I just played at the Toad Suck Daze festival in Conway, Arkansas. Yes, you read that correctly: Toad Suck Daze. Don’t ask me what it means, I have no clue. But I said “suck” from stage many times and that made me giggle, as that’s not a word I often use during my concerts! Anyway, the weather was great, there were funnel cakes and we had a good time.
But, the day turned in to a real downer for one reason only: the “stuck on a truck at toad suck” contest. it’s this crazy contest where people have to keep atleast one hand on a new ford truck and whoever stays on the longest, wins the truck. we checked out the competition when there were 6 people left and they had been stuck on the truck for 72 hours at this point. they get a 5 minute break every hour, but still - 72 hours? they hadn’t slept in 3 days. so here’s the kicker. one of the girls in the contest is a fan of mine. she had said that she was bummed she missed my concert because she was stuck on the truck. her friend came and got me to sign 2 cd’s for her and I agreed to deliver them to her personally and cheer her on. right before we got there, i turned to her friend and said,
“now she’s not going to get excited and take her hands off the truck, is she?”
they assured me no. at this point, the contestants have been stuck on the truck for 77 1/2 hours. they were completely delirious. just as i arrive, some guy gets on the microphone and announces that i’m there, making a much bigger deal of it than was needed and the girl, completely delirious turns to see me and takes her hands OFF THE TRUCK!
No, no, no!!!! it was so awful. i thought people were going to start throwing stuff at me. i was just trying to be nice and do what i was asked to do, but now it looked like it was all my fault. i wanted to crawl under a rock. i was mortified. needless to say, i won’t be heading back to toad suck daze anytime soon!
have you ever had an embarrassing moment? tell me about it and maybe it’ll make me feel better!
feeling like a toad at toad suck daze,
natalie
33 Responses to “Stuck On A Truck”
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WASHINGTON, D.C.— Curb recording artist and GMA’s three-time reigning Female Vocalist of the Year, Natalie Grant, made a slate of appearances this week in the nation’s capital. Prior to performing a tribute to Sandi Patty at the 2008 Grammy Salute To Gospel Music at The Lincoln Theatre, Grant visited Capitol Hill.
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who won?! I know if I had my hand on that truck for that long there would be no one and nothing that could get me to take it off….go that far you go all the way! lol.
I had an embarrassing moment….one time I was singing a solo for my church and I was singing a song that I knew like the back of my own hand and so did just about the entire audience…..so I’m singing, and I’m in the middle of the chorus and start singing a TOTALLY different song! I was mortified, but thankfully the band kinda went with it like it was planned the whole time…..I just about died after I got off stage! That ever happen to you?
I was a new member at a church in TX and my kids and I attended a baptism service being held at another member’s home since our little church didn’t have a basptistry. They had a keyboard and a lady from the church was going to sing a solo…a very high solo. She began to sing and hit one of those notes in the stratosphere and the dogs in the next yard began to howl. You know how it is when you’re supposed to be all spiritual and not laugh? Well, I lost it big time. I started laughing…not quiet little giggles, but laughter that began in my toes and spewed out of my mouth. As she sang louder, the dogs howled louder and I laughed louder. I just couldn’t help it. My new church family turned to look at me, my kids wanted to disown me, and I wanted to find a rock to crawl under, but I was too busy laughing.
Don’t kick yourself for one bad happening. You made lots of people very happy during your concert. I was one of the lucky ones who got to meet with you briefly before you went on stage. You were so gracious to talk to us and sign autographs and pose with us for pictures. I know you must get tired being on the road so much, but you couldn’t tell it. I was so disappointed to find out after we got home from Toad Suck Daze that when my husband disassembled my scooter to put it in the truck, somehow he lost the card you signed for me. Oh well…it was still a pleasure to meet you.
Please come back to Toad Suck Daze next year!
Natalie, I’m so sorry to hear that, for you and the girl. Downer is right.
I try to forget embarrassing things as soon as I can, but one that sticks with me is from when i was a kid and I had to walk home from school because we lived too close to the school for me to take the bus. I was bored one day after school so I decided to actually count my steps all the way home. Somewhere in the hundreds, an older boy rode by one his bike and mimicked me, going, “…323…324…325…”. I didn’t see who it was so I begged my mom not to make me go to school the next day. No dice. 
My wife and I on our trips to Oklahoma when we’d take I-40, would always laugh when we saw the signs for “Toad Suck Park”. I think it’s a natural reaction.
As for an embarrassing moment, one time at church some 17-18 years ago, when our Pastor asked us to stand, I fell out on the floor and knocked a bunch of chairs over. It wasn’t from falling out in the Spirit either. I just flat out stood up and passed out for a couple of seconds.
For future reference, if you ever lose your balance or start to pass out in church, make it look spititual.
Natalie,
I was at the Stuck on a Truck contest when this incident happened…and please don’t blame yourself for what happened. My sister was also on the truck at the same time, and the contest had reached the point where everyone was just completely exhausted. In no way was it your fault. You made that young girl’s world shine when she met you. As a fan in the stands I had heard that you are her favorite singer. And I believe that meeting you today was worth way more to her than winning that truck!! To be honest, before today I had not heard of you YET. I say “yet” because eventually I would have…it just happened sooner this way. And I am anxiously looking forward to hearing some of your music. You are a true blessing Natalie! God Bless You! — Angela
and oh btw….no one there wanted to throw things at you. we were all just sad to see her go. you should have seen the crowd when my sister turned and just went and sat down. she lasted 80 hours and 34 minutes! after a very short while you become emotionally “involved” (for lack of a better word) with these people and to see them come so far and then when they take their hands off the truck…and the look of realization that comes across their face, and the physical, emotional, and mental pain of everything they’ve been thru just pouring out of them at this point and the tears streaming down their faces…it’s very heartbreaking. but you know what? you came along when you were supposed too. this wasn’t carlie’s year to win the truck. but look at the wonderful gift she got after all! she met you.. be careful and be safe on the road. wishing you much success and a very bright future!
Hey Natalie!
I was at the concert today & you guys were great! I was so excited that you were in Conway– I just love to listen to someone else that has such a passion for God! He is so amazing! Anyway, don’t worry about that girl–I’m sure she’s just glad she got to see you and get your autograph! That’s a pretty funny story! A good friend of mine competed in Stuck On A Truck a few years ago, and after a few days he didn’t really know what was going on either. Hey, at least she had a good excuse for dropping out! It’s not everyday one gets to meet Natalie Grant!
Love in Christ!
Susan Spradlin (Conway)
Aww that does suck! It’s not your fault though, you were just being nice!
I’ve done a lot of embarrasing things… hmm I walked into a pole in front of a lot of people, I’ve tripped over my own feet in public about a billion times…I’m sure there are more but I probably blocked them out of my memory!
Feel better soon! You’re a sweet person, and most definitely not a toad!
haha I read Toad Suck Daze festival multiple times thinking, typo!! then I read on, and Im just like ooooh, hahaha.
and trust me, that girl could probably go buy a truck any day, but not every day can you see the amazing Natalie Grant.
I personally would have done the same thing.
Im sure you really woke her up after 77 1/2 hours!
as for embarrassing moments, Ive had my fair share.
the most recent one that i can remember was a couple of weeks ago-i had two in the same day! and i rarely get embarrassed.
at school I was going up the stairs, and i full out fell. and our staircase, unfortunately, overlooks the locker banks. and this was between hours, so the locker bank was packed. people laughed, and I played along and stood up and took a bow. not letting people see that youre embarrassed is the best way to go in high school, haha.
then later on that day, after softball, we were taking off our cleats because we cant wear them indoors. so in the middle of taking off our cleats I just start talking-loudly-about how its so incredibly stupid to have to take them off because they are the same thing as tennis shoes, and janitors just overreact. I kept going on and on and when I was finally finished, I stand up, and one of our janitors is right there. he’s glaring at me and is like, just take them off and dont question. needless to say, I ignore that janitor at all costs now!
ha I felt terrible, but oh well I guess.
and remember, dont sweat about it! you made that girls life 543643435454 times better than getting a truck would ever.
Hi Natalie, I was standing next to Carlie when she turned around to see you. Please don’t feel bad about that. The look on her face when she heard you were there was pure joy! We were all exhausted by then and you never know what’s going to happen to make you move your hands. I’m sure she’ll try again. She was a great competitor and I’m sure she was thrilled to meet you!
Natalie…here is the story of Toad Suck, quoted from the Toad Suck website:
What is “Toadsuck?” Well, the name doesn’t refer to what you’re thinking. Back when steamboats traveled the Arkansas River, they could only travel when the water was at the right depth. When it wasn’t, the captains and their crew had to wait on the river at what is currently the Toad Suck Lock and Dam. They, being good sailors, waited at the local tavern and the locals said that , “suck on the bottle ’til they swell up like toads.” That’s where legend says the name of the town comes from and festival is named after the town.
Natalie.. Please do not feel bad you did nothing wrong. You are inspiration to us all. I was there and was blessed enough to meet you with my youngest daughter, we were the first in line and you lit up her life more than it could ever be described, and she felt so Blessed that she not only got to here how much Love you have for Him, she actually got to be Blessed to meet you personally. She was still talking about it when she went to school this morning and wanted to take her items from Natalie to share with all of her classmates and teachers.Then before you left I got to speak with you and meet your beautiful daughters, everyone on the Festival Committee was so very grateful that you came and brought the Message to us all in such a beautiful way. You did not do anything wrong and please do not let that one incident of a few prevent you from returning, you were an inspiration to many more and as someone else said getting to meet you was something that can be cherished for a lifetime, and a truck contest is just a passing thing. God Bless you and please keep us inspired through your beautiful music and life.
Natalie!!!
and the only way anyone could get me off was to have you come up there:):) ..There is a reason for everything! It’s not your fault they should have done it differently! The bad thing is I didn’t really get to see you long AND I was completely GONE…my body was there but my mind was somewhere else! I thought that I was dreaming when you were talking to me (haha)! I feel bad because I was so out of it and didn’t really get to talk to you and thank you for everything. I didn’t know of any way other than on here to get a hold of you and say thanks…but you have my address so please keep in touch and maybe I could meet you one day when I haven’t been up about 78 hours straight!
Oh my goodness..you are AMAZING!! Ya I was really upset about not winning that truck but just like everyone else has said its not an everday thing where you get to meet Natalie Grant! So what, it just wasnt meant for me to win that truck. God was probably thinking wow we need to get her off that truck because her blood pressure is REALLY high
Thanks!!
STILL Your Biggest Fan
Carlie
awwww natalie!!! i am so sorry i have had plenty embarrassing moments! Through cheerleading and gymnastic but the one that was the worst was when i was on crutches and in a skirt and def. feel in front of the whole school!!! Well have a great week!! See you saturday
Natlie;
I have jsut read your comments on Stuck on a Truck . I also read Carlies reply. As Carlies Grand Mother, I want you to know how special I think the both of you are.
I do hope that the two of you can find a time to visit. Thanks for being such a positive influence in Carlies life.
Children of all ages need more positive influences like you.
May God richly bless you this day. Keep up the good work.
Sincerly,
Lois
This is for Carlie…
I’m one of Beverly’s sisters who was at the contest Sunday. You are truly an amazing young woman and you are awesome yourself! It is true that God works things in His way, not ours. This may not have been your year to win the truck, but you received something far more valuable in return. I keep telling Beverly that the truck would have been nice, but it’s not worth killing yourself over it either. You hang in there and your time will come for the wonderful things that God has in store for you. I sincerely hope that you and Natalie get to meet again soon and really have a chance to visit. I had no other way to contact you so I hope this reaches you! Wishing you the best, Angela
Aww, Natalie, don’t feel bad. You didn’t do anything thing wrong. Carlie was obviously thrilled to meet you! First I read wrong and thought that you said people starting throwing things at you! lol I did have an embarrassing moment once (lots of times…) In the 6th grade.
I was new and had a fairly new group of friends. Long story short, I was telling them a story one day and making odd hand movements and somehow I accidentally punched a guy in the face. I thought someone would hit me back at first, or that I may have broken his nose, but I was wrong on both of those thank God!
Natalie,
Thank you for taking the time to personally acknowledge an adoring fan. What an overwhelming event for any fan under normal circumstances. I understand how the out come of this one chance meeting did not go as anticipated; rippling a “downer” atmosphere. I can’t image staying up 78 hours straight, Carlie is one determined and amazing young woman, when she started the contest we did not know how long she would last, but she was determine to go all the way. In my opinion, Carlie was a great contestant! She has an infectious personally and a smile that would melt your heart. She was able to raise just under $1000 for the charity she supported. Although I was not at Stuck on a Truck, I was “stuck” on Carlie, continually monitoring her progress via the live webcam, as one of her biggest fans-her Aunt! (I live in Arizona) Please do not let this one episode cloud any future thoughts of agreeing to met with a fan; I do hope that the two of you are able to meet again. Thank you for being such a positive role model to all your fans. Although Carlie did not win the truck, she was richly rewarded with the opportunity to participate in the contest.
Wishing you the best-Debby
So Natalie does it count if you were alone by yourself? Is it that embarassing if so? I think it was because I told most of the ladies in our office after it happened.
I was ‘pumping’ in our office bathroom (as if that’s not bad enough) and as I’m ‘transitioning’ (cleaning up the bottles, etc) the entire ’supply’ of ‘gold in the bottles’ accidentally fell in the toliet!!!!!!!!!!!!! I defninitely said, DANGITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT and just had to laugh at myself. But for all of you working moms you know that stuff is priceless. Oh well!
I am so sorry you were embarrassed…… that would be horrible… i put my hands on my mouth when i read that….
i cant wait till i get to see you in concert in iowa on august 7th! i can not wait! I would take my hands off of a truck if you came over to me….=] i really would…in my eyes being able to meet you is bigger then a truck… but that is just me….and i respect the fact that she did keep her hands on the truck for that long…. that is amazing just like you =]
god bless
-cassie
I’ll bet you that Ford truck that that girl was happier to see you than win any old truck
I know I would be! But then again, I don’t get to drive for another 6 months! Ha!
I have had SO many embarassing moments- I can’t really think of an exact one right now, but they have been pretty awful- most of them involving guys :/
Wait- I just thought of one! Earlier this year I was wearing this long, white, bohemian-looking skirt to school- and not only did the shirt I was wearing have sweat stains he size of softballs, but after my last period as I was walking back to my locker I noticed that the slip I was wearing under the skirt was near my ankles! About 6 inches of it were showing all day long!!!!! I almost DIED From embarassment :/
Hey Natalie, I am Beverly’s other sister, she was the girl next to Carlie on the truck. I know you feel bad but try not too. It was sad to see that happen to Carlie but what you were doing for her was awesome. I hope she gets another chance to meet you in person. Carlie was a great competator and was giving it her all. But you did something that not a lot of artist do anymore, taking time out of your schedule to make someones dream come true. I know even though she don’t remember the visit, the thought of you doing it for her blessed her tremedously. I am sorry to say I didn’t know who you were when you came in there, and i was so busy trying to help my sister stay on the truck, but as soon as i got home I looked you up and was thrilled to find out you were a Christan artist. I am looking forward to hearing your music and have a 13 year old daughter I hope to get hooked on your music. Thanks for being a blessing and a good example to all the young people in the world.
I like shanna’s comment… she sounds like a very sweet person and see you are changing peoples lifes…by you and your music
god bless
-cassie
Wow~~I got the chills reading this…How wonderful to see God’s work through this! I hope ur as impressed as u should be despite ur distress~~simply amazing. Thanks for setting the platform for others to share their embarrassing moments~~chuckle, chuckle~~it really made my day & reminds me to appreciate those kinda things~~hehe…my belly still tickles~~thanks guys! Oh, & how neato that Carlie replied here~~wow, sniff sniff~~~amazing is all I can say!
Hey Natalie,
Try not to feel to bad. This whole incident happend for a reason. You are so special and made the girls day. I know I’d take my hand off the truck if I had a chance to meet ya!! I can’t wait to see ya at WOF in Aug.
As for embarrassing moments I’ve had too many to count. Lets just say I’ve blocked most of the memories but bits and pieces always crawl back.
Love ya,
Hey Natalie,
I am sure the girl was more then thrilled to see you. That was very nice of you to do go and see her. I am hoping she is saying in her heart who cares about a truck Natalie Grant came to see me personally. Okay I would b/c will not a fan of trucks and I got my own car that I love (Got to get one that is great on gas). I would have just been thrilled to see that you cared enough to see how I was doing.
My embressing moment comes when I was singing in a mall. It maybe to some so what thing but when you are up on that stage these things can be embressing. I was singing for a contest with Life 100.3. This station is huge in Ontario and glad of the impact they are making on young people/young adult’s lifes. Anyways, I was up praticed so hard did a Point of Grace song. My mom was in the middle role and my friende were cheering me on. The music started and all was good until it started to skip… like the music was horrible after that. I was being judge and I mean I could have not turned anymore pale. I turned to the sound guy and he shrugged his shoulders. I had to go on. About a year later.. I started to attend this young adult’s group called Nexus. I walked in new and scared and this girl just jumps up to me. I turn pale she was a judge from the contest. Thank God she really did not remember me until she asked what song I sang. I said it just embressed and she was like yea your CD skipped. That day and the day it happened I felt like you wanted to dig a hole and crawl in it. Yet I know God gave me this talent and he did not say he was going to make it easy.
Be blessed,
Your fan from Canada
Crystal Peckford
At school one time I was walking with my friends, and I bumped into something, so out of habit I said “excuse me”, but it turned out that I had bumped into a tree!
<3I am such a fan of your music!<3
God Bless!
NATALIE! I dont know how that girl stayed at that contest instead of hearing you! CRAZINESS! I saw you on May 2nd in Mobile, I was in the 2nd row standing up the whole time, black shirt, ran down the aisle, yeah. You did amazing! I didnt get to meet you, but i did meet Tiffany…i’ve been talking to her on myspace for FOREVER! I just wanted to let you know that you did on amazing job, and everything you said…i needed to hear, I LOVE YOU NATALIE! -ana
Natalie, I hope now that you have all these messages to read from your fans, as well as Carlie’s that you don’t feel so bad. It was great what you were trying to do, and like Carlie said you may have saved her life at that moment making her get off. Carlie I hope you will give it a try again next year it was great watching you beside my sister Beverly you are a very strong young lady. I hope you get another chance for the truck and seeing Natalie
aww…you poor thing! I am sure that girl was so happy to see you though! btw…i agree with the comment above…i have seen you twice now at women of faith conferences and I dont know how someone could stay away from one of your concerts!
Poor girl! That sounds really embarrasing! BUT, I almost walked off a subway by myself one time and I got made fun of for it forever!
Toad Suck is actually a town here in Arkansas. I know, I didn’t believe it when I moved here, either. There’s Greasy, Paris and London. No sense, right? Anyway, I hate that every time you are here, I miss you! I just got to looking at your website and now I am going to stay on top of things.
I am so sad that I missed you at Toad Suck Dayz. I live close to Conway, however I didn’t go this year because of other events going on. If I had known you were going to be there I would have cleared my calendar. Your music is so inspirational to me.