Picking up hitchhikers isn’t exactly general practice on the way to a music show, but for one kind-hearted Dave Matthews fan, the act of generosity paid off hugely. On her way to see DMB play a show in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Emily Kraus stopped to help a stranded bicyclist with a flat tire – and it happened to be Dave himself.
The musician had gone out for a pre-show ride on Saturday when the back tire of his bike popped. Kraus and her boyfriend, who were running late for the show, pulled over when they saw the unlucky biker – and immediately recognized the rocker, according to CNN.
“I did not have a cell phone on the bicycle. So I thought, ‘Shit,” he recounted onstage at the show that night. “And then a nice lady named Emily rode up in a red car with a bicycle rack on it and gave me a ride on to the gig.”
Matthews had been stranded without a cellphone, leaving him high and dry without any way to reach assistance. Kraus, sporting a new bike rack on her car, offered him a ride to his own concert.
Along the way, they chatted about how the tour was going and his daughter’s summer camp schedules.
“We didn’t know how to make conversation with him,” Emily laughed while recounting the discussion on the way to the venue.
Grateful for the kindness of strangers, Matthews invited the couple for dinner and offered them upgraded seats to the show – front row seats, to be specific. Then, onstage, the appreciative Matthews referred to Emily by name in thanks.
“My cheeks still hurt from smiling, giggling and laughing all night long … this will always be remembered,” she wrote on CBS News’ Facebook page. “He did sing for me I’m still in awe! All the planets aligned last night – something greater then I’ll ever be able to comprehend. I’ve been listening to him since ’95 – I was only 9 years old the first time I heard Lover Lay Down. First time I’ve ever seen it in concert was last night – wow wow wow!!!”
