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dave tirio

If you're a diehard Chicago Cubs fan -- like Plain White T's guitarist Dave Tirio -- then you know a thing or two about perseverance. Cubs fans have been waiting for a championship since 1908. That's dedication. And that kind of resolve comes in handy when you're trying to make it in the music business -- like when you drop out of school over your parents' objections, and spend six, seven, or eight years waiting for your big break. "This overnight-success stuff that people talk about is usually years in the making," says Dave.

Dave's definitely been with the band for the long haul. He's a founding member, a guy who was dreaming of stardom back in high school with his good friend Tom Higgenson. While pushing toward that goal, he built up a detailed resume of odd jobs, working as a bank teller, as a restaurant host, at a record store, in a warehouse, at a gas station ... you name it, Dave's probably done it for at least a day or two. Now he can even add "actor" to that list: The writers gave him a line in "Greek," although the idea made him nervous. "I tried to give my line away," he says. "Tom's the actor; he's the one who did that stuff in high school." No such luck, so Dave delivered his line, and now you can find Dave Tirio on imdb.com, just like any working actor.

But the record-breaking resume doesn't end there: Dave even briefly pulled duty selling Plain White T's merchandise. Why would the band's own guitarist sell T-shirts instead of, you know, playing guitar? Simple: Dave lost a quick fight with a wall -- he broke his hand punching it. He laughs about it now: not his finest hour, he admits, although he learned at least one thing. "I have tremendous respect for the people who sell merch now. That's a tough job." Clearly, Dave can play many roles -- but there's one he feels cut out for and lucky to have: guitar, Plain White T's. For the next few years, at least, he'd be happy to let the resume end right there. If you're a diehard Chicago Cubs fan -- like Plain White T's guitarist Dave Tirio -- then you know a thing or two about perseverance. Cubs fans have been waiting for a championship since 1908. That's dedication. And that kind of resolve comes in handy when you're trying to make it in the music business -- like when you drop out of school over your parents' objections, and spend six, seven, or eight years waiting for your big break. "This overnight-success stuff that people talk about is usually years in the making," says Dave.

Dave's definitely been with the band for the long haul. He's a founding member, a guy who was dreaming of stardom back in high school with his good friend Tom Higgenson. While pushing toward that goal, he built up a detailed resume of odd jobs, working as a bank teller, as a restaurant host, at a record store, in a warehouse, at a gas station ... you name it, Dave's probably done it for at least a day or two. Now he can even add "actor" to that list: The writers gave him a line in "Greek," although the idea made him nervous. "I tried to give my line away," he says. "Tom's the actor; he's the one who did that stuff in high school." No such luck, so Dave delivered his line, and now you can find Dave Tirio on imdb.com, just like any working actor.

But the record-breaking resume doesn't end there: Dave even briefly pulled duty selling Plain White T's merchandise. Why would the band's own guitarist sell T-shirts instead of, you know, playing guitar? Simple: Dave lost a quick fight with a wall -- he broke his hand punching it. He laughs about it now: not his finest hour, he admits, although he learned at least one thing. "I have tremendous respect for the people who sell merch now. That's a tough job." Clearly, Dave can play many roles -- but there's one he feels cut out for and lucky to have: guitar, Plain White T's. For the next few years, at least, he'd be happy to let the resume end right there.

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