ANNOUNCEMENT OF WINNERS: Neil Young Solo Tickets - Chicago, July 1

Neil Young Solo

Chicago Auditorium, Sunday, July 1st

Earlier this month, we announced a contest for a pair of tickets to see Neil Young in concert at the Chicago Auditorium, Sunday, July 1st (2nd Show) -- thanks to a very, very generous Thrashers Wheat reader.

In order to win these tickets, the donor suggested a Neil story contest to demonstrate their passion and appreciation of Neil's music. And we are pleased to announce the winners below:

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These are the two winners of our contest:

• A 61-year old grandfather and Navy veteran who flew F-14 Tomcats off the USS Nimitz.
• A 26-year old musician from Indiana whose 66-year old father introduced him to Neil Young.

I didn’t know how hard this would be. When I contacted Thrasher and told him I wanted some help getting these tickets to 2 deserving Neil Young fans, I wasn’t sure who or what I was looking for. As I read through the pile of stories fans sent me, two stories resonated. In hindsight, of course these stories resonated.

Richard wrote me from Minnesota. His concert story involved seeing CSNY from the 4th row in St. Paul, MN. But it wasn’t the concert story that got me. It was the story of his life that did. Richard’s life included 5 years in the US Navy flying F-14 Tomcats off the USS Nimitz. Richard has worked very hard in his life and he’s taken more punches than most. Also, Richard died. Literally. In 2008, Richard suffered a fatal heart attack and was resuscitated back to life. He got a second chance. He’s now a 61-year old grandfather happily enjoying his kids and his grandkids, playing acoustic guitar and harmonica, and seeing live music. (And he passed up a Neil Young show at Red Rocks to attend his daughter’s wedding a few years back. Of course he did.)

Sam wrote me from Indiana. Sam is from a different generation than Richard (and from me for that matter). Sam is 26 years old and a hard working musician. Sam’s concert story was about seeing Neil at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. But like Richard, it wasn’t Sam’s concert story that grabbed me. It was Sam’s life story. You see, Sam’s father is a die hard Neil Young fan going all the way back to the Buffalo Springfield days. Sam’s father introduced Sam to Neil Young and they’ve bonded over Neil’s music. Sam’s father is now 66 years old and not in great health. His health keeps him from seeing any live music. As much as I would have liked to have given the tickets to Sam and his dad to see the show together, his dad could not attend. So Sam’s gonna go see Neil and tell his dad all about it.

I’m writing you from Chicago. I’m a die hard Neil Young fan and a proud husband and father of 5 beautiful kids. We celebrated Father’s Day this past Sunday. I use my love of music to connect to my family and we’ve seen so many wonderful concerts together. I hope we see many more. Richard’s and Sam’s stories spoke to me.

And so, on Sunday, July 1, 2018, my wife Kathie and I will get to see Neil with Richard and Sam at the beautiful and historic Auditorium Theater. It should be a night for all of us to remember. We’ll send some pictures.

Thanks for all your stories. Long may you run.

AG

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Thanks so much AG for offering the tickets and making some Neil fans' dreams come true. Wonderful stories Richard and Sam. Thanks so much for sharing.

Enjoy the show everyone! We looking forward to meeting you guys in Chicago! (See comment below on pre-show RustFest.)

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