"If you got a ticket, you earned the ticket."

Before there were pre-sale codes and QR codes, there were long lines, rotary phones, and cash-only record stores. In this episode, Chad and Greg walk through the wild history of concert ticketing.

Greg shares what it was like to drive an hour just to find a Ticketmaster outlet that wasn't sold out, while Chad recounts losing a job just to stay in line for the show of a lifetime. We discuss how the culture has shifted from a "Fan vs. Fan" community to "Fans vs. The System," and why we miss the days of physical ticket stubs you could actually hold.

Topics covered:

• The "Record Store Cage" and rubber-banded ticket stacks.

• The frustration of 1-800 numbers and busy signals.

• Tips for finding modern pre-sale codes without getting gouged.

• Why digital-only tickets suck the magic out of the experience.

We want your "Tale from the Rail!" Comment on our YouTube or hit us up on social media with your wildest ticketing story.

Upfront. Unfiltered. Unforgettable.

Welcome to the rail. In our inaugural episode, Chad and Greg introduce Tales from the Rail—the podcast by fans, for fans, and about the fans.

We’re diving deep into our "origin stories." Greg talks about growing up in "BFE" Kentucky, where music was a scavenger hunt that led to a $6 Molly Hatchet ticket. Chad shares a "holy grail" first concert story involving a learner's permit, a school night, and the height of Metallica’s Black Album era.

We discuss the evolution of the fan experience: from the bulky mystery of 8-track tapes and trading cassettes to the high-stakes world of "General Admission" where the fastest runner got the best seat in the house.

Are you a "Railer"? We want your stories! Head over to our social media or YouTube comments to tell us about your first show. You might just find yourself as a guest on the show.

Upfront. Unfiltered. Unforgettable. This is Tales from the Rail.