We will probably never get the chance to see The Bates Band play live in front of a sellout crowd. They fizzled out after a talent show appearance, and front man, Will Bates, traded in his guitar for what he must have thought were more practical utensils.

On the south side of Lakeshore, west of I-65, sits Bates Orthodontics, and what greets the eyes upon entering through the front doors are smiles, professionalism, and… Dave Matthews?

Oh, yes. Posters. A lot of them. Not all are of DMB. There are some other headliners and openers mixed in, but lots of Dave, and each one a reminder of the experience that took place on that particular night.

Overkill? Maybe to some, but Will and Kathryn Bates have attended a combined 128 Dave Matthews concerts. How could each individual experience be remembered without a postcard? And what better way for their patients to put a real life connection with their orthodontists than to share their musical journey, plastered across the wall?

And what a musical journey it has been!

Will and Kathyrn each experienced DMB for the first time at venues that no longer exist, Will at Starwood Amphitheatre in 2006, and Kathryn at Oak Mountain Amphitheater in 2014. Beyond listening to Dave Matthews through the 90’s on the FM radio or covering his hits in The Bates Band or having his underrated, romantic hit, Snow Outside, play during Will and Kathryn’s first dance as a married couple, what set these two young doves down the rabbit hole that is the Dave Matthews Band Experience?

According to Kathryn, it’s simple. “Why not?” Their energy is unmatched, and they have an incredibly talented and diverse musical style. But arguably the most unique aspect to DMB is their renowned community. The Bateses’ commitment is noteworthy, but there are Dave radicals who make these 120+ sightings of the jam giants seem like a cute attempt at true fandom. Legend has it that one fella has been to over 500 concerts!

But why? What’s the big deal? It’s just a band, right?

For those who choose to die on that hill, Will and Kathryn may need to field all the questions, but there’s a thrill that comes from chasing setlists. Ole Davey likes to be different, and he won’t play the same song on different nights at the same venue, so people will spend the anxious moments before the band comes out, anticipating and gambling on what song will open up the show, and afterwards on which one will bring the house down with an encore. It’s possible to attend a 3-night run at the same spot and hear sixty different songs! There’s even a website devoted to tracking each and every song of every setlist ever played by DMB on stage.

If that’s not enough, the law of averages dictates that so many visits to see Dave are sure to award one’s patience. The Bateses have proven it, collecting a solid assortment of guitar picks and setlists, including the one from the inaugural show at Birmingham’s new Coca-Cola Amphitheatre. But Will’s most prized possession is one of Carter Beauford’s drumsticks with his teeth marks in it from where he held it in his mouth during the show. That’s one for the Orthodontist’s wall.

Will and Kathryn have traveled all over North America, once flying from Mexico to Canada, to see their favorite people, which include more than just the band. They share a friendship with other Dave fans, all of them members of the “Warehouse.” It’s the place to go to be eligible for early ticket sales and learn other fan club details. All the cool people are doing it, and those bonds are what keep Will and Kathryn going back to Heaven’s Amphitheatre in Washington state every Labor DAVE Weekend.

Yeah, Will and Kathryn Bates are more than jaw line and overbite fixers. So while The Bates Band may never have rocked an arena, Will and Kathryn have found their stage. Their journey with Dave Matthews Band is not just about music. It’s about connection. Between each other, their patients, and a community that spans countries and decades.

Whether it’s a tooth-printed drumstick on display or a loud, abstract poster piece hanging on the wall, each artifact represents a story, and in the end, it’s more than the songs. It’s the life they’re living, one unforgettable show at a time.