First of all, let me start off by saying that upon first hearing CREED back in 1997, I knew this band was going to make an impact. Let's face it,..with today's technology, anyone can get into the music business, but it's the bands who have passion for their music that will make them better than the others. My first meeting with CREED was back in May 1998 when they came to Omaha for the first time for our "Rockfest" show (an all day concert with many bands). This would be the first time I saw CREED in concert and the first of many times I would be left speechless by their live shows……they were awesome. On a personal level, the band couldn't have been any nicer. They went the whole nine yards….did interviews, took pictures, etc. They stayed in Omaha all day, and I was in heaven!! Because of my job, I was able to keep up with what the band was doing, and I thank god everyday for that----my job supports my obsession!!! (ha,ha). Next it was off to see CREED two more times on the MOP tour with each show getting bigger and better, and not only were the shows getting bigger, but their fan base was growing everyday. 1998 was a very good year for CREED, and I would love to go into detail about many things, but I'm sure this story will be long enough.
So, let's fast forward to 1999 and Human Clay. I flew to Chicago in October to see CREED for two shows, but the ultimate was when JP (a radio station co-worker) & I flew to Las Vegas in November to see the band at "The Joint" (a small intimate venue inside the Hard Rock Hotel). My radio station also gave away a trip to the Vegas show to one lucky listener and guest, so the four of us were off to Vegas. Well, as most of you remember, November wasn't a very good month for Scott Stapp. His throat problems were getting worse, and he got the flu the week of the Vegas shows that led to a couple of California concerts to be cancelled. Scott was released from the hospital the day before the first Vegas concert, but Scott was still recovering, so the band decided that instead of putting on a half-ass show---they would better serve their fans if they re-scheduled the shows and came back when Scott was 100% healthy. Was I bummed?? Sure I was….that was going to be a great show, but the most important thing was for Scott to get healthy. Nothing should jeopardize that. Plus, I was in Las Vegas of all places…..our party would go on!!!!
And continue it did. Our Vegas story doesn't end yet. You see, not only did my station have a winner flown to Las Vegas for the concert, but Wind-Up flew many winners from all across the country to see the Vegas shows. What happened next is why I respect Wind-Up and CREED so much. CREED knew all these winners were in Vegas so they drove from California to Vegas and basically we all got together and had a big party at The MGM Grand. Wind-Up planned the party….tracked down all the winners…..and the band came to Vegas for the FANS!!!! (minus Stapp…he stayed in his hotel room as he was still recovering). A lot of bands I know would have said, "Screw it, the shows were cancelled, we're in Vegas, let's go party….who cares about the fans". Not CREED…..I can tell you from personal experiences that the band is not cocky, they're genuinely nice people. The most important thing to them is their fans. We talked a lot about them having to cancel shows due to Scott's illness and they were bummed they had to disappoint so many fans, but Scott needy to get healthy before anything more serious followed. CREED wants to put on their best shows for their fans, and November/December was not the time. It was time to give Scott some rest. It was that weekend in Vegas that the band found out about the Metallica show, and let me tell you, the band was excited!! It was weird to see the roles reversed…..Metallica was the band idolized and CREED were the fans. That weekend was so much fun….they guys were great, and if any of Wind-Up's contest winners were bummed out about not being able to see the concert, they were made happy in the end. Kudos to Wind-Up and CREED!!!!!!
Okay, this could go on and on, I have so many stories, but for all of you CREED fans out there…..don't ever forget that the band knows who you are…….and all of you are very important to the guys!!!!!