Fantastic Fresno

>Five or six days ago I would have thought that there was no way to top the totally outstanding performances at Phoenix, Vegas and San Diego. But Keith just keeps getting better – I don’t know how it is possible – but I think tonight’s show in Fresno was the best yet. What a guy!!

He was simply the consummate showman tonight. His guitar work was stunning, his vocals superb, and he was everywhere, in total connection with his audience. He made multiple trips to each side stage, spent extra time on the catwalk, and interacted with so many fans that I could not keep track (that is what really set tonight’s performance ahead of the others). He read multiple signs and acknowledged many others. He didn’t bring anyone up on stage – instead he went to them. First down the catwalk in response to a sign saying “I left a stupid boy back in TX to see you.” Keith initially goofed and started talking to the wrong woman, then realized his mistake when she was clueless about what part of TX she was from, so he made fun of himself and found the right gal. Then some gals that won free tickets from CMT had their sign read and Keith talked to them and thanked CMT for sending them. There were other sign interactions while he was actually singing but I couldn’t see what he was laughing at or pointing too.

But he was also sensitive to overdoing signs and made a halfway serious joke telling one woman that the people behind you love your sign (not).He laid on the catwalk and later on stage right to take pictures with fans or to sign autographs. He slapped lots of hands and may have given someone a hug or kiss by the small stage (I couldn’t see the exact interaction). He played multiple guitar solos crouching/kneeling in different spots in front of fans. He made several jokes during the evening – after the 3^rd song he said those in the rear of the arena (so far away) were just now hearing the first song. And throughout so many numbers he kept nodding, pointing, laughing, making eye contact – he was so totally WITH the audience, it was very special.

And he looked SO SO good tonight. His hair was shiny and fluffy and somewhat blonder I think, and showed lots of movement and flippage until the very end of the show when sweat finally took its toll. He wore a dark tee with a design I was not familiar with – the Soviet hammer and sickle within what looked like the shape of a spade or a leaf, with the number 56 off to the side. And wonderful dark jeans that fit so well and which had, I thought, a particularly provocative (cough) front – it was hard not to stare. I better not say more about that (lol).

I am so enjoying the extra musical bits that they have added to quite a few songs. There is a great, happy, melodic guitar duet (or maybe even 3 of them play?) interlude in Better Half. And Keith does what sounds like beautiful improvising (but probably isn’t all on the spot) on the guitar before MMOU and on the piano before TIWC.

The lighting effects and background videos seemed back on track tonight – I even noticed new effects (either new because I was busy looking elsewhere previously, or perhaps really new). The audience is bathed in moving dappled spots of light as Keith is singing ROS. And at a couple points in the show there are lightening like lighting effects during guitar solos. I didn’t see any extra video cams (of course there are always the video cams that provide the screen shots. I am SO hoping a concert video is in the works, not just because the show is fantastic, but because their camerapersons have just been getting some beautiful, exquisite shots from all angles and all degrees of distance. It will be a gorgeous concert video I think.

Anticipating Keith’s chill giving opening again, I tried to count the heartbeats from the very first one (during the djs last several tracks) to Keith’s actual appearance. The first 20 or so are widely spaced and could be missed and by about 65 heartbeats arena goes dark and the heartbeats merge with the heartbeats of OIAL. Interestingly, tonight I was sitting so close to the speakers I could feel not just hear some of those heartbeats and I also discovered that there is an underlying heartbeat rhythm in Shine that I had never noticed until I could actually feel it.

I was very lucky again tonight. A sweet Canadian monkey sold me her 6^th row ticket when she could not go. I was near the aisle end of the row rather than the catwalk, but that allowed me to dash out to stage left each time that Keith came over to play to the audience in the side risers. I would have been close enough to touch him there if it weren’t for a big hunking security guard! But then the last 6 seats of row 5 never filled (what a crime!!) so I actually moved up to row 5 for the show. (4 more rows yet to achieve!).

Keith was also playful with the band again, goofing off during their introductions and while performing. If I caught it correctly I believe he introduced Brian Nutter as the “Figaro, Figaro” singer. And Keith did this little rhythmical, jazzy intro to Chris. M., vocally playing with the words “on the drums” “in the groove” and “on the groove”.

He as usual thanked the audience for all their support in past months, thanked country radio as well, then ended with “I so love to play music, I am gonna do that instead” (of drinking).

I forgot to mention that the SaveMart Arena has a big electronic billboard out in front and they not only had the LPAWCT head shot of Keith up there, but also ran short video clips of he and the guys in concert! Also last night Keith had the piano all the way up to the very edge of the stage by the catwalk instead of set back by the band as he usually does - gave a really good view to us front floor people.

I wish Linda’s Love, Pain and Whole Crazy West Coast KURT were not over. I am not the least bit ‘tired of this’ and wish San Jose and LA were on my itinerary. But they are not, so it is time to head home to Iowa and let someone else take over as roving reporter.

Satisfied in Sacramento!

>Another night of thrills and chills! Three times this evening I had full body goosebumps (and it wasn’t because of the temperature!!). You might think I would react less during my 4^th show this week, but when the opening beat of OIAL sounds and a 10-12 ft high platform holding Keith rises out of the rear stage, showing him, legs spread, and his guitar, in sharp silhouette against a bright white background, and then that silhouette slowly strides down the platform ramp towards us, I got hot and cold and weak in the knees all at once tonight. It is not until he bursts into the OIAL chorus that the lights suddenly come on to reveal Keith in full color. Whew!!

I’m sure the board members who had front row seats can provide the most detail and I’m anxious to read their reviews. I think the day off did Keith good – I thought he looked more rested around those baby blues. Wonder how he spent his leisure time…..

I’m also anxious to hear from those who had BSEs today. Don’t know if it had anything to do with the BSEs or not, but for some reason a bank of about 20 stadium seats were set up between the tour buses. Odd, huh? Made me wonder whether they could have done an outdoor BSE. Could the Arco Arena not have an appropriate little room? Or was someone else getting a little outdoors show?

Another revelation concerning concert tickets today. Since in San Diego I had talked to those 2 gals who got 5^th row tickets at the last minute, I checked with the box office in Sacramento several times today, hoping that I might luck into such a situation. The nice guy who helped me told me that such a thing might have occurred because they don’t know the exact number of chairs that will fit with the new stage until it is set up. It sometimes isn’t completed until 5:00 or 6:00 – at that time they might find that 18 seats fit rather than 16. Well, no floor seats ever became available today but I did luck into something almost as good. I stopped by the box office at 5:00, showed them my current ticket and told them I was willing to buy another ticket if it was a better seat. They found me a better seat and simply exchanged my old ticket for the new ticket!!! Who knew they would do such a thing!!! They put me in the third row of extended risers at the end of the arena (in front of the regular risers – the coveted immediately courtside seats in basketball season) which were about 10 ft. from the small stage!! So I got to experience yet another perspective on the show. Of course I couldn’t see the front stage as well, so often relied on the video screen, but I got a pretty close front view (instead of butt view) of the 3 songs that they did at the end of the catwalk plus a couple shorter visits Keith made down the walk at other times.

Although Keith and the guys put on a wonderful show as usual, I thought the timing and staging was a bit different, sometimes rushed or a little off and I might know why. I think they were recording video footage tonight. Immediately next to my section were 2 huge video cameras as well as some photographers with the really, really long lens cameras. Now others who have sat in the back can correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think these guys were at the other concerts. Perhaps that is why they changed some of the lighting and background (for instance not starting the Faster Car video background of fast cars until the song was half over). And the scheduling was tighter – I think the Wreckers may have sung one less song, so they finished at exactly 8:00 and Keith came on at 8:35 and sang until 10:40 or there abouts. Security was initially a little tighter too. I was ready to rush to the edge of the small stage as the audience has done in each previous show, but the ushers would not let me. (A little later people magically appeared around the stage so they must have given up). And apparently someone (from Keith’s team??) was going up in the nosebleed seats (yes there are really high seats at Arco) and bringing people down to fill in some of the empty lower seats. They brought down about 15 teenage girls to fill in the rest of the extended risers by me. That’s terrific for them, but I think it may be for the audience shots on the video. Anyone new to the show probably wouldn’t even notice these little things. No signs were read tonight.

The cell phone light game is one of my favorite points in the show. Again they looked incredible tonight and the cell phone light “Wave” went off very well, delighting Keith.

He says “ God – I really love that” as we finish the second wave around the arena, then followed with “What can I say – I’m twelve years old!” hee hee

He jokes “Here you paid all that money for tickets and YOU are the entertainment!”

A favorite catwalk moment - he comes down to the end of the catwalk (where I was seated) for the end of Better Life - the final high energy audience participation song of the night - and does that rocking guitar solo. And - just like in the Better Life video, down in that drainage canal in L.A. - finishes with a mighty kick to the microphone stand - sending in flying a good 10 feet. It disappears into the depths of the small stage. (Yes the small stage has depth. When you first arrive you may think you are looking at a solid circular stage at the end of the walk, but it is actually a tarp-covered circle. When it is time for the short set in that location, the small stage actually rises up from under that tarp, fully equipped with Chris's drums and stool, Keith's stool for MMOU, and microphones for all the guys.)Keith must have to aim that kick carefully not to send that mike stand into the adoring faces ofhis fans!

Scenes From San Diego

News flash!! Missing catwalk is found and a good time was had by all!! San Diego was one venue that did not include a catwalk in the seating chart, but it was very much in evidence at the concert tonight. That convinces me that there will be one at every venue despite the seating charts – Keith talked about the set-up in several interviews and perhaps Ticketmaster just couldn’t figure out how to change the diagram for some locations. Tonight they did put a fence around the catwalk keeping everyone an arms length away and assuring that those with seats next to the catwalk were really next to the catwalk, so that many vary with venue.

Ipayone is a good concert venue – like the Mandalay the uppers are not very upper so there are no true nosebleed seats.

Same set list but the interactions between the guys changes each time and it looks like not all catwalk appearances will be completely predictable. Tonight Blacktop did not end on the catwalk like the previous nights – instead Keith moved between the two side extensions of the main stage, playing to the front sides of the arena. Other short trips down the walk (during WWWBM for example) had changed location too. Keith took time to talk about riding the cycles out to the ritzy Hotel Coronado in the morning and going to the Padres game in the afternoon and how it was perfect weather. The tour has a well-deserved day off tomorrow. The Wreckers mentioned that they would be enjoying it in San Diego at the zoo, but I don’t know if that means Keith and crew will stay as well. Do you think they all bus in a caravan or do the Wreckers do their own thing??

Well after tonight I would have to say that my own personal “what are the best seats?” consumer research, I would have to say my 6^th row, 2 seats from catwalk seat tonight takes the prize of the ones I have had (no big surprise huh?) I still aspire to move up thru those other rows 5,4,3,2, and 1, please, please, please. – row 1 one of the days, but 6 was pretty darn good. I could not even take pictures – I just had to keep my eyes on :”real Keith”. I was mesmerized. No need to look at the video screen until he moved to the small stage. I guess the perfect seat would be one that you could beam to whatever location necessary – front, back side, whatever! I also lucked out when he did his WWWBM guitar work right next to us on the catwalk.

One special aspect of tonight was helping someone lose their urban virginity. When I was picking up my will call ticketmaster auction tickets (which are only sold in pairs even though I didn’t need a pair) there was a woman there asking if there were last minute seats available (no). So she used my extra ticket. Well I then found out she did not really know much about Keith, had never seen him perform. But her friend had told her to go because she was having a rough time with a divorce and needed some cheering up. Well she fell for Keith hook, line, and sinker and left the concert saying something about how could any other man or artist compare to Keith. Another case of urbanitis, no doubt!

Here is something else that might give us some hope when ticket sales don’t go well for us. I chatted with all the folks around me before the show asking if they had bid in the auction like me, etc. Well the couple next to me got their tickets because they knew the Ipayone manager – no surprise there I guess. But the 2 gals in front of me in row 5 had an amazing story. They were from St. Louis and never planned to go to the San Diego concert, but a trip for another purpose brought them out. So they show up at the box office about 15 minutes before Keith goes on (they missed the Wreckers) – ask the box office if there are any tickets, and pay $59 for row 5 seats immediately next to the catwalk!!! We could only guess that will call tickets that were not picked up must be released at the last minute or something. So it can’t hurt to check for last minute tickets!

The number of cell phone lights glowing during the applause, yelling and screaming before encore has been growing amazingly each night. I don’t know if the word is getting out or what, but it is a more impressive sight each time.

Keith again orchestrated a cell phone light “Wave” but those Californians didn’t catch on as fast as the Nevadans (is that what they are called?). The first try was a pathetic failure and Keith concluded that the audience thought that they were supposed to wave bye-bye with their phone rather than “doing the Wave” hee-hee. The second attempt went much better.

Tonight YTOM was back in contention for the most moving song, but let’s face it -- Keith sings so many songs with such passion and conviction that there can be no single winner.

Back to the dark gray tee and dark jeans tonight. Longer teeshirt – shucks! But tonight, for some reason, it seemed his earrings were really swinging with the music, I had never noticed that before – made me wonder if they were new rings – but maybe I have been unobservant in the past.

I don’t think I’ve mentioned that Keith hadn’t hopped in circles the first two concerts! Instead he and the band had taken to leaping straight up and down at that moment like human pogo sticks. I kind of missed the circles although the jumping is kind of amusing. But tonight he both jumped AND circled, so maybe circles are back. A woman at the BSE did mention her fondness for the “circle dance” and asked if he would do it for us at the BSE. Keith said no, that was really a spontaneous expression in response to the music and he didn’t think he could do it just for show. But maybe that made him remember to circle tonight.

Once again the audience in San Diego made clear their resounding approval. I’ve been enjoying the arms-linked bow that Keith and the band do as the show finally closes. They look so good together.

BTW it turns out I stayed at the same hotel as the band (right across the street from the arena). But didn't realize it until too late when I noticed (from my 2nd floor room) Jerry loading his suitcase into a vehicle shortly before soundcheck time. I finally understood why there had been so many patrol cars hanging around the parking lot!

Vegas Part 2

I'm sitting in the Vegas airport so don't know how much I will get down before they call my flight. I'm also typing with only 4 hrs of sleep so expect mistakes! I had a great time at last night's show, with a different perspective from the rear floor rather than front risers. Both have their advantages and disadvantages so I am blessed to get to try both. All of you who have back floor seats should know that the Ticketmaster floor plans are pretty much "guesstimates" - I don't think the arena or even Keith's crew knows exactly how this new stage with that extra long catwalk will fit with seating until they actually get there. I had front row section 4 seats which on Ticketmaster looked like essentially front row for the second stage. But in fact the catwalk went maybe 15 rows farther than what ticketmaster showed, so 4A was about 2/3 of the way down the catwalk, right where there is a little fenced area for the sound techs. So know that figuring out the floor plan for these concerts is a new experience for everyone.

I completely missed the Wreckers because of my Backstage Experience and came in during the great music Keith has a DJ doing while they set up the stage after the Wreckers finish. Keith took the time to introduce the guy and talked about him during the show because the DJs family was in the audience, as was guitarist Brad Rice's familyfrom Austin. It is particularly appropriate, I think, that one of the last tracks they play before the band comes on is "You Shook Me All Night Long" (Yes Keith - you did!!). During the last few of the DJ’s tracks you hear an occasional "thud thud" ,which, as it becomes more frequent, becomes recognizable as a heart beat. Over a period of about 15 minutes that heart beat occurs gradually more frequently. At the same time what initially looked like a little spot of light on the big video screen gets slowly bigger and eventually is recognizable as the LPATWCT heart and the heart beat becomes the lead in into Once in a Lifetime Love. Everyone screams and rises to their feet as the arena goes dark and we hear the beginning beats of the song – the show so many have been counting down months to, then weeks to, then days to and finally hours to is finally here!!

Now from rear floor I sometimes had to stand on tippy toes to see real Keith but I could always see “video Keith” on that great screen. The set list was the same as Phoenix I believe, but there were some special differences from the night before.

It appeared that Keith and the guys were just buoyant, riding on the high of the great concert the night before. They were playful all evening - doing head butts, guitar duels, leaping at each other in WWWBM, joking and laughing and having so much fun. Did I tell you they show some great silhouettes of all the guys playing and moving (on the video screen) - during some songs like Shine. God I don't know anyone who moves like Keith. Is that all just his natural graceful prowl or did he practice in front of the mirror? Whatever - I could watch even with no sound on forever! He read some signs! And was drawn to one he described as the biggest sign ever - looked like a bedsheet! It said something about 2 sisters who came all the way to Vegas from Florida. So he invited them up on stage!! Hugged them, brought them to the mike and got their names and home town. They were just shaking from the excitement. He joked that they had stolen the sail off their dad’s sailboat to make the sign and chatted with them about Clearwater (their home town) So chances to go up on stage are still alive!!

He wore multiple Monkeyville bracelets last night (and threw them to the audience along with his LPATWCT heart bracelet at the end) and what looked like a vintage T-shirt but I can't recall what it said. Also a heavily studded good looking belt and either somewhat more low slung jeans or a shorter tee, because all night we were treated to little flashes of side, back and belly when he stretched for something. He was in fine form again - fantastic vocals. One in particular - the closing song Everybody (which has not been my favorite track on the album) moved me to tears. He sang it so expressively and they kept just a head shot on the big video screen so you could see the sincerity in his face. He added in little extra phrases like "Yes even I need somebody." The crowd went crazy again. Apparently he was so tickled with the display of cell phones lights in Phoenix, that he played with that idea in Vegas. He had everyone sit down and get out their cells and then directed a "Wave" of raising up your lit phones that went twice around the entire arena! Crazy fun! And he was just as delighted as a little kid smiling and laughing at what he had created - so happy that he said "God I love all you guys - you are just terrific!!" (The feeling is mutual Keith!!)

One plus of being seated on rear floor was being up close for the catwalk and small stage songs. I was lucky to know something about which songs would be done down at the end of the catwalk. When I heard the beginning chords or saw the guys begin to move, I dashed to the railing to be up front and had some terrific views. He apologizes to the front floor audience for the backside view they get while he is on the small stage but, man, it is not a bad view at all!! Lol

Backstage With Keith in Vegas

I worried all day that something would go wrong - I wouldn't make it to Vegas from Phoenix, I'd take a nap and oversleep, I'd go to the box office and my name wouldn't really be on the BSE list. I stopped at the box office during the afternoon to see if they had the BSE passes yet - they didn't, so I was anxious until 6:15, when lo and behold they really did have an envelope with my name on it containing instructions and a special blue satin sticky Backstage Experience tag that I was to wear. I was too nervous to eat dinner (but did have a margarita to calm my nerves :). Asked the bartender where the North Suites elevators, where we were to meet, were located and he hadn't a clue. Headed towards what I thought was north in the huge Mandalay Bay Casino and found a security guard to ask. He immediately pointed and said "You're gonna be late to meet and greet!" because I had to enter the arena with the crowd that was already gathering for the concert!:( But of course these events are hard to keep on schedule - everything was running behind schedule and I didn't miss anything. (whew!) It was immediately clear that there were quite a few of us (20-30?) and that we were the second BSE group this evening (I think the radio station BSEs and VIP tickets went first and we had to wait for them to leave before our group could enter.) When it was finally our turn we were lead downstairs by several of Keith's staff and lined up for photos in groups of 9-10. I know some were disappointed at the number in the photo, but I was just amazed and grateful that Keith was doing this for so many fans at every tour stop.

I was in the first group that stood in front of a big Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Thing Heart banner and tried to make a space in front of me that would call to Keith when he arrived. And there he was, in the flesh, beaming and welcoming us - my first thrill of the evening. Unfortunately he headed for the exact middle of our group rather than "my spot", but I guess that makes sense. But he did tell us to cuddle together so we'd all fit in the shot and put his arms around the 2 lucky gals on either side, one of whom was next to me. Well I put my arm up too - right on top of his, giving a gentle stroke to that great left arm (I'll be damned if I wasn't gonna touch some part of Keith Urban!!)- my second thrill of the evening! They took a couple shots - Keith will probably be the only photogenic one in the group. But as we broke our line to make room for the next group of ten, I stepped up to him and said "The concert last night in Phoenix was just fantastic!" He looked at me with a bit of surprise (probably thinking ‘you were in Phoenix and now Vegas??’) but then thanked me, said the audience was just wonderful in Phoenix, and then he gave me a hug!! OMG!! It happened so fast and so unexpectedly that I forgot to smell him (lol), but I was in heaven!

We were lead into the "BSE room". They obviously had taken pains to create some ambience in what was probably a stark cinderblock room in the basement of the arena. The walls were hidden by velvet curtains, the lighting was low and there were several large lit candles and romantic (maybe fringed) lamps placed around the room. Music and Keith images on the big screen TV. The furniture consisted of low wooden cube-like seats for us and a small stage and stool for Keith. Since we were the first 10 to enter the room we sat on the fron cubes - I was right in front of the microphone.

We had to wait a couple minutes for the others to finish their photos. We weren't allowed to take our own photos of Keith, but Keith wasn't there yet and one guy asked that we take a photo of him sitting on Keith's stool on the stage. Quite a few of us did the same :) before the rest of the group arrived. They then showed us a great video - both interesting and informative and incredibly funny as well. Keith and the rest of the band have such great senses of humor. Keith talked about all sorts of things that they had to do in the 3 months before the tour - visiting the arenas, designing the stage, choosing what to show on the video screen , choosing the set list and so forth, but all the while he and the others were cracking jokes and being real goofballs. It was so good I just know they will add it to the fan club site at the end of the tour.

Next Keith came in to sing us a song. I noticed he had what I thought was his new mini-guitar and just blurted out "Is that you new guitar?" which got him going on really funny remarks about the Aussie maker and also about how he initially felt like he had stole the guitar off some little kid because of its size, but that it has great big sound despite its size. He asked what we wanted to hear, several said Stupid Boy, and he did a great and emotional performance (radio-length version). Then he said it was time for a few of those scary, deeply personal and totally inappropriate questions we had all been waiting to ask (lol). The first woman asked why 2 earrings rather than 3 and he said “See what I mean about those questions!” The woman said that the talk is that the 2 earrings represent Nicole's 2 kids and that the third earring will come back when they have a child of their own (where do people get these things??) and Keith looked like he might laugh and said "Whoa, some people think way too much". A guy just complimented Keith saying "I just love you when you play the guitar" (see even guys can be a little flustered) at which point Keith took off his guitar and started to make a move towards the guy, saying something about “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” Hee hee. I asked if he could tell us a little more about the music at the end of Used to the Pain and what those lyrics that we've been straining to hear are. He said he had been playing with that little E-bow instrument and tune and considered it as a separate track, but one day while warming up to record he happened to do it after UTTP and liked it. But he said that ditty does not really have lyrics - that it is another case of playing around with "Vowel sounds" that have no real meaning, just like the words at the end of Somebody LikeYou! A woman asked what he was listening to on his ipod - today he said Dixie Chicks, Reba and Toby Keith! Another asked what he had for dinner (?) and he said whatever lame chicken rice thing the caterer brought. A young girl asked for a birthday autograph (which he personally addressed to her) and then he (and we) sang her happy birthday. He was gracious and sweet and did not seem to be rushing us even though we knew he was on a tight schedule (this went on until the Wreckers were on their last song). He thanked us for coming and said he hoped we would enjoy tonight's show, and then slipped out before a couple of us could give him little gifts we'd brought. (One guy did toss a bib with guitarmonkey on it up on the stage (for a future little Urban), Keith immediately joked that the guy must have seen how he eats.) So even though it was a group meet and greet, it was a great experience with a great guy!! We each were given a little velvet bag with the tour name on it and a Keith Urban 2007 Backstage Experience keychain in it as a souvenir, but you all know what I'll be remembering from this event!

View From Vegas

Phantastic in Phoenix!! What a Tour Opener!

Okay, I have to say - before I can provide any details- that I am positively drunk on Keith Urban!! (no alcohol involved). I am floating, flying high on the concert experience. What a wonderful, excellent night. Our man just couldn’t have been better. I am filled with the joy of Keith and his music!! I just beamed all the way back to the hotel, getting smiles in response from several in the crowd. A woman in the elevator even said “You look drunk on Keith Urban.” And she was right!

The new concert set-up is totally awesome. He has really done everything possible to try to make sure that there isn’t a bad seat in the house, short of finding a way to fly up to the nosebleed seats. But I bet even the upper tier was happy with Keith’s efforts. I don’t know if all arenas will be the same, but here in Phoenix the catwalk and second stage extended almost all the way to the seats at the far end of the arena!!! I tried to count how many rows of floor seats that was – it was about 45 rows long and no floor seats beyond the second stage in Phoenix. And then that amazing video screen – a really high resolution, a really, REALLY can see Keith video screen – not all pixilated like some of the screens I’ve seen at outdoor concerts. You could see each hair in his scruff and even the silhouette of the fine hairs on those magnificent forearms when they did close-ups on his guitar playing. Good realistic color too! In fact that huge Keith on the screen (and sometimes a split screen of 2 Keiths!) had such magnetic appeal that Keith may find that sometimes the eyes of the audience are not looking at him, but at that beautiful video screen. They did not use it all the time – sometimes it was dark or filled with colorful abstract images or images related to the song (Faster Car, Used to the Pain), but Keith is up there much of the time for the people in the far seats, and they also used it to keep the front floor people happy when Keith was way down on the small stage with his back to them (so sometimes we could get both a front view and a hind view – Nice!)

They let the audience line the sides of the catwalk - some people stood there all night. The second stage had more of a barrier around it so the audience was more than an arms-length away there.

Keith looked stunningly gorgeous. Washboard flat stomach – I think he lost the little bit of “filling out” that some had commented on and toned every visible muscle, from those tan, well defined guns, pecs, thighs and those lovely gluts. Oh my. And boy did he have the moves tonight – he sashayed and swaggered and shoulder rolled and made those entrancing head moves that I can’t possibly describe, but which make me all soft in side. Throughout the evening I went back and forth between grinning like an idiot, having my jaw drop with wonder, and wanting desperately to plant a smacker of a kiss on his puss. He had a new wide black leather (I think) bracelet with the LPATWCT heart on it, He was dressed in dark jeans and dark tee and wore what looked like black suede shoes or boots,

What about the music you say. Well I don’t have a set list or record of the show – I was on an aisle that was heavily policed by the “camera cops” who early on asked me if my camera took video. I said no and being afraid of confiscation, did not use it much as a result. But it was similar to the sets we heard about in Oz - Once In A Lifetime, Faster Car, Used to the Pain, Shine, I Can’t Stop Loving You, Everybody, Got It Right This Time, I Told You So from the new album.Blacktop, Better Life, Better Half, Somebody Like You, Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me, - what am I forgetting? No You Look Good In My Shirt, but he did sing happy birthday to “a long time friend – Ansel”. It was so great hearing some of those new songs live for the first time and made even more special because he did not just sing the album tracks. He added flourishes, changes in expression, timing and emphasis, new little guitar bits (like a bit of a slow sinuous guitar solo in the middle of Used to the Pain), or switched to acoustic, so the concert performances are unique. He did 2 songs, I think, from mid-catwalk and 4or 5 from the small stage with a couple other short jaunts down the catwalk. He and the guys did slap some hands and he signed one autograph. By the way the Chrisses both looked very good – I think they may have worked out too! No sign reading but I did see Keith giving a half dozen people (maybe with signs – I wasn’t watching the audience!) nods of acknowledgement.

There was a drum corps from Phoenix at the end of I Told You So which gave the band time to retreat from the small stage back to the main stage.

I was also tickled and thrilled that they included a video of Keith playing that little musical ditty from the end of Used To The Pain. I still didn’t catch all the lyrics but I loved seeing him playing that little mandolin (?, I think that’s what it was?).

Other little touches – the entire arena was ringed with an attractive, continuous electronic LPATWC Tour “banner” when we entered. The arena was also very heavily “fogged” - in preparation for the Wreckers lighting effects I guess. The Wreckers were great (but no song with Keith). Confetti guns shot off during Better Life (I think Keith picked that up from his buddies Brooks and Dunn).

Keith was his usual sweet, grateful and modest self. He got an absolutely amazing response from the crowd at the end of the show (but before the encore).- the noise was deafening and in addition an amazing number of people were shining lights from cell phones or lighters – the entire arena was a-twinkle so that even Keith remarked how amazing the placed looked when he came out for the encore. But it took multiple thank-yous and little embarrassed grins and looks at the band before the crowd stopped cheering so he could perform. I think he was quite moved and overwhelmed by the response. He said he’d play there again the next night if he only could! The audience just loved the show.