The Hosts

Mark S

Mark Simpson (The Reason)

Charlotte, NC

Mark is the reason for many things. He’s the reason we all drink firefly vodka. He's the reason our heads hurt and feet stink on Saturday and Sunday mornings. He's the reason we sometimes slip and say "y’all". But, most importantly, he's the reason we love the Avett Brothers. Mark is originally from the suburbs of Charlotte (as are the brothers) and has been following the band for years. He first introduced Jonathan and Kevin to the Avett Brothers in May of 2008.

Three interests of Mark:

  1. Music. Mark will travel long distances (as will be shown by his trip to Chicago) to hear good music.
  2. Tequila. Mark will swear to the "sweet heavens" that he doesn’t like the gold Mexican awfulness. But, he loves it. He loves what it does to him. He loves how it makes him dance. He loves how he feels the morning after. He loves how it always leads to a late night burrito.
  3. Massages. But only those of a certain variety. To get further details… you’ll have to attend the party and ask Mark yourself.

Mark's favorite Avett song: A Gift for Melody Lane

Mel W

Mel Wood (The Transplant)

Charlotte, NC (now Chicago, IL)

Mel (or just Wood) is going to take Chicago by storm. She just moved to the city from the South this spring when she decided to bring her Southern goodness to our great city. We are stoked she's here. Mark is the reason we know Mel. They have been friends for many many years with the common link always being music. She’s been listening to the Avett Brothers since the band was formed.

Three interests of Mel:

  1. Late nights in Chicago. The first time you meet Mel, you will completely dig her. But, then as the night progresses, you become a bigger and bigger fan. The late nights in Chicago summon her Southern flare and she becomes unstoppable. She has been known to dance a mean jig at Carols.
  2. Music. Mel has a hard time saying NO to music. Now that she's in the city and there are constantly decent bands passing through the city, I’m sure she’ll be quite happy.
  3. Was that Wood? Occasionally Mel has strange personal experiences. Often times they result in her with some dramatic but non-serious injury. In one instance we heard a large thud… Yes, it was Wood. The details of the story will be filled in over sweet tea and BBQ on June 28th.

Mel's favorite Avett song: Weight of Lies

Jonathan I

Jonathan Ireland (The Pusher)

Chicago, IL

Otherwise known as Johnny Irish, he's the thread that connects the 4 hosts and never lets us doubt that we need that next drink. The Chicago show will mark Jonathan's 10th Avett show and will come as an early birthday gift.

Three interests of Jonathan:

  1. Shots. Jonathan loves it when people get him shots, whether it's bombs, tequila or straight whisky, he likes them so much, he often tries to give them to other people. Yum.
  2. Nelly. Nelly is Jonathan's mexican daughter whom he saved from the streets of Guadalajara. She is cute and licks a lot...and has a wagging tail.
  3. Cheesesteaks at Yankee stadium. It's not so much the cheesesteaks as much as the people that serve them. It was potentially one of the most frustrating experiences of his life. For details of the story, come by the party and ask him all about it.

Jonathan's favorite Avett song: November Blue

Kevin D

Kevin Dudey (Our Joe Kwon)

Chicago, IL

Kevin was introduced to the Avett Brothers by Mark Simpson. Since then he has traveled to 5 states to see the brothers play. He’s also the most musically accomplished of the 4 hosts. All party goers will hear Kevin cover a few Avett songs at the pre-show party. He is accepting requests. In real life, Kevin is a graphic designer in the Loop

Three interests of Kevin:

  1. Artistic Talent. The talents can spread from music to interpretive swimming.
  2. Tony. Tony is the manager of our favorite burrito joint in Chicago. Kevin has been enjoying Tony’s burritos (twss) ever since he moved to Chicago in 2002. Tony now has an extended following due to Kevin’s friends who have now become Tony followers.
  3. Sleep. The problem is he never gets to sleep. Kevin runs a full schedule that include an extended range of activities that limit his sleepy time. Of note what Kevin and Jonathan’s trip to San Francisco to see Avett play at the Fillmore. The trip was fantastic but allowed very limited moments for rest. For further details and an interpretive explanation...just ask Kevin on Sunday afternoon.

Kevin's favorite Avett song: PG from the Airport