Houston We've Got A Problem!

Houston we've got a problem! Keith Urban is WAY too good to limit him to an hour concert!!! It was wonderful to see him live again - it seems like forever since I last saw him perform two shows at the Grand Ol' Opry last September! But I was SO not ready to have him say goodnight when his hour (apparently the standard concert length for all the stars featured at Houston's huge spring rodeo) was up! :(

It was nice to start my spring break with a trip to Houston. Although there are signs of spring in Iowa we aren't yet in the 70's like Houston and certainly don't have flowers in full bloom! I can see Reliant Stadium (huge!) from my hotel window and found some good Texas BBQ and fresh gulf seafood in the short time I've been here. I spent the sunny afternoon at the Houston Zoo which was packed with families also on spring vacation. At rodeo time I walked over to the stadium and found my front row centerfield seat (thanks Monkeyville!) almost next to a cameraman filming both rodeo and (later) Keith action. My seat was called an "Action Seat" because it was so close to the action that we caught a little flying dirt during some of the rodeo contests. They keep a fast pace with the different types of competitions so 2 hours flew by faster than I expected. Suddenly they were moving out the concert stage to the center of the arena. They were really fast and efficient - in 15 minutes it (and all it lights, speakers, motors, stairs, etc) was in place. (Right in front of me but in the center of the big dirt floor). So I was in a great spot although the stage slowly but constantly rotates so that all sides of the stadium get a good view at some point, while those on the opposite side then have to rely on the big video screens while the stage is facing away from them. Security guards stood about every 30 feet or so between the audience and the stage) in case any of us tried to rush the stage : ). It almost seemed as if the band members came out with the stage equipment because suddenly there was Brad, and Brian and the Chrises on the completed stage (but not their fearless leader).

The stadium was darkened and a brief display of indoor! fireworks began the show with a bang. Meanwhile, in the dark, a SUV pulled up next to the stage in front of me and a shadowy Keith got out and ran up the stage stairs, breaking immediately into Days Go By when the fireworks ended. At this point I realized another problem - no one in the audience was standing up! :( and they really did not for most of the show. (How anyone can sit still during Keith's music mystifies me!) A couple of times a few of us could not help but stand and get into the music, but we were scattered in this audience of rodeo fans and ended up sitting down again at the end of a song until we were overtaken by Keith's music once again. I missed feeling free to participate completely and fully live the concert experience!

Keith ended DGB with huge "Yee Haw! Alright!" and then they went into Better Half. But I guess, as at the show in Valdosta, the guys are still a little rusty because Keith began the second verse a bit too soon, got a case of the giggles from his mistake, and ended up singing "I don't even know my own song!" : ) At least 4 times during the show Keith asked "Are you ready to sing Houston" or "Are you in a singing mood Houston" and told everyone to sing extra loud because they could not hear the audience up on stage (partly due to bad acoustics, partly due to rather scattered singing). I was singing my heart out! Keith said that they were so glad to be back in Houston for the third time. He also said it felt good to be on the fancy new stage (and he definitely looked glad to be playing!).

Did I tell you how good Keith looked? Oh my. White or cream plaid shirt, sleeves rolled up above his elbows, at least 3 buttons undone. Those lovely raggedy jeans with the frayed pocket flaps, I'm loving the new haircut and blond highlights - he looks like a sweet young thing!

Next up was I Told You So and then Stupid Boy with his voice sounding oh so clear and sweet. That guitar solo I have been missing live - I felt like that parched desert plant finally getting a sweet drink of spring rain. Yes! I needed that! Keith asked those in the nosebleed seats"How is everybody way up high? That's a mighty long way up!" And then thanked everyone for making them feel so welcome.

The rotating stage was interesting. The backdrop behind the band was not solid - it was made of mesh or grillwork that you could see through, yet it had enough substance to serve as a curved video screen kind of like Keith's big screen but not in high definition. Because it was not solid the pictures of Keith and the band projected on it almost had a hologram like quality. I think we got a preview of some of the new video backgrounds that they might be using the new tour (like an interesting backdrop of winding country roads during Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me).

Sweet Thing was the only new song of the evening and the crowd loved it. Keith dedicated the song "to everyone here tonight who drove a long way to get here." How about those of us who flew? I know there were many of us - one gal flew from Boston. Another pair held a sign that they had traveled 2697 miles to see Keith. He ended ST with "We're cookin' now!" (and they were!).

I'm sure Keith intended to introduce all the guys, but time got away from him so he only made it through Chris M and Brad. You Look Good In My Shirt drove the audience wild. Keith came down off the stage and, starting just a bit to my right, circled the arena perimeter, slapping hands or playing while the crowd reached out to touch him. On the opposite side from me he actually climbed through the bars into the first row of seats and played a bit absolutely crushed by fans. I then thought he might be giving away a guitar but he was simply having someone hold it as he slipped through the rails again back out onto the dirt floor. He continued to circle this huge stadium and I could see he was getting a little winded from the run. Sadly it was taking too long so he dashed back to the stage before he completed the trip and there was an audible moan from the last 20% of us. But it was a really valiant try!

Back on stage he put on his best Irish brogue and wished us all a happy St. Patrick;s Day, and continued on to say that there were a whole lot of Irish on the side of the arena he had climbed into (he came back ladened with green necklaces). He then dropped the brogue and joked "I'll just take off the whole city of New Orleans now!" and hung all of the necklaces on his mike. Making Memories Of Us and You'll Think Of Me were up next.

There was only time for a tiny bit of guitar jousting before Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me and then a rousing Somebody Like You and - oh no - it was over! Keith circled the stage, bowing and thanking each side of the stadium, frequently placing his hand on his heart to show he was touched by the screams and cheers of the crowd, flashing a peace sign every now and then. And all too soon a truck backed up to the stage just in front of me, collected the whole band in its truck bed and drove out of the stadium at 10:00, with all the guys waving at the crowd. Another burst of fireworks and the Rodeo Houston concert was done for another night. I think they must have been required to end at that time, because as the audience filed out I overheard the 2 camera guys next to me saying "I thought he had one more song on the list?" and the other said "Yeah, but it is 10:00". Probably the YLGIMS run took longer than expected. I bet they had Better Life or Everybody planned as the closer. Great show Keith but you just wet our whistle! Just barely an appetizer for the concert season to come! But so good to feel that Urban high again as I wandered back to my hotel singing to myself! (videoclip to come)

Great Big Sea!

Had front row seats to see a great Irish/Canadian band from Newfoundland called Great Big Sea the night before last. A lot of their stuff is contemporary rather than classic Irish tunes and reminded me, in both theme and melody, of some of Keith's music. They will be coming back to town for our third annual Irishfest in downtown Waterloo, IA the last weekend of July. They definitely got the audience up on their feet and participating and were easy on the eyes too! I'm looking forward to seeing them again when they are in town this summer! Don't miss it!

Hallelujah! After two weeks of trying to score tickets to a "student-only" David Cook show on my campus I finally lucked out and got a pair from student who changed her mind about going. Although the show wasn't until 7:30 pm, by about 1:00 fans started lining up for the general admission show. I knew I probably wasn't up to the close-to-the-stage crush of bodies, so I got there about 6:00, at which time the line snaked around the entire perimeter of the student union. It move quickly, however, once the doors opened. No seating at such student shows, but I and several other older "non-students" who didn't relish standing the whole time sat on the edge of an elevated platform that had been set up to allow students in wheelchairs a better view. The room was not that big so I still had a good view and when David sang my favorite numbers I was able to move up much closer to the stage for good camera shots.

Mr. Cook has definitely been developing his audience interaction skills. He chatted and joked quite a bit with the crowd, read signs, responded to shouts of "I love you" from the college girls, and seemed to have a great ol' time. Although he sang a couple ballads he mostly rocked for the college crowd. I was at a disadvantage because I had not heard most of the songs from his recent album, so was only familiar with the one or two released as singles. Glow sticks were available for us to hold up during his song Light On. The only nod he made to his American Idol performances was to sing Billie Jean which was actually my favorite song of the evening. Two women next to me were definitely "Cook-ites". They had driven up from Missouri and had been some of the first in line that afternoon. They were tickled that they had caught David coming out of the student shower room that afternoon (fully clothed but hair still wet :) and had been able to pass on a gift to him. Being a "Urbanite" I could empathize with their excitement and enthusiasm over making a connection with their favorite performer.

A New Year of Adventures!

Wow! 2009! How quickly the years fly by! The last couple years I've tried to keep track of special times by posting to my favorite online community message boards. Not quite an online diary but still the posts were there to look back at. But now I've discovered that even long standing boards can suddenly disappear or lose all their content when they move to a new provider. Will blogs be any more permanent? Who knows! But I am game for trying something new to record some of this years memorable experiences. Many of those experiences, if you haven't guessed from the blog title, will involve Keith Urban concerts because I am an over-the-top fan of the man and his music. But I enjoy other music and happenings and travel so anything that inspires me might show up here.

Tonight a good friend and I went to our first concert of 2009. Third row center seats to see Bobby McFerrin! I have been a fan of his a cappella music since his 1988 "Don't Worry, Be Happy" but this is the first time that I had the opportunity to attend a live performance. Well twenty years since that big hit Bobby McFerrin is still quite the talented human beat box. It is incredible to hear him sound like a multi-person group with accompaniament and even more fascinating to watch his technique close up and personal. He has great vocal range and expressiveness, a very obvious sense of humor and joie de vive. He also is a bit crazy and put on a VERY interactive show involving the audience throughout. No fewer than 25 people ended up on stage with him at some point, singing or dancing (no, not me). We had a great time and I recommend seeing him if you have the chance.

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!!??

Idyllic Indy

>Those gusty gulf winds blew all the bad weather north of Indy, foiling the weather forecasters, so our concert day happily was sunny and warm. Incredible winds kept everyone comfortable during the tailgating hours outside the stadium, although many had to forsake their cowboy hats, pirate hats, posters, balloons and the like to that tropical breeze. I went over to Lucas Oil Stadium early to find any performance stages outside the stadium because there had been rumors of a “pre-show” for the early crowd. I found the XM stage (XM Radio was promoting their all Kenny “No Shoes” channel by broadcasting live from Indy) and the staff said that there would be multiple performers and “Kenny would be there sometimes after 1:00.” The national winners of Kenny’s Big Star contest played a few songs, then the XM folks said that they didn’t know if Keith would make an appearance like he did in Boston. I figured that must mean a pretty definite “no” or they would have strung us along all day. I went back to the hotel to meet my daughter Sara who drove in from Champaign-Urbana. After a quick lunch we headed back, hoping we might still catch Kenny’s pre-show appearance. Well we didn’t have to hurry – the stadium gates had already opened and it was about 3:30 when Kenny showed up in his baseball cap and gave a short interview, then sang 3 or 4 songs. The parking lot was packed with people on all sides of the stage but Sara and I got reasonably close spots for this acoustic performance. Then Kenny was whisked off and everyone headed into the Lucas Oil Stadium.

It is a beautiful new stadium and they did a good job on their very first concert (although they are still working out a few bugs with the sound systems and field level porta-potties). We had thought that the sunny weather would mean the roof would be open, but no – the stadium roof was closed and the entire place was air-conditioned for our comfort until Keith and Kenny’s performances. So Luke Bryan, Gary Allan and Leann played “inside” a slightly echo-y but not bad stadium environment. After Leann finished her great set we all watched in amazement as the center panels of the roof slowly parted and slid out of view over the stands revealing the early evening skies! Very fancy!! This did mean that the acoustics were much better for Keith and Kenny.

At first it looked like they were only setting up Kenny’s video screens during the break, but finally Keith’s video wall moved out and I breathed a sigh of relief. We were on the aisle in the very last row of the B front floor section so I knew I would be needing that screen to see any detail. The near-capacity crowd had responded well to Luke, Gary and Leann but really started to come to life when the brightly colored audience shots came into view on the video wall. Then the wall went dark for a few seconds of anxious anticipation before the audience was positively electrified by that video of Keith walking towards us and the introductory notes of Days Go By!! It was finally the time that so many of us had been waiting for!!!

Keith looked absolutely stunning! His hair looked freshly trimmed and was shiny and soft, the stage lights showing off the few blond highlights. And that smile – he was obviously happy to be there and was totally spot on in his performance throughout his show. He wore a dark tee which probably some of you would recognize – sort of looks like a crescent moon with an atomic or astronomic pattern in the center of that crescent shape.

For “Blacktop” and 3 or 4 other songs Keith played a rather striking looking avocado and light green guitar – quite good looking. I didn’t see a single sign of “back problems” all night. He had his usual sashaying, prowling saunter across the stage, he crouched by the fans for his guitar solos, did more than one exciting backbend (which made me worry and also not worry about him!) and bent low to slap hands at every point of the catwalk for the longest time at the close of his set. I greatly appreciated that the camera persons last night treated us to many rear-views : ) during several of Keith’s songs (which was one vantage point that was often missing from the great camera work during the LPATWCT tour, except when Keith was down on the small stage) and Keith treated us to several “front views” as well! Good thing that the crowd was roaring because I may have whimpered or moaned a few times!

Although Keith’s time on stage is far too short for too much conversation, he did thank Kenny more than once, thanked those who traveled far to the show and those who were sitting was up high (REALLY high in this new stadium!), and thanked those who could only get to one concert a year and chose this show as the one to go to. He also commented on the stadium and the beautiful night we could see through the now open roof. He introduced all the band members and their individual solos really resounded throughout the venue. A couple little sound glitches – a high pitch guitar tone when he was about to start Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me which made Keith laugh at himself (wrong guitar setting I think) before he and Jerry did their guitar jousting. And some deep base rumbling vibrations at the start of You’ll Think Of Me that may have been due to the stadium sound system. YTOM was particularly passionate last night. I don’t know how he hits that mark time after time!! For some reason I was especially drawn to the appearance of the cords in his long sweat slick neck during that song last night. Not quite sure if I wanted to lick, nuzzle, kiss, or plant a big hickey on it, but I was definitely drawn! : )

During Better Half he threw in an extra “You better believe it” after “I’d rather have you by my side”. A fan presented him, at just the right moment in Better Life, with a tiny pink onesie which I think was embroidered with Sunday Rose’s name. Keith tried to hang it on the mike stand without luck but did sing out “ as big as a Sunday Rose sky”. He later had the pink onesie flapping out of his back pocket as he strolled from stage left to stage right J During a very participatory Raining On Sunday I noticed what looked like a crack in his little guitar. Bet he has a new one on order since he seems to love that little one.

You Look Good In My Shirt was a highlight (in a performance that was almost ALL highlights!) of the evening. First, a new guitar play beginning – some very fancy fingerwork that I did not recognize as any of the riffs he has played before, followed by some big swooping arm extensions of the guitar to create some nifty electronic effects. Then two huge “kangaroos” showed up while Keith was singing the first verse on stage! One played the guitar and the other big fat one danced around with some kind of Down-under flag. Keith totally cracked up and could not sing for several seconds (even more so than in the YLGIMS video!). Love that laugh!! Finally Keith sauntered down to the end of the runway and sat down with his legs dangling into the sandpit for the end of the song. He didn’t actually jump off stage (but looked sorely tempted to do so) but had a big crowd of sandpitters gathered at his feet as he sang. I think this must have been pre-arranged because I did not see any anxious security worrying that he was going to go out into the crowd. A very fun song!

The band seemed very animated and emotional during their final bows. They walked , arm in arm, all the way to the end of the runway (something I don’t think they have done at the other stadium shows) – clearly a special “last concert” for them too. The other guys then retreated to the stage, throwing out picks and drumsticks, but Keith slapped hands for as long as he could. What a sweetie pie!

Kenny’s “closing show” was special in many ways. He (and his friends) played over 3 hours, changed up the set list, did many covers (even U2’s With or Without You!), had special solos and guest appearances (a bit much for me with 4 or 5 songs by Uncle Cracker), began to party with the crew while on stage, but somehow it still did not have the “heart” of Keith’s closing show in Lexington. The most moving part of it, for me, was (no surprise) Keith’s reappearance to sing Take It to the Limit with Kenny. They did a great job, but Keith’s voice in particular was just as clear and soulful as a bell when he sang his closing verse – the best I have heard him on that song. And the long hug that Kenny gave him before Keith left the stage was very touching – country brothers they are!

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!