Keith Urban at the Grand Ole Opry 2012

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.......

Keith Urban Super at the Sommet!!

I giddily let all of my classes know that I was heading off to Nashville last Friday night. But I began to doubt that I was actually heading to Nashville when I arrived at the airport and found out that weather or something had backed up planes at O’Hare Airport in Chicago and my flight was going to be at least an hour and a half late - too late for my Nashville connection. But I pushed them a little and they re-routed me through Dallas. Bit out of the way between Iowa and Nashville but at least I finally made it to Music City at midnight.

After spending the day exploring and shopping, I got ready for an early meet-up of some of my favorite Keith-loving ladies (and a few gents as it turned out). It was so great to see friends met at previous shows, meet friends I only knew from online, take lots of photos and share our excitement about the evening ahead. Thanks to Twiggy for organizing the gathering - how lucky we were that she has “connections” and so thoughtfully made some special requests for her buddies visiting her hometown. And how lucky we were to have Tammy use her special artistic talents to make us all very special mementos of the evening. I loved Tammy and Kelsey’s “Keith” pants and wished I had the figure to wear something like that - LOL. We were all excited about their upcoming BSE and loved the book Kelsey had made to give to Keith. Thank you to everyone in our little (or not so little) “fan family” - it was such a treat to spend some time with you all!! May we have many more times together!

I had never been to the Sommet Center before - a nice medium size arena. I had bought a single row 26 seat in the center floor from another member of the fan club. I was quite happy with my view during Sugarland. I am liking them more every time I see them and I danced up a storm during their set, tipsy not on alcohol but just on the joy of having a wonderful time. But what was a fine distance for Sugarland felt too far away for Keith, so during the break I decided to see if Security was letting floor folks move forward. First I tried walking up the right aisle but the female guard there was very strictly checking every ticket and only letting those in the first 10 rows or so approach the stage. She sent me back towards row 26. So then I tried the center aisle. No security guard there, but they had set up the rows of chairs in such a way that they blocked access to the front. I finally found a place to slip between chairs to where there were many empty seats. I was hoping that some of those seats had been abandoned by those now standing by the edge of the stage and would not be used for the rest of the show. Happily that turned out to be the case! So I was just 3 or 4 people away from the end of the catwalk - a perfect spot (except for the drunken woman next to me who fell on me several times).

Keith was in a brown-on-white plaid shirt tonight and brownish jeans, with hair soft and shiny and from my up-front position my eyes just drank him in all evening. I hardly ever record whole songs because it eats up camera memory so fast, but tonight I did record a couple, beginning with Hit the Ground  (in part to bring back to my classes to show them where I went). Unfortunately that meant I was out of memory by the end of Raining on Sunday ! : ( Oh well - just had to let my eyes do the recording from that point on! : )

In Days Go By Keith gave out a big “Nashville!! Here we go!! Are we feeling good?” punctuated by one of his “Whooo!”’s.  In Blacktop he sang “I’m Nashville bound” (although I’m not sure we’d find “where the blacktop ends” in Nashville proper?).  I loved it when he came dashing down the left-hand ramp to play the bridge (see clip)! When Keith chatted with the audience he seemed happy that they “made it home finally!” and said that he had never played to a crowd this large at the Sommet Center.

(A little later in the evening he actually sang a little song about some of the special benefits of playing Nashville - so fun!) He laughed a lot throughout the show - don’t you love seeing that?

Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me is one of my favorites and I got a great clip of the beginning of that song, but then the drunken woman next to me knocked my camera out of my hands and nearly toppled us both when she lost her balance. I had to prop her up several times during the evening - sheesh!! Bet she won’t remember a thing about the show.

Have you ever noticed the little signals Keith sometimes gives to the band or the stage crew? They are usually really brief, often in the middle of a song, and I am always curious about what each one means. He did one last night at the very end of my first Sweet Thing clip - any guesses as to its meaning? OMG - look at those moves in the second Sweet Thing segment!! My oh my is right!!!

Just as Keith has always said about Nashville, the community, the Nashville audience was quite respectful as he made his way back to the small stage - mostly giving smiles and loving pats to his shoulders, so that Keith, in turn, could easily play, smile and greet fans without being too swamped. He made his special announcement after singing Once in a Lifetime and Making Memories on that stage. Despite all the media build up about the announcement Keith was his usual low key and modest self - obviously excited about the event but not at all self-important or boastful or “look what I’m doing” like some artists might be. I enjoyed his adlibbing at at the end of Only You Can Love Me “And I’d have never had this feeling playing the Sommet Center tonight Babe!”

As usual the band introductions and the performances of each of the guys was great. Boy is Brian’s hair getting long - pretty soon he could have a ponytail! Still cute as can be though : ) Jerry tickled me by playing a few bars of the intro to the Ranch song Walkin’ the Country as he was being introduced!

Keith’s improvised song before Raining on Sunday was a hoot tonight. He began all serious-faced, playing a lovely melody, and then went into his “Are you feeling alright?”’s and “Do you feel as good as you look?”’s, but then went on to sing “It’s Saturday night and we’re playing at the Sommet right here in Tennessee.” “ Love the fact when I walk off stage I can get in my car and drive home and be in my bed by probably about 11:30!” “Can’t do that in any other city!’ “Unless I bought a house in every city that we play in!”  (and he had to laugh at himself then)(see clip)

Apparently I missed catching some posting about this concert over at Monkeyville, because a large number of fans upfront came prepared with small 8 x 11 signs showing where they had traveled from to come to the show - an incredible number of states and Canadian provinces. I was sorry I didn’t have an “Iowa” sign to add to the mix. They were a lively group surrounding the catwalk, having a great time participating with Keith - yelling out a loud “Space, space, space, space” (as Keith used to do) after the first line of “I Told You So”! Keith, in turn, treated us to one of his fun deep silly voiced  “Just come on home!”’s. I later noticed that the “catwalk monkeys” must have gotten to know the tall ponytailed videographer who works the end of the catwalk all night, because they each gave him a hug when the show ended! : )

Being just feet away I so especially enjoyed the passionate You’ll Think of Me this evening and had goosebumps all over with the final “I hope when you see my face it gives you hell, it gives you hell.”  Mr. Urban, when I see your face it gives me joy, it gives me joy!!

Not too much introductory guitar play before You Look Good in my Shirt Tonight”. Too bad Tammy’s huge sign “You’d look good in your shirt in Section 114” (did I get that right?) did not pull Keith up into that section where so many friends sat. Instead he headed way back to one of the far riser sections and lead a sing-a-long to the delight of the audience from there.

Even though I still miss having a piano around, I just loved the touching acoustic Tonight I Wanna Cry and had tears of gratefulness in my eyes. Keith, too, was grateful, saying “Nashville thank you for an amazing awesome night!” Apparently tonight some male fan shouted out an “I love you” to Keith and Keith responded with his “I love you too” and followed it with “I know thats weird, but its late” and “things get crazy here sometimes.” Hee hee.

He gave a special shout out to “the barbeque gang” - the lucky winners of the special private backyard barbeque with Keith, which also took place today (and it really was in someone’s back yard!). The crew came out in full force during Keith’s thank yous, making him laugh again at their antics. Tonight I was close enough to catch a bit of the spray from Keith’s “water spout” trick. What a little kid he is when something like that catches his fancy!

Keith and the band were generous with their handslaps, picks and even a few autographs. I was happy when Chris R. gave me a red pick. It is different from the one’s I’ve seen before though - smaller and red with Jazz III printed on it - anyone know what that means? Could it be a banjo pick, different from a guitar pick?

I wandered back to my hotel in a euphoric haze, exhausted but oh so happy but too tired to go online. At the next morning in the airport something fun and funny happened. I was sitting in the airport, waiting for my flight to Chicago, looking at my videos from the show and noticed two women across the aisle who seemed to keep looking at me. After a while one finally came over and asked “Are you Linda?”. Surprised I say “Yes I am, but how did you know?” She said that she and her friend had gone to the show too and now were returning home to Canada, and that they recognized me from my reviews! : )

Ah, the friendly world of Keith fans!

Hit the Ground Running (which I uploaded to YouTube)

A Fun Bit of Where the Blacktop Ends

Stupid Boy - Part 1 

Superb Stupid Boy Guitar Solo

Til Summer Comes Around Part 1

Til Summer Comes Around

A Little Improvising Before Raining on Sunday

A Double-Header in Nashville

>This is a belated post because I wondered if a review of Keith's part in last weekend’s Grand Ole Opry shows was needed or not. So many of you may have watched a good part of the show, or perhaps listened to both shows on the radio, so I worried that I’d be writing about things that you already knew. Oh well, since these reviews serve sort of as a diary for me, I'll go ahead and hope it won't all be "old hat" for some of you!

I got up at 4:30 AM to catch a 6:00 AM flight to Nashville. It was a lovely day in Tennessee when I arrived. Since I doubted I could check into my hotel at 10:30 AM, I headed to the southwest part of town to check out Starbucks, Bread & More, and shop at the Green Hills Mall. Then on to the patio of the Cheesecake Factory for a leisurely lunch and people watching. No sightings but it was a perfect way to spend a few hours.

I was starting to feel that 4:30 am wakeup so headed up to Music Valley Drive to check into my hotel and take a little snooze. I had arranged to meet some fellow fans at the Opryland Mall for a quick food court supper before we headed to the show. Parking was already crazy so I had to park at the end of the mall farthest from the theatre. It was great meeting some very sweet friends from the board and to reunite with others like Gaetane who I periodically run into at different concerts!

I had never seen Keith perform at the Opry so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. It is such a different environment and different crowd than any of the other concerts. Several hundred of the audience were on bus tours to Nashville, many many in the audience were elderly, and there were some international visitors (from Sweden and Germany and maybe elsewhere). Although there was definitely a "Keith contingent", we were somewhat scattered throughout the audience, but I also overheard several conversations of people unfamiliar with Keith and his music.

The program indicated that Keith would not appear until the third half hour segment and that he would follow Marty. I waited somewhat impatiently through that first hour but then was delighted when Keith actually opened the third act of the show! A wave of excited screams went through the auditorium when he walked out on stage. Oh Lordy he looked luscious in that black button down shirt we all love, sleeves rolled up, a little bit of chest showing, and black jeans, hair shining and trimmed, big grin on his face. He broke into YLGIMS with a great big “Whooo yeah!!” and rocked the house with perhaps a tad more twang than usual for the Opry’s sake and a “How about that Nashville?” and “Oh you look mighty cute in the morning” thrown in. But you could tell that many of us fans, scattered in the audience, felt constrained not to stand or dance (at least most of the main floor fans) in this rather staid audience. So we bounced in our pews and shrieked, cheered and clapped loudly at the end (in fact probably a bit too much for their strict radio show timetable!). After the last verse Keith kept it a little more modest than some shows with “ you’re looking mighty fine walking around in my little teeshirt” and when he was counting off “ 1... 2….” he left the 3 and 4 for the audience to fill in and wasn’t disappointed.

After his first song there was "a pause for a word from our sponsors". While the announcer delivered the commercial multiple stagehands talked intently to Keith. I kept the camera on him and was curious about what all was being discussed during that break, but I couldn't connect their gestures to the show that followed. That black shirt was quite a tease because it seemed to have extra long shirttails, reaching all the way to the bottom of those handsome buns, making us wish for a glimpse when he moved this way or that! The announcer reminded us tonight the Opry was celebrating Mary’s birthday and they showed a short video about his career. Then the lights were on Keith again. He asked “Are we in a singing mood Nashville? And then he wagged his finger at us like a schoolteacher as he reminded us “We all know why we are here! Let’s bring him out” and led us in the singing of happy birthday to Marty. I was happy to see and sing to Marty but that’s not the reason I flew in from Iowa!!!

After our birthday song Marty invited us over to the house afterwards for a piece of cake. Keith asked “Is everyone feeling good tonight? It is such a huge honor to be playing at the Opry and playing for my good friend Marty’s birthday. Happy birthday Marty!! A special thank you to everyone who traveled a long way to get here. And at what the gas prices are, that’s an amazing thing you guys did!” Keith received the usual "I love you!" shouts from the audience (which Marty remarked on multiple times) and gave his usual "I love you too and I don't even know you" response, but added "but the night is young" the first time this happened. But I think he was a bit embarrassed by the fan attention in this environment and more than once focused the attention back on Marty as best he could.

Then Keith began to sing ROS and for a second there was a hush in the crowd, followed by screams and shouts. . It was so great to hear him perform ROS in an auditorium that was built for musical performances!! I almost wished everyone would be quiet for a bit so that I could just sink into that wonderful resonant voice. He did a slight head back and to the side pause at the end of the first verse but didn’t stretch it way out as he had been doing at concerts. As he did, a tiny smile played at the corners of his lips because he knew he was torturing us as we longed for the sweet pleasure of his singing to continue. When he left it up to us to sing the last “When its raining on Sunday” of the chorus and we all chimed in, he was tickled to death and shouted “I love you guys!”, sending chills washing down my body. It was a wonderful performance of ROS from the very start, through a double “sweet baby sweet baby” to the final “Just you and me waking up on a Sunday morning with the rain coming down….”

“Now That’s Country” with Marty was just great!! Keith ‘s guitar work was so hot, playing that bluesy beat and a little solo in the middle. And I just love it when he does his own lyrics to a song!

Got me a pickup

Got a little Franklin farm

Got no horse Marty

But I got a Mustang in the barn

I used to be a drinker

If it wasn’t for my wife

And the gift of country music

I just might be doing time….

They played the heck out of that song!!! Keith alternated between grinning at Marty and pressing his lips together and bobbing his head in serious sexy rocker mode. And as they finished, Marty threw in “That’s country Keith!” and said “Give me five Brother Keith Urban!” and they gripped each others hands, then Marty did a Keith-ish “1, 2, 3, 4” to close the song– so cute!

Again some “I love yous” from the crowd for Keith and Marty teased him “She loves you Keith.” Then he said “I love you too. Thank you for coming to do my birthday party - you’re my buddy. You know what I want? What I really want? I saw your car sittin’ back there (wonder which one Keith was driving?) “You can have mine” he continued. “Can I have the John Deere license plate too?” asked Keith. They are really fun together. Marty said that it was an honor to have Keith there for his birthday – that Keith was “one of his favorites!”

Then Marty, with a little stumbling, said that, since they were here in the “Mother Church” they were going to do one of the classics of country music. He said “Play somethin’ pretty” to Keith, and with a lovely little guitar run they began to sing “I’m So Lonesome” They were both terrific and I love Marty’s mandolin playing, but it was Keith’s sweet sweet voice that really grabbed my heart. Although I tried to capture both of them with my video, my camera kept drifting off to Keith’s side (sorry Marty!). I thoroughly enjoyed Keith singing the harmony to Marty’s lead.

I could see a spotlight light up offstage – I guess that must have been when they briefly interviewed Keith, but we weren’t privy to the interview. Several acts later the announcer was still busy doing his commercial when you knew Keith must be coming back on stage by the sudden onset of squealing in the audience J . My oh my those guitar techs may be handy during the usual long concert, but there was something especially pleasing about watching Keith carrying his guitar on and off stage, even when he was just silhouetted in the stage lights.

A few acts later they announced Keith again and he came out commenting that “This is quite a party. Who wouldn’t want to be you, Marty? And went into WWWBM with Marty accompanying him on the mandolin!! Keith threw in a “I’m talking about Nashville Tennessee” after Georgia to Tennessee and “Who wouldn’t want to be Marty!” and then Marty sang Jerry’s usual part during the closing of the song.

Second Show of the Night

Marty began by sharing this story: My wife Connie came home from the Grand Ole Opry one night and said that she "had just heard a young singer who just sat there on a stool and it was just him and his guitar and he completely stole the house and he was magic." "And he loves you?" asked Marty. "No, he dearly loves me" Connie replied. "And I got to know him," continued Marty "and he is one of my favorite people.I love him like a brother! How about a hand for Mr. Keith Urban!!

I think Keith changed clothes for the second show. He still had on a black long sleeved shirt but it was cut shorter and he was wearing his favorite blue jeans with the pocket flaps. Keith thanked Marty and wished him a happy birthday (no song for the second show) and Marty wished him a happy birthday in return. I wonder if Keith will have an “Opry Birthday Party” in 9 years?

Another rousing round of YLGIMS, with one of Keith’s rrrr-rolling ululating bird-like calls for emphasis at one point. He got a huge round of applause, thanked every one so much and said it was “such an honor to be playing at the Opry for Marty’s birthday.” And he said that they wanted Marty to come out and “ pick a little with us” – “Welcome back Mr Marty Stuart, my brother, a fine gentleman” and Marty replied “Back at you!” (a mutual admiration society!).

Keith said he had been sitting with Marty’s mom during Connie’s song and that his mom had said that he and Marty “had the prettiest women.” And mothers are always right” Marty added and” we always look better when we’re standin’ near our girls!” “That’s right” said Keith – “you gonna pick a little with us?”And with that Keith and Marty and Jerry started in on WWWBM. Keith fooled us though – this time he relied on the audience for “I’ve gotta hole in my jeans” and there was an instant of stunned silent before we jumped in with what he wanted. (Sorry Keith - we just weren’t in full concert mode at the Opry!

Once again more “I love yous” for Keith with Marty ribbing him by pointing them out “ She loves you. And she loves you.” Heehee. Keith said we were “ a lively bunch” but again I think he was a little embarrassed to be getting more attention than the birthday boy.Marty thanked Keith and the boys for playing before they went into the final song of the night.

Now That’s Country once again was smoking’ hot with a little bit different guitar improv than the first show’s rendition and another little guitar solo. Keith sang a few more of the real lyrics but still changed some:

Got me a pickup, got a piece of nothin’ farm

Got me a hound-dog and a shotgun in the barn

I used to be a drinker, if it wasn’t for my wife

I tell you Marty I wouldn’t be here tonight

As they closed the song Marty said to Keith:

“Play me a little guitar brother Keith Urban” and Keith played a little riff for him

“Say it again, say it again” said Marty

And Keith obliged with a little bit longer riff : )

So it was a terrific evening. I’m sorry the second show people missed out on ROS and I’m So Lonesome – they were definite highlights. Keith did not seem to have any of the nervousness that he complained about in his last Opry performance, maybe because he was playing with a buddy and also had some of the band with him.

The only problem of the evening was that sinking feeling I had as I left the shows. Sort of like a man stranded in the desert who has taken the very last sip of water in his canteen and realizes it is going to be a long dry spell before he enjoys a cool drink of water again. I was already feeling thirsty for my “cool (hot?) drink of water”!!! Hey Keith – how about trying out the new music at a couple small fan club concerts sometime REAL soon!!??

4th Of July Weekend in Music City

>I arrived in Music City on the 4^th and in time to walk down to Riverfront Park to take in the free concert and famed fireworks display. I had pleasant thoughts that Keith and I might enjoy the same explosive light show. Well, probably not, because Riverfront Park was so jam packed with every inch of not only the lawns but also the sidewalks and road filled with families and couples there to celebrate Independence Day. So unless Mr. Urban had a safer viewing spot for he and Nic they probably made do with Franklin fireworks. I was thinking that someone who had access to the closed LP Field stadium right across the river from where I was sitting would have a great (and private) show, but saw no signs of activity over there. The fireworks were quite spectacular and I was safely back to my hotel before Mother Nature put on her own light show with a thunderous downpour.

Luckily the 5^th dawned bright and sunny and I did a little lazy wandering to pass the time before concert, got some barbeque at Rippy’s Ribs and then hiked across the Shelby Street pedestrian bridge to LP Field, enjoying the views of the Cumberland River on the way. It was a hot one today and more than once I wished for a brief shower to cool things off. Not just the performers but the entire audience was drenched with sweat and fanning themselves during the early performances and I think we all breathed a collective sigh of relief when the sun finally went down and we could groove a little more comfortably! It seemed Gary was moving a little more slowly today (the heat does that to you). He did do an extra song though– that whiskey drinking song he also did when opening for Keith, where his key-boardist plays the keyboard with a bottle of Jack. Leann was back in spike heels and a slinky black dress today (but did end up in bare feet before she was done, so maybe her toe is not completely healed). I really do enjoy their music but today, more than ever, I felt myself counting the minutes until it was Keith’s turn. Hence Sammy’s performance seemed to drag on and on!

I was in the 7^th row of the risers closest to the stage today. Although I had considered myself lucky when I got floor seats at the other stadium shows I went to, today made me change my mind. Unless one is lucky enough to get in the first several rows of the floor or very close to the sandbar fence, I’m now convinced the close risers give a much better view than trying to peek through masses of heads. From my seat I could also see the side of the stage where a chef in a white hat was grilling for the crew and a bar/canteen was set up for them as well (maybe this was Kenny’s ‘party’ area?). I was pleasantly surprised later to find that the ramp leading to that canteen was the way the stars entered and exited the stage so we had a little “preview” before the rest of the audience saw them up on stage! When Keith walked up that ramp my section squealed in delight and Keith waved to us before he disappeared into the backstage grill area.

I guess because middle Tennessee is at the eastern edge of the central time zone, it was already dusk when Keith came on tonight and much of his performance took place after dark, which was different than usual. Again, during the break, they used his big screen to show beautiful views of the colorful audience, then (after a brief blackout) ran the video of Keith walking down a road towards us which got the crowd worked up to a frenzy. Keith appeared on stage wearing an off-white tee with something like “Someone went to Florida and all I got was this teeshirt” on it and those lovely old patch pocket jeans with all the frayed, torn spots worn white – the larger tear beneath his left back pocket kept catching my attention!

Today I responded to the video screen prompts to text message Leann or Keith to win a visit backstage or a seat upgrade, respectively. For a change I actually got multiple text message responses from each, but, alas, did not win anything. WSIX also had another contest during the show to win a trip to another upcoming stadium show. For that one, at least, we got to see them pick the lucky winner.

Back to Keithy – big beautiful smiles as usual. He immediately had the audience on their feet and rocking with him in DGB and WTBE – so much so that you could feel their rhythmic movement in the CONCRETE risers!! (a bit disconcerting to say the least!). He dedicated Better Half to his “very very very very very very pregnant wife” and after one of the “You’re my better half” choruses he yelled “You better believe it!” I could see the right side offstage area and do not think Nic was there tonight. Also Keith didn’t make any of those sidelong glances or nods like he sometimes does when she is there watching him. In Better Life, after “We’re headed for a better life” he threw in a “You know sweet mama”. He wished everyone a belated happy 4^th of July and mentioned that they had “blown up a lot of things last night” so perhaps he arranged their very own fireworks.

As usual Keith thanked everyone who traveled a long distance to the show - especially since “they probably had to mortgage their homes or sell their cars” to pay the gas prices. He asked how many of us were from out of town and, after a pause, added “That includes Franklin” (in which case he is also from “out of town”)! More than once during the evening however he said how good it was to be able to play music “at home in Nashville”. He did not quite make it through the band introductions tonight. He introduced Brad and Brad sang his little solo, and later introduced Chris M., but he never got around to the other guys so they did not do solos. I was personally distressed to see that Brian – formerly quite a cutie – now has shaved the sides of his head leaving just a Mohawk, which I didn’t like at all!

Tonight many people in the audience were wearing something with flashing colored lights (necklaces, hats, etc.).Because of this when Keith came down the runway for ROS in the now dark stadium the red, white, blue and white flashing lights throughout the stands looked pretty cool. So he commented that the audience was looking good and feeling good ( and sang a little line about “we’re feeling good” before he got down to the business of singing ROS. No guitar riff play before YLGIMS. Instead he walked out on the catwalk and went right into the YLGIMS beginning (maybe because it is a current hit). He made a very short trip offstage – he jumped off the stage and was almost immediately mobbed so his security boosted him up onto a chair in one of the front rows, where he played briefly before returning to the stage.

Keith closed with SLY and hopped and circled his way back down the catwalk to the stage. The applause and whistles and screams were just terrific when they made their bows and finally left stage. And then my section gave one more round of squeals when we were able to watch Keith walk down the backstage ramp into the depths of the stadium.

My only disappointment – no duet with Kenny tonight. I had thought for sure that they would do one for their “hometown” but instead Kenny brought in Jennifer Nettles for a surprise appearance. Even though I loved her singing “Stay” I kept hoping that there would still be time for Keith to reappear, but no such luck. Ah well – it was still a great show!