringing his opening act on to warm up the crowd. The "opening act" is a 4- to 5-year old kid named Cade, who Steve graciously allows to come up on stage and beat hell out of the drum kit. Steve joins the thumpfest in electric mode, cranking out some power chords by way of accompaniment. The kid is in hog heaven, rocking with Steve and loving every minute of it. Steve pumps the traditional "rock and roll" sign in the air with his hands (AKA "I Love You" in sign language, or "hook ‘em horns" for you Texas Longhorn fans) as the kid pounds away. After a few minutes, Cade leaves the stage and returns to mommy with a big grin on his face.

Steve introduces the "real" drummer as "Jason" (no, I didn’t notice what he was wearing). Steve starts off by thanking the crowd, intoning, "You are all part of an experiment today." He goes on to explain that he was supposed to have a full band for this performance; however, due to circumstances not explained, the band could not join him a day early, so he is making due with a pared-down version of the equipment that includes the aforementioned toy-like drum kit and Steve’s guitar and nothing else.

Aside: Steve spends a few minutes prior to jamming explaining the use of a neat piece of equipment, called an intergalactic, subatomic transmogri-loop machine, or some such (my words of course). This equipment is essentially a set of guitar pedals that allows him to record and loop a particular sequence of guitar music. He can play the rhythm chords of a song and, with the click of a toe on the pedal, have the machine repeat them over and over while he switches to a different sound (e.g., space-age guitar). If done effectively, he can layer the rhythm and lead guitar pieces over one another all without the crowd knowing. This is obviously handy since it’s just Steve and Jason playing. However, Steve is eager to share his secret technology with the crowd. He demonstrates by playing a few chords and then removing his hands from the guitar as it continues playing as if by magic. Again, wow! I gather that because he doesn’t have a full band, this demonstration is also to prepare the crowd in case the pared-down equipment screws up. Again, Steve intones, "You are all part of an experiment."

The next part of the show is easier to describe if I just run down the selections Steve played. So… here goes.

 

1. A Sniveling Mess. The familiar strumming starts the performance. The crowd gets into it early, bobbing and tapping feet, as the almost spoken-word first verse builds into the chorus and Steve asks everyone "Will You Love Me If I’m A Mess?" Following this, the young opening act Cade scrambles up on stage and belts out a mighty "Steve, You Wock!!!" Steve turns to the crowd nonchalantly and says, "You heard the man. I Wock!!" Much laughter all around.

    

    

2. Steve introduces the next tune by getting the expected "Blue’s Clues Steve/Rocker Steve Cognitive Dissonance" disclaimer out of the way, informing us that his transition from one world to the other led to writing the song. Of course, it’s "What I Do On Saturday," which is hella interesting without a base line. Steve pulls it off very well, leaving us wondering that if it’s this good with only a guitar and drums, what will it be like with a full band? Tomorrow will tell.

    

    

3. Maintain. One of the best performances of the show. Steve gets to show off his singing a bit more, really getting into some of those long notes. Afterward, Steve engages the crowd in a little city rivalry, saying this is the first time he’s been to Austin. I quote: "Hey, I hear Austin's supposed to be a really cool, hip place. I hear you guys have a lot of hipster types here. I'm from Brooklyn; bring it on."

    

    

4. A Reason. Steve introduces it as the "Love Song" portion of the show. I casually mention to a fellow attendee that I wish I had brought a lighter to wave. The perfect acoustic song.

    

    

5. An interlude. Steve and Jason burst into a song I had to dredge up from the memory banks – "One foot on the brake and one on the gas, hey. Well there’s too much traffic, I can’t pass no." Anyone who remembers 80’s rock knows this is Sammy Hagar’s "I Can’t Drive 55". After the first verse, Steve stops, citing his wish not to subject us to any more. Humorous nods all around. This segues into a short story – Steve apparently drove from Brooklyn to Oklahoma for rehearsal in his VW Beetle and got 3 speeding tickets along the way!! Repeated pleas of "I’m Steve from Blue’s Clues; this is a beetle for gosh sakes," apparently did not sway officers.

    

    

6. The signature song, Mighty Little Man. Done full acoustic – no drums or tricks with machines, just Steve on acoustic guitar belting it out. Steve’s rationale: without a sonic onslaught of drums and bass, it’s better to do it all acoustic rather than halfway with drums. Steve introduces it as a song about Thomas Edison. I can’t say enough about how really well this worked. Jason is playing air drums in the background by way of simulating what the drum playing for it should look like.

    

    

7. Last one – Songs for Dustmites. On guitar versus piano. Jason and Steve perform the full jamfest at the end with just the two instruments. A fitting end to a cool performance.

    

T-Plus 30 Minutes ( about 5:30 p.m. CST): Steve graciously thanks everyone for coming, and store personnel invite us to hang out for autographs.

Which brings me to my favorite part. I hang out in line for about 15 minutes or so waiting to get Steve to autograph one of my CDs. As I approach the counter, CD and Sharpie in hand, Steve says, "Thanks again Dave for welcoming me to Austin." Feeling not a bit nervous (liar), I explain to Steve that I am "Superdave" on line, and one of the few males that frequent the message boards. The following conversation ensues (I have done my best to reconstruct it):

Steve: Thanks again Dave for welcoming me to Austin.

Dave: Anytime. I am actually Superdave on-line and one of few males who frequent the message boards.

Steve: You are famous. I recognize the name. (Steve hands me a postcard and asks me for my autograph!!! Seriously. Fumbling for words, I scribble "To Steve: You Rock!! – Superdave.")

Dave: (as I fork over the CD for him to sign) The album is brilliant (brown-nosing never hurt). I just have one comment.

Steve: Shoot

Dave: I was disappointed that you weren’t sporting the "Pimp Tooth" in any of the liner photos (grins).

Steve: (Grinning). You know, it says "I Love You" on it?!? My publicist recommended I not go with that look (laughing).

Dave: (receiving signed CD "To Superdave….Steve Burns….ThankYou.com") Thank you very much Steve. Great work. Looking forward to the show. Shalagh wants to have your babies!!!

Steve: (more silence, looks nervous) Th-thanks so much for coming out. Tell everyone on the boards I said thanks – really thanks - for all you have done to support me, both the old and the new versions.

I stand nearby while a fellow attendee gets their turn, and after some parting words, I head home to bask in the good vibes (and of course get this out).

And that’s that. Steve is as charming in person as you imagine him to be. A very gracious person who jokes easily, takes jokes well, and is not afraid to show appreciation for the fans. I am psyched about tomorrow’s show, but I may let someone else write it up to spare my poor fingers.

BTW – I’m just kidding about that Shalagh thing. Gotcha Shal