Sun City Carnival Tour - Kenny Chesney

The 20 song 100 minute show was worth the price of the ticket, the extreme heat, and the bad traffic. Kenny put on the great show he's always put on - however after seeing him perform live on numerous occasions I can say with a certainty he had certainly lost a step or to, or that the heat was taking its toll on Kenny as well. See that excitement? Jordan (right) and Linsey (left) were my concert going pals. The three of us had a good time, and to our delight our field tickets were in the shade all night. Thankfully, or we may not have made it all night. 102 degrees in the pounding sun may have sent us into shock.
Lady Antebellum put on a pretty good show for the miserable start time of 5:45. They got quite a showing from the crowd and I think that they really have a chance to go big they have great sound quality and they are marketable. However Miranda Lambert was redneck to the core. She was shreiky and trashy - the epitimy of all that I hate about country music. She was terrible, all 70 minutes of her was pure torture. The whole time that she was on stage I realized why it was that they took our bottle caps away - they didn't want the whole place throwing them at her.

Kenny missed a few beats and the sound could have been better - as far as venues go I'd far rather see a concert out at Usanna regardless of the miserable traffic that they have out there. However all in all I'd give him a 8 of of 10 on this one. At Usanna I'll give him a 10 out of 10.

"I'm what I am and I'm what I'm not, I'm sure happy with what I've got, I live to love and laugh a lot, And thats all I need...and I never wanted nothing more!"

Kenny came back for his encore wearing a Utah hat that some fan handed him. He wore it well, but we all know that he bleeds Tennessee Orange not Ute Red, but either way, we'll take it. The encore left a little lacking as Kenny didn't sing any of his own songs but teamed with someone I still haven't figured out who he was. They did put on a good show together but I would have preferred a little more original Kenny in the end.

KENNY CHESNEY TICKETS!!!!

Rio Tinto Stadium Presents Multi Year Entertainer of the Year: KENNY CHESNEY!!!

And thanks to one Uncle Kenny and one favorite cousin - Thanks Skinner!!! Myself and two cousins will be in attendance with half price seats!!! Field Level. Realistically I should not go, I've seen him before and I'm saving for my future. But when it comes right down to it - he is the greatest performer I've ever seen and I couldn't resit the pull to go yet again. Call this my one summer extravagance in a summer of pinching pennies. Five years ago Kenny sailed into Utah and I went and he was sooo great that I went again the next year. And again the next year. I've seen him in two different venues and the outdoor concerts were SOOO much better. Truthfully he is only getting better as a performer and artist. Last year he did not grace Utah with his Tour and I instead saw Tim McGraw - which left me lacking and wishing for The Kenny. So as the Sun City Carnival Tour rolls into town you can bet that this groopy will be there ready to sail off to some beach with this county music god. I can hardly wait till July 23rd - where you can bet I'll be singing along to every song!!!

I Heart Cagle

Last Night I attended The Chris Cagle Concert at the Utah State Fair. This was my third time seeing The Cagle. And he didn't disappoint! The man can still sing even after intensive vocal rest was enforced and he's faced some serious struggles.

He has however been able to achieve his goal as a singer/songwriter in making it to the top of the charts four times over his 8 year career. Regardless of not crashing the charts with every song, he sings from the heart and truly appreciates the fans and what they have done for him.

The first time Sissy and I saw Cagle he was determined that his "audience" get the "full" show and invited those of us in the back straight to the front. We were younger then and were right in the middle of the pack. And we rocked all night long.

The Cagle got in trouble for his antics, even though the crowd loved it and was forced to come back the following year to "make it up" and he did the same thing! ;) I love the Cagle. Now, about five years later, he was a bit more subdued at this concert, however he still found ways to get his crowd into the music. He was great to interact and he put on an awesome show.

Some of my favorite Cagle songs: Look At What I've Done, I Breathe In, I Breathe Out, What A Beautiful Day, Chicks Dig It, My Love Goes On And On, Laredo, Miss Me Baby, Little Sundress, What Kinda Gone

The King Of Country

George Strait: I'm not taking no for an answer. Last year Miss Mands and I procrastinated on buying our tickets to see The Man in concert. But this year I'm a step ahead, there is no way that I am not going to see George in concert. Tickets go on sale on October 20th for his closest show. Now I just need to convince the parents that they want to go as well, and that this is what I want for by upcoming birthday, or Christmas, or something. Viva Las Vegas baby, Gorgeous George will be at the MGM Grand on February 2nd 2008, and so will I.

Gary Allan Concert

"I got lightening in my veins, thunder in my chest.
All tangled up and trying to catch my breath
I've been chasing that sensation half way around the world
I've done it all and I've seen it all but I can't find a feeling like that."

There’s also a deftness in my ears and a ringing in my brain. But that just does not sound as good. After the week I’ve had (who am I kidding? The Month.) The very last thing I really wanted to do was to stand in front of 8 or 10 blaring speakers and have my ears blown out. But tonight, that is exactly what I did and I got A Feeling Like That.

Many a month ago, Sissy got it in her head that we all wanted, no correction: needed, to attend the Gary Allan concert at the State Fair. And considering her time frame she landed us right on row three. Great for seeing, amazing for rocking, not so good on the ears afterwards. I’m about an hour removed (writing this...to be posted later when the Internet plays nice) and I can still feel the lightening in my veins, and hear the thunder pounding in my ears. The Parent's came down for the afternoon to attend the concert with us, and although they thought it was a bit loud, and obviously a bit bright for them (they both had on their sun glasses at various times due to very bright lights killing the eyes... it's moments like this when I wished I'd had my camera on me!) even the old folks had a good time. At least I hope they did...as they will be traveling home all night! Anyway thanks go out to the Sissy for getting the parents to the city for some well meaning fun.

I fell in LOVE with Gary Allen’s Tough Little Boys a long time ago and he’s really grown on me ever since. He has a smattering of country hits that I love (yes that’s right, I admit I’m coun-T-ry and damn proud of it) some of which include: Alright Guy, Man to Man, Man of Me, Her Man, Songs About Rain, Guys Like Me, Best I Ever Had, The One, Nothin on But the Radio, Loving You Against My Will, Just Got Back from Hell, She Loves Me She Don't Love You, and a whole slew of Whiskey songs. He also played his remake of Tom Petty's Breakdown. And I love me some Tom Petty but that's for a different day.

So for the record this super star is not on my HOT list. He's a got a great husky voice that Entertainment Weekly described perfectly when they said: "The music of California honky-tonker Allan has always set itself apart with a dark, dreamy vibe and an edge of hypnotic danger.” And he's got great "bad boy appeal" in his bold yet under the arm tattoo, you all know what I'm talking about. (sly smile). He may even make the HOT list if he were to throw on a hat, but truth be told, his forhead is out of control big and his hair is as well. Though his eyes ARE stunning indeed.

MY Gary Allen song is: Life Ain't Always Beautiful. This song paints a perfect picture of the reality of life. It's full of ups and downs and hard knocks that make you realize you are not capable of progression simply on your own. The harder you fall they say the more you learn, and as much as I do hate change it really is a great learning process. As for happiness and patience those are two things that I find and loose on a regular basis. Here are the lyrics for those of you not so country inclined:

Life ain't always beautiful
Sometimes it's just plain hard
Life can knock you down, it can break your heart
Life ain't always beautiful
You think you're on your way
And it's just a dead end road at the end of the day

But the struggle makes you stronger
And the changes make you wise
And happiness has it's own way of takin' it sweet time

No,life aint always beautiful
Tears will fall sometimes
Life aint always beautiful
But it's a beautiful ride

Life aint always beautiful
Some days I miss your smile
I get tired of walkin' all these lonely miles

And I wish for just one minute
I could see your pretty face
Guess I can dream, but life dont work that way

But the struggles makes me stronger
And the changes make me wise
And happiness has it's own way of takin' its sweet time

No, life aint always beautiful
But I know I'll be fine
Hey, life aint always beautiful
But its a beautiful ride
What a beautiful ride

Life aint always beautiful, but I need to remember to make it a beautiful ride regardless of how ugly it tends to get. I need to learn to remember to take life one day at a time, to follow my Fatherly advice to blow up on occasion and to stop holding everything inside myself so that I will stop over stressing myself. One day I will learn to enjoy the ride that is my life instead of wishing for this or wishing for that and wondering what if or if only. So here's to making the most of what your dealt, because for those of us betting people out there we know that if your going to win you have to even learn to bluff on occasion.

Don't Give Up

I realize I may be light years behind the curve on this, but I just recently found this song by Josh Groban. I love it. The first time I heard it I felt the power behind it. I take song lyrics very seriously. Sometimes a little too seriously, but these I believe need to be taken seriously. I love the message that is portrayed in this song. The Lord is very mindful of each of us. When our hearts are heavy, when our voices are silenced, we we are lonely, when we hurt, when we are at our best; He loves us. And I love that promise that we will always have someone on our side, even when we feel we don't deserve it.

Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
When you're heart's heavy
I...I will lift it for you
Don't give up
Because you want to be heard
If silence keeps you
I...I will break it for you
Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved
Don't give up
It's just the hurt that you hide
When your lost inside
I...I will be there to find you
Don't give up
Because you want to burn bright
If darkness blinds you
I...I will shine to guide you
Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved

Don't Give up

The Sweet Escape

Monday night, Ms Mands, Brette, Matt and Myself attended the Sweet Escape Tour featuring the Amazing Gwen Stefani and Akon. We had a blast and I have tons of pictures of Gwen to later add to this post, but was so busy screaming my head off I didn't capture Akon. I realize this concert was a stretch from my normal country roots, but as I've tried to convince many of you in the past, I may have been born country...but I'm versatile.

Akon is an American R&B singer, rapper, songwriter and record producer. Akon rose to fame in 2004 following the release of his single "Locked Up" from his debut album Trouble. His second album, Konvicted, earned him a Grammy Award nomination for the single "Smack That". He put on an amazing performance it was awesome.

Gwen Stefani, need I say more? No...but I will. The brunette gone blone is a fashion trendsetter with a rockin body and amazing talent. Frontwoman from the band No Doubt, Gwen recorded her first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. in 2004. The album contains pop and dance tracks and influence from hip hop and R&B. Its third single "Hollaback Girl" became the first U.S. digital download to exceed sales of one million and "Cool" was one of 2005's most popular radio singles. The Sweet Escape (2006), Stefani's second solo album, was preceded by the single "Wind It Up".

The Concert was certainly worth the ticket price. We had 27th row floor tickets and a really good time. I'm still not sure who had the better abs, Gwen or Akon? It was quite a toss up!

Gwen and Akon Sweet Escape Lyrics:

If I could escape And re-create a place as my own world And I could be your favorite girl Forever, perfectly together Tell me boy, now wouldn't that be sweet? If I could be sweet I know I've been a real bad girl I didn't mean for you to get hurt Forever, we can make it better Tell me boy, Now wouldn't that be sweet? Sweet escape (I wanna get away, to our sweet escape) You let me down I'm at my lowest boiling point Come help me out I need to get me out of this joint Come on, let's bounce Counting on you to turn me around Instead of clowning around let's look for some common ground So baby, times getting a little crazy I've been getting a little lazy Waiting for you to come save me I can see that you're angry By the way the you treat me Hopefully you don't leave me Want to take you with me If I could escape And re-create a place as my own world And I could be your favorite girl Forever, perfectly together Tell me boy, now wouldn't that be sweet? If I could be sweet I know I've been a real bad girl I didn't mean for you to get hurt Forever, we can make it better Tell me boy, now wouldn't that be sweet?

Daughtry Album Review

OHHHH. As Promised I went shopping last night. And yes I realize I shouldn't be buying things for myself at this time of year. But I couldn't resist this man. Not only is he hot hot hot, he also has a voice that makes me all warm inside. AMAZING. When Chris got voted off American Idol I stopped watching I was so mad. I swear that show is fixed and I hate it, but of course I am sitting on pins and needles waiting for the new verision to arrive in January becuase you just never know when Mr. Hot and Dreamy Daughtry or Rocking Bo Bice will arrive on stage. So yes, as admitted earlier, I am an addict to the AI. I love the new CD. And he wrote most these songs himself! Ah the raw talent, I need a man who is musical. For your listening pleasure visit the online jukebox for DAUGHTRY!

"Its Not Over"Lyrics: Lets start over try to do it right this time around ITS NOT OVER. Cause a part of me is dead and in the ground, this love is killing me but your the only one, ITS NOT OVER. I've taken all I can take and I cannot wait. We're wasing too much time being strong and holding on, Cant let it bring us down, my life with you means everything so I wont give up that easily, I'll blow it away, blow it away. Can we make this somthing good? Cause it is all misunderstood. Lets start over Try to do it right this time around Its not over. We cant let this get away. Let it out. Dont get caught up in yourself. Let it out. Lets start over. I'll try to do it right this time around ITS NOT OVER.

The Real Thing

Birth Place: Huntsville, Alabama, USA
Date of Birth: November 1, 1975
2nd place on American Idol season 4
Album: The Real Thing, 12-13-05

LYRICS from MY LIFE: Its my life, my time to find the answers Don't always know what kind of road is in front of me I'll go slow wanna remember every moment That passes by the goodness ride has ever been It's my life, it's my life.

I admit, I not only watch and get totally obsessed with American Idol, I follow up. Some have told me this is just weird, but last I checked, other people's opinions didn't matter too much to me. I started looking forward to January when season six will start and found that I missed the debute of Bo's CD last December. Never Fear. I have found it, purchased it, and am coming close to memorizing it. The lyrics of MY LIFE hit home for me, as my life is a journey that I know I need to slow down and remember. My love of music is far reaching but the raspy sex appeal in Bo's voice is enough to commit me for life. A real fan, of the real thing. Check him out. www.bobice.com