I was raised in Bakersfield, California. Now most children who were raised there fall in two categories: country lovers and country haters. There are those who listened to KUZZ and those who listened to KRAB. I fell in the latter category until I got my first job when I was fifteen. As lifeguards we spent many hours together, often with our radio blasting as loud as we could make it. Well being the newbie did not exactly give me any control whatsoever over the station selection. KUZZ it was. America’s country. I was listening to Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, and Faith Hill all day long. It wasn’t long until my radio in the car magically turned to KUZZ. Then I found myself browsing country CDs to find my new favorite songs. I was converted.
I listened to country ever since. Through college. Though once I started commuting over an hour everyday at my current job, the same old country cds I had loaded onto my iPod got old. In search for new content, my sister graciously shared with me all her latest music loves: Colbie Caillat, James Blunt, and Feist soon filled my iPod. And there went my love for country music.
Last week, I was awoken along with my alarm to a phone call. My mother-in-law’s best friend had fourth row seats to Alan Jackson. I don’t know about you, but once I hear fourth row I say yes. Not that I have ever before been asked to take a floor seat, but it’s a general rule. “Do you want to sit fourth row to a concert?” “Absolutely I do.”
That day I turned my Pandora to play a mix of Alan Jackson and Lee Ann Womack to prepare myself for the concert. Let’s just say it hasn’t changed since. I have relapsed. Country music just brings back so many memories for me and leaves me feeling so much better. It reminds me of drives with Cale when he would let me blast my new Brad Paisley CD. It brings back hot summer afternoons. Sad songs that make you cry, and songs that can remind you that tequila makes your clothes fall off. There is no substitute for some southern twang. And there’s no cure for a bad day at work that is better than blasting “Homewrecker” by Gretchen Wilson through my headphones. So move over John Mayer, you’re going to have to make room on my iPod for another genre.
And this is Lee Ann Womack. God she was so pretty! And had the cutest shoes! Metallic silver strappy pumps. She sings I Hope You Dance, in case you didn’t know.
Yes that would be Alan Jackson. I actually knew most of his songs he played that night even after taking a long country music hiatus. It’s 5 o’Clock Somewhere is always my favorite though.
Oh yes and I found one of Alan Jackson’s picks. He threw a ton of them out during the show. Of course I gave it to Bonnie who got us the tickets and is in love with him. Thank you again Bonnie; I had the best time!!
Have you ever been this close at a concert? I don’t think I can ever sit further back ever again! It was amazing being this close!
Note: These photos were taken by Bonnie because I forgot my camera, again. Just when I thought I learned my lesson. Sigh.
