Touring
In the fall of 2008, Shinedown embarked on their biggest tour of Europe at the time, supporting Disturbed in a number of countries.
In January 2009, the band embarked on a European tour, and most notably toured with Staind in July.
Shinedown supported the highly anticipated "Stimulate This!" Tour with Staind. The tour kicked off July 1 and ran through the end of August. Other acts included Chevelle, Halestorm, and Lo-Pro.
On August 29, 2009, Shinedown performed a free concert at the New York State Fair in Syracuse, NY. The hour and 20 min show brought in just under 20,000 people from all over the state. The size of the crowd was more than hired security could handle, and over 40 state troopers were called in for crowd control. This was stated to be the largest crowd ever drawn for a free concert in NYS fair history.
Shinedown began their fall 2009 headline tour in Baltimore, MD on September 10, 2009, and performed at the Baltimore Ravens kickoff party. The show was free and also includeed Tantric, Cavo, Halestorm and Egypt Central. The remainder of the Headline tour was supported by Sick Puppies, Adelitas Way, and Cavo.
Shinedown played at the Download Festival, held at Donington Park in the UK, in 2009. During an interview with Kerrang at the festival, Brent Smith stated that they plan to play new material when they return in late 2009. In the fall of 2008 Shinedown embarked on their biggest tour of Europe at the time, supporting Disturbed in a number of countries. On December 18, 2008 it was announced via the band's website that lead guitarist Nick Perri would leave the band after that night's show after less than a year with the group. Statements released from Smith and Perri both cited personal reasons as the main factors in Perri's departure, with Perri's statement highlighting that his decision had "nothing to do with the band". Zach Myers was announced by Smith to be taking over Perri's lead guitarist position.
Read more about this topic: The Sound Of Madness