But we had decided to go to ProgPower VI for the first time before I ended up moving back up north. We actually didn't know a single name on the roster that year! But going there opened a whole new world to us. We've made it a tradition to go to ProgPower every year since then.
Ditto.
My first PPUSA was X. I actually bought the ticket because of PowerQuest... who wound up being Visa casualties, but I came anyway, despite knowing NONE of the bands. Who did I get to meet and hang out with? Sabaton (who I saw with my son last year, and it was a blast), Orphaned Land (Yossi and Kobi and I still write, and I get to see them when they tour), DSO, Circus Maximus (Michael is one of the coolest guys EVER), and, oh yeah, the Crimson Glory SuperShow.
I knew none of these bands.
XI I was a little more prepared, and XII I had listened to SOMETHING from each band's catalogue. For XIII, I actually knew some of the bands before the "reveal", and am thrilled to get learn the others. I have also learned to shut up, and just experience music that may not interest me at first. While I am still not a "fan" of Ihsahn's music, I am a fan of Ihsahn the professional, and am glad to have had the ability to witness his show.
On the one hand, I am stunned that the Atlanta area alone cannot sell out this show in the space of 3 hours... but I also know that I worked down the street from Center Stage for 3 years without ever knowing about the show... and I drove by the lines of folks waiting to get in all week, missing: Nightwish, Symphony X, Evergrey, Circle II Circle in 2003; Savatage and Kamelot in 2004; and Stratovarius, Angra, Therion, Orphaned Land, Pink Cream and C.M. in 2005. I really do not know many people who listen to this music... other than the folks who are already going. I am, however, going to start reaching out to folks from my youth who I know USED to love this stuff. Maybe I can rekindle some fires.