Third Day (SpiritSong) in Mason, OH. (also known as Kings Island);
Sooooo... I know it's been a few weeks since SpiritSong, but my memories are carved in my brain forever! So, I am finally writing this blog that I've promised so many of you I'd write. Let’s just say that I had THE BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE at SpiritSong. Sooo.. you are about to dive into my point of view from the night. July 10, 2009; the BEST day and night of my life! All of the not so fun stuff before the Meet and Greet- So, the day started off with awaking at 7:30 am at my sister’s house. We had a long haul ahead of us. We stopped along the way to take a peek at my brother in-law’s brother, Josh’s, girlfriends house. All I can say is “WOW!!” Her house was like a mini castle! They have two ponds, and two swimming pools just on the OUTSIDE of their house. It could be split into 2 or 3 mansion sizes! I would LOVE to live there. But when we finally got to Kings Island the first ride we rode was the Top Gun ride. I think we got to KI at about 12:00!? Not sure though. But anywho! We rode a few rides and then we had a late lunch and I wasn’t very hungry. I had a few chicken nuggets, a few fries, and a Sprite. Luckily, we ate in an air conditioned all you can eat buffet. It was BURNING UP outside! Then my sister and I went to find out when the Wired M&G was, but the people at the gate had no idea about it. So, she made a few calls and she gave someone our number so that they could call us when they found something out. So, my sister and I went to sit down and she was upset with me. But when the gates opened we went to see if Mike was over there and thank goodness he was! He gave me the info and told me to come back in a few hours to get my badge. So, we went to go find Caleb and his brother. We walked around a bit and rode some more rides and then it started POURING! So much for my straight hair! So, we sat under a tree until it let up a bit. After it finally had we walked around a bit and then me and Jess decided to go back and see if Mike had my badge yet. We get there and he still doesn’t have them. So, we met up with Cale and Josh and we went on the Eiffel tower. We could see the amphitheatre from there! Then the boys decided that they wanted to ride the bumper cars. And after they did that they wanted to go to the arcade and play a few games. And while they did that I stood around for a bit then decided to go out and sit around. And then.. I heard THUNDER! Could anything else go wrong? And then a weather alert came on. But I couldn’t hear what they were saying because one of those gaming people kept talking. So, I ran in there to tell my sister and she couldn’t believe it. And then.. it started lightning and drizzling. So, we decided to go out. Then as soon as we left the arcade it started pouring and booming thunder and lots and lots of lightning. So, we ran under a little shelter thing. There was only 2 hours until theNewboys went on and as soon as the Newsboys were done I had the Wired M&G with the Third Day guys! And I was determined that they were going to cancel it since it was lightning and carrying on. So, we sat in there for a good hour and then it finally let up. Luckily, I had a hair tie. My hair was frizzing out BAAAAD! So, we went back to see if Mike had the badge yet and he wasn’t there… AT ALL!!! So, I was panicking a little bit! We went back out and Caleb and his brother had decided to ride the Invertigo while we were in there. So, we went over there to wait for them to get off of that. When they did get off, we walked around a bit and then when it got closer to the Newsboys time to go on.. my sister and I went to see if Mike was at the merch table and he wasn’t! I wasn’t too happy. My sister and I decided to watch the Newsboys’ concert. They weren’t too bad, but they were no Third Day! I don’t know how many times I went to the merch table during their set. But FINALLY 45 minutes into their set I went to see if Mike was over there and FINALLY HE WAS!!!!! I felt so relieved!! So, I went to him to get my badge and I got all of my Third Day merch while I was there. I went back to sit with my sister and I was most DEFINETLY excited about seeing the guys again. The Meet and Greet- So, once I thought the Newsboys were done I walked towards our Wired M&G place and then realized that they were going to do an encore. So, I sat that out where I was and just kept my eyes on our M&G place. And then I saw everyone going backstage for the M&G. So, I started running over there. And thankfully I made it in time! I snuck into a spot by my neighbor Cindi. I had NO idea she knew my name. Wonder how? But anyways.. she offered to take my picture with the guys. Which was very sweet of her! And I offered to take pictures of her and the guys. And then I heard Cindy and Terry asking Mike if he knew where I was and I looked over at them and Cindy saw me. So, I went over there and Terry was going to give me a few books, but she had to take a few things out of the sack to give them to me, but David was about to come to my spot. So, I told her that I’d come back and get them before the M&G was over. So, David was the first one I got to see. When he came up to me he asked how I was doing and I told him I was doing great and I asked him how he was doing and he said, “I’m doing fine! You’re Chelsie Lynn Gratzer from Facebook!” And I’m positive I about fell over and my jaw was dropped all the way to the ground. And I said yeah and he said, “Well, I’m sorry that I didn’t reply to your comment. I don’t reply to people very much on there if at all!” And I told him he was fine. And we talked for a while and he kept apologizing about it. Then I got my picture with him and we talked some more and he went on his way. And then I saw a camera dude recording during the M&G. I wonder why he was recording?! But anywho.. then I realized that Tai was going clockwise while Mac, David, and Mark were going counter-clockwise. Uhh-oh! This can’t be good. So, it just so happens that they both had to come to me and Cindi at the same time. So, Mark took me first and Tai took Cindi. Mark remembered me, too. He was like, “Hey! How are you doing?” And I told him and he was like, “You’re from Indiana, too, right?” I told him yeah and Cindi asked where at and I said “Bloomington-Bedford area.” And then Mark says, “Oh! Then you made a LONG haul just to come see us! Are you going to Ignite in Chicago?” I told him that I might and that I would try my best. And then Mark and Tai switched off and Tai remembered me, too! We talked about some stuff and he asked me how I was doing. And then he went on his way. So, everyone remembered me so far. ‘Wonder if Mac remembers me?’ that was running through my head while I was waiting on Mac to come over. Then, he was at my neighbor and while he was talking to them.. he looked quite tired. And once he was done with them.. he turned towards me and I saw his eyes light up. And he practically ran up to me and said, “HEY!! How are you doing?” And I was in shock. It took me a few seconds to respond and once I did, I asked him how he was doing. And he said, “I’m awesome!!! You know.. I really, REALLY enjoy reading your tweets! And I looked at him like he was kidding me. And I said, “Really?” He said, “Yes! I really do enjoy reading your tweets!” (Mac's @replied to me twice and sent me two DM's!) And I said, “WOW!!” And he was like, “You’re really quiet! I didn’t expect that!” and I said, “Yeah, I am pretty shy.” And he said, “Now, you see, I NEVER would’ve thought for you to be so shy!” And I just nodded. Then I was about to say something and I looked at him and he was just staring deep into my eyes. After that, I was speechless and just stood there and stared into his eyes. It was nuts! We stood there for like 30-60 seconds. Then Cindi broke that and told him that she was waiting for him to follow her on Twitter and he said that he doesn’t really follow fans. And he said that he doesn’t really like following the 20 people he does already. But we talked for more than 10 minutes. And then Mike LITERALLY made Mac move on. But before he went on.. he gave me a hug. I jumped and I think it about scared him half to death, but we hugged for about 30 seconds.. and then Mike started pushing him again. And he said, “Goodbye! It was nice talking with you!” And I left backstage feeling AWESOME!! So, you see.. me and my sister had this bet that none of the guys would remember me. So, I was anxious to get back to her and tell her that ALL of them remembered me. So, I told her and she couldn’t believe it. So, I told her about the whole experience. And I could see the dude behind us lean in on our conversation to hear what I was saying. I really didn’t care much. I just kept on going on. The concert was AMAZING!! Even though Mac claims that they were a bit rusty.. I think it was my favorite concert I’ve been to! They connected with the crowd automatically. The Concert- They opened up with “Tunnel” from the Wherever You Are album. Which they rocked it. And when don’t they?! The lighting was a bit different since we were outside. And our seats weren’t very good. Then they played “I Got A Feelin’” from the Wire album. Mac did this little dance with he feet that he NAILED PERFECTLY!! I just wish that I would’ve gotten it on camera! Then they played “RockStar” from the Wire album. Which is ALWAYS a fun song to hear live and experience with your own two eyes. Then came “Slow Down” from the new Revelation album. That song is AHHHHHH-MAZING!! On the album Chris Daughtry does some back-up vocals and his and Mac’s unique voices blend so great together! It makes such an amazing sound. I think Tai might’ve forgotten the words for a little bit of the song, but that’s okay! Then came “Thief” which is my sisters most FAVORITE song! She loves, loves, LOVES that song! The first time she heard it.. she cried. Which when she heard it I had taken her to her first concert in Champaign, IL. March 5th. She LOVED it enough to go to the Ohio concert with me. And we have tickets to see them in Louisville, KY October 17 and we have 6th row tickets in front of Mark. It’s gonna be EPIC!!! I’ve never been too entirely close to the stage! But ANYWHO!!! Third Day ROCKED “Thief”! Then they played “God of Wonders” which was B-E-A-U-TIFUL!! Because as soon as they started playing.. the fireworks started! It was so pretty! Just in time. Then they played “Revelation” the title track of the new album, Revelation. Revelation is ALWAYS pretty live in concert. And they always rock it! Then they played “I Believe” which is a GREAT song! Especially live. And next they played “Run To You” from the new album Revelation. Which is an AWESOME song whether it be live or in the studio. Next they played “Cry Out To Jesus” which ALWAYS gets me. It never fails! Mac’s talk is so touching.. I can’t hold the sobs and tears in! Next they played “Call My Name” which is one of my favorites! Especially at the moment! My favorite at the moment is “Take It All” which they don’t play live L, but I wish they did. And then “Call My Name” is next! After they got done with that.. they went off stage for just a minute or less and I saw people leaving (which happens all the time!) and then the guys came back to do an encore. And then most of the people went back to their seats or just stopped where they were. So, the first encore song was “Otherside” which is always a rocking song! And the last song they played was “Creed” which is a great song! All in all… it was a GREAT night! After the concert- Caleb’s brother found us and scared us half to death. So, we thought we lost Caleb, but we made our way over to Third Day’s merch table. And he was there. But on our journey over to the merch table.. this girl had caught one of David’s drumsticks and Josh was like, “Do you want me to go steal that from her?” And I told him no. But I really do need a drumstick and 3 picks from each of the guys! But when we got Caleb he told us that he and Josh were on the Drop Zone when Third Day started playing “Revelation” and he said that it was an amazing thing. He watched the first half of the song and then they went down and back up. So he caught glimpses of it. He said that he was singing along and people were staring at him, but he didn’t care! That’s his favorite song. Favorite things said by Mac and the guys during the concert- Mac: “We’re about to kick it up a notch” Mac: “I don’t want any stepped on toes!” Mac: “This is one of those songs that make you wanna shake your booty a little bit!” Mac: “Everyone gets loud and cheers, “Whoo-woo-woo” and then it just dies. I figured some of you rode your ride all day and now you’re all screamed out, right? If I’m not mistaken, Tai correct me if I’m wrong, when we were a little bit younger and a little bit more reckless, I think we rode that little St. Louis arch lookin’ thing right there, didn’t we?” Tai: “Yes we did!” Mac: “And I didn’t know what it did. I just thought it kinda swung you a little bit like a little swing. I had no idea what it does. That was the last time that I ever listened to Tai Anderson, EVER! They strap us in this harness and then they raised us up and I thought, ‘Wow! This is high!’ And then, you know, just when I thought it couldn’t get any higher *makes clicking noises* it went up a few more notches! And then I said, ‘Are they just gonna let us go?’ and then Tai was like, “No, you gotta pull the rope!” I was like, ‘Wha-t? Ain’t happenin’’ Unfortunately, we had a show here and we had to play so.. Tai pulled the rope. First and last time I ever rode that thing!” Mac: *SCREAMS ON THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS!* WOOOOOOOH!!! *Back to his normal voice* Ohio, man, I tell ya! We have had two weeks off. We haven’t done many shows this summer. We’ve been spending a lot of time with our families bein’ at home. So, we’re a little rusty, but it feels good tonight cause you guys just kinda.. however bad we are you guys make up for it because you’re so loud and beautiful and you sound so good. So, we love y’all Ohio and can’t wait to see you again. We need your help. Do you have a little bit of energy left for one more song? I need you to reach down deep inside. Put those hands together for just a little bit longer. Come on and sing it loud with us, Ohio!” And… that’s it! If you ever get a chance, I HIGHLY recommend you listen to the Wired radio recording of it. They messed the name up. So, it says Kings Mills, OH. But.. still! Go check it out! I hope you enjoyed reading about the concert and leave some comments below! OH! And I took some pictures and videos of the night! So, go check those out on my FB and YouTube. Thanks! -Chelsie! J
