Exploring the country from the wheels of a tour bus can be an eye-opening experience - especially when your life dream is just beginning to unfold.

Pulling into rainy Peoria, Ill., on Wednesday, Marc Roberge noticed something strange and also familiar sitting in the pouring rain in front of the Madison Theater - two fans who have been in the front row of almost every O.A.R. (Of A Revolution) show on its 2003 North American Tour.

"I was walking into the theater for lunch and I looked over and saw these two kids just sitting in the rain playing cards," he said. "It was crazy to me that they have been that devoted to the band and they're just sitting out in the rain waiting for the show.

"I looked over at them and I said, 'Why don't you guys come in and have some lunch and hang out for our soundcheck. It's too cold and rainy to be waiting outside.'"

Stopping in Kalamazoo tonight and at Detroit's State Theater on Saturday, Roberge, lead singer and rhythm guitarist of O.A.R., has been coming to terms with the explosion of his "pipe dream" at age 24.

Making the jump from rocking out fraternity parties on The Ohio State University campus to playing sold-out theaters around the nation has been a bit of a challenge for the five-piece rock group. Although the band had experience playing The Newport Music Hall in Columbus, Ohio, after renting the venue during the band's college years, Roberge said there was definitely nothing there to completely prepare them for the experience.

"It's a great feeling, but it's been a long trip to get here," he said. "Every bit of it has been worth it. Every day we get out of the bus and into a venue and it feels just like every day is your birthday."

The band also has adjusted on the road with the help of a bit of pure visual stimulation to keeps their minds occupied - the overworked Microsoft Xbox.

"That thing has me and everyone else on the bus completely addicted," he said laughing. "It's really ruined my life. We're all a bunch of losers in front of our TV."

Even though he knows he's got it good out on the road, Roberge said he constantly reminds himself the success of his band could easily be gone tomorrow.

"There are times where I've caught myself complaining about things I shouldn't be complaining about," he said. "I'm lucky to have my girlfriend who reminds me, 'Well, I don't have a thousand fans cheering as I'm leaving work.'

"This could all disappear tomorrow, everything could go away. It's a good reminder to myself to keep me from acting like a rock star."