Alrighty, I've been pretty busy so it took me a couple of days to get all my thoughts organized on paper! I'm sure I missed some things but over all, this was the jist of the night.

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I called the venue beforehand to double check times, etc. Show still started at 5pm and it was going to take place on the smaller stage in the restaurant vs the main stage. He thought they would play for an hour.

4:30 - Hubby and I arrived at the venue. There were maybe 20 people in line. About 5-10 mins after that, I saw some "band members" walk into the restaurant. Couldn't tell who exactly from the angle I was standing but I knew it was them.

4:40 – I was told that the band would be signing CDs that were for purchase after the show. I asked "What if I brought mine?" and he said "Just don't tell them." *wink*

5:10 – doors (I guess doors were at 5pm, not the show time)

5:25 – I asked and was told the show wouldn’t start until around 6pm.

5:40 – I see the band side stage so I make my way to the floor as close as I could get to the stage. Turd introduced them and Brent and Jasin came onto the stage. (I was kind of bummed that the other two guys were not there, but I still knew it would be a good show!.) They sat on two highback chairs and Jasin had two acoustic guitars.

5:42 – They start the first song - Im pretty sure they opened with Fly From the Inside.

I don't remember the rest of the order but it was a good mix of playing both old and new. Oh and can I just say...seeing a band perform acoustic almost always shows the band getting into their songs on a totally different level vs playing "plugged in". This band did not disappoint. Brent and Jasin were SO into their songs. It was also very cool to hear Brent's voice in this format. I cant tell you how totally awesome it was to hear and see the emotion on his face. Love it!!!

Random comments from Brent:

"How many people took off work early to be here?" (Lots of claps)

He started talking about Chicago and how we’ve always been good to the band. He said they toured the first album for 23 months and Chicago had a lot to do with that, along with other cities.

Some people in the crowd were yelling out "Go Sox" then someone else yelled out "Go Cubs" Brent replied with "umm, record skip".

"How many people listened to Mancow this morning?" (Small crowd response) He asked again, bigger response. He said all morning Turd kept saying "we're going to the dance". Brent must have said it at least 5 times throughout the acoustic performance and would crack up every time he said it! He said that it never got old. "We're going to the dance!" He also told a story about the last time they were in town and Jasin was the only one who wanted to go to the game. Look at where the Sox are now...hehe I think Jasin made a comment that it was because of him. hehe

My Comments on songs they played and random comments Brent made:

Burning Bright – I just LOVE this song and was so glad to hear it.

Brent made some comment about writing songs but that he hadn’t written this one...they went into Simple Man.

At one point he commented that it was really great to play these songs acoustic and something about "you couldn't get much rawer than this". And that no matter if they were rock songs or not that most songs start out on an acoustic.

Some Day – Brent said he didn't know if he would be able to remember this song and that they had only played it 3 times. He also said it was about when two people are in an abusive relationship (not necessarily, physical or mental) but just kind of both meaning that no matter how hard you try, the two of you are just not meant to be together.

During most of the songs, they both sang/played with their eyes closed. Jasin really seemed to be feeling the acoustic vibe with every song and Brent was totally into it all night. During some songs they would look at each other.

Shed Some Light – Jasin said he didn't think he remembered how to play this one and Brent said "yes you will". Then Jasin said "No, I don't think so (laughing) and again, Brent said "you'll be fine". Brent told us he wrote this song when he was 18 and it was always his Dad's fave song. He said that he had written it about his dad but I got the impression that his Dad never knew that. Since it was always his Dad's fave song he was honored when the band let him put it on this new record. He was home for a day and a half when the album first came out and went home to play it for his parents (he had not seen them in over a year). He didn’t tell his Dad the song was on there but when his Dad heard it he was really touched.

Brent said the next song was "I Dare You" and then continued with "Brad, our bass player, who isn't here tonight because he is at home...resting...came up with this great music and I just knew I had to put lyrics to it..." He then went on to tell us about how the lyrics to this song came about:

Brent said he was having writer's block so he asked Brad what he was thinking about when he wrote the music and he told him "his brother" (who was a fire fighter) and then Brent thought about what he must be thinking every time he goes into a fire "Will I make it out, will I get the people out". During this song I got goose bumps.

45 – Brent started talking about when the song first came out and people would interpret what they thought the song meant, which is how it should be, and he commented how touching it was over how many people had come up to him and told him that song had saved their life. Or other people had told him they knew someone who had taken their life. He seemed to be trying not to get all choked by this point. He said, no matter what people may tell you, know that the song was not written in vein, that it had to be written. More than half way thru the song, Brent stood up and sang the rest of the song with so much emotion.

They closed with Save Me – I cannot for the life of me remember what he said about this song!!!!!! Ugh. But once again, about 3/4 thru the song Brent stood up to sing the song. You can always tell when a song is taking over the person, so to speak.

6:18 – show's over.

I was SO hoping to hear Heroes – but no luck. I was SO excited to hear I Dare You!! That is one of my faves on the new album! A couple other things I noticed during the show was that Brent was drinking tea. He also kept pushing his hair behind his ears.

I headed out to the M&G table. I passed the HOB guy who knew I brought my CD and he winked at me. haha Hubby bought a CD before the show to give to my brother and then I had mine plus I brought the sleeve for Leave a Whisper The funny thing, I had NO IDEA they were going to do a M&G after the show. I just get into the habit of bringing my CD sleeves with because, well, you just never know.

I was within the first 10 people. Brent was sitting closest to me. I shook his hand and told him what an awesome show it was. I told him I bought their new album the week it came out and that I loved it. He said something about really liking it himself. I told him that I had brought it with so I was being sneaky (since I didn’t buy one) and he sort of laughed and said "nothing wrong with that". He made some other comment about "glad I had it". I had him sign the new one and then I told him I had also brought their first one and would he please sign that one? "of course".

Nanners: Before I moved on to Jasin I told Brent "Nanners says "hi". He gave me sort of a puzzled look and I told him you and I were friends from way back and that you knew I was coming to the show.

Next was Jasin. I shook his hand, told him what a great show it was and how much I loved the new album. I had him sign both CDs.

Nanners: I also told him you said "hi" and that I was a friend of yours from way back and he said "aww, she should have come." I followed up with "it's sort of far to come from OH." He agreed. I told him I was so glad that I had won the tickets and that it was always a good thing when a fan wins something like this. He agreed. I told him good luck with the rest of the tour with Alter Bridge and Three Doors Down and left.

Of course the things I forgot to say to Brent:

I Dare You is one of my fave songs and I was so glad to hear it and how I cant stop listening to their new album. Seriously, I've been playing it over and over ever since I bought it!

Alrighty...anyone get to the end? HEHE

I SO hope to be able to see them as a full band soon. The first and only time Ive seen them was opening for Van Halen. Every time they've been here Ive had tickets to other concerts!!!

Teresa

Wow! Awesome play-by-play! It was like being there......

thanks!

Ah there's my girl! I just love her reviews. Always about the details! I asked Jasin if someone girl in Chitown told him I said hello. He stood there for a moment and said "yeah!" I was cracking up!

I'm so glad you had a good time! Acoustic shows are always special!

Yeah, about the details...it's just the way my mind works!! hehe I told a friend of mine "I dont think I could write a short review if I tried." She agreed. hehe

That is cool that Jasin remembered!! HEHE