Shinedown In El Paso – 20 Years Later

It's about damn time. It's been years since Shinedown last rocked El Paso but it's been 20 years since the first time they did. That show wasn't actually in El Paso though.

It was pretty close though ... a short drive west of El Paso at a place that, once upon a time, once a year, became a mecca for families, rockers, partiers, crazy youngsters and mellow older folks. Every single one of 'em had the best weekend of their lives.

We called it Balloon Fest.

One year, Shinedown helped make that weekend happen. They met us and they loved us ... how could they not, we're pretty damn cool ... and we loved them right back. Time and time again.

Sunday, it's finally tine to do that again and they're not coming alone.

Shinedown have been here several times over the years but their last scheduled visit was shot down by the COVID 19 pandemic and we were never able to reschedule it.

Their first concert here was pretty chaotic and crazy, (all of the Balloonfest's were, to be honest), and that Balloonfest,20 years ago in 2006, was my first experience with getting totally mobbed by fans. Brent Smith did anyway, I was just trapped right next to him.

Balloonfest Craziness

Shinedown frontman Brent Smith didn't arrive with the band and crew, deciding he'd rather chill at his hotel for a little while and come out later. No problem there but when his cab arrived, it took him right to the main gate where he was immediately recognized.

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The cab was soon surrounded by fans so his manager called me. I gathered up 5 or 6 cops that were handy and went to get them. The cops surrounded us in a tight circle and half escorted, have shoved us through the crowd to the backstage gate. The whole way, a zillion hands and arms were trying to reach through the cops to touch Brent.

It was crazy. Sunday night, I think, will be even crazier - see 'ya there. Doors to the madness open at 6, get tickets here.