The Thrills of Dallas No Frills

Keith did 6 private small venue “No Frills” concerts this month to promote his upcoming new album and tour. Tickets were only available to those who won them from the fan club, the radio stations near the 6 venues or contests sponsored by Verizon. I entered and entered and downloaded Verizon music and ringtones (a way to qualify for their competitions) but no luck :(. Days before I left for the Houston Rodeo show I saw a pair of tickets for the Dallas No Frills show listed on Ebay. The Dallas show was the day after the Houston rodeo and just a few hours drive away. How could I resist?? I watched that Ebay item, expecting it to be bid up to a high price, but I guess I was the only one watching it because as its time ran out I placed the lowest opening bid and won the auction! Of course it meant paying a penalty to change my return flight but I was thrilled to death. Who knows if I will ever again get the chance to see Keith Urban in a small club setting ??

I was relieved when the envelope containing my Dallas House of Blues No Frills tickets actually arrived at my Houston hotel. Wednesday afternoon I had an uneventful drive from Houston to Dallas, caught sight of the parked Keith Urban-Verizon bus when I filled up my gas tank and found my rather seedy hotel. it was a bad sign when there were no bulbs in any of the lamps and no lamp shades on two of them, but who would think one would have to worry about something listed as a Hampton Inn?

I made contact with Kathy, another ardent fan who was going to use my extra ticket. She and her hubby offered to pick me up at my hotel so Kathy and I could catch an early dinner at the House of Blues restaurant. What fun to meet a new online friend and find you have so much in common! We managed to stop talking long enough to eat our sandwiches, then used our receipts to get into the restaurant’s “Pass the Line” waiting area which would allow us to be admitted to the venue before the folks in the outside line! There were quite a few who took advantage of this option and we had about a half hour wait before the doors opened at 8:00, but it was definitely worth it, We made some new friends in line - lucky Monkeyville winners and another pair who had simply lucked out by arriving at the HOB box office before 6 and were handed a pair of tickets! While in line verizon folks shot small group photos of “Keith’s fans waiting in line” and then showed some of these on the screens inside while we waited for it to be showtime (9:00). Verizon also had their other promotions from last tour active - text messages flashed on the venue screens (“Linda came from Iowa!”), the opportunity to do a green screen video “with Keith” was advertised, encouragement to use our phones to video Keith singing Sweet Thing and then submit the videos to be included in a video collage which perhaps they will use in the tour, info on downloading music and ringtones, a chance to win a guitar signed by Keith. It helped to pass the time as we impatiently waited for the man we so wanted to see.

I forgot to mention that after they checked our IDs and tickets and let us into the venue, Kathy and I temporarily parted ways. She was determined to score a spot upfront on the floor (and did so!!) while I knew from experience that, since my knee surgery, I could not stand continuously for long periods of time. I asked whether I could sit in the venue seats (upstairs) and the fellow graciously took me up in an elevator and pointed out the only places I couldn’t sit (saved for Verizon bigwigs). I sat in the 4th row center of a balcony (behind the Verizon folks) probably not 20 feet from the stage. I had an unobstructed view of Keith most of the time and was happy to sit even though I couldn’t be quite as up close and personal. If only I were younger or hardier!

Keith was back in a teeshirt tonight - grayish but with some kind of red curlicues or marking near the left side of his waist. Really skinny leg jeans. The more muted lighting at HOB didn’t show up his golden highlights as much as at the Rodeo. He and the guys seemed to be in great spirits and thanked the venue and Verizon for making the concert possible and all of us for coming out and thanked Texas for always making them feel like family. They began with the usual favorites - Days Go By, Better Half (no flub tonight), and Stupid Boy. Keith just burned up his guitar solos and interludes time after time (Stupid Boy, Raining On Sunday, Once InA Lifetime (yes - it was back after nearly a year!) and in songs from the new album: Sweet Thing, Kiss A Girl, Til Summer Comes Around) last night. I think he was really intent on rocking the House of Blues and rock he did!! I overheard the admiring comments of several guys sitting around me who obviously had been unfamiliar with our ‘guitar god’! Wow - he was so smoking hot and introduced some special new flourishes here and there for the No Frills crowd. No Frills was a misnomer when it comes to their performance! Lots of special performance “frills”!!

Kiss a girl was the first new song to be performed and it was so much fun. I’m really enjoying it although each time I hear it I wonder whether Keith is a Modest Mouse fan because the chord progression reminds me so much of one of their (very different) song Blame It on the Tetons already engrained in my brain. Does anyone else think the variation on the chorus “Make a little magic baby” has special meaning? A little bit later he did a new ballad "Only you can love me this way."Very sweet, with a very interesting guitar intro. I just love the refrain “And you’re always in my heart, always on my mind...” But of course it was ‘Til Summer Comes Around that was the real thriller, giving me goosebumps all over, I just love that song. I don’t remember this being mentioned about Valdosta, but last night the song was accompanied by the sounds of waves crashing on the beach. And that made sense of some more new video excerpts on the stage backdrops in Houston last night - ocean beach shots that didn’t connect for me since last night he didn’t sing this song.

A few of the funny spots last night - Keith singing a few lines of Deep in the Heart of Texas. Keith telling us that “the pollen in Dallas was kicking his a$$ (and the pollen in Houston and Nashville was kicking his a$$ as well). But we’re here and we’re gonna rock anyway!” and he apologized if he consequently sounded like a 70’s lounge singer (tee hee) (fat chance!). He did get a little hoarse at times at the end of the night but as always Keith gave it his all. He kept encouraging the crowd and calling upon us to sing (and we did - much more so than in Houston) - “Here we go!” “Don’t let us down now! “ “You’re sounding good tonight!” “We’re cookin’ now!”

Before Raining On Sunday he gave a bit of a tribute to all the great singers/songwriters that cam from Texas - Van Sant, Crowell, Jennings, Holly, Whitney, and the writer of this song Radney Foster and brought back the electric guitar solo in that song. In Sweet Thing he shouted out “Come out and meet me mama!” (but we never caught sight of Nicole if she was there). We had the unique treat of hearing Tonight I Wanna Cry done on acoustic guitar because they had no piano last night. During You Look Good In My Shirt he did not leave the stage but did move to each stage end, which he hadn’t done earlier, and performed near the stage edge as fans patted his boots and reached for his legs. A couple times during the night he lead us in his “Yeah, yeah, yeahs” but our favorite was when the follow-up line to the yeah-yeahs was Keith singing “Wanna stay a little longer?” Of course that elicited screams and Keith said in the cutest matter of fact voice - “Oh, okay!” Then he teased us by saying but he knew it was a school night and he would really understand if we wanted to go home! HA! So they kept going and later confessed that they were supposed to end at 10:30 but they really wanted to do a couple more songs - okay?

When they finally did have to go Keith again said “I appreciate you guys coming out so much!” The applause and screams were just thunderous for such a small crowd - my ears were ringing from the audience response! When I couldn’t scream and clap anymore I just had to shout out “Thank you, thank you, thank you” at the top of my lungs. I hope Keith really knows how much we appreciate him. Yes there were some 1200-1500 hundred people there but, as I said to Kathy as we left, it felt like Keith was playing in my living room. A very special night!! (videos to come)

More From Houston

Houston We've Got A Problem!

Houston we've got a problem! Keith Urban is WAY too good to limit him to an hour concert!!! It was wonderful to see him live again - it seems like forever since I last saw him perform two shows at the Grand Ol' Opry last September! But I was SO not ready to have him say goodnight when his hour (apparently the standard concert length for all the stars featured at Houston's huge spring rodeo) was up! :(

It was nice to start my spring break with a trip to Houston. Although there are signs of spring in Iowa we aren't yet in the 70's like Houston and certainly don't have flowers in full bloom! I can see Reliant Stadium (huge!) from my hotel window and found some good Texas BBQ and fresh gulf seafood in the short time I've been here. I spent the sunny afternoon at the Houston Zoo which was packed with families also on spring vacation. At rodeo time I walked over to the stadium and found my front row centerfield seat (thanks Monkeyville!) almost next to a cameraman filming both rodeo and (later) Keith action. My seat was called an "Action Seat" because it was so close to the action that we caught a little flying dirt during some of the rodeo contests. They keep a fast pace with the different types of competitions so 2 hours flew by faster than I expected. Suddenly they were moving out the concert stage to the center of the arena. They were really fast and efficient - in 15 minutes it (and all it lights, speakers, motors, stairs, etc) was in place. (Right in front of me but in the center of the big dirt floor). So I was in a great spot although the stage slowly but constantly rotates so that all sides of the stadium get a good view at some point, while those on the opposite side then have to rely on the big video screens while the stage is facing away from them. Security guards stood about every 30 feet or so between the audience and the stage) in case any of us tried to rush the stage : ). It almost seemed as if the band members came out with the stage equipment because suddenly there was Brad, and Brian and the Chrises on the completed stage (but not their fearless leader).

The stadium was darkened and a brief display of indoor! fireworks began the show with a bang. Meanwhile, in the dark, a SUV pulled up next to the stage in front of me and a shadowy Keith got out and ran up the stage stairs, breaking immediately into Days Go By when the fireworks ended. At this point I realized another problem - no one in the audience was standing up! :( and they really did not for most of the show. (How anyone can sit still during Keith's music mystifies me!) A couple of times a few of us could not help but stand and get into the music, but we were scattered in this audience of rodeo fans and ended up sitting down again at the end of a song until we were overtaken by Keith's music once again. I missed feeling free to participate completely and fully live the concert experience!

Keith ended DGB with huge "Yee Haw! Alright!" and then they went into Better Half. But I guess, as at the show in Valdosta, the guys are still a little rusty because Keith began the second verse a bit too soon, got a case of the giggles from his mistake, and ended up singing "I don't even know my own song!" : ) At least 4 times during the show Keith asked "Are you ready to sing Houston" or "Are you in a singing mood Houston" and told everyone to sing extra loud because they could not hear the audience up on stage (partly due to bad acoustics, partly due to rather scattered singing). I was singing my heart out! Keith said that they were so glad to be back in Houston for the third time. He also said it felt good to be on the fancy new stage (and he definitely looked glad to be playing!).

Did I tell you how good Keith looked? Oh my. White or cream plaid shirt, sleeves rolled up above his elbows, at least 3 buttons undone. Those lovely raggedy jeans with the frayed pocket flaps, I'm loving the new haircut and blond highlights - he looks like a sweet young thing!

Next up was I Told You So and then Stupid Boy with his voice sounding oh so clear and sweet. That guitar solo I have been missing live - I felt like that parched desert plant finally getting a sweet drink of spring rain. Yes! I needed that! Keith asked those in the nosebleed seats"How is everybody way up high? That's a mighty long way up!" And then thanked everyone for making them feel so welcome.

The rotating stage was interesting. The backdrop behind the band was not solid - it was made of mesh or grillwork that you could see through, yet it had enough substance to serve as a curved video screen kind of like Keith's big screen but not in high definition. Because it was not solid the pictures of Keith and the band projected on it almost had a hologram like quality. I think we got a preview of some of the new video backgrounds that they might be using the new tour (like an interesting backdrop of winding country roads during Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me).

Sweet Thing was the only new song of the evening and the crowd loved it. Keith dedicated the song "to everyone here tonight who drove a long way to get here." How about those of us who flew? I know there were many of us - one gal flew from Boston. Another pair held a sign that they had traveled 2697 miles to see Keith. He ended ST with "We're cookin' now!" (and they were!).

I'm sure Keith intended to introduce all the guys, but time got away from him so he only made it through Chris M and Brad. You Look Good In My Shirt drove the audience wild. Keith came down off the stage and, starting just a bit to my right, circled the arena perimeter, slapping hands or playing while the crowd reached out to touch him. On the opposite side from me he actually climbed through the bars into the first row of seats and played a bit absolutely crushed by fans. I then thought he might be giving away a guitar but he was simply having someone hold it as he slipped through the rails again back out onto the dirt floor. He continued to circle this huge stadium and I could see he was getting a little winded from the run. Sadly it was taking too long so he dashed back to the stage before he completed the trip and there was an audible moan from the last 20% of us. But it was a really valiant try!

Back on stage he put on his best Irish brogue and wished us all a happy St. Patrick;s Day, and continued on to say that there were a whole lot of Irish on the side of the arena he had climbed into (he came back ladened with green necklaces). He then dropped the brogue and joked "I'll just take off the whole city of New Orleans now!" and hung all of the necklaces on his mike. Making Memories Of Us and You'll Think Of Me were up next.

There was only time for a tiny bit of guitar jousting before Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me and then a rousing Somebody Like You and - oh no - it was over! Keith circled the stage, bowing and thanking each side of the stadium, frequently placing his hand on his heart to show he was touched by the screams and cheers of the crowd, flashing a peace sign every now and then. And all too soon a truck backed up to the stage just in front of me, collected the whole band in its truck bed and drove out of the stadium at 10:00, with all the guys waving at the crowd. Another burst of fireworks and the Rodeo Houston concert was done for another night. I think they must have been required to end at that time, because as the audience filed out I overheard the 2 camera guys next to me saying "I thought he had one more song on the list?" and the other said "Yeah, but it is 10:00". Probably the YLGIMS run took longer than expected. I bet they had Better Life or Everybody planned as the closer. Great show Keith but you just wet our whistle! Just barely an appetizer for the concert season to come! But so good to feel that Urban high again as I wandered back to my hotel singing to myself! (videoclip to come)

Great Big Sea!

Had front row seats to see a great Irish/Canadian band from Newfoundland called Great Big Sea the night before last. A lot of their stuff is contemporary rather than classic Irish tunes and reminded me, in both theme and melody, of some of Keith's music. They will be coming back to town for our third annual Irishfest in downtown Waterloo, IA the last weekend of July. They definitely got the audience up on their feet and participating and were easy on the eyes too! I'm looking forward to seeing them again when they are in town this summer! Don't miss it!

Hallelujah! After two weeks of trying to score tickets to a "student-only" David Cook show on my campus I finally lucked out and got a pair from student who changed her mind about going. Although the show wasn't until 7:30 pm, by about 1:00 fans started lining up for the general admission show. I knew I probably wasn't up to the close-to-the-stage crush of bodies, so I got there about 6:00, at which time the line snaked around the entire perimeter of the student union. It move quickly, however, once the doors opened. No seating at such student shows, but I and several other older "non-students" who didn't relish standing the whole time sat on the edge of an elevated platform that had been set up to allow students in wheelchairs a better view. The room was not that big so I still had a good view and when David sang my favorite numbers I was able to move up much closer to the stage for good camera shots.

Mr. Cook has definitely been developing his audience interaction skills. He chatted and joked quite a bit with the crowd, read signs, responded to shouts of "I love you" from the college girls, and seemed to have a great ol' time. Although he sang a couple ballads he mostly rocked for the college crowd. I was at a disadvantage because I had not heard most of the songs from his recent album, so was only familiar with the one or two released as singles. Glow sticks were available for us to hold up during his song Light On. The only nod he made to his American Idol performances was to sing Billie Jean which was actually my favorite song of the evening. Two women next to me were definitely "Cook-ites". They had driven up from Missouri and had been some of the first in line that afternoon. They were tickled that they had caught David coming out of the student shower room that afternoon (fully clothed but hair still wet :) and had been able to pass on a gift to him. Being a "Urbanite" I could empathize with their excitement and enthusiasm over making a connection with their favorite performer.

A New Year of Adventures!

Wow! 2009! How quickly the years fly by! The last couple years I've tried to keep track of special times by posting to my favorite online community message boards. Not quite an online diary but still the posts were there to look back at. But now I've discovered that even long standing boards can suddenly disappear or lose all their content when they move to a new provider. Will blogs be any more permanent? Who knows! But I am game for trying something new to record some of this years memorable experiences. Many of those experiences, if you haven't guessed from the blog title, will involve Keith Urban concerts because I am an over-the-top fan of the man and his music. But I enjoy other music and happenings and travel so anything that inspires me might show up here.

Tonight a good friend and I went to our first concert of 2009. Third row center seats to see Bobby McFerrin! I have been a fan of his a cappella music since his 1988 "Don't Worry, Be Happy" but this is the first time that I had the opportunity to attend a live performance. Well twenty years since that big hit Bobby McFerrin is still quite the talented human beat box. It is incredible to hear him sound like a multi-person group with accompaniament and even more fascinating to watch his technique close up and personal. He has great vocal range and expressiveness, a very obvious sense of humor and joie de vive. He also is a bit crazy and put on a VERY interactive show involving the audience throughout. No fewer than 25 people ended up on stage with him at some point, singing or dancing (no, not me). We had a great time and I recommend seeing him if you have the chance.

A Double-Header in Nashville

>This is a belated post because I wondered if a review of Keith's part in last weekend’s Grand Ole Opry shows was needed or not. So many of you may have watched a good part of the show, or perhaps listened to both shows on the radio, so I worried that I’d be writing about things that you already knew. Oh well, since these reviews serve sort of as a diary for me, I'll go ahead and hope it won't all be "old hat" for some of you!

I got up at 4:30 AM to catch a 6:00 AM flight to Nashville. It was a lovely day in Tennessee when I arrived. Since I doubted I could check into my hotel at 10:30 AM, I headed to the southwest part of town to check out Starbucks, Bread & More, and shop at the Green Hills Mall. Then on to the patio of the Cheesecake Factory for a leisurely lunch and people watching. No sightings but it was a perfect way to spend a few hours.

I was starting to feel that 4:30 am wakeup so headed up to Music Valley Drive to check into my hotel and take a little snooze. I had arranged to meet some fellow fans at the Opryland Mall for a quick food court supper before we headed to the show. Parking was already crazy so I had to park at the end of the mall farthest from the theatre. It was great meeting some very sweet friends from the board and to reunite with others like Gaetane who I periodically run into at different concerts!

I had never seen Keith perform at the Opry so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. It is such a different environment and different crowd than any of the other concerts. Several hundred of the audience were on bus tours to Nashville, many many in the audience were elderly, and there were some international visitors (from Sweden and Germany and maybe elsewhere). Although there was definitely a "Keith contingent", we were somewhat scattered throughout the audience, but I also overheard several conversations of people unfamiliar with Keith and his music.

The program indicated that Keith would not appear until the third half hour segment and that he would follow Marty. I waited somewhat impatiently through that first hour but then was delighted when Keith actually opened the third act of the show! A wave of excited screams went through the auditorium when he walked out on stage. Oh Lordy he looked luscious in that black button down shirt we all love, sleeves rolled up, a little bit of chest showing, and black jeans, hair shining and trimmed, big grin on his face. He broke into YLGIMS with a great big “Whooo yeah!!” and rocked the house with perhaps a tad more twang than usual for the Opry’s sake and a “How about that Nashville?” and “Oh you look mighty cute in the morning” thrown in. But you could tell that many of us fans, scattered in the audience, felt constrained not to stand or dance (at least most of the main floor fans) in this rather staid audience. So we bounced in our pews and shrieked, cheered and clapped loudly at the end (in fact probably a bit too much for their strict radio show timetable!). After the last verse Keith kept it a little more modest than some shows with “ you’re looking mighty fine walking around in my little teeshirt” and when he was counting off “ 1... 2….” he left the 3 and 4 for the audience to fill in and wasn’t disappointed.

After his first song there was "a pause for a word from our sponsors". While the announcer delivered the commercial multiple stagehands talked intently to Keith. I kept the camera on him and was curious about what all was being discussed during that break, but I couldn't connect their gestures to the show that followed. That black shirt was quite a tease because it seemed to have extra long shirttails, reaching all the way to the bottom of those handsome buns, making us wish for a glimpse when he moved this way or that! The announcer reminded us tonight the Opry was celebrating Mary’s birthday and they showed a short video about his career. Then the lights were on Keith again. He asked “Are we in a singing mood Nashville? And then he wagged his finger at us like a schoolteacher as he reminded us “We all know why we are here! Let’s bring him out” and led us in the singing of happy birthday to Marty. I was happy to see and sing to Marty but that’s not the reason I flew in from Iowa!!!

After our birthday song Marty invited us over to the house afterwards for a piece of cake. Keith asked “Is everyone feeling good tonight? It is such a huge honor to be playing at the Opry and playing for my good friend Marty’s birthday. Happy birthday Marty!! A special thank you to everyone who traveled a long way to get here. And at what the gas prices are, that’s an amazing thing you guys did!” Keith received the usual "I love you!" shouts from the audience (which Marty remarked on multiple times) and gave his usual "I love you too and I don't even know you" response, but added "but the night is young" the first time this happened. But I think he was a bit embarrassed by the fan attention in this environment and more than once focused the attention back on Marty as best he could.

Then Keith began to sing ROS and for a second there was a hush in the crowd, followed by screams and shouts. . It was so great to hear him perform ROS in an auditorium that was built for musical performances!! I almost wished everyone would be quiet for a bit so that I could just sink into that wonderful resonant voice. He did a slight head back and to the side pause at the end of the first verse but didn’t stretch it way out as he had been doing at concerts. As he did, a tiny smile played at the corners of his lips because he knew he was torturing us as we longed for the sweet pleasure of his singing to continue. When he left it up to us to sing the last “When its raining on Sunday” of the chorus and we all chimed in, he was tickled to death and shouted “I love you guys!”, sending chills washing down my body. It was a wonderful performance of ROS from the very start, through a double “sweet baby sweet baby” to the final “Just you and me waking up on a Sunday morning with the rain coming down….”

“Now That’s Country” with Marty was just great!! Keith ‘s guitar work was so hot, playing that bluesy beat and a little solo in the middle. And I just love it when he does his own lyrics to a song!

Got me a pickup

Got a little Franklin farm

Got no horse Marty

But I got a Mustang in the barn

I used to be a drinker

If it wasn’t for my wife

And the gift of country music

I just might be doing time….

They played the heck out of that song!!! Keith alternated between grinning at Marty and pressing his lips together and bobbing his head in serious sexy rocker mode. And as they finished, Marty threw in “That’s country Keith!” and said “Give me five Brother Keith Urban!” and they gripped each others hands, then Marty did a Keith-ish “1, 2, 3, 4” to close the song– so cute!

Again some “I love yous” from the crowd for Keith and Marty teased him “She loves you Keith.” Then he said “I love you too. Thank you for coming to do my birthday party - you’re my buddy. You know what I want? What I really want? I saw your car sittin’ back there (wonder which one Keith was driving?) “You can have mine” he continued. “Can I have the John Deere license plate too?” asked Keith. They are really fun together. Marty said that it was an honor to have Keith there for his birthday – that Keith was “one of his favorites!”

Then Marty, with a little stumbling, said that, since they were here in the “Mother Church” they were going to do one of the classics of country music. He said “Play somethin’ pretty” to Keith, and with a lovely little guitar run they began to sing “I’m So Lonesome” They were both terrific and I love Marty’s mandolin playing, but it was Keith’s sweet sweet voice that really grabbed my heart. Although I tried to capture both of them with my video, my camera kept drifting off to Keith’s side (sorry Marty!). I thoroughly enjoyed Keith singing the harmony to Marty’s lead.

I could see a spotlight light up offstage – I guess that must have been when they briefly interviewed Keith, but we weren’t privy to the interview. Several acts later the announcer was still busy doing his commercial when you knew Keith must be coming back on stage by the sudden onset of squealing in the audience J . My oh my those guitar techs may be handy during the usual long concert, but there was something especially pleasing about watching Keith carrying his guitar on and off stage, even when he was just silhouetted in the stage lights.

A few acts later they announced Keith again and he came out commenting that “This is quite a party. Who wouldn’t want to be you, Marty? And went into WWWBM with Marty accompanying him on the mandolin!! Keith threw in a “I’m talking about Nashville Tennessee” after Georgia to Tennessee and “Who wouldn’t want to be Marty!” and then Marty sang Jerry’s usual part during the closing of the song.

Second Show of the Night

Marty began by sharing this story: My wife Connie came home from the Grand Ole Opry one night and said that she "had just heard a young singer who just sat there on a stool and it was just him and his guitar and he completely stole the house and he was magic." "And he loves you?" asked Marty. "No, he dearly loves me" Connie replied. "And I got to know him," continued Marty "and he is one of my favorite people.I love him like a brother! How about a hand for Mr. Keith Urban!!

I think Keith changed clothes for the second show. He still had on a black long sleeved shirt but it was cut shorter and he was wearing his favorite blue jeans with the pocket flaps. Keith thanked Marty and wished him a happy birthday (no song for the second show) and Marty wished him a happy birthday in return. I wonder if Keith will have an “Opry Birthday Party” in 9 years?

Another rousing round of YLGIMS, with one of Keith’s rrrr-rolling ululating bird-like calls for emphasis at one point. He got a huge round of applause, thanked every one so much and said it was “such an honor to be playing at the Opry for Marty’s birthday.” And he said that they wanted Marty to come out and “ pick a little with us” – “Welcome back Mr Marty Stuart, my brother, a fine gentleman” and Marty replied “Back at you!” (a mutual admiration society!).

Keith said he had been sitting with Marty’s mom during Connie’s song and that his mom had said that he and Marty “had the prettiest women.” And mothers are always right” Marty added and” we always look better when we’re standin’ near our girls!” “That’s right” said Keith – “you gonna pick a little with us?”And with that Keith and Marty and Jerry started in on WWWBM. Keith fooled us though – this time he relied on the audience for “I’ve gotta hole in my jeans” and there was an instant of stunned silent before we jumped in with what he wanted. (Sorry Keith - we just weren’t in full concert mode at the Opry!

Once again more “I love yous” for Keith with Marty ribbing him by pointing them out “ She loves you. And she loves you.” Heehee. Keith said we were “ a lively bunch” but again I think he was a little embarrassed to be getting more attention than the birthday boy.Marty thanked Keith and the boys for playing before they went into the final song of the night.

Now That’s Country once again was smoking’ hot with a little bit different guitar improv than the first show’s rendition and another little guitar solo. Keith sang a few more of the real lyrics but still changed some:

Got me a pickup, got a piece of nothin’ farm

Got me a hound-dog and a shotgun in the barn

I used to be a drinker, if it wasn’t for my wife

I tell you Marty I wouldn’t be here tonight

As they closed the song Marty said to Keith:

“Play me a little guitar brother Keith Urban” and Keith played a little riff for him

“Say it again, say it again” said Marty

And Keith obliged with a little bit longer riff : )

So it was a terrific evening. I’m sorry the second show people missed out on ROS and I’m So Lonesome – they were definite highlights. Keith did not seem to have any of the nervousness that he complained about in his last Opry performance, maybe because he was playing with a buddy and also had some of the band with him.

The only problem of the evening was that sinking feeling I had as I left the shows. Sort of like a man stranded in the desert who has taken the very last sip of water in his canteen and realizes it is going to be a long dry spell before he enjoys a cool drink of water again. I was already feeling thirsty for my “cool (hot?) drink of water”!!! Hey Keith – how about trying out the new music at a couple small fan club concerts sometime REAL soon!!??