Say Love

Does the power of nice exist? Can simply being nice to people make a powerful and positive change in a community? Avett Nation seems to think so. Avett Nation is a Facebook group, which describes itself as a place for discussion and to ask questions, post events, photos, and to hang out with fellow Avett addicted friends.  Oh, and make new friends.

Wait. What’s being Avett addicted even mean? The Avett Brothers (TAB) are a band from Concord, N.C. TAB is fronted by two brothers—Scott Avett and Seth Avett. But, we can’t forget Bob Crawford and Joe Kwon! Oh, and Paul Defiglia, Tania Elizabeth, and Mike Marsh—oh my! The band’s music is described as Americana, but any Avett Nationer will tell you it is much broader than that. In fact, they may tell you it can’t be boxed into one genre. They will definitely tell you how TAB music has affected and changed their lives.

I have written about TAB music in the past. It was my constant companion as I went through chemotherapy. It buzzed through my brain as I dealt with the sudden loss of my friend Lee. It’s not all about sadness either. TAB music is something my 11- year-old nephew and I can bond over and enjoy together. I could go deeper into my own stories about how TAB music has been a positive force in my life, but that just wouldn’t capture the magic it can make happen.

A few months ago, my friend Laurin wanted me to check out the group Avett Nation on Facebook.  Laurin and I share the love of TAB music, so she knew this would be perfect for me. I expected to simply find people who enjoyed the music. I was so wrong. I found the power of nice. In order for you to understand what I mean by the power of nice, I decided to interview some Avett Nationers. After all, they are the ones who have created it.

Anita is a 42-year-old mother of two, who was born and raised in North Carolina. She recently moved to Portland, Oregon, but that has not changed the North Carolina native’s love for TAB. Anita was one of the first people I “met” on Avett Nation. She posted that she was working on Avett mail and wanted to know who would like some. Avett mail is anything and everything that revolves around TAB. It could be paintings, jewelry, other crafts, or even music. Avett Nationers list their names and addresses and receive an Avett mail number.  When someone asks if you would like Avett mail, then you give the person your number. I gave mine to Anita. She sent me a gorgeous art piece with one of my favorite TAB quotes, which is, “Decide what to be and go be it.” Anita had no idea at the time, but I had recently left my former life as a college educator to become a full-time writer. I was going to be starting a new job as a full-time writer with a non-profit. Anita’s art has a special place on my desk, and it reminds me that I, in fact, did decide what to be. And then I went and became it! Ahh, the power of Avett Nation.

 Anita said she was originally drawn to Avett Nation because her family was “over” her TAB obsession.  In fact, she said, “My daughter is a huge fan, but insists I need a 12 step program!” Anita has also met other Avett Nationers at concerts. In May, TAB headlined the First Flush Festival on Wadmalaw Island near Charleston, S.C. She was able to meet a couple from Avett Nation and described it as amazing. She even went on to say that the show was amplified by the fact that she was there with others who she knew shared her love for TAB and Avett Nation.  

Anita isn’t the only person I have “’met” through Avett Nation. Brad is a 33-year-old South Carolina native, who now lives in Louisiana. He’s an avid vinyl collector and has over 2,000 albums in his collection. I was drawn to his posts because he was so damn honest. Brad is Avett Nation’s question of the day poster. He generally throws some sort of fun questions at us each day, and it always involves TAB music.  When Brad posts, other Avett Nationers always respond. There are always kind words, positive words, or even TAB lyrics posted. As Brad said, “The biggest thing that draws me to the group is the positive energy that comes from the group. Each person spreads the word of joy and happiness and that’s something I try to do each and every day.”

So, with all of this happiness abound, what about any negativity? Well, it does crop up once in awhile, but who wants to talk about that? Not me. In fact, most of the time it is shut down or swatted away by this notion of the power of nice. TAB is all about the enjoyment and the experience. I would dare say it’s about Marching Fourth, which is exactly what it has helped me and many others do. Go check out TAB. You won’t be sorry. Say love!