My first Celtic Woman Meet and Greet

--- Adapted from original post on April 21, 2017.  I did some editing and added some notes, so feel free to re-read here if you read my post on the other forums. ---

I have been dreaming of meeting Celtic Woman for years!

On April 19th, 2017, in Erie, PA, my dream finally came true!

Prior to that M+G the only former CW I had met were:
- Chloe (August 2016, Shelbyville, Indiana)
- Mairead Nesbitt (April 11, 2017, Shea's PAC in Buffalo as part of Rocktopia tour)

We were taken to a meeting room. The girls were a few minutes later than expected, so the staff were looking around for the girls before the M+G. The girls ended up pulling up at the side of the road in a car. We could see them get out of the car through the externally facing window of the meeting room. They rushed in to the building because it was drizzling. There had been sudden downpours most of the day, but it was just a drizzle as they came in.

The girls recognized me and I smiled excitedly and waved.

There were 12 of us at the M+G. There was a large table in the middle of the room and we were gathered around. The girls  were lined up against one of the walls. There were pictures on the wall behind the girls, but it didn't look too unseemly. The lighting through the window made it a bit difficult to decide whether or not to use a flash. It turned out well enough without it, I suppose.

They decided to start the line at the end of the table opposite me, so I was second last in line. Note: That was probably a good position to be in. It allows one to try take a tiny bit more with the girls time without holding up the rest of the line.

I was really excited and a bit nervous waiting in line. That was to be expected I suppose before the moment I had been dreaming of for so long.

With a couple of people until my turn, I waved over Sett and the PBS rep and told them how to use my camera and gave them the cards I had made for the girls. The cards had pictures of the girls on the front. I painstakingly searched Google for weeks for the perfect picture for each of the girls (for Tara, I picked a picture from her first concert with Celtic Woman, on stage with 3 other girls and having a great time). Inside each card, I had a picture of a really picturesque place in Canada that was important to me for one reason or another, which I explained in the card. Each girl got a different picture and story that tied back to how much their music meant to me. I wrote that no place in the world I've ever been was as beautiful as the way they sound. I wrote that I could never give them anything to properly thank them for all they've done for me, so instead I donated to their respective charities (a significant amount) because I knew that would mean as much to them as their music means to me. <3

I had rehearsed a few times leading up to the M+G. During 'rehearsal' I usually ended up tearing up or just sobbing with happiness. The actual M+G was slightly different than I had visualized, but not far off.

When it was my turn, I sort of giddily made my way over to Sue the same way I did when I met Chloe and was totally overwhelmed. The girls smiled and giggled a bit. I hugged Sue and told her I loved the way she sang, that she was a joy to watch, and that I felt every note. She seemed appreciative.

Next was Mairead Carlin. I wasn't crying but I was so close to it they could tell I was emotional. Mairead asked me if everything was OK. It took me a moment to speak because I thought that was so sweet of her. I told her she had epic range and power. I meant to say that she was breathtaking. I ended up getting overwhelmed when I looked into her eyes and just said she was incredible instead. It achieved the intent, I suppose. She commented on the forum buttons I was wearing (thanks Glen) and noted that they were new. I really couldn't speak much for a bit because I was so shy and excited, so I just smiled at her for a bit.

I'm not sure what was going through the head of the tour manager, but I suppose he's seen it all before.

Next was Tara. The moment she smiled at me I forgot everything I was going to say. I hugged her right away. There was about 10 seconds of awkward silence before I could gather my thoughts. I managed fragments of what I wanted to say to her. Something to the effect of "you're amazing and nothing makes me happier than when I see you perform." She said I had been really sweet to her and she really appreciated all my support to her from the moment she joined Celtic Woman. Overwhelmed by her kindness and my joy and finally meeting her, I hugged her a second time.

Last was Eabha. I was still a bit extra-emotional from Tara. I'm not the best at reading people, but it seemed like Eabha was thinking "uh...I've got to follow that?" I got out parts of what I wanted to say. I said her voice was unique (I meant to add enchanting and that there was nothing else like it, but I think I just said she was incredible, about the only word that wasn't eluding me that day, it seemed). I added that Sean N'Os couldn't ask for a better ambassador than her. The girls all though that was sweet and all said "awww" in a very adorable way. I hugged Eabha.

I got 2 pictures with the girls. One was blurry because my camera is terrible. The other was a bit darker than the test pic I took just before my turn in line, but it was good anyways and I was able to brighten the photo in an editor without too much difficulty.

I thanked the girls and smiled at them before walking off. As the girls left back to the car outside, Sett said he would give the girls my cards (and he did).

I probably had 2-3 minutes with the girls. My perception of time was a bit impaired with excitement, but it was definitely longer than the 30 seconds I was expecting. I suspect I wouldn't have had as much time had I been earlier in the line or had there been more people at the M+G.

I'll never forget the night I finally met those girls that have meant so much to me.

In about three weeks, almost a year after I met them for the first time, I finally get to meet them again. Hopefully I'll be able to communicate a bit more effectively this time, but considering almost all my Meet and Greets so far have been an exhibition of crippling shyness, awkwardness, and overwhelming joy, I expect this Meet and Greet to unfold in a similar way. I'm just looking forward to seeing the girls again and showing them, even if I haven't the words to express it, how much I appreciate everything they do. <3

Great write up of your meet and greet Tom! I had my husband read it also. We both really like reading these stories to get an idea of what the meet and greet will be like. Sounds like you got a decent amount of time with them. That's great that you got to tell each of them how incredible they are. We're going to attempt to be last in line to try to get that extra bit of time. We also really like your idea to bring them cards and we're going to do that as well. I was also thinking about asking whoever is taking the pictures to take candids while we're talking to them. I'm not sure how many meet and greet passes there were for my show but I know they sold out. I'm hoping it's a fairly small group so it's not too rushed. I'm looking forward to reading about your next meet and greet in a few weeks!

Great write up of your meet and greet Tom! I had my husband read it also. We both really like reading these stories to get an idea of what the meet and greet will be like. Sounds like you got a decent amount of time with them. That's great that you got to tell each of them how incredible they are. We're going to attempt to be last in line to try to get that extra bit of time. We also really like your idea to bring them cards and we're going to do that as well. I was also thinking about asking whoever is taking the pictures to take candids while we're talking to them. I'm not sure how many meet and greet passes there were for my show but I know they sold out. I'm hoping it's a fairly small group so it's not too rushed. I'm looking forward to reading about your next meet and greet in a few weeks!

Thanks!

Depending on how rushed yours happens to be, my suggestion would be to have something really quick to say to each of the girls or all of them as a group and then things to add if people ahead of you get more time.

I was so happy by the time it was my turn in line, I was half-way-to-tears, so I'm pretty sure one of the girls signaled the tour manager to give me a tiny bit of extra time or something.

Have a great time!

Tracie the m&G's are either 20 or 40 people the PBS station sells either 10 pair or 20 pair most times any more it's only 10 pairs and they will herd you right thru and being last in line don't give you any more time with the girls and some times you get less as they know it's almost time to start the show so if anything be first that way you can use up other peoples time. I have been to 12 M&G's with the girls and several times the best M&G is after the show at the stage door tweet the girls that your out there waiting for them before the end of the show as they always check there phones right after the show is over

Thanks for all the advice, it's appreciated! I'm definitely going to go out by the bus after the show in addition to the meet and greet. I've also seen that there's a park and river near the venue, so I'm going to hang out there earlier in the day for the slim possibility that they may be there.

one other thing to look for is a coffee shop they love Starbucks and a good place to eat

I've heard the girls (Mairead Carlin in particular) are good at finding unique local places for a tea or quick snack. If there's sort of a unique mom-and-pop shop near the venue, that may also be worth taking a peek through the window if you're passing by. They normally do soundcheck a few hours before the show (maybe around 1-3 in the afternoon for a 7 PM show). If they're going to venture out, between that time and the M+G is probably the best chance to get luck and see them.

GlenS- Unfortunately I don't tweet much especially from my phone. I may have to try it. Do you know if they check Facebook right after the show too or just Twitter?

I also wait by the stage door and try to get a quick photo with them (depending on how many other people are there and how much in a hurry they are) or just to let them know I liked the show.

Also I usually send a Facebook message (usually later that night or the next day) to their official Facebook pages about something that stood out about the performance and always let them know I appreciate them stopping to chat and greet me and other people on their way to the buses.

John the last time I was at a show I talked to Mairead via Facebook but that was before the show by a few hours but then again she knows me from owning the forums but I know they check there twitter accounts after the show and others have told them they are outside by the bus and it has worked for them and I have met the girls at the bus plus I have dropped stuff off at the stage door for the girls to sign before the show that is how I get the signed photos for the forums. Hope you get to meet the girls they are great

Different girls have different preferences on social media. Eabha doesn't do Twitter very often, but she seems to check Facebook and Instagram quite a bit. Mairead and Tara check their messages pretty much everywhere. Twitter is my favourite way to show my appreciation for Mairead.

I find that timing and a little luck are needed if you want them to see your post and respond to you. It increases the chances they'll like or comment on your post if you include a pic of you meeting them or a unique pic from the show (ie. like the one where the boys were in the middle of lifting Mairead into the air during Dulaman).

The other advice I'll give you is that even if they don't give you a like or don't reply, it doesn't mean they didn't see and appreciate your comment. Chloë, for instance, reads a lot more posts than she lets on sometimes. Have a great time!

Glen- I have met them, a few PBS Meet & Greets and a few stage door/bus greets, so I do know they are great. I think they may recognize me (I am a familiar face), but don't associate a name with the face since I only see them 2, 3, or 4 times a year depending on how far the the tour is from me.

I can't believe it's been a whole year since my first official Meet and Greet with Celtic Woman! <3

Cool.   I can't believe it's been over 10 years since my first M&G (Chloe & Mairead N.).

Cool.   I can't believe it's been over 10 years since my first M&G (Chloe & Mairead N.).

Very cool!