I was shocked and pleased when I learned that Little Big Town was going to be coming to Redding. I hadn't heard anything on the radio, or anything, and all of a sudden, the Fan Club mailing said that pre-sale tickets would go on sale the next morning. I got in touch with my friend Dianne, and we agreed to go, as long as the tickets were reasonable, and the seats were decent.
We were able to get fifth row seats on the left side, fairly close to the center aisle, and the price was right, so next we signed up for Meet & Greets and waited to see if we'd be picked.
As it turned out, I was picked, but she wasn't, so I went backstage before the show and found out that Kimberly was nearly mute, and would be saving her voice for the show. The band was warm and friendly, as usual, and Phillip commented on how beautiful the area was. After getting my autographs and photo taken with the band, I told them I'd see them at the ACM Awards and headed back to my seat.
The row was still not filled up, so I didn't have to climb over anyone, which was great. I hate sitting in the middle of the row and having to climb over people to get to my seat. Now, Dianne and I just waited for the show to begin.
Around 7:30, the disc jockeys from the local radio station, Q-97 came out and welcomed everyone to the show, and tossed out some t-shirts. They announced some upcoming shows, and said the band would be out soon, and told us that today was Phillip and his wife, Rebecca's first anniversary today.
The lights went down and the band came out, leading off with "I'm With the Band." The theater had filled up by this time, and we soon found out that the night was a sell-out. The first country music sellout ever at the Redding Convention Center. The theater holds about 2,000 people, and everyone was singing along on the next song, "A Little More You."
The band played a mix of songs from their Platinum selling album, The Road to Here, and their new album, A Place to Land. Karen also explained about Kimberly's vocal problems. She said that they didn't want to cancel the show, but she sounds like a squeaky toy. Kimberly demonstrated her voice, and indeed, she does sound like a squeaky toy. Karen said that they got back from doing a few dates with Martina McBride, and her crew was sick, and they gave it to Little Big Town's crew, and then Kimberly got it, and Karen got it from Kimberly when she accidently drank from the wrong water bottle on the stage. She said that it's strange that neither Jimi, nor Phillip have gotten sick, and that the girls went to the doctor today to get some antibiotics and some shots so they could sing. They also were so appreciative of everyone coming out to their show.
Even with the girls being under the weather, they all sounded so great. You could tell the harmonies weren't quite the same without Kimberly's high soprano in parts, but she was out there and singing as well as she could, and I think that a lot of other band's would have cancelled.
Karen told the story about everyone in the band having lost someone close to them, and that the next song was really special to them, talking about how to make sure to let people know how you feel. That song was "Vapor," from the new album.
Kimberly actually did talk one time, telling about the next song they were going to sing, which Jimi had written about Karen, called "That's Where I'll Be," also from the new album.
The crowd was again singing along when it came time for some good ole redneck music, with "Welcome to the Family." And the girls were mesmerized by Phillip's voice on "Bring it On Home."
One of the band's influences is Fleetwood Mac, and they sang their version of "You Can Go Your Own Way." And, no Little Big Town show would be complete without the ever popular "Boondocks," which again had the crowd on their feet and clapping and singing along.
They came back after "Boondocks" for an encore of the Eagles' "Heartache Tonight."
What a wonderful night! I'm always impressed by Little Big Town's performances, and really applaud their determination to give the fans a great show, even when they're not 100%.
Full Song List:
- I'm With the Band
- A Little More You
- Reason Not To Be Gone
- Novocaine
- Bones
- Good As Gone
- Vapor
- Stop Dragging My Heart Around
- That's Where I'll Be
- That's Just Fine With Me
- Fine Line
- Welcome to the Family
- Bring It On Home
- You Can Go Your Own Way
- Boondocks
- Encore
- Heartache Tonight