A USAF Veteran's Vet Tix Adventure & Ongoing Chronicle

It sounds unbelievable, but it’s true. Since 2015, my husband Gio and I have been on an incredible musical journey. We’ve had the honor of attending:

58 Concerts
Featuring 93 Bands
Across 30 iconic venues
In 17 different locations from San Diego to the Bay Area.

This adventure has included once-in-a-lifetime shows we chose to splurge on, like Elton John’s final concert at Dodger Stadium and being there for the final-ever performance of “Together in Vegas”—the record-breaking, 6.5-year Caesars Palace residency for Brooks and Dunn with Reba. But the vast majority of this journey was made possible by one amazing organization.

Our Secret Weapon: The Veteran Tickets Foundation (VetTix)

As a former Air Force firefighter and proud USAF veteran, discovering the Veteran Tickets Foundation (VetTix) was a complete game-changer. It’s a national nonprofit dedicated to honoring the service of U.S. military members by providing tickets to events. Their mission is to help reduce stress and create lasting memories by giving back to those who have served.

For me, VetTix has been a profound gift—a way to reconnect with my husband and my community through the shared joy of live music.

From Dodger Stadium to the Hollywood Bowl: Our Favorite Moments

Our concert journey has been filled with legendary nights. While we’ve invested in a few special tickets ourselves, VetTix has been the driving force behind most of our adventures. Some of the absolute highlights include:

Witnessing history at Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour at a sold-out Dodger Stadium.
Being part of the emotional final curtain call for Brooks and Dunn with Reba’s “Together in Vegas,” the longest-running country residency in Las Vegas history.
Seeing country superstars like Kenny Chesney and Dierks Bentley four times each.
Rocking out with icons like Guns N’ Roses and P!nk.
Experiencing the legendary James Taylor and catching one of Jimmy Buffett’s final performances.

A Visual Journey: Our Filterable Concert Gallery

Below is a gallery of photos and videos from our many concert nights. I’ve organized them by year so you can share in our journey. Click a year to see the moments we captured. [Note: Some of my YouTube videos have been removed due to copyright claims.]

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How You Can Get Tickets, Too

As a fellow veteran, I can’t recommend this service enough. The process is simple: you sign up on their website, verify your service, and then you can start requesting tickets to all kinds of events, paying only a small delivery fee. It has genuinely changed our lives, and we encourage every eligible service member and veteran to join.

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All
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Chesney Aerial Entrance

This electrifying photo captures Kenny Chesney connecting with fans at the Rose Bowl, launching The Big Revival Tour and sparking our partnership with Vet Tix.

Kelly Clarkson barefoot singing on stage at Viejas Arena, San Diego State University, Piece By Piece Tour 2015

Kelly Clarkson Live

Throwback to 2015! In her signature raw and powerful style, Kelly Clarkson captivated Viejas Arena with a barefoot performance during her Piece By Piece Tour. The energy was palpable, and her connection with the San Diego audience was truly special.

A smiling selfie of two men in blue hoodies at the Sleep Train Amphitheatre, with the concert stage and seating visible in the background before a show.

Concert Selfie

Me and my husband, Gio, and I at the Sleep Train Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, CA, on May 21, 2016. We were so excited to see Brad Paisley on his “Life Amplified World Tour.” This was only our third concert together, but it marked the beginning of an incredible year, during which we ended up attending nine shows!

Gio, Betsey, and I holding a "Thank You VET TIX" sign at Zac Brown Band concert, Kia Forum, Inglewood, CA, 2016

Concert Friends VETTIX

We had an awesome night seeing Zac Brown Band’s Black Out the Sun Tour at The Forum in Inglewood, CA, back on June 5, 2016! Big thanks to VET TIX for the tickets! Another adventure with Gio and Betsey for the books!

A wide shot from the audience of the Bryan Adams "Get Up" tour at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles at dusk. The stage's main screen shows a black and white image of the artist, while a large crowd fills the outdoor amphitheater's seats.

Getting up for the "Get Up" Tour.

There’s nothing like a show at the iconic Greek Theatre! We had a blast seeing Bryan Adams on his “Get Up” tour. The perfect Southern California evening for another amazing concert adventure.

A group of four friends smiling for a photo in a parking lot in front of a large tour truck before a concert.

Country Concert Crew

A pre-concert photo of me, my husband Gio, and our friends Aiden and Jessica on July 8, 2016, before seeing the Rascal Flatts “Rhythm & Roots Tour” at Sleep Train Amphitheatre in Chula Vista. This was our sixth concert experience together.

A hand holding four fanned-out Live Nation tickets for a Brantley Gilbert concert at the Sleep Train Amphitheatre on July 24, 2016.

Brantley Gilbert Tickets

Here are the tickets from the Brantley Gilbert “Take It Outside Tour” show we saw at Sleep Train Amphitheatre on July 24, 2016. Holding the physical tickets always added to the excitement leading up to a show. This was another stop on our big concert year, a fantastic night of country rock in Chula Vista.

Wide view of the large concert stage for Kenny Chesney's "Spread the Love Tour" inside a packed Levi's Stadium, with the band Old Dominion performing.

Stadium Concert

The view from our seats at Levi’s Stadium on August 6, 2016, as Old Dominion kicked off an amazing day of music. We were there for Kenny Chesney’s “Spread the Love Tour,” which also featured Miranda Lambert and Sam Hunt. The scale of this stadium show was just breathtaking.

Stadium Rock

The calm before the storm at Dodger Stadium on August 19, 2016. I took this shot of the incredible stage setup while waiting for Guns N’ Roses to come on. Seeing the classic lineup back together for the “Not in This Lifetime… Tour” was a dream come true. The atmosphere in the stadium was absolutely unforgettable.

Two men smiling for a photo in front of their seats at the Sleep Train Amphitheatre, with the large concert stage and empty venue seats in the background before a show.

Concert Couple

Me and my husband, Gio, and I back at one of our favorite venues, the Sleep Train Amphitheatre in Chula Vista, on September 11, 2016. We were so excited for the Dierks Bentley “Somewhere on a Beach Tour.” Little did we know at the time, this would be the first of four times we’d see him perform live!

A man and two women smiling for a photo from the upper deck of STAPLES Center, holding a "Thank You Vet Tix" sign, with the 360-degree concert stage visible below.

Vet Tix Concert

A special concert memory with my mom and sister-in-law Tammy at the STAPLES Center on September 14, 2016. We were there to see Carrie Underwood’s incredible “The Storyteller Tour.” I’m grateful to organizations like Vet Tix for providing veterans with opportunities to create wonderful memories like this.

A wide night shot of Billy Joel performing on a brightly lit stage at a sold-out Dodger Stadium, with thousands of fans in the crowd holding up their phone lights.

Stadium Concert

One of my favorite concert photos. This was the scene at Dodger Stadium on May 13, 2017, when the entire crowd lit up the ballpark for Billy Joel. Seeing a legend like the Piano Man perform is always special, but moments like this, shared with tens of thousands of other fans, are just pure magic.

The band Lady A performing on a stylishly lit stage in front of a large crowd at an amphitheater during their "You Look Good World Tour."

Lady A Live

Capturing the moment Lady Antebellum (now Lady A) took the stage at the Mattress Firm Amphitheatre in Chula Vista on June 4, 2017. Their “You Look Good World Tour” was fantastic, and the energy from the crowd was incredible. It was a perfect summer concert evening, especially with Kelsea Ballerini and Brett Young opening the show.

A wide stage view of Brad Paisley performing on the Weekend Warrior Tour, with a large video screen showing him playing guitar and the stage lit in blue

Brad Paisley Live

Brad Paisley performs on the ‘Weekend Warrior World Tour’ at the Mattress Firm Amphitheatre (now North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre) in Chula Vista, CA, on June 23, 2017.

The red-arched exterior of The Forum in Inglewood, decorated with large banners for the Neil Diamond 50 Year Anniversary World Tour, celebrating 35 record-setting performances.

Neil Diamond Concert

This photo brings back such wonderful memories. I took this on August 10, 2017, at The Forum in Inglewood, right before seeing Neil Diamond on his 50th Year Anniversary World Tour. I was able to take my mom to this incredible show thanks to Vet Tix. Seeing these banners celebrating his 35 record-setting performances at the venue was the start of an unforgettable #MemoryMaker night.

David, wearing a striped polo, and Gio, in a blue hoodie, stand together in the amphitheater seats at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles before an Evanescence concert.

Concert Goers

Gio and I at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on October 15, 2017, right before the Evanescence Synthesis Live Tour. You can see the crowd starting to fill in the seats behind us!

Hollywood Bowl

A photo from our seats at the Hollywood Bowl on October 29, 2017, one of America’s best live music venues. We were waiting for the show to start on the final night of the Zac Brown Band’s “Welcome Home Tour.”

Miranda Lambert Concert

Me (left, holding the sign), Gio, and our friends Robert and Juan at Viejas Arena at SDSU on February 15, 2018. We were there to see Miranda Lambert on her “Livin’ Like Hippies Tour,” and we were so grateful to Vet Tix for the seats!

David Skelton, his brother Jeff, and a friend wearing a Vet Tix shirt stand at the entrance to FivePoint Amphitheatre, holding a Thank You Vet Tix sign before a Styx concert.

Vet Tix Photo

Here I am (right, in the blue AF hoodie) with my brother Jeff (left) and our friend and fellow USAF veteran (center) at FivePoint Amphitheatre on May 30, 2018. We were about to head in to see Styx and wanted to send a huge ‘Thank You’ to Vet Tix for the opportunity!

Four people, including me and my husband, Gio, standing in the glass concourse of STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, holding a "Thank You VET TIX" sign, before the Keith Urban Graffiti U Tour concert

Concert Family Fun

Making memories! Just before we saw Keith Urban on his amazing Graffiti U Tour at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. From left: Tammy, my mom, my husband Gio, and me holding the VET TIX sign. This was one of 11 concerts I was lucky enough to take my mom to! A perfect spontaneous getaway.

Wide shot of Carrie Underwood on stage at STAPLES Center under dramatic blue and purple lights, raising her arm during a performance of "Jesus Take The Wheel." Her face is visible on a large video screen to the left.

Concert Stage Energy

An electric moment from our last concert before the world changed! Carrie Underwood performing “Jesus Take The Wheel” on the Cry Pretty Tour at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, 2019. The stage presence, the lights, the crowds—I love capturing these high-energy concert moments with my photography!

Justin Moore and his band performing live on stage at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, during his Summer 2021 Tour.

Justin Moore Live

Country music star Justin Moore and his band ignite the stage at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, during his highly anticipated Summer 2021 Tour. This marked one of the first major tours to return following the COVID-19 pandemic, and the energy was palpable as Moore delivered hit after hit to an enthusiastic crowd.

Dierks Bentley performing live on stage at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheater during his 2021 "Beers on Me" Tour, with his image projected on a large video screen.

Dierks Bentley Live

Dierks Bentley delivers an unforgettable performance at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheater during his 2021 “Beers on Me” Tour. The energy is electric as he sings his hits, his image projected on the massive video screen behind him.

Close-up, low-angle night photo of the white textured building entrance sign for the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, with bright blue illuminated lettering and backlit palm trees overhead.

Amphitheatre Entrance Night

Number 10! The North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre entrance, looking bright on a perfect Southern California night. This place holds a ton of concert memories, dating back to its days as Sleep Train. Fun fact: This was our third time seeing Brad Paisley here—once under every name the venue has had! We always love breaking away from the routine for a night of live music and good times with Gio!.

A man in a red Fire Rescue t-shirt stands with his arm around his mother on the brightly lit interior concourse of an arena at night.

Concert Memory

Me and my mom, Carole, and I are soaking in the incredible atmosphere at the STAPLES Center right before the Dan + Shay concert started on October 15, 2021. I’m so grateful to Vet Tix for making this amazing mother-son memory possible.

Vibrant, dark, wide-angle photo of the YouTube Theater and curving SoFi Stadium exterior at night, with the structures’ colorful lights reflecting sharply on the smooth, dark water of the lake in the foreground.

Stadium Night Reflection

Remember when the new YouTube Theater hosted its first huge rock show? I grabbed this shot of the newly opened venue and the incredible ‘not yet open’ SoFi Stadium complex shimmering on the water. The red and gold lighting was perfect for the homecoming performance by Evanescence and the one-and-only Amy Lee. The sheer scale and modern architecture of this place, set against the water, is just stunning!

A wide shot of Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn performing together on stage during their Las Vegas residency. Reba, in a sparkling green outfit, stands between Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn as they play guitar for a large audience.

Vegas Residency Finale

Reba McEntire, Kix Brooks, and Ronnie Dunn deliver an emotional rendition of “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” during the final night of their record-breaking Las Vegas residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

Country singer Scotty McCreery sings into a microphone on stage, his right hand raised, illuminated by dramatic blue and magenta spotlights.

Scotty McCreery Concert

Such a great night of music! Here’s a shot I took of Scotty McCreery during his fantastic all-acoustic show at Morongo Casino on April 24, 2022. His voice is even more incredible live, and the stripped-down set was perfect.

Eric Church performing live at Crypto.com Arena, May 2022. He's playing guitar and singing, illuminated by spotlights.

Gather Again Spotlight

Witnessing Eric Church’s Gather Again Tour was an experience. This photo perfectly encapsulates the magic of that night.

A man with white hair and sunglasses smiles next to his husband, who is wearing a plaid shirt and a baseball cap, sitting in the stands of a large, modern stadium.

Kenny Chesney Concert

Me and Gio, ready for an unforgettable night of country music with Kenny Chesney at SoFi Stadium on July 23, 2022! This was our third time seeing him and our third different stadium, after the Rose Bowl and Levi’s Stadium. There’s nothing like the energy of a Chesney stadium show. Immense gratitude to Vet Tix for this experience!

Wide view of the outdoor stage and empty seats at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, Chula Vista, California, before the OneRepublic concert in 2022.

Live Pop Rock

Remember when we spent a gorgeous August night down in the San Diego area to see OneRepublic? This shot captures the calm before the storm at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista on August 20, 2022, during their “Never Ending Summer Tour.” We were ready to hear “I Ain’t Worried” and “Good Life”! What a great concert adventure!

Keith Urban playing electric guitar on stage at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, during "The Speed Of Now World Tour" in 2022.

Country Rock Live

Remember when Gio and I saw Keith Urban tear up the stage at the Kia Forum on September 10, 2022? The “The Speed Of Now World Tour” show was unbelievable—his energy and guitar skills are unmatched! The setlist was a blast, featuring hits like “Somebody Like You” and “Wasted Time.” A totally spontaneous and electric night of country music in Southern California

Farewell From The Rocket Man

A wide shot of Elton John’s “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” concert at Dodger Stadium at night. Three large screens dominate the view, showing close-ups of Elton John in his iconic glasses playing the piano for a massive crowd.

Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band performing live on a tropically decorated stage with blue and orange lighting in front of a large concert audience at Acrisure Arena.

Jimmy Buffett Concert

Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band perform on stage during their “Life On the Flip Side Redux Tour 2023” at Acrisure Arena in Greater Palm Springs, CA, on March 7, 2023. I’m so grateful I got to check this bucket-list concert off my list, as this was one of his last performances before his passing less than six months later.

Dierks Bentley Concert

The lights, the crowd, the music—an amazing night at Acrisure Arena for Dierks Bentley’s Gravel & Gold Tour on August 19, 2023. This was our second of five concerts we’ve now seen at this venue!

Bryan Adams Concert

We’re back for more! Absolutely buzzing with excitement here with Gio and our great friend Betsey, waiting for the one and only Bryan Adams to hit the stage at the Honda Center (aka “The Pond”). This was our second time seeing him live, and the “So Happy It Hurts Tour” was every bit as amazing as we’d hoped. You just can’t beat a night of pure rock and roll with your favorite people!

A man stands next to his mother, who is seated on a mobility scooter, smiling for a photo at the Riverside County National Date Festival at night. The background is filled with the bright, colorful lights of carnival rides and other fairgoers.

Date Festival Fun

What an incredible night out with my mom at the Riverside County National Date Festival! We had a blast soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of the county fair, with its dazzling lights and energy-filled midway. The highlight of the evening was seeing the legendary country group Diamond Rio perform live. It was one of those perfect nights filled with great company and fantastic music—definitely a cherished “remember when” moment.

Highway Don't Care

Tim McGraw captivates the audience at Kia Forum with a heartfelt rendition of “Highway Don’t Care,” a highlight of his Standing Room Only Tour.

Kenny Chesney singing "Summertime" close-up on the extended stage at SoFi Stadium with large video screens behind him displaying live footage

SoFi Stadium Energy

The Sun Goes Down, but the energy heats up! Kenny Chesney electrifies the crowd with “Summertime” during his SoFi Stadium performance. This front-row shot captures the magic

Gary Allan performing live on stage at Sycuan Casino Resort, El Cajon, CA. He is holding his guitar and singing into the microphone, with stage lights illuminating him and his band

Gary Allan Live

Country music star Gary Allan captivates the crowd with his signature blend of soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics during his August 9th performance at Sycuan Casino Resort in El Cajon, California

Wide shot of the vibrant stage for P!nk's Summer Carnival 2024 tour at Dodger Stadium, with two large video screens glowing purple and pink above a massive crowd

P!nk Summer Carnival

The stage is set for an unforgettable night as the massive video screens for P!nk’s Summer Carnival 2024 tour illuminate the sold-out crowd at Dodger Stadium

Scotty McCreery singing and playing guitar center stage at Morongo Casino, bathed in blue and green concert lighting.

Scotty McCreery Live

Scotty McCreery captivates the audience at Morongo Casino during his Fall of Summer Tour, performing his hit song In Between.

Calum Scott singing "No Matter What" on stage at the Yaamava Resort & Casino, with his drummer and keyboard player on either side of him.

Calum Scott Live

Calum Scott performs his hit song “No Matter What” at the Yaamava Resort & Casino, captivating the audience with his powerful vocals and stage presence.

Clay Walker and his band performing live on stage at Great Park Live in Irvine, California, during the "Country Side Tour."

Country Side Irvine

Country music legend Clay Walker brings his “Country Side Tour” to Great Park Live in Irvine, California, delivering an unforgettable performance for fans.

Brantley Gilbert performs "One Hell of An Amen" at Toyota Arena, Tattoos Tour 2025, Ontario CA.

Brantley Live

Country rock superstar Brantley Gilbert delivers a powerful performance of “One Hell of An Amen” at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, on March 6, 2025, as part of his highly anticipated Tattoos Tour. The stage lights up as fans in Section 111, Row 9, Seat 7, witness an unforgettable night.

James Taylor and band performing live on stage with blue and orange lighting

James Taylor Magic

James Taylor and his incredible All-Star Band command the stage at Acrisure Arena, Greater Palm Springs, on May 7, 2025, delivering an unforgettable night of music. A special shout-out to Vet Tix for making this amazing experience possible from Section 118, Row DR, Seat 14!

James Arthur, wearing a hat and jacket, sings passionately while playing an acoustic-electric guitar on a dramatically lit blue stage at Yaamava' Theater, with his band in the background.

James Arthur Live

James Arthur pouring his heart into “Impossible” under the lights at Yaamava’ Theater.

Dierks Bentley singing on stage, Chula Vista, CA, Broken Branches Tour 2025

Dierks Bentley x 4

What an incredible night watching Dierks Bentley bring down the house with “Somewhere on a Beach” at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista on June 19, 2025, during his Broken Branches Tour! It’s always a blast capturing the excitement of live concerts, and this one was no exception.

Barenaked Ladies

A fantastic shot from the Barenaked Ladies’ “Last Summer On Earth Tour” at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino’s theater on June 21, 2025. Ed Robertson is captured mid-song, performing “One Week” on the large video screens, with the dedicated sound engineer overseeing the show’s impeccable audio.

Wide shot of the rock band Creed performing on a large, blue-lit stage in a packed arena, with singer Scott Stapp on the left and a massive speaker array hanging from the ceiling.

Creed Concert Stage

A wide view captures the immense scale of Creed’s 2025 tour production at a sold-out arena show on August 7, 2025. From the towering sound system to the intricate, atmospheric lighting, the band delivers a powerful performance for thousands of dedicated fans. Photo by Relentless Moments Photography.

Carly Pearce singing and playing guitar on stage at the Pacific Amphitheatre during her 2025 Hummingbird Tour at the OC Fair. The stage is lit with colorful lights, and the audience is visible in silhouette.

Carly Pearce Concert

Carly Pearce performing her hit songs for fans at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, CA, on August 14, 2025, as part of her Hummingbird Tour during the OC Fair. The concert was viewed from Section 6, Row D, Seat 50.

Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray performing "Fly" at Yaamava' Resort & Casino 2025

Live Concert

Mark McGrath, lead singer of Sugar Ray, captivates the audience while performing their iconic song “Fly” live at the Yaamava’ Resort & Casino Pool Deck in Highland, CA, on September 6, 2025. The band delivered a high-energy show under dynamic stage lighting.

From the crowd, a wide shot of country artist Jordan Davis performing on a brightly lit stage with large video screens and dramatic lighting at the Acrisure Arena.

Jordan Davis Concert

Gio and I had the best time last night at the first stop of the Jordan Davis tour in Palm Desert! The energy at the Acrisure Arena was absolutely electric. I love how this shot captured him on stage and on the big screens with all the epic visuals. What a show!

Chris Lucas and Preston Brust of the country band LoCash sing and play acoustic guitars under warm, hazy stage lights during a live concert at the House of Blues in Anaheim.

LoCash Concert

Another incredible concert adventure in the books! There’s nothing quite like the energy of a live show, and seeing LoCash tear it up at the House of Blues was an absolute blast. Capturing this moment with Chris Lucas and Preston Brust totally in their element is exactly why I love photography. This is definitely one of those “remember when” nights.

Live performance photo of The Who, including Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, at their final North American farewell concert in Palm Desert, CA, October 1, 2025.

Classic Rock Farewell

Remember when we saw The Who on their final North American tour? I can’t believe I was there for the very last public show of the “The Song Is Over” Farewell Tour on October 1, 2025, at the Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, CA! You can see Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend giving their all. They played all the hits, ending with the aptly named “The Song Is Over.” A truly unforgettable night of Rock and Roll history right here in the Coachella Valley.

Live performance photo of The Marshall Tucker Band concert on stage at Harrah's Resort Southern California Events Center, Valley Center, CA, October 4, 2025.

Live Music Concert

“Can’t You See” how great The Marshall Tucker Band was live! Gio and I caught the Southern Rock icons during their “All Our Friends Tour 2025” at Harrah’s Resort Southern California’s Events Center in Valley Center, CA. Their setlist, full of hits like “Heard It in a Love Song” and “Fire on the Mountain,” made for another memorable concert adventure.

Adam Levine

What a way to end the night! Here’s Adam Levine and Maroon 5 performing their hit “Sugar” for the grand finale of their encore at Acrisure Arena. The energy from the crowd was absolutely electric.

A concert scene featuring a large video screen on the left showing a close-up of Eric Church singing into a microphone while wearing sunglasses and an American flag scarf. On the right, the full stage setup is visible with backing vocalists and the band performing under blue lights, with the artist standing stage-right.

Eric Church Springsteen

The moment we were waiting for! As soon as I saw that American Flag scarf around his neck, I knew exactly what was coming. Here is Eric Church belting out “Springsteen” at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA. It’s easily one of the most iconic songs in his catalog, and seeing him perform it live with the scarf on the big screen was a total highlight of the night.