Shayden Nelson

Oh Dana and family-my heart is breaking for all of you-may you feel some peace knowing that Shayden's special has already carried his dear soul gently to Heaven and into the loving arms of our Lord. May you all be blessed with peace and strength. Julie Crnkovich

I met Shayden along with his brother Brandon. At a small venue called Mannys, back then it was more than just a bar, it was on the outskirts of billings, a few bands were playing and I was going to support a local band from our town and met these... two... nerdy bright shirt wearing guys Named Shayden and Brandon. They stood really close to the guard rail while a few of us moshed a bit. It wasn't big, it wasnt crazy just a lame little mosh and these guys told me and my friend I was scary. I laughed it off and encouraged them to mosh with me but they shied away. At the time I never thought much of them then later on I met them at later shows and Brandon pointed me out at the shrine auditorium. We stood in line and they complimented my coat, shayden thought it was cool while Brandon thought it looked evil. We ended up hanging out for the rest of the night, I got to meet his parents and his mom took lots of photos of that show. From then on I got to know them more, shayden later on started this garage band that I can barely recall the name of but I remember a few songs they were playing for an outdoor show in laurel and he lost his singer and tried to get me to do it in less than 3 days! It never happened I think he still got to play tho. Later on Shayden and his brother started showing up to local scenes and they always say hi to me. Shayden being the oldest was on the scene first more for the 21 and up shows and he always run by me a project he was doing. He was always passionate and told me "dude you got to start a mosh at my show!" He always encouraged my wild energy so I did. Even if there were only 2 people I'd start running up and down in front of the stage to try to get people pumped up but I think I annoyed them instead but Shayden loved it. So on and so forth out of the blue i get a message saying "check out this new band I'm in" this happened quite often lol but I still show up to do the same ole pump the crowd up routine in my manner. I ended up hurting someone once. A chant happened and I was gonna get thrown out but he come to my rescue just saying that I was a passionate mosher tho i meant to slam the random stranger for their rudeness lol but he didn't have to. He really didnt he just throw his arm around my head and point at me and say "this guy is a beast in the pit" to whoever he was talking to. He was like the social butterfly of the music scene he always have a circle around him and even if I wasnt that close of a friend he stop and point at me walking in to the show yelling "there he is!". Its been years Now and then hang with these brothers. Both amusing guys, and very polite even when I brought my daughter to a few shows. I had my adventures with them on and off and all a good time. Some how I'd be drunk one night and some how shayden would be too somewhere else in town and we end up just texting up a storm about ghosts and the paranormal, he was actually interested in the Native American culture, he ask me about horses when really I didnt know crap. Just amusing I'd laugh hard at those messages I wish I still had. Recently though at the end of June he invited me to shoot targets, I went along though I had a long night I felt like sleeping in, but sure why not I thought. We headed off and i brought this little orange ball with that we had a lot of fun shooting. This was after their father had passed and Shayden seemed to open up on a personal level, I listened as he talked about his opinions and what a great dad he had. What he planned and what he liked about horse riding. We got into a serious talk for the first time Shayden got know about me personally. Probably the only time I got to have a serious talk with the guy that was no where near the music or bars. It was a good day I posted a video on his page of him trying to shoot that orange ball with the krag rifle. He was a really caring guy and as rough as I am I never really appreciated it enough until now and I hate myself for that. You can compliment me but I'll just turn my head and stare off in my shyness. He told me once "Hey man, I appreciate you. Don’t ever forget that" I thought he was a dork but it was cool to know now and then he cared a about a guy like me. I recently had a son he congradulated me personally and asked his name. I told him it was Sovereign and the last thing he said to me was "badass name" I never got to reply newborns tire you out lol.... I never had a bad moment with him or his brother, never and i think that's probably why this is so hard on me, he made you feel welcome and part of the show. So my best wishes, I hope his child grows up well and full of wonder of all the great stories we have to tell.

I'll see you again I love you

Shayden, a big sweet talented young man with lots to live for. He just loved his Dad so much...