Jane Murphy, 21 augustus 2024

I watched and listened to the posts and filled my days watching all his videos and performances and watched the other TV shows that Bouke had performed on. I got totally hooked on the voice, the songs and the man. Although Bouke sings Elvis songs (amongst his own and others) his tone is deeper but just as enjoyable. I also listened to his own songs too and although didn't understand what he was singing, the music, the beat and Bouke made them enjoyable. I was hooked watching and listening to him all day and night. I didn't want to find a new job as it would mean less Bouke  time during the day!!   

As time passed, I looked into going to see Bouke perform as it's only an hours flight from England. 

In April I planned a trip for later in the year. I managed to get tickets for 2 shows in the same week in November, so planned my first trip.Tickets booked, Hotels, Flights. Everything booked and now just had to wait a long 7 months to travel and see Bouke perform. 

I never stopped talking about Bouke to my friends and showing them his videos. (some were interested and some not so much). 

I got 2 t-shirts printed with Bouke's picture on them (1 yellow and 1 white) and planned to wear them at the shows. (This was before his own merchandise was available). 

Time passed slowly and I continued to watch Bouke whenever I could. I made many new friends online through their posts and chatting on messenger. It was really nice getting to know people who all had a common interest and feeling like you'd known them for a long time. Whilst chatting, it turned out lots of ladies were going to the same show so I arranged to meet with them before. 

We were lucky to be able to watch Bouke's shows online through his Dad Jochem livestreaming. It felt like being in the audience and the excitement grew for my trip in November. 

Finally the time arrived to travel to The Netherlands to see what was now the biggest thing in my life, Bouke. I was very excited as had been looking forward to the trip for months. 

I flew on the Monday and went to Breda where the first show was. I went for a walk around the town and found the theatre where the show was the next day. I even went into the theatre and was shown around the auditorium by one of the ushers. 

Then came show day. I held my excitement during the day and did some tourist things and returned to the hotel to get ready, choosing to wear the yellow t-shirt as it would be more noticeable to others in the theatre. I posted a picture of me wearing it on facebook. 

I met for drinks with a few ladies then we headed to the theatre. 

Arriving at the theatre, it was crowded. My heart was racing. To think I was now only minutes away from seeing Bouke live and in person. 

Whilst waiting in the foyer a number of ladies approached me as they recognised me and the t-shirt. It was like meeting up with friends again. It was so surreal. I was in a place where I had never been before but knew so many people. I will never forget that feeling. 

Inside the auditorium I said hello to a few more ladies and we settled into our seats. 

Now in my 3rd row seat, the music starts, the curtains open and the EMB Band and Verve Vocals were on the stage. Then out walks Bouke, smiling and waving to the crowd. After months of watching him on Facebook, he was right there in front of me. I couldn't believe I was in the same room as him. He started singing and song after song was phenominal. 

During the show Bouke came over and stood in front of me. He acknowledged me and said hello, he spoke about me coming from England and gave me his guitar pick. I pointed to my cheek and he beckoned me forward to the stage. We shook hands and he said he liked my t-shirt and I then gave him a kiss on his cheek. I felt ecstatic and couldn't believe how lucky I was. It was wonderful that he took the time out to recognise fans that had travelled from afar to see him. This was an amazing moment and one that I will never forget.

At half time, a message was passed to me that Bouke had invited the "foreigners" back stage after the show to meet him and a few of the band. 

After months of dreaming about meeting Bouke, my dream was coming true. 

I enjoyed every second of the second half of the show and sang and danced along with the music. 

After the show we was met by a man who took us back stage where we waited in a bar area. Leon and The Verve Vocals were there and we chatted and spoke to them. 

Then in walked Bouke, tall and proud, with his dad Jochem by his side. It was a wonderful sight to see. The Facebook phenomenon that I had watched for months was in the room. 

Bouke approached and shook our hands and we introduced ourselves. We chatted about the show and how good it was. Bouke couldn't believe that we had all travelled from around the world to see him. I asked Bouke if he would sign my spare t-shirt which he did. We were stood away from the others and I asked him how he felt when he walks out on stage to see the crowd and he said it was an amazing feeling. He asked if I had enjoyed the show and I said it was wonderful. We spoke about his own songs and I said he should release some of them again as they would sell very well. Bouke said he was unsure where his own music fitted and that Elvis fits him well for now. 

We had photos taken with Bouke, Jochem, Leon and the Verve ladies and then it was time for Bouke to go. Bouke said it was good to meet us, shook hands and gave us a kiss on the cheek and said goodbye and "left the building" 

We were seen out and I went back to my hotel. I couldn't sleep as I was on such a high from meeting Bouke and Leon and I couldn't stop smiling to myself. My heart skipped a beat every time I thought about it. I thought how crazy it was to feel like this. But it felt so good to have met Bouke. 

The next day I packed up and travelled to Emmin. On the train I kept thinking about the night before and had it all been a dream but the photos and videos said it wasn't. 

In Emmen I was a tourist for the day visiting Rensen Park, Wildlands, the Plein, the shops and of course The Brasserie for food and drink. 

In the evening I travelled to Onstwedde for the second show. I said hello to a few ladies that I had seen the night before and took my place at the front by the barrier. The band came on first and Leon and The Verve ladies saw me and smiled. Then Bouke came on the stage. He saw me at the front and nodded and smiled. To be recognised and acknowledged by a famous person on the stage was surreal. 

Bouke performed brilliantly again and kept standing on the speaker in front of me. I managed to get some great close up photos of him. At one point Bouke spoke to me asking if I liked the show and I said it was brilliant. 

The show ended and I went back to my hotel on such a high again. I didn't get any sleep as I was looking at the photos and videos of both shows, still in disbelief of what had happened over the last few days. 

I travelled home the next day, relishing the week, the lovely ladies I had met and of course Bouke's performances. 

After such an amazing week, when I got home I started to plan my next visit. A Christmas show in Emmen. Tickets already in the pocket, hotel booked, flights booked. Now just 6 weeks to wait until I return to the beautiful Netherlands. 

I had lots of messages from the ladies I had met asking how I enjoyed my trip and the shows and from other ladies on Facebook who wanted to hear about the shows and my experiences, It felt so nice that so many people took an interest in this lady from England. 

I continued to watch videos of Bouke's performances on Facebook and still couldn't believe I had been in the same room as him and actually met him. It still felt so surreal. 

The weeks passed and it was time to travel again, back to The Netherlands and Emmen to see Bouke in his Christmas show. This felt extra special as it was Bouke performing in his home town. 

Being back in Emmen felt comfortable and familiar. I walked around town knowing where to go and it was a nice feeling. 

Whilst walking around the shopping mall I bumped into Marcel and Harriet. I'd been chatting to Marcel over the last week or so about my trip and couldn't believe I just bumped into him. We chatted for a while and said we'd see each other at the show later. 

I got ready for the show and met up with some ladies for drinks and dinner. It was so nice seeing them again. We had become friends across the internet and now had become friends for real. 

We headed to the theatre. 

Arriving at the theatre was another great experience, knowing Bouke had performed there so many times in the past and the anticipation of seeing him perform again. 

This time I had a front row seat and waited for the curtain to go up. 

When the band starts playing and Bouke walks on to the stage, you know you are in for another great evening, which it was. It was just as amazing as the first time of seeing him perform. 

During the show Bouke came over and ackowledged me again. He said hello and gave me his pick again. It was amazing that he remembered me as he must see so many people at his shows. 

During the show I was able to give Bouke a Christmas present, it was a baseball cap from Sun Studios, USA. A short while later Jochem came out wearing the baseball cap and he gave me a thumbs up. I gave him a thumbs up back and we laughed. Jochem was videoing me and my friend Petra and there is a lovely screenshot photo of us giving the thumbs up to Jochem and laughing. 

The show was brilliant again, but I didn't expect anything else. At the end of the show I was able to get a photo of Petra and myself with Bouke on stage. It was another great moment to have. 

After the show I met up with Marcel and Harriet in the bar and Marcel kindly gave me a signed copy of Bouke's CD "This is Me". I was so grateful that he would do that for me and it is something I will cherish forever. This was another amazing night, and I couldn't believe how lucky I was. I felt like I had been welcomed into the "Bouke" Facebook and fans family. 

Another trip over and I travelled home on another high. I still couldn't believe that Bouke had recognised me and acknowledged me again and the interaction I had had with him and Jochem. That was the best way to round off 2023. Now I had shows to plan and look forward to in 2024. 

In February I planned the next trip, to Hasselt. I booked my travel and hotel and waited patiently for the day to arrive. But just a few days before travelling it was announced that Bouke had a hip injury and had to cancel this show and a number of other shows. It was sad to hear and a lot of people were upset by this, but we wished Bouke a speedy recover and to take the time he needed to recover. 

So for now I made do with watching videos on Facebook and enjoying seeing Bouke's performances there instead.

After a while, Bouke announced that he would be ready to do his performances in April at The Ziggo Dome. What great news. I was so pleased he was getting better and could perform again. I put plans into action to arrange my travel to attend. 

I travelled to The Netherlands again. It was excited to be one of 17,000 people to see Bouke perform for the first time in two months. The anticipation was unbelievable. It was like seeing him perform for the first time again. 

I met up with some others before the show for drinks, This seems to be a bit of a tradition now. 

We went into The Ziggo Dome. The atmosphere was phenominal. I bumped into a lot of people who I knew only on Facebook and it was great to meet them in person. 

Then the countdown on the large screens started. Everyone started counting down with it. The band came on stage and the music started. The audience went wild as Bouke walked onto the stage. We welcomed him back after his two months off. He started singing and it was as if he hadn't been away. 

Bouke sang the familair songs we all love to hear and a few different ones. Then Bouke performed Wooden Heart with his dad Jochem playing the accordian. This was such a special moment to watch and you could see the pride in both their faces. To be there and see them perform together was wonderful and amazing. It was history being created, The whole show was brilliant. 

I was fortunate enough to see Bouke at breakfast the next day and had a chat with him about the show and how great it was, and I got a lovely photo of us together. 

The second night at The Ziggo Dome was just as wonderful as the first night. It was the same show, the same music but was so different as well. It was another great show. 

To see Bouke in a big auditorium performing to thousands was phenominal. He held the audience from the moment he walked on the stage and he deserved to be there. 

After the shows I spent a few days in Amsterdam Central doing the tourist things, before travelling home again. 

I have been fortunate to travel to The Netherland to see Bouke perform a few more times in May and June including The Toppers show at The Johan Cruyff Arena. What a performance that was. Each show has been better than the last. A couple of times I have been fortunate to have my photo taken with Bouke and had the opportunity to have a chat with him. He never ceases to amaze me with his kindness, how humble he is and how he remembers and acknowledges me. 

It is a shame that some people begrudge others having a photo opportunity with Bouke. I have received some negativity which is upsetting but it won't stop me coming to The Netherlands and going to Bouke's shows. I have made a lot of friends along the way and it is always great to meet up with them.

Seeing Bouke perform is as exciting now as it was the first time. His performances are wonderful and he puts everything into his shows. 

This weekend I am travelling back to The Netherlands for a festival to see Bouke perform for the first time in 10 weeks. I am looking forward to watching him and the EMB perform again and hearing some great music. 

Now it is time to look forward to the new theatre season starting in September. I am excited to be travelling to The Netherlands a number of times over the next few months and next year too, with thanks to Monique helping get me tickets. I'm sure each show will be as great as ever and maybe there will be a few new songs to enjoy.

Bouke and The Elvis Matters Bands are the best performers and I feel privileged to see them and get to know them through our love of Elvis' music.