Becoming a Grobanite
Becoming a Grobanite
I lived in Queens with a bunch of flight attendant roommates and told one of them I was going to the JG concert by myself on the Long Island railroad. He said "you must be a fan to brave it alone." I said "I'm not a fan. This is my first concert of his and by the way they aren't called fans they are called Grobanites. These women follow him from place to place."
So I went alone not quite knowing where I was going or how to get there. I met others going on the train and shared a cab ride with a young girl and her uncle to the venue. I had a seat about 16 rows back on the floor, and casually moved up to row 8 or so when the floor didn't fill up. The grobanites handed out pencils and buttons with "i love Josh" on them to random people around them. The outdoor ampitheater rested out over the water and it was a warm summer night. As the evening cooled the mist rose up over the stage like a beautiful special effect. The most memorable moment was the song "remember when it rained". Josh singing on the piano, seemingly effortlessly hitting the high crescendo at the end. I remember holding my breath for those few quiet moments after the end. Wow. I was stunned in my awe over this goofy kid.
After the show I went and bought tickets for another show to take my mother knowing she would appreciate this gifted man too. When I told my roommate about taking my mother he whirled around pointing his finger and said " See you are a Grobanite".
Yep, after 20+ shows I guess he is right. And I am damn proud of it!
a video of me during my 13o day hunger strike from Madison wisconsin til its end in early november in washington dc can be found on youtube by typing in my name,,,HALLIS MAILEN(small caps).
You can also find videos I have created on youtube by searching for DMAILENIFY(small caps).
Hello Josh, I just heard your song 'Brave' and saw your music video Raise Me Up, and you have!!!! FYI about me. Im a disabled veteran who while homeless in 2011 in Madison, Wisconsin joined the solidarity movement for workers and people's rights and became their lead drummer in the Wisconsin Capitol Rotunda for over 17 days while we occupied the building. A clip of one of the most important moments during that time can be found on youtube by searching wisconsin protest drum circle > a video called 'Let em In!' It was shot by one of my fellow organizers the night Governor Walker chose to lie to people about opening the doors and locked 8,000+ people out in the freezing cold and sleet and rain. Moments before that video was shot, I and others heard the news people were locked outside and we immediately got on cells and called the local public radio stations and mobilized hundreds of vehicles to bring down warm bvlankets, tarps, hot coffee, gloves, winter gear, and such to the capitol. Within moments, and endless stream of vehicles paraded down Martin Luther King Blvd with such items, and the people made it safely through the rest of the evening. That moment amongst many raised me up just as you pronounced in your song. Ive been an organizer of such actions ever since here in Madison. I am so inspired by your song, Id like for you to contact me so we can discuss collaboration on an attempt to write and create a musical, heralding the beginning of the solidarity movement and the occupy movement which grew out of it. Withothers help and feedback, we could write the script for the musical, and you could assist with songwriting for the musaical moments. We could also find a choreographer to help with that. I also have experience from years past in high school designing and creating set designs for stage as well as being a member of the Thespian society. If we are successful in helping throw a light on these two movements with the use of this musical, who knows? Screen play? Lets start at the foundation for all people's rights against the tyranny and injustices of the world first. How about it? You can contact me at my email at dmailen@yahoo.com, or find me on facebook as Hallis Mailen. Peace and love everyone!