Two hundred shows and counting

Last month, I reached a milestone in my life.

I attended my 200th concert.

It sounds like a lot, and I suppose it is.

I go to concerts like most people go to movies.  I definitely see more shows a year than I see movies.  For instance, this year, I've been to three movies in the theater.  I've been to 14 shows.  And that feels like kind of a slow year for me.

Perhaps the most mind-blowing part of this milestone is that I've done it all in 17 years.  That's right.  I didn't attend my first show until I was 17 years old, a senior in high school.  I went with my friends, Betsy and Sarah, to see Michael Peterson of "Drink, Swear, Steal, & Lie" fame at a country bar in Des Moines.  I even got to meet Mr. Peterson that night, which may have set unrealistic expectations for the rest of my concert-going life.

Or maybe not.

Pictured: Green Day, Todd Carey, Miranda Lambert, Kris Allen, Tim Stop, Matt Nathanson, Tyrone Wells, Tyler Hilton, Tony Lucca, Daphne Willis, Ernie Halter, & Justin Timberlake.

I've actually met a lot of the musicians I've seen live.  That's because I count every show in my concert history -- from the local band at the bar down the street where there might be 50 people there and only a handful are paying attention to the band to the big productions at venues that hold tens of thousands of people singing and dancing along.  Every one of these shows matters.  I enjoy the small shows just as much as the large shows.  I've had just as much fun watching a guy with a guitar as I have taking in a full band with pyrotechnics and background dancers.

Wondering who all I've seen?  Lucky for you, I've kept a word document that lists everyone I've seen as well as where and when.

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1. Michael Peterson – Des Moines, IA (December 1997)
2. N Sync, Jimmy Ray and SOAP – Janesville, WI (August 1998)
3. N Sync, Blaque, Tatiyana Ali – Minneapolis, MN (May 1999)
4. SweetStock II – Omaha, NE (May 1999)**
5. N Sync, Shanice, Jordan Knight – Kansas City, KS (August 1999)
6. Tim McGraw, Chely Wright – Des Moines, IA (August 1999)
7. 98 Degrees – Des Moines, IA (August 1999)
8. The Blenders – Laurens, IA (October 1999)
9. Billy Joel – Ames, IA (December 1999)
10. LFO – Ames, IA (May 2000)
11. N Sync, Pink, Sisqo – Houston, TX (May 2000)
12. The Blenders – Des Moines, IA (August 2000)
13. Dixie Chicks – Ames, IA (November 2000)
14. N Sync, Meredith Edwards, Ron Izarry, Dream, Soul Decision – Washington, D.C. (November 2000)
15. Destiny’s Child, PYT – Sioux City, IA (March 2001)
16. Vertical Horizon, Five for Fighting – Ames, IA (April 2001)
17. N Sync, Meredith Edwards, Tonya Mitchell, Eden’s Crush – Minneapolis, MN (June 2001)
18. 3 Doors Down, Lifehouse, Tantric – Cedar Rapids, IA (July 2001)
19. 98 Degrees, PYT -  Des Moines, IA (August 2001)
20. Bob Dylan – Des Moines, IA (August 2001)
21. Chris LeDoux – Des Moines, IA (August 2001)
22. Sawyer Brown, Montgomery Gentry – Des Moines, IA (August 2001)
23. Dream, LFO – Spencer, IA (September 2001)
24. Rockapella – Storm Lake, IA (October 2001)
25. Mark Wills – Des Moines, IA (February 2002)
26. N Sync, Tony Lucca, Smashmouth – Ames, IA (March 2002)
27. FourShadow – Independence, IA (July 2002)
28. Rascal Flatts – Ottumwa, IA (August 2002)
29. Tony Lucca – Dallas, TX (March 2003)
30. Avril Lavigne, Simple Plan, Gob – Dallas, TX (May 2003)
31. Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Black Eyed Peas – Dallas, TX (June 2003)
32. Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Black Eyed Peas – San Antonio, TX (June 2003)
33. Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera – Bossier City,  LA (July 2003)
34. Rascal Flatts, Phil Vassar – Wichita Falls, TX (September 2003)
35. Austin City Limits Festival – Austin, TX (September 2003)**
36. John Mayer, North Mississippi all Stars – Austin, TX (November 2003)
37. The Blenders – Dallas, TX (December 2003)
38. John Mayer (Houston Rodeo) – Houston, TX (March 2004)
39. Cooder Graw, Chad Updegraff – Ferris, TX (March 2004)
40. Branded – Ennis, TX (April 2004)
41. Joe Firstman, Tony Lucca, Tyler Hilton – Dallas, TX (April 2004)
42. Tracy Lawrence, Chad Updegraff – Ennis, TX (April 2004)
43. Stara Zagora – Dallas, TX (June 2004)
44. Emerson Drive – Dallas, TX (July 2004)
45. Jessica Simpson, Ryan Cabrera – Dallas, TX (July 2004)
46. Chris LeDoux – Ennis, TX (July 2004)
47. John Mayer, Maroon 5, DJ Logic, David Ryan Harris – Dallas, TX (July 2004)
48. John Mayer, Maroon 5, DJ Logic, David Ryan Harris – Houston, TX (July 2004)
49. John Mayer, Maroon 5, DJ Logic, David Ryan Harris – San Antonio, TX (July 2004)
50. Gavin DeGraw, Marc Broussard & Toby Lightman - Dallas, TX (July 2004)
51. Gavin DeGraw, Marc Broussard & Toby Lightman - Austin, TX (July 2004)
52. Rascal Flatts & Chris Cagle - Des Moines, IA (August 2004)
53. John Mayer, Maroon 5, DJ Logic & David Ryan Harris - Birmingham, AL (August 2004)
54. Hanson, Ingram Hill and Michael Tolcher ‑ Grand Prairie, TX (August 2004)
55. Stara Zagora - Dallas, TX (September 2004)
56. Marc Broussard, Blue Merle & Louque - Dallas, TX (September 2004)
57. Austin City Limits Festival - Austin, TX (September 2004)**
58. Rascal Flatts - Dallas, TX (October 2004)
59. Green Day, New Found Glory and Sugarcult - Dallas, TX (October 2004)
60. Andy Griggs - Dallas, TX (October 2004)
61. Chad Updegraff & Dirt Blazers - Dallas, TX (November 2004)
62. Matt Wertz & Dave Barnes - Dallas, TX (November 2004)
63. Ryan Cabrera & Skye Sweetnam - Dallas, TX (November 2004)
64. Boyz II Men - Dallas, TX (November 2004)
65. Darryl Worley - Ft. Worth, TX (December 2004)
66. Gavin DeGraw, Michael Tolcher – Dallas, TX (January 2005)
67. Marc Broussard, Toby Lightman, Citizen Cope – Dallas, TX (January 2005)
68. Gavin DeGraw, Michael Tolcher – Dallas, TX (Feburary 2005)
69. Waking Norman – Dallas, TX (March 2005)
70. Chris Cagle – Ft. Worth, TX (March 2005)
71. Trent Willmon – Arlington, TX (March 2005)
72. Matt Wertz – Dallas, TX (March 2005)
73. Dave Barnes, Andy Davis – Waco, TX (April 2005)
74. KSCS Country Fair– Dallas, TX (April 2005)**
75. Pat Green, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Kevin Fowler, Trent Willmon – Dallas, TX (April 2005)
76. Chad Updegraff – Ennis, TX (April 2005)
77. Josh Gracin – Ft. Worth, TX (May 2005)
78. Nick Smith – Richardson, TX (May 2005)
79. Wildlflower Festival – Richardson, TX (May 2005)**
80. Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton – Dallas, TX (June 2005)
81. Marc Broussard, Eliot Morris, Sons of William  – Dallas, TX (June 2005)
82. Bryan White – Thackerville, OK (July 2005)
83. Chris Cagle – Dallas, TX (July 2005)
84. Tony Lucca, Joe Firstman, Michael Celadon – Dallas, TX (August 2005)
85. Chris Cagle, SheDaisy, Clint Black – Dallas, TX (October 2005)
86. Joe Nichols – Dallas, TX (October 2005)
87. Blue County – Dallas, TX (November 2005)
88. Nick Smith – Dallas, TX (November 2005)
89. Josh Gracin – Ft. Worth, TX (November 2005)
90. Darryl Worley – Ft. Worth, TX (December 2005)
91. Nick Smith – Dallas, TX (January 2006)
92. Chris Cagle – Ft. Worth, TX (January 2006)
93. Trent Willmon – Ft. Worth, TX (March 2006)
94. Dave Barnes, Michael Celedon, Chris Pearson – Dallas, TX (March 2006)
95. John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Mat Kearney, David Ryan Harris – Chicago, IL (September 2006)
96. Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, Tyler Hilton – Ames, IA (October 2006)
97. Will Hoge – Ames, IA (November 2006)
98. Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Randy Rogers Band – DeKalb, IL (November 2006)
99. John Mayer, Josh Rouse  – Oklahoma City, OK (February 2007)
100. Matt Wertz – Des Moines, IA (February 2007)
101. John Mayer, Mat Kearney - Omaha, NE (February 2007)
102. Rockstar Supernova Tour – Des Moines, IA (February 2007)
103. Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers – Ames, IA (March 2007)
104. Ernie Halter, Tyrone Wells – Lamoni, IA (April 2007)
105. John Mayer, Ben Folds – Des Moines, IA (June 2007)
106. Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers – Des Moines, IA (June 2007)
107. Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, Tyrone Wells – Minneapolis, MN (October 2007)
108. Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers – Lawrence, KS (October 2007)
109. Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, Alexa Wilkinson – Des Moines, IA (April 2008)
110. Dave Barnes, Andy Davis – Des Moines, IA (June 2008)
111. Gimmik – Perry, IA (July 2008)
112. Matt Nathanson – Des Moines, IA (July 2008)
113. Neil Diamond – St. Paul, MN (July 2008)
114. The Blenders – Des Moines, IA (August 2008)
115. Marc Broussard – Des Moines, IA (September 2008)
116. Matt Wertz – Ames, IA (October 2008)
117. Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers – Ames, IA (October 2008)
118. Tyrone Wells – Des Moines, IA (October 2008)
119.  NKOTB and Natasha Bedingfield – Omaha, NE (November 2008)
120. Matt Nathanson – Des Moines, IA (November 2008)
121. Tyrone Wells, Trevor Hall and Keaton Simons – Des Moines, IA (February 2009)
122.  Eric Hutchinson and Meiko – Des Moines, IA (June 2009)
123.  Tim Stop Trio – Ames, IA (July 2009)
124.  Matt Nathanson – Des Moines, IA (August 2009)
125.  Britney Spears and Jordin Sparks – Des Moines, IA (September 2009)
126.  Tyrone Wells, Matt Hires and Dick Prall – Des Moines, IA (September 2009)
127.  Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers – Cedar Falls, IA (September 2009)
128.  Hotel Carolina 2009 – Isle of Palms, SC (September 2009)**
129.  Tim Stop Trio – Ames, IA (October 2009)
130.  Kate Voegele and Kevin Hammond – Des Moines, IA (November 2009)
131.  Todd Carey and Curtis Peoples – Evanston, Ill. (November 2009)
132.  Serena Ryder and Matt Lowell – Ames, IA (January 2010)
133.  Ernie Halter and Joe Firstman – Des Moines, IA (February 2010)
134.  Tim Stop Trio – Ames, IA (February 2010)
135.  Todd Carey – Ames, IA (February 2010)
136.  Tim Stop Trio – Houston, TX (March 2010)
137.  Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers – Houston, TX (March 2010)
138.  John Mayer and Michael Franti – Houston, TX (March 2010)
139.  John Mayer and Michael Franti – Kansas City, MO (March 2010)
140.  Tyrone Wells and Tony Lucca – Des Moines, IA (March 2010)
141.  Tim Stop Trio – Ames, IA (April 2010)
142.  Benjy Davis Project, Matt Duke, Todd Carey – Cedar Falls, IA (April 2010)
143.  Todd Carey – Des Moines, IA (April 2010)
144.  Todd Carey – Ames, IA (April 2010)
145.  Tyrone Wells, Tony Lucca & Roy Jay – Des Moines, IA (April 2010)
146.  Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers and NeedToBreathe – Des Moines, IA (May 2010)
147.  Tim Stop Trio – Ames, IA (July 2010)
148.  Jason Brown – Perry, IA (July 2010)
149.  Tony Lucca, Ernie Halter, Alexis Babini and Trent Hancock – Cedar Falls, IA (August 2010)
150.  Kris Allen – Des Moines, IA (August 2010)
151.  Vanilla Ice & Tone Loc – Des Moines, IA (August 2010)
152.  Hotel Carolina 2010 – Isle of Palms, SC (August 2010)**
153.  Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers, Sara Watkins, Roy Jay – Ames, IA (September 2010)
154.  TFDI (Tony Lucca, Jay Nash and Matt Duke) – Des Moines, IA (December 2010)
155.  Graham Colton & Daphne Willis – Des Moines, IA (February 2011)
156.  Ernie Halter – Minneapolis, MN (April 2011)
157.  Stephen Kellogg & Tift Merritt – Des Moines, IA (May 2011)
158.  Michael Buble and Naturally 7 – Des Moines, IA (June 2011)
159.  Summerfest – Milwaukee, WI (June 2011)**
160.  Matt Nathanson – Des Moines, IA (July 2011)
161.  Ingram Hill & Cowboy Mouth – Arnold’s Park, IA (July 2011)
162.  Tim Stop – Ames, IA (September 2011)
163.  Tim Stop – Des Moines, IA (September 2011)
164.  Ernie Halter – Lakeside, IA (November 2011)
165.  Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers; Katrina; Chris Koza – Ames, IA (February 2012)
166.  Tim Stop and Austin Charles – Ames, IA (March 2012)
167.  Tyrone Wells and Joe Brooks – Alexandria, VA (May 2012)
168.  Rachel Platten and Madi Diaz – Des Moines, IA (May 2012)
169.  Tim Stop and Austin Charles – Ames, IA (June 2012)
170.  Tim Stop and Austin Charles – Des Moines, IA (June 2012)
171.  Tim Stop – Ames, IA (August 2012)
172.  Miranda Lambert, Pistol Annies and RaeLynn – Des Moines, IA (August 2012)
173.  Tony Lucca and Gabe Dixon – Ames, IA (October 2012)
174.  Eric Hutchinson and Jessie Payo – Des Moines, IA (October 2012)
175.  Tim Stop – Des Moines, IA (October 2012)
176.  Tim Stop - Des Moines, IA (February 2013)
177.  Tim Stop - Ames, IA (April 2013)
178.  Tim Stop - Des Moines, IA (May 2013)
179.  Stephen Kellogg – Des Moines, IA (June 2013)
180.  Tim Stop - Des Moines, IA (July 2013)
181.  Train & Matt Nathanson - Des Moines, IA (August 2013)
182.  The Nadas - Des Moines, IA (September 2013)
183.  Ben Rector & Tyrone Wells - Des Moines, IA (October 2013)
184.  Pink & The Kin - Des Moines, IA (November 2013)
185.  Tim Stop - Des Moines, IA (November 2013)
186.  Tony Lucca, Brendan James, & Vicci Martinez - Ames, IA (November 2013)
187.  Kacey Musgraves - Ames, IA (December 2013)
188.  Tim Stop - Des Moines, IA (January 2014)
189.  Matt Wertz & My Red and Blue - Ames, IA (March 2014)
190.  Gross Domestic Product** - Des Moines, IA (April 2014)
191.  George Strait & Ronnie Dunn - Des Moines, IA (April 2014)
192.  Eric Hutchinson & Saints of Valory - Des Moines, IA (May 2014)
193.  10,000 Maniacs - Des Moines, IA (June 2014)
194.  Delta Rae & Gabe Dixon - Des Moines (July 2014)
195:  Matt Nathanson acoustic set - Des Moines, IA (July 2014)
196.  Matt Nathanson & Andrew McMahon - Des Moines (July 2014)
197.  Red Wanting Blue & Tim Stop - Des Moines, IA (July 2014)
198.  Red Wanting Blue - Ames, IA (September 2014)
199.  Jimmy Eat World - Des Moines, IA (October 2014)
200.  Tim Stop - Des Moines, IA (November 2014)
201.  Stephen Kellogg - Des Moines, IA (December 2014)

**
SweetStock II – N Sync, Jordan Knight, Joe McIntyre, Coolio, Blessid Union of Souls, the Moffats, EYC.

Austin City Limits Music Festival 2003 – The Dandy Warhols, Drive-By Truckers, Endochine, G. Love & Special Sauce, Pat Green, Patty Griffin, Jack Ingram, Jack Johnson, Kings of Leon, Ben Kweller, Miranda Lambert, Abra Moore, Nickel Creek, Old 97’s, Tift Merritt, String Cheese Incident, Mindy Smith, The Polyphonic Spree, Bob Schneider, Centro-matic

Austin City Limits Music Festival 2004 – Los Lonely Boys, Howie Day, Spoon, Ben Harper, Dashboard Confessional, Franz Ferdinand, Modest Mouse, Trout Fishing in America.

KSCS Country Fair - Brad Paisley, LeAnn Rimes, Andy Griggs, Diamond Rio, Jeff Bates, Sugarland, Miranda Lambert

Wildflower Music Festival - Darryl Worley, Julie Roberts, Miranda Lambert

Hotel Carolina 2009 – Drew Copeland, Sara Kelley, Keaton Simons, Andrew Hoover, Josh Hoge, Curtis Peoples, Ernie Halter, Matt Duke, Jay Nash, Sara Haze, Gareth Asher, Tony Lucca, Benjy Davis Project, Tyrone Wells.

Hotel Carolina 2010 - Keaton Simons, Josh Hoge, Curtis Peoples, Ernie Halter, Matt Duke, Jay Nash, Tony Lucca, Benjy Davis Project, Todd Carey, Sequoyah Prep School, The Bridges, Sun Domingo, Joe Firstman, Jim Bianco

Summerfest – Tim Stop, Neon Trees, Better Than Ezra, REO Speedwagon, Styx, Third Eye Blind, Los Lonely Boys, Fitz & the Tantrums, Maroon 5

Gross Domestic Product 2014 -- Tim Stop, Media Fresh, Lipstick Homicide, Love Songs for Lonely Monsters, Chad Elliott

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You might notice there are a lot of repeats. I'm often asked if it's boring seeing the same act over and over.  My answer?  Never.  No two shows are the same. Even if it's the same tour, there's usually something about that show that makes it stand out. (By the way, you can see who I've seen the most in this post and this post.  The numbers for a few of them have changed some, but the rankings remain the same.)

There's probably a lot of names in there you don't know.  But you should.  I know I said all shows are equal, but I confess I do have a special love and a dedicated space in my music heart for the independent acts. The ones who ravel by car or conversion van.  The ones who sign autographs for an hour or more after their set has ended even though they have a six-hour drive to their next city.  There are some really special people in this group, and as much as I like their accessibility, I want big things for them.  I want them to succeed and for the masses to appreciate them.

There's no doubt about it -- I'm a live music fiend.  I absolutely love it.  I wouldn't trade any of the above-mentioned concert tickets and experiences for anything.