Roadie for a Day

Forward

I warn you. This "review" is more like a novel and is ridiculously long. So long, that I had to cut it in two parts. I only hope that you absorb every word and enjoy the story.

Part One

Congratulations, Roadie Work, The Band Arrives


It wasn't long after I bought a premium membership to KoRn.com, through Modlife, that the Roadie for a Day contest was announced. I already had my tickets to the June 4th show in Las Vegas, as well as a Meet & Greet, so I was already completely satisfied with what June would bring for me.

Being a person who never had much luck of winning any contests throughout their life, I did not expect myself to win, even as I would meticulously choose my show in the drop-down menu of the site every single morning and anxiously watch as my show got closer and closer to the top until it was off the menu completely.

The first day of the show being gone from the list passed by and it felt weird that I didn't enter into it. (A month of doing that really tends to ******** with your head.) It was the fifth night from the concert when I checked my email. I had one message: asking for my confirmation on winning the contest. The sensation of air getting caught in my chest would be the first of many throughout the next few days.

Well, let's get to the more exciting part of this experience. I hope I haven't lost any of you yet.

The day of the concert finally arrived and I was running around my house all morning. I had arranged several gifts together to give to KoRn if I met any of the members - most importantly a painting of Jonathan's microphone (officially known as "The b***h"). I also had a doll filled with letters I had friends on Facebook write to KoRn and a drawing of Ray Luzier, but unfortunately, in my rush, I didn't realize I left them behind until I arrived at the venue. (I'm not too upset - there will always be a next time.)

I nervously called Sebastien Paquet and he directed me to the tourbuses in the back of the Palms, where he later came out wearing a white and red Jordan jersey. He then led me into the otherwise-restricted back exit of the Pearl. He ushered me very fast through a sea of white stairways and halls, twisting through a few different ways until finally arriving inside the actual venue. He led me up on to the stage and I passed Ray's drum set for the first time and the actuality of what I had gotten myself into began to set in.

He led me back to his dressing room down a steep, steel ramp. He was the first door in the hallway. He gave me my working pass which I placed on my shirt and I put all of my stuff down on the counter. (A purse, a heavy camera in a strap bag and Jonathan's painting.) As soon as I had took in the room a little bit, Sebastien was already leading me back out onto the stage where he introduced me to several of the people I would be working with for the day, which included Stewart Wilson, Jim, and Abel, also known as Katfish.

I had been nervous before I had even won of the idea of the engineers, techies or other roadies being assholes, but that fear left as soon as I said hello to them, and I knew immediately they were all very nice guys. Sebastien told me to feel free to take pictures and left me with my newly-met bosses who I would be assisting for the day. There wasn't much I could do at first (or at all, since I'm a girl with a height of about 5"3) so I started taking pictures of all of the cases and things around the stage. It was like a KoRn's fan's Heaven - the famous logo was scratched into every case, along with stickers they had acquired over the years and scuffs and cuts from all of the traveling. There was a story behind every case there.

Stew was sure to tell me each story too. He really made me feel welcome and my first job involved helping him roll a long, rectangular white case from one side of the stage to the other. "I bet you'll love what's in here," Stew said to me, and I instantly knew by the shape of it that it had to be Jonathan's microphone case. It was such an honor to roll it over securely against a wall on Stew's side, but little did I know that later on, that honor would only grow...

I continued with my picture-taking and Stew showed me all sorts of neat things and told me stories about each and every one - from why Jonathan's microphones have padded tips, old signs and more. I took in every word before heading over to see if Katfish needed anything done.

This resulted in me applying microphones to different bars on Ray's drums. I had to push down a button and slide them in; it took several times for me to get it right but soon the job was done and I was back to taking more pictures. I got to bond with some of the guys and enlighten them about when I got into KoRn, how living in Las Vegas sucks and how I'd try not to freeze up when I met the band.

Katfish then assigned me to rub off all the fingerprints on Ray's kit with a towel. I cleaned that thing as thoroughly as possible, but it was easy to get lost in all of the bars; I'm certain I missed a lot but I did my best and I think it looked pretty damn shiny in the end.

Jim started to talk to me a lot after that and he showed me a YouTube video on his iPhone poking fun at what it was like being a roadie. Then he gave me three VIP laminates to go give to Shaun, Angela and Chamber. It was my first mission by myself and I succeeded in getting lost in a stairwell for a few minutes (you can find the video on my Facebook) but soon I got to the casino floor and searched around. I couldn't find them so I headed back in, somehow winding up in the balcony of the Pearl. I looked down at the stage as I walked, hoping no one saw me, but I'm sure someone must have.

Stew, Jim and myself took a lunch break at the Bistro buffet and it was there I learned that it's Jim's voice we hear in the Uber-time introduction. He told me he thought it was stupid, but I assured him it wasn't and I actually dug the way it sounded. He questioned how I had heard it and I told him it had just gotten released on Amazon, and he seemed to be a little fascinated that his voice was on the website.

Not long after, we returned back to the Stage and I got a text telling me that my best friend Megan and my boyfriend Andrew were on their way down. I decided to try and give my search for Shaun another go, this time with a lot more luck - they were all standing right outside the Pearl. The delivery was brief, and I headed off to go see if I could find Megan and Andrew, and ended up walking right in front of them. I was relieved knowing they had gotten there and led them back to where The Pearl was only to find Shelly, Joanne and Scooter standing by the Box Office. I was so happy to see everyone and meet them, but with the Roadie duties I felt I was needed back so it was a pretty quick greeting before I headed back in with Shaun.

I was standing around, asking if I could do anything, but there wasn't much else I could do, so I started taking pictures again. Zac had arrived, and I was thrilled to meet him. Like most there, he was very kind. After a few words, he went over and started putting together his own keyboard stands and wires. I thought it was neat he did the work himself.

Not long after that, I spotted Shane and his girlfriend Talita down on the floor. It seemed like Shane kept looking over at me, but I had no idea how to say "hi" to him, so I kept to myself.

Ray arrived immediately after and I got to meet him - and as everyone has reported, seriously one of the nicest people I have ever met. He was so easy-going and chill - it was just like talking to an old friend. I even showed him the painting I did for Jonathan and it received a lot of praise. I then got to show him later on the drawing I did of him - sadly just the picture version on my cell phone, as I had left the actual drawing behind. "You made me look younger!" Ray said, smiling wide, and told me to send it to him somehow. I was extremely happy he liked it, but a part of me was sad I couldn't present the real thing to him. But, like before, I had to remind myself I'd see him again - and maybe in forgetting the drawing and the doll, that just gave me more of an initiative to do so.

I spotted Shane again. But this time he was up on the stage, playing on his guitar. Being a very shy person in general, I sort of hid behind Ray's drum set, looking at Shane through the bars. He spotted me a few times, but I kept pretending to take pictures, waiting for the right moment. Not long after that, he ended up saying hello first and it was really easy going from there and he turned out to be the person I found myself most comfortable talking to, next to Stew.

Soon, the sound test began and a few instrumental KoRn songs rang around the room. They all sounded album-perfect to me and I started taking pictures once more, mainly of Adair from 2Cents, who was tearing away on one of Munky's Ibanez. I was so caught up with the experience that I didn't notice the next person to walk in...


I was near Ray's drums, about to take a picture, when I saw in the reflection of the drum set a very familiar head stride past. Dreadlocks - thinner, tied back. Unmistakable glasses and sideburns. I looked back, and saw Jonathan Davis, the person I had been longing to meet ever since I got into KoRn - well over an eight-year-long dream. I turned back around, clutching my Nikon and backing up towards Shane's side, trying to keep myself from shaking. All I could think was, "He's right there. Jonathan Davis is RIGHT THERE. RIGHT OVER THERE." I snapped off pictures without even looking into my view-finder and without focusing. (This resulted in blurry shots later on.) I wasn't sure if I could photograph Jonathan or not...I did it discretely.

I watched Jonathan make his way backstage towards the dressing room area and I exclaimed to Shaun, "Jonathan just walked by!" I'm pretty sure that was when Shane made a remark about me not being that excited when I met him, but I was pretty much speechless and didn't know what to say to anyone at that point. Honestly, it was so bad that had someone asked me to recite the ABC's I probably would have forgotten what was after the C part. I tried to regain my composure the best I could. I couldn't freeze up, I couldn't let this opportunity go by. Jonathan returned back out, and sat on some amps next to Munky's pedal board.

I was near Stew now, who then placed his arm behind me and started walking me over to Jonathan. I don't remember if I was even breathing. Jonathan looked up at me, and time literally stopped at that moment. Nobody else in that room seemed to be moving, all of the noises and music just disappeared. Stew introduced me, and I shook Jonathan's hand, immediately thinking of my friend Irene and how I had promised her I would shake his hand if the moment came. I had read recollections a while back of people meeting him - always describing his soft hands, how he smells of leather and various other details. I can clearly recall that his hand was amazingly soft as so many had said, and there was also something so pure about it, and his grip, which was gentle, yet secure. "Hello, Danielle." Jonathan greeted with his usual kind smile. I don't even know if my dumbass even said "hi" back, but I'm sure Jonathan was used to the whole "frozen fan" syndrome by now so maybe it didn't bug him. LOL

Stew then had me do a microphone check again - this time, for Jonathan's bagpipe microphone and with Jonathan and half the band sitting all around me. I really didn't want to at all, I felt anxiety beginning to bubble up inside of me, but I was Roadie of the Day - I had to do this. Stew instructed me to start "yelling" into the mic. Well, I now wish I had done a simple "check, 1, 2" but instead I began screaming obscenities of all sorts, in a wave of "********, s**t, ********, DAMMIT, ARGH, ********". By that last "********" the entire room was silent. Something similar to this had happened to me in high school one time. "...don't stop!" I told everyone, my voice amplified. But it was too late, everyone had heard me and took turns imitating me in squeaky high-pitched voices that probably weren't too far from the truth. Shane even topped it off with one of those "wah, wah, wahhh" riffs. "So much for not looking like an a**." I thought to myself, hiding my face with my Nikon.

Jonathan had gotten up from the amps and headed over to Shane's side, and I crawled back over to Munky's side (in embarrassment and shame lol) and started watching everyone, quietly.

I had never once lived a dream before, I thought any second I would be waking up again - getting up in my room, turning on the computer and entering in for the Roadie contest like usual. But at the same time, I knew it was all real. I was in this surreal state-of-mind for a few moments after meeting Jonathan. I ended up sitting on the floor of the stage in front of Munky's microphone stand as a rehearsal began - this time with Jonathan playing one of Fieldy's basses - a black one with hot pink strings.

I got back into photographer mode, doing the best I could, but with all the movement, and despite my proper ISO, most shots were blurry. As I sat there, Jonathan Davis came walking up, standing right in front of me. A bright white stage light was shining behind his head, and with luck I was able to capture the moment.


Once rehearsal started to die down, I had gotten back up, anticipating Jonathan's next course - I wanted to give him my painting, I had to catch him before he left again because I had no idea if I'd get another chance. I stood near to where I had first met him, and sure enough, he started walking my way. I took a deep breath and walked up to him, and told him, "I have a gift for you." He couldn't hear me over some of the remaining music going on, so he bent down and I repeated myself and motioned for him to follow me. I led him to where I was storing my belongings, in Jim's brown case. The painting was face down, right where I had left it.

I grabbed it and presented it to Jonathan, who then smiled and with most sincerity told me it was awesome. He took it in for a few moments, and then leaned in and gave me a half-hug while holding the painting, and told me three words I'll never forget: "Thank you, sweetheart."

I was soaring at that point. "You like it?" I asked, though I sort of already knew the answer.

"Yes!" He said, and then he showed it to Stew and a few others. He traced his finger over it, pausing to look at it one more moment, and then said he was heading back to the tourbus - he was off to put it in his bus for safe-keeping, the final sign to me that he truly did like it, maybe even love it.

I could barely think. All I knew was I had to get back to Andrew and Megan so I could tell them what had just happened. I told Stew I'd be right back and headed out my usual way - into the stairwell. And that's when the true realization of what had just happened hit me, and I felt tears start building in my eyes, and soon all I could do was cry - happily, of course. Luckily I had made it out before anyone had seen me, but not like it matters because my entire Facebook can read this now. biggrin

After gathering myself up a bit, I arrived back outside The Pearl. I didn't see Megan or Andrew, but I saw Shelly and everyone else sitting by the gambling machines and headed over there, past the growing security building up outside the venue. I stood there with them, rethinking and rethinking what had happened. Disbelief was starting to set in, but a quick look through my pictures assured me it was real and that I had to get a hold of myself. I told Shelly and showed her, Chamber and Joanne my pictures while texting Megan trying to find out where they were.

Turned out Megan and Andrew had been kicked away from the entrance of the venue because they didn't have meet and greet passes. I found that ridiculous and decided I'd pay Sebastien a visit and see if he could do anything to help them out. I arrived back and asked Stew about my friends. He told me to ask Sebastien and that he said it would be okay for them to be backstage with me. I happily headed to Sebastien's working room, thinking of the idea of bringing Megan and Andrew back with me. I knocked on the door and someone slowly opened it. I headed in and Jonathan was standing right behind the door, towering above me. "Hi!" He greeted, and I know for a fact I replied with a shuddery "Hi!" before heading to Sebastien, who was clicking away on his Mac.

I asked him about the passes and told him what Stew had said, but he informed me that they wanted to keep the Roadie for the Day special and he was unable to do that. I understood, but before leaving, I asked him about Meet & Greets. "I can do those." He said, and I was filled with relief, glad that I was able to do something like that with my limited Roadie for a Day power.

He gave me two passes as requested and I quickly headed back outside to Megan and Andrew who were still waiting in the food court, for the delivery. They were so happy as they put them on their shirts, and it made me feel good that I could make something like that possible for them. We headed back to The Pearl and they were now able to wait in line and not be bothered by the security guards anymore.

Once I made sure they were secured for the show, I once again returned back inside the venue and came back over to Stew. He then led me over to the white case I had helped him push over earlier that day, and told me to find a towel.

He opened up the case and for the second time that day, time seemed to stop. Inside was a black velvet mold with Jonathan's microphone, The b***h, resting comfortably and safely inside with a pair of bungee cords. Stew pulled it out and set it down right in front of me. I couldn't believe it was right there. After looking over it for a moment, I determined that it seemed smaller in person, but it was about a head or two higher than me. Not a second later I started snapping off pictures again - this time quicker than a paparazzi cornering a deranged Britney Spears in an alleyway.

"Jonathan loves this thing - first his wife and kids, and then this." Stew told me, taking out a small, round case of off-white cream. He then started showing me how to clean the stand. He explained how the cream really takes off all of the oxidation, how to leave it on for a few minutes, then rub it off later. I cleaned violins in orchestra class in a very similar way, so I learned pretty quick - but let me tell you, I cleaned The b***h a lot more carefully that I had ever cleaned anything in my life. I don't think I would have been that careful with the Declaration of Independence. Under Stew's instruction, I cleaned the main parts, avoiding the cracks and lines throughout the stand, which were to remain darker for effect. I shined it up really nice as Stew took amazing shots of one the greatest moments of my life.

Part Two

On With The Show

Coming Soon... smile