Road Stories : Black Stone Cherry, 2009 vs 2011
The 2011 Carnival of Madness tour was the last tour I photographed. Health issues played a significant role in my decision to step back after over 20 years in the industry. I attended the tour in Huntington, WV, which felt fitting since I had decided to put down roots in West Virginia two years prior. The Carnival of Madness marked my second attempt at photographing Black Stone Cherry, and I successfully captured it. My first attempt was in 2009 at the newly built Corbin Arena in Corbin, Kentucky, just a 25-minute drive from my home in Williamsburg, KY. Unfortunately, my credentials for that show never materialized. I had coordinated with their record label to set everything up, and Roadrunner Records had always been supportive of my work. Amy, Lily, and Jessica from the label were invaluable; they ensured I was on the list at will call whenever I arrived at a venue.
However, when I arrived in Corbin, I waited over two hours in the will-call area for my credentials to be verified, but the venue staff could not locate the credentials list. This situation was not a reflection of Roadrunner Records, as I had always enjoyed excellent communication with them. It was also unrelated to Black Stone Cherry, their management, or the band itself, as they had no knowledge of my supposed attendance. The issue rested squarely with the Corbin Arena and its staff.
Lost lists and miscommunication among staff at a venue are common occurrences. However, it raises concerns when those working the door allow people to enter without tickets. I experienced something similar at a .38 Special concert I was supposed to photograph the previous year in Corbin. To be fair, 2009 wasn't a great year for the city of Corbin overall.
So, was it worth the wait to finally photograph Black Stone Cherry after two years of dealing with the Corbin situation? My answer is a resounding yes! The show was beyond anything I could have imagined. I had a hard time keeping up with their electrifying performance. After the show, I saw the band members as they headed to a meet-and-greet. I was sitting on the ground, dripping with sweat and breathing heavily into a towel as they walked by. I managed to gather my strength and exclaimed, "Great show." One of the band members replied, "Are you alright?"
As for my final thoughts, I am not bitter or angry about my first attempt to cover a Black Stone Cherry concert. Instead, I am grateful for all the opportunities I've had over the years, whether good or bad. These experiences have become my stories.
Web : www.blackstonecherry.com
Gear : Nikon D200 w/Tokina 20-35mm f/2.8
All images edited with Capture One Pro 20
*Color versions of some of the images can be found in the archives by clicking here. [Archives]