For a hard-core Dave Matthews Band fan, what's better than getting a tattoo of the DMB fire-dancer logo on your leg? Having Dave Matthews sign your tattooed leg himself.
That's what happened this week to Derrick Pearson, 23, of Bluffdale, a self-described DMB fanatic who traveled to 16 of the band's concerts last year alone. When Pearson learned that the rock star would be dropping by Sundance's Queer Lounge Sunday night, he drove to Park City, wrangled his way in and immediately spotted his idol.
"I was really nervous," Pearson said. "I just stood there for about 5 minutes, trying to get up the guts to talk to him."
When Matthews put on his coat to leave, Pearson made his move. He introduced himself, coaxed Matthews into posing for a snapshot, produced a Sharpie and asked him to sign his leg. Matthews good-naturedly squatted and autographed Pearson's right calf, just above the tattoo.
"I had a hard time sleeping that night," said Pearson about his freshly inked skin. Needless to say, he didn't shower, either. "I was worried that it was going to rub off."
The next day Pearson went to a Bountiful tattoo parlor and had an artist trace over Matthew's signature to make it permanent.
"I'm still on Cloud Nine," he said Thursday. "It's surreal. I have the picture and the tattoo to remind me, but it's still like a dream."
-- Brandon Griggs