11/9/02
The Roxy Theater in Atlanta
by Sarah
Chassarri@aol.com

My day started off at 3 PM standing outside the Roxy Theater. My dad and I showed up early to possibly hear sound check. I rang the buzzer outside the door and this man with a thinning hairline opened the door. We went in, and I went up to the stage, there was no Rhett. The bass player looked at me and waved. I started a pattern of going around in circles through the Theater over and over again. After about 15 minutes of bass and guitar check I got bored and went to the back of the Theater and sat down by a lady. She introduced herself, and said she was the guitar player's girlfriend. About that time, Rhett took the stage. Apparently, he and Erica went out to get something to eat. He strummed a few chords, and the lead guitar player played the intro to "Hover". He was then instructed to play as hard as he would that night. He obliged and the sound guy (who I later found out was also the tour manager) seemed happy. The bad and Rhett then played a new song called "Sunset". The song was kinda in the vein of songs like "You Belong to My Heart". The song sounded great and they played it about 4 or 5 times. After about 30 minutes or so, the sound check wore down and I walked right up to the stage. Rhett was talking to the on-stage sound guy and then I called out to him. He walked over and said hey. I told him who I was and he remembered me from the phone call. We talked for a while, and he said that he was very glad that I was able to make it. Rhett was really nice, more so than I thought he would be. I told him that my dad brought me to the concert and he said, "Ooh, I wanna meet your dad, let's go talk to him!" So he jumps down off the stage, and we walk over to my dad. On the way, I gave him a tape of my songs (he asked me to make him a tape when we talked on the phone.), and a note. He put them in his pocket, and introduced himself to my dad. We talked about guitars, music, and stuff for quite a while, and then we all went into the lobby. Rhett introduced me to his wife, Erica, and she was really nice. We talked for a little while longer, and Rhett was trying to pet the dogs that were running around earlier. It was really cute, finally one of the dogs came over and Rhett petted him for a while, he explained that Erica and he couldn't have dogs in the duplex that they lived in, so it was nice to be able to see dogs. I got to get my picture taken with Rhett (well, twice on his suggestion,)and then he signed my CD "To Sarah, Love Rhett, I think you're great!" We talked about the "Come Around" video and he was shocked that VH1 was actually playing it. Dad and I said good-bye to Rhett and Erica, and went to go promote. The only reason they had to stop talking to us was because they needed to go make up a set list, and Rhett had to call his mom.

Dad and I walked around and gave out flyers and then went to this Texas BBQ place to eat. I left the waitress a Rhett Flyer on the table. I did not give out the posters, because Rhett was selling them, so today at school I taped 5 or 6 on the Soda machines!

7:00 PM rolls around and I am waiting at the door. There are a few people around, but nothing like the last show I saw at the Roxy, where there was about 50 people outside at 6:30. They let us in, and I got in for free, because there WAS a guest list. We had to stand around in the lobby for about 20 minutes before they would open the doors (the Damnwells were still doing their sound check. About 7:30 they let us in, and I got my spot, front row center. The opener bands were okay, and Rhett didn't come on until about 10:30, but that was okay. He came out and the first song that they played was "The El". It was the most energetic thing ever and gave such an emotional high, I am still not down from it. The highlight for me was right before "Four-Eyed Girl" and he said: "This song is for my friend Sarah, and all the girls with glasses!" I freaked out, and jumped up and down. It was so great. The rest of the set was completely amazing, and Rhett knows how to put on one heck of a GREAT show. After they finished with "Our Love" there was a group of people waiting around, and Rhett came out. He gave me a huge hug, and asked me what I thought of the show, and boy did I tell him! We said good-bye, and I hugged him again, he said that he would be in touch soon, and then Dad and I went into the lobby. I talked to Erica for a little while, and then we left for real. (But not without hugs from everyone!) It was the greatest night of my life!