I Can't Wait For the 2007 Summer Tour!!!!!

33 Years Old!!

I can't believe that I am 33 years old now! I don't feel like I am at all, which is a good thing I guess. My birthday, yesterday, was also a little sad. It was the first one that my Dad wasn't alive to see. I always enjoyed hearing from him on my birthday. He always brought a smile to my face.

My birthday was sort of split into two parts. The girls took me to dinner tonight to celebrate because last night I volunteered to work one of the concession stands at the Scott-Trade Center in St Louis during the Blues game. The money that we raised last night went to the girls school, so I figured that it was for a very good cause. Anything to help improve the education opportunities for children is a worthy cause. I think we raised around $500 for the school last night, just selling beer, food and drinks to the fans.

I actually had a pretty good time doing it. The Blues played the Detroit Redwings and won the game with a score of 1-0! I love going to hockey games, but I haven't been to a Blues game in a couple of years because of the strike. It is sad, the stadium was only half-full, if that. Oh well, it is going to take a few years to get the fans confidence back and start the process of building a devoted fan base.

There were 6 of us that went there to work the stand. Melanie rounded up most of them, including me, at the last minute. For the amount of money raised, it was worth it. Hopefully the school will be able to put it to good use.


Today was my birthday dinner. Melanie and the Girls took me out to Texas Roadhouse which is one of my top two favorite restaurants! I had a really good time, even though I was totally put in the spot light! Megan told the waitress that it was my birthday! So, the next think I know, I am sitting on a saddle, everyone is looking at me and the staff is singing some song as loud as they can to the whole restaurant!!! Then I had to twirl my napkin around in the air when everone yelled "yee haw!!" (or something like that). I wasn't too embarassed though! Usually I wouldn't have climbed on the saddle, but it is amazing what you will do when your three daughters are looking at you and smiling. I didn't want to act like a little baby and run away!

Well, other than that, not much else went on for my birthday. I guess as you get older, they just don't mean as much. I do know that this last year taught me so much. I think I grew up more during my 32nd year than I have in a very long time

Sarasota, Florida

Right now I am in Sarasota, Florida at my brother's house! I flew in last night at 8pm and it is so nice here! I left St Louis yesterday and the temperature was in the 30's with snow on the way. Today we went down to the beach just to see it and it was so beautiful! The temperature here today was in the high 70's and sunny! It is such an amazing change from one day to the next! I really can't believe that it is January right now.
Anyway, I just wanted to write a really quick message and attach some pictures. It is going to be a nice week here hopefully!

Dave Matthews Video -- "Sister"

This is a video taken in May 2006 of Dave Matthews playing "Sister." This is a new song that was played this summer during the tour. Dave sang this song at the first show of the summer here in St Louis! It is such an awesome song!! It reminds me of my sisters that I love so much!!

Loss of The Greatest Dad.

I thought that when I first started this blog that most of this would be about fun things that I have done and future travels that were to come. Tonight I feel like I need to talk about something very sad that happened over the weekend. Not that I want to let everyone know about this, but I guess more for my own personal well-being. Actually, I guess I would also like to somehow have this as a little, simple memorial to the greatest man that I knew. He was the nicest, most caring man who always thought of others before himself. He never asked for anything and always offered everything to anyone in need. He loved people and more importantly, loved to make them smile and feel good. He spent the last few years of his life in pain and sometimes in misery, but he would never ask for help.

Unfortunately, I don't remember much of my dad when he and my mom were still married. They divorced when I was about 7 or 8 years old. My earliest memories are of my dad picking me and my brother up to spend time with him. He was always so happy to see us! He always wanted to buy us new clothes and other things, not to buy our love, but to make sure we had what we needed. I remember driving around with him while he was working for AAA. He would go to calls for roadside assistance and always make the people he was helping feel better about their situation. I loved riding around with him and listening to him talk about different things. I loved it when we would stop at a Circle K or 7-Eleven to get something to drink, like a Super Big Gulp. I know it may sound silly, but those are the things that I remember about my dad. He had a way of making me happy just to be around him. Even if we were not doing anything really exciting. Although I wasn't able to spend as much time with him when I was growing up that I would have liked to, I was able to spend much more time with him as I grew older. I will never foget him and I will always (and have always) loved him.

I was able to spend the last 3 weeks of his life here at my house with him. I was able to see him every day, except for the five days that I spent in Washington State earlier this month. It seems such a short time that he was here with me, but to me, it is worth a whole lifetime. Until the very end, he wanted me to be happy, even though he was in constant pain and deteriorating health. He would be hurting, but he would make a joke about something and make me laugh. I will miss having him here in my home. I can still smell him here when I enter his room to clean it and get everything in order. I will never forget these last few weeks. He affected the lives of so many people in a positive way. I am very glad that he is not in pain anymore and can finally get some rest, but there are a lot of us that will miss him so very much. We are all hurting right now, but I know that we will make it through this because if there is one thing that my dad never wanted was to have people crying about him after he died. We all did and we all will for some time to come, but that is human nature.

I love you dad and I will miss you very much!

-Ryan

Glenn E. Olds

11/14/1940 - 9/9/2006

Camping at The Gorge!! 8/31 to 9/4/2006!!

One of the best parts of the three nights of Dave Matthews and O.A.R. was camping for four straight nights with thousands of DMB fans from all over the country and Canada. If I had to guess, I would say that there was about 20,000 people there in the camping section of The Gorge! It was awesome to see all of the tents and the different set-ups that people had. Some people brought couches, recliners and anything else you can think of. We actually saw someone that brought their kitchen stove!! No joke!! I should have taken a pic of that! It was a great time and we met some really nice people. Here are some pictures of some of the camping that was going on.

This picture was taken on 8/31/2006. We didn't even know we could camp there that night. We had tickets for the nights of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. We were told that the campground did not open until Friday afternoon (the 1st). Luckily we decided to drive by just to look at the place and found out that we could come in a day early!! It did cost an extra $40 though.

Of course grabbing a beer was the first thing that we did after we, I mean Jessica, set the tent up! There was not much else to do the first night but have a few beers!! Not that I am complaining. I couldn't think of anything better to do at that time! If you notice in the background, there are not many people to be seen. Wait until you see a picture from the next morning!

The picture below was taken the morning of the 1st! Notice how many people showed up during the night!! It was awesome to see the place fill up so fast. We were so glad to get there when we did!!

This is a picture of the pathway that leads from the campground to the Amphitheater. It looks peaceful now, but you should see it after the concert! It is a mess. Of course, people felt the need to "moo" while walking shoulder to shoulder down this path. You practically don't have to move your feet, you can kind of just be pushed by the crowds of people! This walk was not the funnest thing to do after standing all night during the show.

The picture on the left is of the lawn area of the amphitheater from the campground. I took this picture from the campground. The picture of the right is of the campground taken from the lawn area of the amphitheater. It shows half of the campground which extends out of the picture to the right.

Dave Matthews Band. The Gorge. Night 3. 9/3/2006

09/03/2006
Dave Matthews Band
Gorge Amphitheatre
George, WA

Granny *
Typical Situation *
Grey Street *
Where Are You Going
The Idea Of You *
Lie In Our Graves *
JTR *
Crush *
Dreaming Tree *
Last Stop *
Digging a Ditch *
Cant Stop
Jimi Thing *
Tripping Billies *
Encore:
Loving Wings *
All Along The Watchtower *

Special Guests:
* Rashawn Ross on Trumpet

This is a picture of Me, Jessica and two of the people that we met during the weekend (John and Megan). They were really nice and were always offering food to us! They are from Utah and drove down, so they were able to bring a lot more stuff then we did. I think that meeting all of the different people and making new friends was what made the weekend so much fun!

Dave Matthews Band. The Gorge. Night 2. 9/2/2006

09/02/2006
Dave Matthews Band
Gorge Amphitheatre
George, WA

One Sweet World *
Crash Into Me
Seek Up *
Grace Is Gone
When The World Ends *
Shotgun *
Don’t Drink the Water *
If I Had It All *
Dancing Nancies *
So Much To Say *
Too Much *
Break Free *
Pig *
Ants Marching *

Encore:
Butterfly
American Baby Intro *
Pantala Naga Pampa *
Rapunzel *

Special Guests:* Rashawn Ross on Trumpet

Dave Matthews Band. The Gorge. Night 1. 9/1/2006

09/01/2006
Dave Matthews Band
Gorge Amphitheatre
George, WA

Everyday *
Proudest Monkey *
Satellite *
Say Goodbye *
What Would You Say *
The Idea Of You *

Big Eyed Fish *

Bartender *
Hunger For The Great Light *
Dream Girl *
Loving Wings *
Warehouse *
Stolen Away On 55th & 3rd *
Cant Stop
You Might Die Trying *
Louisiana Bayou *

Encore:
Sister [Dave Solo]
So Right *
Stay [Wasting Time]

Special Guests:* Rashawn Ross on Trumpet

Seattle, Washington. August 31, 2006

O.A.R.!!! FOX THEATRE 07.16.2006 - ST. LOUIS, MO

I went to another O.A.R. show here in St Louis!! It was awesome, as usual!!!!! The Fox Theater to such an awesome place to seen them play! The St Louis crowd was great, just like they have been every time O.A.R. has played in town! I had such a great time with my friends. Me and Jessica went and met Tim and Kristen at the Fox before the concert. Jess and I got there early so we hung out across the street in the small park area, drinking beer!

I added some pictures that Kristen and Tim took at the show! Tim and Kristen met a couple of the band members and Tim (that jerk!) had pictures taken with Marc and Jerry! I was so mad when he called me! I wish we would have went with him after the concert ended. Oh well, maybe next week I will be able to meet some of the band at The Gorge! I can't wait!!!! Three nights of O.A.R. opening for Dave Matthews Band! Can you believe that? My friend Jessica and I are flying from St Louis on Thursday to Seattle, Washington, then we are driving over to The Gorge for 3 nights of camping at the venue with tons of DMB fans!! It is going to be such a great time! I can't wait!!

Well, here is the set list from the concert! During "Poker" the entire place was rocking!! The balcony above us was literally moving up and down!! I was so awesome!! I can't wait until they come back to St Louis again!

Set List:
1. City On Down (Organ Intro)
2. Heard The World
3. Risen
4. One Shot
5. Anyway
6. Mr. Moon
7. Untitled
8. Princess Valerie ~
9. Watching The Detectives
10. Delicate Few
11. Black Rock (Blood Outro)
12. That Was A Crazy Game Of Poker (So Lonely Outro)
13. Lay Down
14. Love And Memories Encore:
15. Dakota
16. Hey Girl

DMB--First Stop--Summer 2006 Tour!!

This was one of the best DMB shows I have been to so far!! Me and Jessica went and the setlist was awsome and is what made it so memorable! DMB played like they never wanted to stop! It was so amazing! Then to top the night off, Jessica happened to know one of the workers there and before the Encore started, he took us both up to the front on the stage!! We were actually in row 3 or 4 because of the way the seats curve, but we were so close to Leroi and Rashawn!!

I can't wait to go to The Gorge!! It is going to be three nights of OAR and DMB, camping out with 30,000 all with the same goal: To have a good time and listen to some awesome music!

05/30/2006
Dave Matthews Band
UMB Bank Pavilion
Maryland Heights, MO

Granny *
Grey Street *
One Sweet World *
Raven *
Crash
Hunger For The Great Light *
Pantala Naga Pampa *
Rapunzel *
Grace Is Gone
Jimi Thing *
Proudest Monkey *
Satellite *
Pig *
Everyday *

Encore:
Sister +
Where Are You Going
Louisiana Bayou *

Special Guests:
* Rashawn Ross on Trumpet
+ Dave Solo



The DMB CrewWednesday, May 31st 12:25 AM CDT

"The show's been over for a couple hours, and we're all still
coming down from the excitement of it all. We kicked off the summer tour tonight in a great way. The band came out and crushed it. Excellent set list. New tunes. Brilliant light show. Rashawn Ross on trumpet. Can't say much else."

"It's going to be an incredible summer"

This is a picture that I took with my cell phone during the Encore! It is not the best picture, but it shows how close we were able to get to the stage!!

O.A.R.--2/12/2006--Champaign, Illinois

O.A.R.
2/12/2006
Assembly Hall - Champaign, IL
With: Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers

Set List:
Hey Girl
About An Hour Ago
Dareh Meyod
One Shot
Whose Chariot?
Delicate Few
Lay Down
The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) ->
City On Down
Night Shift
Love And Memories
Like A Rolling Stone $
Piano Man $
That Was A Crazy Game Of Poker

Entire show with Michael Paris.
$ with Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers.


What in the world was I thinking when I decided to go back to Assembly Hall in Champaign, IL? I thought I had learned my lesson when the Dave Matthews Band played there in November. I guess I thought I would give the place (crowd) another shot. I will never make that mistake again!
This was my 5th O.A.R. concert and the worst that I have been to. The band was fantastic under the circumstances. Marc (the lead singer/guitarist) was sick and wore out. He was amazing though! I knew something wasn't right, but until Steven Kellogg and the Sixers had to sing a few songs in the middle of the show is when everyone knew Marc was sick. They had to cut the show short and didn't play an encore, but I wouldn't have either. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the crowds fault for them not coming out to play an encore. People were crowd surfing, which is totally stupid at a O.A.R. concert!
Anyway, me, Noah, A.J. and Jessica went to the concert. It is about a 3 hour drive from here and just like the DMB concert in November, it snowed most of the way there. We were smarter this time and brought in our own drinks hidden in our jackets! I still can't beleive I went back to Assembly Hall. I guess I had to learn the hard way.

One bright spot is that O.A.R. will be playing here in St Louis at The Fox in July!! Last November they played there and it was one of the best concerts I have ever been too!! I am so looking forward to it!! I am also going to see them open for DMB at The Gorge in Washington (state) on September 1st, 2nd and 3rd!!!!! I can't wait! It is going to be so much fun!!

DMB in Chapaign, IL 11/30/2005

My friend Jess and I went to another DMB concert!! This time it was at the Assembly Hall in Champaign, IL. It is about a 3 hour drive from here so they let us off work early so that we could make it there on time.
It was a great concert, but the venue was a little lame. They didn't serve beer there which totally caught us off-guard. The fans were not the best either. I think most of them had never even listened to a DMB song before. Oh well. The band played great depite the crowd.
It was a really good set list and I was really happy to hear "Christmas Song" live!!! I didn't think they would play that song. It was a nice encore!
Unfortunately that was the last concert of the year for me. I will be back in Champaing on February 12th to see O.A.R.!!

Wednesday Nov 30 2005
University of Illinois - Assembly Hall

What Would You Say
#41
Grey Street
Seek Up
Stand Up
Hunger For The Great Light
When The World Ends
American Baby Intro
Dream Girl
Too Much
Jimi Thing
Smooth Rider
Crash
Stay
__________________
Christmas Song
Ants Marching

O.A.R. in St. Louis!!!!

I finally have a chance to talk about the O.A.R. concert that I went to in St Louis on the 10th of November!! It was awesome!! It has to be one of the top 5 best concerts that I have been to. They played at the Fox in St Louis instead of the Pageant this time around! hopefully they will continue to go to the Fox. The band was great, as usual, and full of energy! The crowd was shaking the balcony, it was amazing!!

I went with a couple friends from work (Phil and Jessica) and my neighbor, Noah. We met Tim and his friend Justin at the Fox and they ended up sharing our seats since they were closer. We never sit down anyway, so it wasn't a big deal. It was a great night!! Especially after the day we had at work. I can't wait until next year when they come around again on tour.

Next week I am going to Champaign, IL to see the Dave Matthews Band play!!! I am really looking forward to that. Jessica is going to go with me so we are going to have to leave right after work and then drive back after the concert. It is about a three hour drive there. Hopefully we can get out of work a little early so that we can make it in time.

Fox Theatre

11.10.2005 - St. Louis, MO

With: Michael Tolcher


52-50
Love And Memories *
Hey Girl (Date Intro)
About Mr. Brown
Heard The World
Ran Away To The Top Of The World Today
Dareh Meyod
Wonderful Day
Risen
Mr. Moon
Delicate Few
Anyway $
Black Rock (Long Day Intro / What I Am Tag / Blood Outro)
One Shot
City On Down Encore:
Dakota &
That Was A Crazy Game Of Poker (Officer Tag)

& Marc and Richard.

Entire show with Michael Paris on keys, percussion, and vocals.

* with Pat Doyle (O.A.R. drum tech) on tamborine.

$ with Jimmy Maddington (O.A.R. guitar tech) on guitar.

Another Hurricane!

Wow! What a wild month for weather. Right now I am watching the news as Hurricane Rita approaches the Texas/Louisiana Coast. It is still about 6 hours away from making landfall, but there is already some damage occuring in many area's. The levee's in New Orleans have been breached again, so parts of the city are flooding again! Luckily all of the people are not there this time except for the reporters that continue to put themselves in harms way. I think it is amazing what Mother Nature can do. A lot of people have evacuated the coast after seeing the devastation that Katrina caused just a month ago. People are definitely taking hurricanes more seriously, which is good.
Here are some pitcures that I thought were interesting.

(Piture 1: A monument, dedicated to the over 6,000 killed in an unnamed hurricane in the year 1900, is seen on the Gulf of Mexico in Galveston, Texas September 23, 2005. Texas expects catastrophic damage from Hurricane Rita, including the flooding of the entire coastal city of Port Arthur, a senior state official said on Friday. The surf in the background was rapidly rising as Hurricane Rita approached. (Rick Wilking/Reuters)


(NOAA satellite image of Hurricane Rita taken at 11:15 a.m. EDT on September 23, 2005, as the storm continues moving closer to the Gulf Coast. (NOAA/Reuters)

(Homes and vehicles lie submerged in the Ninth Ward by new flooding caused by a breach of the levee on the east side of the Industrial Canal as Hurricane Rita moves towards land in New Orleans September 23, 2005. Two levee breaches have occurred on the west side, and one on the east side of the canal, allowing flood waters to flow back into New Orleans. REUTERS/J.P. Moczulski)