Kimberly, from Little Big Town
I guess you could call concert going my hobby. I have sat in the front row for Sugarland (countless times), Little Big Town, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisely, Shania Twain, Michael Buble, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, George Straight, Trace Adkins, Matt Nathanson, and many others. There’s nothing more exciting to me then having your favorite artist three feet in front of you and singing along with them. That moment when they look down at you and wave is priceless.
I have always said that one of the major perks of being me is my ability to manipulate myself into the front row of any concert. I have never understood why, but most venues put the wheelchair section either at the top of the arena or all the way at the back. It is not only isolating, but it is also often difficult to see. When people stand up at a show, I can’t stand with them, and my view is blocked. This is very frustrating, especially when you’ve paid $70-$100 to see one of your favorite artists perform. I mean, does that really make any sense?
My idols, Jennifer and Kristian of Sugarland
My aunt and I developed a strategy when I was about twelve to fix this problem. We buy tickets on the floor, as close to the front as we can, and because those tickets are usually more expensive then the wheelchair tickets, the arena has to accommodate us somehow. The solution is usually to put us at either end of the front row. (It’s happened that they’ve put me on the side of the stage before, but my luck is usually not that good.) Yes, agreed, it’s manipulative, but I don’t think it’s fair that just because I’m in a wheelchair I have to be stashed way out of the way somewhere. I am much shorter than everyone around me, so people really can’t complain that they can’t see over me. That is NEVER a problem, trust me. I don’t take up that much space, and most of the time people are really nice about letting me in. They are standing anyway, so what do they care?
Reba
Now, I’m sure that there are a few of you thinking, “well, I’m sure that it’s more of a safety precaution that they don’t want you on the floor…they just don’t want you getting hurt.” Yes. I understand that argument, but I’m very good at handling myself in a crowd. If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I’m not afraid to open my mouth when I necessary. Also, I always have someone with me who is also good at handling the drunk women (inevitable at a concert) around me and making sure that nothing bad happens. Trust me, we got this down.
So yes, I probably spend more money than the average person on concert tickets every year. Concerts are my break though. They are where I get to be like any other normal fan, singing at the top of my lungs, thank god no one else can hear me. It’s worth it EVERY time.