I first heard about the concert when Buzz Collins asked me to be POD's liaison. I was thinking, a what? The name sounded cool, but it still was a bit foggy. I didn't really know what I would be doing until I met them and the weekend started. Things got more into gear once I started delivering posters, putting them up in bus shacks (thanks Doug), and talking to more people about it. It was still weird at times for people to ask me.. "so are you going to the concert?" And I'd say "umm yeah, I'm their liaison".

Things started finally to roll into place on Wednesday the 4th. There was a big meeting at the Arena for all the people involved. It got me psyched up, and was quite fun, especially when I was stabbed in the hand, by Dan (undecided) with a pencil. All kidding aside, it was cool to see the dressing rooms and then asked by Ed (the Director of Faculty Operations for WEC) if I needed time to learn how to drive the 15 passenger van down the ramp.

At first I thought I'd be picking them up at the airport, and had visions of me carrying a sign that said "P.O.D." Then Buzz told me, that he would do it. Then the day of the pick up (Thursday), Buzz called back again to ask if I would come with him, so I could keep the van and drive it home with myself. We supposedly had many pick ups that night, only half were completed. We first were supposed to pick up their manager Tim, and assistant Judah, but their plane (in the air) had technical problems and had to be grounded in Chicago. So after a long dinner, Buzz and I picked up Dan their road manager. He was a really cool guy and asked us "So what's all in Winnipeg?" ... "Ummm... the mint?"

After that P.O.D. was scheduled to come in at 11.45 pm, so we waited... and waited.. and waited. This was when I finally got all excited. I was going to see *POD* soon! Finally Wuv (the dummer) came out, with mounds of baggage. He was happy to see Paul, but looked quite tired. He said the boys were given a rough time by customs. Next came Traa (bassist), Ryan (guitar tech), then Marcos, and finally Sonny (lead singer). But they all came out probably with an interval of at least 5 min between each other. It took Sonny the longest, and everyone seemed tired because of customs and the flight. I certainly didn't blame them. Out of all the countries they have been to, Winnipeg was the hardest to get into. They had their bags and guitars searched, the dogs sniff them, their credit cards swiped for drugs, and questioned thoroughly because they were "rock stars." And although one security/customs guy knew they were Christians, that most certainly didn't help at all. They were asked by one.. "Didn't you tour with Korn?" "Yes" "Isn't that a contradiction?" (sigh)

We were all introduced, and then took them all to Denny's, where everyone obviously ate. It was cool to sort of being let into their lives, with them talking about the bands and people they toured with, their families (they are all married, 3/4 have kids), and just watching them laugh and laugh over their private jokes. I sat at the end, with Wuv next to me and I swear I couldn't keep my eyes off of his tattoos! It hit me at about 1.30 am that here I was sitting in Denny's, with not another soul around in the restaurant, with POD. I knew I wouldn't get that chance again.

Finally we dropped them off, I dropped Buzz off, and finally dropped myself off at 2.30 am. I was supposed to pick Tim and Judah again at 10.55 am. I went to pick up Doug first which was an interesting feat. Since I had only driven the 15 passenger van (with the last seat taken out or else I'd need a class 4 license) at night with no one around. It's a big thing I tell you! But nice to be up high. I went to get Doug, only to be phoned by Dan that their flight had been delayed again till 1.45 pm. But to come pick Dan and Ryan up so they could take the banner to the arena. We went and did that and got our first taste of what the night was going to be like. The arena was so quiet and empty, but the huge stage was set up, along with The Edge Skatepark's ramps.

Now the banner that they brought was quite different. Some of the pictures I have of it, people look at it and are shocked, but really its cool. It's a picture of Jesus ascending to heaven with two angels. This massive banner (actually like a stage background) had been with the band when they were touring with Korn. Someone said they couldn't use it because of fire regulations. So Dan had the papers with him, but this person said that this was the UK and those didn't apply here, and to pass the test they'd have to let the fire marshal hold it under flame for 5 secs. While after the fire marshal came with his lighter cranked on high, and held it under 10 secs it passed the test. God is good!

We drove them back and decided to go to the airport, knowing we had to pick the band up at 2.15 to go to the arena. Dan made a sign for them "The Cook Family", and Doug and myself held it up when we picked them up. However, their plane was delayed till 1.50, and we didn't get them till 2.15. But no problem, we rushed to get the band, and drop them all off at the arena.

For the next couple of hours everything seemed a blur. I was tremendously thankful that I was one of the few to have an all access pass. That rocked! I got to go through all the dressing rooms, go on stage, go in the media room... it was all good. The press conference was first. Many different types of media showed up, with many different questions. Basically POD talked about their faith openly, how they get the most opposition from Christians, but how you can't please everyone. I'm still amazed at how easy it is for them to be so open about being Christian, in a secular environment, then I realized they have been doing this for 10 years. The fan conference was interesting. All the fans seemed quite shy and quiet. Although one loud fan started asking Marcos about his guitar riffs and how he (the fan) loved playing guitar while smoking up. I'm sure a tension went through the room, but not with POD. Marcos was cool about it, saying they had gone through all of that, and left it behind. He remembers recording stuff when he was high, then listening to it the next day and it sounded awful. You do play better when you're high on the holy spirit.

Then came the sound check, which was the best. I knew I'd never get that close to them during the real concert, so I took lots of pictures and stood directly in front of the stage. Then came the Undecided's sound check which was shorter than expected because POD took longer than the allotted time. Then when POD was being interviewed by Bradford from Much Music (wacky cool guy), I just bummed around, took pictures, and hung out in the dressing rooms. It was cool once everything started, with actual fans there. I only got to see a couple of acts because of being everywhere else and the other conferences.

Finally I got to take them back to the hotel, and then took Paul (Canadian agent) and Dan around to Staples, and Polo Park. Let me tell you, you've never had fun unless you can slide around Eatons in your shoes (thanks Dan!). Once all fun was done, and we had a rockin time at Radio Shack (really sometimes we do need to ask for assistance ;) I went back to the arena and walked around a bit more, taking pictures, watching Brad (Girls and Boys Productions) on stage DJing, and just hanging out. Finally I had to go get POD. I quickly drove back to the hotel, when I found only Marcos, Dan, and Steve were in the restaurant chilling. I'm thinking.. these guys have to be on soon! Everyone got their things together soon and we drove back to the arena. I dropped them off and parked quite speedily. I got out of the van and once I heard the familiar music of the Undecided (I think it was "Lifted" that I got back to), I broke into a mad dash. Everyone cleared the way, I cleared the stairs, and rushed to the side stage. What a weird experience, one I'll remember for awhile. I remember first meeting them 2 years ago this summer, and first seeing them in churches, churches, and more small churches. So to see them in the Winnipeg Arena with thousands of other fans was unbelievable. What was cooler was to see them on the jumbo-tron (or whatever its called). I truly think they did a fabulous job, but I was still psyched to see them on the big stage, and however know the arena has horrible acoustics.

Just after the Undecided finished, Doug came looking for me, telling me "they" were looking for me. I went back to the dressing room only to find out that Sonny and Marcos needed a ride back to the hotel (they were supposed to be on in 15 minutes.) So we ran to the van, bypassing 3 screaming fans "OH! Sonny! I love you!" and went to the hotel where the guys got their missing items. Then we raced back and the awesome guys got those 3 fans into the concert :)

When POD came onto the stage, wow is all I can say, they sure know how to rock. Most people could only take pictures of the first three songs, but Melanie gave me a Media pass (note: All Access sometimes doesn't mean that) and I got to continue my photo taking. They opened with Outkast and Sonny jumped into the mosh pit and sang. It was not the only time he did this :) He later did it for other songs, like Rock the Party and had the audience (or whoever was holding him up) to sing with him. Song and after song they rocked, hard. I love watching drummers, but finally found the best I've seen, Wuv (no offence Steve!). He was the coolest to watch. His arms and back are covered with tattoos, which is totally amazing, especially the one of JC. But what blew me away was his energy. I was surprised that the drums didn't fall apart. He'd just jump up out of his seat and come crashing back down with the sticks in hand, over and over. I have never seen a dummer move that much. Kuddos to Wuv, you rock dude!

After the cool performance (yes I do have the pre set list if any of you are wondering..) they chilled in the dressing room and changed. They had earlier announced an autographed session, which I did fear. I thought we'd be there for 4 hours or something. But a small crew of us waited, ate, and talked in their dressing room which was cool. I got to talk more with Bradford, Judah, Ryan, Dan, and Steve who are all characters. We even watched the Boogie Party on muchmoremusic. I also got to chat with Colin (Cough), and Leighton and Cliff (archrivals... nice to have you back)... want some pizza? Finally the guys came back (only an hour and a half autograph session), and Ryan asked if I wanted my picture taken with them. Now I had wanted this before the beginning of the day, but didn't want to seem all obsessed with them. So I got to pose with them, which is an interesting picture. I'm the only one smiling and the blond part of my hair is yellow because of the lights. That was the cool thing about POD, they were hilarious in private.. joking and laughing, but when they posed for picks, they had serious "rocker" looks. I even got to take a picture of their tattoos on their arms, very nice.

Finally off to bed for everyone.. so 10 of us went first, then Doug and I went back to pick up Steve and his assistant. Although we go to the hotel at a reasonable hour, around 1am or so, we talked and talked, till 2 am... (lipgloss = undecided). I dropped off Doug and rolled into bed at 2.30 am, again.

Next morning... err afternoon once everyone got up I picked up Doug, then picked up the whole entire gang.. all 12 of us were off to Polo Park! We all wandered around the large store for awhile. It was quite cool really. I do admit the guys didn't really look like you're average Winnipeger, maybe if they were on their own, but 5 large tattooed guys are quite the look, with 7 others of us mixing along. Some fans did recognize them, stopping them to say they had played a wonderful show or asking for autographs. I wondered when did they ever get used to this.. the pictures, the signatures etc. The only store we really spent time in was HMV, which although had posters about the concert, does not carry their CDs. We also noticed some fans following them around, getting the courage to ask for pictures of them, it was cool. I wondered if I hadn't been their driver etc, would I have been doing the same?

We also stopped in Sam the Record Man, and lost a lot of the posse around there. But after a couple of minutes, we all regrouped in order to go to a movie! Now who would have ever though I would go to a movie with POD? But really, in all seriousness they are just all normal people, having a cool job, that miss their family, and are stuck in the industrial part of town. The movie was good, I enjoyed it, it was a bit sad at the end, but really good. Then we took the guys back to the hotel, and everyone said goodbye. We then had to drop off Steve and his assistant at the airport to see if they could catch an earlier flight. Alas, they could not and we all went back to the hotel, to find out that POD wanted to go catch the PPV Fight. So we all said hello again to the freshly dressed guys and dropped them off and said good bye somewhere else so they could see the Fight. We then drove to Tom's house, picked up some Moose hockey tickets and dropped off the remaining guys at the arena again. Finally I dropped Doug off, and drove myself home. Man, was I beat!

I also felt a bit down, too. To have 3 days of excitement (sort of), and then boom.. all gone! So I checked over the van to make sure everything was cleaned out. Funny enough, a surprise waited for me, in the corner of one of the seats was Sonny's concert worn t-shirt. Wow! That was sure cool to find, no I didn't think about taking it. Come on now! I do have a conscience. I did take a picture of it, then put it back in the van. I dropped the van off for Buzz and he made sure that Sonny got his tshirt back (which he was thankful for), early the next morning.

All in all, of course I had a fabulous time. If I could get a career doing this I wouldn't think twice about saying yes to it. Thanks to everyone who helped out.. FREQ aka FROG FM(buzz, amber, tom) for offering me this, Doug for being my numbero uno side kick, Brad for driving me on Wednesday and everything else, the Undecided for rockin' so hard (really the camera can be your friend :), POD (and their personal crew... Dan, Ryan, Tim, Judah) for letting me into their lives, and whoever else I forgot, thank you.

POD Site

Concert Preview