An American Odyssey

Touring the country with his band American Aquarium, Wolfpack fan BJ Barham has played in Washington, D.C., too many times to count. But Saturday’s trip to the District will stand out above any gig he ever played there.

“I’ve gotten to play some really beautiful rooms over the years,” says Barham, “but this is easily the best trip to the nation’s capital I’ve ever had.”

That’s mostly because of who accompanied him on the drive up from North Carolina to witness NC State beat the UNC Tar Heels, 84–76, for the ACC Tournament crown — the other NC State superfan in the Barham household, his 5-year-old daughter, Pearl.

Barham, 39, says the sojourn was his way of making good on a promise he made to Pearl early last week. On Tuesday, admittedly with no expectations, he told her that if the Wolfpack made it to the title game, they were going. So on Friday night, when Michael O’Connell’s 3-pointer went through the basket to force overtime against Virginia, Barham was on StubHub finding tickets. Once it was clear NC State was safely on their way to the 73-65 win over the Cavaliers, he made good on his promise.

There was just one rule Barham gave Pearl for the trip —anything you ask for, it’s a “yes.” Ice cream for lunch after visiting the National Mall before the game? Yes. Popcorn and donuts for a late-night snack during halftime of the championship game? Yes. An ACC Tournament basketball? Yes.

It’s what every State parent wants — a kid who wants to watch a game with you.

“I told her there’s not going to be a lot of ‘no’s’ on this trip. ‘Whatever you want to do. I’m just glad we’re here together.’ It was my and Pearl’s first overnight trip together,” Barham says. “It’s what every State parent wants — a kid who wants to watch a game with you.”

And, it turns out, Barham could even say “yes” to things beyond his control — the first Wolfpack ACC Tournament title in 37 years and DJ Burns, Pearl’s favorite player, being named tourney MVP. Barham, who was 2 years old when NC State last won the ACC tourney in 1987, says he told Pearl he didn’t know what to feel since he’d never seen a championship in person or on television. “I told her, ‘You only had to wait five years for this,’” he says. “At the end of the game, I told her, ‘Make sure you take all of this in.’ She’s wearing an NC State jersey, waving goodbye to everyone. I was a proud papa.”

Barham won’t make it to Pittsburgh, Pa., for the Wolfpack’s opening-round matchup with Texas Tech in the NCAA Tournament. He’s taping a PBS special and will be watching from a Nashville, Tenn., hotel room. But after that, his schedule is open, and if NC State makes the Sweet 16, he’ll be there, again with Pearl in tow.

“I ain’t got nothing to do the rest of March,” Barham says, laughing. “My next show is April 12.

“Maybe destiny kept my schedule open.”