I was introduced to the Avett brothers by one of my best friends. I went and saw them for the first time at Big Spring Jam '07 in Huntsville, Alabama in a crowd of maybe less than 50. Ever since then, so many of my fondest memories are to the songs by the Avett Brothers. whether it's good times by a campfire, singing with your friends, going on a road trip to that show (it's not that far away), to the first time a friend says "I listened to that CD over and over again!" they are an unforgettable band.
I've seen them a total of 5 times so far (2 more shows coming up in the next 2 weeks) and the trips/tickets, no matter how much they cost, are always worth it. I remember Bonaroo '08 when they took the stage, thousands of us were singing the chorus of their opening favorite, "Shame". The feeling of being in that crowd at that moment was indescribable, but the Avetts managed to top that with every song after that. That's unbelievable. I saw them once in a bar venue (Crossroads, Huntsville) that was packed, but I was right in front of the stage with my best friends I've ever had, and we were literally face to face with the Brothers, what an excellent night (and one heck of a first date with my girlfriend of one day at the time).
It's simply hard to imagine any other band accomplishing what they have done, and they're not the first, and they won't be the last, but I am so excited for their future and I'm going to stick with them for as long as I can!