My wife and I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to be Matthew & Gunnar’s personal assistants during the Pompano Beach, Florida Ribfest Festival on November 14th 2004. Upon arrival we met Tami backstage near the dressing room (tour bus) and she took us on stage to meet Matthew, Gunnar and the rest of the band. Tami and the band immediately made us feel extremely welcome and part of the group. We went back to Matthew & Gunnar’s dressing room (tour bus) to prepare for the show and to spend some time together while waiting for sound check. Matthew started working on the song list for the show and involved us right away by asking for our input on the song selection and/or if the song should be performed as a duo or full band. Matthew also explained and showed us how he uses a custom earpiece monitor during the performance that allows him to hear his vocals clearly while on stage while blocking out other sounds. After Matthew copied the song list we all went up on stage and placed them near the monitors, along with water & towels for the bands performance, then we headed back to the dressing room. Matthew asked us to get with Gunnar to write an intro for the show. After Gunnar wrote the intro, Matthew and I met with the DJ to go over it and make sure he was prepared. We also went with Tami to meet up with the stage manager to go over the contract with the venue and make sure the catering crew was set up and on schedule. Since sound check was delayed, Gunnar decided to take us out into the festival to walk around and have some fun. We were called back for the sound check and when we arrived Matthew asked my wife and the other assistant if they would help pick out the outfit he was going to wear for the show. Of course, my wife was more than happy to do so! She still has a smile that’s a mile wide because of that! Then we headed back to the stage to do a quick sound check. Once the sound check was over we assisted Tami in setting up the merchandise stand before the show started and then proceeded to take front row seats to enjoy the show! After the show, we helped Matthew and Gunnar gather items and music gear from the stage and then escorted them to the merchandise area for a meet & greet with fans. A huge line formed with hundreds of people waiting to meet Matthew & Gunnar! We went out in the line to help promote Matthew & Gunnar and sell CD’s, autographs and shirts. Matthew and Gunnar stayed to meet their fans well over an hour until the last person was in line. I kept hearing people in the crowd say they are the nicest two people I have ever met. I also heard people say they were here to see another act perform but after seeing the Nelson’s performance they are buying the Nelson CD instead! After the meet & greet we escorted Matthew and Gunnar back to the dressing room and then we all went backstage to watch another bands performance. Before departing and saying goodbye, Matthew and Gunnar met with us again, signed autographs and took pictures. They wanted to make sure we enjoyed ourselves and were very appreciative that we were there. It was a terrific experience to see first handed what happens before, during and after a show. It gives you an appreciation of how much time it takes in preparation just for the 90 minutes people see the Nelson’s perform. I could go on and on about all the great things that happened but that’s for you to find out when you become the next personal assistant!   It’s an unforgettable experience of a lifetime! “Only time will tell” if you’re the next personal assistant. You will enjoy it “More than ever” and you will want to do it “Just once more”!