Lady A in Moline

Although I haven't kept up with all of their new music, I enjoyed seeing Lady Antebellum when they opened for Keith Urban and, a bit later, for Tim McGraw. So when they began their own tour I kept an eye out for a show I could make it to. When I saw that they would be coming to Moline, IL I decided that was the show for me, even though it was on a not-so-convenient Thursday night.

I bought a ticket early in the year and waited for the April date to arrive.

It was a happy coincidence when, without talking to me, my oldest daughter Jen scheduled a visit home from Rhode Island for Easter and booked the cheapest flight to Iowa that she could find - landing in Moline that very Thursday night!! When she sent me the flight info, she asked if she should rent a car for the 2.5 hours drive to Cedar Falls (since she'd arrive when Mom and Dad would be working). "No way!" I responded. "I can not only pick you up, but I'll take you to a concert before we head home if you like!" She liked and in fact invited one of her best buddies in the Quad City area who has gone to other concerts with us. I checked Ticketmaster and told Jen that it looked like only upper level seats were available at this late date, but we didn't worry too much because the Moline arena isn't that big.

And then another fortuitous bit of luck. When we firmed up our plans and I returned to Ticketmaster to purchase more tickets, suddenly Ticketmaster gave me seats in the 8th row of the lower risers mid-arena! How could this be, just days before the show?? I immediately tried to complete the purchase. But- gosh darn it - got an error message : (.

Tried again, got the same 3 seats, tried to complete the sale and Error! again!! I repeated the process a third time with the same result. Finally I decided to try to change my parameters - switching from "Ticketfast" to Will Call and (to appease the ticketmaster "gods"), added the optional $15 to join the fan club. And YES!! this time it worked, for whatever reason, so we got our 8th row seats!! Since I paid the fan club fee I decided to check the fan club site for a possible meet and greet sign up although I was pretty sure that, since the show was just a couple days away, the meet and greet sign-up had probably already taken place. The fan club site still allowed me to click on the Moline date, so I went ahead and signed up = what the heck.

Well my good luck charm was still working. About a day later I got an email saying I had won a meet and greet with Lady A!!

I couldn't head out to pick up Jen from the Moline airport until I finished teaching that day, so told Jen she would probably be stuck there for a while. She said no problem - she had her computer and was working diligently on a grant application so I could take my time. As it happens, her friend Sarah was available first, so Sarah collected Jen and they had time to catch up for a while before I got to town. Since I no longer had to rush to the airport I made a brief detour on my way to Moline to have a nice lunch with my youngest daughter Annie in Iowa City (which is right on the way). Tried to talk her into joining us in Moline but she was a stressed out grad student and felt she had to decline.

I met up with Jen and Sarah and we had a beer together at the Bent River Brewery, but then I had to head to the arena early for the meet and greet. There was a bit of complication because the box office had no meet and greet envelope for me. But I had brought along my email from the fan club and Lady A's staff member came up from the bowels of the arena to hand deliver the missing M & G wristband. I stood in line with many others for quite a while and then they finally took us back to the meet and greet room. There was no attempt to create a special atmosphere like Keith does at his backstage sessions. Instead there were just 3 stools in front of a GAC backdrop and several rows of chairs forming a semicircle (with a center aisle) in front of the stools. There were about 80 of us in attendance and I scored a seat in the second row.

A Lady A staff member told us the rules (no camera, no autographs) and briefed us on what would happen during the M & G. She then kind of preemptively answered the most frequent 'routine' questions asked at M & Gs to encourage us to come up with more unique questions.

Well that might have discouraged the fans from asking questions - when Lady A came out and opened it up for questions, initially there was silence and no hands were raised. So I raised my hand and asked if they would share a funny story from touring. (No, much as I would have liked to, I did not ask them for a "touring with Keith Urban" story!) Hillary talked about a time that they used a lift to carry them from beneath the stage up to stage level to make their grand entrance at the start of the show and the lift got stuck so that only her head was above stage level and Charles had to drag her out from the lift pit. Funnier than that, however, was the song they performed for us at the meet and greet. At the start of the M & G Lady A had told the couple little kids in the audience that they could come up front and sit on the floor if they wanted to. At least one was a very excited, perhaps 4 year old fan. When it came time for their song Hillary asked that little guy which song he wanted and he chose "Just a Kiss". But then he asked if he could come up and sit with them during the song (they said yes and got him an extra stool!). And he sang along with them and was just as cute as could be!

After the song each of us in the audience got to meet and have our photo taken alone with Lady A!! I was pretty pleased! But lordy I had never thought of myself as being particularly short (5' 7" most of my life, maybe 5' 6" now that I am older) until I met that group up close. Gosh it felt like Charles was 7 feet tall and even Hillary towered over me. In my photo it looks like I must be standing in a hole!!

By the time I got out to the arena I had missed a bit of Thompson Square's opening act, but I was there for all of Darius Rucker's set and thoroughly enjoyed all the hits I was familiar with. I must admit that some of his new songs that I did not know all sounded very much the same to me, but Darius does have an engaging stage presence.

BTW I was happy to see that Lady A's stage set up included a catwalk that extended to mid-arena (right in front of our seats). The stage itself was a bit odd - kind of donut shaped with the rear half of the donut consisting of right and left curved stairways for the artists to descend dramatically, while the front half of the donut was the curved front of the stage. The "hole" in the center of this donut stage was a VIP fan area called The Inner Circle. This Circle probably allowed an up close view when the performers were actually on the stage, but probably had a rather poor view anytime the performers went out on the length of the catwalk.

Usually it seems that the headlining group has the best quality sound at shows, but I was not impressed with the sound Lady A's sound techs created. While the group sounded great on their big songs like Run to You and Need You Now, on more rocking songs where the band has a bigger presence, Hillary's voice did not project well and the lyrics got totally lost. In fact when they opened the show with the lead track of their new album, I didn't even recognize it for several moments (even though that is one of the tracks I play over and over in my car). Here is American Honey and Run to You (sorry about the noisy women sitting behind me who should have stayed out in the concourse since they paid no attention to the performers).

I was happy that Thompson Square and Darius got to come out for a group song towards the end of the show. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az1mGpGbLsQ

Jen, Sarah and I spentt the night in Moline at the quaint Stoney Creek Inn, had a quick breakfast in the morning, then Sarah went off to her newspaper job and Jen and I headed home to Cedar Falls so I could get to my Friday classes. It was great to have some concert buddies to share a fun evening with and to start off a welcome weekend visit from Jen, who lives way to far away!

Michael Pawlak and the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony

And now for something completely different...

Last week I was feeling a bit down about spending the weekend alone while Hubby was out of town. But a couple emails about local events helped turn things around. Friday night I attended a four course gourmet meal, with each course accompanied by samples of 2-3 wines or craft beers, held in the decorated-for-Easter meeting room of one of my grocery stores. (which has multiple chefs on staff). The others at those dinners are always fun and friendly and some are 'regulars' so now we recognize each other. Great meal and so much more fun than dining alone!

Another email alerted me to a "flash sale" (? - perhaps they hoped to trigger a flash mob of purchasers?) offering any of the remaining seats at Saturday's symphony concert for a meer $10. Among the pieces to be performed was one that had been a favorite since high school, when my boyfriend had taken me to hear it done by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. I called and ordered a seat and, amazingly, got first row center!

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony was also featuring their percussionist Michael Pawlak that evening. He had selected a fascinating and unique Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra by Joseph Schwantner which included an amazing diversity of persussion. Pawlak had set up large arrangements of drums, xylophones, gongs, bells, triangles and other things to be tapped or struck or shook both behind and in front of the orchestra. He began the piece at the rear of the stage with incredible drumwork - I couldn't see him back there but certainly could hear his amazing percussion. But then mid-concerto he moved to the front set up, right in front of me, so I had a once in a lifetime up close and personal view of an exceptionally skillled percussionist at work. It was something else! I was wowed by the rapidity of the notes he played on the xylophone while holding 4 xylophone strikers at once (I'm sure there is a specific term for those but I don't know it!). He moved from it to drums to triangles to gongs - including one which was played while being half submerged in a plastic bin of water! So interesting and impressive!

Sunday I took myself to the Hunger Games movie which I thoroughly enjoyed. They did an excellent job representing the book (although in abbreviated form). In homage I look forward to beginning the final exams in each of my classes this semester with "And may the odds be ever in your favor!" : )

Don Williams in Waterloo, IA

I left Peoria early enough that I would be passing through Iowa City in time to have brunch with my daughter Annie. We went to a new place she had been meaning to try (Her Soup Kitchen), a casual funky spot on the south side of town. Annie had a breakfast sandwich but I thought I should try soup and sandwich. My turkey artichoke sandwich was pretty good but I wasn't thrilled with my soup. But I'm always game to try most any place once!

Back home in Cedar Falls-Waterloo, I got ready for my third show in 3 days. Old time country singer Don Williams was performing in a small arena on the National Cattle Congress grounds.

Since I had seen the billboard announcing his visit before tickets went on sale, I was primed and ready and got a front row seat! : )

A talented young singer/songwriter named Drew Smith opened for Don. He was quite good and I wish he could have done a couple more songs.

Don was pretty laid back and pretty much sang one song after another without chatting very much with the audience. He did take one shouted request for a song that he said he hadn't played in years. Don had a lot of ardent and vocal fans in the audience who shouted out their love throughout the show. Here are a few favorites:

I Believe in You http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWLvnjKnYq4
Livin' on Tulsa Time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aHtWCZQuck
It Must Be Love http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqWmZeU85aI
If Hollywood Don't Need You http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULT9daZSZ74

Trace Adkins in Peoria

When I received an email alert about Trace Adkins coming to Peoria, IL on March 10, I realized that I would be flying into Moline from my Nashville visit to see Keith at the Opry that day. Peoria is only 70 miles from Moline, so it seemed an opportune time to catch one of Trace's shows. Taking advantage of the Peoria Civic Center presale, I scored a Row B seat - sweet!

I arrived in Moline before lunchtime so went to my favorite Thai restaurant before heading to Peoria. In Peoria I initially tried to check into the wrong motel but eventually made it to the right location. All day long I racked my brain for Peoria memories. I knew I had been there in 2008 for a Keith show. I recognized the Civic Center and remembered the floor plan of the lobby. But damn if I could recollect anything about that previous concert and somehow a Peoria review is not included in my blog. Once I was in the Civic Center auditorium for Trace's show I was even more shocked about just how blank my memory is for my previous visit. The Peoria Civic Center has fixed theatre seating; plush chairs are a rarity for Keith concerts. So why can't I recall seeing him perform in this unusual theatre environment??? I fear my mind is going! : (

Trace's stage set-up was relatively simple. What looked like windowpanes formed a backdrop and a bit of "ceiling" above the stage and a large wood-panel set of double doors marked the center of the back of the stage (Trace entered from these doors later on.) It was funny sitting in the middle of the front floor Trace-crazy crowd instead of in the midst of a Keith-crazy crowd! Most of the seats around me seemed to be filled by fan club members and about 4 of the gals were scheduled for the meet and greet that Trace holds AFTER the show. I listened to them raving about how sexy Trace is and sharing the numbers of shows each had been to (sound familiar?). Trace was funny and self-effacing. He came out and, after the screams had died down, said that he was serving as his own opening act tonight. He said that first he would be playing material from a new album and - "Just like when you see some opening acts, no one will know any of the songs and some of them might suck" (hee hee) but then the Trace Adkins the audience knows will be out to sing all their favorites. The new songs did not suck and were a nice mix of both the light-hearted and serious songs that Trace is known for. Trace (the opening act) began the night a long sleeved shirt, sleeves rolled up. Later Trace (the headliner) came out in a form-fitting teeshirt. And still later in the show he removed his hat, untied his ponytail and let his long locks swing free for several songs.

You're Gonna Miss This http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtKlvflQYcI

Love Buzzhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1Y9C1hjH4A

Trace singing a song from his college days http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1Y9C1hjH4A

The crowd got most rowdy for hit songs like Ladies Love Country Boys and Ba-Donkkadonk. But another highlight of the evening came when Trace reported that during the intermission he had gotten a tweet from a husband in the audience asking that Trace sing One Hot Mama to his wife. And so Trace did, which tickled the audience. It happened that this husband and wife were sitting in Row A right in front of me, and their 2 teenage kids were sitting next to me. They went abolutely nuts during this song, the 15 year old son gesturing "That's my mom!!" throughout, the daughter cheering. A fun song and a fun and enjoyable concert!

Keith Urban at the Grand Ole Opry 2012

During the many years that I have been teaching, faculty have always been frustrated by the early departure of students before the start of any break or long holiday weekend. For example, on the Friday before spring break about one-third of the students may be in attendance, everyone else having caught their flight or their ride home. Some professors may schedule an exam to combat this, but I've never had the heart to do so. But this year has been so stressful and frustrating - with a surprise increase in my teaching load (I'm now expected to teach almost double what my deal was when hired) and then this week's announcement that the university is closing down 50 majors and minors (without any faculty consultations) because of the budget crisis, I was ready to go-with-the flow - the student flow, that is, and leave these stresses behind a little early. All of my classes were tickled when I gave them the link to the online lectures I prepared to substitute for all my Friday class periods. Thursday night I flew to Nashville to celebrate my spring break!

Since I was arriving about 11:30 pm I picked a near-the-airport hotel with a free shuttle, then shuttled back the next morning to pick up a one-day car rental (Nashville has the cheapest rentals in the country in my experience - $21 last trip and $25 this time, total price!!). It was a lovely spring day in Nashville and I spent the day just wandering the town (with short jaunts to Franklin and Leiper's Fork : ) ). I walked around the Opry grounds a bit, enjoying the blooming trees and flowers that have not yet shown their faces in Iowa. I hoped I might find a spot to catch a view of the band coming in for rehearsal or perhaps catch sight of Keith's Mustang, but no such luck. I had a nice dinner with concert buddies before the show and then we all headed back to the Opry parking lot. They had lucked out with stagefront seats, but it seemed my call from the Opry about the exchange of my ticket from the cancelled performances was slow coming, so I was sitting way back in row Q this evening.

It is rather amazing that we diehard fans travel so far for a mere four songs, but desperate we are for each and every KU fix! Keith looked just great, was all happy smiles, and sounded fantastic. But at the same time that I savored every second, in the back of my mind I was worrying about how quickly the performance was passing by and just how long it is likely to be before another. The plight of the truly addicted!

The band was looking sharp as well, with Danny looking particularly cute (I love his hair this year but can't say that Brian's does much for me). The short set began with Better Half. I was on the aisle and hoards of Keith fan were moving down the aisle for a closer view, making it hard sometimes, to keep Keith in view, hence my Better Half is in 2 parts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXP5TzjsQ1A and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqlub8iYJoc . Then we got You Gonna Fly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c_U9Z0ZkC0 . But the big surprise and JOY for the night was Keith's performance of The Luxury of Knowing!! Here it is with Keith's fun introduction to the song as well http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKyqYyxYIkg We have been waiting for this song since the release of the album and it was so, so special to hear it at this more intimate venue. Just wonderful!! At the end of this song of course he got a huge response from the audience and I just had to shout out at the top of my lungs "Thank you Keith!!!"

Kiss a Girl was last, complete with a Kiss-a-Girl contest! I wonder if the Opry knew that was coming and what they think of it!? It was fun as usual and featured a nervous young lady whose voice shook, a spunky guy and a darling tiny little girl. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6QPWLTBKS8

I was happy I had parked behind the Opry avoiding the post-show traffic crunch of the front lot.
I had an early morning flight back north. After arriving in the Quad Cities, however, I wouldn't immediately be driving home. Saturday night I would be attending the second concert of my "Spring Break Celebration" - seeing Trace Adkins in Peoria!

Keith Urban's San Antonio Stroll

Saturday morning I did not rush to San Antonio since the afternoon rodeo show was not until 1:30. That was a mistake! I did not anticipate a huge traffic jam at the highway exit for the A, T & T Center. We inched along oh so slowly for what seemed like forever. I followed the electronic signs above the lanes of traffic to the numbered rodeo parking lots, only to find that one after another was completely full and admitting no more cars. Finally a state patrolman told me the only lot with spots available was the off-site Gembler Road lot. So I inched my way there, parked and joined a huge line for the shuttle bus back to the Rodeo grounds. With all this delay I missed the entire afternoon rodeo except for the final bull-riding event!

I had bought a cheap seat way up in the nosebleed seats for the afternoon, but did watch with interest as the crew began to set up for the concert. Out came the portable stage to the center of the rodeo floor - a more modest size stage than what was featured at the Houston Rodeo and a stage with no fancy upper portion or background for the performers. I thought that was good because then there would be nothing but the band's equipment (amps, speakers, etc) to block one's view as the stage rotated to face each section of the arena in turn. But I got even more excited as I watched them roll out carts of folding chairs for the "Rodeo Star" down-in-the-dirt floor audience. Unlike Houston, in San Antonio they set up rows of chairs ahead of time for those with floor tickets - just 3 rows deep in most areas around the stage, so there really would be no bad seats down on the floor. Also, unlike Houston, which kept the floor folks down at one end of the arena - a good 30 feet from stage, San Antonio set up the chairs just about 10 feet from stage, encircling about 2/3 of the stage. A skinny little rope separated chairs from stage and there was little visible security (again, a contrast with Houston). It appeared they left the 10 ft gap primarily to allow Keith's camera guys to constantly run around the stage, to keeping him in view as the stage rotated. Watching all this I was so happy that I had purchased a down-in-the dirt seat for the evening show!!

The show itself was great, but an hour is way too short for us spoiled Urbanites! A mere 11

songs and one special extra verse treat:

You Gonna Fly (with 'you can be a songbird at the rodeo" added in)

Blacktop (with "I'm Texas- bound" added in and a bit of fancy guitar play mid-song before Keith lead a slightly altered version of the sing-along from last night " Hey hey, uh huh, feelin' so good, I'm in Texas tonight". I guess San Antonio is just too many syllables! )

Stupid Boy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwhlVFwrkYI

Keith greeted each part of the arena, but since the stage was rotating all the while he joked "If I spin around enough times I'll probably ask the same group how you're doing/"

Put You in A Song with some great little guitar riffs midway

Keith asked "Who is actually from San Antonio? Who is from out of state?" ( I and a number of others gave a big yell)

Long Hot Summer

You'll Think of Me ( which I thought sounded particularly outstanding this afternoon - Keith definitely has his full range back for the high notes at the close of this song!!)

Sweet Thing (Chris did get introduced at this end of this)

Kiss a Girl Keith did pause in the lyrics the way they do before a Kiss-a-Girl competition, but he must have decided, as he looked out at the audience, that he couldn't invite anyone up this afternoon, because he then began to sing a final KAG chorus.

Without You

Making Memories of Us (Keith again said they were dedicating this song to everyone feeling in love. He asked who was married, who was single, but then added "Well, there they are (the single people) - we just want to help out our brothers and sisters...)

Keith: "We're gonna change things up a bit," and belted out a lovely verse of Tanya Tucker's

San Antonio Stroll: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxAreXZF2mo

When I was a child down in South Caroline

Soon as Saturday sun went on down.
My folks and sister would go and leave me home all alone,
Going to that big square dance in town.
Well my old radio would play that old opry show,
So I never got lonesome or blue.
I'd fall asleep in my chair and dream that I was right there,
Just singing the whole night through.
When my folks would come home, they'd be humming a song,
Mama'd smile and say: "Child, don't you know,
"There ain't a thing in this world to make you fall in love girl,
"Like the San Antonio Stroll?"

And Keith then commented that every since he heard that song when he was growing up, he knew he wanted to go to San Antonio. : )

Then Keith drove the audience wild http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEXPNvOBG3o by not only leaving stage but climbing through the fence and going way up in the stands for You Look Good in My Shirt, even getting a young girl to sing a line of the song to his proffered microphone, and giving away a guitar. I was excited to see that instead of then making his way around the edge of the arena, as he had in Houston, Keith headed for the down-in the dirt crowd, walking the entire length of the rope 'barrier" slapping hands and even signing a couple things.

After the guys took their bow on stage, they climbed into the truck for their ride out of the arena. But they did not leave right away! Instead the truck rode right along the very edge of the arena so that Keith and the guys could slap hands with those in the front rows of the stands. That was a great idea - much better than Keith trying to run that long distance during YLGIMS. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0YMGWOY814

They chased everyone out of the arena during the time between the afternoon and evening performances. I hung around in a nearby display building during the break because San Antonio had experienced a cold snap!! Roses in bloom but it dropped down to 40 and here I was in my sandals and shirt sleeves! (Austin had been 65 on Friday!).

The Rodeo Star down-in-the-dirt ticket includes a steak dinner before the show (in a separate little tent next door), somewhat cushier seats during the Rodeo, and then the trip down to the floor at concert time. People started lining up for the walk down a bit early during the rodeo, everyone hoping to get the front row floor seats. I was in about the middle of the group since I didn't want to stand in line too long. They took us down in an industrial size elevator and were very attentive to maintaining the order of the line to be fair. Then we were lead through long corridors since we would be entering the floor from the same chutes that the bulls and broncos had used. The first 15 or so people in line headed down the chute approach and then I heard a few squeals from some gals in front of me. When I looked up to see what the squeal was for, here comes Keith strolling down the hall!! All by his lonesome, no security or managers. And he doesn't bolt when he sees us - he continues down the corridor and shakes a few of our hands - no introductions but otherwise a little like a meet and greet line!! What a wonderful surprise!! My only regret is that I only got out a surprised "Hi Keith!!" as he clasped my hand, instead of wishing him a great show. Thank my lucky stars for putting me in the right place at the right time! (Later that evening I saw signs pointing down that corridor to the "Keith Urban buses" so I think we caught him in route from the buses to his "dressing room" or where ever he boards the vehicle which takes him out to the center of the rodeo floor.)

After a bit of fanfare alerting the rest of the audience that the lucky "Rodeo Star" ticket holders would next be coming out of the chute doors, the gate finally opened and our line went rushing towards the seats surrounding the stage. Well, rushing as best one could in 8 inch deep damp sand!! (I didn't want to think what else might be in that sand since I was in sandals!) Actually, I just gave in and took off my sandals and ran barefoot to capture a front row seat - yay!! And I held out my naked foot later as Keith rotated by singing "Gonna kick off my shoes and run in bare feet!" during Blacktop : )

The lineup for the evening show was the same as in the afternoon except for a few things:

You Gonna Fly included "a songbird from San Antonio" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSKaWMkeYVw

Blacktop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE5l2fCnP_UA with a very special guitar excerpt that I had never heard before before Keith went into his echo round with the audience

Yeah, yeah (yeah, yeah)

Uh-huh (uh-huh)

Yeah, yeah (yeah,yeah)

Uh-huh (Uh-huh)

Feel so good (Feel so good!!)

In San Antonio tonight (In San Antonio tonight)

A couple great-sounding lines of the last Sweet Thing chorus that Keith sang a cappella, resounding through the arena.

Keith did bring up one gal from the down-in-the-dirt seats about 6 feet to my left to sing during Kiss a Girl. "Anyone want to have a sing with us?" Keith asked. No contest but the lucky girl did get to sing with Keith and she was ecstatic!!

We were treated to You Look So Good in Love instead of San Antonio Stroll (I only wished that the stage would stop rotating so I could keep Keith in sight during this special song)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC2OQzyGG1E

We got a few fun lines of Deep in the Heart of Texas (like he did on Urban Developments) before the Say 1, Say 2, Say 1, 2, 3 of Somebody Like You. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw5QeyCiUXE

And, yes, after visiting the stands during YLGIMS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9vmObrHbms , he did come down and followed the rope in front of the floor seats, greeting all of us. So I got a second hand clasp for the day! Life is good!

Saturday morning I did not rush to San Antonio since the afternoon rodeo show was not until 1:30. That was a mistake! I did not anticipate a huge traffic jam at the highway exit for the A, T & T Center. We inched along oh so slowly for what seemed like forever. I followed the electronic signs above the lanes of traffic to the numbered rodeo parking lots, only to find that one after another was completely full and admitting no more cars. Finally a state patrolman told me the only lot with spots available was the off-site Gembler Road lot. So I inched my way there, parked and joined a huge line for the shuttle bus back to the Rodeo grounds. With all this delay I missed the entire afternoon rodeo except for the final bull-riding event!

I had bought a cheap seat way up in the nosebleed seats for the afternoon, but did watch with interest as the crew began to set up for the concert. Out came the portable stage to the center of the rodeo floor - a more modest size stage than what was featured at the Houston Rodeo and a stage with no fancy upper portion or background for the performers. I thought that was good because then there would be nothing but the band's equipment (amps, speakers, etc) to block one's view as the stage rotated to face each section of the arena in turn. But I got even more excited as I watched them roll out carts of folding chairs for the "Rodeo Star" down-in-the-dirt floor audience. Unlike Houston,in San Antonio they set up rows of chairs ahead of time for those with floor tickets - just 3 rows deep in most areas around the stage, so there really would be no bad seats down on the floor. Also, unlike Houston, which kept the floor folks down at one end of the arena - a good 30 feet from stage, San Antonio set up the chairs just about 10 feet from stage, encircling about 2/3 of the stage. A skinny little rope separated chairs from stage and there was little visible security (again, a contrast with Houston). It appeared they left the 10 ft gap primarily to allow Keith's camera guys to constantly run around the stage, to keeping him in view as the stage rotated. Watching all this I was so happy that I had purchased a down-in-the dirt seat for the evening show!!

The show itself was great, but an hour is way too short for us spoiled Urbanites!