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 like a good fit since I had decided to put down roots in West Virginia two years prior. Carnival of Madness marked my second attempt at photographing Black Stone Cherry, which I successfully did. My first attempt was in 2009 in Corbin, Kentucky, at the newly built Corbin Arena, which was very close to home—just a 25-minute drive from Williamsburg, KY, where I lived at the time. Unfortunately, my credentials for that show never materialized. I had coordinated with their record label to set everything up. Roadrunner Records had always been supportive of my work. Amy, Lily, and Jessica were particularly excellent; they ensured I was on the list at will call when I arrived at any venue. However, when I arrived in Corbin, I waited for over two hours in the will call area to have my credentials 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 also had nothing to do with Black Stone Cherry, their management, or the band itself, as they had no knowledge of my supposed attendance. The issue squarely rested 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 (BSC) 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 muster two words and exclaimed, “Great show.” One of them 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 are 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]