How did you meet the Ladies?

[GoHome]

For those of you who have met BNL...how?

[Kawltie]

I feel like it was pure luck! It was actually at my first BNL show.

It was in Chicago on their Barenaked for the Holidays tour in 2005. Before the show my boyfriend (at the time) and I were waiting in line to get into the theater. A few really nice fans all started chatting and saying that the band might come out in the lobby before the show.

So when we got in there I was so stoked and didn't want to miss a thing so I went straight to my seat and waited. My boyfriend convinced me to leave the seat and just check out the lobby in case the guys were there.

I looked around for like 5 seconds and thought, there is no way I'd be lucky enough to meet the guys. And just when I turned around my boyfriend goes, "Hey, isn't that the drummer?"

And of course it was Ty! I didn't say much to him because I was a little star-struck but then Steve and Jim walked right up and said hi and signed my ticket. I then found Kevin and made a total goof out of myself and said something stupid about how I loved his new album and how it was "soothing." I just couldn't think of something cooler to say! He was so sweet though.

And finally, I got to meet Ed. My boyfriend actually went right up to him and started talking to him about yoyoing (I told my boyfriend that Ed used to yoyo in high school) and then he took my boyfriend's yoyo and played with it for a bit! He signed the side and I got to get a picture with him. I had no idea what to say just because I had been such a fan of Ed for such a long time at that point! I was just so in awe.

It was awesome and I feel so lucky. Fin came around and told the guys that it was time to get on stage and then we all headed back to our seats.

The guys are so talented and, on top of that, so personable. :D

[sarah11918]

Hubby first met Steve and Ed on a plane as he was going back to his seat. The line in the aisle was stopped, and he ended up stopped right beside them for about a minute (they were already seated, in first class). Joe said, "My wife is going to be so jealous. She's a huge fan!" and they said, "Well make sure to tell her we say hi." When Joe got to his seat, he called me but I was with a student. So he just left a kind of cryptic voice mail that said, "Got on the plane safely, I'm in my seat now, but I want to let you know that Steve and Ed said to say hi."

I didn't really have any close encounters until the first cruise, but then last month Jim was on our flight from Toronto to Mexico. So, I guess we have our best luck when flying.

[TheHYPO]

The first time I met anyone in the band was after a songwriter showcase-type show that Ed was playing/hosting. It was a little event, so there were maybe a hundred or so people in the club, not many of them big fans. Ed had asked during the show if anyone had brought Stunt to get signed, because he wanted to perform Light Up My Room and could not remember the words at all. He asked if anyone knew the first line which he hoped would get him rolling enough to remember it, and I by chance had been discussing the song earlier that day with someone (this was back when I probably would have had no idea the lyrics to lesser known album tracks), so I was able to shout it out for him. [Later in the set he stopped after the intro of When I Fall and asked if I knew the first line of that one too - I'm not sure if he forgot it or if he was just trying to test me]

After the show I went up to the stage at the club and he thanked me for the lines, signed the program for the show, gave me his pick, and answered a guitar question about Thanks That Was Fun.

[DaWezl]

My first time meeting them was at an instore CD signing in NYC. I'd been going to their club shows for a while, but never tried to talk to them. I tend to be really shy and clam up when I don't feel like I have anything worth saying, so I think the extent of the encounter was me mumbling something like "Goshthankslookingforwardtotonight!". :p

Even now, 14 years later, unless I have something specific that I want to talk to them about, I tend to hang back and let other people start the conversation. I mean, after 80+ concerts on multiple continents, I'm pretty sure they know I like their music by now. :rolleyes: :p

[lulugirl]

On the Cruise-ah!

[PolyesterAngel]

I was looking for my seat at a show and Ed walked right up to my friend and I and introduced himself. The whole band was wandering in the crowd, mingling and meeting people.

[Cynful1]

First concert was in '92, but didn't meet them until '97. We flew into Vegas for a Mandalay Bay concert. My inlaws picked hubby and I up at the airport and were dropping us off at MB. I got out of the SUV and said thanks to Mum & Dad and then turned around as hubby started to get out. I saw Steve, Ty and Jim standing at the valet, so I bee lined it over to them to let them know what big fans we were and that we were members of the Ladies Room since our first concert in '92. The guys looked a bit confused, but were polite and appreciative. Steve asked, 'So I guess we'll see you down in the good seats?' I said, no, unfortunately this was a last minute decision that morning, so we were happy just to get tix. They kinda nodded and were looking around me. I was saying "we" and "our" and didn't realize I was alone. So then I got confused and a little embarrassed until I saw hubby walking towards us. 'Oh, this is my husband, He and I are the we.' 'Ahhh!' was the unison from the Ladies. 'Hello', says hubby, man of one word. 'Okay, well then, I guess we'll let you guys get on with your day and we look forward to seeing you later tonight. Ha ha ha.' 'Yeah, enjoy the show and thanks for making the trip. 'Bye.'

When we got into the hotel lobby I asked hubby what happened. He said he got out of the van and his mom said, 'oh, is that a shirt from the show you're working on?' He said yes, so she said, 'well let me see it.' Then, as she was admiring she said, 'Where's Cyn?' Kev looked around and saw me talking with the band and them looking around me at HIM. He said, 'Oh, there she is - WITH THE BAND!' He still laments about the day his mother embarrassed him in front of the Barenaked Ladies.

But if Sarah's best luck with seeing the band is in airplanes, hubby's best luck is seeing them in spas and steam rooms. So don't feel too badly for him. ;)

[barenakedboy]

July 6, 1995 at Canada's Wonderland (just outside of Toronto) - I was nearly 11 years old:

It was the middle of the summer and my dad had taken me into work with him in downtown Toronto that day. While driving home to Barrie, we decided to cap the day off with a few roller coaster rides at Wonderland.

To my pleasant surprise, there happened to be posters indicating that BNL was performing there that night. We had been moderate fans ever since my aunt brought over her copy of the Yellow Tape in '91. I begged my dad to buy tickets, but he turned me down. We then proceeded to go into the park and made it onto several coasters.

As it was getting late, I decided to make one more plea for the concert, citing that I had never been to a real concert before and that my birthday was coming up. I told him this would make such an excellent gift. He finally caved and we went to purchase tickets.

After buying the tickets, my dad soon realized that the show must have been near to being sold-out because we had been given two tickets that were nowhere near each other. My dad was shocked that they had sold them to him when he clearly had a kid with him (me).

We went to the box office to complain and as my dad began to explain the situation, there was a woman standing there, listening in. The Wonderland staffer said that they didn't have anything else to offer… Finally, the woman next to us spoke up and said something along the lines of, "Excuse me. Please just take those tickets back. We have two extra tickets and you're more than welcome to come with us."

As it turns out, that woman was Naida Creeggan (Jim and Andy's mother)! We returned the tickets and followed her to her car where Burn Creeggan (Jim and Andy's Father) was waiting. They actually gave us a ride around the park into the back-stage area. While we were riding in their car, Naida let us know that Andy had recently left the band. This hadn't been highly publicized (at least we hadn't heard anything), so this was a little surprising to learn.

When we arrived, Jim was already walking towards us. He had the huge Afro at the time. Before I had even got out of the car, Naida introduced us and he shook my hand. We then walked through the back area. I saw Steve sitting and smoking a cigarette. I remember thinking that would be bad for his voice. I don't believe I saw any of the other guys at this point.

We watched the show. Billy Bragg opened. I liked him. BNL was amazing. It was actually one of Kevin Hearn's very first shows with BNL and from what I could tell, the transition was fairly seamless. They played everything I wanted to hear, including What A Good Boy. Tons of people threw Kraft Dinner during If I Had A Million Dollars, which was a component that I was unaware of at the time.

When the show ended, Naida turned to us and gave us both back stage passes. How awesome is she? I grabbed an empty KD box and went back to meet/re-meet the guys!

It was unreal; I was definitely too shy to approach them. Seeing this, Naida did one more fantastic deed by taking me around to each and every band member to get their autographs on my KD box. They were all so nice!

After getting the signatures and taking a moment to sit and take it all in, we thanked Naida and Burn and we went on our way.

I'll never forget that day. What an amazing first concert.

[Kawltie]

barenakedboy--that's awesome!! Loved reading that story. :)

[sandimas]

Gosh, that would have to be the Barenaked Summer's Night Tour when it stopped in Irvine.

That previous Spring, I turned my first graders on to "If I Had a $1,000,000" and it became the last thing we did every school day. I thought it would be cute for them to write what they would do if they had a million dollars and record them singing the song backed by the CD. I had heard that sometimes the guys came out after shows, and I so I put it all together and promised the kids I'd give it to someone in the band.

So the first show that I went to in Chula Vista, I didn't get to meet them after the show, and I was starting to realize that I might have to go back the next school year and confess to my former students that I'd failed.

Thankfully, I had the next show in Irvine to go to. In the previous show, Ed came on at the end of Sarah Harmer's set and invited everyone to join him at the Action Figure Party show that was happening on a side stage. So I mustered up my courage and waited for Ed to come back to the entrance of the backstage area.

And sure enough, he did with security guy in tow. There was one couple ahead of me, so I made sure to make eye contact with the security guy, holding up my book thingy. Fortunately, he let me pass and I mumbled something like, "Hi Ed! I don't need anything signed, but my kids made this and I promised them I would give it to you." Ed graciously accepted our little offering and even offered to call, but being in the middle of summer, there was no one to call.

I later got to have a nice conversation about first graders and invented spelling after a later tour stop at Mountain View, which was very cool because he remembered me.

For me it was Mission Accomplished! And the following fall, when I had my former first graders visit me, they asked about it, and I could tell them with a smile that Mr. Confer did not let them down. :)

[sun]

Awesome stories everyone! Barenakedboy, yours is incredible! Now I know why Jim is just so humble and friendly with the fans. His parents raised him well!

I met them during the holiday tour when they came out into the lobbies before the show. We basically ran into Kev as he was the first one out. He asked if he could sign out tickets. I was too nervous to say anything. We also got Ed and Jims sigs. Ed was swarming with fans but Jim was in the corner hardly noticed. lol

This current tour I feel like i REALLY got to meet them though. Stood out by the stage entrance and met them all coming out after the show. I was able to coherently ask a couple questions and tell Kevin how much i love his solo work. :) Of course there are many more question i wish i had thought to ask them!

[Anaria]

My first time was the super awesome photo while boarding the first cruise. After that I saw Ed every other place I went on the boat(I'm sure he thought I was stalking him, but I would seriously think 'where do I know that guy from?' every time I saw him that day). I didn't get an autograph till after the Guitar Hero tournament, I was in line with a ton of people and he took a picture with me.

I saw Kevin in a bar on the ship and he was standing there by himself, I forced myself to go up and ask for an autograph on my Ships and Dip poster. He was very polite and I didn't really say anything else, just thank you and left. I totally felt like there were 2,000 other people on this ship, he probably needs a moment of not making small talk.

Every time I saw Jim he was holding a red-headed child so I wouldn't bother him. I finally saw him outside a club and was standing in line to get an autograph. Sally was there and I was being crazy shy so she screamed his name and then yelled at me to get the ---- up there. I was totally mortified with the attention being put on me I couldn't say a thing. Just handed him the poster and pen, nodded and walked away.

I never saw Tyler or Steven outside of concerts on that cruise. I actually finally got their signatures on my poster during the Snacktime tour (even though Borders bastards didn't want me to have anything other than the 2nd copy of Snacktime they forced me to buy to get in the line.

I also sort of met them all (except Steve) in the lobby of their hotel when they played New Years in Phoenix. I was totally acting all weird though, I was on my first date with Jake and so had nervous first date energy mixed in with the totally giddy I'm seeing BNL energy. I think I stopped myself from speaking mid-sentence when I kind of caught a 'who is this crazy lady?' look on Ed's face.

Sally was also at the New Years event and we went to the hotel bar for a bit and ran into Kevin again and she spent time talking to him after we sort of got some weird, possibly high guy to leave him alone by pushing ourselves between the guy and Kevin.

Other than that I've not ever 'hung out' with the guys. Honestly, I don't know what would get talked about; other than the fact that I like their music. I really doubt I have anything in common with any of the guys.

[Cynful1]

My favorite story so far, Barenaked Boy!

[designerfox]

Barenakedboy, that is an awesome story! Lucky you :)

I only just saw them for the first time live in 2007, and will be meeting them for the first time on Saturday :D

[sarah11918]

Great story, Barenakedboy!

I only just saw them for the first time live in 2007, and will be meeting them for the first time on Saturday :D

Well, now you know you have to get a good story out of it and report back! :)

[katezilla]

I met them in Boston at the Stunt release at Government Center , July 6, 1998.... along with 80,000 others!! :)

[barenakedboy]

This is a fun thread! I really like learning about how others have encountered the Ladies. Thanks to those that enjoyed reading my story. It really felt like something special.

I've met the guys a couple of times since that first occasion. Kevin has said that he recalls the Wonderland show and Jim said he vaguely remembers it. I think Jim's being nice.

Although I met most of them in '95, I only just met Andy this past October at a Bros C show in Ottawa. Very small venue; a bar that held maybe 60-75 people. It was a 40th anniversary celebration for a local bookstore. From what I understood, some member of the Creeggan family is related by marriage to the owners of the store.

When my girl friend and I arrived, the place was already quite full. Staff members of the bookstore were in the stage area reading tributes and guests of the celebration were treated to dinner. We were definitely crashing the event.

We managed to get a little standing space near the back, right next to the washroom. My girl friend looked through the bar and quickly noticed Jim sitting with a group of people. You couldn’t miss him. It was pretty cool. Seconds later, someone was walking through the crowd toward the bathroom. It was Andrew Creeggan! In a voice that a familiar friend might use I said, "Andy!"

Andy then stopped to say hello. His first words actually were, "I know you." I now realized that I must have appeared to be more of an acquaintance with how I had called out to him. I quickly corrected the situation by saying something like, "No. We don't know each other, but I've been a fan for a long time." We had a very brief conversation and then he continued about his business.

The opening act went on stage and this allowed a little more space closer to the front so we were able to move up. Andy had been wandering the room and once again, he ended up standing right beside me. I couldn't resist the chance to talk to him again. He was just so friendly.

I recounted my story of how his parents had once granted a kid's wish of seeing and meeting BNL. Funnily enough, Andy told me that both Naida and Burn were sitting at a table that was just a few feet from us. Wow! The whole family was present! He mentioned that they weren't hearing too well these days, especially in a loud bar (some added insight into Christmas Pics - "When's mom gonna get that hearing aid fixed?"). I decided that I wasn't going to bother Naida and Burn. I still thought it was very cool to see them though.

Andy really had an honest conversation with me. He even talked a bit about what he did following his departure from the Ladies. After a few minutes had passed, I pulled out a copy of the yellow tape (the one my aunt had previously owned). He smiled and said, "I haven't seen one of these in years." At this point, the tape only had one autograph on it, that of Steven Page (I saw him at the Ottawa Folk Festival in August). Whilst signing, Andy noticed Steve's signature and he jokingly commented, "I see you're starting with all the former members.”

Shortly thereafter, it was time for the Bros to perform. Really great set. They did a rockin' version of Spider In My Room. If you're on Facebook, I posted my pictures to the Brothers Creeggan fan page, http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=67609151060&v=photos.

After the show, I approached Jim and he signed my yellow tape too. Even got my photo taken with both of the Bros.

Before packing everything in for the night, I walked over to where Naida and Burn were sitting and said, "You have fantastic kids!" They both smiled and Burn said that all of their talent came from Naida. I didn’t say anything more. I simply nodded, shook their hands and exited.

Seems that my best BNL encounters have involved the Creeggan clan in some way. I swear I don't really know them.

[Shardith]

I hope Andy let his folks know later that the "almost 11 year old" kid they were so kind to many years ago remains a fan of the Brothers Creegan and BNL, and was too shy introduce himself! (Although it's cool you didn't want to intrude, BNL fans are considerate fans!). :D

[momtokka]

I've gone to see BNL many time over the years since the beginning (my nephew arranged for them to play at Niagara University back in the early 90's and my kids were little so I did not attend), but only started meeting them in 1999 where my niece and I "squeezed" in with some contest winners and got autographs from Steve and Tyler. That was a very brief encounter then we returned to our lawn seating!

Continued to see them over the years and won tix to a small local radio show on Ed's birthday in 2006. I actually met them all after that show and was completely in love! I nearly fell over when Ed said my name the first time after the Yukon Kornelius show in Vermont. I knew that he knew who I was in a way, but didn't realize he knew my name. The fact that they all remember my name, is what amazes me. There are so many of us fans out there, yet they greet us by name! Way cool! :D

I have since met Kevin's family (parents, sister and brother) and they are all lovely. I continue to see them at shows and always get a big hug from his dad! Actually now that I think of it, I have met their wives and children in the past couple years also. All very wonderful and friendly.

Now it is like running into old friends although sometimes I still get a bit tongue tied or say something rather embarrassing like when I said the phrase "Cheap and easy, just the way I like it!" to Ed last Tuesday and then we laughed and I said that I meant my dinner of course and not me! :p

PS - barenakedboy... your story is AWESOME!!! I totally agree at how wonderful their families are too!

[mistee84]

Everyone has such cool and amazing stories, seriously! They're so awesome to read.


I just met BNL for the first time last month, which is kind of odd since I've liked them for 16 years. It was pretty cool since I met up in Toronto with Marie (Mal was there too)... it was just a pretty good time. I was feeling really shy because I had been waiting basically half my life for this moment. Then it was time to meet the guys, which was awesome! For some reason the only one I really talked to was Ed, but he was so nice! I told him it was my first time seeing them live (an unfortunate thing being as how long I've been a fan) and that I'd been a fan for 16 years and he was like "That's so sweet. I don't even think I've been a fan of us for 16 years!", and then it was time to move on to the rest of the guys. The whole thing was way too short, but I was glad for that opportunity!

[Appleblossom28]

Everyone has such cool and amazing stories, seriously! They're so awesome to read.


I just met BNL for the first time last month, which is kind of odd since I've liked them for 16 years. It was pretty cool since I met up in Toronto with Marie (Mal was there too)... it was just a pretty good time. I was feeling really shy because I had been waiting basically half my life for this moment. Then it was time to meet the guys, which was awesome! For some reason the only one I really talked to was Ed, but he was so nice! I told him it was my first time seeing them live (an unfortunate thing being as how long I've been a fan) and that I'd been a fan for 16 years and he was like "That's so sweet. I don't even think I've been a fan of us for 16 years!", and then it was time to move on to the rest of the guys. The whole thing was way too short, but I was glad for that opportunity!

I've been a fan of them for 17 years. I love these fan stories about Ed. Makes me happy to be a true fan of his for this long.

[barenakedfi]

Being in the UK... a meeting was always a long shot (given that my fellow concert-goers aren't into hanging outside the stage door indefinitely)... but on the BLAM tour I entered their competition and won VIP seats (didn't use them, had already bought the best in the house), got to watch the soundcheck and meet them afterwards, plus various items of merchandise.

It was the most incredible day. A member of Nettwerk UK was travelling up from London specifically to oversee the meeting. While waiting for her to arrive at the stage door, Fin came out, having received a call from her, and we got chatting (lovely guy). We got taken into the theatre, through backstage (nice catering spread laid on for the band), onto the stage and into the auditorium. Aside from the crew, we were the only people there.

Kev came on stage first and started rehearsing Wonderin' (which they were to be recording for a benefit album), Tyler joined in, then Jim... each one being wired up in turn. Then Ed on stage & finally Steve.... then the soundcheck started. I was allowed to photo and film it, with the promise that I didn't upload any of the film to the net.

They played a few songs from the setlist, I was told they put more of a performance on with a competition winner there. After a chat with the sound guy, who wanted something to check levels, someone shouted out "Puff the Magic Dragon"... which they then did.... hilariously, with a bit of adlib (largely from Tyler).

When they'd finished, all but Steve went backstage, Steve came over and chatted, signed my biography. When I told him my name, he said "I've spoken to you online". He then called the others on his mobile to come & meet me. All but Jim came back. Tyler was an absolute peach. Kev was lovely, Ed spoke of the cross dresser he spotted at the same vanue when he sang "then changed into my sister's clothes" (more of that later).

As I mentioned, I'd bought fantastic seats at the front of a very low circle, so was really close to Ed. A short way into the gig, he spotted me and acknowledged me, and continued to do so every so often during the show. When we came to Pinch Me, he sang the line he'd quoted earlier, looked at me and grinned. I gave him the thumb's up, he sang the next line and grinned again, pointing his guitar at me.... I was beside myself!!! Best of all, I happened to be filming at the time and captured the moment!

At the end of the gig, as they took their bows at our side of the stage all (except Jim, of course), acknowledged me and gave me a wave.

It was one of the best days of my life

So imagine my shock when I discovered I've won another meeting with them on AIGT tour in September!!!