Imagine yourself: several years of college in the bag, several semesters yet to come. You've survived the horrors of dorm life and the infamous "freshman fifteen;" you've survived the deliberations of choosing a major; you've survived seemingly endless papers and exams, and you've learned to drink like a champion. Now it's time to ... go home and tell your parents that you've instead decided to become a rock star?
"My parents both have Ph.D.s from Penn State," explains Pat McGee, as he sits across the table from me at Charlottesville's Starr Hill Music Hall. "It definitely was not cool that I didn't even get my bachelors. They were not psyched about that."
At this point in the early makings of his career, however, McGee was performing in local bars five nights a week, charging people a dollar or two to see him play. By the time last call rolled around, he would be walking out the door with a pocketful of cash.
"I can't believe the way I lived in college," said McGee, who attended Longwood. "Everyone looked at me like, 'who's the frickin' total rich kid?' If you have 75 bucks in your wallet in college, you're rich."
Somewhere along the path of pre-stardom, Pat McGee realized that he could make a living doing what he loved, and it was at this point that he decided to put his degree on hold in order to try his hand in the musical realm. Eventually saving enough money to produce his solo album "from the wood," McGee began knocking on doors.
"I literally went door to door at Longwood, knocked on every single room, and sold like a thousand CDs in two days," McGee said. "All of a sudden, I was this total salesman."
Soon thereafter, The Pat McGee Band was born. Perhaps you've heard of them, perhaps you haven't. If you're in what is quickly becoming the unfortunate minority, then it's time to climb onboard, as herein lies a band that's about to take off.
I was fortunate enough to see The Pat McGee Band perform live April 3, when they played downtown at Starr Hill. Admittedly, I was a fan of the band's music before attending this show, but three hours and 16 songs later, I stood enthralled. Pat McGee's raw talent as both a guitarist and a vocalist is unparalleled, yet on the stage such talents meet their match. Their rival? McGee's incredible ability to establish an engaging rapport with his audience, both long-time fans and first-time spectators.
Yet such level of performance does not cause him to outshine his fellow band members, as they too are exemplary performers. Most notable were solos by John Small, the band's bass player, and Chardy McEwan, the percussionist. Even when not directly in the spotlight, every member of the band may be distinguished by the level of excellence achieved in his stage presence. Here you will find a medley of musicians that play off of each other with perfect precision, creating the "be-all-end-all" concert experience.
While the band played crowd-pleasing hits such as "Runaway" and "Rebecca," even more enticing were the songs from their new album, due for release this August. The first record since their debut album, "Shine," it promises to buttress the success that the band already has attained. McGee describes the new record as slightly more "hard edge" than the lulling melodies and harmonies for which they're known.
"It sort of loses the lightness of 'Shine,'" he says. "This is more of a rock record that you put on and go party to." The album incorporates a mix of acoustic and electric guitar, creating a sound that McGee places "somewhere between the Foo Fighters and Train."
While McGee worries that his fans won't immediately take to the new sound, he feels confident that the album will eventually gain a threshold.
"My favorite bands have always re-created themselves album to album," he says. "You don't want to make the same record twice. This is a fun record --- it's just different. I'm glad we have that; we don't have the same thing."
And if the album succeeds? The Pat McGee Band will continue to tour the country, adding to their faithful following of fans.
"I feel like we're on this frickin' vacation that we've been on for seven years," explains McGee. "If we get to continue, it's like, 'oh, sweet! I don't have to go to work again? For another five years?'"
At this point in the conversation, I must pause and ask myself why I've yet to consider pursuing a career as a rock star, musical incapability aside. A seven-year vacation? Sign me up!
"Well, people say that about musicians," says McGee. "Like, 'I just want to be a rock star, that looks like fun.' But it doesn't really give you the opportunity to put yourself out there personally." McGee, who worked as a swim coach in his pre-rock star days, misses having the opportunity to interact with children. While the band participates in charity operations such as the Children's Miracle Network, he feels the need to get more involved.
"I don't want it to be a one day thing, I want it to be an all the time thing," he says. "It's hard to schedule things sometimes." Ah, the flip side of success.
It's around this point that our conversation winds to a close, yet not without mention of the band's upcoming events:
For all of you native Virginians, The Pat McGee Band will be performing at Wolf Trap (located in Vienna, VA) on July 3. Be sure to pick up your telephone (or purchase online at www.wolf-trap.com) ASAP, however, as tickets went on sale this past Saturday. Be cool, check them out.
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