Matt Wessel Music.com
Matt's Journal
Feb 23 2004

No arrangement of words can adequately describe how I feel right now after last night's Concert For Life in Gurnee, IL.  However, I'll try to write a few things down...  To know that over 1,100 people came out to help raise over $15,000 for the fight against cancer is amazing.   It's simply unbelievable how much this concert has progressed since the first one back in February of 2001. Every year, the crowd has grown in size and the money raised has done the same.  Our goal this year was to raise $12,000 - and we raised over $15,000!  I'm beaming just writing this down.

Before the show started, I was in the back room waiting to go on stage (I had just finished praying with the musicians) when a friend popped her head in, looked at me and said, "Wow!"  I took that as my cue to look outside and saw a sight that made my heart jump: students from Warren's FBLA program were setting up chairs along the wall!  There were so many people there that there was no more room in the pews!  And I tell people all the time that the only thing I'm ever worried about it attendance.  Once I see that the people have come, I will feed off their energy and play accordingly.  After seeing that crowd, I got up to the piano feeling so good about life - knowing that we were going to raise a ridiculous amount of money that night - and just had fun.  For the first
time in the four years that I've played at this show, I was truly able to relish every moment on stage and really appreciate the opportunity that was being given to me.  In past years, nerves have always made the evening seem like a blur to me.  Not this year.

The show itself was great.  I personally think it was one of my best live performances.  You can view the set-list HERE.  Picture will be up soon.

We recorded the show, so I hope to have some of the songs on the site soon.  All of the instrumentalists were phenomenal, as usual (Jason, Mike, Molly, Kelly and Dan - awesome job!).  Katie, Jeff, Beth and Amy sounded great as well.  Everyone was in perfect tune, blend and spirit. 
This year we tried something new by inviting the Warren Township High School choir to sing on "Take, Lord".  I wasn't able to hear it very well while playing, but based on the applause it received ... WOW!  Thanks to Al Myren for directing the piece and for patiently teaching it to his students over the past few weeks.  The St. Paul choir was also on hand to sing "Be With Me" (featuring Beth Wessel) and "You Are The Voice" featuring (Katie Burke) - both of which were great.

Of course, I embarrassed my sister Amy again (sorry!!).  She kept looking at me during one of my pre-song talks and I thought maybe I had something hanging from my face.  So I told her to turn around and stop looking at me.  I'm a jerk.

I didn't get a bloody nose (if you don't know what that means, ask someone who was at my first CFL).  I DID get to mingle with people during intermission.  I've never done that before.  That was fun.

And I had my first encore!  Two people requested "Come Run With Me" and we managed to do about one-third of the song before running out of steam.

The entire night went smoothly.  As usual, the concert ran a little long, but I only get to do this once a year (which I hope changes soon!!), so I like to get in a good number of songs.

But the amazing part about last night was being able to talk to people afterwards.  I was able to meet so many new people, many of whom have cancer or are cancer survivors.  And to hear their stories, both their struggles and their achievements, touched my heart and made me so proud
to be a part of this incredible event.

Every year I try to convey to the audience what this show means to me.  Cancer, for obvious personal reasons, has become my cause.  There is nothing I love more than playing benefits for the ACS or other cancer-relates causes.  Sure, I do benefits of all kinds, but cancer-related shows are what really hit home.  I can't tell you how badly I want to do these shows across the country.  To see what a need there is for them in Gurnee alone (Lake County even) means that there is a similar need all over the nation.  The Concert For Life is something that touches the hearts of all of those who attend - even those that have no experiences (be it directly or indirectly) with cancer.  The music that is played, the community that is gathered, the stories that are told - it gets to a person.

Thanks to everyone who came out last night.  I mean it.  From the bottom of my heart.  It amazes me that year after year, people come back to hear the same stories and (for the most part) the same music.  But it's a testament to the power of this concert.  It touches people in ways that I can't describe or explain.

Thanks to Warren High School and the FBLA program (especially to Mrs. Walker - head of the FBLA program).  To see what a group of dedicated high school students can do when they set their sights on something is amazing.  You should all be very proud with how last night played out. 

If you were at last night's show, I hope to see you next year.  Hopefully you'll tell a friend or two about your experience.  This thing isn't going to stop growing.  Who cares if we've run out of seats?  We'll find a way to get everybody in.  Too much is at stake to start turning people away.  Cancer is something that affects everybody - not just those who have it.  It's our responsibility to do what we can - to give what we can - to find a cure.  So THANK YOU to everyone that gave so generously last night.  Whether you gave $1 or $1,000 - it mattered.  Thank you.  Thank you. Thank you. 

In three hours, we raised over $15,000 for cancer research.  Not bad. 

Not bad at all.