I have been to my fair share of concerts. All country concerts. Of course there will always be a few drunken idiots that don’t know how to hold their liquor but for the most part everyone is always so nice and friendly.

This past weekend that was not the case. And I’m actually still baffled by the whole situation. I’ve sat in lines for hours with random people, people whom I’ve never met before but by the time the doors opened I would call them my friends.

I’ve saved spots, sat out in 100 degree SC weather in June so others could come later and vice versa. I even gave my Cole Swindell meet and greet to a guy I had just met because in the 2 hours we were in line I saw how big of a fan he was and it just felt like the right thing to do.

I’ve had people take my daughter to her meet and greet with them while I saved our spots, I’ve had people save us spots at the front of the stage so we didn’t have to bring a 9 year old out in the heat all day. I had the cutest little boy and his mom bring Brynna a matching shirt for the Chase Rice concert BEFORE we even met them! We’ve bought beers and water for people we didn’t know. We have welcomed people to move up front so they could see the opening act because that’s all they were there for. We’ve been offered food, drinks, snacks, blankets to sit on, but above all of that just a fun memorable time.

Sitting in line is the worst part of any concert experience in my opinion, it’s hot, your sitting on the ground, if you have kids you have to occupy them, it’s just draining. But we all do it because we want to be up front and that’s the price we pay if we want to see our favorite artists up close and personal.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never met the person you’re next to right now. For some reason, you will feel like you know them and that’s the magic of country music,it brings us all together. Well it’s supposed to anyway.

To the people I encountered this weekend at Hershey Park in line waiting for Dylan Scott, if you happen to read this I have a few things to say to you.

The dirty looks and stares we got as we walked up to get in line were so noticeable. Did you think you were going to be the only people in line waiting? Blocking each possible line entrance was beyond immature and then when I asked which line I was supposed to be in because apparently there was 4 I didn’t get an answer. If someone asked you a question about the show your response was “read the sign.” Waiting in line for hours before a show isn’t nearly as boring when you’re surrounded by good people. Then to top it off y’all felt the need to tally up the total cost of our Meet & Greet prices as we were exiting the building. Loud enough mind you that we heard “$40, $80, $120…” Why that is any of your business is beyond me but don’t worry we didn’t break the bank buying the M&G’s just in case you were wondering. Yesterday was the worst pre concert experience I’ve ever dealt with. Like I said yesterday and I will say again…we were all there for the same reason, to support Dylan Scott and I’m sure if he knew the way his “fans” were treating other fans he wouldn’t approve. But that’s just my opinion.

This weekend and that concert in particular was much more to me than a just a concert. When my grandfather passed away at the end of May, Beer Buddies was on repeat. CCMF was two weeks later and Dylan Scott was there. Listening to him sing that live was so emotional but it was just what I needed. My best friend and I started planning this weekend way back in June when we saw he was going to be in Hershey. Two weeks ago my 10 month old Great Dane died suddenly of a heart attack. He was our baby and such a big presence in our life that it absolutely devastated us.

Getting away this weekend and spending time with my “Beer Buddy” was everything I needed. The way I was treated for the entire time I was in line and after was so rude, hurtful and just simply unnecessary.

Thank goodness the concert was everything we had hoped for and meeting Dylan Scott was the icing on the cake. He is such a down to earth guy and definitely made it all worth it!

Country music and concerts have always been my stress relief, my happiness, and simply a way to find words when my soul can’t speak them. Just remember you don’t know everyone’s story or what they are going through. So, the next time you are standing in line for a concert and you see someone beside you, say hi and welcome them. They are there for the same reason you are. Weather it’s their 2nd time seeing the artist or their 18th.