Blue Rodeo

I was just looking over some of the old archived posts ... it's been that long since I've been here ... and found this under "Nice Keelor Story" , as a reply. 

           {  Yeah Hez, I had noticed that. I've also heard worse. A few years back, I read an article on BR in Toronto Life (I think), which stated that Greg is probably the only person that the New York Times has ever referred to as "a shitkicker". I think it's because he just has a little more gruff, cynical, been-around-the-block presentation, whereas Jim is always upbeat and smiling like he's your best friend, so you naturally want to call him by his first name. ~ Katie}

             I've often wondered, has anyone got any stories that might support this idea? Whether from the viewpoint of those who feel Keelor is indeed a "shitkicker" or those who know the softer, "spaying or neutering" soul that he is?

..yup! here I go, answering my own question, again!!! lol! (What's that old saying? The comedian who laughs at himself has an audience of one? or something like that? lol!)

          But I just remembered something a young friend of mine once observed about the difference between Jim and Keelor. Keep in mind she was very young, very sheltered, and very sweet!

         She said that she firmly believed that Jim would never smoke pot! Her boyfriend said to me, after bringing this up one night, "Now ask her why!!!" (laughing) So I asked my young, and completely coincidentally, blonde (  )friend why she believed that?

         "Why, just look at him!" she said. "Jim's so clean cut! You just know he doesn't!" Trying not to laugh too much! I asked her,"And Greg?"

             "Oh, well..... look at Greg... he's so, you know...Greg...."and she just left it at that!

           And now we know how the police know who to bust, right? lol lol!!!

I forget what tour it was (does anyone remeber) but Greg had a black eye...that said it all. 

But then again...on the special they showed of the band band recording their record in New Orleans (was it Days Inbetween?) ...it was Greg who was the peacekeepr when Jim blew up over that song ending.

I remember Greg with a black eye and not too long ago.  It might have been Are You Ready tour.

And yeah, it was Greg that was the peace keeper in New Orleans and I do think it was the Days In Between tour.

I don't have any evidence to prove the point in question. I think they're all angels  Am I wrong

Oh and how does the saying go "Never judge a book by it's cover"  

Well I'm sure WE ALL have our moments but I have to say that I've NEVER had a bad experience while talking with Greg. Anyone can get short with people if they're always in THEIR face or not giving them the space they need, so I know privacy is important to Greg and to all the boys.

NorthStar not sure what your personal experience is with him but I'm sure there must be an explanation why he was the way he was.  You have to remember he's always hounded by people and sometimes, they just want to be left alone. As for the only child syndrome, not sure about that as I'm pretty sure that many people are just like Greg and they have siblings, but then, really, I'm not sure, it's just my opinion. 

Interesting first post NorthStar.  I'm sorry to hear you've had such unfortunate experiences with Greg.  I certainly don't know the man but I have had the chance to talk to him on many occasions and he has always been friendly, charming and funny. 

If you're here to enjoy the board, welcome.  If you're here to stir things up you'll be gone before you read any of our replies.  I hope the next time you see Greg you have a pleasant experience.

LOL You know I've had the chance to talk to Greg a couple times and once was just to yell "hi Greg" like I knew him (don't ask I was relishing in the BR moment and can't be held accountable for my silly love crazed actions)LOL  Anyways, he yelled "hi" back and smiled...I was over the moon happy.

The second time I was trying to get his autograph for my little guy who watched the In Stereovision dvd and loved Greg the most. Greg was on his way out to a birthday party at the Massey show a couple years ago and was ready to oblige the autograph thing, but no pen!So he took the time to apoligize and pointed me towards Jim of course.Yes, Jim signed my stage pass for my little man.

So my point is, if most people are approached in a friendly manner,they normally will respond in the same way.I just really think the guys get apprehensive and who can blame them.

NorthStar:

Greg can be a real prick when he wants to.

Can't we all. 

 (don't tell my hubby I admitted to that )

dar:

NorthStar:

Greg can be a real prick when he wants to.

Can't we all.  (don't tell my hubby I admitted to that )

Yes, Dar!   You are so right!  We all have our moments that we wish we could take back later on!   Unfortunately, being in the public eye, I guess it's harder for Greg to live down those peevish moments!

I always feel kind of amused when I hear 'Greg was a prick' stories.  After all, he is the 'John Lennon' of this band, as opposed to Jim's more sociable 'Paul McCartney'!  John could be pretty caustic at times, to say the least!

Greg is who he is, so let's just take the veils from our eyes and accept that sometimes he is going to be poopy!    

This is why I don't think I could ever walk up to a person who happens to be famous... I acknowledge that they are people too, and I just get that feeling that if I ask anything of them, I tempt catching them on the wrong side of the bed, lol.I am too chicken!

I would love to just say hello and let him know I am a fan... and leave it at that so I won't ever have to see a "poopy" side LOL

and let me tell you, I totally agree that we ALL have our moments. Ask my hubby, he can tell you!

I agree If I had a backstage pass that would be one thing, but to actually wait outside the stage door or something like that I don't know if I could, I would be devastated if I caught Greg at a bad moment and he was grumpy. I admire those who can, and all those who have photos of themselves with band members I am so jealousof you.

My story happened a couple weeks ago....I was debating whether to post it or not....and then I saw this thread and I guess I couldn't resist.

My husband was away working at the Peterborough airport in late September. One evening after work, he dropped by the local grocery store (the one that sells "PC" products....). He said the store was completely dead - except for a few customers. Since he was bored and had time to kill, he decided to make the rounds of the store. As he was approaching the 2nd last aisle, he said he looked up and saw someone vaguely familiar to him. He couldn't put his finger on who this was at first. All he could think of was "who is this scruffy looking guy - and how do I know him...???" Now my husband has been to about 5 or so BR shows...the last one being in Mount Forest on September 6th. Then it suddenly dawned on him that the "scruffy guy" he recently saw on stage and the one here in the grocery store were one and the same! He said to himself..."oh my god - that's Greg Keelor". He said that at that moment he had to decide whether to approach him or not...and knowing that I would have never let him off the hook if he hadn't have at least said "hi" - he decided to go for it. Now Zoran is usually pretty low-key - and definitely not one to get caught up in the whole celebrity thing....(when I attend a show with him....there is no "hanging around" after the fact to catch a glimpse or a picture...grrrr). He said that knowing what he did about Greg's personality - he couldn't just fawn himself on the guy and invade his "personal grocery shopping time" (LOL!)....After coming up with what he thought was a "funny and unique" opening line - and the fact that both of them had by this point wandered into the last aisle (with no one still around) - he decided to make his move. He greeted Greg with his "line". He said that while he thought he caught him a bit off guard, Greg was amused by his approach and they exchanged a few words. After expressing his appreciation to Greg for a great show in Mount Forest and mentioning how it was his "wife" that was "his big fan" - they parted ways.

Shortly after the fact he called home and since I wasn't there, he recounted the story to our kids - but promised them not to say anything to me. Well - sure enough - the kids couldn't keep a secret. As soon as I walked in the door - pandemonium broke loose with them yelling "Daddy met Greg Keelor shopping tonight!!!"

When I called him up to get the details...he was very coy and nonchalant about it and said that I wasn't even supposed to know about this. I finally got he details out of him - but it took some work...

Anyway, he's in Montreal this week, so who knows who he'll run into there......

Great story Reeneegirl, I know how much you wish you would have been there since I KNOW you're a major Keelorite. At least give your husband credit for actually talking to him. Some guys wouldn't even notice the guy in the aisle, even if they were alone they're too involved in getting the groceries and getting out of there as soon as possible.

I think what bothers Greg the most, and this is my theory, is that he doesn't like to be interrupted or disturbed when he's busy with someone else, ESPECIALLY his girlfriend or his friends, that's a NONO--that's HIS personal time and we should allow him that much. He does give an awful lot of time to the road and to the fans so when he's got his own friends around, I think it's just courteous to give him his space.

Even at shows when I know that Kate is around, I won't even give it a second thought to even TRY to take up any of his time. It's totally up to him if he wants to come out and socialize with the fans and from past experience, that doesn't happen THAT often.