Eat and Greet

I also write a blog for MileHighMamas.com. I am the deals editor there. It came as a very clandestine thing, I think. I had been writing several different "deals" that I would hear about and posting them to my facebook page. I had only recently been divorced and was trying to find ways to entertain myself and my kids on a SUPER limited budget (It's still limited).

Anyway, for that I do not get paid, I just do it because it is fun. I like to share great finds. Some women are happy when they find a great pair of shoes on sale. Me? I like to find a free Icee at AMC theaters on Friday nights. Every once in a while I get a "bone" thrown my way. Some little perk for writing about something. Giving an honest take.

I was SUPER excited when I was invited to the Zac Brown Band Eat and Greet when they came to Red Rocks Ampitheater. I used to work at a radio station, so I had seen a meet and greet before. You know, the kind where you shake hands with the band, pose for a silly photo you don't quite know what to do with and then you go on your merry little way. This was such a different experience I think I will be talking about it for YEARS to come!

Granted, I was already a fan of the band before I was invited (yes, I live in Colorado and listen to country music - I listen to pop too). But this was the coolest thing EVER. We (my friend came with me) were greeted by the band as we arrived at the Trading Post with warm and genuine smiles and handshakes. They then invited us to partake in a drink. Once the intimate group of 50 or so, were inside the picnic area.

Zac Brown himself and Chef Rusty said a quick hello to everyone (addressed us as a group) and told us how it would work. Chef Rusty explained the meal (a la those really cool shows that I pretend not to watch on the Food Network), complete with as much from local area that he could get (who knew that we grow white eggplant in Colorado?). Once he was done telling us what was on the food line - the band literally served us! They stood behind the serving line and put the food on our plates. Like we were really at a family picnic.

The family feel didn't end there. We quickly realized when we sat down that we really were among friends and family. The gentleman next to me was Clay's (the guitarist - among other instruments) dad. Jimmy, the fiddle player, sat next to us on the other side and across from us was the neighbors from home for Jimmy! Zac stopped by and told us about his four daughters and introduced us to his wife.

They asked us not to take any photos - because then the band would not feel comfortable like a real family picnic. So I don't have a cheesy photo to prove it. You'll just have to trust me.