Great idea! Looking forward to signing it in NYC, I'll bring some extra Sharpies!

Since my friend is all modest and what-not, let me elaborate slightly...oh, who am I kidding? This is gonna get lengthy!

Anna Marie (aka tinkerlion) is an artist & music afficionado from the Atlanta, GA area. I'm lucky to call her my friend (and take FULL credit for introducing her to TAB )

When we were first planning the big Portland weekend, it was suggested that we have a banner for our BBQ, and we conspired to borrow Catfisher's bold yellow one.(but what if it didn't make it? for shame!). So AM stepped up and said "I'll make one"...and boy did she ever. She spent over 20 hours creating this banner (designing, sketching, inserting grommets for hanging, and hand-painting How many points does one get for that!?!). She kept sending me little sneak preview pix along the way, but nothing prepared me for how truly fantastic it would be.

Right before the big weekend, I put on my instigation cap *like a thinking cap but better* and asked the magnificent and generous Pete Schroth if it would be possible to get the banner hung at the venue in Portland.
He said he'd do his best and of course he came through, even providing zip-ties for said purpose upon entry to the Crystal that first nite. Before any of the openers started, we hung it from the balcony Friday night with fanfare below giving thumbs up and full approval. Henceforth, AM became known as "Banner Girl"
I didn't witness it myself, but a few folks said they saw Seth take note of the banner behind the drum kit on Friday nite which only served to expand his already wide smile. At the end of the night, we cut it down to take to the big Avett Nation BBQ on Saturday in Mt Tabor Park. It served as a visual welcome sign for our group, and what a group it was (we had some 50+ turn out!).

Fueled by friendship and good food, the Avett Nation's team spirit was strong and already abuzz as we headed over to the venue that evening, or should I say afternoon (!). While waiting outside, we started signing the banner on the back, some just with names, some with hometown & a little note of appreciation sent out to Avett-land.
Pete came curbside asked if he could take the banner in early for us and we agreed. Later he told me he'd taken it to the dressing room, where Scott was just snoozin' away and that they'd surely see it upon waking.
(What a nice gesture, gosh I wish I'd written something more profound)

Anyways, once inside again, I met up with Pete in the booth and reclaimed the banner for hanging, wherein he mentioned that he hoped it was okay that the banner had 4 more signatures on it...at first I thought he meant the crew (Dane, Justin, Travis, & himself) but clearly I was wrong. Joe, Bob, Seth & Scott had all love-noted the back and their words, though few, clearly showed they were touched.
I brought it to our Team Avett crew up front, in the midst of the massive pre-show sit-in and I do believe this was the first round of misty eyes for the evening.

My immediate and lasting thought was "what a beautiful and mutual exchange of love this is!"
And it spread...and ignited thousands of hearts filled with passion along the way.
You guys, we are all truly a part of something special with this band, this music, these people...these shows (need I continue?).

Anyways, there's a bit of banner backstory for those who couldn't be with us in Portland. Anna Marie's the artist, I'm just an instigator, and the banner's a symbol, but I think it's a powerful one and I hope it brings joy to all in its time out on the road. Please sign it, take pictures, tell your friends, and carry the spirit on with you, not just to your next show but back to your life and the people in it every day.

Here's another pic of the artist and her creation:
http://i42.tinypic.com/4py0t4.jpg

Thanks to DawnRae & Bonefish and Chillix for being the first Banner-Bearers ((Love you guys))

Thanks to Anna Marie for making the banner! It must have taken you forever. It's a great for members of the Avett nation to connect and I felt lucky to sign it. It's not every day you get to meet people who are awesome and have a great taste in music too.

it's about TIME the banner got its own thread. now, its own facebook page, right AM?

you know, it's so funny that we didn't think of asking the boys ourselves to sign it, isn't it? with all our posters and t-shirts etc etc etc that we ask them to sign, it just never even occurred! it was pete's genius, and thank goodness for it. i totally agree that my eyes started a-watering when i read their messages that night.

You beat me to the punch Catfisher!! My sentiments exactly...

agreed

me freaking three

Total Kudos to AM.

And I second the Face Book page idea

That banner will be on permanent display in the Avettopia concert hall eventually!

Andre,

You could overnight the banner to me. The boys have a day off between Rochester and Pittsburgh. email me if that is something you would like to do.

I just wanted to chime in and give tinkerlion huge props for the banner. the concept, the final product and the path it's now on are all really amazing! thanks, AM.

I wonder where Marissa is.... It may still be with her, touring the nation.

Yankee--ANYone can sign it at the shows--we are not leaving out non-TA shirt-wearers.
just find me in NYC!
Actually, don't find me if you are wearing a Yankees jersey b/c maybe then you would be denied.

and yes, Marissa has the yellow banner, Jerry.

oh, and lock it up!!

You didn't need to chili, I took care of that a while ago. In fact, for the future, I wouldn't touch those if I were you.

jerrrrry...i still have your big yellow banner, tucked away safely in my car with a whole crapload of other things. i'd like to say i haven't sent it back yet because i want to keep a piece of you with me... but it's just that i haven't had the chance yet. soon, so very soon, i promise! do you need/want it for pitt? when is that show?

@Marissa--I am not at all worried about the big yellow banner. It is in good hands. Get it to me when you can....its all good.

Hey Back From Space, I hate your face...

Any chance it'll be surfacing at the Chicago show? I'd love to see it in person and sign it!

We will be at the Ohio, KY and St Louis show's...Just in case the banner needs a ride.

Wait a minute .... how much cash are we talking about?????

"sundayrehab...YOU do the math!!"

Ha! Nice one, Marissa!

We got lots of new signatures, and while we didn't hang it up, we laid it on the stage in front of the guys (there was a big area in front of their setup--odd), they def. saw it b/c we talked to them about it after the show. They like that it's following the tour. V. cool.

--
And your loveliness, no, it doesn't help
No, your beautiful smile don't help

I'm kicking myself for not being more social and introducing myself and signing the banner. Oh well, maybe in Virginia?