I've been a fan of Shinedown for about 15 years but not a big enough fan to go to their concerts until Planet Zero was released. That album really spoke to me. When the video for A Symptom of Being Human was released I fell in love with Shinedown, it was like looking at how I feel every day with anxiety. It was then I had to see them in concert. The problem was they weren't coming to New York City where I live. The closest concert was in Bridgeport, CT. I was determined to figure out how to go to that concert. I asked friends I thought would be interested in going but the dates just didn't work with their schedule, so I decided to go alone. I wanted to treat myself to a two-night stay at a hotel near the concert and enjoy myself. I bought a ticket and reserved a hotel room at the hotel closest to the arena where the concert was.
I drove up to Bridgeport the day before the concert, the last thing I wanted was to get stuck in traffic the day of the concert and have a panic attack that I'd be late for the concert. I checked into the hotel, settled in my room, showered, got dressed, and went to the restaurant downstairs. I arrived at the restaurant at about 7 pm and it was packed. I gave my name to the hostess and sat down to wait for my name to be called, about 15 minutes passed when Brent Smith walked in. The hostess had no clue who he was and told him it would be about a 30-minute wait. He gave her his name and sat down next to me. I was internally screaming, yet trying to maintain a calm demeanor.
Brent turns to me at asks "How long have you waiting?"
Internally I'm thinking "Shit he's talking to me and I have to say something." Then I said, "Uh...oh...um about 15 minutes."
"Are you alone?" said Brent.
"Yes."
"Are you here on a business trip?"
I clear my throat, "Umm...no. I'm here to see your concert tomorrow night. None of my friends could come so I'm going alone."
"Are you serious?"
"Sadly, yes."
Just then the hostess came over and said there was a table for two available if we were willing to sit together.
Brent says, "That's fine with me," turning to me, "Does that work for you?"
"Yeah, I guess, I'm starving." I thought "What is happening? I'm going to eat dinner with Brent Smith!"
We sat down at the table which was kind of stuck off in a corner, squeezed in between larger tables.
Brent says, "You know who I am but I don't know you."
"Oh, yeah I guess introducing myself would be a good idea. My name is Lynn and I'm a big fan of you and Shinedown," I said while he stared at me like he was looking into my soul.
We were both flipping through the menu when the waitress came to take our drink order. We both ordered Coke and we went back to the menu.
"What are you thinking of ordering?" says Brent.
"I think I'm going to get the steak, with a baked potato, and garlic green beans. How about you?"
"The grilled salmon with mashed potatoes and broccoli looks good."
Just then the waitress came with our drinks and asked if we were ready to order.
Brent says, "Ladies first."
"I'll have the steak with a baked potato and garlic green beans."
"And I'll have grilled salmon with mashed potatoes and broccoli."
She collected the menus and walked away.
"So how long have you been a fan of ours," said Brent.
"About 15 years, but this is actually my first Shinedown concert."
"Really? Why did you wait so long to come to see us in concert?"