Collective Soul is a Georgia based, multi-talented, down to earth group of guys that make wonderful music and put on the best show around! Ed, Dean, Will, Joel and Cheney-- the best!
I remember the first time I heard "Shine"-- it was instantly my favorite and I have been a die-hard fan of CS ever since. I have went to so many shows that I have lost count. Sometime I will have to try to figure it out.. :) It has to be upwards of 50...
I have met the guys many times, and have gotten every CD insert signed many times. Set lists are prized possessions. As are guitar pics and drum sticks. I have them all. I also have a signed cymbal head. They are always so nice to their fans. Always very accommodating even when it is freezing outside! It seems that I can never get enough things signed. It is also an honor to get a pic with them. I have some very nice ones that are great memories of many wonderful shows.
Speaking of pictures-- I am notorious for taking pics at the shows. I can't seem to stop myself. Some pics I have taken are above. I have a little Panasonic, but it takes great low light shots! I have many, many, many pics of the guys. Even a little video here and there. Ed poses for me quite often-- it's fun to anticipate how he will move to get the best shot. And does he move! The other guys are easier to take pics of, but the lighting on them is not always that good, so it may be harder to clear shots of them. And no matter if it is Ryan or Cheney-- it is almost impossible to get a good shot of the drummer-- you guys move way too much! Plus the cymbals block good facial shots.
I have had the privilege of going several cruises with CS. Nothing like it! I highly recommend musical cruises. I haven't ever had a better time than on the Rock Boat-- music non-stop 24 hrs a day for 3 days. The only negative is the boat motion-- it can get you!
One special thing that I share with the band is that Ed and I share the same birthday. We were both born on August 3rd, 1963. Were we separated at birth?? It would be nice to have a long lost brother! I am an only child. It would be cool to have a brother, especially as talented as Ed!
I look forward to a fun year following CS around this year and the upcoming new album!
I look forward to a fun year following CS around this year and the upcoming new album!
It has been 9 months since I've seen CS live! Talk about withdrawls! This past weekend I was able to hit 2 shows back to back. That's the best way to do it. As long as the show is within driving distance I am sure to be there. It's difficult being in Cinci-- the music scene here just can't compete with Chicago. I am looking forward to seeing the guys and hearing some of the new songs. Speaking of the new songs- the new CD should be out August 25th according to Ed. They are touring this summer with Gavin Degraw-- http://www.collectivesoul.com/live/
I joined Twitter last Thursday to follow CS this summer on their tour. It is such a blast-- very, very addicting! The guys are really into it-- it is very cool that they post so much and they actually follow back! (Just make sure you have unlimited text ability-- they are serious about this -- I had about 30 texts in just a couple days!)
Check out the fun at http://twitter.com/collective_soul -- join them & follow the guys during the recording of the new album and on tour. I asked them to play 'Where the River Flows" at the Saturday show in Herrin, IL and I was ecstatic that they played it! Very cool!! It hasn't been in the set list for quite a while.
More info on the tour and joining the fan club and purchasing tickets for Meet & Greet opportunities can be found here... http://www.collectivesoul.com/news/
Herrin, IL-- Italian Festa -- CS show at 10:30 pm May 23, 2009
We (my friend Melissa & myself) arrived last night about 9 pm to the Drury Inn in Marion, IL. Just enough time to take advantage of the free popcorn & soda and hit the pool & hot tub before they closed at 10 pm. Hot tub was nice to get the kinks of the 8 hr drive from my back. Checked out the Twitter site and CS was also spending the night in Marion somewhere.... Hmmm-- but where? Had a great night sleep and good waffle breakfast. Headed over to Herrin Festa around noon. Wandered a bit. Small quaint town. Carnival Rides, cotton candy, corn dogs, pick-a-duck--and good music-- a great celebration. Hot day. Cold beer sounded good, so we looked for a bar nearby. Ate lunch and a several beers at Teddy's Sports Bar & Grill. Headed back to the stage area- the Guys were just finishing sound check. Missed most of it- darn! Ran into Tia & Michelle. Cool! Hadn't seen them since last year. I still need to get a copy of the CS New Years Eve Chicago show televised in 2007. Melissa & I were down front and we were on TV-- can't wait to see it! My 1 minute of fame! Rained a bit-- not too long. Waited for the stage area to open - $10 entry. Opened up at 5 pm. Got a table on the right side of the stage. Enjoyed My Patience and Solovus. We went down front and got center stage. CS on stage at 10:30 pm. The stage filled with music, lights -- and it was time! The show is always so exhilarating! I am always on cloud 9 during a show. The music fills me completely-the rest of the world melts away! They played 3 new songs and all were fantastic! "Dig" is rockin! It was nice to hear "Tremble for my Beloved". And they played "Where the River Flows"- I love that song- plus I requested it on Twitter and they actually played it! Will was sporting a mohawk- very nice! The guys were having a blast up there and the crowd ate it up! Took lots of pics. Check out the video-- it is best part of the show-- "Hollywood" improvisation time! Show was over way to quickly- always is. They ended the show with "Run". Nice effect with Ed walking off and continuing to play after leaving the stage. I do miss the end bow with all the guys- it was a good photo op. This is first time I was at a show that Cheney played. He did a great job! I am sure he will be a good addition to the band. There really wasn't an opportunity to get anything signed after the show. Bummer! Next time!
I joined Twitter last Thursday to follow CS this summer on their tour. It is such a blast-- very, very addicting! The guys are really into it-- it is very cool that they post so much and they actually follow back! (Just make sure you have unlimited text ability-- they are serious about this -- I had about 30 texts in just a couple days!)
Check out the fun at http://twitter.com/collective_soul -- join them & follow the guys during the recording of the new album and on tour. I asked them to play 'Where the River Flows" at the Saturday show in Herrin, IL and I was ecstatic that they played it! Very cool!! It hasn't been in the set list for quite a while.
More info on the tour and joining the fan club and purchasing tickets for Meet & Greet opportunities can be found here... http://www.collectivesoul.com/news/
Herrin, IL-- Italian Festa -- CS show at 10:30 pm May 23, 2009
We (my friend Melissa & myself) arrived last night about 9 pm to the Drury Inn in Marion, IL. Just enough time to take advantage of the free popcorn & soda and hit the pool & hot tub before they closed at 10 pm. Hot tub was nice to get the kinks of the 8 hr drive from my back. Checked out the Twitter site and CS was also spending the night in Marion somewhere.... Hmmm-- but where? Had a great night sleep and good waffle breakfast. Headed over to Herrin Festa around noon. Wandered a bit. Small quaint town. Carnival Rides, cotton candy, corn dogs, pick-a-duck--and good music-- a great celebration. Hot day. Cold beer sounded good, so we looked for a bar nearby. Ate lunch and a several beers at Teddy's Sports Bar & Grill. Headed back to the stage area- the Guys were just finishing sound check. Missed most of it- darn! Ran into Tia & Michelle. Cool! Hadn't seen them since last year. I still need to get a copy of the CS New Years Eve Chicago show televised in 2007. Melissa & I were down front and we were on TV-- can't wait to see it! My 1 minute of fame! Rained a bit-- not too long. Waited for the stage area to open - $10 entry. Opened up at 5 pm. Got a table on the right side of the stage. Enjoyed My Patience and Solovus. We went down front and got center stage. CS on stage at 10:30 pm. The stage filled with music, lights -- and it was time! The show is always so exhilarating! I am always on cloud 9 during a show. The music fills me completely-the rest of the world melts away! They played 3 new songs and all were fantastic! "Dig" is rockin! It was nice to hear "Tremble for my Beloved". And they played "Where the River Flows"- I love that song- plus I requested it on Twitter and they actually played it! Will was sporting a mohawk- very nice! The guys were having a blast up there and the crowd ate it up! Took lots of pics. Check out the video-- it is best part of the show-- "Hollywood" improvisation time! Show was over way to quickly- always is. They ended the show with "Run". Nice effect with Ed walking off and continuing to play after leaving the stage. I do miss the end bow with all the guys- it was a good photo op. This is first time I was at a show that Cheney played. He did a great job! I am sure he will be a good addition to the band. There really wasn't an opportunity to get anything signed after the show. Bummer! Next time!
I am looking forward to some wonderful shows this summer! CS never lets me down! I highly recommend seeing them live-- you'll be hooked forever!
