Colorado Rocky Mountain (Keith Urban) High

Sing along with me:

“Colorado Rocky Mountain high! I saw him ‘neath that Colorado sky

Shredding that guitar like wildfire, with a smile that’ll make you sigh

Rocky Mountain high - in Colorado

Rocky Mountain high - in Colorado”

I needn’t have worried that Keith’s voice wouldn’t hold up for his Grand Junction concert. Although there was an occasional bit of hoarseness, a crack or two when he pressed his voice, he was in fine form - in terrific form - last night and actually chose to sing extra songs, so must not have been suffering.

But let me back up a bit. The drive from Denver to Grand Junction is stunning - even on an interstate highway (Interstate 70). I would recommend the trip to anyone - I just wish I wasn’t always the driver because I wanted to gawk at the beautiful mountains (some snow capped) and the rushing rivers with the occasional river rafters in their big blue rafts. It was so pretty that I didn’t even mind driving that 240 mile route 4 times in 5 days!

Although Grand Junction was the closest city, the Country Jam Music Festival was actually 20 miles west of Grand Junction, close to the town of Mack, on a desert-y plain rimmed by mountains on all sides, just 5 -10 miles from the Utah border. I enjoyed other performers at the fest (Billy Currington, Trace Adkins, Stealing Angels, Danny Gokey), but was really there to see Keith. He was scheduled to close the festival (8:30 pm Sunday night).

I loitered around the meet & greet line, hoping I might see a disgruntled spouse who didn’t really want to meet Keith (no luck) and sat in the charity auctioning they did between acts in case any meet & greet passes were sold. A pair was, in fact, auctioned off moments before the Masterpiece Backstage BBQ. But even though the auction crowd was small (most folks had headed to dinner so they’d be done before Keith's show at 8:30), the bidding was vicious and the pair of passes went to a young woman for $7000!! Yikes!! Glad it was going to a good cause. Others got to go for free (the usual combination of Monkeys, sponsor-related folks, and media-related folks). In addition Keith’s people distributed passes to about 10 of the security guards on duty (interesting!).

Tonight Keith was in a short sleeved black shirt unbuttoned to mid-chest so we had frequent peeks of the big sun tattoo. He looked great and raved about beautiful Colorado and the lovely evening, now that the blistering heat had dissipated a bit. He also reported that Nicole was there with him, with a nod to his right, but I never caught a glimpse of her. He dedicated Making Memories of You to Nic. The stage was catching the setting sun for the first several numbers (Kiss a Girl, Days Go By, Stupid Boy, I’m In, Making Memories) but dark had fallen for the latter portion of the set.

As you might expect at that kind of festival, the audience was mixed, with some of us rabid Keith fans standing, singing and dancing throughout and others never leaving their seats (although there were fewer of that latter group by the end of his set, as one after another gave in to the Keith charisma!). Here is Stupid Boy and its wonderful guitar solo.

When the time arrived for You Look Good in My Shirt Keith first wowed the crowd as he riffed on his light up guitar. Then it was clear he wanted to leave stage (so I moved out of my row to try to greet him!) but the Country Jam Stage (with a rather high concrete edge and no stairs in front) did not seem to offer an easy exit. I saw a stagehand wave Keith off to his right where I guess there are some stairs going off to the side. But those stairs took Keith behind a 12 foot high chain link fence covered with sponsor advertisements. We waited expectantly but after several moments he re-appeared back on stage - that exit point would get him off stage but with no access to the audience! Disappointed, I started to return to my seat, but Keith was absolutely determined to head out into the audience. So he braved the drop from the front of the stage and walked right by me (getting a little backrub in the process : ) and then went way out past the “reserved seating” fence to the “cheap seats” to finish YLGIMS from a perch out there. I don’t know if this was a spontaneous decision or not but he also performed I Told You So out in that position! With a gaggle of “front men” helping to open a path and a little guidance on how to get back up on stage, Keith made it back up front, with the audience newly energized by his jaunt!

You’ll Think Of Me drew the audience in again in a more emotional way. With each song the audience participation grew. Better Life had almost everyone up on their feet and responding to Keith’s echo rounds. He had us all laughing with his impersonation of what some of the more inebriated beyond-the-fence crowd were likely saying when he tossed out his usual “impossble to echo” gibberish, or when he came out with his psychedelic guitar. He also threw in a bit of his old “Swedish chef” voice counting down to a song. He was definitely in high spirits I would say! When they left the stage after Better Life the audience went crazy witth applause and cheers and very shortly began chanting in unison “We want Keith! We want Keith!”

Keith was obviously pleased with the audience reponse and, when he returned to stage he surpised both us AND the band by asking that, even though they were supposed to finish up, would we like them to stay and play a few more songs? Of course everyone yelled their approval, but Brian, Jerry and Chris did not all seem to know where they were headed - the usual SLY or something else??? So the first few chords and beats were rather discordant as each seemed to begin a different song. Keith had to stop them and say he really wanted to play some extra songs. First they did The Joker, with Keith pulling or pushing Brian and then Jerry to the microphone to each do a verse and then he added a little bit of a new guitar solo before singing the final verse.Then another bonus - Take It to the Limit!! When I realized they were going to do extra songs I was thrilled and yet distraught because I was out of camera memory!! I quickly tried to delete a couple files to try to make some room for these special songs, but was only able to catch a little bit of each. But we loved the surprise Keith!! Then finally the usual closer - a wonderful Somebody Like You. 

Not sated yet, some in the audience began a new chant after the guys did their goodbyes and bows: “More Keith! More Keith!” I agreed with that sentiment but knew that all good things must come to an end and slowly left the Country Jam grounds relishing my Keith Urban-induced Colorado Rocky Mountain high.

Here is the first video I uploaded - more to come

Down and Dirty With Keith Urban in Greeley!

Seeing Keith’s concert at the Greeley Stampede was one slippery, slickly sensual, toe-curling experience unique among my Urban journeys!

I’ve been in Colorado since Thursday and it has been hot, hot, hot and dry - dusty dry - so that every day I have had to scrub off a layer of Colorado dirt that adhered to my sweat-damp body. Happily, because it is dry and breezy here, the 95-100 temps haven’t been nearly as oppressive as they would have been in more humid environs.

I had repeatedly checked the weather report for Greeley and every time sunny to partly sunny skies were predicted. I even checked again an hour before driving north from Denver and sunny skies were still in the forecast. But as I drove the skies grew dark and it began to rain. I would have welcomed rain on one of those 100 degree days but didn’t want rain to dampen my Keith concert!! It rained for about an hour, then the sun reappeared and it looked like we were going to luck out! Lucky that there would be no ongoing storm, yes - but not so lucky to be seeing Keith in the Greeley outdoor rodeo arena. An arena with 6 inches of dirt on its floor - which was now the consistency of mashed potatoes. And our floor chairs were set right in this brown slurry! OMG you should have seen it!! Silly me (and many, many others) tried to walk carefully, daintily through the muck, but no such luck - it was slippery, oozy, and deep enough so it sucked at your shoes like quicksand. My wedgie sandals were hopeless and I had to abandon them before going 20 feet. So I and hundreds of others on the floor went barefoot with squishy mud coming through our toes with each step! And we danced in this goop all night! Once I gave into it it wasn’t half bad (don’t the spas charge for mud baths and mud packs??) until I faced the clean-up after the show!! Best Western’s bathtub may never be the same...

Another thing that made Greeley unique: No opening act before Keith!! Since Craig Morgan had been mentioned in the promotions, I was totally surprised when, shortly after the 9:00 starting time, we heard the strains of Kiss A Girl! There he was - in that deep rosy-red plaid shirt and oh-so-nice jeans! His longish locks had been trimmed a bit, but that didn’t keep Keith from flipping the heck out of his hair tonight.

Another thing that distinguished Greeley from most of the summer lovin’ tour stops - since Keith was the only act we were treated to almost a regular full length concert (he played about an hour and 45 or 50 minutes)! It was great to hear songs that had been omitted in the shorter sets (but I’m still missing Raining on Sunday).

Poor Keith was noticably hoarse on some songs but, as always, was a trouper. Although he didn’t reach for those high notes and often turned to the audience for vocal help, he seemed to be trying to make up for it with physical exuberance on stage, hair flippage, and some extra guitar interludes on songs like Better Half and Sweet Thing. So no complaints from the crowd I am sure but I am praying his voice will survive another concert in Grand Junction tomorrow night.

Greeley had a “standing room only area” about as deep as the very front section in a regular arena and as wide as the rodeo arena (so much wider than the stage). People were packed in there like sardines but I bet over half of them couldn’t see a thing because they were off to the side or buried next to taller individuals. I was glad I opted for the seats a bit farther back, although I too was way off to the side (seat 97 in a row of 100). When I could peek between heads I had a decent view but sometimes tall cowboys and stetsons completely blocked my view. The side video screens were small and not great and did not film well at all tonight. Here's a bit of Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me and I'm In. 

Keith told us he had asked Nicole to come to his Manhatten, KS show so they would be together for their anniversary, but that she had some Nashville engagement today so had scheduled a flight home. But he and she went out on the motorcycles in the morning (before the rain) and enjoyed Colorado so much that she canceled her flight.  She will be even more impressed if she continues on to Grand Junction because western Colorado is really gorgeous. In fact the entire 240 mile drive between Denver and Grand Junction is really special (I’ve made that trip 3 times in so many days!) Keith then dedicated Making Memories to Nic. Here's Only You Can Love Me This Way.

I was surprised when, after some extended guitar play before You Look Good in My Shirt, Keith braved the dreadful state of the arena floor and made a short trip offstage. Although the tall folks around me blocked my view of where exactly her went, I believe he was in the standing-room only area. What a man - putting up with a little “mud on his tires” for his fans. When he returned to stage he ended the song playing flat on his back, waving his muddied boots in the air at one point : )

He paused several times during the show to check in that all the areas of the arena were still doing good, complimented the audiences singing and how great we were not to let a little mud dampen our spirits. He briefly read a couple audience signs (something he hasn’t done in quite a while!). He accepted a few strands of beads and a rose from fans along the edge of the stage.

Tonight besides the usual “echo rounds” of yeah-yeah-yeahs and Day-o’s, Keith did an echo round of Sweet Things. He really enjoyed our willing responses and closed with a big ol’ “I love you Colorado!”. He made all his usual thank-yous and also went over and thanked the woman who had been “signing” the show at the edge of the stage. 

He asked her to show him how to sign “This is a totally awesome audience!”

The audience loved both Brian’s and Jerry’s little solos and the applause and screams were deafening after Keith’s first “goodbye” after Better Life - so much so that he almost looked a little embarrassed when they returned for the encore and repeatedly thanked us for making it a special night. Somebody to Love was the only encore song and then it was time for him to sign his thank yous to the audience again, tapping his heart in thanks many times, then the final bow with the guys, more waves goodbye and he was off. Rest that sweet voice Keith and see you tomorrow!

Postscript: The floor audience inching out in the mud was another show in itself. The tough part was walking up the graveled ramp or drive out of the arena, with the thick mud on our feet picking up all those little stones so that each step was like Chinese torture. We had to seek our rainwater puddles and wet lawns to begin the cleaning process but I still was worried about getting into my rental car so my rain poncho became a floor mat to protect against my earthen feet. One gentleman next to me quipped that now I could claim to have been down in the mud or down and dirty with Keith Urban, Guess I have!

Keith Urban, Dixie Chicks and the Eagles in Chicago!

I had looked forward to the Chicago Keith Urban-Dixie Chicks-Eagles concert with eager anticipation for several reasons. I was thrilled that Keith was playing in my old hometown and anxious to re-experience some of my Eagle favorites. Add to that the opportunity to lure all three of my daughters to Chicago for a concert weekend adventure. And top it off with the chance to introduce 4 “Urban-virgins” (one sister-in-law and 3 nieces) to the wonders of Keith performing live.

We were a bit worried as we drove towards Chicago on Friday since extreme storms in the area were bringing down tree branches and causing power outages. We were willing to put up with bad driving conditions, but I knew that lightening packed rainstorms were one of the few things that could shutdown an outdoor concert, and prayed that Saturday would bring clear skies. Happily Saturday dawned with blue skies and just little cottonball bits of clouds with an expected high of 87.

My sister-in-law Pat took us to a great little Italian place (Cafe Bionda) not too far from Soldier Field for a late lunch before we headed to the stadium. Everyone ordered something different and all 10 dishes were great - I’m not going to wait for another concert to visit Cafe Bionda again!!

I thought I had done well scoring Row 23 floor seats in this gigantic venue, but I should know by now that is still pretty far back - too far to really see the performers very well. What seems like “near” was just too far so thank goodness for video screens. Well, maybe Keith would come down my aisle later......

Mr. Urban emerged at 6:00 pm sharp in a deep rosy-red plaid shirt, medium blue jeans and high spirits, hair longish, unstyled, golden and blowing in the wind very much like a half dozen years ago. Kiss a Girl kicked off his set, then Days Go By, with great singing by the audience. I was excited that, despite his limited time on stage this evening, Keith did make a trip down to the far end of the stage - MY end of the stage - for this song - my tiny bit of relatively close time during the show. (Unfortunately this was also the sunny side of the stage so the rest of my videos all night were pretty glary and washed out and others caught much better shots than I. )

And then a song I have been missing - Stupid Boy with that wonderful guitar solo echoing through that massive stadium - - goosebump-giving moments!

Keith then came out with his “How are we doing Chicago? It’s nice to be back!” He greeted each area of the audience in turn and said “We’re thrilled to be a part of the show today and want to thank the Eagles for being so cool and letting us come out and play some songs with them.”  Then he said if we knew the words we should sing along as they went on to Sweet Thing (thanks to crazy4keithurban)and then I’m In. Keith complimented the audience participation with a“Yee - haw!! Good God Almighty you sound good out there!!” 

He briefly introduced Til Summer Comes Around with a “This is a song about - well its about now actually” (since summer is finally coming around I guess). This song just sounded fantastic resounding in that big Soldier Field.

I liked that they mixed up the set and weren’t afraid to do a couple acoustic numbers in the stadium environment. Before Only You Can Love Me This Way  (thanks to crazy4keithurban) Keith wished all the fathers in the crowd a big happy Father’s Day and dedicated this song to all the lovers in the crowd tonight and all the married couples. He threw in a “And I’ll never feel the way I feel playing in Soldier Field Chicago today” at the appropriate moment. Then a stirringly emotional You’ll Think of Me - again with the stadium singing along and cheering at the very end. Here is crazy4keithurban’s video

Keith asked if the security guys were being nice to us and complained that “It looks a little orderly out there - I just want to make sure that you guys are able some serious fun, okay?” He introduced Brian and Jerry and each got to sing their little solo bits to the huge crowd. After Brian did “Open Arms” Keith joked “I was just about to get my lighter out!” (tee hee) Then Keith made a special request of the audience - that we all sing happy birthday to Nicole since her birthday was the next day. He was just a hoot doing this!! Here is CJ0267’s great clip of this.

As soon as I heard the opening riff of You Look Good in My Shirt I crossed my fingers that Keith might exit the stage on our side. But he went in the other direction : (

But that turned out well - my sister-in-law, although new to Keith Urban, jumped right into being an Urban fan and managed to high five Keith as he moved back in the stadium and followed him all the way back to the K area of the rear floor where he stopped to perform, and stood right behind him the whole time. Way to join the Urbanite Club Patti!! Of course Keith’s walk through the crowd was a huge success with the audience and even one of the beer-venders had to stop and catch it on video!!

Keith thrilled his Chicago audience by coming out in a Blackhawks shirt. He was a good sport and wore it in the heat for a while but eventually had to pull it back off to perform. Although I love Somebody Like You (thanks to crazy4keithurban) I was a little sorry to hear the opening banjo because I knew it signaled the likely end of Keith’s set. It was a great hour that went by all too quickly. All 4 of my “urban virgins” later reported that they thought Keith was the best performer of the entire evening : ) Similarly, the folks I was sitting next to - who had come “just to see the Dixie Chicks” were wowed by Keith. You can’t help but love him!

I was quite surprised when the Eagles opened with Seven Bridges Road! I loved the first hour as they performed their California-sound hits from the early seventies. You truly could “feel the love” (as Keith would say) as tens of thousands sang along to those classics. I’m not as thrilled with some of the late 70’s, early 80’s rockers featuring Joe Walsh, so their set started to feel a little too long to me later on. I was glad when they returned to their softer sounds for the encore (Desperado).

CMA Music Fest - Day 3

My third day in Nashville was again, as Alan Jackson said, “hotter than a hoochee-coochee”! I was already wearing my third and last pair of comfy sandals since hot sweating feet hiking up and down Nashville hills will raise blisters even when wearing your most broken in sandals! : (  So I decided that the short walk to the one major indoor venue - the Convention Center’s Durango Acoustic Stage - was in order for Saturday afternoon. Live music, up close, in air-conditioned comfort sounded good.

A local radio station (WSM 650) was broadcasting live from the Durango Stage. On Friday I had seen mostly bluegrass bands, while on Saturday I was treated to a more mixed lineup. The Bankester Family from Missouri - 6 of them - all playing different instruments and singing were a pleasant start, singing Carolina Rain, Better Get Right  or You’re Gonna Get Left, and Keep Your Hands on the Plough. Then classic country music lady Lynn Anderson did several songs including one of her many hits I Never Promised You a Rose Garden. She and her hubby Mentor also sang that classic song Drift Away (aka Give Me the Beat Boys) which I was surprised to learn he had composed. 

Next up was an up and coming relatively new artist Elizabeth Cook who was just a pistol and whom I thorughly enjoyed. Apparently her new album Welder is getting rave reviews. For your enjoyment I captured El Camino, When You Say Yes to Beer You Say No to Booty ; ) , and Sometimes It Takes Balls to Be a Woman - do take a listen!!

I needed to get up and move a bit so decided to wander down to the Exhibit Hall. I had not been down there earlier - I had heard of the long waiting in line that was necessary to get most autographs and knew my bum knee was not up to that. But I thought I should at least see what it was all about. Well, through fortuitous timing, just as I walked through the door I heard someone say “And here they are - Rascal Flatts!”

And just several feet away from me the threesome sang us Life Is a Highway!! Of course throngs of fans gathered and you couldn’t pick your angle - but I managed to catch two-thirds of the group ( and sometimes two and one-half of them lol) on tape.

Because of the hot weather I waited until just before showtime to go out to LP Field - no need to start sweating early! I did get the in time, however, for the daily flyover by the Thunderbolts following the national anthem. God I love the delayed roar of those impressive aircrafts!!

Randy Hauser - a big, burly biker-guy of a performer - has a big voice to match his physique and immediately revved up the crowd with his hard-tocking songs. He thanked the nearly full stadium for coming out early to see the opening act. 

Billy Currington kept the audience participating with his better known hits. He is a cute guy, but I must say I felt like he needed a shave and a trim this weekend (his kinky dark curls aren’t quite as endaring as Dierks’s used to be). But I did enjoy his ser, which of course included Must Be Doin’ Something Right and God is Great Beer in Good.

I’m a big fan of the Zac Brown Band. They, like so many of the CMA Fest performers, made a special point of taking time to thank the fans for their support - not just the thousands of fans at the Fest, but all the fans who have requested and bought their music and attended the shows. They even had a very special ‘thank you’ song called “This Song’s For You”  with Zac repreatedly pointing to the audience several times as they performed it. 

I have seen this band several times when they were opening for Keith Urban last year. Tonight they did something that was new to me - a quite long instrumental number. It definitely showcased the musical skills of the band members, but I, personally, am not sure the extended guitar solos suited this particular venue - especially this hot, sweaty venue. I sensed that the audience was getting a bit impatient for something familiar that they could sing along with. They certainly got it with the very moving “Free” which was nicely melded with Van Morrison’s Into the Mystic. That song really made their performance for me!!

Martina was up next and she started out strong with Cry Baby Cry and followed that with hit after hit. She was dressed in a rather somber black, silky dress. Although some funky boots lightened the look somewhat, I thought the dress a rather curious choice for the CMA Music Fest. Martina too spent quite a while thanking the fans of country music for allowing her to pursue her dreams and do what she loves - she was very sweet and touching.

It was after midnight and I chose to end the night on that note rather than staying to see Rascal Flatts. Although I like their music, I wasn’t impressed with their live show the last time I saw them. I’m also not a big fan of the chaos, traffic and long, long bus lines that occur when the stadium empties after the final act of the night - I prefer the several hundred peopje who depart a little early and can walk right onto the waiting buses which then pull out of the parking lot with ease.

Best Song of the Second Night of CMA Music Fest: Keith Urban's "With A Little Help From My Friends"

My first full day at CMA Music Fest - I tried to sample performances from several of the venues (there are far more things going on than any one person could do). Since I am not one to wait in long lines, I avoided the autograph signing at the convention center and instead listened to a nice set by James Wesley on the Bridgestone plaza. I was lucky enough to find one of the few chairs in a bit of shade. Then I went down to the Riverfront Stage, inching down the hazardous steep grassy slope (they really need some stairs!!) and found a tiny patch of grass in the crowded viewing area to watch Patty Loveless perform. She was very good but boy that sun was really beating down on my fair scandanavian skin, with nary a breeze to be found. That, plus the fact that I am no longer comfortable sitting long on the grass without something to lean on, made me head back up the slopes in search of a cooler spot. It was 1:00 so I stopped in a cool brewery for a Pineapple Mojito and a Cobb Salad. Refreshed I headed back to the Bridgestone, but it was between acts so I went inside to the Durango Acoustic Stage and watched several good bluegrass groups waiting for Daryl Worley’s timeslot. But the program must have changed because Daryl never showed. Still recovering from the evening before I decided a short nap was in order before it was time to head out to LP Field.

    When the Fest week began some additional tickets were put on sale. I scored a ticket in the 4th row riser section 137 - the section closest to the stage so was hoping for a good view of Keith, especially if he came out to the ends of the stage as he likes to do. Unfortunately my good view was not really there because a big camera boom was between me and the usual microphone position. So once again I spent most of the time looking at the video screen (at an unfortunate angle, but what can you do!).

    After the presenting of the colors and then the national anthem by the Band Perry, Julianne Hough was first up. I’m afraid I was unimpressed. Although she is beautiful, her songs didn’t do much for me and she incorporated a bit too many moves that you might see at an “exotic dance” club (but without a pole). But I’m sure the males in the audience probably enjoyed her short set.

    Next was Josh Turner. I love his voice and he is a cutie - so he was easy to look at and listen to. But other than that he doesn’t move around much or exude much personality on stage. But then maybe I was just anxious for Keith’s turn to arrive! The crowd did get into Josh’s “Why Don’t We Just Dance” and also “long Black Train” during which long strings of fans created human “trains” which wove their way all around the main floor.

     Finally it was Keith time!! I had tried to keep an eye on the stage stairway not far from me, but did not see him arrive. He wore one his dark plaid shirts and looked happy to be there and oh so sexy : ) . He opened with Kiss a Girl and had great audience participation. With a shout of “Nashville!!” and “Are we feeling good?” he went immediately into Days Go By, again with great participation. During Days Go By the stadium released about 4 dozen beach balls which were bopped around the floor section, looking like popcorn popping up and falling down. Keith took a minute to check in with each area of the stadium - top, back, sides, floor, punctuated with some of those lovely chuckles. Then he asked us to sing along with the next song (Sweet Thing) if we knew it. Did we!!

   Keith gave his thanks to all those who traveled a long way, including those who sat way up high who “had to travel a long way to get to their seats.” lol.  He added “As you can see, Nashville is alive and well and open for business.” He introduced the band members and then returned an “I love you” to a male fan who had shouted “I love you Keith”, but then Keith added “which is weird because you’re a dude, but what the heck.” He alerted us that his wife was there on stage with them (not visible to me) and dedicated the next song to her - I’m In.

    Somebody Like You was preceded with a “Do you feel like singing Nashville??” Nashville did and again he had resounding participation by the audience. He seemed just a little hoarse - maybe he came home with a bit of a Boston cold. He did his Dey-O, Dey-ey-ey-O bit with the audience before the jump and circle ending of SLY. He complimented the audience, saying “I’ve got to tell you - you guys sound unbelievable tonight! And it is such a beautiful night to be out. No rain, thank God.” (and less heat - a thank God from me and many others!)

Then Keith let us know that they were going to do something a little special for their last song of the evening. He brought out his supporting keyboardist (“legendary and immortal” Tony Brown), a horn section, and his “little sisters” (Sara Buxton and the Little Big Town gals) (the same supporting performers as he had on Jimmy Fallon I think). He said they wanted to take this moment to thank not just all the organizations who helped respond to the Nashville flood, but every last person who helped -  strangers, family, friends.”When it comes to disasters- natural and un-natural (a little dig at the Gulf situation) we so need “A Little Help From Our Friends”” and went into Joe Cocker’s great song. They did a terrific, moving, chill-giving version and I think Keith squeezed in a little extra commentary that was not in the original lyrics, but he sang so much so fast in that section that I have to go back and try to catch every word. During the cheering and applause following this number I shouted out a big “More!!!” because I so wanted to hear more than these few songs. And low and behold - outcomes the announcer saying - “That was SO good that we are going to do it one more time!!”

(they needed another take for the CMA special but that was just fine with the audience!!)

(I wonder how Keith feels about re-doing particularly dramatic emotional numbers like this?) Keith came out an said apologetically “Its a television thing and we love you so much for letting us do it again.” As if we wouldn’t beg them to do it again and again!!

     Upon the end of the second take Keith shouted “You are the best!! I love you all - thank you so much” to the audience. The band came out for their arm-in-arm bow - especially nice in this context where the bands are generally forgotten and even most performers simply give a wave goodbye. So, even with the re-take of the last song, Keith was on stage 44 minutes. Sweet minutes but I wanted to again shout “More!”

    There was a bit of a delay before Reba came on and they scrambled a bit to fill the gap with the winners a the “Win a guitar contest”. Reba later apologized and said there had been technical difficulties. She sang Strange, Consider Me Gone, her new Keep on Lovin’ You, and Fancy (and part 2) - and then said thank you and good bye! I was surprised at such a short set - I guess I don’t understand the ins and outs of the scheduling of these events. 

Kid Rock would close the show but I (and quite a few others) opted for the early buses back downtown to avoid the crowd and traffic later. I had seen enough of Kid on the CMT Awards and it was already midnight when Reba said good night. 

Report From a CMA Music Fest Virgin : Night 1

Got up early to catch my flight to Nashville. I made it as far a Chicago, but then was delayed for 90 minutes while they searched for a replacement plane since the original was leaking oil. When I finally arrived it was obvious that Music City was HOT and hopping and there was music everywhere. I passed a couple performing groups in the airport and another in my hotel lobby before I even made it downtown. And each morning we have even had live music in the breakfast room of my not-fancy Best Western Hotel!

Nashville was so hot and steamy Thursday - like a bathroom after a hot shower. Everyone was sweating and fanning themselves, clothes sticking to bodies as soon as  one left the air-conditioned buildings. I walked downtown to the Bridgestone Center (when did it stop being the Sommet?) and watched a little music on the outdooor plaza, then grabbed some dinner before catching the shuttle out to LP Field. I lucked out and climbed right onboard outside the Hilton, but then our full-to-capacity bus passed many long lines of others waiting for the shuttle on our way to the stadium (Note to myself: Catch early shuttle in the evening).

My seat in the 21st row of the lower bowl towards the stage end of the stadium was good compared to the rows and rows of seats in the 2nd and 3rd levels above me, but it was still too far away to really see the performers. So I relied on the video screens (which my camera often did not like - CMA Fest has what they call a “photo line”. Fans line up out in the lobby sometimes an hour before a performer comes on, then that line is led down the stadium stairs, right in front of the stage, and up the opposite side of the stadium. The line keeps moving, so those folks only have time to snap a photo or 2 of the artist before they are herded along. But those constant flashes means the lightling on the performers is constantly changing, making my camera unhappy).

The evening began with the Marines presenting the flag and the Oakridge Boys singing the national anthem. They followed the presenting of the colors with a rousing round of “Elvira” to get the audience going (very successfully!).  Then we heard the sound of somebody switching country song to country song on a radio (like the music that preceded Keith Urban’s Til Summer Comes Around in concert) and out came Danny Gokey, looking much hotter than I recall from American Idol. He look slim and toned (with a build not unlike Keith’s) and was brave enough to wear what looked like a woven or detailed fitted leather jacket throughout his performance despite the sweltering heat!! (see clip) He modeled Keith in other ways - a swinging wallet chain a big belt buckle and a scruffy beard, but had kind of a longish flat-top hair cut. He has learned to be a more animated singer, moving much more than he had in the past, but those moves do not yet always look fluid and natural. I haven’t kept up with his new music, so was not familiar with his songs, but did like “My Best Days are Ahead of Me” and  “I Will Not Say Goodbye”. As the newbie on the night’s roster, Danny only sang 4 songs.

Then we were treated to Alan Jackson. in his American flag teeshirt, whom I had never seen perform live before. Definitely a slow talkin’, down home country guy whom I enjoyed very much. He began his set with “Good Time”. After that he had a little story or a little something to say about almost every other song. He prefaced his playing of his very first hit with ("Its really an honor to still be playin' at this thing - hard to believe it has been 20 years" with words of thanks to fans and to country music. He also made us laugh by telling us that it was actually his second release - the first release "died a terrible death on hte charts."! I enjoyed listening to his southern drawl and learning a little about the origin of some of his hit songs: Small Town Southern Man, Cowboys Don’t Cry, Daddy Won a Radio (his daddy won the family's first radio at the pepsi plant where he worked), I’m a Country Boy, Chattahoochee. Alan stood for the first and last few songs, and sat down with his band for several songs. A great set and I was so glad to finally get to see him live! I can't say the Fest cameraman is the best - they don't seem to know how to switch focus so when one of Alan's band would play an extended bit of fiddle or guitar, the camera stayed fixed on Alan just standing there! That also happened with some of the other performers.

Next up was Tim McGraw! As many of you probably saw on the CMT Awards show, Tim is looking hotter than a pistol. He has slimmed down from his last movie role weight and looks to have the physique of a guy half his age! Yum! And he knows he looks great and picked a white v-neck shirt that just brushed the top of his belt buckle when he was standing normally, but inched up to reveal 3 inches of tanned, hard flat belly with the least little move that he made. It drove us ladies crazy! (BTW - the next night as the audience was texting in messages to the big screens between acts, we all appreciated the text message: Keith - please wear a shirt like Tim McGraw’s last night!” hee hee). Tim did a longer than average terrific set and moved around more than any other performer at CMA fest - making his way over the obstacles to the stage edges and even coming down onto the wall immediately in front of the moving photo line, slapping many hands from out there. He did all of the hits we were hoping for and did stop to chat with the audience a little as well. I’m so glad that this was the year that he returned to the Fest after a decade’s absence (maybe that is why he seemed to have more time than other artists, even Reba and Keith?)  Later in the evening they brought Tim out into the middle of the floor seats to film him introducing Carrie Underwood specifically for the upcoming CMA Fest special on ABC. He hammed it up out there between takes (I think they did 3 takes to get it right!). I’m sure the fans surrounding him were delighted to have him out in their midst.

Lady Antebellum was up next and did their usual fine job. I think they only did about 4-5 songs though, so position in the CMA Fest program does not necessarily indicate set length, especially when they are doing a little extra television filming. 

Last up was Carrie Underwood. She too must work hard with a personal trainer because she is totally toned and showed it off in her short shorts. She performed all her big hits, but again I don’t think her set was as long as Tim McGraw’s. Nevertheless it was a very late night, with the concet ending at 1:00 am. When a stadium of 41,000 empties it is total traffic and bus chaos, however, so I decided to hike back to my hotel. And a hike it was!! The bridge over the Cumberland was the first ‘mountain” to scale, and then the sad realization that, since my hotel was on 7th Street, that means seven long blocks uphill from the river - a second ‘mountain’ that I almost thought I wouldn’t make it up after my long day. I was so soaked with sweat, hair matted to my head in the heat, that I had to shower, but then collapsed into bed at 2:30 am! (Should have gone through a conditioning program before attending the Fest!!!)   Videoclips coming.......