You've been a fan for thirteen, fourteen, even fifteen years. Ace of Base's songs are a marker of memories and time. You know enough about the band to discuss specific topics endlessly. You've known several other Acers for a decade or more. Many of them are well-known and loyal friends to you, sharing in some of your biggest moments and some of your lowest points. You're a long time, devoted fan in a tight-knit community. And you like it that way.

And now, these new people want to show up and spoil the party. You read some user comments on the band's MySpace page. One guy claims he's been an Acer ever since "All That She Wants" came out. But you've never met him online, never seen him post one single message. You've never heard about him from others in the community. Now he wants to take up prime real estate in the Acer housing market. "What's up with that guy? Where has he been all this time?," you think to yourself. Next, you read some comments on YouTube from a 14-year-old girl who says she heard "The Sign" yesterday and is now their biggest fan EVER! "Whatever," you mutter under your breath. Then, the worst part. You're watching video footage of a meet-and-greet. And there he is. Some guy. He's standing there taking a picture with the band. He turns to his friend afterward and says "I've never heard of them before but I thought I'd stick around to meet them. It was fun!" You're disgusted. You punch the off button and think to yourself. "I've been waiting years for that and he simply waltzes up there and meets them so easily! It's just not fair!"

The first time I browsed through user comments on the band's new MySpace page, I had similar reactions - and mixed feelings. First, I was happy about new fans. Excited that others are recognizing the band's abilities. Joyous that new fans are enjoying the creativity and artistry of the music. But I was also jealous and angry. Jealous because these fans were receiving things it took me years to get. I stayed through the droughts and the monsoons. They didn't. They got a banquet served to them. I had to cultivate and grow my food. Angry because I didn't want the status quo to be broken. I've had fourteen good years in this neighborhood and I am comfortable walking around the online community. I know the people, places and faces I meet. And I didn't want these newbies coming in and destroying the place.

Maybe you have experienced some of the same feelings. You like seeing the same faces everyday. You are comfortable and everything is familiar. So when a new face comes knocking, you don't want to open the door. They don't live here, after all.

Some of us are guilty of not extending a helping hand when it comes to new fans in the community. It's easier to stay within the groups we've made. Easier to stay within the relationships we've developed. Easier to make the new fans work for their rewards.

So, what will we do with this influx of fresh faces in our town? Will we take the easy route and ignore them when they try to move into our neighborhood? Or will we make the effort and welcome them with a burned DVD of the Lovech concert for their new home?

As I thought more about new fans becoming a part of the community, I realized that my feelings of jealousy and anger were unfounded. These fans aren't a danger to the community. They're passionate and hungry for more. They will change the face of the community for the better. Many of us have spent years lamenting over the lack of positive recognition the band receives. Thanks to the new concerts, we are seeing more people doing just that. They're looking for a place to call home and it's leading them to our doorsteps. It's just what we've always wanted. So let's embrace their passion and hunger.

We can start by helping new fans become comfortable in their new home from the moment they arrive. Let's meet them, and their needs, when the moving van pulls up. Grab a box and start helping them move in to their new digs. Invite them over for dinner. Find out who they are and what they like. Introduce them to others in the community. See if you have common interests and introduce them to others who hold similar interests. It's a series of small moments but when they add up, new Acers will feel good about their recent purchase and will know they belong. The community will grow stronger. The cookouts will be bigger; the parties better. And the music? Even louder!

/ Sara


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