UT Campus Fusion

I think we all got a nice surprise when we arrived on the campus of University of Texas last night. The last time we played on campus last fall we had to set up our own PA and equipment on the top of a staircase and try and transform it into a stage for our performance.
This time we returned to virtually the same location under the infamous UT Tower in support of Campus Fusion, which commends and promotes diversity on campus, and we were greeted with a huge stage, lots of lights, and some amazing sound men and technicians.

All the student organizers involved were so nice and treated us with the utmost respect and kindness. The show was great and our music was exposed to so many eager fans. We feel that these same students will be huge supporters of MERIDIANWEST in the future and look forward to getting back on campus as soon as possible.

~Ryan

MERIDIANWEST

Andy Roddick Foundation Gala

Photos by Ron Angle

I think it’s a common attitude to feel like we will give back to society once we actually have something to give back. I know I have caught myself having that same thought, but there is a very underrated commodity that we all have, and that is our time. Most of us spend a lot of our time to make money, so in a way we can break down the hours and minutes of our lives to dollar bills. Capitalism does not value our time equally, but charity does. This concept crystallized in my mind when I was able to witness the shear selflessness at the Annual Andy Roddick Foundation Charity Event.

David, Ryan, Clif, and I were fortunate enough to be Andy’s personal guest at his event this year. The amount of money that was raised was staggering, and I must confess that I felt bad that we had nothing more to give than the tips we raised at our show the night before at Lucky Lounge. But then Elton John took the stage and it all became clear. I saw a man giving a moment of his life in the name of charity... in the name of love. His performance was outstanding and an inspiration for the guys and me to give back with our music. Our friend Boyd Tinsley of the Dave Matthews Band was also a major contributor at the event. It was great for us to be able to hang out with him again, and to walk the red carpet with him and Andy. Boyd is a very gracious man who gives himself to so many great causes, including Andy’s foundation.

Finally, there is Andy. Andy and I are virtually the same age, yet he has given so much more to others than I have ever dreamed of. The work that him and his foundation have done for children is immeasurable. He inspires the whole MWEST family to give more and to become more involved in what we believe in. All I can give right now is my time, but because of Andy, Boyd, and Elton, I’m starting to realize that “time” is a whole lot.

~Mark

MERIDIANWEST

Giving Back

Photos by: Ron Angle

Nothing compares to the feeling of being on stage in a room packed wall to wall with people cheering “one more song!!” All the while the exuberant crowd singing the words to songs that you and your best friends have written and composed. Being close enough to them that they could reach out and touch you while you are on stage living out the dreams of every kid that has ever sang a note, picked up a guitar or a pair of drum sticks. Nothing comes close -- except for the feeling we had during our performance of “Sing for Love.” During a very special Lucky Lounge gig, we got to give back to children far less fortunate than us. Our friend Andy Roddick has been hosting his annual charity dinner for the Andy Roddick Foundation in Austin the last 3 years. Last night was sort of an unofficial pre-party held at Lucky Lounge. We were graciously invited by Andy to the event the next day and wanted to show our appreciation by raising money to donate to his amazing charity. We asked everyone in Lucky Lounge that night to donate what they could while we dedicated a song to Andy and all of the children of his organization. We ended up raising over $1000 in just a few minutes!

That was icing on the cake after an amazing night that ended with 4 encores and a room filled with fans whose energy lifted each of our songs to a new level. It was definitely one of the most amazing shows we have played to date.

~Ryan

"Live" from Studio 1A

It is sometimes hard to accurately express your emotions to an audience that is not present (i.e. in the studio or “ON AIR” in a radio station) but the KUT performance “Live in Studio 1A” was easy to convey to our listeners these emotions because of the environment created by the KUT staff. We are very grateful for the opportunity to spread our music throughout the airwaves to new potential fans and friends and to our already loyal family of MWEST listeners. To those who caught the show thank you for listening and supporting us the amazing KUT Austin’s own local public radio station. We would also like to thank Corey, Walter, Ryan, Lauren, and all the other staff at KUT for making us feel so at home in their studio. We are working with KUT to play a few singles from the new “LIVE” album soon and will be sure to let you all know when this happens.

~David

MERIDIANWEST