When I’m in my car, I usually have my MP3 player running on shuffle.  Quite often a BBMak song pops up.  Over the past (I don’t even want to say how many) years, every time I heard a BBMak song, I thought, “Such a shame that they parted ways.  They had such talent.”  Even though I have both American albums, the soundtrack songs (“Don’t Look Down” is my favorite!), and every import I was able to get my hands on, I just wanted more BBMak.  I never knew that desire would be satisfied.

This year, BBMak announced they were back together, have a new album coming out, and they would be going on tour!  *Insert fangirl squeal here*  As soon as the tour ticket date was released, I set a reminder on my calendar.  I wanted to be first to the website to secure my tickets.  When that day finally came, not knowing what kind of ticket options there would be, I put out positive vibes and kept telling myself, “I’m going to meet BBMak!”  The time came to log on and, much to my surprise, there were VIP Meet and Greet tickets offered.  I really was going to meet BBMak!

They released their first single “Bullet Train” and it only added to my excitement.  It is such a great song.  In true BBMak fashion, it is catchy, beautiful, and spotlights their amazing harmonies.  Then finally the concert day arrived.  I took my mom with me.  I used to always play BBMak in the car.  I had her knowing their names, birthdays, etc.  It was only fitting that she get to meet them, too.  I never want to get my hopes up too much prior to meet and greets, though.  I attended an ‘NSYNC meet and greet back in the day and they herded everyone through like cattle and all the security was intimidating.  This meet and greet, though, was amazing!  They kept it to a small group of attendees.  The atmosphere was super relaxed and informal.  When we went in, BBMak started talking to everyone and Christian greeted us all with a hug.  A minute or two later, they gathered us around to play two acoustic songs, “Bullet Train” and “Back Here”.  Their angelic harmonies pierced through the room.  Artists can hide behind synthesizers on albums…voices can be manipulated through mics at concerts…but with just their voices, guitars, and a hollow room, flaws can not be disguised, and there was not a flaw to be found.  Pure, beautiful talent, that is all I can say.

 

After they sang, we each were able to spend one-on-one time with them.  They are the sweetest, most down-to-Earth guys.  They hugged everyone and engaged in conversations.  I brought along my Cosplur bracelets for them.  I thought, “Hey, I’m going to be tagging them in stuff on social media so why not put a face with the name.”  I figured they would be gracious, say thanks, and then put the bracelets down on a table and toss them out afterward.  Nope!  They immediately put the bracelets on.  When we took our photo together, Mark said, “Make sure the bracelets are showing!”  OK, now they can toss them, right?  Wrong!  Mid-concert my mom tapped me and said, “Look, they still have on the bracelets.”  ❤  That meant so much.  BBMak spreading the Cosplur/Go PLUR Yourself vibes.  (Go Plur Yourself is a phrase I came up with to promote loving yourself for who you are.  More details HERE.) Pics below of the bands on their wrists. 🙂

 

As if my night wasn’t already made, Christian asked, “So were you a fan back in the day or were you too young back then?”  Of course I had to give him a hug for that one.  I’m only a few years younger than them, though I refuse to admit I’m over 21.  haha.  When I told them my age, they said I look super young.  I knew I loved these guys.  For the meet and greet photos, they had someone taking the pictures.  We could not use our phones.  I was surprised that they did not have an event photographer for this and the concert.  Next time they tour, I need to introduce them to the photographer I work with.  In fact, I am going to be assisting him with photographing the EDM queens NERVO at a show, soon!  (But that is a whole other topic for a whole other post coming in June.)

Soon it was time for the concert.  My mom and I were standing in the second row, center stage.  It was so great to hear all the old songs live.  I saw them perform songs from their first album at Disney World back in 1999.  You can’t imagine how elated I was when tour dates came out that year and it just so happened that their concert was the day that we had planned to arrive at Disney.  Destiny!  I never had the opportunity to see them tour for their second album, though.  I’m not even going to pretend that I remember the exact order of songs for this concert.  I was enjoying myself too much to worry about being that specific on details.  However, I can tell you that they started with “Out of My Heart” and followed it with all of their awesome hits, “I Can’t Say”, “Still on Your Side”, “Sympathy”, and more.  It was super hot and humid in the venue, which the guys mentioned several times.  At one point, a fan yelled, “Take it off!”  Mark proceeded to act like he was going to unbutton his shirt, which sparked giddy screams from the ladies.  He then teased, “Sorry, that’s the next tour.”  I hope you know we are going to hold you to that, Mark.  Hee hee.  During the show they actually introduced two more songs from the album that will be out in August.  One of those songs is “Uncivil War”, which is gorgeous!  I am in love with this song.

Eventually they took a bow and exited the stage.  Everyone knew there had to be an encore, though.  After all, they had not performed “Back Here”, yet.  Sure enough, they walked back onto the stage.  Mark joked that they seemed to have skipped a couple of songs.  Not only did they end with “Back Here” but they performed “Ghost of You and Me”!  My heart!  I love this song.  I have had an idea for a music video for “Ghost of You and Me” since not too long after it came out.  I finally had a chance to create the video, this year, and I planned to give the guys a copy of it at the meet and greet.  However, last minute, the actor just quit returning correspondence.  I was so frustrated.  I am going to put this video together one day, though.  I wanted to tell them that if they ever find themselves bored in the States, they are welcome to star in it.

As always, time flies when you’re having fun.  Before I knew it, the show was over.  On the bright side, I have a new album to look forward to, in August, AND they said they would be touring again!  I can guarantee I will be front and center.  …and you should be too!  Check out their website HERE to keep up with all of the latest news and to find all of their social media links.