A page dedicated to everything BUSH/Institute/Gavin Rossdale -- the past, the present, & the future. If you're not with us, you are against us...

best line ever. why would nickelback have bush open for them? hahahahaha. Rossdale > Kroeger. not even a question. from this article: http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/236969/ (via basisforcomparison)

—- effing fantastical —-

I had purchased tickets for 3 of the Bush concerts that went on sale on January 21st.  It seemed like a lifetime before the first show.  My excitement, of course, grew and grew as the day approached.  Leading up to the first show of the leg of this tour on April 10 in Moline, IL, it had been announced that X103 out of Indianapolis was having a contest for a private Shush show at a secret location the day after the Moline show.  I had entered but did not win.

My friend Ashely and I went to the Moline show.  We had general admission tickets and got there about 4 hours before the gates opened.  We were first in line.  We got to shop the merch first without any lines because of the nice security lady.  While we were waiting, I realized I had left my batteries for my camera in the car so I ran out to grab them while Ashley held our spot in line. Since we had gotten there so early, our parking spot was near the entrance to the building and where the tour buses were parked.

The Bushmen had been tweeting that they were on their way and as I walked to the car I thought, wouldn’t it be great if they pulled up when I was out here?  I grabbed the batteries and decided to walk over to see the buses to see what it would be like trying to meet with the guys after the show.  As I stood there for a moment, Chris, Robin, and Corey’s bus pulled up.  Chris got out first.  I called his name and without hesitation he walked right over to me with a smile on his face, gave me a hug and took a picture with me.

I saw Corey get off the bus and I saw Gavin’s bus pull up and Ashley texted me to let me know that they were about to let everyone in, so I headed back in.

We got front row and Bush put on an amazing show as usual!

After the Bush set, I headed straight outside to wait for the guys.  They got on their buses quick because I never saw them until Chris headed out to the bus a couple hours later.  Again he was so gracious and had hugs for us all and really has such an amazing attitude!

Corey and Robin were already on the bus and Chris was sweet enough to tell them that we were waiting out there and they came out to see us as well.  I gave them all gifts and they were all so grateful and sweet!  Robin held his drum set belt buckle in the picture with me and Corey busted open his flask of Jack and started to partake right then and there and then tweeted a picture of it afterward.  They warmed my heart so much!

On the way home, Corey tweeted that they were on their way to Indy for the Shush show.  I tweeted him and said I wished I had won tickets and wished him a good show.  A couple hours later I got a DM from X103 asking if I hadn’t won the contest for the Shush show.  I told them I hadn’t and asked if there were any other way I could get a ticket.  They said it was free to contest winners but they had an open slot for a person and a guest and asked if I could make it to Indianapolis by 1:30pm.  I said, YES!  They gave me the secret address and the info. 

I could not sleep.  I got an hour and a half of sleep before I had to wake up at 5:30am to drive 3 hours to meet Sarah Loster-Mann and then she drove about another 3 hours to Indianapolis.  We met Trisha and Krow there as well.  We were in a state of giddiness, disbelief, and euphoria.  The buses pulled up and we saw the guys go in.

We were at a smallish bar, that had a small stage, and we got the table right in front of the guys.  Shush was the most moving thing I’ve ever seen in my life. 

After the show, the guys signed set lists for us.  Gavin asked me my name and said he recognized me.  Chris asked me where my mustache necklace that I had had on the night before…bummer!  Corey hugged me and thanked me again for the gift. 

And then gracious Gavin agreed to write lyrics from one of my favorite songs on my left shoulder.  The exclamatory sound that escaped his lips when he saw his name tattooed on my right shoulder was one of the greatest sounds I’ve ever heard. 

He was so meticulous and was saying the words out loud and ghost writing them to make sure he did it well.  He asked me how I wanted it and I told him that he was the artist and I wanted him to do it how he thought it should be done and he went for it.  After he had done it, he said if I didn’t like it he would redo it the next time I saw him (which made me melt!) But I told him that this was how it was meant to be and I would be getting it tattooed no matter what. 

I then got my picture taken with all the guys and the ever thoughtful Gavin gave this crying fan here an extra squeeze and pulled me closer to him.  Breathtaking. 

We hung around until the buses left and we talked about the greatest parts of the last two days the entire ride home.  We do not need anymore proof that all of these men are extraordinary, passionate, thoughtful, caring, and loving individuals but they continue to show it to us every day and I am so thankful for all of it.  Thank you Bush.  Thank you Gavin, Robin, Corey, and Chris.  You have given us the most amazing gift imaginable and we appreciate you all so much!