I don't want people at my shows to come out and say, 'I just saw a cool show.' I want them to say, 'I had fun at the show.' I want it to be a collaborative thing and be part of the audience and have them be part of me. I try to interact with everyone there and have them be equal to me because they are.
When I was a kid, I'd read about celebrities who didn't want to talk to their fans after a show. I told myself, 'That's terrible, and I would never do that.'
When I do stand-up shows at colleges, girls will talk to me after the show, and that always feels good. I like talking to them.
It's rare that I turn down a photo or autograph, because these are the people that support me, so why not support them. I love it and I invite it. I love what I do and the whole 'celebrity' life and all that.
People think it's not necessary to talk to another human being, and that's the part of it that I don't like. Some people will go up and want to talk to you about the music, which is cool; they're enthusiastic about the songs and know stuff about it, or, 'I really like your music. Nice to meet you.'
My biggest kick comes from the individual fans I run into. Middle-aged men ask me when we're going to do more Johnny Quest cartoons.
I'm always proud to be popular with the fans. I try to smile and do my best. If they like it, it's even better.
If it's sports and women's golf, men's golf, and it's on TV, I'm watching it. I watched those ladies do what they do at such a high level, and she's obviously a big basketball fan and a fan of ours, too. So it was cool to have that interaction.
If fans come up to me, I talk to them.
If there are people out by the bus, I'll come off the bus and sign autographs, too. I always want to be accessible. I always tell my fans, 'If I ever get on the bus and don't come off, it's because I'm under the weather or I'm really tired.'
I love when fans recognize me. Most of the time they don't have the guts to come up, so I'm like, 'Come here, say hi! I don't bite!'
I've had a few encounters: At a restaurant, this woman that was like, 'Oh my God, oh my God, can we take a picture with you? My son said not to, but I just had to. You my favorite 'Devils Girl!'
I take time with each person and try to remember them, especially if they're a repeater from another event. I know a lot of authors just sign a book and keep their heads down, but I'm not like that.
Meeting fans and taking pictures is an extra I would like to offer when time and energy allow it. It's not something a fan can presume to have.
I try to do a lot of direct contact with the audience, because the audience is part of the concert, too, as much as anyone on stage, and it's a shame not to get to meet them if you get the chance.
Personally, I don't go and seek contact with fans, but if they happen to find me somewhere I'll say hello and speak to them for a while.
It's all very well making records, but the joy of performing is that you get to meet people who give you instant feedback.
We live in a bubble sometimes, and you can get out of touch with your fans. You go to the studio, you come home. But coming to Comic-Con is a real opportunity to connect with the people that made your show happen and are responsible for its continued success. It's really humbling.
