I was supposed to interview Rockie after he performed his sound check that afternoon. When I arrived Rockie wasn't there yet so I waited a couple of minutes and watched as the crew was busy setting up the stage. A short while after I got there Rockie walked in and immediately started greeting people like they were old friends. Later, I would learn that they were indeed old friends.
Someone pointed me out to Rockie so he made his way over to me with a big warm smile on his face. That immediately put me at ease and set the tone for the remainder of the afternoon. We introduced ourselves and he asked me to join his table where one of his friends was sitting. He explained what his afternoon was going to entail and that he was sorry to keep me waiting. I said that it was not a problem. While they finished setting up it gave me a chance to talk to some of his longtime friends and they shared some pretty good insight into the man I was about to interview.
Rockie kept me updated as the sound checks continued and stopped by to chat when he was able. I was not prepared for what I was about to witness next. There was a handicapped man named Mike who came over to Rockie and I as we sat at a table talking. Mike has had some type of a severe head trauma to the point where part of his skull around his left forehead and cheek bone had been removed. Well, Mike busted right into the middle of our conversation and Rockie stood up and greeted him warmly and asked him his name and started talking to him and answering his questions. He took time to talk with Mike and thanked Mike for coming and told him that he hoped that he would come to his show tonight. Little did I realize, I just got an amazing glimpse into the heart and soul of Rockie Lynne. As I would come to learn an hour later that this is the way he is. He is genuinely kind and compassionate to other fellow human beings. It is not an act, it is not for publicity sake, this is what this man is about.
During the sound check he introduced a new song that will be released later this summer called "I Can't Believe It's Me." The song is about a man who can't believe he is lucky enough to have the love of his life marry him and have a son with him. This was the first time I heard this song and I can tell you one thing if it doesn't make #1 then there something is wrong in radio land. To say it is amazing is an understatement. I had the biggest lump in my throat when I heard it. It was very hard to fight back the tears as the harmony and lyrics were unbelievable.
Then came the next amazing moment of many that day, Rockie was suppose to go to Elko Speedway and sing the National Anthem later that afternoon but he made an announcement that they were going to practice it to see how it sounded. What we all got the pleasure of hearing next gave me goose bumps. It was the most chilling version of the National Anthem I have heard in several years. I sat there trying to take in the emotion of the moment, maybe it was because in the back of my mind I knew it was Memorial Weekend and that Rockie was a veteran and this was very important to him and to his fellow veterans or maybe it was because they just sang the heck out of that song but it was very moving. When he finished that song everyone in the bar started clapping.
Then it was time to have our interview. It was a beautiful sunny day as we sat out on the deck of Renegades. It was an easy and heartwarming conversation that ended all to soon. He is the kind of person you could sit down and get lost for hours in his recollections of life. He shares his experiences with an open heart and appreciativeness that makes you realize you are talking with a very gentle and kind soul. It was time for him to leave to sing the National Anthem so we thanked each other and said good bye.
Later that night, we arrived 2 hours before the show was about to begin and we already had a hard time finding a seat. We finally found a table clear across the other side of the room from the stage. A short while later Rockie walked in and my husband said, "Oh, he must be here." As I turned around I saw Rockie standing in a crowd talking, signing autographs and taking pictures with fans. Then he continued to walk around and talk and greet people. This continued for quite some time as he made his way around the entire bar.
There was standing room only as Rockie took the stage. He kicked off his show with the high octane song "Super Country Cowboy." This got the crowd ready for what was to be an unforgettable night of country music. "Don't Make This Easy On Me" was his second song. This is a song that tells someone to just leave the relationship and not to give him any hope of getting back together, don't play mind games, just do what the title says and leave. Then came the up-tempo "Every Man Has A Mountain." I really like the beat to this song, of course the lyrics are good too so the combination of the two make it a very easy song to listen to.
Next, came the song that would be an instant hit with the crowd, "I Can't Believe It's Me." It was really good when he performed it at the sound check but it was over the top when he performed it in front of a live audience. This is sure to be a number one hit for him. I was able to capture the emotion in his face with some great close up shots (see link to Rockie Lynne photo gallery).
"Do We Still" and "More" were the back to back favorites for everyone that has ever heard Rockie perform. What a treat it was to hear him sing them in such a personal setting.
Another highlight of the evening was a song called "Liquid," off his new instrumental album Twilight. This song showcases his mastery of the guitar.
