Credit One Stadium DJ: My Experience Opening for Cole Swindell & Lee Brice

There are certain opportunities in life and business that immediately stand out as special. Recently, I had the incredible privilege of serving as the pre-show DJ at Credit One Stadium before Cole Swindell and Lee Brice took the stage. It was an experience I'll never forget and one that reinforced the importance of preparation, professionalism, and being ready when opportunity knocks.

Preparing for a Big Opportunity

I was asked to arrive at the stadium between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m. for load-in and soundcheck. After arriving around 3:30, I unloaded my equipment, set up my DJ booth stage right, and connected into the stadium's sound system. From there, it was time to work with the production team to dial in the music and microphone levels before jumping into rehearsals.

Walking into Credit One Stadium for the first time that afternoon was exciting. The floor seats were already in place, the production was set, and the entire venue looked incredible. The stadium was show-ready, and the atmosphere immediately made the magnitude of the opportunity sink in.

Surprisingly, I wasn't nervous. I was excited.

A lot of that confidence came from preparation. Over the course of four to five days leading up to the show, I spent countless hours building and refining the setlist. Songs were added, songs were removed, transitions were adjusted, and I rehearsed repeatedly. I wanted every song, every transition, and every microphone break to serve a purpose. My goal was simple: create the best possible experience for the crowd while setting the perfect tone for Cole Swindell and Lee Brice.

Although I've spoken publicly and handled public address responsibilities in front of large crowds before, this was different.

This was the first time I had DJed in front of a crowd of this size where I was solely responsible for creating the energy and entertaining the audience. That challenge made the opportunity even more exciting.

Behind the Scenes at Credit One Stadium

As the afternoon progressed, I had the chance to spend some time backstage. I walked through the production area, talked with some of the sound technicians, and got a firsthand look at the equipment and instruments being prepared for the evening's performances.

One particularly cool moment was seeing Cole Swindell's keyboard player rehearsing on stage before the doors opened. Even at that level, preparation still matters.

Showtime: Taking the Stage

At around 6:40 p.m., I changed into my show attire, grabbed my microphone, and made my way to the wings. By 6:50, I was standing just off stage waiting for my cue. At exactly 7:00 p.m., I was given the signal to walk out and begin.

The opening announcement went well, and I immediately felt comfortable on stage. The crowd was exactly what you would expect from a country concert crowd—young, energetic, excited, and ready for a great night of music.

One of the biggest surprises of the evening was just how many people were already in their seats and ready to go. With the gates opening only an hour earlier, I expected many fans to still be getting concessions or finding their seats. Instead, the floor was filling up quickly, fans were settled in, and they were ready to participate from the very beginning.

What It's Like to DJ at Credit One Stadium

I knew the set was working when "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers came on and the entire stadium started singing along. Later in the set, "Family Tradition" by Hank Williams Jr. created a genuine back-and-forth between me and the crowd that was incredibly rewarding. Other songs that generated tremendous response included "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey and "Beer Never Broke My Heart" by Luke Combs.

Throughout the performance, I made it a point to occasionally step back mentally and simply take in the moment. Looking out across Credit One Stadium, seeing thousands of people enjoying themselves, singing, and responding to the music is an experience I will never forget.

The Lesson I'll Take Forward

More than anything, this experience reinforced a lesson that applies to every event I perform—whether it's an intimate wedding reception, a corporate event, or a stadium concert: preparation matters.

I'm incredibly grateful to the team at Credit One Stadium for trusting me with this opportunity. It was an honor to help set the stage for Cole Swindell and Lee Brice, and I hope this won't be my last opportunity to perform in such an incredible venue.

For now, I'm simply thankful, humbled, and excited to continue building on this momentum as Shane Griffin Entertainment moves forward.

Sometimes, preparation meets opportunity. When it does, special things can happen.