Home » Arts & Entertainment » Celebrities & Entertainment News » Did Dave Matthews Really Hitch a Ride With a Fan?

Did Dave Matthews Really Hitch a Ride With a Fan?

If you grew up in the 90s, you definitely heard of the Dave Matthews Band. Songs like Crash Into Me, Crush, and Grey Street. Were quite popular from the band’s inception in 1994 up until the early 2000s. Now, did you ever hear the story of when the frontman, Dave Matthews himself, hitched a ride with a fan on the way to his concert?

A fan and her boyfriend were on their way to the Dave Matthews Band’s Concert when they saw a stranded cyclist by the road. The couple picked him up since they were going to the same place. The cyclist was Dave Matthews himself!

Who is Dave Matthews?

David John Matthews was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, on January 9, 1967. By the age of 2, Matthews and his family moved to Yorktown Heights, New York, when his father, a physicist, was hired by IBM. In 1974, they briefly stayed in Cambridge, England, then returned to New York when his father passed due to lung cancer. By 1977, the family went back to Johannesburg.

Matthews graduated from Damelin College and was faced with the choice of serving with the South African military. To avoid service, being that he was a pacifist, he left South Africa.

By 1986 Matthews went to New York and worked for IBM for a short time. He then moved to Virginia with his mother and joined the music community. He was very interested in music even at a young age. Matthews started playing the guitar at the age of 9 but only performed publicly when they moved to Virginia.

Matthews got in contact with Tim Reynolds through a common friend, and they collaborated on some songs. This eventually led to his first gig with the Miki Liszt Dance Company.

How Did Matthews Start His Own Band?

By 1991, Matthews had an idea to start his own band. While he was busy on the conceptualization, he was also bartending at Miller’s Charlottesville.

The band started with LeRoi, Moore, Carter Beauford, Stefan Lessard, Peter Grieser, and Boyd Tinsley. They had their first show at the Trax Nightclub on March 14, 1991. The show was a benefit for the Middle East Children’s Alliance.

What Happened Before the Concert?

Emily Kraus and her boyfriend Joe were on their way to a concert. The Dave Matthews Band had a performance in Hershey, Pennsylvania. They were already running late but noticed a man by the side of the road. When they pulled up next to him, they were shocked – it was Dave Matthews himself!

Matthews was out for a quick pre-concert ride when one of his tires gave out. Unfortunately, he did not bring a phone and was not able to call for help. Luckily, Kraus had a bike rack on her car. Joe helped load the bike and rode with the couple to his very own concert.

They spent the ride talking about his tour. Matthews thanked the couple by giving them backstage passes and a front-row seat to the concert. He also invited them out for dinner. Kraus told CBS 21 in an interview that Matthews was incredibly humble for a rockstar of his caliber.

What Does Dave Matthews Do Today?

The Dave Matthews band may have lost a couple of members over the years, but they still play and tour. Matthews also had a hand at acting; he appeared in movies like Where the Red Fern Grows, Because of Winn-Dixie, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, You Don’t Mess With the Zohan, and Just Go With It.

He is also quite passionate about philanthropy that he consistently donates to different charities. The band donated about $5 Million to Charlotteville, Virginia, to promote better housing opportunities for its residents.

Leave a Comment