We started our day in Flossmoor at the Flossmoor Station where we dined on a corned beef sandwich for Dad and a Pulled Pork sandwich for me. We made it out in enough time to catch the 3:10 Metra to the show. Let me tell you, when they say it's "The only way to really fly," they aren't kidding. $14 dollars for the two of us and we beat the traffic downtown and saved on a $49.00 parking fee. Yes please! It let us off right by the Field Museum. It was a brisk walk! Let me tell you, even though my dad is twice my age, he still walks faster than I do. I guess that's from 38 years as a letter carrier on a walking route.
Thankfully, after a week full of 100s, it was a beautiful 80+ degree day with a nice wind off the lake. We were really blessed by the weather.
We got to the stadium, and Dad being Dad insists that we take a bathroom brake at the first one we saw. Good for him, not for me! Line was a mile long. He was kind of trying to talk me into waiting, but I wasn't having it, and I used the next one, no lines! Ha, it's funny how dads never stop being dadlike.
We got to our seats which for "cheap" seats, ended up being perfect. We were at the top of the end zone, so we looked directly out at it. Jake Owen was the first act. I didn't remember much about him other than I enjoyed his music and was sort of disappointed that the sound was kind of rough and I didn't know his first few songs. Soon, he was rocking out with "8 Second Ride," Barefoot Blue Jean Night," and "Alone with You." I was singing my little heart out and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of his set.
Next up was Grace Potter and her band. As my dad said, she's a great singer, but her songs weren't all that great and with their Gospelly sort of feel, seemed out of place. I spent most of my time getting some t-shirts for myself. This is when having an eighteen month old comes in handy! He doesn't expect anything when Mama goes out! I love having concert t-shirts to remember the fun I had and to wear to work on casual Fridays and weekends.
Finally, at about 6:30, my man Tim McGraw came on. Now, I've been a fan since he came out with his "Not a Moment Too Soon" album in 1993 or so. I had his picture on my bedroom wall growing up. To say I was excited to see my childhood crush LIVE (and much better looking then when he had that awful mullety thing in 93) for the first time is an understatement. He came out in a black cowboy hat, a white t-shirt and white jeans. I can't think of too many 40+ year old men could pull that off, but he sure did!
He worked the crowd up with "Felt Good on My Lips" and worked his way through songs both old and new. Especially meaningful to me was “Live Like You Were Dying," which he wrote in tribute to his own dad. I knew all the words to all but two of his new songs and I'm a bit sorry for all those who heard me sing at the top of my lungs. I loved "Down on the Farm," Southern Voice", "I Like It, I Love It." He really is a timeless musician. I read something comparing him to Garth Brooks. A better comparison in my mind is George Strait. Like George, he knows how to pick hits and keeps entertaining his fans.
He ended to tons of applause and came back again to sing, including his new song "Truck Yeah!" It was great and I was surprised by his 90 minute set. He really rocked the house. I do kind of wished he talked a smidgen more about his music and used background video like Kenny later did, but Tim delivered and didn't disappoint.
About a half hour later, the sun goes down and Kenny came out. Man, our section was rocking! I mean, literally! I could feel the concrete shake beneath my feet! He came out to "Welcome to the Fishbowl," the title song from his new album. He didn't sing it however. I was a bit disappointed since, hello, I'm a "Fisher."
If I was to describe Kenny, it would probably be the Jimmy Buffet of Country Music. A lot of his songs focus on the beach and water. The highlight for me was “Back Where I Come From." During the song, scenes from around Chicago and the various Chicago sports team played behind him. It was sort of emotional for me. I never lived in the city, but having such roots (I have a few great-great grandparents who were born in Chicago), it was especially moving. I also enjoyed all his beach songs and "Never Wanted Nothing More," probably because the love interest in the song is Katie:)
He ended with "Boys of Fall," which was so appropriate for Soldier Field and gave a young man a Bears helmet. What a perfect way for him to end his set!
A few minor things. Kenny wore a sleeveless t-shirt that looked like it was drenched in sweat. I felt so bad for the poor guy! Another thing, he would talk about songs or what not and you could barely hear him. All and all, worth every minute of time.
Dad and I left just as Kenny and Tim came back on stage. They sang their new song, "Feel Like a Rockstar" together which we could hear, then went to Kenny's "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy." By the end of that song, we were out and couldn't hear the rest. I was disappointed to find out that Tim's "Indian Outlaw" followed, but we had a train to catch.
Surprisingly the train out wasn't bad. We easily got seats and were in Flossmoor by 12:30 AM. We ended up the day with a breakfast at Denny's.
As much as I loved the concert, the best part was sharing the time together with my Dad. I'm lucky to have him, even if I'm still trying to catch up with him:)
No comments:
Post a Comment