I NEED a pick so badly lol. Very jealous. What was the experience like, Beershack? Did no one wait around near the stage and you just went up to him after and he handed some out? I need some sort of strategy when I see them next lol.
The strategy that worked for me is apparently NOT to have a strategy. Or to not ask for a pick.
The two times I got a pick from Dallas (in 2001 and just last weekend in Raleigh), I wasn't even asking him for it.
In 2001 outside the Wachovia Arena in Philly I saw Dallas came out of the ramp, and I called him over and told him, "I just wanted to see if you can tell the band to have a good show out there tonight". And he said sure, he'll pass that along. He went inside one of the trucks and emerged later, made a beeline towards me and handed me a pick before he got mobbed by other fans asking him for one.
In Jersey, I was hellbent on trying to get a pick because that was gonna be my last GA for this year. I even made a sign that said, "Pick or Stick Pls?" I got a laugh out of Sam, but not even a wink from Dallas. I was standing on Adam's side though, so he probably didn't even see me with the sign.
In Raleigh I was milling around on the ramp with my friend, and Dallas came outside. He spoke to some people, and was about to lead them inside (for a tour maybe? because they looked like they had those day passes) when I called out to him. I asked if he had time to say hi, and he said sure, and walked over. I shook his hand and I told him I still remember his kindness on that day in 2001. He was humbled by that. So my friend and I chatted with him a bit, including him asking us what shows we'd been to, and then telling us, "There's a new song tonight!!". It turned out he was referring to In A Little While.
But after that he thanked
me for calling
him over, and then discreetly said, "By the way, I think you dropped these...", and when I looked down, he put a pick in each our hands...
Personally I never got a nod or wink out of Dallas when he's inside doing soundchecks or even after the show. Inside, he's all business. But the two times I was lucky enough to catch him outside, he made me feel as if he had all the attention and time in the world for me.