Trace Adkins in Peoria

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

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

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

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

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

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

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