Last weekend, October 17, 2009, iTem84 played their final show.  Micah, Reyn and Jeremy worked very hard the last few years in making iTem84 a success.  They created an entire new album called Get Unique in 2009, played shows in Austin, Houston, Round Rock, Cedar Park and Hutto, were on TV twice, put on large concerts in Hutto, and much, much more.

Sadly, now, they have decided to end  iTem84, and focus on college and pursue other interests.  There are many reasons for their decision and I think they thought them out well and will all be better for the decision but it was sad watching them sign CD covers for fans after finishing their last ever set at Hutto Olde Tyme Days Saturday.  It is hard to express the emotion I felt watching their friend and frequent roadie/groupie, Amber, tearing down Reyn’s drums for the last time for an iTem84 gig.

I really love these guys – they are amazing.  They had more going in their music, stage presence, showmanship, heart, drive and diligence then most adults.  That’s not to say they didn’t have issues because they did and, ultimately, they decided some of those could not likely be resolved – but, man, they were so close – it is hard to see them  come to this fork in the road.  Even after this show, adults who had never heard them before were telling me how impressed they were.  One woman who was there running a booth for a local clinic came over after the show, got a CD and asked them to sign it because she wanted to be able to have that when they became big.  Ed Broussard, Hutto’s City Manager tweeted about their performance. This type of response was not the exception when iTem84 performed but the norm.  Adults as well as young people loved them. 

I have been honored to know these guys and support them with photography, computer support, and occasional business/marketing coaching but this was all their drive and energy and talent and I will miss them terribly even though I, of course, still get to hang out with them some. 

In my life, I have been blessed to find myself in the middle of very magic moments in the critical incubation and evolution of many organizations and movements.  These last two years for iTem84 was a magic time and, if I’m honest, I must admit that my voluntary positioning of myself near the window of their efforts was more because I was hoping some of the overspray of that magic dust would land on me than for any other reason.

I will miss attending their concerts, previewing new websites and graphics, being blown away by their crazy sponsorship collection efforts and Herculean attempts at birthing near-professional grade concerts out of thin air. 

Guys, I am so impressed with you all and I’m sure you have even more spectacular adventures brewing – but I’ve loved iTem84.  Thanks for the memories and the music.