It's been one month short of a year since I last saw Chris Cagle live in concert. I was really looking forward to the show, as a fan club member, I can have the option of a meet & greet with him prior to the show. You just have to be one of the first 30 Fan Club Members, with membership card in hand to receive a pass to go backstage and meet Chris.
We lined up at 7:15 and waited about 15 minutes to be let into the backstage area, where we were again lined up to wait. After another 30 minutes we were told that he would sign one item and take one picture as he was running late, and only had 15 minutes to do the meet & greet. Keep in mind that not only are Fan Club Members backstage, but also contest winners and radio station employees, and other VIPs, so we knew the show was going to be delayed.
When I met Chris, he greeted me, calling me "Ma'am" and I gave him my name and he personalized my CD cover. Then, the backstage manager took the pic, only the flash didn't go off, as he forgot to put the flash up. I had it up when I gave it to him. ;) So, I went to him and opened the flash and then went back to hug Chris again and take a second pic, which did flash. I didn't mind that at all. A brief encounter, but one I'll get to duplicate at the CMA Music Festival at his Fan Club Party. Can't wait!
My friend Dianne had never seen Chris before, and I told her she was in for a great show. We had first row seats, and before the show started the two people next to my friend had other girls sitting on their laps and it was really blocking some of Dianne's viewing of the stage. The security guy said that they had to go back to their seats, but when the show started, they couldn't do anything about people going up in front of where we were sitting.
I gotta say... I do not mind that people want to be by the stage, but I bought my seat in the first row so I could SEE the show, not the back of someone's head. I think the venue should keep people back from the stage until towards the end of the show. Then, I have no problem with everyone rushing up to the stage. Wasn't the case, and if you're claustrophobic, you'd HATE being up front as everyone just packs in and you have no space to move at all. If you don't stand up they'd stand 2 inches from your feet and all you'd see was someone's badonkadonk the whole show, so it's stand up or see nothing. :/
Not all venues are like this, and after one more show we'll be attending later this year, I think I'll skip first row seats at this venue from now on.
Since we didn't begin our meet & greet til 7:55, and the show started at 8:00, the show didn't actually start til 8:30. Chris came out dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans with his trademark hat, and opened with "You Might Want To Think About It." From there he sang "Hey Ya'll," which is also from his latest cd, Anywhere But Here. Next up was an oldie, but goodie, "Laredo." The whole crowd was singing along, and Chris was already sweating from the heat of the lights. I guess it doesn't help that he was in a black t-shirt! :D
Chris told a story about how each night we go to bed, and we know we're safe because of the men and women that are fighting for our freedom. He said that they're told they'll be kept safe, and that they don't always end up coming home that way. He said he wanted to dedicate the next song to those men and women in the military. Then, he started the intro for "I Breathe In, I Breathe Out. Everyone screamed and clapped, and then sang along.. word for word. After the song ended, he said, "Thanks for my first number one song."