One of The Best Gifts An El Paso TSO Fan Could Get

Going to concerts is one of my favorite things to do & we all have memories of our favorite concerts we've ever attended throughout the years. Veronica shared some of hers at Tricky Falls (R.I.P.) I want to share one of my mine: when Trans-Siberian Orchestra came to the Don Haskins Center & it was a night I'll never forget.

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It's no surprise that El Paso LOVES TSO. They've been coming to the Sun City on a fairly consistent basis: over a dozen times since 2000. The last time they came was back in 2019 & their lead guitarist Al Pitrelli talked about how much they love performing in El Paso.

The show I have the fondest memories was on this day: December 13th back in 2005 at the Don Haskins Center. But it wasn't just any concert; it was my very FIRST concert. I was only 12 years old & my dad took me to see TSO live.

Our seats were on the FLOOR: Row 15 Seats 3 & 4. Going to a concert is one thing but being THAT close to the stage... it was a completely different feel: you got to feel the energy & hear the music much louder. It was incredible.

But the show got even better. As the night went on, one of the touring managers approached my dad & I was willing to accept a gift from the band. They were looking for children had no siblings & since I have no brothers or sisters, I eagerly said yes. So I was brought up to the SECOND row on the floor, & I must've had the biggest grin on my face at that point. I was about to receive a gift from the band but I didn't know what it was.

Once the show wrapped up, the touring manager approached & escorted me to the front of the stage. It was then I received my gift:

A SIGNED Epiphone Special II model.

I couldn't believe it: not only was this the very first concert I ever went to, but for a 12 year old to get a GUITAR signed by EVERYONE in the band... that's something you'd never forget.

I would see TSO half a dozen times later in the future getting a few more things signed including a Night Castle poster:

I'll always be grateful to Trans-Siberian Orchestra for not only making El Paso a frequent stop on their tours but also making my very first concert experience one I'll never forget.