CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park

RETIRED US NAVY veteran with a spinal cord injury. Me and my wife had front row seats and was a great show. Justike the one in evansville, lN we had front row as well she really wants to meet you in person we both want to go to one in Vegas at the dobly center a d see you hopefully we get to this December 7th show hope we make it. For a independent singer your o e of the best tyer than them Nashville singers.

The venue was a lot better than I was expecting. I loved that there was a variety of food trucks and vendors surrounding the theater seats. I also loved the stage even though I feel it is a bit small but it was perfect for the show. I even love that there were people with golf carts who were shuttling those from the parking field. JID always puts on a really great performance and I am really one of his biggest fans. I do feel like the crowd didn’t do him much justice, he deserved more energy and more people there who knew all his lyrics (I literally had people turning around telling me I deserved to be at the front since I knew all the words lol I wish would’ve so he could’ve received all the energy I give to his songs, maybe one day though). I can’t wait until he goes on his own headlining tour even if it’s a small one. I can’t wait to see him perform again!

so, technically i wasnt physically there. i was sadly in a hospital the night of the show, but it turned out to get rained out. so i didn't really miss much. we got our refunds and i plan on getting a tour shirt since my family wasnt able to get me one while they were there. it was in no way ghosts fault, and im glad they at least tried to put on a show even with the rain. fun fact: a teacher from my school walked up to me at lunch while i was wearing a papa cash shirt (from the rats tour in 2018), and asked if i went, he said that he was disappointed that it got rained out, so it's nice to have a fellow ghost fan at my school, especially a teacher!

Shinedown/Papa Roach: 9/26/23 “With the Summer outdoor concert season winding down to its conclusion my final show at CCNB’s Heritage Park Amphitheater was sure to end in a blaze! It was my second time seeing the band from Jacksonville Florida in 508 days and my first time seeing Papa Roach LIVE. I bought my ticket the day prior to the show as the band ran a flash $25 all in sale to fill in any unsold gaps in the reserved sections. Guessing on the code I landed 20 rows back from center stage, a seat that would have cost $98 if I had completed my transaction at any other time. About a week prior to the event the venue which has been facing tough criticism lately made an announcement that lawn chairs and blankets would not be allowed. Seeing their prior LIVE performance at the Bilo Center, I suspected that part of the reasoning might have to do with ‘1-2-3 Jump’ —the lead into to ‘Enemies’. Bon Secours had posted a public service announcement on social media immediately prior to the performance for everyone to watch out for one another in the pit, anticipating that things could tend to get a bit animated. Tuesday evening was a different leg of the same ‘Revolutions Live Tour’ I had seen, however it turned out vastly different to my surprise, particularly with the song selections, a half dozen or so titles being swapped in and out. Simpsonville was exactly the halfway point of the band’s Sept/Oct leg, positioned in between their Newark and Atlanta dates, and the band was two days rested. This event was also outdoors verses my prior indoor experience leaving the question, what would become of the flames, explosions, strobes, light bars, video walls, piano riser, and 45 degree angle pivoting lighting rigs which were raised and lowered by cables? Simpsonville does not come equipped for big productions and it was the first venue of this leg that was basically uncovered and bare bones. Trusting the band would not let down I proceeded with confidence! My view of the stage this time revealed the same lighting rigs and illuminated backdrop with the Planet Zero logo partially hidden behind the opener’s set, a 3 step riser with the drum kit positioned in the center with dual drumheads with bear head images, their mouths wide open and teeth exposed. The eye catcher from the get go was a piano suspended near the top of the amphitheater ceiling stage right. The band formed in 2001 still features Brent Smith 45 (vocals) and Barry Kerch (drums) since the very beginning, with Zach Myers (guitar) and Eric Bass (a Charleston native and resident on bass) since ’08. With 7 studio albums, 31 charted singles including 18 number ones and with all of their singles reaching at least number five on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Chart the set was sure to include a number of the big ones. Choosing much better support on this leg than the former, the Canadian heavy metal band Spiritbox from Victoria British Columbia took the stage at 6:40 p.m. We early birders all got our proverbial worms enjoying a 30 minute / 7 song set featuring some of the most unique vocals in rock and roll from Courtney LaPlante and her death growl. Thanking the early attenders and likening themselves to a hot dog band (i.e. the band you go to the concession stand while they open), the four person’s band performance was anything but. After a quick twenty minute stage turn Papa Roach formed in 1993 from Vacaville California took the stage at precisely 7:29 p.m. to an audio recording of Hank William’s ‘Hey Good Lookin’. Beginning their 1 hour long / 13 song set with 2001’s #16 ‘Between Angels And Insects’ the alternative metal band drew from their entire 11 studio album career with the exception of ‘Old Friends From Young Years’. All my fears concerning a sub-par visual production were abated quickly after seeing Papa Roach’s stage set with a large LED screen covering the entire riser in the background. The screen displayed various visuals during the performance but the one of note was a giant silhouette of a black roach lying on his back over a white background prior to the band taking the stage. Coby Dick (aka Jacoby Shaddix) led the charge with a shout out, ‘South Carolina, let’s f****n do this’. Wasting no time, ‘Kill The Noise’ a 2021 US Main #1 was next in line. ‘Let me see you bang your heads’ Coby cried prior to the opening notes of ‘Getting Away With Murder’. Coby continued, ‘Thanks for showing out to this rock and roll show, this connection right here it feels good you know, what we got going on right now you know, I live for that right there for real’. ‘Cut The Line’ a song from their newest album made its way into the set list unexpectedly. ‘Where’s the mosh pit?’, Coby looked around as he prepared to run through the crowd up the right side isle during ‘To Be Loved’. ‘You wanna get this place jumping?… now South Cackalacky do not talk about it you gotta be about it, this one right here’s called “Firestarter”’, it was a real crowd rouser. With the message ‘SUICIDE CAN BE PREVENTED’ displayed on the screen ‘Leave The Light On’ from 2022’s ‘Ego Trip’ was preceded by a mental health public service announcement. A portion of concert proceeds were to be donated to the ‘Talk Away The Dark’ campaign and the song was dedicated to Jacoby’s dad, a Vietnam Vet who left home when he was eight. After years, the frontman of the band finally made peace with him. Roach showed no signs of letting down energy-wise the entire hour as they moved all across the stage, jumping up and down and communicating visually with the audience. Shaddix did however pause briefly for a self ‘gratitude check’. With an organ playing in the background prior to 2004’s #4 ‘Scars’. he began his list. ’I’m grateful… to authentically connect with people through music’; ‘our music is a hand reaching into the darkness to drag em out of it’; ’I got a relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’; ‘I ain’t afraid to say that’; ‘I stand on this stage sober from alcohol for almost twelve years’; ‘that I got men and women that got my back through that sobriety’; ’we got some of the most awesome f*****g fans in the world right here in Simpsonville’! ‘Help’ and ‘Last Resort’ ended the set as the band left the stage to a chant of ‘Papa Roach, Papa Roach, Papa Roach….’ It was another rather quick stage turn, as all that had to be done was to remove Papa Roach’s set from the forefront of Shinedown’s. During the half hour break I took a quick walk all the way to the back corners of the lawn section, the amphitheater grounds were completely packed! The lights went down at precisely 9 p.m. to a recording of ‘2184’ the opening instrumental from the album ‘Planet Zero’. The illuminated double video panels parted from the center as the band in silhouette emerged, first Brent, then the others, Brent shouting ‘Let’s Go’. ‘Diamond Eyes’ a 2020 US Main #1 opened the 19 song / hour and fifty minute set beginning and ending with an explosion of sparklers. Turns out it WAS a big production, getting in early gave the band opportunity for a FULL set up! ‘Dead Don't Die’ a 2023 release followed. The piano lowered from the ceiling on cables the first of three times for 2013’s ‘I'll Follow You’.‘ ‘Ladies and Gentlemen we know you coulda done anything you wanted to tonight. We’re in your house, we’re in your city, we’re in your town. Ladies and Gentlemen it is a privilege and a pleasure to be here tonight thank you all so very much for showing up.’ Next I experienced only my second ever artist led full audience meet-and-greet, turning left, then right, all over the crowd were handshakes, fist bumps and knuckles, Brent leading the charge from the stage by example. It was about to get heavy as ‘State Of My Head’ and ‘Devil’ followed, the stage illuminated amidst flames of fire! ‘I’m gonna be honest with you, there’s been a lot of great audiences on this tour, a lot of good ones, but they haven’t been South Carolina so I’m gonna ask you, did you bring your sing voice with you tonight?’ While the entire set of lighting rigs lowered to just above the band members heads the audience (who stood on their feet for both bands entire sets) all sang along to 2003’s #3 ‘45’. The time came for ‘Enemies’ 1-2-3 jump. ‘We didn’t go all the way into the South town to not make this a monumental evening, Ladies and Gentlemen I think we should make a moment, don’t you?’ Brent brought out the band’s video creator Sanjay to film the experience as everyone young and old jumped on cue in unison! ‘Ladies and Gentlemen make a fist, raise em up… hold, hold, GO’ intro’d 2009’s #1 ‘Sound Of Madness’ with every light on stage moving about every which way but loose. Brent introduced Eric Bass on piano prior to ‘A Symptom Of Being Human’. ‘Ladies and Gentlemen one of your own born and raised in Charleston South Carolina.’ ‘He is an extraordinary human being on so many levels… the day that Eric came into my, Zach’s, and Barry’s life, and this band, was one of the most great, wonderful and monumental moments of all time for Shinedown.’ He informed us how Eric had engineered, mixed and produced their last two albums then gave a shout out to Eric’s wife, mother, sisters, and whole family which were present in attendance. Every cell phone flashlight and lighter in the audience came out at the intro of the 2023 release. An audio clip of Casey Kasem on radio announcing the number one song in all the land for three weeks in a row back in 2008 preceded ‘Second Chance’. Brent who had performed with bronchitis last time he was in the Upstate and struggled during the song proved himself at the top of his vocal game tonight. Brent took a backseat giving Zach the floor, Zach commenting, ‘This is the best South Carolina show we’ve ever done, ever, in the history of ever.’ An acoustic cover of Jimmy Eat World’s ‘The Middle’ preceded featuring Zach Myers & Eric Bass on main vocals and acoustic guitar. How strange it was for me to hear the song knowing my next show was the following evening was Jimmy Eat World performing the number one themselves. ‘Daylight / Get Up’ a 2018 #1 followed and ‘Planet Zero was also thrown in the mix. Their cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Simple Man was performed intimately with Smith and Myers’s together on the walkway. Mid-song Smith turned the microphone over to us to fill in the vocals challenging us with, ‘It’s all yours’. Then one more time the stage illuminated all in flames for 2019’s #1 ‘Monsters’. Closing in on the 11 p.m. curfew Smith shouted, ‘What do you say South Carolina, one more for the road?’ as ‘Cut The Cord’ completed the set without encore. The song ended in a sonic six explosion blaze that Im sure shook all of the condominiums nearby. Drummer Barry Kerch who has disagreed with more specialized genres being ascribed to the band has gone on record stating, ‘We're just a rock 'n' roll band’, and they proved that this evening. Folks this WAS rock and roll, but it wasn’t just rock and roll, it was rock and roll with a message, a message of hope by both headliners —a hope to be experienced!” Review and photo by DAve (Concert #822-824)

Shinedown/Papa Roach: 9/26/23 “With the Summer outdoor concert season winding down to its conclusion my final show at CCNB’s Heritage Park Amphitheater was sure to end in a blaze! It was my second time seeing the band from Jacksonville Florida in 508 days and my first time seeing Papa Roach LIVE. I bought my ticket the day prior to the show as the band ran a flash $25 all in sale to fill in any unsold gaps in the reserved sections. Guessing on the code I landed 20 rows back from center stage, a seat that would have cost $98 if I had completed my transaction at any other time. About a week prior to the event the venue which has been facing tough criticism lately made an announcement that lawn chairs and blankets would not be allowed. Seeing their prior LIVE performance at the Bilo Center, I suspected that part of the reasoning might have to do with ‘1-2-3 Jump’ —the lead into to ‘Enemies’. Bon Secours had posted a public service announcement on social media immediately prior to the performance for everyone to watch out for one another in the pit, anticipating that things could tend to get a bit animated. Tuesday evening was a different leg of the same ‘Revolutions Live Tour’ I had seen, however it turned out vastly different to my surprise, particularly with the song selections, a half dozen or so titles being swapped in and out. Simpsonville was exactly the halfway point of the band’s Sept/Oct leg, positioned in between their Newark and Atlanta dates, and the band was two days rested. This event was also outdoors verses my prior indoor experience leaving the question, what would become of the flames, explosions, strobes, light bars, video walls, piano riser, and 45 degree angle pivoting lighting rigs which were raised and lowered by cables? Simpsonville does not come equipped for big productions and it was the first venue of this leg that was basically uncovered and bare bones. Trusting the band would not let down I proceeded with confidence! My view of the stage this time revealed the same lighting rigs and illuminated backdrop with the Planet Zero logo partially hidden behind the opener’s set, a 3 step riser with the drum kit positioned in the center with dual drumheads with bear head images, their mouths wide open and teeth exposed. The eye catcher from the get go was a piano suspended near the top of the amphitheater ceiling stage right. The band formed in 2001 still features Brent Smith 45 (vocals) and Barry Kerch (drums) since the very beginning, with Zach Myers (guitar) and Eric Bass (a Charleston native and resident on bass) since ’08. With 7 studio albums, 31 charted singles including 18 number ones and with all of their singles reaching at least number five on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Chart the set was sure to include a number of the big ones. Choosing much better support on this leg than the former, the Canadian heavy metal band Spiritbox from Victoria British Columbia took the stage at 6:40 p.m. We early birders all got our proverbial worms enjoying a 30 minute / 7 song set featuring some of the most unique vocals in rock and roll from Courtney LaPlante and her death growl. Thanking the early attenders and likening themselves to a hot dog band (i.e. the band you go to the concession stand while they open), the four person’s band performance was anything but. After a quick twenty minute stage turn Papa Roach formed in 1993 from Vacaville California took the stage at precisely 7:29 p.m. to an audio recording of Hank William’s ‘Hey Good Lookin’. Beginning their 1 hour long / 13 song set with 2001’s #16 ‘Between Angels And Insects’ the alternative metal band drew from their entire 11 studio album career with the exception of ‘Old Friends From Young Years’. All my fears concerning a sub-par visual production were abated quickly after seeing Papa Roach’s stage set with a large LED screen covering the entire riser in the background. The screen displayed various visuals during the performance but the one of note was a giant silhouette of a black roach lying on his back over a white background prior to the band taking the stage. Coby Dick (aka Jacoby Shaddix) led the charge with a shout out, ‘South Carolina, let’s f****n do this’. Wasting no time, ‘Kill The Noise’ a 2021 US Main #1 was next in line. ‘Let me see you bang your heads’ Coby cried prior to the opening notes of ‘Getting Away With Murder’. Coby continued, ‘Thanks for showing out to this rock and roll show, this connection right here it feels good you know, what we got going on right now you know, I live for that right there for real’. ‘Cut The Line’ a song from their newest album made its way into the set list unexpectedly. ‘Where’s the mosh pit?’, Coby looked around as he prepared to run through the crowd up the right side isle during ‘To Be Loved’. ‘You wanna get this place jumping?… now South Cackalacky do not talk about it you gotta be about it, this one right here’s called “Firestarter”’, it was a real crowd rouser. With the message ‘SUICIDE CAN BE PREVENTED’ displayed on the screen ‘Leave The Light On’ from 2022’s ‘Ego Trip’ was preceded by a mental health public service announcement. A portion of concert proceeds were to be donated to the ‘Talk Away The Dark’ campaign and the song was dedicated to Jacoby’s dad, a Vietnam Vet who left home when he was eight. After years, the frontman of the band finally made peace with him. Roach showed no signs of letting down energy-wise the entire hour as they moved all across the stage, jumping up and down and communicating visually with the audience. Shaddix did however pause briefly for a self ‘gratitude check’. With an organ playing in the background prior to 2004’s #4 ‘Scars’. he began his list. ’I’m grateful… to authentically connect with people through music’; ‘our music is a hand reaching into the darkness to drag em out of it’; ’I got a relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’; ‘I ain’t afraid to say that’; ‘I stand on this stage sober from alcohol for almost twelve years’; ‘that I got men and women that got my back through that sobriety’; ’we got some of the most awesome f*****g fans in the world right here in Simpsonville’! ‘Help’ and ‘Last Resort’ ended the set as the band left the stage to a chant of ‘Papa Roach, Papa Roach, Papa Roach….’ It was another rather quick stage turn, as all that had to be done was to remove Papa Roach’s set from the forefront of Shinedown’s. During the half hour break I took a quick walk all the way to the back corners of the lawn section, the amphitheater grounds were completely packed! The lights went down at precisely 9 p.m. to a recording of ‘2184’ the opening instrumental from the album ‘Planet Zero’. The illuminated double video panels parted from the center as the band in silhouette emerged, first Brent, then the others, Brent shouting ‘Let’s Go’. ‘Diamond Eyes’ a 2020 US Main #1 opened the 19 song / hour and fifty minute set beginning and ending with an explosion of sparklers. Turns out it WAS a big production, getting in early gave the band opportunity for a FULL set up! ‘Dead Don't Die’ a 2023 release followed. The piano lowered from the ceiling on cables the first of three times for 2013’s ‘I'll Follow You’.‘ ‘Ladies and Gentlemen we know you coulda done anything you wanted to tonight. We’re in your house, we’re in your city, we’re in your town. Ladies and Gentlemen it is a privilege and a pleasure to be here tonight thank you all so very much for showing up.’ Next I experienced only my second ever artist led full audience meet-and-greet, turning left, then right, all over the crowd were handshakes, fist bumps and knuckles, Brent leading the charge from the stage by example. It was about to get heavy as ‘State Of My Head’ and ‘Devil’ followed, the stage illuminated amidst flames of fire! ‘I’m gonna be honest with you, there’s been a lot of great audiences on this tour, a lot of good ones, but they haven’t been South Carolina so I’m gonna ask you, did you bring your sing voice with you tonight?’ While the entire set of lighting rigs lowered to just above the band members heads the audience (who stood on their feet for both bands entire sets) all sang along to 2003’s #3 ‘45’. The time came for ‘Enemies’ 1-2-3 jump. ‘We didn’t go all the way into the South town to not make this a monumental evening, Ladies and Gentlemen I think we should make a moment, don’t you?’ Brent brought out the band’s video creator Sanjay to film the experience as everyone young and old jumped on cue in unison! ‘Ladies and Gentlemen make a fist, raise em up… hold, hold, GO’ intro’d 2009’s #1 ‘Sound Of Madness’ with every light on stage moving about every which way but loose. Brent introduced Eric Bass on piano prior to ‘A Symptom Of Being Human’. ‘Ladies and Gentlemen one of your own born and raised in Charleston South Carolina.’ ‘He is an extraordinary human being on so many levels… the day that Eric came into my, Zach’s, and Barry’s life, and this band, was one of the most great, wonderful and monumental moments of all time for Shinedown.’ He informed us how Eric had engineered, mixed and produced their last two albums then gave a shout out to Eric’s wife, mother, sisters, and whole family which were present in attendance. Every cell phone flashlight and lighter in the audience came out at the intro of the 2023 release. An audio clip of Casey Kasem on radio announcing the number one song in all the land for three weeks in a row back in 2008 preceded ‘Second Chance’. Brent who had performed with bronchitis last time he was in the Upstate and struggled during the song proved himself at the top of his vocal game tonight. Brent took a backseat giving Zach the floor, Zach commenting, ‘This is the best South Carolina show we’ve ever done, ever, in the history of ever.’ An acoustic cover of Jimmy Eat World’s ‘The Middle’ preceded featuring Zach Myers & Eric Bass on main vocals and acoustic guitar. How strange it was for me to hear the song knowing my next show was the following evening was Jimmy Eat World performing the number one themselves. ‘Daylight / Get Up’ a 2018 #1 followed and ‘Planet Zero was also thrown in the mix. Their cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Simple Man was performed intimately with Smith and Myers’s together on the walkway. Mid-song Smith turned the microphone over to us to fill in the vocals challenging us with, ‘It’s all yours’. Then one more time the stage illuminated all in flames for 2019’s #1 ‘Monsters’. Closing in on the 11 p.m. curfew Smith shouted, ‘What do you say South Carolina, one more for the road?’ as ‘Cut The Cord’ completed the set without encore. The song ended in a sonic six explosion blaze that Im sure shook all of the condominiums nearby. Drummer Barry Kerch who has disagreed with more specialized genres being ascribed to the band has gone on record stating, ‘We're just a rock 'n' roll band’, and they proved that this evening. Folks this WAS rock and roll, but it wasn’t just rock and roll, it was rock and roll with a message, a message of hope by both headliners —a hope to be experienced!” Review and photo by DAve (Concert #822-824)

Shinedown/Papa Roach: 9/26/23 “With the Summer outdoor concert season winding down to its conclusion my final show at CCNB’s Heritage Park Amphitheater was sure to end in a blaze! It was my second time seeing the band from Jacksonville Florida in 508 days and my first time seeing Papa Roach LIVE. I bought my ticket the day prior to the show as the band ran a flash $25 all in sale to fill in any unsold gaps in the reserved sections. Guessing on the code I landed 20 rows back from center stage, a seat that would have cost $98 if I had completed my transaction at any other time. About a week prior to the event the venue which has been facing tough criticism lately made an announcement that lawn chairs and blankets would not be allowed. Seeing their prior LIVE performance at the Bilo Center, I suspected that part of the reasoning might have to do with ‘1-2-3 Jump’ —the lead into to ‘Enemies’. Bon Secours had posted a public service announcement on social media immediately prior to the performance for everyone to watch out for one another in the pit, anticipating that things could tend to get a bit animated. Tuesday evening was a different leg of the same ‘Revolutions Live Tour’ I had seen, however it turned out vastly different to my surprise, particularly with the song selections, a half dozen or so titles being swapped in and out. Simpsonville was exactly the halfway point of the band’s Sept/Oct leg, positioned in between their Newark and Atlanta dates, and the band was two days rested. This event was also outdoors verses my prior indoor experience leaving the question, what would become of the flames, explosions, strobes, light bars, video walls, piano riser, and 45 degree angle pivoting lighting rigs which were raised and lowered by cables? Simpsonville does not come equipped for big productions and it was the first venue of this leg that was basically uncovered and bare bones. Trusting the band would not let down I proceeded with confidence! My view of the stage this time revealed the same lighting rigs and illuminated backdrop with the Planet Zero logo partially hidden behind the opener’s set, a 3 step riser with the drum kit positioned in the center with dual drumheads with bear head images, their mouths wide open and teeth exposed. The eye catcher from the get go was a piano suspended near the top of the amphitheater ceiling stage right. The band formed in 2001 still features Brent Smith 45 (vocals) and Barry Kerch (drums) since the very beginning, with Zach Myers (guitar) and Eric Bass (a Charleston native and resident on bass) since ’08. With 7 studio albums, 31 charted singles including 18 number ones and with all of their singles reaching at least number five on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Chart the set was sure to include a number of the big ones. Choosing much better support on this leg than the former, the Canadian heavy metal band Spiritbox from Victoria British Columbia took the stage at 6:40 p.m. We early birders all got our proverbial worms enjoying a 30 minute / 7 song set featuring some of the most unique vocals in rock and roll from Courtney LaPlante and her death growl. Thanking the early attenders and likening themselves to a hot dog band (i.e. the band you go to the concession stand while they open), the four person’s band performance was anything but. After a quick twenty minute stage turn Papa Roach formed in 1993 from Vacaville California took the stage at precisely 7:29 p.m. to an audio recording of Hank William’s ‘Hey Good Lookin’. Beginning their 1 hour long / 13 song set with 2001’s #16 ‘Between Angels And Insects’ the alternative metal band drew from their entire 11 studio album career with the exception of ‘Old Friends From Young Years’. All my fears concerning a sub-par visual production were abated quickly after seeing Papa Roach’s stage set with a large LED screen covering the entire riser in the background. The screen displayed various visuals during the performance but the one of note was a giant silhouette of a black roach lying on his back over a white background prior to the band taking the stage. Coby Dick (aka Jacoby Shaddix) led the charge with a shout out, ‘South Carolina, let’s f****n do this’. Wasting no time, ‘Kill The Noise’ a 2021 US Main #1 was next in line. ‘Let me see you bang your heads’ Coby cried prior to the opening notes of ‘Getting Away With Murder’. Coby continued, ‘Thanks for showing out to this rock and roll show, this connection right here it feels good you know, what we got going on right now you know, I live for that right there for real’. ‘Cut The Line’ a song from their newest album made its way into the set list unexpectedly. ‘Where’s the mosh pit?’, Coby looked around as he prepared to run through the crowd up the right side isle during ‘To Be Loved’. ‘You wanna get this place jumping?… now South Cackalacky do not talk about it you gotta be about it, this one right here’s called “Firestarter”’, it was a real crowd rouser. With the message ‘SUICIDE CAN BE PREVENTED’ displayed on the screen ‘Leave The Light On’ from 2022’s ‘Ego Trip’ was preceded by a mental health public service announcement. A portion of concert proceeds were to be donated to the ‘Talk Away The Dark’ campaign and the song was dedicated to Jacoby’s dad, a Vietnam Vet who left home when he was eight. After years, the frontman of the band finally made peace with him. Roach showed no signs of letting down energy-wise the entire hour as they moved all across the stage, jumping up and down and communicating visually with the audience. Shaddix did however pause briefly for a self ‘gratitude check’. With an organ playing in the background prior to 2004’s #4 ‘Scars’. he began his list. ’I’m grateful… to authentically connect with people through music’; ‘our music is a hand reaching into the darkness to drag em out of it’; ’I got a relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’; ‘I ain’t afraid to say that’; ‘I stand on this stage sober from alcohol for almost twelve years’; ‘that I got men and women that got my back through that sobriety’; ’we got some of the most awesome f*****g fans in the world right here in Simpsonville’! ‘Help’ and ‘Last Resort’ ended the set as the band left the stage to a chant of ‘Papa Roach, Papa Roach, Papa Roach….’ It was another rather quick stage turn, as all that had to be done was to remove Papa Roach’s set from the forefront of Shinedown’s. During the half hour break I took a quick walk all the way to the back corners of the lawn section, the amphitheater grounds were completely packed! The lights went down at precisely 9 p.m. to a recording of ‘2184’ the opening instrumental from the album ‘Planet Zero’. The illuminated double video panels parted from the center as the band in silhouette emerged, first Brent, then the others, Brent shouting ‘Let’s Go’. ‘Diamond Eyes’ a 2020 US Main #1 opened the 19 song / hour and fifty minute set beginning and ending with an explosion of sparklers. Turns out it WAS a big production, getting in early gave the band opportunity for a FULL set up! ‘Dead Don't Die’ a 2023 release followed. The piano lowered from the ceiling on cables the first of three times for 2013’s ‘I'll Follow You’.‘ ‘Ladies and Gentlemen we know you coulda done anything you wanted to tonight. We’re in your house, we’re in your city, we’re in your town. Ladies and Gentlemen it is a privilege and a pleasure to be here tonight thank you all so very much for showing up.’ Next I experienced only my second ever artist led full audience meet-and-greet, turning left, then right, all over the crowd were handshakes, fist bumps and knuckles, Brent leading the charge from the stage by example. It was about to get heavy as ‘State Of My Head’ and ‘Devil’ followed, the stage illuminated amidst flames of fire! ‘I’m gonna be honest with you, there’s been a lot of great audiences on this tour, a lot of good ones, but they haven’t been South Carolina so I’m gonna ask you, did you bring your sing voice with you tonight?’ While the entire set of lighting rigs lowered to just above the band members heads the audience (who stood on their feet for both bands entire sets) all sang along to 2003’s #3 ‘45’. The time came for ‘Enemies’ 1-2-3 jump. ‘We didn’t go all the way into the South town to not make this a monumental evening, Ladies and Gentlemen I think we should make a moment, don’t you?’ Brent brought out the band’s video creator Sanjay to film the experience as everyone young and old jumped on cue in unison! ‘Ladies and Gentlemen make a fist, raise em up… hold, hold, GO’ intro’d 2009’s #1 ‘Sound Of Madness’ with every light on stage moving about every which way but loose. Brent introduced Eric Bass on piano prior to ‘A Symptom Of Being Human’. ‘Ladies and Gentlemen one of your own born and raised in Charleston South Carolina.’ ‘He is an extraordinary human being on so many levels… the day that Eric came into my, Zach’s, and Barry’s life, and this band, was one of the most great, wonderful and monumental moments of all time for Shinedown.’ He informed us how Eric had engineered, mixed and produced their last two albums then gave a shout out to Eric’s wife, mother, sisters, and whole family which were present in attendance. Every cell phone flashlight and lighter in the audience came out at the intro of the 2023 release. An audio clip of Casey Kasem on radio announcing the number one song in all the land for three weeks in a row back in 2008 preceded ‘Second Chance’. Brent who had performed with bronchitis last time he was in the Upstate and struggled during the song proved himself at the top of his vocal game tonight. Brent took a backseat giving Zach the floor, Zach commenting, ‘This is the best South Carolina show we’ve ever done, ever, in the history of ever.’ An acoustic cover of Jimmy Eat World’s ‘The Middle’ preceded featuring Zach Myers & Eric Bass on main vocals and acoustic guitar. How strange it was for me to hear the song knowing my next show was the following evening was Jimmy Eat World performing the number one themselves. ‘Daylight / Get Up’ a 2018 #1 followed and ‘Planet Zero was also thrown in the mix. Their cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Simple Man was performed intimately with Smith and Myers’s together on the walkway. Mid-song Smith turned the microphone over to us to fill in the vocals challenging us with, ‘It’s all yours’. Then one more time the stage illuminated all in flames for 2019’s #1 ‘Monsters’. Closing in on the 11 p.m. curfew Smith shouted, ‘What do you say South Carolina, one more for the road?’ as ‘Cut The Cord’ completed the set without encore. The song ended in a sonic six explosion blaze that Im sure shook all of the condominiums nearby. Drummer Barry Kerch who has disagreed with more specialized genres being ascribed to the band has gone on record stating, ‘We're just a rock 'n' roll band’, and they proved that this evening. Folks this WAS rock and roll, but it wasn’t just rock and roll, it was rock and roll with a message, a message of hope by both headliners —a hope to be experienced!” Review and photo by DAve (Concert #822-824)

The Doobie Brothers: 9/6/23 “I took it to the streets rocking down the highway —destination Simpsonville South Carolina, 416 days after seeing the Doobies last in Atlanta. It was my my fifth time seeing my number 4 all-time favrite band LIVE and also my 3rd time seeing them with Michael McDonald, the first time going back to July of ’81. I’ve also seen Michael solo twice in between. An extension of the tour billed as ‘The 50th Anniversary Tour’ was now well into the fifty-second year since the release of their first album in 1971. With 15 studio albums and 32 charted singles the three frontmen who led the charge this evening were all in their 70’s: Patrick Simmons 74, John McFee 72, and the baby of the bunch Michael McDonald 71. To me it really didn’t matter how the set list would play out as I own all 15 albums and am familiar with all their songs. However much to my dismay after purchasing my tickets Tom Johnston announced that he would not be joining the band on this leg of the tour. The 75 year old voice of the majority of their earlier hits cited that he would undergo surgery to target severe back pain making it impossible. All in all, it wasn’t a dealbreaker as I’ve seen many members of the band at least one time: Johnston, Simmons, McDonald, McFee, Hossack, Knudsen, LaKind, McCracken, Weeks & Bumpus. Sadly I have missed out on seeing a few LIVE: Porter, Hartman & Baxter. I was under the expectation that I was going to see the exact same show as my 2022 Atlanta excursion this evening but was pleasantly surprised at the changes to the set. Late Summer heat described the weather at the uncovered outdoor amphitheater, however the bright sunshine quickly diffused toward evening as the daytime high of 94° began to drop. Back in May I had grabbed my general admission lawn seats during LIVE Nation’s $25 all in special, and receiving a free upgrade to row 10 at the door I made my way towards the front for a view of the stage. The stage disclosed a rather simple set up with the video screens the band typically travels with notably absent which is unfortunately a consistent happening for this venue which also have none of their own. There was a large black and gold classic logo backdrop with the wording ‘50th Anniversary Tour’, the image and wording appeared on the drum head as well. A pedal steel for ’South City Midnight Lady’ and Michael’s keys were both positioned stage left. At 7:30 p.m. the 3 members of the band from San Jose California along with 4 touring musicians took the stage for a 2 hour and 15 minute / 25 song set beginning with 1975’s #11 from their ’Stampede’ album ‘Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)’. Patrick took the lead on vocals as he would on ‘Long Train Runnin’ and ‘China Groove’ in lieu of Johnston and he nailed the guitar solo album perfect. The next two songs ‘Here To Love You’ and ‘Dependin’ On You’ featured McDonald on vocals. One of the things that made this show special were the additions to set list the band would not typically perform without Michael. In addition to ‘Here To Love You’ and ‘Dependin’ On You’ interdispersed throughout the evening were: ‘You Belong To Me, ‘It Keeps You Runnin’, ‘One Step Closer’, ‘Real Love’, and ‘Minute By Minute’. Next on the set was ‘Rockin' Down The Highway’, this time touring bass player John Cowan took the lead in place of Tom. Patrick addressed the audience, ‘Simpsonville South Carolina so great to be here this evening. We are the Doobie Brothers. We’re just gonna keep going we’re just kinda getting warmed up here. This is a song from an album entitled Stampede, a song called “Neal’s Fandango”’. With Cowan on lead vocals again the song featured John McFee’s exceptional pedal steel guitar skills which typically are only heard later in the set during ‘South City Midnight Lady’. McDonald arose from his keyboard for the first time and walked center stage with a mandolin in hand. Patrick announced, ‘We’re gonna do this one Hawaiian style’. With Michael positioned between SImmons and McFee the trio performed the instrumental ‘Slack Key Soquel Rag’. Pat ended the song with an exclamation of gratitude to the audience, ‘Mahalo!’ Full band Introductions followed 1973’s ‘Clear As The Driven Snow’. The touring musicians were introduced first: John Cowan 70 on bass (formerly New Grass Revival), Marc Quiñones on percussion (formerly Gregg Allman Band), Ed Toth on drums since ’05, and Marc Russo on sax. Marc a former Tower Of Power member with an impressive studio resume was granted free-range of the stage strolling from side to side energizing the crowd, his long hair blowing at the slightest breeze. Patrick then introduced John, ‘So um, John’s the new guy, he joined us in 1978’, then Michael, ‘a wonderful guy and a fabulous musician’. Michael a man of few words replied, ‘For me it’s a great thrill to be back here on stage with my old friends for fifty years now and play these songs that I’ve missed playing for s long’, then he introduced Patrick. Oddly there wasn’t a mention of Tom Johnston all evening long, as if he didn’t exist! A surprise addition since the Atlanta show followed, a cover of Gladys Knight’s ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’ which was actually covered by McDonald in 2003 on his solo release ’Motown’. All evening long McDonald’s uniquely-soulful vocals were strong, at times singing slightly off tempo but in clear control, establishing his own pace and direction. In retrospect, this was most likely due to years of headlining solo performances. Instead of including three brand new songs like they did on the Atlanta set, the band chose only one ‘Better Days’ from ‘Liberte’. Sounding bright and clear the song was well received with a round of applause. The band saved their earlier hits for last as the regular set began to take it’s turn towards conclusion. There was ‘Without You’ with Patrick on lead, ‘Jesus Is Just Alright’ which drew the loudest cheers of the entire evening, 1979’s #1 ‘What A Fool Believes’ and ‘Long Train Runnin' featuring John on harmonica. ‘China Grove’ ended the regular set. There was a definitive R&B feel about the songs (even the non-McDonald led ones) that one could not get from needle to vinyl alone and the audience wanted more to which the band delivered! Beginning with 1974’s #1 ‘Black Water’ the band came on for a four song / half hour encore! By now my wife Michele and I had moved our way up to the second row center stage occupying a pair of seats abandoned by a couple of patrons who had vacated at the end of the regular set! As John and Pat came up front with fiddle and guitar for the chorus, they changed up the words to the delight of the crowd, ‘Carolina moon won’t you keep on shinin’ on me’! It took an hour and forty-five minutes until the smoke from the back made it’s way up to the front. It had finally arrived and the pungent haze lingered on all throughout the encore. ‘This next song is dedicated to our good friend Jimmy Buffett, looking down on us right now, sittin’ there drinking a Margareta having a cheeseburger. We need to sing it really loud so Jimmy can hear it up there at the Cantina.’ Ensuing was a six and a half minute rendering of 1976’s ‘Takin’ It To The Streets’ that began in a jazzy keyboard and sax intro to the tune of ‘Still Crazy After All These Years’ then evolved in somewhat of a New Orleans funeral style. Bassist John Cowan once again took the lead vocals and did an outstanding job. What an honor bestowed on him to have the privilege of singing the iconic anthem! ‘Should we play one more? This is basically kind of a jam on a Steely Dan tune… all you die hards that want to stick around we’re gonna stretch this one out a little bit.’ A little bit? The song turned into a ten and a half minute rendering of ‘Pretzel Logic’ featuring guitar solos first by Pat, then John, then the two of them together ending with Pat holding his guitar over his head hammering on the the whammy bar! The night ended with a full band upfront bow and drum stick and pick toss out. We all left feeling pretty good —just as the legend of the doobie goes. Back in the 1950’s jazz clubs when one musician would call to another, ‘How you feelin’, are you doin’ good?’ The reply came, ‘I do be, I do be good!’ Inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame last year the band has stood the test of time despite line-up changes and musical styles. Who knows what will happen, will Michael stay? Amazingly until now he had only been a member a mere 7 years of the band’s history (’75-’82). One thing’s for sure, in the now, the Doobies are still very much ‘fired-up’ and it’s unlikely they’ll be hanging their instruments up any time in the near future!” Review and photo(s) by DAve (Concert #817)

The artists had a good show. I would see them again somewhere else. The venue and ticketmaster suck! The parking at the venue was a mile long dirt road that they didn't even spray down with a water truck that the city owns. So you walked in red dirt dust to and from the venue. They have a huge asphalt parking lot that they had closed. WHY? Ticketmaster on a GA ticket of $25 charged another $16 per ticket for bullshit service, handling and transaction fees. Beer was $50 for a bucket of 6. A cocktail was $15 to $18 that was mostly mixer. I will not be back to the CCNB Amphitheater in Simpsonville SC or not using Ticketmaster for a concert again!

3 Doors Down/Candlebox 8/30/23 “Continuing my 2023 90’s rock journey the time machine brought The DAve Show to Simpsonville’s Heritage Park for 3 Doors Down’s ‘Away From The Sun Anniversary Tour’. Hurricane Idalia had made her threats but come Wednesday evening she had steered off course just enough, leaving us nothing more than a little light rain and a blessed relief from the heat. A side note but worthy of mentioning considering the name of the tour, Idalia is a name of Italian origin meaning ‘Behold the Sun’. Well into the tour, it was the band’s 34th date of their 46 scheduled appearances and my first time seeing either band live. Formed in 1996 in Escatawpa, Mississippi in the band who has encountered numerous set backs since their inception presently features only one original member, Brad Arnold 44 on lead vocals. With 6 studio albums and 24 charted singles including 5 number ones, the question at hand was how many songs on the set would come from the sophomore album from which the tour was named. With the help of LIVE NATIONS $25 all in I secured my reserve seats towards the rear, behind and to the left of the mixing board. Upon arrival the stage was set for Seattle Washington’s hard rock/alt rock/post grunge opener Candlebox. An American flag stood motionless in the stillness of the evening air stage right. Amplifiers were the primary ingredient of the stage set itself including all Marshalls on the right, the only other item of note would be the drumhead with the kit positioned on a small riser center stage. The drumhead was all black with the design of a ouija board, the numbers on the bottom spelled out 1993*2023. The planchette with the word ‘GOODBYE’ on it was dead center pointing upward toward the band’s name at the top. ‘YES’ and ’NO’ were on either side. It’s meaning begged the question, will this be their final album and will this be their final tour? 3 Doors Down’s drum kit was already set up behind and covered with a series of sheets sewn together. There were no video screens in place for either band. Seattle has birthed some of the greatest American bands of the era: Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Foo Fighters and Soundgarden, as well as Queensryche & Heart, and Modest Mouse & Minus The Bear. Though Candlebox has only one original member since its first foundings back in 1990, I could only imagine the show would still feature that hard west coast drive that put them on the map. At precisely 7:30 p.m. the five members took the stage for a 1 hour / 11 song set beginning with ‘Don't You’ the first song off their debut 4X platinum eponymous album. Turned out this would be an set based entirely off that one album (though not in it’s original track order). Frontman and founding member Kevin Martin wasted no time interacting with the audience and would continue to do so introducing many of the songs. ’Sorry you’re so wet man. We made some calls, we tried to stop the rain, it wasn’t stopping. We’re Candlebox, we’re here to warm you up. We’re gonna play everything off that first record except one song as we’re celebrating thirty years of our debut album.’ The second song was ‘Change’, Martin letting us in on a secret, ‘This song was written under the influence of mushrooms.’ Given the lyrics, ‘I wanna fall asleep no longer no longer a part of your TV screen, a part of your TV dreams’, it’s actually no surprise! ‘Ladies where you at? Alright, this for all you foxy mama’s, I know you’re a little cold, a little wet, but you look good baby’ Kevin noted as he introduced ‘Blossom’ which he dubbed ‘a love song’. ‘We have a new record that came out last week, you guys mind if we play you a new song? Just one and we’ll go back to 1993, you might like this one’ lead into ‘What Do You Need’ the first single from 2023 ‘The Long Goodbye’. ’Arrow’ was next with band intros following. ‘Mother’s Dream’ was written about Kevin’s grandmother on his father’s side. Describing her as an angry evil Irish woman who came to America in 1898 and never liked his dad, he concluded the song with ‘See you in Hell Thelma’. The American flag began to furl mid-set as Martin told the story of a homeless Vietnam Vet just trying to get by who lived behind his apartment in Seattle, he was ‘a good man with a beautiful voice and a beautiful soul’. ‘I’d give him whatever I had in my pocket to help him out.’ One day Kevin came home and he was gone. ‘This is his song’—‘He Calls Home’. ‘Ladies and Gentlemen would you please put your hands together for the Veterans who are here tonight.’ ‘My father was born in 1922, he stormed Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 so every Veteran tonight you have a special place in my heart.’ I couldn’t help but notice that the sound quality was exceptional for an outdoor uncovered venue, and it stayed that way all night through both band’s sets. Maybe it was attributable to the thick cloud cover acting as insolation keeping the acoustics under the canopy mother nature had provided. It made the evening that much more enjoyable despite the light precipitation that continued on throughout Candlebox’s entire set. The band saved their best three songs for last, their three biggest hits, ‘Cover Me’, ‘Far Behind’, and ‘You’. Bringing on ‘the blond fox’ from 3 Doors Down—Chet Roberts for additional guitar Kevin honored those from Seattle who had gone on before. ‘This next song (Far Behind) is dedicated to some friends of mine in Seattle I don’t get to see no mo, they ain’t with us’. As he mentioned each name, the audience responded with a salute of applause: Andrew Wood (Mother Love Bone); Kurt Cobain (Nirvana); Layne Staley (Alice In Chains); Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees); Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots); ‘and the greatest rock and roll voice to ever come out of Seattle, a beautiful human being Mister Chris Cornell’ (Soundgarden). ‘I miss those sons of bitches. Sing this song if you know it so they can hear it up there.’ At the end of the hour set there was only one song missing from the entire album that the band didn’t play, ironically was Track #8 ‘Rain’! It didn’t seem to take much to turn the stage for the headliner and the half hour intermission passed rather quickly. 3 Doors Down stage set up was centered around an extra large 5 step rectangular drum riser with 6 sets of suspended light rigs above, each rig had two spotlights and two pivoting lights interspersed. Light bars that seemed to me to resemble a car grill and headlights (the tour’s logo) were above the kit which oddly enough had a sound shield. The drum head featured an image of the sun as if taken from space with solar flares shooting out from it. Most obvious was the emptiness of the stage itself, the absence of clutter provided ample mobility for the five person band to move about and do their thing. At precisely 9 p.m. and without fanfare the band took the stage for a 1 hour and 36 minute / 18 song set beginning with ‘Pop Song’ a b-side and bonus track from ‘Away From The Sun’. Meantime my friend Joe and I saw an opening to make a move. As a staff member stepped aside to guide some seemingly lost folk to their seats, strolling confidently, we made our way down to the second row from the stage and never looked back! Next up, ‘When I’m Gone’ a #2 single followed with a driving guitar solo. Chet Roberts and Chris Henderson both lead the charge. Frontman Brad Arnold addressed the audience, ‘It looks like it’s not to get wetter, that’s a good thing.’ ‘We gonna play the whole record for you tonight just about and sprinkle some other songs throughout there, we gonna take a little ride—not gonna talk a whole lot, we just gonna listen to some music, that sound like a plan?’ Looking around I suddenly noticed that the rain had ceased and a breeze began to pick up, the temperature was a pleasant 72° and folks began to pull down their hoods and take their ponchos off. The set list mirrored that of Apple Music Essentials playlist though not in the same order. If you knew the essentials you could sing along to every word. Three songs in was the title cut of the album and I turned to my friend remarking how strong the vocals were. Come to find out Brad was actually battling a sinus infection and in spite of it he determined he was going to give us everything he had. A half dozen songs in and prior to 2003’s #5 ‘Here Without You’ he paused to share some words that had been on his heart. ‘My friends I told you I wasn’t gonna talk a whole lot tonight. I think this is the most important thing that I can ever say from the stage… something that was laid on my heart a few months ago.’ He shared how they started out as a bunch of teenagers riding high off their first tour. They made them some money and should’ve been on top of the world. ‘We all had smiles on our face but we all had holes in our hearts.’ Being thrust into the music industry they didn’t know who they could trust, but it wasn’t just the music industry it was the world itself, ‘the world is that way’. ‘What I want to tell you my friends is you’re not alone. When you feel like nobody loves you, somebody does love you, somebody’s always been with you and He’ll always be with you. My friends Jesus Christ loves you, He’s always been there for you, He’ll always be there for you!’ His word brought a rousing cheer from the surprisingly filled amphitheater on what had the potential of turning out to be a rather dismal evening. Considering the fiasco that had happened the evening prior at the same venue with the band Ghost calling the show after 11 p.m. due to their equipment being damaged in the rain, it was a big win for CCNB. ‘This might be the truest song we ever wrote’ Brad remarked as an introduction to ‘I Feel You’. Then rolling through the hits and some deeper cuts the band moved from song to song with no talk and all rock: ‘It's Not My Time’, ‘Be Like That’, ‘Duck And Run’, ‘Dangerous Game’, ‘Changes’, ‘Loser’, and ‘Sarah Yellin’ which brought the regular set to its conclusion. As the band reentered the stage for an encore, folks were shouting for them to play their trademark song ‘Kryptonite’ but Brad quieted them down with 2005’s ‘Landing In London’. He had come out wearing a long sleeve shirt he had put on back stage, ‘Thank you for being here in this weather. I’m glad the rain moved away for us tonight. Actually turned out to be a great evening for a concert, feels good out here.’ ‘There hasn’t been a day in three weeks when it wasn’t at least ninety-five degrees when we went on stage. This is amazing. I’ve never had to put on a long sleeve shirt to come back out here, EVER.’ The moment came for 2000’s #1, written by Brad Arnold during a high school math class at just 15 years of age, and without delay Arnold called out, ‘We gonna play you one more song and I guess if we’re gonna play one more we might as well play….’ The opening notes finished the sentence for him! The only track from the anniversary album not played during the evening’s performance was ‘Going Down In Flames’. 3 Doors Down has powered through incredible tragedy, drug overdose, legal woes, and controversial performances, and has come back thanks to their powerful anthems and life changing lyrics. Arnold confided in an interview, ‘I’ll always tend to measure our success by how many people come up to me at shows and tell me this song or that song has helped them through a time or changed them in some way or helped them in some way. I would just much rather hear that than have a six million album plaque on my wall!’” Review and photo by DAve (Concert #813, #814)

3 Doors Down/Candlebox 8/30/23 “Continuing my 2023 90’s rock journey the time machine brought The DAve Show to Simpsonville’s Heritage Park for 3 Doors Down’s ‘Away From The Sun Anniversary Tour’. Hurricane Idalia had made her threats but come Wednesday evening she had steered off course just enough, leaving us nothing more than a little light rain and a blessed relief from the heat. A side note but worthy of mentioning considering the name of the tour, Idalia is a name of Italian origin meaning ‘Behold the Sun’. Well into the tour, it was the band’s 34th date of their 46 scheduled appearances and my first time seeing either band live. Formed in 1996 in Escatawpa, Mississippi in the band who has encountered numerous set backs since their inception presently features only one original member, Brad Arnold 44 on lead vocals. With 6 studio albums and 24 charted singles including 5 number ones, the question at hand was how many songs on the set would come from the sophomore album from which the tour was named. With the help of LIVE NATIONS $25 all in I secured my reserve seats towards the rear, behind and to the left of the mixing board. Upon arrival the stage was set for Seattle Washington’s hard rock/alt rock/post grunge opener Candlebox. An American flag stood motionless in the stillness of the evening air stage right. Amplifiers were the primary ingredient of the stage set itself including all Marshalls on the right, the only other item of note would be the drumhead with the kit positioned on a small riser center stage. The drumhead was all black with the design of a ouija board, the numbers on the bottom spelled out 1993*2023. The planchette with the word ‘GOODBYE’ on it was dead center pointing upward toward the band’s name at the top. ‘YES’ and ’NO’ were on either side. It’s meaning begged the question, will this be their final album and will this be their final tour? 3 Doors Down’s drum kit was already set up behind and covered with a series of sheets sewn together. There were no video screens in place for either band. Seattle has birthed some of the greatest American bands of the era: Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Foo Fighters and Soundgarden, as well as Queensryche & Heart, and Modest Mouse & Minus The Bear. Though Candlebox has only one original member since its first foundings back in 1990, I could only imagine the show would still feature that hard west coast drive that put them on the map. At precisely 7:30 p.m. the five members took the stage for a 1 hour / 11 song set beginning with ‘Don't You’ the first song off their debut 4X platinum eponymous album. Turned out this would be an set based entirely off that one album (though not in it’s original track order). Frontman and founding member Kevin Martin wasted no time interacting with the audience and would continue to do so introducing many of the songs. ’Sorry you’re so wet man. We made some calls, we tried to stop the rain, it wasn’t stopping. We’re Candlebox, we’re here to warm you up. We’re gonna play everything off that first record except one song as we’re celebrating thirty years of our debut album.’ The second song was ‘Change’, Martin letting us in on a secret, ‘This song was written under the influence of mushrooms.’ Given the lyrics, ‘I wanna fall asleep no longer no longer a part of your TV screen, a part of your TV dreams’, it’s actually no surprise! ‘Ladies where you at? Alright, this for all you foxy mama’s, I know you’re a little cold, a little wet, but you look good baby’ Kevin noted as he introduced ‘Blossom’ which he dubbed ‘a love song’. ‘We have a new record that came out last week, you guys mind if we play you a new song? Just one and we’ll go back to 1993, you might like this one’ lead into ‘What Do You Need’ the first single from 2023 ‘The Long Goodbye’. ’Arrow’ was next with band intros following. ‘Mother’s Dream’ was written about Kevin’s grandmother on his father’s side. Describing her as an angry evil Irish woman who came to America in 1898 and never liked his dad, he concluded the song with ‘See you in Hell Thelma’. The American flag began to furl mid-set as Martin told the story of a homeless Vietnam Vet just trying to get by who lived behind his apartment in Seattle, he was ‘a good man with a beautiful voice and a beautiful soul’. ‘I’d give him whatever I had in my pocket to help him out.’ One day Kevin came home and he was gone. ‘This is his song’—‘He Calls Home’. ‘Ladies and Gentlemen would you please put your hands together for the Veterans who are here tonight.’ ‘My father was born in 1922, he stormed Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 so every Veteran tonight you have a special place in my heart.’ I couldn’t help but notice that the sound quality was exceptional for an outdoor uncovered venue, and it stayed that way all night through both band’s sets. Maybe it was attributable to the thick cloud cover acting as insolation keeping the acoustics under the canopy mother nature had provided. It made the evening that much more enjoyable despite the light precipitation that continued on throughout Candlebox’s entire set. The band saved their best three songs for last, their three biggest hits, ‘Cover Me’, ‘Far Behind’, and ‘You’. Bringing on ‘the blond fox’ from 3 Doors Down—Chet Roberts for additional guitar Kevin honored those from Seattle who had gone on before. ‘This next song (Far Behind) is dedicated to some friends of mine in Seattle I don’t get to see no mo, they ain’t with us’. As he mentioned each name, the audience responded with a salute of applause: Andrew Wood (Mother Love Bone); Kurt Cobain (Nirvana); Layne Staley (Alice In Chains); Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees); Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots); ‘and the greatest rock and roll voice to ever come out of Seattle, a beautiful human being Mister Chris Cornell’ (Soundgarden). ‘I miss those sons of bitches. Sing this song if you know it so they can hear it up there.’ At the end of the hour set there was only one song missing from the entire album that the band didn’t play, ironically was Track #8 ‘Rain’! It didn’t seem to take much to turn the stage for the headliner and the half hour intermission passed rather quickly. 3 Doors Down stage set up was centered around an extra large 5 step rectangular drum riser with 6 sets of suspended light rigs above, each rig had two spotlights and two pivoting lights interspersed. Light bars that seemed to me to resemble a car grill and headlights (the tour’s logo) were above the kit which oddly enough had a sound shield. The drum head featured an image of the sun as if taken from space with solar flares shooting out from it. Most obvious was the emptiness of the stage itself, the absence of clutter provided ample mobility for the five person band to move about and do their thing. At precisely 9 p.m. and without fanfare the band took the stage for a 1 hour and 36 minute / 18 song set beginning with ‘Pop Song’ a b-side and bonus track from ‘Away From The Sun’. Meantime my friend Joe and I saw an opening to make a move. As a staff member stepped aside to guide some seemingly lost folk to their seats, strolling confidently, we made our way down to the second row from the stage and never looked back! Next up, ‘When I’m Gone’ a #2 single followed with a driving guitar solo. Chet Roberts and Chris Henderson both lead the charge. Frontman Brad Arnold addressed the audience, ‘It looks like it’s not to get wetter, that’s a good thing.’ ‘We gonna play the whole record for you tonight just about and sprinkle some other songs throughout there, we gonna take a little ride—not gonna talk a whole lot, we just gonna listen to some music, that sound like a plan?’ Looking around I suddenly noticed that the rain had ceased and a breeze began to pick up, the temperature was a pleasant 72° and folks began to pull down their hoods and take their ponchos off. The set list mirrored that of Apple Music Essentials playlist though not in the same order. If you knew the essentials you could sing along to every word. Three songs in was the title cut of the album and I turned to my friend remarking how strong the vocals were. Come to find out Brad was actually battling a sinus infection and in spite of it he determined he was going to give us everything he had. A half dozen songs in and prior to 2003’s #5 ‘Here Without You’ he paused to share some words that had been on his heart. ‘My friends I told you I wasn’t gonna talk a whole lot tonight. I think this is the most important thing that I can ever say from the stage… something that was laid on my heart a few months ago.’ He shared how they started out as a bunch of teenagers riding high off their first tour. They made them some money and should’ve been on top of the world. ‘We all had smiles on our face but we all had holes in our hearts.’ Being thrust into the music industry they didn’t know who they could trust, but it wasn’t just the music industry it was the world itself, ‘the world is that way’. ‘What I want to tell you my friends is you’re not alone. When you feel like nobody loves you, somebody does love you, somebody’s always been with you and He’ll always be with you. My friends Jesus Christ loves you, He’s always been there for you, He’ll always be there for you!’ His word brought a rousing cheer from the surprisingly filled amphitheater on what had the potential of turning out to be a rather dismal evening. Considering the fiasco that had happened the evening prior at the same venue with the band Ghost calling the show after 11 p.m. due to their equipment being damaged in the rain, it was a big win for CCNB. ‘This might be the truest song we ever wrote’ Brad remarked as an introduction to ‘I Feel You’. Then rolling through the hits and some deeper cuts the band moved from song to song with no talk and all rock: ‘It's Not My Time’, ‘Be Like That’, ‘Duck And Run’, ‘Dangerous Game’, ‘Changes’, ‘Loser’, and ‘Sarah Yellin’ which brought the regular set to its conclusion. As the band reentered the stage for an encore, folks were shouting for them to play their trademark song ‘Kryptonite’ but Brad quieted them down with 2005’s ‘Landing In London’. He had come out wearing a long sleeve shirt he had put on back stage, ‘Thank you for being here in this weather. I’m glad the rain moved away for us tonight. Actually turned out to be a great evening for a concert, feels good out here.’ ‘There hasn’t been a day in three weeks when it wasn’t at least ninety-five degrees when we went on stage. This is amazing. I’ve never had to put on a long sleeve shirt to come back out here, EVER.’ The moment came for 2000’s #1, written by Brad Arnold during a high school math class at just 15 years of age, and without delay Arnold called out, ‘We gonna play you one more song and I guess if we’re gonna play one more we might as well play….’ The opening notes finished the sentence for him! The only track from the anniversary album not played during the evening’s performance was ‘Going Down In Flames’. 3 Doors Down has powered through incredible tragedy, drug overdose, legal woes, and controversial performances, and has come back thanks to their powerful anthems and life changing lyrics. Arnold confided in an interview, ‘I’ll always tend to measure our success by how many people come up to me at shows and tell me this song or that song has helped them through a time or changed them in some way or helped them in some way. I would just much rather hear that than have a six million album plaque on my wall!’” Review and photo by DAve (Concert #813, #814)

Venue was great ... sat down front Sec. 112 My wonderful girlfriends Birthday was on this day, the 26th. Admittedly, i'm the bigger fan of PM, but she REALLY enjoyed the show. She's a bigger fan NOW. Opening acts, Dalton Dover and Larry Flint were great ... did a real good job entertaining the crowd. Parker came out and put on a GREAT LIVE SHOW !!! Top to bottom, did all his current hits, performed EXTREMELY WELL !! May just go see him again !!

Goo Goo Dolls / O.A.R.: 8/1/23 “The time has come to for me to move into the 90’s as I continue my 2023 mini-tour beginning with Better Than Ezra and moving into Goo Goo Dolls, O.A.R., Smashing Pumpkins, 3 Doors Down, Candlebox, Shinedown, Papa Roach, and Jimmy Eat World. Back in January entering a LIVE NATION contest I won two general admission lawn seats for ‘The Big Night Out Tour’ which began last Monday in Tampa and ends in September in Irvine CA. The Simpsonville Heritage Park date was the 6th of a 31 date cross country trek and my first time seeing either band LIVE. My first thought was with the addition of 2,300 brand new reserved seats to the park how far would General Admission Lawn now be pushed back? That still remains to be experienced. As I presented my tickets at the gate I explained that they were L.N. comps and could they upgrade me to reserved. After inquiring my last name the ticket agent said, ‘Dave come around the corner and we’ll print you up two in section seventeen’ at no charge! The evening itself featured ideal weather for an outdoor event, sunny and 88° at gates open with a brilliant of orange/red super moon rising at the right side of the stage about 9:30 p.m. O.A.R. from Rockville MD (a contraction for ‘Of A Revolution’) were scheduled to open at 7 p.m. coming in with all four original members since 1996: Marc Roberge (vocals), Richard On (guitars), Benj Gershman (bass), and Chris Culos (drums). The band with 10 studio albums and 12 charted singles from ’97-’22 is well known for their live performances spawning six live albums. Goo Goo Dolls from Buffalo NY with 14 studio albums and 16 charted singles features John Rzeznik on lead vocals/guitar with Robby Takac on bass/vocals since the very beginning in 1986. The three additional band members are considered touring musicians. Upon entrance my eyes were immediately drawn to the stage. The back drop was set up as a checkerboard of mini square screens four layers high, between each screen were two spotlights facing outward towards the audience. Four layers of lighting were rigged on either side of the stage with three lateral stage length riggings above the checkerboard pattern. Abstract images, patterns, and colors would be broadcast on the squares during the performances however there were no actual video screens. With the direct sun shining on the stage silver tarps covered the bands equipment right up untill showtime. As the sun made it’s way just above the horizon behind a diffusion of clouds the tarps were removed revealing a very basic floor set with the exception of the drumhead which showcased a gorgeous sky scene with a skeleton surfing the clouds and the wording ‘.….of a Revolution. At 7:15 p.m. O.A.R. took the stage for a 15 song / 1 1/2 hour set beginning with ‘About Mr. Brown’ from their self released debut album followed by ‘Lay Down’ a released and uncharted single. Aside from a handful of known charted singles that pattern continued which is the beauty of an O.A.R. show, you never know what you are going to get —no two shows are identical. The evening featured the longest set of the tour thus far with each song noticeably building upon each other —a musical masterpiece. Not waiting till the very end, the third song in was their highest charted single #2 ‘Shattered (Turn the Car Around)’. Marc addressed the crowd, ‘We started out a when we were kids in the neighborhood, our first show was the eighth grade talent show and we moved on from there to the cafeteria at school… and now we get to be out here on tour with The Goo Goo Dolls man, so thank you guys so much for having us.’ A back-to-back trio of hits, ‘Love And Memories’, ‘I Go Through’ and ‘Heaven’ were inserted mid-set keeping the momentum going before the band dove into even more obscure territory. ‘Heaven’ featured Jerry DePizzo with some spiced up saxophone work, and ‘Hey Girl’ featured the Cuatro (a viola shape guitar with strings like a mandolin). ‘We’re gonna need your singing tonight you know that right? Don’t be shy, if you don’t know the words make ‘em up, I do it all the time I did it seven minutes ago and nobody knew.’ Well everyone knew the next one, ‘Peace’ and everyone sang along! Moving through a cover of Bob Marley’s ’Stir It Up’ a fan called out ‘This Town’ as a request. ‘Someone had a well timed request by a gentleman out there “Was that you?” and totally we’re gonna change the set list for it because I respect your timing and your volume was good too!’ Performed in similar reggae beat it fit in perfectly just as if it had been planned. ‘That Was A Crazy Game Of Poker’ completed the set with fans tossing playing cards in the air and singing along, ‘and I said, how 'bout a revolution? and he said right.’ Aside from the fact that the set was played in direct daylight (which can be a detractor) it was near perfect! With a half hour set change and the moon not yet risen, it was 9:05 and completely dark as John Rzeznik 57 hopped across to center stage with guitar in hand wearing a walking boot mumbling, ‘I f***ed up my foot’. Who saw that coming! Opening with 2000’s ‘Broadway’ the band performed a staggering 24 song / one hour and forty minute set. With a ‘It’s nice to be here and everyone in South Carolina is pretty that’s all I know’ and ‘Come on put ‘em up, come on’ John addressed the crowd taking it all in stride. Third song in, their #1 ‘Slide’ got not only hands but all the bodies up as well. Rzeznik seated a top a large road case where he would remain all evening continued as he introduced ‘Big Machine’, ‘Okay so thank you for understanding umm this show will probably be light on the shenanigans.’ ‘Alright let’s keep going.’ Each song brought out their tech center stage delivering a different guitar to John. Known for their different tunings, it was completely necessary. We could see the guitar rack all the way stage right —there had to be two dozen instruments in the waiting! ‘You guys all know this one’, it was ‘Black Balloons’ with fan inflated black balloons quickly being hoisted into the air. The staged turned to Robby as John informed us in jest, ‘I’m going to sit this out’. Takac in his energizing and head banging purple haired kind of way rasped out the 1998’s ‘January Friend’ bringing on a whole new energy level. It wouldn’t be the only song of the evening for Robby, he also sang ‘Lucky Star’ from ‘Superstar Car Wash’. Finally explaining the situation at hand John enlightened us, ‘This is what happened, okay we were playing last night and then I just walked off the stage and went “OW” and then a I have this ridiculous looking thing on’. Moving ever so slightly he turned slightly stage right and said, ‘I’m gonna work this side of the room a little’ then introducing 2019’s ‘Miracle Pill’ he exclaimed ‘I could use a whole bottle of these right now. I’m gonna eat the whole bottle here we go.’ Fact of the matter is that wasn’t entirely true, Rzeznik the former Next Great American Band judge has been in recovery since 2014. He stripped things back a bit acoustically beginning with a piano driven rendition of ’Sympathy’ followed by an appearance from ‘Tapey’ a forty year old tape recorder. Wheeling out the large open reeled machine on a rolling case with TAPEY spray painted on the front he performed a tour debut of ‘Lost’. John invited a nineteen year old fan holding a sign (unreadable to the audience behind him) on stage for the #2’ Name’ and gave him a guitar. ‘I have a feeling I’m gonna regret this. You’re serious you know how to play this? Ladies and Gentleman it’s Jake, alright Jake take it away’. It was just Jake and John and they began the song playing it phenomenally in its original tuning to the cheer of the audience. The band coming back on stage joined in for the finish. ‘I ain’t paying you’ John assured him as the audience shouted out ‘JAKE, JAKE, JAKE!’ An additional half dozen songs rounded out the regular set ending with the hits ‘Better Days’ and ‘Stay With You’. For the encore they simply stayed on stage. ‘I ain’t hobbling off my gimpy a** all the way over there so “Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s the Goo Goo Dolls again!”’ The band brought Marc Roberge from O.A.R. back on stage for a cover of Petty’s ‘I Won't Back Down’ recently released just this year as a non-album single. With a final ‘I wanna thank you guys again for being with us you kept this band alive for a long time, thank you’, the evening concluded with 1998’s #1 ‘Iris’. As the chorus repeated over again and again ‘I just want you to know who I am’ the crowd began to make their exit the out the main gates, hearts full and spirit’s high!” Review and photo by DAve (Concerts #805, 806)

Goo Goo Dolls / O.A.R.: 8/1/23 “The time has come to for me to move into the 90’s as I continue my 2023 mini-tour beginning with Better Than Ezra and moving into Goo Goo Dolls, O.A.R., Smashing Pumpkins, 3 Doors Down, Candlebox, Shinedown, Papa Roach, and Jimmy Eat World. Back in January entering a LIVE NATION contest I won two general admission lawn seats for ‘The Big Night Out Tour’ which began last Monday in Tampa and ends in September in Irvine CA. The Simpsonville Heritage Park date was the 6th of a 31 date cross country trek and my first time seeing either band LIVE. My first thought was with the addition of 2,300 brand new reserved seats to the park how far would General Admission Lawn now be pushed back? That still remains to be experienced. As I presented my tickets at the gate I explained that they were L.N. comps and could they upgrade me to reserved. After inquiring my last name the ticket agent said, ‘Dave come around the corner and we’ll print you up two in section seventeen’ at no charge! The evening itself featured ideal weather for an outdoor event, sunny and 88° at gates open with a brilliant of orange/red super moon rising at the right side of the stage about 9:30 p.m. O.A.R. from Rockville MD (a contraction for ‘Of A Revolution’) were scheduled to open at 7 p.m. coming in with all four original members since 1996: Marc Roberge (vocals), Richard On (guitars), Benj Gershman (bass), and Chris Culos (drums). The band with 10 studio albums and 12 charted singles from ’97-’22 is well known for their live performances spawning six live albums. Goo Goo Dolls from Buffalo NY with 14 studio albums and 16 charted singles features John Rzeznik on lead vocals/guitar with Robby Takac on bass/vocals since the very beginning in 1986. The three additional band members are considered touring musicians. Upon entrance my eyes were immediately drawn to the stage. The back drop was set up as a checkerboard of mini square screens four layers high, between each screen were two spotlights facing outward towards the audience. Four layers of lighting were rigged on either side of the stage with three lateral stage length riggings above the checkerboard pattern. Abstract images, patterns, and colors would be broadcast on the squares during the performances however there were no actual video screens. With the direct sun shining on the stage silver tarps covered the bands equipment right up untill showtime. As the sun made it’s way just above the horizon behind a diffusion of clouds the tarps were removed revealing a very basic floor set with the exception of the drumhead which showcased a gorgeous sky scene with a skeleton surfing the clouds and the wording ‘.….of a Revolution. At 7:15 p.m. O.A.R. took the stage for a 15 song / 1 1/2 hour set beginning with ‘About Mr. Brown’ from their self released debut album followed by ‘Lay Down’ a released and uncharted single. Aside from a handful of known charted singles that pattern continued which is the beauty of an O.A.R. show, you never know what you are going to get —no two shows are identical. The evening featured the longest set of the tour thus far with each song noticeably building upon each other —a musical masterpiece. Not waiting till the very end, the third song in was their highest charted single #2 ‘Shattered (Turn the Car Around)’. Marc addressed the crowd, ‘We started out a when we were kids in the neighborhood, our first show was the eighth grade talent show and we moved on from there to the cafeteria at school… and now we get to be out here on tour with The Goo Goo Dolls man, so thank you guys so much for having us.’ A back-to-back trio of hits, ‘Love And Memories’, ‘I Go Through’ and ‘Heaven’ were inserted mid-set keeping the momentum going before the band dove into even more obscure territory. ‘Heaven’ featured Jerry DePizzo with some spiced up saxophone work, and ‘Hey Girl’ featured the Cuatro (a viola shape guitar with strings like a mandolin). ‘We’re gonna need your singing tonight you know that right? Don’t be shy, if you don’t know the words make ‘em up, I do it all the time I did it seven minutes ago and nobody knew.’ Well everyone knew the next one, ‘Peace’ and everyone sang along! Moving through a cover of Bob Marley’s ’Stir It Up’ a fan called out ‘This Town’ as a request. ‘Someone had a well timed request by a gentleman out there “Was that you?” and totally we’re gonna change the set list for it because I respect your timing and your volume was good too!’ Performed in similar reggae beat it fit in perfectly just as if it had been planned. ‘That Was A Crazy Game Of Poker’ completed the set with fans tossing playing cards in the air and singing along, ‘and I said, how 'bout a revolution? and he said right.’ Aside from the fact that the set was played in direct daylight (which can be a detractor) it was near perfect! With a half hour set change and the moon not yet risen, it was 9:05 and completely dark as John Rzeznik 57 hopped across to center stage with guitar in hand wearing a walking boot mumbling, ‘I f***ed up my foot’. Who saw that coming! Opening with 2000’s ‘Broadway’ the band performed a staggering 24 song / one hour and forty minute set. With a ‘It’s nice to be here and everyone in South Carolina is pretty that’s all I know’ and ‘Come on put ‘em up, come on’ John addressed the crowd taking it all in stride. Third song in, their #1 ‘Slide’ got not only hands but all the bodies up as well. Rzeznik seated a top a large road case where he would remain all evening continued as he introduced ‘Big Machine’, ‘Okay so thank you for understanding umm this show will probably be light on the shenanigans.’ ‘Alright let’s keep going.’ Each song brought out their tech center stage delivering a different guitar to John. Known for their different tunings, it was completely necessary. We could see the guitar rack all the way stage right —there had to be two dozen instruments in the waiting! ‘You guys all know this one’, it was ‘Black Balloons’ with fan inflated black balloons quickly being hoisted into the air. The staged turned to Robby as John informed us in jest, ‘I’m going to sit this out’. Takac in his energizing and head banging purple haired kind of way rasped out the 1998’s ‘January Friend’ bringing on a whole new energy level. It wouldn’t be the only song of the evening for Robby, he also sang ‘Lucky Star’ from ‘Superstar Car Wash’. Finally explaining the situation at hand John enlightened us, ‘This is what happened, okay we were playing last night and then I just walked off the stage and went “OW” and then a I have this ridiculous looking thing on’. Moving ever so slightly he turned slightly stage right and said, ‘I’m gonna work this side of the room a little’ then introducing 2019’s ‘Miracle Pill’ he exclaimed ‘I could use a whole bottle of these right now. I’m gonna eat the whole bottle here we go.’ Fact of the matter is that wasn’t entirely true, Rzeznik the former Next Great American Band judge has been in recovery since 2014. He stripped things back a bit acoustically beginning with a piano driven rendition of ’Sympathy’ followed by an appearance from ‘Tapey’ a forty year old tape recorder. Wheeling out the large open reeled machine on a rolling case with TAPEY spray painted on the front he performed a tour debut of ‘Lost’. John invited a nineteen year old fan holding a sign (unreadable to the audience behind him) on stage for the #2’ Name’ and gave him a guitar. ‘I have a feeling I’m gonna regret this. You’re serious you know how to play this? Ladies and Gentleman it’s Jake, alright Jake take it away’. It was just Jake and John and they began the song playing it phenomenally in its original tuning to the cheer of the audience. The band coming back on stage joined in for the finish. ‘I ain’t paying you’ John assured him as the audience shouted out ‘JAKE, JAKE, JAKE!’ An additional half dozen songs rounded out the regular set ending with the hits ‘Better Days’ and ‘Stay With You’. For the encore they simply stayed on stage. ‘I ain’t hobbling off my gimpy a** all the way over there so “Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s the Goo Goo Dolls again!”’ The band brought Marc Roberge from O.A.R. back on stage for a cover of Petty’s ‘I Won't Back Down’ recently released just this year as a non-album single. With a final ‘I wanna thank you guys again for being with us you kept this band alive for a long time, thank you’, the evening concluded with 1998’s #1 ‘Iris’. As the chorus repeated over again and again ‘I just want you to know who I am’ the crowd began to make their exit the out the main gates, hearts full and spirit’s high!” Review and photo by DAve (Concerts #805, 806)

Absolutely great concert. BTR superseded all my expectations!! I Was very disappointed in the 2 openers use of bad language. I brought my 12 year old daughter to see btr because they are fun, lively, and clean. I hated that the start of the concert had to be like that. Very disappointed in their pick of openers. I never leave reviews but as a mom, it’s getting harder and harder to find clean fun for teens. Let’s not submit to the culture and stay positive!! Thanks for listening

Josh Turner: 7/2/23 “It was my 3rd time seeing neotraditional Country singer/songwriter Josh Turner LIVE, all three times since I’ve relocated to South Carolina, two were free outdoor shows. The former time being at the very beginning of the pandemic, I had won free tickets and the full house was half masked and half not. This time it was a sultry Sunday evening as the ‘Long Black Train 20th Anniversary Tour’ launched in March and ending in November made its 25th stop at Celebrate Simpsonville. The weather was sunny and humid with temperatures in the low ninety’s at showtime. There was a chance of an isolated storm with very little concern that one would actually make its way down this far from the North Carolina border. CCNB Amphitheater and the grounds surrounding were absolutely packed more so than I’ve ever seen with an audience of 15,000 in the amphitheater itself and many others outside in attendance solely for the fireworks which were to occur afterwards. With nine studio albums yielding 17 charted singles including 4 number ones the evening was fast on track to be a goodun. Festivities began with a half hour / nine song acoustic set from Greenville SC’s Luke Ferguson, after which was a one hour / 15 song set from Greenville TN’s Dugger Band. It took until 8:30 to turn the stage for Josh Turner who was originally slated to go on at 8 p.m. meanwhile the sky had clouded up and weather alerts began trickling in on folks cell phones. I left my fifth row seat as the crowd began to push their way forward till I was pressed up against the front of the stage, my customary spot. At that point there was no turning back. The stage was illuminated brilliantly in red, white, and blue lighting including the large decorative facia high a top the stage framework with a massive stage height American flag positioned as a backdrop. The set up for Turner’s six man band which included pedal steel was wide open and spacious, all other objects on stage having been moved to the wings. At 8:39 p.m. Hanna South Carolina native Joshua Otis Turner 45 took the stage for a 38 minute / 8 song set which was cut short precisely in half due to thunder and lightning. With the sound of a train whistle and a plume of smoke from the drum kit Turner rolled in full throttle chugging through the hits #5 ‘Hometown Girl’, #2 ‘Firecracker’, and the title cut from his 2017 album ‘Deep South’ before addressing the crowd. ‘Thank you so much, how’s everyone doing here in Simpsonville. I am Josh Turner and man what a good looking crowd we got out here tonight at Heritage Park.’ Before ‘Left Hand Man’ from the ‘Punching Bag’ album he commented on the Holiday celebration and backdrop of the flag. ‘I honestly don’t like calling it “Happy Fourth of July”, I like calling it “Happy Independence Day”. ‘This flag right back here stands for that, and I personally stand for that flag!’ Next up was Hank Jr’s ‘Country State Of Mind’ which Josh did an amazing job on, not too many can pull off a perfect song in Bocephus style. For his 2016’s ‘Me And God’ the band came forward from their respective positions in the background trading electric for acoustic to perform the #16 in bluegrass style. From left to right the instruments were arranged fiddle, acoustic guitar, upright bass, and banjo, Josh questioning the audience, ‘How’d you like my bluegrass band?’ Swapping out the banjo for mandolin he kept the arrangement for a cover of Osbourne Brother’s ‘I Pray My Way Out Of Trouble’ dedicated to the late Bobby Osbourne who had just passed away this previous Tuesday. ‘He was a friend of mine and not only that he was a Korean War veteran with the Marines. He served his country and he loved bluegrass and I love Bobby Osbourne, and Bobby we’ll miss you’. Immediately upon ending the piece the wind picked up blowing the set lists taped to the floor across the stage and the chain link suspended lighting and speakers began to sway back and forth. Suddenly the mixing board tent went air born as the band scrambled to cover their instruments. An announcement commenced that we were on a ‘ten minute hold’ which lasted a whole of two minutes before they began to pack up. The skies opened up and thousands began to hustle to the one person width gates that we entered the grounds on. The evenings entire stock of fireworks began to fire off at one time expending all her shells in the space of five minutes time. It was truly something to experience! Not to appear to be overly critical but in typical Monday morning quarterback fashion, it’s a wonder that CCNB didn’t anticipate something like this happening and maybe cut short the opener’s time slots. It was likely one of their largest turnouts on record and managed differently Josh could have completed the entire set. Allowing us to bring in a sealed water bottle on such an extreme temperature day and having their filling stations operable would’ve been a plus as well. Missing from the set due to rain were ‘All Over Me’, ‘Would You Go With Me’ ’Time Is Love’, ‘Why Don’t We Just Dance’, ‘Your Man’ and the Hank Williams inspired classic ‘Long Black Train’ among others. Growing up in the church where he founded a gospel quartet singing bass to today, Turner’s singing is still tone perfect. Quoted, ‘I don't believe God wants me to be a gospel singer, He just wants me to be a Christian singer. That's who I am’, a music enthusiast such as myself can’t help but be thankful that he followed true to his calling. Look for J.T. when he rolls into a Station nearest you! Review and photo by DAve (Concert #793)

ZZ Top/Kenny Wayne Shepherd 8/6/22 “ZZ is one of my Top 10 fave bands but oddly this was only my second time seeing them, not that I didn’t have opportunities and held other tickets. I held tickets for a 7/28/21 canceled show, same venue, exact same seat (Stage R., Row 1, Seat 1), it was the day following Dusty’s untimely passing. Another time of note was in 2014 when I went to Florida for rehab and gave away my tickets, however coming back and staying sober I consider it more than a fair trade off! Jeff Beck was the opener that day, but I’ll take Kenny Wayne Shepherd as a compensation of sort. The weather for what was billed as ‘The Raw Whiskey Tour’ was a cloudy 88°, which after sixty days of 90+ this year was near perfect for an outdoor show. Being front row I was able to watch Kenny’s breakdown and ZZ’s set up. At center was Beard’s black and gold drum kit monogramed ‘Senor Beard’ with projecting whiskey barrel images and the band’s 50th anniversary monogramed on the dual bass drum. The platform holding the killer kit (complete with gong) was lined with cut out zzz’s, there were illuminated zzz’s running up and down the mic stands as well. The stage itself was lined with stacks of Magnatone M-80 vintage amps (8 on each side), a throwback to the 70’s. There were no video screens. I had seen Dusty play Live my only other time seeing the band in 2007 so I wasn’t disappointed to see Elwood Francis, but rather held in anticipation to see him do his thing. Elwood, the band’s 30 year guitar tech and replacement per Dusty’s wishes (plus a resume’ including Guns And Roses, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, Steve Vai, and the Black Crows) delivered, complete with beard! Showtime commenced and it was the ‘Reverend’ Gibbons 72 with Beard 73 clearly in the lead with a 75 minute/16 song set of Texas boogie at its finest. There was a surprise of ‘Brown Sugar’ from their eponymous first album. In ‘Jesus Just Left Chicago’, Gibbons switched out the lyrics to ‘and then he got wise came down to South Carolina, you know what I’m talking about yeah everybody’s sure looking fine!’ On ‘Just Got Paid’ Billy broke out his Gibson for some slide guitar action while Elwood strapped on a double-neck combo guitar and bass. And of course, the classic white fur Bo Diddly style matching bass and guitars were a highlight on ‘Sharp Dressed Man’. Billy showing off some one handed playing then turning his guitar around to reveal the word ‘Beer’ written on the back during the classic song. The encore ended with ’Tube Snake Boogie’ and ‘’La Grange’ with a shower of bubbles from the stage raining into the audience. The band having come back to the stage after a drink of ‘water’, Billy & Elwood were sporting matching burgundy jackets, black pants, and Zemaitis Z-Series bass and six string. Elwood introduced by Billy, ‘My main man he was out there by the tour bus drinkin’ moonshine whiskey, by the way that is no stick on beard y’all get the real deal’ was clearly comfortable on stage. Chanting out,’ Take me with ya Jesus’, and ‘Play it one more time come on Jesus’ during Jesus Just Left Chicago. Slapping the fret board on ‘Gimmie All Your Lovin’ and dancing around in circles and hopping about the stage on ‘La Grange’. However, the set falling short of what’s become a traditional hour and a half rock set did leave us all a bit misguided as to whether the band would come out once again. Also noticeably missing from the set were ‘Tush’ and ‘Cheap Sunglasses’, maybe ‘cause Tush was Dusty’s lead, and Cheap generally overplayed?? Kenny Wayne got the crowd energized early opening with a 50 minute/8 song set, engaging the audience, ‘This is the blues ladies and gentlemen are you with me tonight?’ KWS mentioned that he had just had (an unspecified) surgery a few days prior and that he might need to sit down. Two bar stools were set up but he never used them, he merely sat on the drum platform once during a captivating and extended keyboard solo via Joe Krown from New Orleans on the Hammond B-3. After which he delivered a finger-blistering solo in full stance position. A highlight of the night for me: I got talking to Kenny Wayne’s tech and he took my camera on stage and grabbed some pics for me before the show! All in all it was a good night in Simpsonville South Carolina!” by DAve (Concerts #682, 683)

“‘There’s something about country music outside in the summer like this that’s just the right place to do it, idn’t it?’ the exact words Brad Paisley used to describe the evening. The warm and breezeless evening itself set the stage in so much that after crossing the field where we parked I half expected a full on ‘tick’ check upon entrance to the amphitheater. I chose lawn seats, not only for the $25 all in special but given there was a pit in the front all the reserved seats folks would naturally be on their feet all night. Knowing the band travels with a full stage length video backdrop solidified the decision. It was my 3rd time seeing Brad since one wintery evening at a local country bar in Connecticut, February 2000. There were about 600 of us present that day and he only had one single on the radio ‘He Didn’t Have To Be’ at the time! Ironically, he didn’t play that nor ‘We Danced’ this evening but with 35 top 10’s it’s got to be pretty challenging to put together your set list. Tonight was NO ‘adios reality’ for Brad Douglas Paisley turning 50 this year and worth $120MM, he still puts on one heck of a show. I got hooked early on with Paisley’s trademark hybrid picking and G-bending pushed through Dr Z tube amps. Brad did not disappoint the large crowd with riff after riff and run after run! ‘Welcome to the weekend y’all’ Paisley called out and went straight into ‘American Saturday Night’ and a ‘Live from South Carolina it’s Saturday Night!’ The song featured a full video screen length Ukrainian flag, the words were switched out: ‘There’s a Ukrainian flag hanging on the island bar’ from ‘Listening to the Beatles singing, "Back in the U.S.S.R." There was a ‘kiss cam’ on ‘She’s Everything’ panning the crowd and zooming in on couples, and a guitar giveaway, Brad choosing a lucky fan. Brad brought back his opener as he called out “the legend Tracy freakin’ Lawrence’ on stage for ‘I’m Still A Guy’. It being my 2nd time seeing Tracy (Brad’s eight year predecessor) I couldn’t image a more fitting choice to ignite the crowd early on. The two of their on stage shenanigans led to a selfie and phone signing for @_kaylamichelej which Tracy suggested captioning ‘sexy ass men’, plus a homework assignment for us to look her up! Brad also brought in Caylee Hammack (his opener’s opener) to join him doing Alison Krauss part on ‘Whiskey Lullaby’. It was her first show with Brad and obviously nervous she muscled through it. Last time I saw Brad he brought Lindsay Ell to do the part and she did an amazing job. Regardless who, the song was still haunting as ever. One addition to the set was dedicated as: ‘This is for all the Tigers here today’, a humorous ode to ‘Sports’. ‘Alcohol’ was the first of two encore numbers, and at the end of the day there weren’t many in the audience who could not identify. One highlight of the evening for me was a selfie in front of the monogrammed tour tractor trailer left conspicuously parked for just such an occasion. To any guitar enthusiast I recommend seeing Brad LIVE. Learning the instrument at the age eight on a Sears guitar Brad solidifies the American rock star dream. I mean for crying out loud, what other mainstream country artist would dare play Van Halen’s ‘Hot For Teacher’ as part of the set and even work a little fiddle into it?” (Concerts #658, 659)

Breaking Benjamin is always awesome. I believe people should know that CCNB Amphitheatre does NOT have ANY screens. So if you got a lawn ticket you can't see the stage at all or what any of them look like. So, I removed a star. In this day and age screens are important to me, Ben is my favorite singer, no idea what he looked like that day, but as always they sounded amazing!

Willie Nelson: 4/24/22 “A capacity crowd filled the amphitheater grounds awaiting a promised appearance of the Red Headed Stranger, now 88 and just 5 days shy of his 89th birthday. It was a perfect Spring evening and Willie came in hot from a show with Chris Stapleton the prior evening in Kentucky. The one hour performance was the shortest I may have ever seen but Shotgun packed as much as he could in those 60 minutes. Nelson wearing a Farm Aid shirt greeted the crowd, ‘How y’all doing’ as a giant flag of Texas backdrop unrolled to the beginning notes of ‘Whiskey River’. It was just Willie with ‘Trigger’ along with a bass, drum, and harmonica nonstop for the rest of the evening. Of note this was the first in a long line of shows where folk sat most of the performance and earplugs were unnecessary, however there was a fight two rows in front of us warranting Police presence. Willie simply played on! There was a hold up in the parking area after the show which culminated with a car horn serenade as Willie’s bus rolled on by en route to Texas. We may or may not see Willie here again, who knows, he may have some special access to the tree of life.” by DAve (Concert # 639)

When I saw the tractor trailers parked behind the venue I knew it was going to be a good one! I had seen Carlos in the ‘80’s so I sprang for the lLIVE Nation &20 all in lawn seat special and wished I had made a better investment. The band was great especially the percussion, being up closer would have made all the difference to me. Hindsight is 20/20.