Three Doors Down

07 May 3 Doors Down Stay Thankful

Posted at 08:37h in Blog by

Despite filling the Tire Kingdom stage to the brim, having multiple platinum records and performing at two presidential inaugurations, 3 Doors Down remains humble as can be — and that was evident last night.

Red lights began to glow across the stage Saturday night, for the last performance of the evening and the sound of a heart beating echoed. That’s when drummer Greg Upchurch took his cue and exploded into the intro for “Still Alive.”

When the rockers took the stage, I couldn’t believe just how huge its crowd was.

The five-piece, dressed in all black ripped right into hits like “Let Me Go” and “Duck and Run,” prompting massive sing-a-long sessions from the crowd.

“Florida, how’re you doing tonight?” lead singer Brad Arnold asked the crowd. “It’s good to see you. Let’s have some fun.”

A sea of cell phones lit up the dark and cool night, held by a completely mixed crowd — from older men in southern rock t-shirts, to younger girls in crochet halters — this band transcends ages.

And honestly, I think they do so by keeping it simple.

When 3 Doors Down performed its set, there was no glitz or gimmick to be had. It was straight forward, fists in the air, honest rock n’ roll.

In an age of social media and crazy stage antics, it’s surprising and awesome just how many people stay devoted to this group. Besides the music, I think a big part of it is the group’s humility.

After playing hits including “It’s Not My Time,” Arnold addressed the crowd.

“Thank you so much, my friends,” he said. “God bless you all.”

But for Arnold, one ‘thank you’ wasn’t going to cut it. He ended up thanking the crowd after every song the band played last night.

To me, I think it’s the embodiment of a true ‘Southern gentleman’ in its purest form. Despite the band’s larger than life stage presence that dripped with confidence throughout each song, 3 Doors Down are really just some nice guys from Mississippi.

Lead guitarist, Chet Roberts leaped around the stage, while tearing into seriously intricate guitar solos on his Les Paul while Arnold leaned into the crowd with his microphone stand. These musicians were showmen without having to be flashy in the slightest.

The drums were loud. The vocals were warm. And the distortion was heavy.

But what seemed to resonate the most with the crowd was Arnold’s graciousness, receiving cheers every time he thanked the audience.

Another aspect that got cheers was the band’s biggest single: “Kryptonite.”

As 3 Doors Down went into songs like “Us and the Night,” and “Better Life,” the crowd was participatory, but definitely getting antsy. Every other song, you’d hear someone yell “Kryptonite!” in hopes that the band would oblige.

Finally, the crowd was about to get what it was waiting for.

“I think we need a little help on this one,” Arnold said. “I think you guys know it.” That’s when Upchurch started playing the familiar snare drum intro to the No. 3 Billboard Hot 100 song.

The roar of the crowd was practically deafening as Roberts started strumming along. The stage quickly took on a green hue and phones shot into the air to record the tune.


“We love you,” Arnold said before the members walked off stage. “Thank you so very much.” It was what we thought could be the last ‘thank you’ of the night — until the band returned with an encore performance.

The band returned to the stage a final time to perform songs including “Here Without You” and “Fix” for the adoring crowd. And of course, Arnold said “thank you” again.

But maybe we should be the ones thanking them.

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