Old and New at Country Thunder

Whereas Friday at Country Thunder had been overcast and uncharacteristically cool, on Saturday the skies were clear and the day bright and sunny. Almost TOO bright and sunny! That Arizona sunshine really beats down on you (especially on us fair-skinned Northerners) and the temperatures hit the nineties pretty quickly. I felt bad for the performers scheduled during the early afternoon - relatively few of the seats were filled in the glaring sun - must be kind of discouraging. 

First up was a young singer I was unfamiliar with (Jason Jones). He got my stamp of approval early on when he did a nice job on "Walk in the Country".  He is cute and has a nice voice but the bright sun really washed out my attempts to catch him on video.

Gloriana had apparently canceled their scheduled appearance and Chris Young agreed to fill in. I like Gloriana but was happy for the opportunity to see Chris live. I enjoyed his set very much - was a sexy deep voice, what seemed to be a sincere and modest personality and a great smile. I caught a bit of When You Say Nothing at All, Rainy Night in Georgia, and his current hit Getting You Home.

Well, if the concert day began with country music's 'youngsters', the evening brought one of its 'oldsters' = Willie Nelson. I have been a fan of Willie's for over a quarter century! Unlike Keith and so many of today's artists, Willie stayed with the same old worn guitar for his entire, lengthy set. And what s wonderful sound he pulled out of that instrument - so rich and evocative. He managed to squeeze in many of my favorites from over the years. He did an extended medley of Time Just Slips Away, Crazy, and Nightlife.

Later he did  a couple more of my favorites: 

Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground

Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain

My daughters and I decided to forego the last act of the festival - Kid Rock. Although we wouldn't have minded seeing him perform, we had decided to pull our RV out of the very congested campgrounds early. We had heard that Sunday morning there would be a huge traffic jam caused by a caravan of RVs and late Saturday night many intoxicated partiers would be wandering the grounds. We had to make it back to Phoenix for early flights so chose to slip out during the last act. We had to call upon one of our nice neighboring campers to help us maneuver out of our campsite onto the narrow campground lanes. Nice folks there at Country Thunder!

Meeting Keith Urban at Country Thunder

It is a new calendar year for "Backstage Experience_ eligibility at Keith Urban's fan club website so I have been trying my luck when I can. I applied for the Houston meet and greet.......no luck. Then I tried for the Florence meet and greet and, once again, when it was announced on the .net board that emails had been sent to the winners, there was no winning email for me : ( . But about 7 to 10 days later I was shocked and delighted to receive the following message:

We have had a last minute opening for the Keith Urban Meet and Greet in Arizona, and you are next in line! GLORY BE!!

So don’t ever give up - you might receive a last minute surprise!! I knew there would likely be only short meet & greets at the summer festival shows, rather than the full backstage experience treatment, but ANY brief time with Keith is precious and I had hopes that the meet and greet might possibly offer the opportunity for an individual photo with Keith.

The email gave the usual instructions - pick up your envelope at the venue box office a few hours before showtime. The meet and greet, it said, would probably take place 90 minutes before Keith goes on stage. Don’t be late or you might miss your opportunity. Well these instructions turned out to be much more difficult than they seemed. First off, the largely temporary staff at the huge Country Thunder venue is also largely uninformed. As you drive into the grounds you pass several security checkpoints making sure you are ticketed and going to the right area. At each checkpoint I asked the location of the box office and NO ONE KNEW!! Finally the 6th person I asked said “There is no box office, but there is a will call located in that little portable box of an office 500 yards to my left.”

So I stopped at will call about 1 pm but they had no meet and greet envelopes. “Come back later in the afternoon.” This location, unfortunately, was 1.5 miles from my parking lot and probably 2 miles from the performance area! But I made my way back there at 3:30 - still no envelopes and they had been told the envelopes would be delivered to the merchandise booth rather than will call. So back to the concerts I went.

I visited Keith’s merchandise booth at 4:00, at 5:00, and at 6:00 - still no envelopes. I ran into 3 other worried Monkeyville winners (one local, one from Louisville, and one from Colorado) - had Monkeyville forgotten about us? I talked to Keith’s man Carson (who often mans the Monkeyville table at concerts) and it didn’t help that he sounded very doubtful. “The backstage passes are ALWAYS at the box office, not the merchandise booth. All my years with Keith that is where they have been.” he said. What to do? Bumper to bumper traffic was now pouring into Country Thunder for the big evening shows so I doubted I could even buck the traffic and make it back to the will call box, then back to the concert grounds in time. One helpful young lady at the merchandise booth tried multiple times to call or run and find Keith’s staff to help us out without luck, The envelopes seemed to have disappeared somewhere at Country Thunder. Finally at 7 pm she told us one of the Sheriffs on the grounds was hunting them down!!(Florence is a prison town and overloaded with law enforcement personnel of different types and it was these guys who provided almost all of the security functions at Country Thunder). At 7:25 the envelopes finally appeared - much to out relief. We put on our backstage stickers and went to line up for the meet and greet. But our worries were not quite over yet. We were pretty excited, thinking that only 4 of us were going to meet Keith, but lo and behold maybe 30 others from radio stations and possibly sponsors were lined up as well. Chances for individual photos with this number and the late hour seemed slim. Then we waited and waited and waited - nervously watching our watches as Keith’s 9:00 showtime drew closer and closer.

Finally at about 8:15 we saw Keith riding over in a small vehicle. The guard told us he had to stop and autograph a few things (for the charities and radio stations I presume) first before meeting us. We were issued strict instructions - don’t ask to have anything signed. Don’t bring in any alcohol or any beverage of any type. This was repeated more than once and was something I had never heard before. I guess, practically, beverages would be a hassle and a slow-down for the quick meet and photo routine. But I also wondered, in the back of my mind, whether it had anything to do with the abundance of Crown Royal drinks at Thunder since Crown Royal is one of the main sponsors. I thought I remembered hearing once that Crown Royal had been Keith’s drink of choice so maybe he wants to steer completely clear of any reminders of that.

At last we saw Keith again being shuttled from the autograph location to the makeshift black tent they had set up between buses for the meet and greet. He smiled and waved at our anxious, anticipating faces and a cheer went out that the awaited time had FINALLY arrived!

No time for individual photos the staff told us - it will have to be groups of at least 4. It made sense for us 4 Monkeys who had commissurated during the last few hours should go in together. The tent was rather dimly lit, maybe 20 ft square, with nothing inside except the photographer and our favorite guy. He is wearing a long sleeve blue shirt a shade darker than his eyes and his hair is shiny and silky. I never look down so don’t know about jeans or shoes. As each person entered Keith would greet them with a handshake and ask their name.

At last - my turn!! As I took his hand and looked at that smiling face I said “Its so good to see you again Keith!” and, at his expectant look, I added “I’m Linda.” And he responded “And it is so great to see you again Linda!” aww : ) and pulled me in for an unexpected hug!! double aww : ) The remaining Monkeys introduced themselves and we jockeyed for position in the photo (I lost) until Keith said “Let me get in the middle here.” and then he stretched out his arms to pull all 4 of us together. I rubbed his back a bit with my hand and it took effort to look at the cameraman rather than Mr. Urban.

Well of all the many amazing things about Keith, one that I cannot get over is his ability to really focus, listen and remember. He meets so many people in such short time periods - gives so many quickie radio interviews, probably one after another - yet seems to be able to really be there and remember the last of so many introductions. How does he do it? After the photo it was obvious that the staff wanted to rush us out to make room for the next group. But I touched Keith’s arm one more time and said “ Thanks so much for having the patience to do this!” And he said “You’re very welcome LINDA. Take care baby,” !!! triple aww and knock me over with a feather! So even after a few more introductions after me he remembered. I’m impressed and just beamed all the way back to my seat to get ready for his show.

Keith Urban Steals the Show at Country Thunder

Country Thunder- Florence, AZ - a huge summer festival venue surrounded by campgrounds and parking lots. The crowds at the daytime shows tend to be somewhat spotty, with many choosing to party and play games at their campsites since you can hear the performers no matter where you are. But by 5:00 the crowds thicken, the seats fill and it becomes challenging to even walk around the thousands of people. The temperatures cool after dark but the concerts heat up!

Keith was scheduled to perform at 9:00 Friday. Beforehand the video screens on either side of the stage solicited text messages from the audience just like at last year’s arena shows, but the sponsor here is “Cricket” rather than Verizon. There was also the opportunity to text in an entry to a new contest to win a summer BBQ with Keith, courtesy of Kingsford and Masterpiece again. The music during the break was a new assortment, with many of the songs related to the “love” theme of the tour (Love’s Gonna Live Here Again, Love Can Make You Weak, Single Ladies) but John Denver’s “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” signaled the start of the show.

I immediately knew we were going to hear some new song arrangements this tour - both to creatively change up the show and probably also due to the smaller size of the band now. The opening song was Kiss a Girl and it had a neat new pulsating, echoey intro before the more familiar melody began.

Keith looked terrific in a short-sleeved black button-down shirt, unbuttoned to mid-chest and with the short sleeves rolled up a bit to reveal even more of those tattooed guns, and soft gray jeans that positively fit like a glove. His hair was soft and swingy with those great golden highlights (but a tad shorter than in Houston) and he looked to have a bit of a tan. He gave a big “ARIZONA!!” shout out before breaking into song.

A big, undivided video screen is back but it did not appear to be the high definition one used before so the picture is much more pixelated. But it looked like it might be easier to handle in these outdoor venues. I was glad to see that Jerry was back! He, Chris M and Brian were great all night, but the stage still seemed a bit empty without Brad and C-Rod.

The stage at Country Thunder has a long catwalk (slightly taller than Keith’s old catwalk) as well as narrow walkways going off to either side of the stage which were not easily traversed because of poorly placed spotlights. Keith tried to venture out to the far right and far left a few times during the show, but they just didn’t leave much walking room for the performers.

Next up was Days Go By. Keith worked hard to get the audience to sing along throughout the show. Many of us were singing but you know a large mixed audience just isn’t the same as an arena full of his fans, so I fear the audience singing sounded kind of weak by contrast. But Keith kept complimenting and encouraging nevertheless.

His voice sounded just wonderful at the beginning of the evening, but I think the dry, gritty desert air was taking its toll in some of the later songs. He had to drink lots of water (even accepting a bottle from the audience when he was on the end of the catwalk!). (Each evening I’ve had to wash a layer of desert grime off my feet, legs, neckline, and clothes so I know about the grit he’s dealing with!).

Stupid Boy was wonderful as usual, as was the guitar solo (until some cowboy blocked my view!), Afterwards Keith greeted the audience with a “G’evening Arizona! How are you all feeling tonight? Nice to be here playing some music for you tonight!” Then he turned his attention to each part of the outlying audience, asking each side and also the folks way in the back how they were doing, tossing in those lovely deep chuckles and an “Excellent!”

Then out came his Waylon Jenning’s guitar and a great rendition of “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” (but no explanation to the audience this time). Several folks sitting around me commented, however, “He’s playing Waylon!” As you can see in my video, the guitar really caught the lights. Keith went straight into Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me next and it too had a new beginning ( sorry I didn’t catch all the new bits but he kept surprising me!).

Then the treat of seeing the first big show performance of I’m In with the band. Very nice, with some wailing guitar. But I do miss the “Baby come here close to me” ending from the album. But I still think it will be a big hit. Brian played a huge double neck guitar (is there a name for that?) during this song and perhaps one or two others during the night.

Sweet Thing included a “Come on and meet me pretty mama”, a little scatting by Keith, and a great new guitar ending beginning with “We’re gonna break it down. Break it down!” in my clip. He did this great improvisation (?) out at the srages ends, accepting and wearing a cowboy hat for a while when off to my right and then singing some enthusiastic “Du doo, du doo doo doo;’s) when right in front of me. He was so excited and into it - it was quite contagious!

Before Til Summer Comes Around Keith joked with the audience “That does it - we are moving to Arizona! It is beautiful here - just look at this night!” (and it was just perfect)

“And the cows are just huge! (the grounds feature a inflated cow as tall as the main stage : )

After Til Summer Keith did one of his regular guitar changes, but to his dismay the guitar produced no sound. “ I got nothing here” he said to his guitar guy, who rushed out and switched out all of the connecting cords. Still no sound!! So giving up on the broken guitar and calling for another, Keith, like a trouper, did his best to fill the gap with idle conversation that went something like this:

How many of you are camping out? (huge number of cheers)

After the show we were thinking of finding someone’s tent and have a jam session (more screams)

We have to figure out who has the biggest tent....

Or maybe the smallest tent with the best vibe...

Or maybe a little pup tent,,,,

(still no guitar)

We want to thank everyone for emailing and writing to us and getting us to come back to Arizona.

(still no guitar)

Any folks here from Phoenix?? (silly question!)

We used to play at a place called Rockin’ Rodeo - 9-10 years ago - and we had the best time there!

And finally a working guitar arrived! : )

I was a bit surprised that Better Half was next but maybe he was choosing songs that would most encourage singing. This too had new guitar solos at the end, during which Keith moved to both ends of the stage and shouted out to the audience on each side.

To the crowd to my right side he said “Looks like you guys have quite a buzz going on!”

To the audience to my left he said “Well you’re all looking pretty mellow.”

Like last year’s shows when Better Half was followed by a trip out to the small stage, last night Better Half was followed by a 3 song set at the very end of the catwalk -

Once in a Lifetime, Making Memories and Only You Can Love Me. The General

Admission audience loved him for coming out closer to them for those songs. By the way, all evening he was slapping hands along the catwalk and stage edge and even signing a few things. Then back to the mainstage for an exuberant Better Life and an impassioned You’ll Think of Me.

I really thought I could see Keith just itching to jump off stage several times during the night - first at the end of Blacktop, then in Better Half (when he chose to go to each stage side instead), and then finally in You Look Good in My Shirt. He did just a little bit of jamming tongiht before breaking into the intro of YLGIMS. At first the colored lights on his guitar were not on, but they began flashing as he got into the first verse. Then off he went into audience (the camera couldn’t even keep track of him) thrilling the crowds but riling up the half dozen law enforcement officers who tried to follow him (almost all security at this festival was provided by actual sheriffs, state patrol, correctional officers (Florence is a prison town) in their khaki and olive drab uniforms). I made it out to his return aisle so greeted Keith as he finally made it back to stage.

Then he and Brian headed back out on the catwalk. Keith said “They told us we had to get off the stage, but we told them to go to hell!” (resounding cheers) “We wanna play a little bit more for you - is that okay??” (more cheers) Keith introduced Brian and tonight Brian sang a bit of “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” for his solo. Then Keith went into Tonight I Wanna Cry”. Just before the second chorus he managed to squeeze a “and I wanna hear you sing” right into the song. I must say his voice was as sweet as could be on that song despite the long night and dusty atmosphere.

With a yell of “Did you have a good time Phoenix??” Keith must have seen in some Florence faces a this-ain’t-Phoenix look, because he laughed and quickly changed it to Arizona and asked “It’s late! Cut me some slack!” He Thanked each section in turn, making comments like “Thanks to this section over here that just sang their hearts out. Thanks to this section which has been dancing up a storm! And to you in the back - you guys have just been crazy! And thanks to the folks down front on the floot for giving us so much love!

When they returned to stage Keith introduced Jerry and Chris; Jerry sang his “Ain’t No Sunshine.” Keith seemed to be having such a joyful time in Better Life

He lead us in a round of Yeah - yeah -yeahs and really seemed to have the audience in the palm of his hand at that point. But then he inserted another reference to Phoenix, realized he had slighted the Florence crowd again and totally cracked up at his mistake, saying "Oh no - I did it again!"

Somebody Like You closed out a wonderful show on a glorious desert evening. Keith did a lot more handslapping and signing of autographs as he thanked the audience from the catwalk, the stage and both sides of the stage. The crowd obviously did not want him to leave but I’m sure he probably took off for Vegas immediately after the show.

Country Thunder 2010 - Florence, AZ!!

My hubby is typically not very organized when it come to shopping for Christmas or birthday gifts. He shops sporadically - when he has a little time while traveling or when he happens across an interesting catalog or website. He’ll often buy what he thinks is cool, or artsy, or funny, without thinking about who he might give the gift to until much later. He’s never been one for checking names off a list or keeping track of his purchases, so he might end up with many presents for one daughter and few for another without intending to - in fact, he is as surprised as they are! We had one of these “surprises” Christmas of 2008. Lying in bed after a lovely Christmas Eve and Christmas Day of celebrating with the family, eating too much and opening presents, Jim asked if I had had a nice Christmas. I told him yes - it was wonderful to have everyone home for the holidays! And, I said (not able to stop myself), “it was a very nice jar of jelly.”  “Jelly?” he asked with a blank look on his face. “Your Christmas gift” I said. “You got me a jar of jelly.”  “There was more, no?” he said. “Nope, just a jar of jelly.” Inadvertently I had been the ‘victim’ of Jim’s haphazard shopping style!

Well this Christmas Jim went overboard to make up for the lonely jar of jelly. I was completely taken aback when, on Christmas morning, I opened a box with contained tickets for Country Thunder for me and my daughters, airline tickets and a rental agreement for a RV to camp at the music festival grounds. Bless his heart - he had looked up where Keith would be playing and arranged every aspect of the trip!! What a man! (I’ll take a jar of jelly anytime if this is what follows!!)

The school year is not yet over for me so I had to do some juggling to find substitutes for my classes while I played hooky in Florence, AZ the end of this week. Thursday morning three Walsh women flew into Phoenix from Iowa, Ann Arbor and Chicago (my youngest couldn’t leave college at the busiest time of the semester so had to miss this event). Enterprise Car Rentals gave me my choice so I picked a fire engine red rental car for us and off we went to pick up the RV. Of course none of us had ever driven anything that large so this was an adventure in more than one way. Sara stepped up to the plate and did a terrific job driving the 50 miles to the concert venue. We did, however, call upon the skills of a more experienced and helpful gentleman to back the RV into our campsite at the very crowded makeshift campgrounds that totally surround the Country Thunder performance area.

Today we heard but didn’t see Jo Dee Messina’s set as we got settled in (perfect concert sound at the campground), then headed over to catch Gary Allan and then Miranda Lambert. It had been in the nineties midday but cooled down nicely for the evening shows. The Country Thunder stage has a long catwalk but neither Gary nor Miranda made full use of it. They came out on the first 20 feet or so, but never went the full length (I’m betting things will be different tonight when Keith plays!). Security periodically cleared away fans that tried to stand up front or along the catwalk even though the performers were actually saying things like “Don’t let them make you sit down!” and “There is more of us than them - go on and stand!” I think they would have liked a lively group of standers upfront because the reserved seat section was generally a group of quiet sitters! They better not expect me to sit tonight!

Both Gary and Miranda put on terrific shows. I must say though that I prefer their hits and softer country sounds to a few of the louder, harder rock numbers - especially when you are sitting in front of those giant concert speakers!! Whew - my ears were ringing several times during the night! Some of my favorites:

Gary - Right Where I Need to Be 

Gary - Half of My Mistakes

Gary - Songs About Rain

Miranda - More Like Her

Miranda Singing Blake Shelton’s Home