I've Been Waiting For This! · 1:15am Oct 22nd, 2015
Some of you may remember when, a month and a day ago, I blogged and said that my dad and I were going to see Collective Soul in concert for the seventh time. But, last night was more than just another concert. Last night was really, truly special. For starters, Collective Soul is my favorite band. I've loved them ever since I was in high school, though they've been around for quite a bit longer than that. I love their music, the clever lyrics, the catchy melodies, and the way the music always makes me feel so pumped up. So imagine my elation when, after previous attempts had failed, this FINALLY happened!
From left to right: Will Turpin, bassist; Ed Roland, lead singer, guitarist, pianist; me; Dad; Jesse Triplett, lead guitar; Dean Roland, guitar; Johnny Rabb, drums
Now, in addition to being a very talented group of musicians, these guys are so nice to boot! I won't gush about the whole experience here (unless someone wants to hear my insane/excited ramblings 
) but I will say that I was very happy to see that everything I knew about them as people turned out to be true. Just humble, happy to be performing and honestly appreciative of their fans. The guys you see - the ones I've seen on stage - are their true selves. They don't put on a persona on or off stage, and you could just tell that they were having a blast as they played! And let me tell you: they put on the best damn concert that my dad and I have ever seen.
So thanks, guys, for one heck of a show, for all of the music that you create, and the joy that you bring to your fans. Meeting all of you was a literal life goal for me, and I will remember this night for the rest of my life. I'm already looking forward to the next show. 
Neat!
3487836
It was so much fun!
>tfw I'll be seeing MY favorite artist tomorrow night
I'm super glad you got to meet n' greet, that's the best scenario for musical shows, getting to get into the heads of the masterminds behind the tunes.
If only I could meet GRiZ tomorrow :V
3487846
And I sure hope that you can meet GRiZ someday!
Hey, that's awesome! I hope you have a BLAST!
3487857
Haha yeahh, it's a future goal.
I've got a bit of CS on my ipod, but not much. Couldn't really get into them that much, but I'm sure there's a few gems in the discog.
That said, I'm quite jealous of the fact you got to meet the band! :O
3487867
But the funny thing was that's how it started with me and CS. And then somehow, something changed. 
No idea what or when.
And I totally understand. I have groups like that, too.
(Not trying to rub anything in here, so please don't take it that way...) I just feel very happy and lucky to have met them. Dad and I had tried to get the VIP passes at a previous concert, but the servers kept crashing and he couldn't get them. I was so excited when he told me he'd gotten them this time!
3487880
No ill will here, only good vibes :B
Good to hear it worked out this time. And a picture for the wall, no less :D
Get anything signed while you were there?
3487887
Thanks for understanding. X3 And you're definitely right about the picture!
As for the signing, no. We weren't allowed to get autographs during the meet & greet itself, but some people approached the guys after for them. I didn't have a pen, and I knew they had to go, so I wanted to respect that. We did get a signed picture of the latest album cover as part of the package, though, and I bought a signed album at the show.
That's you and your dad in the middle? That's awesome you got a pic with the band!
!
3487897
Yep, yep, that's us! And thanks!
3487894
Aw, that's a shame. At least you got something in the end.
I've tried bringing my guitar with me to shows, but for some reason they don't want me to bring it in. Something about 'stealing the thunder'
Ah, the post-concert high is catching onto me as well. So many memories, so much tinnitus, the aches of yelling and jumping around.
Good times, good times. Hope your next one is just as special :D
3487899
I wouldn't object to hearing your insane/excited ramblings, and I suspect the others wouldn't either.
3487905
And thanks, mate! Looking forward to hearing all about your show after tomorrow!
Oh snaps!
3487908
Well, after we were all signed in (there were maybe 30ish people there total), we got to go in for the sound check. Let's just say I turned into a dancing and singing fool when they played their song Precious Declaration. And after the sound check, the guys lined up so we could meet them, introduce ourselves and shake their hands. While this happened, I also thanked them and told them how the experience was a dream come true.
As Dad and I met them, Ed noticed the letters on my dad's shirt. Ed asked what they meant, and Dad told him that it was my college and what it stood for. So then the guys all turned to me and asked what I studied. I told them creative writing, and they seemed pretty (and genuinely) impressed by this. Then Ed talked about his son going to the local high school (the band is from Georgia). Dad mentioned how on the concert DVD (which is what the link to the song comes from) Ed's son was only four or five (though he was really six). Ed kind of did that, "Geez, I'm old," thing, and mentioned how his son is now almost as tall as Dean. Then it was time for the picture, and we had to move along, which I totally understood.
Afterword, the guys hung around for a bit longer, and some people asked for autographs. While I had no pen, I did hope to talk to Ed and/or Dean once more. I did manage to catch Dean just as he had to leave, and I told him thank you, and let him know that Compliment, a song he and Ed had written together, was my all-time favorite song. He then thanked me, and gave me a hug! It was AWESOME!
3487924
I KNOW RIGHT!?
3487946 :P
3487971
Sorry, still coming down from a great emotional high.
3487945 They sound like great people. It's also really cool how they made use of a full orchestra in both of the videos you linked, although I couldn't really pick out any of the sounds during the song itself (probably due to my $10 earbuds). Was there an orchestra present at the concert you attended?
3487975
I mean, I had the sense that they were, but it was still nice to see it when there were no pretenses.
No, it was just them last night. The orchestra was for their Going Home tour, because they played in Atlanta, Georgia. So it was a pretty big thing for them. And while I do wish I could have seen it myself, I'm happy with the DVD and seeing them live when they come to our area. And yes, they really are great people.
I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.
I may be a reclusive shut-in who only leaves home for school and food, but I can definitely see the appeal of concerts and such.
Oh man that's freaking awesome! So glad you had fun.
3487995
So what kinds of things do you like to do?
Thank you! And yeah, I hear you. Concerts aren't everyone's thing, but I certainly enjoy them.
3487997
Thanks, man! How are you feeling?
3488001
Much better, thank you
3488023
You're very welcome, and glad to hear it!
3488000 Mostly recluse-y things. What I said is no exaggeration -- there are exactly two things that I leave home for. The rest of my time is spent either struggling to keep up with coursework, procrastinating on coursework by trying to write, or procrastinating on writing by staring blankly at walls and furniture or a computer screen. Occasionally, I'll start up a computer game.
What about you? What kinds of things do you like to do?
3488027
Well, I do like reading and writing, but I also enjoy video games, classic car shows, travel (when I can), food (as in, making and sharing it with others), baking, and spending time with friends.
WOOOO!
Congratulations bestie!
3488034
Thanks, bestie! It was an absolute BLAST!
Cheers mate!
3488031
That's orders of magnitude more interesting than what I do. I'd love to learn to cook or spend time with friends, but I lack the energy for the former and have none of the latter.
3488051
Thanks! Cheers to you, too!
3488053
I hear you about the cooking. I can only manage it when I'm with friends myself, or when my parents request that I make a particular pasta dish. But as for the friends, I'd be honored to be your friend, if you'd like.
3488055 I would like that very much.
3488057
It is an honor.
It is good to see you had a blast, Lyric!
Meeting your music 'heroes' must've been an awesome experience!
3488683
Thank you, Lazydrill! Yes, it was amazing for sure! I'm still riding that emotional high!
3491615
But the whole night was just... just... AWESOME!
Thanks, Emylia! Yes, it was a ton of fun! I agree about the people all mashed together, but if that's the price to pay for awesome live music, then so be it.