It was great to connect with Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach and Chris Daughtry of Daughtry. They are two super talents and quality human beings.
I wasn't sure what it was for when I was contacted to speak with them. As the day drew near, I was informed that Jacoby was receiving the Public Education Lifesaver award, presented to him by his friend, Daughtry.
Jacoby told me how he got involved with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. "We've been doing some work with the AFSP for the past couple of years, and we did a tour with Shinedown and took a took a chunk of money from each show and put it in a pile, and at the end of the tour, donated a big old check to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention." He said help is out there for people who feel left behind. "There's people that care for you, you know, and I think that's an important message right now. And so just out here trying to spread some hope."
Jacoby Knows The Feeling
He's no stranger to the feeling of helplessness and was in a dark place in the past. "I was, it was 2011. I was really in a dark place. And I was at rock bottom. Found myself at rock bottom again. And I remember my younger brother, he. He pretty much called me on my BS, and it was the beginning of, of a work that I'm still in the process of. I'm just grateful that I got people around me that love me through my crazy. And that will also call me on my sh*t, you know what I mean?" He said he's grateful he's still around to pass the feeling of hope to others. "That was the beginning of the process for me. And, you know, it's it's a journey, man. It's a journey."
Chris and Jacoby talk of Lzzy Hale singing for Skid Row
Switching topics, I had to ask the guys, who both know Lzzy Hale, about her fronting Skid Row. Daughtry said, "It's such a good pairing for her to be singing Skid Row. It's so sick. Yeah. For real. So those songs are, like, great for her voice." Jacoby agreed.
Chris Daughtry myself. Love talking to that guy.
Daughtry On The Creed Cruise
Chris also told me about being on the Creed "Summer of 99" cruise. He said it exceeded his expectations. "It was awesome, man. We'd never done a rock cruise before, and so didn't know what to expect, and and, man, we had the best time. It was so awesome."
What Papa Roach has in store for 2025
2025 marks the 25th anniversary of Papa Roach's debut album, INFEST. Jacoby said they have some things they're working on. "So we got a book, we did a book, we wrote a book. And, it's kind of a book of a reflection of that era. And it's told from all the band members' points of view. So, every chapter is totally different. You know, it's just coming from different perspectives." He also said they've got some sort of box set they'll drop, but it's all about getting new music to the fans. "I don't want to do a full tour, though, dude. Because I just, you know, we're working on new music, and that's really my main focus. And so we'll celebrate, but not too much because, you know, it's all about that."
You can watch the short conversation below.....
Photo By Erik AratariShinedown Rocks Pine Knob With Papa Roach And Spiritbox – Photos
Last night's Shinedown was spectacular. Hit after hit! And to think the first time I saw them play was just for me in the studio playing "Fly From The Inside". Man, where has the time gone!??!
Papa Roach killed it, as always. I didn't get to see Spiritbox, but Brent Smith made sure to take Jade and I got to meet singer, Courtney, afterwards to say Hello. She was really cool to talk to.
Alright, enough of my blabbing. Check out some photos that WRIF photog, Will Spurrier took, along with some of mine.
-Meltdown-
Will SpurrierShinedown's Brent Smith sings next to Barry Kerch during a performance at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierPyrotechnics explode at a Shinedown concert at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierShinedown's Brent Smith and Zach Myers pose back-to-back during a performance at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierShinedown's Brent Smith and Zach Myers face off during a performance at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierShinedown's Eric Bass sings backing vocals during a performance at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierShinedown poses dramatically during a performance at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierShinedown's Zach Myers solos amidst pyrotechnics during a performance at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierShinedown performs at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierBrent Smith and Eric Bass of Shinedown sing back-to-back during a performance at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierBrent Smith of Shinedown sings next to Eric Bass on piano, during a performance at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierShinedown's Brent Smith sings next to Zach Myers during a performance at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierBrent Smith of Shinedown rests at the piano bench next to Eric Bass, during a performance at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierJacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach gives the horns to the audience during a performance at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierJacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach belts it during a performance at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierTobin Esperance of Papa Roach crouches during a performance at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierTobin Esperance of Papa Roach performs at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierJacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach gestures while singing during a performance at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierMembers of Papa Roach pose dramatically during a performance at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierSpiritbox performs at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierCourtney LaPlante of Spiritbox poses on stage while performing at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierJosh Gilbert of Spiritbox hypes up the audience during a performance at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierSpiritbox's Courtney LaPlante sings next to guitarist Mike Stringer during a performance at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierJosh Gilbert of Spiritbox headbangs during a performance at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
Will SpurrierSpiritbox's Courtney LaPlante screams next to Zev Rosenberg while performing at Pine Knob Music Theatre on September 12, 2023.
MeltdownShinedown on stage at Pine Knob, 9/12/23
MeltdownShinedown!
MeltdownShinedown singer Brent Smith thanking the crowd after the show.
Pine Knob was packed for a Tuesday night.
MeltdownImage via Meltdown
Image via Meltdown
Always GREAT to see Kevin and Buttcrack from the Machine Shop.
MeltdownJohanna, Maggie and the Machine Shop!
MeltdownI became friends with these folks at last night's show. Fun meeting other rock fans!
Great to see big Todd Evans, Kim and Cheri after the show.
Birthday girl, Jes Hogan!I've known Brent Smith for over 20 years now. Man, time flies. A very special Thank You to his head of security, John, for the special gift after the show. So honored!
MeltdownBarry is always, ummm, interesting! Great to see you, bro!
MeltdownEric and I could talk for hours. Love that dude!
MeltdownZach is the best. We have so many mutual friends, it's crazy! Of course we have to talk "Halloween" movies.
Brent SmithJade and Meltdown with Spiritbox singer, Courtney LaPlante. Photo by Brent Smith
