Anberlin pulled out the acoustic guitars during their final show at House of Blues Orlando, and while they were tuning them, Stephen Christian gave this speech. Thank you, Anberlin, for 12 years, 7 records, and the lives of my friends.
Anberlin - The Final Tour @ House of Blues Orlando, 2014/11/26
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A few years before Anberlin even started, the fact of the matter is that me, Joey, and Deon stood on this stage in a little small- very small little band and we were actually at a talent show right here at House of Blues Orlando, and uh... We lost the competition, you know... no no no no... because I think the fact of the matter is, you know, there uh... a few guys from a very small town, very close to here.... can make it on this stage, and you actually care about us, that's uh... I think, if we can make it you can make it. I'm just saying. You know, at the end of the day, we're nothing, you know, in 50 years and 100 years, our name will be forgotten, but the fact... but I hope at the end of the day, we live in your hearts, we live in your minds.... and if we can just imploit* you to follow your dreams and passions in life, then we've absolutely succeeded. I don't care where you're from, I don't care if you're from Ocala or Odessa, or Winter Haven... I don't care. You can make a difference in everyone's life. You can make a difference in the people around you, tonight, tomorrow, in your children's life, in your grandchildren's life, you can make a difference. And if we as Anberlin could just set any type of inspiration in your life, then we- all of this is worth it. So I don't care if you wanna be a doctor or a lawyer or a teacher or painter, I don't care if there's musicians in the crowd or missionaries or pastors, whatever it is that you have set out to be, I know, I *know*, I *know* you can make it. And I'm saying that on behalf of five men that don't deserve any of this. We don't deserve you, we don't deserve each other, we don't deserve all of this... but the fact of the matter is, five guys from a small town followed their dreams and passions in life, and had the opportunity to be here tonight in front of you... thank you very much. Never despise the day of small beginnings.
[*not a real word, but the meaning is still clear.]
9 years ago