Had you asked me at any point in my life if I would ever have the opportunity to meet my country music hero, Brad Paisley, I would have probably looked at you like you were crazy and laughed it off. I mean how likely would it really be to meet my favorite musician of all time? Well, for those of you who read my blog on a regular basis or listen to my random outbursts of entertainment news in mid-conversation: you know that I had quite an exciting time on the week of March 6th, 2010. I attended the American Saturday Night tour in Charleston, South Carolina to see Brad Paisley.
The show was awesome! That is a given for anyone that has ever been to one of Brad’s shows. I decided to record the last song, Alcohol, because I wanted to have the video to keep and watch in the future. That is the exact moment when the show took an unexpected turn. As Paisley was reaching the top of the ramp, he turned to descend and lost his footing. He took a nasty spill in front of everyone. I was absolutely shocked by the fall. My friend that was sitting by me during the show could see it all over my face. Brad was such a good sport and got right back up. He thanked the audience, told them all “God Bless You” and exited the stage. Fortunately, this was the last song of the night. Brad went to the hospital to get checked.
I talked to my brother and sister-in-law and told them that there was no way that I was posting the video. I was actually upset because I thought that other people might post it. I would never want to post anything that would purposely embarrass Brad. At this point, things got really interesting. Brad, being the great sport that he is, posted on Twitter: “Alright, whoever posts the Youtube footage of it gets a meet and greet. I have got to see it. I hit hard. And I mean freaking hard.”
He had actually asked for the video and the rest is history! 
If you want to read more about the actual process and how I was contacted, etc., you can read my original blog post HERE.
I finally reached the weekend that I had looked forward to since March 6th. I went to Raleigh, NC this Saturday and had the best time that I have ever had at a music event. This particular tour was the H2O tour. Brad went above and beyond for this tour. It was an entire event that far surpassed just being a concert. It went beyond the stage and became a full experience. There was a huge waterslide, a boat simulator and racing simulators. Steel Magnolia, Easton Corbin and Josh Thompson performed on a stage near the ampitheatre starting around 4:00.
The show in Raleigh was at the Time Warner Cable Pavilion. The ampitheatre holds around 7,000 people and it seemed to be packed. The two acts touring with Brad were Justin Moore and Darius Rucker. I was given three tickets and three meet and greet passes. What a special gift that was! The seats were incredible! I have never been that close to the stage at one of Brad’s shows. I saw him in 2006, 2007 and March of this year. My fourth show was epic! My brother and his wife, Jason and Keitha, went with me to the show.
Justin Moore opened the show. I really do not know a lot about his music but I was familiar with a few songs that I heard on the American Saturday Night tour when he was with Brad Paisley earlier this year. He seems to have increased his stage presence since then. Darius Rucker took the stage next. It was really cool to see Darius because he is originally from the state of South Carolina. He performed some of his new songs from his country album and he played some of his classic Hootie and the Blowfish songs. I am very pleased to see that he is being supported so well in country music.
After Darius performed, it was time for Brad Paisley. He sang a variety of his songs from his different albums. Some of the set list included: Whiskey Lullaby, Online, Celebrity, Wrapped Around, Then, Time Warp, Letter To Me, I’m Still A Guy, She’s Everything, American Saturday Night, Waiting On A Woman, Welcome to the Future, Alcohol and Water. He even threw in a little clip of Single Ladies.
It was so cool to see Brad perform while being close to the stage. His guitar skills are mind-blowing. I was very happy that my brother was able to be there with me so he could see Brad’s skill. He already knew how talented Brad was but I think we all could develop even more respect after seeing it up close and personal. Brad is definitely one of the best live performers that I have ever seen. Vocally and musically, he hits it out of the park every time.
When the show ended, it was time to find the area where I would meet Brad. When we walked up I met his tour manager, Brent. Brent was extremely welcoming. We got in line to meet Brad. I was standing at the corner of where they were taking photos and I made sure that I got my stuff ready that I brought to give him. One of the items was a local newspaper with the story of what happened back in March. The other item was a DVD that I had made with the fall video and all of the interviews (radio and television) that I had been a part of after his concert in March. Brent allowed me to turn the corner to meet him first and then brought my brother and his wife behind me.
Brent said “Brad, this is the guy that caught the video of you falling.” Brad’s eyes got wide and he immediately started smiling. He told me that it was so cool that I caught that and gave me a handshake. I gave him the gifts that I had brought for him. He said, “Thank you. I appreciate that. I’m sure we can make good use of this video one day.”
He told me that he really appreciated the way that I handled the situation and that I did not post the video without thinking about if he would want it posted. I met some more of his staff while I was back there. They were all so friendly!
My brother asked him how much he practices playing guitar because my brother plays guitar as well. He said that he does not practice too much anymore. However, if you really think about it, he practices every single night because he plays an awesome show somewhere in the world! He told my brother, “I hope you get to where you want to be.” A comment like that means so much coming from someone who has made this journey to success.
We talked a little more about how the video posting came about and how I was contacted. I told him that it was really cool of his wife to send me a message on Twitter to confirm that they had seen the video. He told us about how bruised he was after the fall.
We took a group picture in the middle of talking back and forth. I do want to kick myself though, because in the middle of my talking and being so excited to meet Brad, I forgot to ask for a picture of just the two of us. What was I thinking? Maybe next time! *Crosses Fingers*
Brad told me, “I was really hoping that you would make it out to one of these shows.” I told him, “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!”
I’m sure that we probably talked about some other things but to be completely honest, my mind was running in a thousand directions. There was so much I wanted to say and I cannot remember how many of those things I actually did say.
I told him that I know he does not usually sign at Meet and Greets but I had a favor to ask. He started nodding his head before I even finished the statement. I said, “I brought the camera that I used to video the fall. Would you sign it?” He smiled really big and said “Absolutely!” He joked around, referring to my camera, and said “It’s probably out-of-date now, huh?” Sadly, since the concert was in March, that’s probably the truth. But it does not matter because it will now be retired and put in a showcase for all to see! I would not dare risk smudging his autograph.
The fact that he took time to sign my camera was so awesome! My camera now reads on the front: “Great Shot! -Brad Paisley” How cool is that?
We thanked him for a wonderful night and then made our exit. They gave us a signed 8×10 as we left.
My months of waiting for this experience had finally arrived and I had a blast the entire time! I finally met my favorite country musician. I still cannot believe it!
I hope to have the opportunity to meet him again in the future. After all, I was told on the phone in March: “You are always welcome!” I am not exactly sure what that means but it gives me reason to always be optimistic! However, if I never get the chance again, I can truly say that I will never forget my experience at the H20 tour in Raleigh, NC. I finally met Brad Paisley and it is all because I was blessed enough to “catch a falling star.”
Tags: Brad Paisley
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