Lj-NickelbackBlog

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The Show Must Go On
A girl and her friend attend a Nickelback concert and one of them is singled out by Chad for some fun after the show. However, things aren't always as they seem.
Author: Lj Copyright © 2006


I had been cranked for weeks about the show and its finally here. It's tonight and I can hardly wait.

I've spent the last two hours primping and preparing trying to make myself look the best I can. Why bother really I think again filling my head with the constant doubt I thought I had finally shoved away for good.

Its not like I'm gonna get lucky and meet anyone of importance or have my dream come true meeting Chad. Hell I would probably fall over if a stage hand noticed me.

I'm pulling the last curler from my hair when my cell phone starts vibrating across the vanity counter. It's Mary Jo who is my closest friend and I figure she is calling to let me know she's on her way to the show.

"You ready?" she asks and I can hear the excitement in her voice.

"You bet," I answer with the same eagerness I know she is feeling.

"I'm on my way and I'll meet you there.."

We end the call and I do the last bit of tweaking I can possibly do. Stop now I tell myself. Sometimes enough is enough and overworking something can actually end up with the opposite results that you are trying to accomplish.

Ten minutes later I'm in my car and on my way listening to All The Right Reasons for the millionth time as a precursor for the show.

A half hour after that and Mary Jo and I are standing in line waiting for early entrance before the general public because we have a pass through the fan club.

I sense a cluster-fuck headed our way because the venue security is clueless to the pass we hold and what it means. Mary Jo is ready to rip the head off of anyone who looks at her the wrong way and I just stand back inhaling the remnants of sulfur and smoke from the pyro that was tested during sound check.

It's late afternoon and very hot and I doubt it will be any cooler when the sun sets. Its going to be a very long night but one I have been looking forward to for so long so I stay focused on the positive rather than the negative. Although it is getting harder to do that with each passing minute.

Finally we are told we would be let in. The early entrance passes make no difference as the general public who got here early is right in line with the rest of us. The security guard is yelling for everyone to maintain order and back off. "No rushing," she shouts out and it makes no difference. As soon as the chain is removed everyone rushes forward running to get their spot at the rail, Mary Jo and myself included.

We have are place secured and now I think I can finally breath only I'm way to wound up. It's hot and I'm thirsty but can't imagine going to the concession stand for a cup of water. Even though it's a good hour and a half before the show I know if I were to step away I would never get back on the rail. So this is the beginning of my session of mind over matter.

I don't need to go into a zone yet because I can't afford to. I have many more hours to go and its only going to get more crowded , remain hot and I can't leave to get a drink nor relieve myself.

Mary Jo and I stand at the rail and talk with others near by about the other bands that will be playing and everyone is sharing their personal opinion.

"I never heard of Hinder," one girl says.

"They rock," says the girl on the other side of me.

Another girl is doing nothing but playing with her cell phone getting ready for a picture marathon while another girl and guy are gushing rave reviews about Chevelle.

"I am so here for Hoobastank," a redhead shouts out.

Okay I just have one question folks. Where the hell did they get that name from?

I could care less about any of the bands and I am here strictly for Nickelback. I have been a loyal fan since day one back when these boys were just starting out. I've got history people and I feel good about it.

About an hour later things are really picking up. Last minute sound checks, crew getting everything positioned on stage and people who must have connections to the bands are hovering around the side of the stage.

I get my first glimpse of the infamous Hawk as he goes past me between the rail and the stage from one end to the next. I'm in the middle so I can see most all that goes on. On his return pass he walks slowly with an intense look that resembles a scowl closely observing the nearby crowd gaging the mood.

When he gets in front of me and Mary Jo he stops and pauses. Suddenly the scowl is gone only to be replaced by a charming smile. Hawk has dimples and I would have never imagined it since I have never seen a picture of him laid back, relaxed or smiling.

When he leaves I get an elbow shoved at my side and I want to clock Mary Jo.

"Ow dammit," I snarl at her.

"Did you see that? I mean did you really see that? That was Hawk and he stopped right here in front of us. He looked at you and smiled," she rants out with so much excitement that I think she might very well faint over it.

"It wasn't me silly," I say rolling my eyes.

"WRONG ... and I saw it. He was looking straight at you," Mary Jo says snidely.

"Yeah whatever," I say shrugging. I look over toward my left and spot Hawk at the very end and he is staring right at me. There is no mistaking it. With my luck I probably resemble some obsessed over zealous fan and he's waiting for me to blink so he can escort me out.
The next three hours pass and its ten minutes before Nickelback is set to come on and all of a sudden there is a lot of noise down at the far left end of the rail. I lean out looking over and Chad has come out and he's smiling and waving to the fans at the rail. He stops and says something to Hawk and Hawk nods his head. A bunch of people shove paper at Chad and he signs a few things before making his way further down along the rail.

Everyone near me in the middle and on the other side starts screaming and shouting they are so excited.

Chad is walking when he suddenly stops right in front of me. Oh my god but I am face to face with Chad Kroeger and he is looking directly at me with that huge smile of his. Everyone around me is waving their arms trying to touch him and I am stuck in place unable to move.

He winks at me and looks over at the blond next to me who is sticking her ticket out at him for an autograph. Chad signs a few more things people are holding out at him and then he stops again staring at me. I'm still standing here like a dazed fool and he looks down to see if I am holding anything for him to sign. I'm not and then I'm completely shocked when he takes my hand off the rail holding it in his own scribbling his name in black marker across the top of it. When he's done I look up and we lock eyes for a brief moment and then he winks at me again.

Chad pulls Hawk close, says something, Hawk nods at him and they walk away further down toward the other end of the rail for a repeat with the fans. He signs a few more things for people but I am the only one to have my hand taken personally by him and signed.

A few minutes later Chad is whisked away past me with Hawk guarding him and he disappears back stage.

Everyone is in a frenzy along the rail gushing over the two seconds of personal attention they received from Chad.

A few minutes later the statium goes dark and the sound of a heartbeat starts loud and slow progressing faster and louder when suddenly there is a loud pop and a flash of pyro and the next thing I see is Chad up in front of me on stage with his guitar ripping into the song Animals.

Numerous times though out the show I think Chad may be looking directly at me. I think he is but then maybe its just wishful thinking on my part. Hawk walks by every now and then and when he passes he stops and stares and then quickly walks away.

Chad finishes singing Photograph and starts bantering with the crowd. He walks right in front of me and looks down smiling and there is another wink.

"Oh my god did you see that?" Mary Jo screams out at me. "He winked at you."

My heart is racing and now I really think Chad has been watching me a lot tonight.

He leans out shouting into the microphone. "Are you all having a good time tonight?" The crowd roars back at him. "I asked are you having a good time tonight?" he repeats and the crowd gets even louder.

"Well get the fuck up and let me hear it," he yells out throwing his arm up giving everyone the devil horns.

Suddenly Hawk appears in front of me and stops to say something. He wraps an arm around me speaking quickly into my ear. "Take this and put it on. I'll find you after the show and take you for a meet and greet out by the busses." He quickly leaves and I look down in my hand and I have a round blue fabric sticker with a picture of the band on it that says M&G guest. Oh my god!

I look back up at Chad and he is looking directly at me and he smiles before strolling across the stage. Mary Jo is staring at me with her mouth wide open. "Let me see that!"

I peel the backing off and stick it on my shirt and my heart is racing, my stomach is flipping and I'm trying not to look like a stunned idiot.

For the rest of the show I'm in a daze barely able to think straight. Chad tosses out a bunch of guitar picks deliberately throwing one right my way but I miss catching it. He leans down and hands one to a blond haired guy who is part of the venue security saying something pointing directly at me. The blond walks over and hands me the pick. I look up at Chad and he winks once again at me.

I look around and wonder if his fiancé is anywhere around because I really think Chad has been flirting with me all night. I have this pass and I really think I've been singled out.

I can hardly wait for the show to end and once it does I am actually sad that it does. I could stay here all night and watch these guys.

The venue starts clearing and I'm standing not knowing where to go or what to do. A few minutes later Hawk comes and tells me to follow him.

We walk to the side at the end of the rail before the stage and I see a group of people who are all wearing the same M&G passes just like the one that I have on. There are a few guys but most of them are young girls like me.

A girl next to me asks if I enjoyed the show and she opens a poster she has to show me she got it signed. I learn that most of the people in the group are winners from a radio station contest and they had already had a M&G with the band while Chevelle was performing. I though maybe Hawk was randomly handing out passes to whoever caught Chad's eye and I'm glad that's not the case because now I know I really was singled out.

We pass through catering and backstage ending up outside and there is a row of busses parked but all running. Chad isn't around but a lot of the crew are and suddenly Ryan and Daniel appear and everyone rushes forward to talk with them and get a picture.

Ten minutes later Mike appears with Chad following. Chad has changed and is all freshly showered looking sinfully sexy and the girls flock around him. He gives everyone a huge smile, shakes some hands and poses for pictures.

I stay back until most everyone is done and then he spots me.

"Well c'mere sweetheart. Do you want a picture too?" he asks smiling at me.

"I hand my cell phone off to a girl for her to snap a picture of Chad and I and I can't believe I am actually standing here with my arm around him. He is really tall and slender. He smells wonderful and I don't want to have to let him go.

I step back and watch as Chad pulls out a marker and start signing things for everyone.

"Okay Chad, you ready let's go," Hawk says pulling him back.

Hawk starts pacing back and forth slowly nudging everyone back while Chad eyes are scanning over all of us.

"Okay everyone, its time to move out," Hawk announces. He looks over at Chad and then back at all of us.

Chad's gaze stops on a pretty blond. He smiles at her and then looks away. He scans over a few others and then he is focused on me. He nods and smiles directly at me and I'm not sure what all is going on here but something is definitely going on. He looks back toward the blond and nods discreetly at Hawk. I think she and I might just be held back until everyone leaves. Maybe he will come back out and spend some time with just us. Something definitely is up.

Chad waves at everyone, turns around and walks away heading toward what I gather is his bus.

Other crew members and security usher us toward the exit. Hawk disappears and is back again right as the gates are ready to be locked up for the night. He reaches out to that blond girl saying, "Wait, you stay. You come with me."

Her face lights up and together they walk back toward Chad's bus.

My heart sinks and my eyes burn. Why did I think he was looking at me? Why did I ever think I had a chance to really get close to Chad Kroeger? What was I thinking?

Its all apparent what was going on all night long. Chad was looking for a groupie tonight and I was there on top of the list but apparently the blond beat me out. I have no doubt what she'll be doing with him on the bus tonight.

I'm speechless and on the verge of tears. Part for being such an idiot and a naive fool and part because I wish it were me with him right now.

Even though Chad is engaged to be married always gushing over Marianne the fact is that he is just like most rock stars ready to play while out on the road. I almost hate him for this but then I would still give anything to be in that other girl's shoes right now.

I take one last look back over the gates that are now locked. The lights around the area dim and its quiet all except for the constant drone from the busses. As I walk to my car I finally let the tears flow.

I guess when the lights go off, the curtain comes down. The stage is torn apart, packed and loaded on the trucks waiting to head off to the next show. You think everything is done and over but its really not.

For Chad the show must go on ... all night long.