I own two record stores in Southern Indiana. I was lucky enough to get my WEA rep Christine Winters to get Shinedown to do an instore appearance at our flagship location on October 21st while supporting Three Doors Down here in Evansville.

Just for the record....

Shinedown had a long night in Detroit the night before the in-store and we're pretty beat up. They found out five minutes before they got in my truck for transfer that their first album just scanned platinum (that's one million copies in the US boyeeeze)and their new album has already moved a "lot" of units.

Here's where "rock star" attitudes begin for most people. However......

These guys signed for nearly 2 hours and 300 people. Each dude took the time to be super personal with all their fans. They were tired and spent but thrilled a lot of people Friday including a lot of little kids who really looked up to them.

It was f**king beautiful. I have never in my life been so blown away by a band's genuine appreciation of their fan base. These dudes deserve everything good that has happened to them, unlike so many idiot musicians who play for all the wrong reasons. As gay as this might sound....I still think there's a lot of good that comes from this rock and roll sh*t. It was nice to get such a killer reaffirmation.

Regards and best wishes to a class act.

Joe W. Smith Jr.
Joe's Records Inc.

This was the best concert my wife and I have taken our teenage boys too ever and shinedown made it happen. My 15 year old son loves the band and went to the record signing here in Evansville, he had his guitar signed by Shinedown and even played an acoustic version of 45 for them in the middle of joe's records. It made his day and meant so much to him. So to the band... you are a great bunch of guys and have inspired my son in so many ways. Then it happened, Shinedown got us 4 tickets to the show. Ee wanted to go, but due to money issues could not afford to go. The band changed that. So in closing if you ever want to meet a band with so much heart and soul for the music they play, as well as for their fans ( THEY STOPPED SIGNING TO ALLOW MY SON TO PLAY FOR THEM. THIS MEANT ALOT!) Shinedown you are the greatest, most gracious and humble group of guys!! Also just found out about the 10-21-2005 Shinedown goes Platinum with 'Leave A Whisper' and my sons guitar was signed and dated on this day once again Thanks to Shinedown. So if the band reads this I hope you remember my son because one day his band may open for you, and know that Shinedown was his insperation.

Joe me and son have been customers for awhile and feel the same way about shinedown and Thanks for providing a great place like Joes Records for dreams to come true for kids and adults like us.
Ed Butler
Evansville, IN

hey joe, i was at that show in evansville...i live in TN...two hours away....quite a drive from clarksville...i must say that i am impressed with the story above...i would have given anything to meet them. i am from jacksonville, and my cousin plays in lynyrd skynyrd, so i kinda feel somewhat of a connection with shinedown...(dont ask) they have also inspired me to start singing....though i cant say im any talent. 45 is my favorite song to play and sing...i love them so much and they have really helped me through some difficult times. though you and i have never met, i want to say thanks for getting them there in ur store. im sure they changed a lot of ppls lives that day. turning a worthless piece of trash into someones world just by putting their names on it is a pretty amazing thing...i hope to be in their position one day, and i hope when i am, ill have half the heart they do...thanx

ryan

quote:

Originally posted by The Guitarist:
hey joe, i was at that show in evansville...i live in TN...two hours away....quite a drive from clarksville...i must say that i am impressed with the story above...i would have given anything to meet them. i am from jacksonville, and my cousin plays in lynyrd skynyrd, so i kinda feel somewhat of a connection with shinedown...(dont ask) they have also inspired me to start singing....though i cant say im any talent. 45 is my favorite song to play and sing...i love them so much and they have really helped me through some difficult times. though you and i have never met, i want to say thanks for getting them there in ur store. im sure they changed a lot of ppls lives that day. turning a worthless piece of trash into someones world just by putting their names on it is a pretty amazing thing...i hope to be in their position one day, and i hope when i am, ill have half the heart they do...thanx

ryan

Ryan what I just read from you is moving and by watching my son over the years ansd the guitars I have bought and watched him play and learn on did not match to what Shinedown did for his ego that day at Joes and that night at the concert. So I understand the way you feel and wish you all the best and maybe someday you and my son will be on the same stage together rocking out with Shinedown Thanks for the support.
Cool Dad Alexes dad