The First Show


The guitar amps were good as well. We met the guys running sound and lights, we sound checked and then ran through the songs for the very first time. It sounded great! I was very impressed with how well everyone had done learning the songs and I really think we locked in to each other real well, especially considering it was the first time we had played together as a group ever and we were all very exhausted.




The show was good! Notice I said good but not great. The crowd loved it and the energy was fantastic. I think I started really running out of energy. Everyone else did great. It was a ton of fun to be rocking again. They were no major catastrophies just a few bumpy spots. The crowd chanted for an encore so we came back with Bright Red Carpet. Right after the guitar solo at the end, my brain got through to my body and told it that it was too tired to continue and I hit a brick wall. It was so strange, all of a sudden the sticks weighed 100 pounds each and it was literaly all I could do to stay on task and finish the song. I got light headed and had to drop my head down and focus to the finish. I felt like a marathon runner that could see the finish line but falls to the ground and crawls over the line. I'll tell you what, hitting that last cymbal at the end of the song was the best note of the night for me! The crowd loved it and it was all worth it. I always remember the maxim, "The Show Must Go On!". All in all, this has been a success.


We rested for about 5 minutes and then went to the autograph table to sign cds for the fans. I drank 3 bottles of water while we signed to reinvigorate myself.


After the table, Ian and I did an interview with some local journalist.

The saga continues tomorrow. After a well deserved nights sleep we head back to Stokholm to be by the airport and catch an early morning flight to Wales for the next show.

 

YEAH!!! Thursday at noon I arrived in Stockholm! I contacted all the people I needed to and a driver was dispatched to retrieve me. I hoped it would be a short wait, but I was sorely mistaken. Four and a half hours later, Stefan loaded my gear into his car and we were off to the Hotel a short 3 hour drive away. On the way I had my first meal since the Panini at 6am. I had him take me to someplace to get Swedish Meatballs (surprisingly they just refer to them as meatballs here).
It was awesome to pull up to the hotels and see the relived faces of Ian, Brian and Costa. We had an hour at the Hotel to shower and relax. It doesn’t seem like a long time, but it was heaven for me. 8:30pm We loaded into a caravan and went to the Venue.






It is the third day of a four day festival. There are several tents but the main stage is in a big red barn. The backline gear was great! The drumset was perfect! I didn’t have to make any changes to way it was set up, I just sat down and started playing.

 

Thursday Night August 9th 1:50am (truly its Friday morning August 10th)

So, I’m writing this entry at 1:50 am Friday morning laying on a HM Customs countertop right next to SAS Check-in desk. My goal is to sleep a little bit and then be the first in line to check in for the standby list to Stockholm. If I can get on either one of the first two flights there, I’ll make the show, If not I’ll be staying Hans Solo in London until the rest of the guys arrive Monday.
Well the first part of my little plan is not working too well. I’ve been laying on this hard countertop for three hours and not sleeping.
This adventure began Wednesday August 8th at 6pm when I left Los Angeles. The plane arrived Heathrow a half hour early but we sat on the tarmac for an hour and a half since the entire airport had been shut down. When we finally got inside the airport I realized it was better sitting in the plane because at least there we had a seat. The airport was packed full of frusterated travelers.After collecting my bags and going through customs I headed to the SAS Counter to see what was next. My connecting flight was for 1:50 but it didn’t look like I was going to make it. After getting there I spoke to gate agent who informed me that all planes were grounded until 4:00. They didn’t have any info yet and would know more at that time.



So, as not to give up my place in line, I stood there with all of my bags for 2 ½ hours. A little after 4:00 they put a sign stating “We regret to inform you that all flights have been cancelled for the remainder of the day”.
I headed upstairs and started making calls. Long story short, it looked like there were no open flights to Stockholm until Sunday. My only hope is to get on a flight in Standby mode if someone doesn’t claim their seat. So that is why I am laying here on this countertop. I only slept for about 3 hours on the plane so I am exhausted but I can’t sleep. I guess I’ll continue laying here until I do.



Friday August 10th.

I slept for about 45 minutes on the countertop and decided to get in line at 3:00am since a line was already forming at the ticket counter. I made some friends with the Swedes in line. It was fun to hear everyone’s stories. Once we all got on the standby list we had a little picnic on the floor with our Starbucks and Panini’s.




After our breakfast we all waited by the gate hoping our names would be called. The order in which names were called was somewhat random. My picnic friends were two mothers, one with her 13yr.old daughter, and one with her 9yrs and 15rs old sons. The gate agent called the several names for standby seats and the last person she called was the 13 year old girl. After much arguing with the gate agent the mother of the girl said to give the seat to someone else if they couldn’t fly together. The agent went back to her computer and then my name was called!!! My new friends all applauded when I got a seat and as I was headed to luggage check-in they cheered and wished me luck with my concert. I very quickly got onto the plane and then we sat on the tarmac until we cleared for the flight. We left England at 9:50am.

 

Here is a good article about what I've just been through.

CTV.ca | Tears of frustration at British airports

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I made it!

I'm in Stockholm!!!!   It's been a crazy trip to get here and I will post the details and photos as soon as I am able, but I wanted to let everyone know that the show must go on, so I am here.

Check back soon for the story and photos.

Stockholm - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Stuck in Heathrow

Well, it's 9:00pm now and I have been here since noon. Because of the attempted attack on 9 US bound jets, we are in a high security situation. My airline has canceled all remaining flights. I am supposed to be in Sweden now. So we are trying to figure out a way for me to get there.
Keep tuned in for more updates.

Happy Birthday Mommmy!

Today is my mother's birthday!!! She is fantastic and I love her very much!

Getting Ready for the Road

I've been practicing and will be rocking in less than a week in Sweden. 

Good Times!!!

Flickr: Photos from christiancrowe

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Clementine is Super to! 

Super Crocket!

 

Visit from Sivje, Don, India, and Ahnalin

This last week we enjoyed the company of my sister Sivje, brother-in-law Don, and nieces India and Ahnalin. They arrived Wednesday night and were with us until Sunday morning.


India is nearly 15 and fabulous!


Soon to be 2 year old Ahnalin, just joined our family last year from China. Here she models her lovely bathing suit purchased during her visit to Disneyland earlier in the week.


Sisters in front of a big fish tank at the Long Beach aquarium.


The Parishs.


Here Ahnalin explains the fish's names and their Latin origin as India looks on in awe.


seahorse


On Saturday we celebrated Sivje's birthday. She is two years older than me, so if you do the math she is almost 30! Wow! ;-)
We had a great time with and look forward to the next time we can all be together.

Camping at Big Bear

This last weekend we went up to Big Bear and camped at Hanna Flats with 13 friends. It was a ton of fun inspite of the thunder storms.
On Saturday (as is the case everytime we rent a boat) it stormed like crazy. We drove around the lake trying to avoid the showers. It was a futile attempt. We got rained on so instead of sitting in the boat getting wet, we jumped into the lake and swam.

Rockin While Reading

Blog Music Player - myblogtunes by Radio Tornadostream

As you can see I've added a new radio station feature to the blogs.  I've hand picked some cool tunes for you to Rock Out to while reading.

Enjoy!

Christian

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Another adorable puppy video