Spring Tour 2011

I posted a detailed review of the first show of the tour in the forum, in Walker, MN.

He only played 55 min and no encore, and no audience interaction.


How long did he play in Houston? What was so good about it? Hard to imagine such a different show so close to the start.

I saw Scott in Houston too.. It was a great show, but why. tell me why didn't he get off that stool and jam. Omg It was like he wanted too, but it was in the contract not to get off the stool.. I feel he was not giving his all, he wanted to get up and rock.. he should of.. I was waiting! But He delivered a wonderful show and came out for an encore.. to put things in prospective My 12 1/2 year old daughter forgot about justin beiber for a night! I rest my case.. Scott still has it! And I will listen to him till the end! I'm still on cloud nine! kisses!

Sorry to take a bit getting this over here--it was an incredible night in Houston!


Hidden Blessings, the Past, and Purposeful Power
An incredible night in Houston

After more than a dozen times seeing Scott perform with and without CREED, and way more than a dozen years being grateful to God every day for this man, his beautiful family, his immense talents, his words, and his willingness to allow himself to be a channel for God’s power, and even for the darkest times, because those times, their pain, their process, and their lessons, are what brought Scott to the place of blessing he knows today, I consider every word, every note, every song, every performance a gift. Every show has its own purpose and its own blessing, and you never know just what those are until you are in the moment, and sometimes long past it. He is just like us, and the tough times are the ones that teach, and draw us to God. This was an event even more hard-won, because even though I am allowed to treat myself to one occasion a year, this year's timing came during tax season, and to say that my husband was not excited about the venture goes without saying. Up until leaving Tuesday morning, we were in wait that it all wouldn't happen. I had to plan, but all I could do beyond that was pray—and trust. God always has things to teach me about trust.

Houston is around seven hours from us, and Paul reminded me virtually every few miles that he had never driven this far for a show. I took it in stride without comment, because I know I've made it possible for him to go thousands of miles for his races, and he wasn't going to guilt me out of this! Show days for me are more than sacrifice of time or tender, I have to surrender sleep and sustenance because of my physical issues, and it is worth it all beyond measure for those indescribable instances, those feelings and sensations that are carved into your memory and being, those glorious visions on the stage, and being with a group of people who “get it”. Those are the treasures, like Scott’s words, that I ponder in my heart. What I told Scott in 2006 is even more true today, that if I spent the rest of my life thanking him, it could never be enough! Concerts are the only way I can thank Scott, that allow me to give back just an iota of support for all the endless hope, healing, and transformation he brings to my life daily. Since the rock 'n roll look does not really adapt to my body, I must opt for other wardrobe, but I decided to wear Wacky Jacky colors for the show, in honor of beautiful Jaclyn, and her incredible book and its message, plus, I love pink and brights! We arrived at the hotel, and were told to go to lunch because our room wasn't ready. Paul is always ready for food, so he was fine with that, but after lunch we waited, and waited, and waited! By the time we got the room, I barely had time to get ready, but we did make it for the meet and greet, and got to the right location! The first person we saw was Stuart, who I had met in 09 in Lubbock at his first CREED concert, and then again with Elaine last year. It's fun to think that now he’s a full throttle convert! Paul went looking around a bit, and I ran into a couple I had seen at the hotel. They asked who we were seeing, I gave them my best brief-not that I do anything brief-especially about Scott Stapp! They decided to buy tickets right then! We met Celia from Mexico, also a teacher, so we had lots of conversation. Then we met Tina and her family, and so many other familiar faces started flashing. We all wanted close-up, but they were setting up floor chairs, so we were herded several yards back onto first level barstools for sound check! We were told we would be getting an extra long sound check, because tonight there would be a full band! There was Mitch smiling onstage, and he, Andy, and Brent were all coaching the drummer, who Mitch told us later he had only found two days before-- talk about fast learning. Scott came out, greeted everyone, and they ran through “Are you Ready?” “Justify” and he brought out his beautiful 12 string for a snipet of “Crazy in Love”. How I wished that every person who discounts Scott’s musicianship and knowledge could have seen him! He talked so knowledgeably and with such focused attention to this new drummer, and worked out introductions and parts with Andy and Brent. I never disagree that Scott’s instrument IS his voice, his voice is the vehicle for those incredible lyrics, but he absolutely knows about chords, about tweaking songs perfectly for the sound he wants—and it was wonderful to see! He imitated playing guitar “like his son does” at one point, it was so sweet, seeing him do that, but I was too far to get a good picture! It is very evident that these guys know and support each other, and are there for Scott. They are also having a great time! Andy beamed with smiles! Brent is quiet, but very talented, and didn't miss a beat with any material. Some of you may remember Chuck from back in 05-06 as Scott's manager. He’s back now, and he was the one directing the meet and greet! They had a table set up with Scott and the guys. There were a lot of folks there, so I knew it would be short. I had special gifts this time, different items with the same verse from Daniel, for very special reasons. I kept looking for Jaclyn, but couldn't find her anywhere, and Paul was even looking! As always, Scott was so warm and willing to do whatever he was asked, folks giving him all manner of things to sign, so patient and gracious. Once again, when he saw me, he pulled out his Job 33 necklace, telling me he wore it everyday, and I started getting choked up—“so beautiful” was all I could manage to that! I put his gift on the table, with a card, and told him that he and Jaclyn had given me a very special moment in Tulsa, involving his “beautiful baby son” and that was why I chose the verse, (It was also meant as a special message to Scott and his family, described in the note, but I didn't have time to tell him all that!) He said “My friend, It is ALWAYS so special to see you! I tried to give him the gift for Jaclyn, and he lit up, saying, “Jaclyn wants to see you!” he even told Chuck, and told me to hang onto it. I shook Andy’s hand, and his smile is like laser bright, from his eyes, like Scott’s. I tried to greet Brent, but he was talking to Scott, and didn't really notice me-I get the feeling he is shy about these events, after all, he’s not out for much PR on a daily basis. I was sorry not to see Mitch at the table. We thought we were leaving, but found out we would do pictures next, with our OWN cameras. We didn't know that until the last minute, so Paul scrambled to hand his camera to Chuck, who took the picture. It is definitely not high quality, the flash is off because it was set for sound check, but the picture is one of my favorites, because of how Scott was acting, so playful with the band, joking about poses, and making me smile, as you’ll see! Just as Chuck snapped it, Scott tells me, “I’m ALWAYS glad to see you—always!” How can he feel that, I keep asking myself, I am not pretty, not easy to look at, nothing about me is easy, and I know and am reminded of that every minute, but yet he wants to remember me—they want to remember me? What hearts they have! Then in popped Mitch for the picture!



BTW the “after show” stickers we got were only to designate us as VIP so we could get access before doors opened. As far as I know, there was no after party, except for by celebrations in the van on the way home and to the hotel! Those never close!

Fortunately, no one ever came to tell me to move, not security, not anyone! I was so happy! I knew that I would be lucky to have just a tiny window at showtime once people started grabbing for rail, but at least I’d have that! When your normal height is butt-level, you take what you can get! It seemed nine o'clock would never arrive! Paul gets me put, and goes searching for food! We are both keeping an eye out for Jaclyn, but never had any sighting. Tiny heartbreak of the night, but God has a better plan, in His timing! Paul traded his seat to be closer to me. He could have had better pictures from his original seat, but oh well! I was on the end of the aisle between first and second row stage left! Before the show even started, I was splashed with “cups of various sorts” and Paul teased me about always being approached by partiers, even though I don’t partake—it really got to be funny after awhile, and sad. I kept thinking about Scott’s words recent during interviews on the subject. I was so proud, because Paul stuck with food and water, despite temptation. That alone made me want to fly! You know me, set lists and order are not things I remember, but the power and presence Scott had from “Are You Ready?” through to the last note was unlike any I had felt, and strong beyond imagination! He has NEVER sung better, and personally, I think the guitar choices only highlight his vocal strength. After the first two songs, Brent said, “I think we got a singer here TONIGHT!” and Andy did these fun, kind of radio like announcements all during the show—it was great! He was like a cheerleader! Scott said he loved the people in Texas as his first direct words. The songs from TGD were the strongest they've never been, they were like parables, almost, because you could FEEL Scott hoping to give lessons from them, hope from them, change for the better, from them. It almost made the whole album different, like it was after his first revelations about it. You would've thought we were back in 1997, because there were so many moments when Scott aimed his mic at us, and we sang with every sinew of heart and soul! Beside me were two other ladies near my age, and not far from my size, except taller several inches, and that soon grew to about 7, along with husbands, and we sang as loud as we could, a threw our hearts to the stage, although I know he never even saw me! What a blessing! They were so kind to let me keep my “window”! I was thrilled to hear “Hard Way”, “Justify”, and TGD, so powerful, so filled with purpose, offered to the audience like the sower’s seed in the field! It was amazing! His “superman dance” during Justify was better than anything on video! As he took a drink from his Ozarka bottle, someone in the crowd yelled something, I couldn't hear the whole thing, about being clean and sober, and Scott smiled and said “I’m trying every day!” That is the victory! To know none of us conquer, but we have the conqueror within us and we never surrender, except to Him! I have never known the feeling of standing, running, or jumping physically, but my spirit was doing all that and more all night. Over and over, Scott motioned, pointed, acknowledged, and made eye contact with his audience, including the furthermost levels, that he praised more than once! “I see you, I know you, I hear you, I feel you” were his words of the night! I almost could not believe my ears when “My Sacrifice” broke out on acoustic—I never tire of that song, among many others, nearly every, song, but the sound was so unique and special, and we felt special singing it—I can never forget it! Scott told stories about the songs, but not too many about himself-- he let the songs do the talking, and like they say in southern churches—“That’ll preach!”, as the highest compliment to a great sermon. I was reminded so completely in such a tangible way that what captivates me so is his soul and spirit, and there was an anointing in Houston that swept the audience, and will last for lifetimes!

We were about to leave, and then Kimmie taps me from behind! I had not seen her since 2006, and it was wonderful seeing her and her beautiful family—the children I met as babes seem grown now, and SO beautiful! The minute we open the door outside, Mark Archer passes by, I wish I could have told him hello, and how much I always will love him, his precious mom and dad….I keep their picture with Scott on my kitchen wall! Past meets present again.


As Scott himself says, miracles happen every day, and we experienced one in Houston. The mission, the passion, the conviction he has is unquenchable and ever-present—like no other time in his life. His courage is boundless. I experience that power every day, and never stop giving gratitude for it! All glory to God, thanks for the music, the moments that live forever, for eyes to see and ears to hear, and for making the messenger Scott Stapp!

These pics are great master fishermen..
Tresa...beautiful review...you have a way of highlighting all that is so special about Scott and sharing it with all. I always feel I was right there with you!! Blessings to you =)
Kristal