There is nothing like the rush of a rock concert, live and in person. This is one of my favorite things to do. If I am not sitting at a Dallas Cowboys game, I want to be in the presence of my favorite bands. Listening to your favorite artists on an iPod doesn't compare to seeing them live. I have been to well over 250 shows in my 31 years. I was born to rock! I have memories to last me a life time of all the fun I have had backstage, at VIP parties, and even onstage in front of 100,000 people at Music Midtown in Atlanta -- possible because I’ve met some amazing musicians who have taken me under their wing.

I saw two amazing, yet totally different rock shows in the past couple of months. I saw Sevendust, a metal band I have known for 13 years; I have seen them so many times, I have lost count. I also saw, for the first time, Chris Cornell, better known as the lead singer of Soundgarden and Audioslave. This man is my rock crush and I have been wanting to see him since he was in Soundgarden, but circumstances always prevented this. Last Februrary, while laid up with my broken femur I got an update from the Chris Cornell website saying he was going to be playing in St. Paul. Tickets went fast, but I was able to score a pair of accessible ones. The minute I knew I was actually going to the show I was 17 all over again – clapping and screaming like a little girl; this went on for months.

Any time Sevendust is within driving distance my dad and I are there. This is an example of one of those bands that have taken me under their wing. They are family to us as we are to them. While recently waiting in a meet-and-greet line I had a full circle moment; 13 years ago I met this band in the same kind of line when they were up-and-coming artists and I was a shy, timid girl who could barely say two words to them. They took care of me that day by hooking me up with comp tickets and backstage passes. I was over the moon excited. We have gotten to know each other these years and I couldn't ask for five more protective big brothers. They make sure I am safe, and that I can see. I have so many wonderful memories with Sevendust and through their journey on the road and their kindness to me I have met some other great musicians too. They opened for Disturbed and Korn this last time, but back in the day I saw Disturbed open for Sevendust in a dive of a bar in Lincoln, NE. Sevendust are road warriors and I am glad they continue to make music and tour and tour where I can see them – it never gets old.

Seeing Chris Cornell was a dream come true. This was an acoustic show with just Chris, a guitar and a few lights. I rank it right up there with Tom Petty as one of my favorite shows. It was in a small club, maybe held 1000 people, with the accessible seating in the back. This disappointed me, but it wasn't a bad seat until people stood at the end. Chris played a little bit of everything from his book of songs (it was called the Songbook tour) from all the bands he has been a part of: Temple of the Dog, Soundgarden, Audioslave, some of his solo work and one Mother Love Bone.

Not a bad song all night; Chris was humorous and witty, he conversed with the audience and entertained us for two hours with his remarkable voice -- one of the most unique and piercing of my generation. The man just oozes sex appeal. He ended the show with his take on John Lennon's “Imagine.” It was breathtakingly beautiful, moving me to tears. I would love to see Soundgarden on a reunion tour, but I think that may be out of the cards. This won’t be my last time seeing Chris Cornell either, if he's in the area again I'll be there. Here is Burden In My Hand from the St. Paul show I was at, one of my all time favorite Soundgarden songs.

Both shows had their accessible seating problems, but nothing I couldn't work around. If everyone had stood for the entire Chris Cornell show I would have wheeled down to the front row. I chose to be all over the place for the Sevendust/Disturbed/Korn show and checked out the accessible seating in the upper level. I can't tell you the last time I sat that high for a Sevendust show, but surreal watching them command the crowd. Being that high was the last place I would expect to get a guitar pick, but one of Disturbed's roadies came up and handed out guitar picks to everyone in a wheelchair. Those are the souvenirs I like to go home with and it was nice gesture.

Both these shows went off without a hitch with regard to sight lines. That isn't always the case when I attend shows and if I can't see, I get moody. I didn't pay money just to hear who is onstage, I paid to see them too. At general admission shows, you can get away with a lot more when it comes to getting closer to see. I have plowed my way to the front many a time and have dodged my fair share of crowd surfers, always a risk you take to get down front. I have resorted to complaining when I can’t see and am unable to get it resolved at the show. Some venues have made improvements or offer compensation for a future show, and others do not. Not everyone is going to be receptive to it, but you have every right to see what you paid for.

I encourage you to check out your favorite artists when you can. I know crowds can be intimidating when you are sitting, but security is getting better and better about protecting everyone. Your favorite bands will eventually retire and you do not want to miss out on the opportunity to see them live. I like to look at live shows as a once in a life time experience.

Do any of you have any cool concert stories for me? I would love to read them.