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ave Matthews is more American than he is South African these days,
but if there's one trait of his countrymen that he has held fast to, it's
the ability to laugh at himself. Nobody takes the self-effacing singer-
songwriter, guitarist and actor less seriously than he does.
That's not to say that Matthews doesn't have a serious side. It's
clear there are things he takes with more than his customary pinch
of salt. He is an advocate for the environment and for family farmers,
a philanthropist and a supporter of gay rights and human rights in
general. In his own words, in his August 2012 interview with pop critic Gene Stout: "There's
no way that I can figure out that somehow my morality trumps someone else's morality."
Then there's the matter of the enduring success of his eponymous band. In the decade
from 2000 to 2010, the band sold more concert tickets and earned more money than any
other live act in all of North America.
The Los Angeles Times once described Matthews as "rock's least likely stadium act,"
yet the 22-year-old Dave Matthews Band (DMB) continues to prove its ability to sell out a
stadium. In all probability DMB's `unlikeliness' is the very reason for this success.
Grand staging and superb lighting effects are the hallmarks of DMB concerts. Costumes,
props and puffery are not. Band members will amble onto stage and casually set up as the
crowd works itself into a frenzy of anticipation, sometimes egged on by Matthews making his
trademark funny faces or otherwise inciting the crowd.
You see, Dave Matthews is a one-off original. He's sharp witted, with a wry sense of
humour, admits to talking too much and despite being a mega star has the kind of humility
that allows him to blend into a crowd if he so chooses.